Entrepreneur Danika Berry On How Overcoming Adversity Propelled Her to New Heights in Business

Danika Berry, founder and president of DB Agency, is known for helping celebrities and entrepreneurs make their mark in their respective industries. Over the span of her career, Berry has worn many hats. She has created, sold, and produced TV shows for OWN and USA Network and is also the founder of Glam Body, a beauty brand that sells natural body scrubs and promotes self-care and wellness. And while many have tried to quantify her success by measuring how well she does her job, Berry is proud of her ability to bounce back and pivot.

While sitting at a kitchen table with divorce papers and three kids under the age of 11, Berry made the decision to keep going.

“I got to the point in my life where I realized, I was depressed. Due to stress, I had bad acne, hyperpigmentation, stretch marks (my war wounds from giving birth), and I just didn’t feel beautiful,” said Berry. “I put all my energy into other people’s companies, which left me having to be ‘ON’ all the time. I’m human, I was tired.”

She went on to say, “I never thought I would ever be a single mom, but overcoming divorce personally taught me to not let fear be my chauffeur.”

Nevertheless, she persisted. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Berry was used to making life work for her. Earlier in her journey, Berry took a number of calculated risks that came with her experiencing homelessness and great rewards like working with Mathew Knowles and Destiny’s Child; David Beckham; Don Cheadle; and major brands such as Coca-Cola, Cartoon Network, NASCAR, and General Mills.

“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, the hustle, and drive. I strongly feel and will tell everyone, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. I’m a firm believer in having multiple streams of income,” said Berry.

Formulating Success

For Berry, one of those streams of revenue has always come from the beauty industry. Now, she’s making her mark on the industry with Glam Body. 

(Image: Glam Body)

While searching for skincare products to treat her stress breakouts and beauty aids to make her stretch marks less prominent, Berry began to devote her time and energy to creating a solution for herself.

After learning about coffee’s abilities to clear acne, smooth skin, remove blackheads, cure hyperpigmentation, treat cellulite, and soothe eczema; Berry began mixing and testing out recipes for nearly eight months. And in 2017, Glam Body was born.

“Prior to Glam Body, I had a few other online companies that did very well for me. Glam Body wasn’t necessarily about putting my dreams first, I created the company because my son was on steroids for eczema and I wasn’t comfortable with him being in contact with those chemicals. I heard about coffee scrubs and used a few from other companies. When I tried them, I didn’t really like them and said, ‘I can create this myself.’ When the product worked on my son, being the businesswoman that I am, I decided to sell it.” said Berry

Showing Up in Business

Successfully launching Glam Body was a testament to Berry giving things her all.

“When it came to my business, divorce taught me to be my authentic self. I used to hide behind my business, no one knew I owned Glam Body—and I launched the company in 2017. It took me three years to reveal myself as the owner because although I was instilling confidence in my every day clients as a publicist behind the scenes,” she added.

She went on to say, “The crazy thing is that I didn’t have that confidence within my own self. I had to practice what I preached. Now, I believe in myself like never before. And, realized that I can do anything the I put my mind to.”

Berry has worked with beauty moguls Mahisha Dellinger, Jenelle Stephens, and countless others who now encourage her to show up and shine.

“Janell Stephens, CEO of Camille Rose is a very good friend and she has given me awesome advice regarding Glam Body. Janell has been extremely inspiring, attentive, and very forthcoming regarding the moves that I make. Mahisha Dellinger, CEO of Curls, who is also a good friend has been super supportive. She has her Black Girls Making Millions Academy, where she helps women at all stages of their business empower, educate, and elevate the next generation of entrepreneurs. Mahisha was actually ready to introduce me to retail, but I wanted to pull Glam Body together first prior to taking that huge step,” said Berry.

She continued to say, “It feels good to have these beauty vets who run multimillion-dollar companies believe in you and share the business lessons they have learned. As black women, we all need to stick together and Janell and Mahisha are both giving back and helping those like myself, who are also trying to achieve entrepreneurial success.”

Faith, affirmations, and envisioning herself where she wants to be has helped Berry build her confidence. And she hopes to encourage other women to be fearless in their pursuits.

To other women looking to start a business of their own with confidence, Berry said, “Manifest your dreams by setting clear goals and intentions. The first step in manifesting something is to get crystal clear on exactly what it is that you want. Do this by setting concrete goals and intentions in and around the business you want to create. Find that inner strength and appreciate life and realize that you have control over your future. You can achieve success on your own terms.”

 

 

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‘In Living Color,’ 30 years later, endures for the culture

Anything you want to know about the show In Living Color can be found right in the title. In Living Color: an indication of the abundant, kinetic power of Black life.

Comedy is a unique language, and this show spoke it through the dialect of Black-born wit, irreverence and grace.

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the premiere of the Emmy-winning sketch comedy series. The brainchild of director/writer/comedian Keenen Ivory Wayans, the show immediately exploded. For five seasons, In Living Color stood out from every comedy show before it and has without a doubt influenced every comedy show since.

READ MORE: Kim Wayans admits letting her brothers tell her who she was in her 20’s

Photo: Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment

In 1988, Wayans was approached by executives of the then brand new Fox Network looking for edgy shows that would make it stand out among its competitors. After seeing Wayans’ I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, they felt he was up to the task and gave him total control — and he took full advantage.

The backbone of the show’s success was its cast. Previously unknown forces of nature such as Jim Carrey, Kim Coles, Tommy Davison, David Alan Grier, Jamie Foxx and the talented well-spring of Wayans siblings (Damon, Kim, Shawn, and Marlon) exhibited on-set chemistry that can only be explained by extrasensory perception.

Wayans once said of the cast on HBO’s The Blacklist, “everyone that Hollywood didn’t know what to do with, I knew what to do with.” This ragtag rogues’ gallery of actors and comics turned out to be what Hollywood had been missing.

