New York Trend NYC: September 22 – 28, 2022

YORK TREND

MAYOR DAVID DINKINS, REP. CHARLES RANGEL, HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Since 1989

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE’S FUTURE HEADQUARTERS CELEBRATION HELD

By NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE

Leaders of the National Urban League gathered today with city, state, and federal elected officials and economic development partners for a Topping Off Celebration to mark the progress of the Urban Empowerment Center, the League’s future

The Black Stars News 2015 Annual Awards Dinner will honor Mayor David Dinkins, Rep. Charles Rangel, Rep. Yvette Clarke, R. Donahue Peebles, Barbara Arnwine, Inez Barron, Sabrina Lamb, Dr. Rudy Crew, Stephen Byrd, Alia Jones, and the Central Park Five survivors of gross injustice on December 18 from 6:00pm –10:00pm at MIST Harlem, 46 West 116th Street

The National Urban League was founded in New York in 2010 to support the migrants in Harlem and elsewhere in the city who sought to escape the violence and terrorism of the Jim Crow South as part of the Great Migrations

The $242 million, 414,000-square-

One Hundred Black Men of New York, United Negro College Fund New York, and the Harlem-based Jazzmobile, and retail space featuring Target and Trader Joe’s

The project is made possible through a variety of city, state, and federal funding sources, including more

headquarters in Harlem.

The event took place on the building’s Fourth Floor, which will house the Urban Civil Rights Museum, New York’s first museum dedicated to civil rights.

Speakers include National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, Board Chair Tim Murphy, Urban Civil Rights Museum Executive Director and Chief Curator Jennifer Scott, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, and BRP Companies Co-Founder and Managing Partner Meredith Marshall

YEARS!

past in mind that we at the National Urban League have pursued this historic building project that will keep us in the city where we were founded, while enhancing the economic and cultural revitalization of Harlem.”

York and a former chancellor of the New York public schools system. Pioneering producers Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones, through their company Front Row Production, brought “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” with a multi-ethnic cast to Broadway. In 2016 they bring “Eclipsed” with Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong ’O to Broadway.

Tim Murphy, Mastercard Chief Administrative Officer and Chair, National Urban League Board of Trustees, said;

Honorees, the so-called Central Park 5, are collectively and individually heroes. They are survivors of one of the ugliest miscarriage of justice in New York’s history; having been railroaded and unjustly convicted for a crime they did not commit and for which they served long prison sentences ranging from seven years to 13 years before being exonerated when the actual rapist confessed. They are: Yusef Abdus Salaam; Raymond Santana Jr., Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, and Kharey Wise.

honored for Lifetime Achievement — he was New York City’s first African American mayor and also welcomed Nelson Mandela to the city after his release in 1990.

Rep. Charles Rangel, also honored for Lifetime Achievement, has served in Congress since 1971. He is a recipient of The Bronze medal for helping save soldiers behind enemy line during the Korean War

Rep. Yvette Clarke is a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives from New York whose 9th district covers much of central Brooklyn. Before entering Congress in 2007, she

foot Urban League Empowerment Center is one of the most significant economic development projects in Harlem’s recent history. Located Center on Harlem’s “Main Street,” 125th Street, near legendary cultural institutions like the Apollo Theater and the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Empowerment Center will include the National Urban League’s headquarters, the Urban Civil Rights Museum Experience, the National Urban League Institute for Race, Equity and Justice, along with 170 units of affordable housing, belowmarket office space for non-profits and community groups including

a leading developer and founder of The Peebles Co., the nation’s largest African American-owned real estate firm with $3.5 billion worth of properties under development or management — he was one of the pioneering developerswho helped turn around and revitalize the once-blighted Anacostia neighborhood in Washington, D.C. A champion of African-American economic empowerment Peebles’ is contemplating a possible run for NYC mayor in 2017.

Honoree Barbara Arnwine, civil rights lawyer, is a champion of protecting voting rights of ethnic minority groups — the emerging

Transformative Justice Coalition. Arnwine was for 26 years executive Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law. , honoree, formerly a member, is now council member and a champion of education for

than $110 million in state grants from Empire State Development and the Department of Housing and Community Renewal

Marc H. Morial, National Urban League President and CEO, said: “The convergence of ambitious, motivated Black people from around the country with employment opportunities created by World War I exploded into the Harlem Renaissance. With it, came what Langston Hughes called the courage ‘to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame.’ It is with this profound legacy and storied

Imhotep Gary Byrd is a legendary radio talk show host and executive producer, radio DJ, poet, songwriter, music recording artist and producer, rapper, writer and community activist. He began his career as a radio DJ in Buffalo at age 15. For over 30 years, he’s been a talk show host at WBLS and WLIB radio in New York City. He also has a Friday night radio talk show on WBAI

“This new building is much more than a physical structure. The brick and mortar that we stand in today represent so much, from economic and social progress and the dream of actualizing full equity; to the hopes and aspirations for the many who will walk through these doors and see themselves reflected and represented. The building is a metaphor for the critical history that is documented in the museum here that we must not forget, and in the possibility of a brighter future, as with the new conference center where generations to come will access trainings and education. This building is a living, breathing example of what’s possible when we come together with shared goals of advancement and opportunity for African Americans.”

The Black Star News, which focuses on investigative journalism, has been featured as a result of some if its news scoops, on CNN, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, The Village Voice, and Brill’s Content magazine.

Jennifer Scott, Urban Civil Rights Museum Executive Director and Chief Curator, said:

Honoree Sabrina Lamb, founder of World of Money, is a champion of financial literacy for youth-- she teaches knowledge about handling money, budgeting and planning.

Dr. Rudy Crew, honoree, is one of the nation’s leading educators. He’s president of Medgar Evers College of The City University of New

“I am thrilled to lead this special and timely charge. It will be an honor to bring out the unique stories of the Great Migration, the Harlem Renaissance, and the long fight for justice in the North, from early African American communities to the current Black Lives Matter era. Harlem - as one of the many Northern destinations of the Great Migration,

Photo Source: nul.org -- cont'd on Page 3

Past Black Star News honorees have included: Gil Noble (Like It Is), Rep. Maxine Waters, Soledad O’Brien (CNN), Ms. Camille Cosby, Voza Rivers (New Heritage Theatre), Errol Louis (NY1 News), Amel Larrieux (Entertainer), Dr. William Pollard (Medgar Evers College), Herm Edwards (NY Jets), Nayaba Arinde (Amsterdam News), La-Verna Fountain (Columbia University), Lillian Roberts (DC37), Desiree Dancy (New York Times), Greg Floyd (Local 237), Rev. Al Sharpton (National Action Network), and many others.