Right from the jump, each cast member’s iconic pre-show intro illustrated vibrant art in a chaotic, exuberant way that was savvy enough to praise their individuality as well as imply a collective unity. You didn’t know what to expect, but you knew that’s why you tuned in every Sunday.

Characters like Tom & Tom, the Brothers Brothers hilariously examined the difference between the woke and the un-woke. Homey D. Clown was an ironic look at the Black man who viscerally, and sometimes violently, defended his self-respect. The ‘Hey Mon’ sketches were middle America’s exaggerated introduction to West Indian families who have to work multi-jobs to live in America.

The show was more than just a sketch comedy. It created culture just as effortlessly as it commented on it. It was the offspring of ‘The Richard Pryor Show,’ ‘Soul Train’ and ‘Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack.’ It was a platform for hip-hop, it challenged social taboos and showed what fearless television could be.

Today, In Living Color‘s influence is still strong, evident from its former cast becoming box office phenomenons, winning Grammy, Academy and Tony Awards, or when Bruno Mars and Cardi B paid homage to the show’s intro in the music video for their hit song “Finesse.”

Here are five ways that In Living Color made a difference in show business:

Black creative ownership

Seeing Black people on television has always sparked pride for Black audiences. Being able to see someone that looks just like you has been an important source of inspiration from The Nat King Cole Show right on down to The Cosby Show. But oftentimes, it’s non-Blacks who pull the strings behind the scenes, whether it’s Norman Lear writing for Good Times, or Kelsey Grammar producing The Game.

What Keenen was able to do was take from the book of TV producers Ellis Haizlip (PBS’ ‘Soul!’), Don Cornelius (‘Soul Train’) and Gil Noble (PBS’ ‘Like It Is’), who used the full control of their shows to uplift and address their community. For Wayans to do it in a comedic space with a cast comprised primarily of people of color was revolutionary.

Controlling the narrative of your own people’s stories is rare, and Keenan Ivory Wayans achieved just that. A Black producer, with Black writers making stories told by Black actors. He is responsible for today’s crop of unapologetic Black TV creatives like Donald Glover, Issa Rae and Terrance Nance.

LGBTQ’s transition from tolerance to acceptance

It’s amazing how much one sketch has helped assimilate the LGBTQ community in pop culture. ‘Men on Film,’ the popular reoccurring sketch of two gay men reviewing movies on public access TV walked a razor-sharp line between funny and offensive.

Sure, Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier played wildly on the effeminate stereotypes of the gay Black man, but it was done so confidently, and their characters were utterly unapologetic about their identity. It became less about their sexual preference and more about their chemistry and hilarious commentary.

They were able to sneak in slang like, ‘don’t make me read you,’ to a national audience that had no idea what that meant, but somehow got them to understand, and got the whole country saying ‘hated it,’ and doing ‘two snaps up.’

The door for acceptance for LGBTQ culture in mainstream media had opened and was never to be closed. Shows like Ru Paul’s Drag Race and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy owe a debt to Blaine Edwards and Antoine Merriweather.

Rap music goes prime time

By the end of the 1980s, rap was well in the midst of a golden era of creativity, but a show like In Living Color sprung the music and culture of hip-hop on its path to the crest of American influence and popularity.

Just a year prior to In Living Color‘s premiere, hip-hop had boycotted the Grammy’s. Rappers had Yo! MTV Raps in the afternoons, but if you wanted to see them perform live, you’d be lucky to catch them on late-night talk shows.

In Living Color put hip-hop in prime time living rooms every Sunday night thanks to an infectious theme song from Heavy D & The Boyz and the dancing of the Fly Girls. By season two, the show became a showcase for rappers to perform new music.

Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Gang Starr, A Tribe Called Quest all are among the many who got to unleash their versatile brand of rap that inspired a nation. Without ‘In Living Color,’ the assimilation of hip-hop into the mainstream may have taken much longer.

All comedy shows before 1990 followed the template of a live studio audience with a host and a band, from Saturday Night Live to The Arsenio Hall Show. But for In Living Color, the DJ was the band.

DJ SW-1, Shawn Wayans, and later DJ Twist, was such a staple to both the show intro and the Fly Girls’ dance interstitials, they eventually began contributing in sketches. It was such a different look and feel for the viewing audience. They captured a glimpse of the energy of hip-hop clubs and park jams that fit the contemporary aesthetic of the show’s cast and content.

Soon, many shows would follow suit. In 1992, HBO launched Def Comedy Jam, featuring DJ Kid Capri to preside over the music. Chris Rock pegged legendary DJ Grandmaster Flash is his musical director for his eponymous HBO talk show in 1997. Dave Chappelle‘s Comedy Central smash Chappelle’s Show in 2002 featured a DJ as well.

Changed the Super Bowl Halftime show

Today, the Super Bowl is hefty performance real estate for an artist. And believe it or not, In Living Color is a significant reason why.

Before 1992, the halftime entertainment of the Super Bowl was conservative, inoffensive content meant for the entire family, and was often not compelling. Past performers included college marching bands and nostalgic tributes with acts like Chubby Checker.

For Super Bowl 26, Fox produced a live edition of In Living Color as an alternative to that year’s halftime show, which was a salute to the forthcoming 1992 Winter Olympics, featuring Gloria Estefan and figure skater Dorthy Hamill.

Reoccurring sketches like ‘Men on Football,’ Fire Marshall Bill,’ ‘Homeboy Shopping Network’ and a performance from R&B group Color Me Badd garnered 22 million viewers. This promoted the NFL to rethink its strategy. So, who performed at 1993’s Super Bowl 27 Halftime? Michael Jackson.

Since then, the halftime show has featured superstars like Prince, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, and Janet Jackson. In 2020, things came full circle when Super Bowl 54’s halftime featured Jennifer Lopez, who got her start dancing as a Fly Girl on In Living Color.

The post ‘In Living Color,’ 30 years later, endures for the culture appeared first on TheGrio.

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Kanye West crowned hip hop’s second billionaire by Forbes

Kanye West famously rapped “Wait ’til I get my money right” on his 2007 single “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.”

Looks like that prophecy has come true as Forbes reports that the record producer-cum-fashion designer is now officially a billionaire.

The confirmation came after the polarizing superstar reached out to Forbes after noticing he was left off the magazine’s 2020 annual billionaires list, which included 2,095 names. West’s team sent the magazine an itemized list of his assets, which, by their appraisal, adds up to $1.26 billion.

He joins the ranks of one-time collaborator Jay-Z, whose relationship with West has grown complicated over the years, in rap royalty. Forbes, who produces an annual list of billionaires, first recognized Jay-Z as a billionaire in 2019.

READ MORE: Jay-Z is not just rap royalty, he’s a billion-dollar business, man

Dr. Dre and Diddy, who the business magazine estimated to be worth $800 million and $740 million, respectively, in 2019, are presumably knocking on the door to 10-figure status.

Much of West’s riches come from his Yeezy fashion brand. The shoe collaboration with Adidas, launched in 2015, produced approximately $1.3 billion in sneaker sales in 2019. West’s royalty stake in the shoe deal is about 11 percent, meaning he earned $140 million from the sneakers, according to Forbes estimates.

A model walks the runway at the Kanye West Yeezy Season 4 fashion show on September 7, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Yeezy Season 4)

West owns the Yeezy asset, whose portfolio includes an apparel arm, 100 percent outright. His deal with Adidas label calls for the German sportswear brand to handle production, marketing and distribution of the shoes. The apparel line, however, is thought to be a money-losing venture at the time, Forbes said.

Outside of his sneaker empire, the 21-time Grammy winner’s other assets include $81 million in “buildings and improvements” and $21 million in land, most made up of a Los Angeles mansion and two Wyoming ranches.

READ MORE: Kanye West’s high school art appraised on ‘Antiques Roadshow’

Then there’s West’s music. Over $90 million comes from his G.O.O.D. Music label and publishing rights of his own music.

West recently settled a dispute with former British record conglomerate EMI Group Limited over publishing ownership after the music entrepreneur attempted to buy the rights to his recordings in 2018, Variety reported.

West also has $17 million in cash and $35 million in stocks.

“Man it’s so hard not to act reckless/To whom much is given, much is tested,” West rapped on the hit “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.”

The song was won over by another one of his hits “Good Life,” the third single from the same Graduation album, for best rap song at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.

It must be nice.

The post Kanye West crowned hip hop’s second billionaire by Forbes appeared first on TheGrio.

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Kanye West is Officially Hip Hop’s Newest Billionaire

Move over Jay-Z, you have company in the Hip Hop billionaire’s room! Jay-Z‘s little “brother” Kanye West can now shout to the rooftops at the top of his lungs that he is officially a billionaire according to Forbes!

Somewhere Sean Combs and Dr. Dre must be shaking their heads in amazement! The controversial rapper has been steadily rising in his quest to be on top of the Hip Hop stack and apparently, he has inched closer to the man he used to call his big brother, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter. Jay-Z was officially declared Hip Hop’s first billionaire, although it seemed before that acknowledgement that Diddy or even Andre “Dr. Dre” Young would have reached that feat first.

Forbes’ writer, Zack O’Malley Greenburg has stated that Kanye has been obsessed with the magazine acknowledging that he is a billionaire, upset that he didn’t make the most recent list earlier this month. As what has been common when Kanye isn’t heard, he reacted with hurt and venom. “You know what you’re doing,” he texted. “You’re toying with me and I’m not finna lye [sic] down and take it anymore in Jesus name.” Even going as far as texting that Forbes was “purposely a part of a group of media” that was trying to suppress his self-made narrative because of his race. The fact that his sister-in-law Kylie Jenner made the list kept his anger at the magazine clearer.

Kanye continued to provide Forbes with the ‘receipts’ that prove his worth is over a billion dollars. “Finally, and perhaps most critically to West, it does confirm, based on our estimates, that his stake in Yeezy indeed makes him a billionaire. A bit over $1 billion, actually.”

So, after some more number crunching and reviewing of said “receipts”, Forbes has determined that the net worth estimate for Kanye West is $1.3 billion, which, coincidentally surpasses his younger sister-in-law, Jenner by $300 million.

And with typical Kanye banter, he texted Forbes the other night and said, “It’s not a billion. It’s $3.3 billion since no one at Forbes knows how to count.”

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Black Leaders Urge Georgia Residents to Stay Home as the State Reopens Hair Salons, Gyms, and Bowling Alleys

Civil rights leaders are speaking out against Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s order to reopen Georgia’s economy and urging people to stay home.

The governor announced Monday a new order to lift coronavirus restrictions that will allow hair salons, bowling alleys, gyms, and tattoo parlors in the Peach State to open for business starting April 24. By next week, restaurants can begin to resume some in-house dining services and movie theaters will be allowed to start showing films. Under the order, all open businesses will be required to have employees wear masks and gloves, test the temperature of workers, and practice social distancing.

In response, Stacey Abrams deemed the governor as “dangerously incompetent” in a tweet on Monday, pointing out that Georgia has nearly 19,000 confirmed cases and 733 related deaths. Since then, the novel coronavirus has killed nearly 900 residents and sickened more than 22,000 others in the state, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Now, a national group of black faith and civil rights leaders are encouraging communities to avoid shopping and recreational activities in Georgia and other states where stay-at-home orders are being lifted.

“The actions of these governors, which demonstrate reckless disregard for the health and life of black residents, compel us to speak out and take action to protect ourselves,” reads a letter sent to BLACK ENTERPRISE signed by Rev. Al Sharpton; NAACP, LDF president Sherrilyn Ifill; NUL President Marc Morial; NAACP president Derrick Johnson; and National Coalition on Black Civic Participation President Melanie Campbell among others. “We regard this pandemic as a grave threat to the health and life of our people, and as a threat to the integrity and vitality of the communities we are privileged to serve.”