LEADERS MEET WITH VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

By NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE

The nation’s top civil rights leaders, reproductive rights and justice organizations met with Vice President Kamala Harris today to discuss the harmful impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and the ongoing threat to our democracy.

This meeting stems from a letter the organizations sent to President Biden in July urging his administration to prioritize the protection of women’s health and reproductive rights after the Supreme Court made the overwhelming decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. For nearly 50 years, women have had the freedom to choose what to do with their own bodies. The impact of the rollback on reproductive health access undermined decades of progress for gender equity and reproductive freedom, one that disproportionately impacts Black women, other women of color, and vulnerable women, and will reverberate for generations.

Similarly, as the deteriorating crisis of

democracy continues to overtake the country, the need for federal legislative intervention could not be more urgent.

With the anti-democracy wave of radical state and federal lawmakers openly coordinating with violent extremists on a campaign of suppression intimidation underway, they are dangerously close to dismantling American democracy and establishing autocratic rule. These cynical efforts to preserve political power at all costs are a threat to our democracy and need to be challenged directly and undeniably.

“As leaders of several of the top civil rights, national reproductive rights, health, and justice organizations, we are incredibly grateful to Vice President Harris for meeting with us to discuss the dire situation unfolding across the country as abortion access hangs in the balance,” the coalition shared following Monday’s meeting.

“Abortion access is an economic and racial justice issue. The Supreme Court’s disastrous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade stripped women of the

federal constitutional right to control their own bodies. The denial of that access cannot be separated from other social justice issues – voter disenfranchisement, policing abuse, criminal injustice, poverty, economic inequity, housing inequity, LGBTQ+ rights, the immigration crisis, food insecurity, medical bias, environmental injustice etc. – that disproportionately harm the communities we serve.

Sixteen states so far have implemented abortion bans — and more will follow.

“Together, we are prepared for the long fight that lies ahead to safeguard reproductive rights, voting rights, and other freedoms – and we are grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for their continued work to protect these essential rights. We know that the survival and thriving of Black people and the other communities we serve depend on our success, and we need the continued leadership of the BidenHarris administration to be successful.”

NEW CURATOR NAMED FOR New York’s First Civil Rights Museum

By NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE

The National Urban League has named anthropologist, museum leader, author, curator, and public historian Jennifer Scott to head the Urban Civil Rights Museum, New York’s first museum dedicated to civil rights and one of the first in the nation to focus on the history of civil rights in the North. She will serve as the new museum's founding Executive Director and Chief Curator

“As one of the nation’s leading museum experts and public history scholars, Ms. Scott has the depth of experience and knowledge to create a world-class museum that will serve as an anchor for the National Urban League’s new headquarters, the Urban League Empowerment Center, in Harlem,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “Under Ms. Scott’s leadership, the Urban Civil Rights Museum will break new ground in exploring the significant role Northern communities like Harlem have played in the American Civil Rights Movement. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the National Urban League.”

In addition to the Urban Civil Rights Museum, the Urban League Empowerment Center will include 170 units of affordable housing, belowmarket office space for non-profits and community groups including One Hundred Black Men of New York, United Negro College Fund New York, and the Harlem-based Jazzmobile, and

retail space featuring Target and Trader Joe’s. It is slated to open in late 2024/ early 2025.

“I am thrilled to lead this special and timely charge,” Ms. Scott said. “It will be an honor to bring out the unique

Civil Rights Museum, Ms. Scott held the inaugural role of Senior Vice President of Exhibitions and Programs at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, one of the nation’s earliest and most significant black history museums.

Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission to provide guidance for genocide education, public memorial, and commemoration across the State.

Ms. Scott worked for a decade as the Vice Director and Director of Research at Weeksville Heritage Center, a nationally significant historic site in Brooklyn that memorializes a Free Black, independent community in the 19th century. She was part of the leadership team that helped to restore and reinterpret the historic site and develop its trademark innovative programming, community engagement and new interpretations of history, culture, and the arts. She helped to build a new $40 million modern center on the site and transform the emerging campus into a present-day cultural destination.

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE APPOINTS NATIONALLY RENOWNED HISTORIAN AND CURATOR JENNIFER SCOTT TO DIRECT NEW YORK’S FIRST CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM

stories of the Great Migration, the Harlem Renaissance, and the long fight for justice in the North, from early African American communities to the current Black Lives Matter era. Harlem - as one of the many Northern destinations of the Great Migration, the birthplace of the National Urban League and a center of this vibrant history - is the perfect place to launch these stories."

Prior to her appointment with the Urban

She previously served as Museum Director & Chief Curator of the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum in Chicago, where she was appointed by Mayor Lightfoot to serve on to the City of Chicago’s Cultural Advisory Council and to co-chair the Chicago Monuments Project Advisory Committee - a commission created to help rethink the city's monuments and public art works. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker appointed her to the newly re-activated

As an assistant professor at The New School for Public Engagement in New York for more than 20 years, Ms. Scott teaches courses in arts and civic engagement, cultural anthropology, race and ethnic studies, global studies, and museum studies. She researches, writes, and lectures locally and internationally on arts and social change, memory and place, contested histories, and innovative strategies for museums and public history sites.

Ms. Scott holds degrees from Stanford University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

PRESIDENT BIDEN CANCELS UP TO $20,000 OF STUDENT DEBT

"President Biden's announcement cancelling up to $20,000 for Americans across many generations, takes us one step closer to the NAACP's ultimate goal of alleviating the burden of student debt. We've got a ways to go, but the NAACP is proud that

we were able to push President Biden to exceed $10,000, bringing us closer to $50,000 and beyond. Monthly payments won't resume until 2023 and will be more manageable for many borrowers. Americans across the country, including

millions of HBCU attendees, will benefit from this decision. Our continued focus remains on closing the racial wealth gap and we will continue to press for scaled solutions. We encourage the Biden Administration to grant qualifying borrowers the promised

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE’S

relief quickly, without the red tape and bureaucracy that prevented millions from receiving public service loan forgiveness. The NAACP will continue advocating for equitable relief for the millions of borrowers who are caught in the student debt crisis."