The letter goes on to stress black businesses and black churches to remain closed, highlighting the alarming rate at which African Americans are being infected and dying from COVID-19. In Georgia, black people account for 54% of COVID-19 although they make up just 30% of the state’s population. Meanwhile, Albany, a predominantly black city of 75,000 in southwest Georgia, has experienced the fourth worst coronavirus outbreak in the country.

“This pandemic has ravaged black communities in both urban and rural areas.  The CDC reports that black people constitute 20% of all U.S. coronavirus deaths, although we are only 12% of the U.S. population. Across the country, we see the same disproportionate impact. Our families need us. Our communities need us. We must continue to telework wherever possible, and to tele-worship for however long it is necessary to do so,” reads the statement.

“Opening too soon also threatens our financial future. As church leaders and business owners, we must take responsibility for helping to protect the health of our parishioners and patrons – the very people with whom we must work in the coming months to rebuild the economic strength of our communities.”

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Space Photos of the Week: Polychromatic Views of the Earth

Earth's topography comes to resemble that of an alien world when viewed under different wavelengths.

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Wait a Second, That Table Has No Legs\!

How to build “magic,” gravity-defying structures—with Legos, kite string, and physics.

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Quarantine Restrictions Are Leading to Lower Grooming Standards

Quarantine restrictions have been implemented for over a month in most parts of the U.S. and personal grooming routines are starting to fall.

According to the Financial Times, Graeme Pitkethly, Unilever’s chief financial officer said hair washing, hair styling, and the use of skincare products are items typically used by people who go to work and to school every day. Since most Americans are working or getting an education at home, the demand for these products is falling.

According to Unilever, which makes Dove soap, deodorant, and Toni & Guy haircare products, quarantine restrictions are affecting the company’s haircare portfolio in China and India. Skincare sales and deodorant sales are also down after rising in the first three months of the year.

Pitkethly told the Financial Times he believes changes in consumer behavior will continue after quarantine restrictions and his company is quickly adapting.

“More time at home, more time cooking — which is good for us — and maybe less personal care occasions, this nesting idea,” Pitkethly told the Financial Times.

Unilever did report double-digit sales growth of cleaning products, such as cleaning wipes and bleach, indicating people are taking the virus and quarantine restrictions seriously.

Alan Jope, chief executive of Unilever, said that while people are shaving less due to being home, more people are shifting to cheaper, online brands such as Dollar Shave Club to meet their needs.

“We are almost certainly going into a period of low economic growth and we’ll adjust to that by prioritizing the value-for-money products in our portfolio — we’re going to be dealing with that for a couple of years,” Jope told the Times. “Secondly there is no doubt people’s concern about [household] hygiene has increased . . . and the shift to online digital consumption of media and online shopping is something that will be permanent. We will adjust our approach to reflect that.”

Some grooming companies are joining the fight against the coronavirus. Black haircare company Luster has expanded its operations to begin making hand sanitizer. Olive Branch Wellness Boutique, which makes scrubs and mud masks, has also begun making hand sanitizer.

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Unstoppable: Carla Harris’ Leadership Tools for Unprecedented Times

It’s been said that crisis doesn’t build character, it reveals it. Carla Harris, Vice Chair, Wealth Management and a senior client adviser at Morgan Stanley, takes it a step further. In an exclusive interview with Black Enterprise, she notes that crisis creates openings for everyone to tap into the leader within.

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented time when “everyone should step up to lead, no matter your title or seat,” she said.

Leadership is not about telling people what to do or being in charge. It’s not about being “The Boss.”

“It’s about getting things done and driving an effort,” Harris says. You can have “chief” as a title, but you can also lead when you haven’t been given the title. “Do it anyway,” Harris continues. Use this time to build those muscles and skills, aware that given how quickly things are changing in business right now, you may find yourself in an unexpected seat of power.

“Folks of color and women in particular often get their opportunities to lead during crisis,” she notes.

Leadership in this uncertain time, demands certain tenets more than ever. Harris, who is working on a third book of her pearls of wisdom while she shelters in place (her first two are “Strategize to Win” and “Expect to Win”), offers this advice on leading now, when it matters so much:

Be Visible. It sounds obvious. Leadership is typically synonymous with heightened visibility. But being visible is easy when everyone’s winning and cheering and fine. In times of crisis, there’s an initial natural tendency—even within seasoned leaders—to want to shrink, hang back, or even cut and run. But there is no more critical time for leaders to step up than when there’s great challenge and uncertainty. The more acute the difficulty, the more acute the need is for an ever present steadiness at the top. “Leaders must step forward to be seen and heard,” Harris says. “People are looking for a voice that will give them some type of assuredness, they have to see you in order to feel that.”

Be Transparent. “You don’t have to have all the answers,” Harris says. No one expects you to, but they do expect to understand your process for arriving at answers and a direction in which to go forward. So be forthright about what you know and what you don’t, what you need help with, and who you’re inviting to the table to offer it. Own your doubts, but overlay them with optimism. Invite questions and honest feedback. “We’ve not seen this [kind of crisis] before, but if you are in a position of leadership, you do have access to info that not a lot of people know.” Sharing what you can helps empower others.

Be Empathetic There are some whose lives have not been directly impacted by the virus itself, but having a heart for those who have is critical. “Now is not the time to say I’m superwoman and that’s not my kryptonite,” Harris says. “Now is the time to say, I know what you’re feeling and I feel it too.” It’s a time to offer all the comfort and support you can. Leadership is not just about what you say, you must also listen to others and be prepared to step up to be helpful in innovative ways.

Above all, it’s critical that leaders offer reassurance, no matter how unsettling the times. There’s a lot we don’t know, Harris acknowledges, but “I know this will pass,” she said. Recalling the numerous hits she’s seen the stock market take during her three decades on Wall Street, she recalled that every devastation to the market was followed by a rebound that led to new market highs.

“The market is resilient,” Harris says, and we must be too. Whether you’re a senior graduating from school, or a senior citizen, whether you’ve been furloughed or you’re working the frontlines of this pandemic, putting yourself at risk every day, “Hope and change are two very sure things that are on the other side of this,” Harris says, and the opening exists for every one to reimagine both an individual and collective future in which leadership is redefined and more broadly distributed and acknowledged.

“Whenever the rule books are being rewritten, there’s the time for you to put your personal imprimatur on it,” Harris says. “Set out the goals that you want to achieve and set out your own timelines that would exist if this framework wasn’t in place. Do not spend time on the thing that you cannot see and you cannot predict.”

Watch Carla Harris share her leadership tips on “On The Clock With Caroline Clarke” below.

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Zoom Upgrades Encryption Keys to What It Promised All Along

Plus: Facebook data on the dark web, Nintendo accounts keep getting hacked, and more of the week's top security news.

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Should There Be a Religion Based on *Dune*?

In tech writer Steven Kotler's new book, the religious group known as the Rilkeans is based on the Fremen in Frank Herbert's novel. 

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Democrats Plan To Censure Black Detroit Representative For Crediting Trump With Saving Her Life

Democrats in Detroit are planning to censure Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-MI) for crediting President Donald Trump with saving her life after she experienced a severe case of the coronavirus.

Whitsett said she was diagnosed with the coronavirus and used hydroxychloroquine to treat her illness. The drug is typically used for malaria patients. However, the drug’s effectiveness has not been proven to treat patients with the coronavirus and the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning after several people who’ve used the medication have died.

The drug has also been touted by President Donald Trump as an effective treatment for the coronavirus. Whitsett later visited the White House and has repeatedly offered praise for the president since overcoming the virus.

“It has a lot to do with the president … bringing it up,” Whitsett said earlier this month. “He is the only person who has the power to make it a priority.”

Now, the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party Organization is seeking to censure the lawmaker, saying her comments are dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Greg Bowens, a member of the executive board for the 14th Congressional District, said Trump will use her words to hurt others.

“She is in her own way trying to champion the inequities in our system,” Bowens said. “But everybody knows Trump’s a user. If you give him any praise, he’s going to use it in his campaign to win the state.”

As part of the censure resolution, Whitsett will be barred from receiving the group’s endorsement in the next election, and will also be prohibited from taking part in activities with the group for two years.

Former Georgia State Rep. Vernon Jones resigned last week after breaking with the party to endorse Trump’s re-election and offered some harsh words for his party on his way out the door.

“The way the Democrat Party has treated me this past week has made one thing clear: they are the bigots they claim to hate and I won’t be silent about it,” Jones said.

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Covid-19 Is Pulling the Plug on Clean Energy Jobs

A new analysis warns that up to 500,000 jobs in the renewable energy industry will be wiped out by June, including ones in solar power, biofuels, and electric cars.

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Sci-Fi Has a Somber Lesson for This Crisis

Technology can save the world. But discord between humans persists, and it's the kind that kills.

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As Workers Spread Out to Halt the Virus, Robots Fill the Gaps

Social distancing requires rethinking the layout of workplaces. A new breed of robots can help keep factories and warehouses running.

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How to Make Better Coffee at Home

Stuck indoors with no espresso machine? Not to worry, these tips and tools will help you brew cafe-quality joe at home.

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12 Best Weekend Deals: Robot Vacuums, Games, and More

Noise-canceling headphones and running shoes are both ways to get some socially distanced space.

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theGrio’s ‘Dear Culture’ podcast debates Kenya Barris’ ‘#blackAF’

Dear Culture’s fourth episode, “What’s Really #BlackAF?” probes into the question of Black representation in media with Hollywood royalty, Kenya Barris.

Though Barris is widely known for his autobiographical television shows, Black-ish and Mixed-ish, Barris has been a film veteran for years. Having co-created and produced, ANTM, The Game, Soul Food, and even writing for Girls Trip. His latest television venture, a Netflix deal estimated to be worth $100 million dollars, #blackAF has received countless amounts of criticism from Black audiences. 

“It’s Black Folks who are saying we don’t want this. We have to ask, why not,” says co-host and theGrio senior writer Blue Telusma.

READ MORE: #SaltyAF: Has it become impossible to make Black audiences happy?

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There are SO many opinions about @kenyabarris ‘ new #Netflix show, #BlackAF. On the latest episode of @dearculturepod, @natashasalford, @willscortney, @bluecentric and @mrernestowens debate about the show’s merits and critiques. AND we hear from #KenyaBarris himself. Click our 🔗 in bio to have a listen and drop your 💭 in the comments 👇🏾.

A post shared by theGrio (@thegrio) on Apr 23, 2020 at 10:25am PDT

The tea on Blackness is that we, as Black peoples, will always have a never-ending amount of multiplicity in our perspectives, stories, and experiences. Facts are, we can’t ever be represented or perceived as a monolith. The issue Black audiences are having with #BlackAF is neither technical or new; the issue is representational and even ideological. 

“The reality is that how many Black film creators get access to make television shows that just show non-racially ambiguous families or just full dark skin families?” said guest and theGrio contributor Ernest Owens.

Film, media, and nearly all industries “hand-pick’ which Black people get to tell what stories to the masses. For decades, Black stories in Hollywood have often been called into question for centering lighter skin — and for Barris the critique is no different.

“Colorism exists, but was not created by Black people,” says Telusma.

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There are SO many opinions about @kenyabarris ‘ new #Netflix show, #BlackAF. On the latest episode of @dearculturepod, @natashasalford, @willscortney, @bluecentric and @mrernestowens debate about the show’s merits and critiques. AND we hear from #KenyaBarris himself. Click our 🔗 in bio to have a listen and drop your 💭 in the comments 👇🏾. (Via @thegrio)

A post shared by Dear Culture Podcast (@dearculturepod) on Apr 23, 2020 at 10:59am PDT

Though many Black audiences can quickly point out how colorism and class come into play, supporters of #BlackAF argue that Barris is indeed speaking from his own perspective as an affluent Black man in Hollywood.