FUTURE HEADQUARTERS CELEBRATION HELD (cont'd from cover)

the birthplace of the National Urban League and a center of this vibrant history - is the perfect place to launch these stories."

New York Governor Kathy

Hochul said:

“This milestone is one major step toward a bright new chapter for the National Urban League and the Harlem community,” Governor Hochul said. “As one of the nation’s longestserving civil rights organizations, the Urban League has been a fierce defender of values that New Yorkers hold dear — equality, justice, fairness and opportunity. My administration is proud to invest more than $110 million into this project, including $4.5 million for brand-new office space, to help the Urban League

continue its remarkable service and strengthen the surrounding Harlem neighborhood.”

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said:

“Today’s topping off ceremony marks the return of the National Urban League to Harlem, the original Mecca of Black literature, thought, and culture in the United States. The National Urban League was born right here in New York over a century ago, and I am proud to stand side by side with them year after year as we work to correct decades of systemic racial, economic, and educational injustices within our society. The Urban League Empowerment Center will cultivate the talent and purpose and energy to sustain progress in the ongoing

struggle for equality and justice even as it celebrates Black history and lives. I look forward to working with the National Urban League to empower the community as we work together to achieve equal justice and shared prosperity.”

Meredith Marshall, BRP Companies Co-Founder and Managing Partner, said:

“It’s a great source of pride to see the progress on this remarkable addition to the Harlem community. The Urban Empowerment Center exemplifies BRP’s mission of developing equitable, sustainable projects with a holistic and thoughtful approach. With affordable housing, space for civic organizations, communityminded retail partners, and a world-

class cultural institution in the civil rights museum, the Empowerment Center celebrates and elevates every facet of Harlem’s unique and vibrant character.”

The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 92 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people annually nationwide. Visit www.nul.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague

Photo Source: naacp.org

COMMENTARY

GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS NEED TO MOBILIZE COMMUNITIES

Recently, in a virtual press conference, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta announced over 4.6 million in additional Vote Your Voice grants to 39 voter outreach organizations across the Deep South. The grants will support voting education, registration, and mobilization, especially among communities of color. These resources represent an addition to an earlier investment of over $11 million in two-year grants made last year.

This round of grants included Alabama Forward, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta (Advancing JusticeAtlanta), Engage Miami Civic Foundation (Engage Miami), the Power Coalition, and Southern Echo, all of whom were represented in the press conference.

“With the recent wave of unprecedented attacks on civil rights and liberties that disproportionately target communities of color, women and people with disabilities, it is more important than ever to defend our right to vote and make our voices heard,” said Lecia Brooks, Chief of Staff and Culture for SPLC. “These grants will empower communities to get out to the polls, exercise their freedom to vote, and stand up for their right to an equal voice in government.”

“The bottom line is that everyone deserves a fair shot at a decent life. If you are with the Community Foundation in that basic tenet, then you join the Foundation in teaching our children and all our neighbors that the right to vote is the cornerstone of democracy.,” said Frank Fernandez, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta  “It is by educating each other on the tenets of democracy, engaging in civic discourse and ultimately electing officials to represent and advocate for the things that we deem most important that

citizens catalyze progress and change in our communities."

“Alabama Forward is excited to use these Vote Your Voice grants to empower communities, especially young Alabamians, to make their voice heard through their vote,” said Evan Milligan executive director of Alabama Forward. “Through community organizing we hope to one day create a system where everyone can have an equal voice in government to bring forward the needs and concerns of their

an equal opportunity to vote represents the best way communities can advocate for our needs and interests on issues like local infrastructure, access to healthcare, and education,” said Rebecca Pelham, Executive Director of Engage Miami “That is why it is so important we utilize these help communities get to the polls and make their voice heard.”

“Voting is our most powerful tool to advocate for our communities, since

and hardship with higher rates of poverty and less access to education and healthcare,” said Brenda Hyde, Deputy Director of Southern Echo “Mobilizing our communities to vote will be central for rolling back these inequalities.”

The SPLC will release a series of stories featuring grantees from states across the Deep South, with a new feature on its website every two weeks until the election.

communities, and to have those needs met.”

“At Advancing Justice-Atlanta, we believe that all Georgians should play a role in shaping our collective future.

That must include ensuring equal access to the ballot,” said Phi Nguyen, Executive Director of AAJC “We are committed to using Vote Your Voice grants to ensure all Georgians can advocate for themselves, their families, and communities.”

“An equal voice in government through

it determines who will represent us, who will allocate investment into which communities, and who will respond to our needs,” said Ashley Shelton, President and CEO of the Power Coalition “Vote Your Voice grants will help ensure communities in Louisiana and across the South have an equal voice in government, and thus, equitable access to resources and opportunities.”

“For generations, Black communities in Mississippi have endured discrimination

Vote Your Voice is a partnership between the SPLC and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to increase voter registration, participation and civic engagement among communities of color in the Deep South. Vote Your Voice supports voter registration and mobilization, voting rights advocacy and voting rights restoration activities. Vote Your Voice also is strengthening field capacity through data and fundraising support and the testing of effective voter engagement strategies.

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Photo Source: splcenter.org

EDUCATION

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS PARTNERS WITH COLLEGE FOUNDATION

National College Resources Foundation and its trademark program Black College Expo™ has formed a partnership with the Golden State Warriors to support students attending historically black colleges and universities HBCUs. Executive members of the Golden State Warriors attended the annual Oakland Black College Expo this past February and handed out Warrior swag bags to student attendees.

“We have watched the work off NCRF and their commitment to help students succeed, so we had to get involved and partner with NCRF and Black College Expo™,” says A’yanna Moody, Senior Director of Social Impact for Golden State Warriors

This partnership is an ongoing commitment to address low resource marginalized students who are in need of financial support to attend college.