READ MORE: #blackAF review: The navel-gazing inception of Kenya Barris

Having left the restraints of cable network for streaming, Barris takes the same family story beloved by a mainstream audience and repackages it — all while sticking to his proverbial lane.

Though many Black audiences find another re-telling of Barris’ nuclear family to be redundant, many still find it original with “expert-level” maneuvering of racial dynamics in this country. 

On Dear Culture, Barris tells theGrio’s entertainment director Cortney Wills that understanding and coping with slavery was a large element in creating #BlackAF.

READ MORE: #blackAF review: Kenya Barris is done appeasing the masses

“There’s never been an official apology from the country [for slavery]. It affects us everyday,” Barris told 

Mixed reviews, debate, and all, it’s clear that Barris meditates on the happenings of slavery and how it still affects the Black community today. #BlackAF is another intimate look into Barris’ mind-mapping of his own life in regards to family, class and race.

And like any piece of art, it will always be up for critique. Take a listen to the full debate below:

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Tune in to Dear Culture’s third episode, “Power (and Purpose Moves),” now streaming on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. 

The post theGrio’s ‘Dear Culture’ podcast debates Kenya Barris’ ‘#blackAF’ appeared first on TheGrio.

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National Park Service Awards $7.7 Million in Grants to 17 Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Many of the buildings on historically black colleges and universities are historical landmarks with a rich history built into the brick and mortar. As a result, there are rules and regulations that colleges and universities have to abide by when performing renovations. In efforts to help HBCUs properly renovate campus buildings, the National Park Service announced that they are awarding $7.7 million in grants to 17 schools through the Historic Preservation Fund.

In a statement released by the organization, Director David Vela, National Park Service Deputy said, “These grants help us to honor the legacy of HBCUs in serving our nation’s higher education needs. Funding awarded this year will help preserve 18 historic properties on HBCU campuses in 12 states, many of which are listed in the National Register.”

Since the 1990s, the National Park Service has awarded more than $60 million in grants to over 80 of the remaining active HBCUs.

This year’s grant recipients include:

1. 1. Miles College
   2. Morehouse College
   3. Southern University and A&M College
   4. Grambling State University
   5. Morgan State University
   6. Jackson State University
   7. North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University
   8. Livingston State University
   9. Bennett College
   10. Central State University
   11. Langston University
   12. Benedict College
   13. Bluefield State College – Applied Research Foundation of West Virginia
   14. South Carolina State University
   15. Claflin University
   16. Texas College
   17. Virginia University of Lynchburg

Projects funded by these grants provided by the organization will support the physical preservation of HBCU campuses to include historic districts, buildings, sites, structures, and objects. Eligible costs include pre-preservation studies, architectural plans and specifications, historic structure reports, and the repair and rehabilitation of historic properties according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Archeology and Historic Preservation.

For many of the schools, the grants will help them restore buildings and preserve their culture. Some of the notable buildings include Samuel T. Graves Hall at Morehouse College; the University Memorial Chapel at Morgan State University; and the Historic Carnegie Library at Livingstone College.

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BET COVID-19 Relief Fund Raises Over $16 Million To Support Black Communities Impacted by Coronavirus

An array of black artists performed their hits, repped their cities, and provided the world with much-needed entertainment Wednesday night during the “Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort.” In addition to delivering virtual performances and short skits, the two-hour special surpassed BET Network’s initial fundraising goal of $10 million, raising over $16 million towards African American communities impacted by the coronavirus.

The special, which aired on BET and BET Her and was streamed on Facebook, Tidal, and BET.com, comes as the global coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc across the nation, especially in black and brown communities. It was co-hosted by Anthony Anderson, Kelly Rowland, Terrence J, and Regina Hall, who each emceed from the comfort of their homes.

Highlights of the evening included Alicia Keys, who dedicated “New York State of Mind” to New York City, featuring appearances from Whoopi Goldberg, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Queen Latifah, Fat Joe, and Remy Ma. Ludacris and Jermaine Dupri performed “Welcome to Atlanta,” while John Legend performed his new single “Bigger Love” in an afro wig accompanied by dancers in a “Soul Train” style theme. Anthony Hamilton performed “Lean on Me” and Kirk Franklin encouraged viewers with a rendition of this song “I Smile,” featuring Fantasia, Tyrese Gibson, Kelly Price, and others. Usher, Ella Mai, Chloe X Halle, and rapper Swae Lee also delivered virtual performances. Outside of the musical performances, Tiffany Haddish and the very pregnant Ciara delivered a hilarious dance battle while Kevin Hart and a number of other celebrities made appearances throughout the night.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the way our audience, leaders in our community and our business partners have stepped up to address the devastating impact of COVID-19 on African Americans,” said Scott Mills, president of BET, in a statement. “I am forever grateful to the talent and production team who pulled off that extraordinary show from home! We will continue this work, and we will continue to raise funds to assist those that need it most.”

Funds will support over 50 organizations across the nation providing emergency resources directly to the African Americans hardest hit by COVID-19.  Presented in partnership with United Way Worldwide, the BET Covid-19 Relief Fund received generous grants from Blue Meridian Partners, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, and The Ford Foundation. Corporate donations included Facebook, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Toyota, Salesforce, McDonald’s, AmEx, AARP, and JP Morgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways initiative.

“We are proud to have partnered with BET on such a successful program event, and we are encouraged by the tremendous outpouring of support we have seen from individuals and major corporations to the BET COVID-19 Relief Fund,” said Stan Little, Chief Experience Officer for United Way Worldwide. “We look forward to working with BET to not only provide immediate relief, but to build stronger and more resilient communities.”

Watch “Saving Our Selves: BET COVID-19 Relief Effort” below.