NCRF’s program Black College Expo™ highlights (HBCUs) and their rich history

committed to changing trajectories of Black and Brown students by

and commitment of educating Black students since 1837 due to black people not allowed to attend college.

“We are excited to partner with an organization like the Warriors, especially knowing that they are

providing support to help students attend college,” says Dr. Theresa Price, CEO and Founder of NCRF and Black College Expo™.

“NCRF and Golden State Warriors both agree this is the beginning of something

special which will increase enrollment to college and support to HBCUs,” Dr. Price added.

For more information, sponsorship/ partnership opportunities visit: www. ncrfoundation.org or call 877-427-4100, or email info@ncrfoundation.org

ATHLYT ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH DIVISION 1 HBCU

From the football players to the women’s bowling team, history has been made with a one-of-a-kind name, image, likeness (NIL) deal. Every student-athlete from Grambling State University (GSU), a D1 athletics historically black college/university (HBCU) located in rural Louisiana, has been offered a NIL deal to appear, individually, on an ad in Times Square for HBCU League Pass+, a 24/7 live and on-demand sports network focused on HBCU athletics. The facilitation of this unique and groundbreaking NIL deal is through the combined efforts of Urban Edge Network’s HBCU League Pass+, the ATHLYT NIL platform, Blip Billboards, and Grambling State University, whose active participation made this all possible.

Dr. Trayvean Scott, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at GSU, stated, “President Gallot and I believe strongly in supporting our student-athletes, on and off the field. This NIL opportunity is uniquely aligned with our school’s official motto:

‘Where Everybody Is Somebody’.”

With this NIL deal, over 300 student-athletes have the opportunity to be paid to have

their image featured, individually, on an ad located in the heart of Times-Square. Not only their image, but in their official Grambling State University school photo with school logo and apparel, something few schools allow under NIL deals. “We didn’t ask for anything special, we just worked with HBCU League Pass+ and ATHLYT to make sure the images were used correctly.

Our number one goal was to help provide our students opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. That’s one of the many reasons we enjoy working with the team at ATHLYT,” Grambling’s Scott stated.

In addition, every participating athlete will have subsequent opportunities to further promote this campaign, as well as others, through the ATHLYT platform. Ray Austin, Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of ATHLYT, the platform that facilitated the deal, is a former collegiate standout himself who turned NFL pro. “Equity is often a word used in the diversity and inclusion landscape, identifying ways that we can strive to provide a more even playing field

EDUCATION

NETFLIX F O U N D A TI O N PARTNERS WITH BLACK’ N ANIMATED

We’re opening the doors to our third session of the Netflix Animation Foundations Program, a mentorship initiative that expands access for underrepresented talent to compete for entry-level roles in animation.

For this session, we’ve partnered with Black ‘N Animated, an organization working on career growth and empowerment for Black students and professionals in the animation industry. They will identify up to 50 participants for the session. Those looking for more information on how to apply can do so by contacting Black ‘N Animated

The program is divided into six tracks: art and visual development, storyboarding, writing, CG/VFX, production management and an informational track that covers part of all these disciplines. All tracks are run virtually and run for four months.

Participants are matched with a mentor from Netflix Animation, where they receive advice on the industry, their careers, and guidance

on editing and curating portfolios, writing samples and resumes. Mentees are also invited to lectures on the animation pipeline to help them prepare to apply for internships, training and apprentice programs, or entrylevel positions in the animation industry.  Netflix’s first session had 74 mentees chosen by the non-profits Latinx in

Animation and Exceptional Minds, where participants have gone on to be interns at Nickelodeon Studios and Dreamworks, character designers at Marvel and freelancers at Disney Television. The program’s second session ran with 52 mentees sourced from Illuminative and Veterans in Media &

Entertainment.

A former program mentee, Michael Johnson, says, “I've established a great relationship with my mentor and feel that the Netflix staff was genuinely working to guide me to the next step in my professional career path. I challenged myself to develop an animated pilot during the program and I feel more confident in my writing.” A mentor from the program, Maddie Lazer (Production Manager, Ultraman: Made in Japan) also says she grew as an instructor during her involvement. “This was the first time I had the opportunity to participate in long-term mentorship one-on-one with a mentee. I felt it made the experience more meaningful than the groups I have supported in the past.”

Through the Foundations Program, we’re excited to increase access to networking and job opportunities for emerging artists and create more opportunities for representation in the animation industry.

SONY INTERACTIVE PLEDGES MILLIONS TO HBCU

Recently, UNCF and Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced a new $2 million scholarship program aimed at supporting Black students attending historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs) interested in gaming development as a career. UNCF will recruit for and administer the newly established HBCU Computer Science Scholarship. The program will be available to more than 50 students majoring in computer science or computer engineering who need support. The scholarship is supported by the PlayStation Career Pathways Program

SIE’s financial contribution will support the scholarship and student participation in the UNCF Tech Innovation Summit, a crucial component of UNCF’s mission. The summit helps to prepare students with much-needed professional development as they transition into jobs in the tech and gaming industry.

“We’re thrilled to have Sony Interactive Entertainment’s commitment to create this new scholarship as part of our educational program. Through the HBCU Computer Science Academy program, SIE will invest in the preparation of a robust HBCU computer science student pipeline and produce highly qualified and motivated student cohorts, eligible for

selection into this program,” said Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at UNCF “This contribution opens new pathways for our students and we look forward to continuing our work with SIE.”

Dr. Chad Womack, Sr. Director of Stem Initiatives and Programs, and the UNCF Student Professional Development Program (SPDP) team is working together with SIE to develop and implement a

“We want to leverage the power of education and help provide opportunities for the next generation of Black and other underrepresented talent entering the

customized student development program as part of the scholarship program with the goal of preparing them for internships and jobs in the gaming industry. SPDP activities will include both resume and interview preparation; and helping students to learn how to navigate corporate culture.

gaming industry,” said Tiffany Johnson, Senior Director and Head of Global DE&I at Sony Interactive Entertainment “We believe that a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible industry will contribute to greater innovation and storytelling. For us, this starts by investing in underrepresented talent and creating more exposure and visibility for them. The new scholarship supported by the PlayStation Career Pathways Program is aimed to drive meaningful change alongside many of our other initiatives.”

The first group of students to receive the scholarship will be this fall.

About UNCF  UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective

ATHLYT ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH DIVISION 1 HBCU (cont'd

for those who have been disenfranchised,” Austin stated. “Bringing NIL opportunities to historically black colleges and universities is a great first step in rewriting the narrative that you have to make it to the ‘big leagues’ in order to be successful.”

The ads start running in early September on a digital-billboard located at 1540 Broadway, in the heart of Times Square, through ATHLYT’s partnership with Blip Billboards Every participating athlete's image will be displayed at least once, for fifteen seconds, as part of the campaign.

Urban Edge Network (UEN) is a Blackowned media company focused on publishing and distributing content from HBCUs. Their mission is to connect brands with content and culture, while also providing the institutions with monetization opportunities.

UEN developed HBCU League Pass+, an ad-supported Black College Sports Network The platform delivers 24/7 access to live and on-demand content from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It’s goal is to bring advertising dollars, video streaming, and NIL opportunities to HBCU communities, students, and alumni.

ATHLYT is a name, image, likeness (NIL) platform co-founded by Austin and casting director Brian Jagger with a focus and commitment to make NIL deals impactful, valuable, and most importantly, available for all. With their tagline “NIL for all” ATHLYT has helped facilitate over one-thousand individual NIL deals, mostly for studentathletes whose individual names, or even school names, are not well known; but they have avid followers, support, and with whom local and national brands want to work.

About Grambling State University:

Part of America’s historically black college & university (HBCU) registry, located in central Louisiana, Grambling State University combines the academic strengths of a major university with the benefits of a small college, a combination that enables our students to grow and learn in a serene and positive environment. We offer more than forty (40) undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs through four colleges, including two professional schools and a graduate school.

In addition to being one of the country’s top producers of African American graduates and the top producer of Computer Information Science grads in Louisiana, Grambling is the home of the internationallyrenowned Tiger Marching Band and the legendary college football coach Eddie Robinson, Sr., whose tenure is memorialized in a campus museum, funded and operated

minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. While totaling only 3% of all colleges and universities, UNCF institutions and other historically Black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 13% of bachelor’s degrees, 5% of master’s degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees and 24% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF by the state of Louisiana. GSU is a member of the University of Louisiana System and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Also listed on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail, Grambling State University is steeped in history, with a long-standing tradition of excellence, Grambling State University continues to emphasize the value and importance of each student, exemplified by our motto: Where Everybody Is Somebody Blip Billboards allows small- and mediumsized businesses to achieve greater flexibility, geographic reach, mass visibility, and more billboard campaign control than ever before. With Blip, advertisers have access to over 1,800 billboards across the United States. And, because you only pay per blip (or every time your ad is displayed), you have the flexibility to diversify when, where and how you are seen.

Source: ATHLYT

HEALTH

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL GUM CARE MONTH

September is National Gum Care Month Phanord & Associates, P.A., Sabal Palm Dental, P.A. and Caring Dental Services support this special observance to share the importance of gum health and disease prevention.

The gums or gingiva are the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth and the bones of the jaw. When the gums are not taken care of properly, they no longer help the teeth, putting them at risk. The inflammation or infection of the gums results in periodontal disease. Its early stage is called gingivitis, and the gums can become red and swollen. In a more severe form, the periodontal disease  is called periodontitis. In this stage, the bone may be lost, the gums may pull away from the tooth, and the

teeth may become loose or even fall off. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease.

"When patients notice redness or swelling around the gums, they should book a dental appointment immediately," said Dr. Kevin Phanord "Time is crucial; gingivitis can be reversed while periodontitis cannot." "The good news is that both are preventable with proper oral hygiene," added Dr. Kyle Phanord Drs. Phanord shared some tips to keep gums healthy.

Brush and floss every day to remove the bacteria that cause gum disease.

Floss at least once a day

Replace worn-out toothbrushes at

least every three months.

Visit us twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings.

Phanord & Associates, P.A. is a leading Black-owned family dental practice that has been serving the community for over 30 years. The leading dental practitioner, Dr. Roger Phanord, is a doctoral graduate of the University of Florida College of Dentistry Phanord & Associates opened in June 1988 and recently expanded their practice by opening Sabal Palm Dental Associates, P.A. in the Little Haiti community. Sabal Palm is now Phanord & Associates' sister company and a welcome addition to the dental community, as the Phanord family provides quality oral care at both dental practices.

Phanord & Associates, P.A. and Sabal Palm Dental Associates, P.A. are dedicated to serving patients in a caring and clean environment that allows them to feel safe and secure while receiving the best dental care. All services are provided using new technology, including 3-D X-Rays, digital scans and 3-D printers! Policies are in place to ensure that patients are safe in every case. In the age of COVID-19, equipment is sanitized before, during and after each visit. Both practices welcome all patients from different backgrounds, and their staff speaks several languages, including Spanish, Creole, and French. Both offices strive to meet and

FLU SEASON IS GOING TO BE

By ANN BROWN

Some reports are projecting a very nasty flu season due to what Australia has been experiencing recently. One of the preventative measures that the CDC encourages is frequent hand washing. With MyKirei by KAO, hand washing can be fun with their TikTok sensations – the Yuzu Flower Foam Hand Wash and Paw Print Hand Wash

MYKIREI BY KAO YUZU

FLOWER FOAM HAND WASH

Richly textured foam hand wash, with vitamin-C rich Yuzu and rice water, combines instant, effortless cleansing with a moment of joy in every pump.

This unique, user-friendly package reinvents the ritual of hand washing, dispensing the perfect amount of cleanser in the beautiful imprint of a

MYKIREI BY KAO

PAW PRINT FOAM HAND WASH

A pet leaves a paw print on your heart. Designed for all pet lovers, the MyKirei by Kao Paw Print Foam

exceed their patients' dental needs by offering general & cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial surgery. If one thing is certain, patients will have something to smile about when they leave Phanord & Associates, P.A. and Sabal Palm Dental Associates, P.A.

Phanord & Associates, P.A. is located at 1245 NW 119th Street in North Miami, Florida. Opening hours are Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sabal Palm Dental Associates, P.A. is located at 5337 NE Second Avenue in Miami, Florida. To make an appointment, call 305685-7863 or 305-758-0815. Visit us online https://www.phanord.com.