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Coronavirus in Africa: Tips to improve your mental health during lockdown

BBC Africa's Ashley Lime demonstrates tips from experts on how to stay positive during the pandemic.

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College Board Surprises High School Seniors with $40K Scholarships While Sheltering in Place

School closures are impacting the lives of students and families in more than one way. And COVID-19’s economic impact has many parents and guardians questioning whether or not they will be able to send their child to college. In efforts to support students and families across the nation, the College Board recently announced a new scholarship worth $40,000.

The College Board Complete Your Journey Scholarship is open to high school juniors and seniors who complete six simple college planning steps (Build a College List, Practice for the SAT, Complete the FAFSA, Improve your SAT score, Strengthen your College List, Apply to College) to earn scholarships from $500 to $2,000. Students who complete all six qualify for the $40K Complete Your Journey Scholarship.

As the class of 2020 faces the realities of finishing out their high school careers at home, the College Board was able to surprise 25 recipients with its first-ever $40K Complete Your Journey Scholarship and bring them some much-needed news to celebrate. To make the moment even more special, the College Board worked with parents to have its CEO, David Coleman, and the Head of College and Career Access, Steve Bumbaugh, to make surprise Skype calls to as many students as possible.

Take a look at the heartwarming surprises

In a statement released by the College Board, Coleman said, “To those students who may have counted themselves out of scholarship opportunities, this program is for you. There is so much more talent out there than we can see,” said Coleman. “We want all students to see themselves as scholars, no matter where they began. College planning does not need to be daunting. These 25 students took one simple step, and then another, until they reached their goals. We encourage the class of 2021 to follow their lead.”

Claudia Gore of Newport News, Virginia, was excited and filled with gratitude and thanksgiving when College Board CEO David Coleman called to surprise her son Nyzaiah with news that he was a $40,000 recipient. Gore shared, “He’s not going to walk [at graduation], he can’t go to prom. All those special moments have been taken away. This is a moment to just see his face light up. He’s worked so hard, he deserves it.” Nyzaiah, who wants to study law and African American studies, says his father is especially proud of his passion for learning, because members of their family “do not usually go to college, much less finish high school.”

Meet Three of the Winners

Nyzaiah Gore — Newport News, VA, undecided but wants to attend UVA: 

(Courtesy: Nyzaiah Gore)

Gore sits on his school’s leadership team and is the student representative on the district school board. He’s a member of the Warwick High Principal’s Advisory Committee, Model UN, and the Battle of the Brains academic team. The district asked him to be a student speaker at orientation for new teachers. He writes poetry and he’s known around school for surprising others. Eighty percent of students in Nyzaiah’s school are eligible for free/reduced lunch. Many students feel they won’t get to go to college because of the cost. His principal says this scholarship will be “life-changing.”

“My college career is important to me because as a lawyer, I want to be able to advocate for those that are misrepresented, while African Americans undergo racial discrimination and prejudice within the law, I believe that I would be able to help the misfortunate. Outside of that, college is another opportunity to learn— but not only that, college is another opportunity to shape my learning! My dad always told me that “this isn’t normal”— he was referencing the fact that people within my family do not usually go to college, much less, finish high school. My parents know who I am, the fact that I love to learn has only motivated them to push me harder.

Trinity Scott, Chicago, IL, undecided, wants to attend UNLV:

(Courtesy: Trinity Scott)

Growing up in a family of six, Scott shouldered a lot of responsibility as a caregiver to her younger siblings while her parents worked multiple jobs to support the family. Preparing after-school snacks while watching a lot of HGTV, Scott says she discovered two things she’s now passionate about, real estate and baking. “The Opportunity Scholarships helped me throughout my college application journey. The College Board gave me simple tasks to help with my college application while awarding me with scholarship raffle entries. The College Board Scholarships are a great opportunity that also keeps you on track for pursuing a higher education.”

Reflecting on the moment she found out about the $40,000, Scott said, “I was speechless. My mom made fun of me because I’m a talkative person, and for once I was speechless. I also happy because my hard work finally paid off. And the last thing I felt was pride because a lot of black youths don’t get the opportunity to reach where I’m at. So, you know I’m repping that Black Girl Magic!”

Angelique Hall – Beacon, NY, will attend SUNY Plattsburgh: 

(Courtesy: Angelique Hall)

In her previous high school, Angelique was a member of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, the National Honor Society, and the School Band. She had a difficult time when she had to change schools during her high school career, but she quickly bounced back and has excelled academically and socially. As her school counselor put it, “Angelique has grit.” She is a member of the National Honor Society, a Class Advocate, and maintains a rigorous academic workload and is in the top 10% of her class. Angelique enjoys writing poetry, short stories, and narratives. At a recent poetry slam, Angelique’s principal was moved by her poem about identity and acceptance. She hopes to pursue a career as an author and entrepreneur. Her leadership recognitions include being named Class of 2020 Advocate, Outstanding Cadet, Cadet Captain, NYSSMA, Tuskegee Airman Inc. AFJROTC Cadet Award, Flight Commander of Alpha Flight, Flight Sergeant of Alpha Flight, Plight Physical Training NCO of Alpha Flight.

Apply Today

More than 500,000 students from all 50 states have joined the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program since it launched in December 2018. In addition to the 25 $40,000 Complete Your Journey winners, nearly 4,000 students from 48 states, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, earned $3.6 million in smaller scholarships, ranging from $500 to $2,000.

Click here to learn more about the College Board’s scholarships.

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Lockdown Has Taken Us From Internet Time to Groundhog Time

Plus: Bezos' 10,000-year clock, life in XR, and tornado warnings at the eye of the storm.

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10 Best Android Phones (Unlocked): Our Top Picks for 2020

Wonder what the absolute best Android phone is right now? We have the answer, ranging from Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and more.

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'Receiver 2' Makes Players Understand What Guns Do IRL

The videogame instills some much needed realism into the first-person shooter genre.

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Dell XPS 13 (2020) Review: Close to Perfect, Yet Again

A bigger screen, long battery life, and an ultra-portable design make this a winning computer.