Hand Wash dispenses a paw print shape of a furry friend with every pump and is perfect to help make handwashing a daily ritual to look forward to for everyone in the family.

Packaged in a refillable bottle for life, the MyKirei by KAO Paw Print Foam Hand Wash features a user-friendly package that allows for single-handed dispensing for persons of all ages and abilities and makes what is now one of the most important self-care tasks of your day a wonderful moment of enjoyment. The universal, 99% biodegradable formula is nourishing to even the smallest of hands and the most sensitive skin

Price: 8.5 Fl. Oz. $18 each for a full size bottle, 1x refill 6.8 fl. Oz. $12.50

Amazon

MyKirei.com

Left to right: Dr. Kevin, Dr. Roger and Dr. Kyle Phanord.

Photo Source: blackprwire.com

JOIN THE SHARK TANK WATCH PARTY

Success was inevitable for the Bahamian sensation Alexiou Gibson, founder of The Transformation Factory (TTF). Appearing on the season 13 finale of ABC’s Shark Tank, The Transformation Factory is the first brand to feature sea moss in Shark Tank history and is the only brand to receive a deal on the season finale.  Initial offers from Kevin O’Leary and Barbara Corcoran were turned down in favor of a dual offer from Kevin Hart and Mark Cuban for $600,000. The excitement of it all was so overwhelming that the season finale will broadcast again on September 9, 2022 at 8 p.m. on ABC in the U.S. and the Bahamas.

In celebration and recognition of this exceptional feat, Alexiou Gibson heads back home to the Bahamas for an all-out WATCH PARTY with family, colleagues, friends and the media.

“Heading home to watch this special program with my family, friends and media in my hometown is such a rewarding and amazing opportunity,” says Alexiou Gibson  “I am really looking forward to connecting with everyone and I hope this accomplishment helps position many others to keep working hard to bring their dreams alive.”

In his pitch to the “sharks,” Gibson said his company had $3.5 million in sales in just 11 months into its formation, with a 35 percent

profit margin. He explained that it was all direct to consumer and 100 percent online.  Gibson’s pitch worked and sold “sharks” Cuban and Hart - resulting in TTF receiving a $600,000 Shark Tank deal. Scoring the Shark Tank deal was a big deal in itself! This meant that after years of hard work and dedication, Gibson was well on his way to seeing his company’s mission come to fruition.

Today, Alexiou Gibson is the epitome of a successful black business owner who has grown his company into a multi-million-dollar business. Sea Moss, also known as Irish Moss, is a species of red algae. The marine plant, whether raw, powdered, or blended into a gel, has been linked to numerous health benefits including better gut health, reducing the risk of heart disease, and supplementing nutrients and minerals.

The Transformation Factory is a blackowned and operated business founded by entrepreneur Alexiou Gibson. As a child, Gibson enjoyed cultural food while growing up in the Bahamas. His grandmother would make him the most delicious treats daily.    At age 21, Gibson weighed 500 pounds.  “Like most teens, I believed that I was invincible,” Gibson shares. “I thought I would be fine and had time to get healthy later. It wasn’t until my doctor told me that I wouldn’t live to see my 30th birthday that I

really understood how serious I needed to be about living.”

Gibson started college and was immersed in a positive environment where he excelled and pivoted into leadership. His mind shifted and thus began the journey of wanting to meet the best version of himself. He started eating healthier and exercising twice a day in 3-hour intervals and incorporated Sea Moss into his diet to transform his life for the healthier and better. No stranger to overcoming adversity, Gibson’s perseverance and dedication to his passions led him to an internship with N.A.S.A and numerous awards, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, Apple Innovation Award, Buick Engineering Award, Global Citizen Award, and Legacy MiamiUnder 40 Award and Legacy South Florida Trailblazer of the Year 2022

For more information on the brand’s history, visit https://seamosstransformation. com Alexiou Gibson is currently available for speaking engagements. Topics include Pursuing Entrepreneurial Excellence, How to Lose Weight and Feel Great, Motivating Black Millennials, and more. To secure Alexiou as the speaker for your next event, contact Bernadette Morris, Sonshine Communications at (305) 948-8063, ext. 201, or via mobile at (305) 450-0942

BILLIONAIRE PHILANTHROPIST KEYNOTES TECH CONFERENCE

HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) announced its second annual virtual technology conference for historically black colleges and universities with billionaire philanthropist Robert F. Smith as this year’s featured speaker. Presented by HP with support from partners, Microsoft and Intel, the four-day conference September 13-16 will open with a prerecorded virtual fireside chat with Smith hosted by HuffPost Editor-in-Chief Danielle Belton on Tuesday, September 13, at 11 a.m. Eastern.

Smith, who is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of private equity firm Vista Equity Partners, is a digital transformation

percent of Black tech talent and 42 percent of Black engineers.

As part of HP’s ambition to become the world’s most sustainable and just technology company, it launched the HBCU Technology Conference in 2021 to accelerate digital transformation at HBCUs and prepare for their students' digital futures through:



Greater access to tech careers

Supporting innovation and tech entrepreneurs

Enhanced cybersecurity, tech infrastructure and faculty support

Working with and empowering HBCU leaders

HP has worked closely with HBCUs of different sizes across the nation to create a meaningful experience for HBCU students, IT staff and faculty/administration. HP also is partnering with HolonIQ, a global impact intelligence platform, to launch an HBCU Digital Transformation Study that will help HBCUs benchmark their digital transformation journeys and engage in conversations with other HBCUs.

PREPARING HBCU STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE

The conference has more than 1,000 registered HBCU students, faculty, IT staff and university leaders, representing more than 80 participating HBCUs.

Students will be able to access the Future of Work Academy, which includes:



Professional development and job opportunities, including conversations with industry insiders on how to prepare for tech careers.



A career accelerator where they can get help with their resume and LinkedIn profile prior to the conference and apply for internships and jobs.



A two-day interactive symposium with technical learning and career readiness topics



expert who founded the nonprofit Student Freedom Initiative to address college student debt and other barriers to success for HBCU students. Smith’s participation in the conference has ignited a broader conversation with HP around how the two organizations can work together to accelerate digital transformation at HBCUs through enhanced infrastructure, cybersecurity, talent development and access to tech careers. HBCUs produce 25

 Advancing access to quality healthcare

“We know that equal access and representation drive better outcomes which leads to innovation,” said Lesley Slaton Brown, Chief Diversity Officer, HP “After two years of remote learning and increased cybersecurity threats to institutions, advancing the infrastructure that supports tech curriculum, prepares students for tech careers, and mitigates security threats which is critical to advancing equity.”

Four student “innovation incubator” competitions. Teams will solve realworld business problems in a bot-a-thon, marketing, or health IT competition or participate in an esports/gaming experience.

IT, Faculty, Staff and HBCU leaders will be able to take part in a four-day virtual conference that will include industry insights and workshops on topics such as safeguarding HBCUs against cybersecurity attacks, talent development, tech curriculum and diversifying the tech workforce.

“HBCU partnership with the tech industry will increase awareness and access, and offer opportunities to be at the table with advocates who can go to bat for the brilliant talent on HBCU campuses who will add value to tech corporations,” said Jackson

State University President Thomas K. Hudson, J.D. “Equally important is to have in place modern tech infrastructure to protect against ransomware attacks that threaten students’ privacy and institutions’ ability to thrive.”

HP’S COMMITMENT TO HBCUS 

In addition to the tech conference, HP, a founding member of the HBCU Business Deans Roundtable, hosts an annual HBCU Business Challenge and invites students to craft a solution to an HP business challenge.

The most recent HP Business Challenge, won by South Carolina State University’s team, called for the HBCU teams to build a model to change the bottom line for HP’s Reverb G2 Omnicept Edition virtual reality headset. The 6th Annual HP HBCU Business Challenge has officially launched, and registration is now open. Go to http://www. hp.com/diversity for more information.

HP helped solidify the first relationship of its kind between the New York Stock Exchange and an HBCU. HP also joined the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus’ HBCU Partnership Challenge to further strengthen its relationships and programming with HBCUs.

In 2020, HP launched an innovative 3D printing learning pilot program at North Carolina A&T State University and partnered with Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) and presented the school with an endowment to establish the HP Cybersecurity Scholarship HP’s growing investments in HBCUs demonstrate its commitment to reflect the diverse markets and customers that the company serves.

HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a technology company that believes one thoughtful idea has the power to change the world. Its product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers, and 3D printing solutions helps bring these ideas to life. Visit http:// www.hp.com

"Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur," based on Marvel's hit comic books, follows the adventures of 13-yearold super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur After Lunella accidentally brings Devil Dinosaur into present-day New York City, the duo works together to protect the city's Lower East Side from danger.

"Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur" stars Diamond White as Lunella (aka Moon Girl); Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur; Alfre Woodard as Lunella's grandmother, Mimi; Libe Barer as Lunella's best friend and manager, Casey; Sasheer Zamata as Lunella's mom, Adria; Jermaine Fowler as Lunella's dad, James Jr.; Gary Anthony

Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series is executive produced by Fishburne and Helen Sugland's Cinema Gypsy Productions (ABC's "black-ish" and "mixed-ish," Freeform's "grown-ish") and Steve Loter (Disney's "Kim Possible"). Rodney Clouden ("Futurama") is supervising producer, Kate Kondell ("The Pirate Fairy") and Jeffrey M. Howard ("Planes") are co-producers and story editors, and Pilar Flynn ("Elena of Avalor") is producer.

NEW NAME FOR ‘REAL TIME MEDIA’

Real Times Media, relaunched its cultural marketing division as PITCH BLACK today. Formerly known as RTM360°, the newly minted Pitch Black will continue to help clients connect with Black audiences through a mix of culturally relevant brand communication & outreach initiatives.

“As RTM360 we have been able to do some great work on behalf of amazing clients. But it felt like with the watershed times of the past few years, that branding no longer accurately reflected the heart of who we are as an organization,” says Tanisha Leonard, President of Pitch Black.

“Not that we've ever been anything but unapologetically Black, I feel the time is now for us to double down on that.”

Leonard, a 20-year marketing and communications professional will continue to lead the company, supported by cultural marketing veteran Eric Roberts who serves as Executive Vice President Roberts brings to the company his experience of leading multicultural communications efforts

for notable brands such as McDonald's, Amtrak and Hartford Financial Services Group

“Black people are not dark-skinned white people” is a constant refrain that Roberts has borrowed from Tom

recognize the importance of sustaining traditions and symbols that strengthen the community.”

Echoing Leonard's sentiment on why the name change, Real Times Media CEO Hiram E. Jackson said, “The

get with Pitch Black. Its legacy is rooted in a century-long history of being a part of the Black Press. We have been advocates of amplifying Black voices and impacting communities long before it was the comfortable thing to do.” Pitch Black currently supports a

Burrell, acknowledged as the father of Black advertising. Roberts explains, “The point is that it isn’t language that distinguishes connectivity with Blacks, but the ability to understand and acknowledge the Black experience and cultural nuances that authentically resonate. At Pitch Black, we are protective of cultural heritage and

heightened sensitivity for social justice and equity resulting from the 2020 tragedies of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor renewed focus for companies around effective communications for Black communities. The unfortunate by-product of this is that now everyone claims to be an expert on connecting with Black people. That's not what you

portfolio of 15-plus clients nationwide. Its services include:

Strategy

Source: Pitch Black

HBO RENEWS ‘ HOUSE OF THE DRAGON ’

The HBO Original drama series HOUSE OF THE DRAGON has been renewed for a second season.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON debuted Sunday, August 21, to the largest audience for any new original series in HBO history. The first episode has now been seen by over 20 million viewers across linear, On Demand and HBO Max platforms in the U.S., based on a

combination of Nielsen data and first party data.

Logline: Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen

Season 1 Cast: Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma

D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional cast includes Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, Savannah Steyn Francesca Orsi, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming quote: “We are beyond proud of what the entire HOUSE OF THE DRAGON team has accomplished with season one. Our phenomenal cast and crew undertook a massive challenge and exceeded all expectations, delivering a show that has already established itself as must-see-TV. A huge thank you to George, Ryan, and Miguel for leading us on this journey. We couldn’t be more

excited to continue bringing to life the epic saga of House Targaryen with season two.”