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A Group of Philadelphia Doctors Are Giving Free COVID-19 Testing To Underserved Communities

Since the start of the COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, pandemic, hospitals have been overwhelmed by the rising number of new cases coming in. Healthcare professionals have been forced to work around the clock to provide medical treatment to the infected, and major cities have converted large venue spaces into treatment centers to accommodate more patients. One group of doctors in Philadelphia are taking matters into their own hands to provide free testing and treatment to underserved communities in the city.

Pediatric surgeon and North Philly native Ala Stanford runs a medical consulting firm and a private practice. She says she noticed more and more deaths were being recorded in the city and has become increasingly frustrated with the response. The surgeon worries about the city’s black population as the pandemic continues.

“In Philadelphia, African Americans represent 44% of the population, but at last check, 52% of the deaths,” Stanford said to WHYY PBS. “For me, that was unacceptable.”

Stanford formed the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium—an affiliation that includes a number of doctors and churches in Philadelphia’s black neighborhoods. As a part its initiative, the group took some medical supplies and went out into the community to start making house calls in West Philadelphia and eventually the rest of the city. The group has been able to test around 200 people per day.

“We are many of the forward-facing employees,” she said. “We’re driving the buses, we’re driving … the subways and the trains. We are the post office workers, we are in the grocery stores, we’re ringing people up at the pharmacies.”

The group has set up a  GoFundMe account and has raised more than $2,200 of its $50,000 goal. Stanford said Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Einstein Medical Center, and the city health department have also expressed interest in partnering with the group but for right now, she plans to keep doing independent tests in the meantime.

“It takes time with systems and bureaucracy,” she said. “I just couldn’t stand watching it on the news every day and not doing anything.”

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Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Blocks DACA Students From Receiving Coronavirus Grant Aid

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos blocked students in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program from receiving emergency grant aid as part of the CARES Act Monday.

According to Forbes, the CARES Act allocated $14 billion to colleges and universities to address the unique impact the virus has had on college campuses. Half of the funds must be in the form of emergency grant aid directly to students to address living expenses such as housing, food, healthcare, and more.

Universities and colleges were waiting for DeVos to release guidance to detail how exactly schools could allocate the grant money, including who is eligible. In the guidance, released Monday, DeVos limited the students eligible for the grant aid to those who are only also eligible for federal student financial aid.

That means undocumented immigrants participating in the DACA program are not eligible to receive funds.

“The CARES Act makes clear that this taxpayer funded relief fund should be targeted to U.S. citizens, which is consistently echoed throughout this law,” an Education Department spokesperson said Monday.

The aid, however, is not considered normal student aid—something DeVos acknowledged by excluding it from the 90-10 rule, which limits the share of federal student aid dollars that make up for-profit colleges’ revenues. Additionally, DACA students are taxpayers themselves and the CARES Act does not prohibit DACA students from receiving the emergency aid.

The financial impact of coronavirus may affect students in the DACA program harder than others. Students in the DACA program, most of which are Hispanic, may be forced to get jobs to hold them over or to help their family.

According to a JPMorgan Chase Institute study, for every $1 lost in income, African American families cut spending by $0.46 and Hispanic families cut spending by $0.43. Additionally, many Hispanic families are already dealing with the reality of lower-paying jobs and a lower likelihood of working from home than white families.

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How Do We (Safely) Go Back to Normal?

This week, senior correspondent Adam Rodgers talks about how we could go about reopening the country.

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Want a New Covid-19 Drug Fast? Bring on the Battle Royale

Scientists have no shortage of contenders to fight the new coronavirus. But to find the winners, they’re trying new approaches to testing.

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The Psychology Behind That Tempting Quarantine Makeover

Thinking of bleaching your hair or growing a beard? It's not boredom—it's a coping mechanism.

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The Boston Dynamics Coronavirus Doctor Robot Dog Will See You Now

Spot, the famously deft robot, gets a job screening patients at a hospital. But there’s still much that it and other medical robots can’t do.

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Facebook and Google Survey Data May Help Map Covid-19's Spread

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon hope to use the data to observe and predict surges in the spread of the virus.

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Stop Getting So Excited About ‘Preliminary’ Findings

No, seriously, when it comes to Covid-19—or any disease—bad data is worse than no data at all.

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An Oral History of the Day Everything Changed

On March 11, 2020, the coronavirus pandemic seemed to crystalize in the national consciousness. Americans look back on the turning point.

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Coronavirus: South Africa to ease lockdown restrictions

President Cyril Ramaphosa announces plan to reopen the economy but warns of new infections.

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Six from MIT elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences for 2020

Six MIT faculty members are among more than 250 leaders from academia, business, public affairs, the humanities, and the arts elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the academy announced Thursday.

One of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies, the academy is also a leading center for independent policy research. Members contribute to academy publications, as well as studies of science and technology policy, energy and global security, social policy and American institutions, the humanities and culture, and education.

Those elected from MIT this year are:

• Robert C. Armstrong, Chevron Professor in Chemical Engineering;

• Dave L. Donaldson, professor of economics;

• Catherine L. Drennan, professor of biology and chemistry;

• Ronitt Rubinfeld, professor of electrical engineering and computer science;

• Joshua B. Tenenbaum, professor of brain and cognitive sciences; and

• Craig Steven Wilder, Barton L. Weller Professor of History.

“The members of the class of 2020 have excelled in laboratories and lecture halls, they have amazed on concert stages and in surgical suites, and they have led in board rooms and courtrooms,” said academy President David W. Oxtoby. “With today’s election announcement, these new members are united by a place in history and by an opportunity to shape the future through the academy’s work to advance the public good.”

Since its founding in 1780, the academy has elected leading thinkers from each generation, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century, Maria Mitchell and Daniel Webster in the 19th century, and Toni Morrison and Albert Einstein in the 20th century. The current membership includes more than 250 Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners.

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