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON garnered strong critical praise for the “flatout stunning” show (Entertainment Weekly), with IGN declaring “It’s good to be back in backstabbing Westeros.” Los Angeles Times hailed it “a new, engrossing chapter in HBO’s epic,” and Wall Street Journal noted it’s “as captivating as any season of ‘Game of Thrones.’”

Season 1 credits: Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; CoCreator/Co-Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer, Ryan Condal; CoShowrunner/Executive Producer/ Director, Miguel Sapochnik; Executive Producers Sara Hess, Jocelyn Diaz, Vince Gerardis, Ron Schmidt. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.”

Williams as Lunella's grandfather, Pops; and series executive producer Laurence Fishburne in the recurring role of The Beyonder, a curious and mischievous trickster.

The HBO Original drama series HOUSE OF THE DRAGON has been renewed for a second season.

END NOTES

MINORITY LEADER’S ABRAHAMS AND RICHBERG HOSTS ‘ BEST OF LONG ISLAND

Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams (D – Freeport) and Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D – Wyandanch) celebrated the region’s top hardwood talent by hosting the inaugural “Best of Long Island” basketball tournament at the Nassau County Police Department’s David S. Mack Center for Training and Intelligence in Uniondale on Sunday, Aug. 21.

It was an exciting back-and-forth contest that went the distance – and then some. After tying at 57 in regulation, Bay Shore High School, which emerged as the winners from Suffolk’s Bright Lights summer league, overcame a tenacious challenge from Rising Stars On the Ball from Nassau County’s Coes Neck Classic League to win 69-65 in overtime. MVP Mike Samuda from Bay Shore High School scored 30 points in Suffolk’s victory.

“The inaugural ‘Best of Long Island’ championship game truly lived up to its name,” Nassau Minority Leader Abrahams said. “Congratulations to Suffolk’s Bright

Tournament hosted by Minority Leader and myself,” said Suffolk Minority Leader Richberg. “It was a hard-fought game that went to overtime with the team representing Suffolk County coming out on top.

Congratulations to all of the participants!”

Coaches for the rival teams said the event served as a fitting culmination for their respective summer leagues. “This was a great event, and I hope this is the first of many ‘Best of Long Island’ tournaments in the years to come,” Baldwin High School

Coach Darius Burton, who directed Coes Neck along with Fred Lopez, said. “I want to thank Legislator Abrahams and everyone who made it possible to have this game at the police academy.”

“It was a great experience for both of those teams,” said Devine Smith, who served as Commissioner of Bright Lights along with Tyrone Tillman “I think we did a great job of taking the separate entities we had and bringing them together to determine an overall champion.”

McDONALD’S USA TO LAUNCH NEW LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Calling entrepreneurs, activists and culture shifters. McDonald’s USA has announced the Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders program, an initiative to empower the next group of visionaries who are changing the world, one community at a time. The yearlong campaign is part of the Black & Positively Golden movement which began with the McDonald's Future 22 program earlier this year. The Golden Arches is excited to lend its platform and award financial resources to a select group of 10 trailblazers, ages 18 to 30, to help support and foster their community-driven missions.

“The McDonald’s Future 22 program opened doors that I didn’t think existed,” said Marcyssa “Horizem” Brown, a competitive gamer and 2022 Future 22 leader. “Because of McDonald’s, I gained new experiences, relationships and exposure. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for which I am forever grateful. I’m excited for the Change Leaders who will be selected!”

From now through October 9, 2022, change makers can apply at www. McDChangeLeaders.com. In a short video, applicants are encouraged to share their stories on how they are impacting their community. Those selected to be part of

USA “We look forward to building on the McDonald’s Future 22 platform and shining a spotlight on a new group of incredible leaders as we continue feeding and fostering the communities we serve.”

The McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders program is just one of the many ways the Black & Positively Golden movement is serving up bright futures in the communities it serves. For more than 65 years, McDonald's has uplifted the Black community through scholarships to HBCU students, impactful partnerships with community organizations like the National Urban League, NAACP, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and more. And this year, McDonald's is proud to celebrate the National Black McDonald's Operators Association for 50 years of entrepreneurial and community excellence.

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninetyfive percent of McDonald’s approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds. com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ mcdonalds

LIAACC PARTNER WITH TOYOTA FOR HBCU FOOTBALL CLASSIC

The M.O.N.E.Y Group is a consultant firm dedicated to adding measurable value to their clients. These services include access to capital, digital marketing and real estate performances. The M.O.N.E.Y Group is also the co-founder and owner of the Toyota HBCUNY Football Classic 2022.

The Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce mission is to advance and promote the economic development for business and to advocate

responsive government and quality education, on behalf of all small

businesses, with an emphasis on African Ancestry, while preserving

the unique characteristics of the Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Brooklyn Counties that serve our membership. This partnership will allow community organizations to purchase Toyota HBCUNY Football Classic 2022 September 17th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Within this capacity, TMI & Partners, Ltd is able to refer any interested party the ability to purchase group tickets (min. 20) for the event at an affordable cost directly from MetLife Stadium

McDonald’s Change Leaders program will receive financial support from McDonald’s to further help their cause, an opportunity to raise awareness of their work in a national

being in a community and being a part of one. Through the Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders program, we’re honored to celebrate individuals, including our own

advertising campaign and be featured on McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Instagram, @wearegolden

“We know there’s a difference between

crew, who embrace giving back to their communities, a value espoused daily by the company and our Owner/Operators,” said Veronica Thompson, Director of Cultural Engagement & Activations, McDonald’s

Lights for capturing the crown in a thrilling game that won’t soon be forgotten. It was a pleasure working with Minority Leader Richberg and all of the coaches and

athletes to host this competition – one that I hope will become a tradition.”

“Thank you to everyone who came out for the ‘Best of Long Island’ Basketball

Photo Credit: Office of Nassau County Legislator Kevan M. Abrahams

For decades, Big Tobacco has targeted Black Americans, kids and other communities with

and flavored cigars, profiting at the expense of lives and health.

By advancing rules to prohibit these flavored tobacco products, the

and protect future generations from addiction.

This lifesaving policy must be finalized and implemented without delay.

is

historic