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Sunday, November 3, 2019

50 Cent spotted on Capitol Hill making nice with Nancy Pelosi & Dem lawmakers

Rapper and TV mogul, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is taking a dive into politics.

50 Cent was seen on Capitol Hill Wednesday meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and other lawmakers to advocate for diversity and representation in the entertainment business, according to The Hill.

The 44 -year-old, tweeted a photo of himself and Pelosi in the Capitol with the caption, “My #1 Lady Nancy Pelosi – Big Changes Coming”.

Not only was 50 Cent in Washington to advocate for diversity in entertainment, but also to advocate for the Starz network, which airs his hit TV series Power. His goal was to help the network to stay with cable company Comcast Xfinity.

READ MORE: Beyoncé requests ‘normal people’ for London video shoot

This aspect of the visit should come as no surprise as 50 Cent has publicly expressed his dislike for Comcast CEO Brian L. Roberts, about his handling of the Starz network.

“This is the guy fu**ing up (Power) over at @Comcast for no reason Brian Roberts, mother fu**er look like he been pushed around his whole life. He need to chill out, go to a golf course or sit his a** down some where,” 50 Cent posted to Instagram last week.

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), also tweeted a photo with 50 cent and co-star Naturi Naughton from Power, applauding their representation on TV and need for diversity everywhere.

50 Cent also met with Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) to discuss he importance of producing and promoting diverse programming, according to Fox News.

In July, at the Television Critics Association Press Tour 50 Cent alleged that Power had been over looked by the Emmys because of the predominantly Black cast on the show.

“I like to say it’s racial. That’s the easy way to get out of things. People who are running and connected to these ceremonies are not necessarily cool people,” he said at the Television Critics Association Press Tour.

The Power midseason finale airs on Sunday night and will return in January with five final episodes, ending the shows six season run with Starz.

The post 50 Cent spotted on Capitol Hill making nice with Nancy Pelosi & Dem lawmakers appeared first on theGrio.



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5 Steps to Building Strategic Partnerships Using LinkedIn

Many entrepreneurs face challenges with determining what social media platform to use to connect them with the right audience. Attracting new business in the ever-changing digital age can be a long, arduous process, but creating strategic partnerships is a smart path to success.

“Finding the right strategic partnership can be the difference between having a successful business or just making it,” explains Deborrah Ashley, LinkedIn Marketing Strategist.

Entrepreneurs and leaders are now turning to LinkedIn to find and cultivate strategic partnerships. However, before setting up or updating your profile, here are a few tips to leverage LinkedIn to build strategic partnerships.

Know Your Outcome

The key to creating the right strategic partnerships is understanding the desired outcome. Whether it is brand awareness, lead generation, or to be known as a brand authority or thought leader, understanding your goals for using LinkedIn is important. This helps you to connect with the right professionals, entrepreneurs, clients, or customers.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

The profile picture is the first impression of you. Have a professional or industry-related profile picture that aligns with your brand or desired messaging.

The headline is the section at the top of the profile for a professional description in 120 characters or less. Customizing the profile description will help you to distinguish yourself. Ashley also recommends having the “about” section completed as well as getting testimonials from current or past co-workers or clients.

Customizing the banner image of your LinkedIn profile is a great way to brand your expertise or key message. The standard default blue banner will not optimize your professional identity. LinkedIn allows users to customize their banner image.

“Showcasing industry qualifications, accreditation, or media mentions will build credibility. This could be the deciding factor for possible strategic partners. Also, highlighting your contact information on the banner image makes it easier for people to connect with you,” shares Ashley.

Identify Strategic Partnerships or Champions

Strategic partners or champions are people who influence your target audience or clients. Influencers like radio and podcast hosts can introduce your brand or business to their audience.

“Before reaching out to them, be sure to engage with their content. This will help increase your connection acceptance rate and ensure more connections turn into conversations,” says Ashley.

Create Compelling Content

“Your content should act like breadcrumbs,” explains Ashely. “It should be designed to lead the reader back to your profile so they can reach out to you and ask for help.”

Compelling content is a great tool to establish value and open doors to new opportunities without seeming “spammy.” 

People like to receive information in different ways. Knowing how your target audience prefers to consume information will help to determine the best way to share your content. Use images to paint a picture, share audio clips from a podcast or a presentation you facilitated, or post stories that resonate with your audience. 

Plan Outreach Strategy

The idea is to stay top of mind as a resource. Ashley suggests sending messages to potential strategic partners to create and keep a connection. Over the course of four weeks, here are three sample messages.”

Message #1: The “Nice Connecting with You” Message

This message is used to break the ice with someone with whom you’ve just connected.

Message #2: The “Value” Message

In this message, you’re not asking for anything. Just give value. When done correctly, you will get people who are interested in getting on a call with you immediately.

Message #3: The “Get On the Phone” Message

This message moves the conversation off LinkedIn to see how you can add value to each other’s business. If they are local, inviting them for coffee is an excellent way to enhance the connection.

“From there, strategic partnerships can be developed that result in mutual referrals and new business opportunities,” says Ashley.


Black Enterprise Contributors Network



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Starbucks Manager Says the Coffee Giant Discriminated Against White People in New Lawsuit

A former regional manager for Starbucks filed a lawsuit Monday against the coffee giant, arguing that she was fired from her position because she is white following the arrests of two black men in a Philadelphia store last year.

According to a lawsuit obtained by CBS3, Shannon Phillips claims she was unjustly terminated less than a month after the men were arrested in April 2018 for sitting in a Starbucks without making a purchase. A Starbucks manager reportedly called police alleging that the young men were trespassing and refused to leave the establishment. The men, however, said they were there for a business meeting and were waiting for a third person. Nevertheless, they were escorted out of the store in handcuffs and video footage of the incident triggered a firestorm of controversy from critics who claimed the African American men were targeted because of their race.

In response to the incident, Starbucks dropped charges against the men, released a public apology, and closed its more than 8,000 locations so that employees could receive racial sensitivity training.

Weeks later, Phillips says she was mandated by superiors to suspend a white Starbucks manager who had no involvement with the incident or the store where arrests took place. She objected and was then fired the next day so that the company would appear like it was trying to rectify the situation.

According to a report from NBC News:

Phillips says in her lawsuit that after the arrests she “immediately took steps to learn additional information about the events … address strong community reaction” and “ensure the safety” of Starbucks’ employees and customers.

 

She also “took steps to ensure that the retail locations within her area were a safe and welcoming environment for all customers, regardless of race,” the suit says.

 

About a month after the arrests, Phillips was ordered to suspend one of her subordinates, a white 15-year employee, who was a Starbucks manager but had nothing to do with the arrests or the store where they occurred, the suit says. The manager who was responsible for the store, who is black, was not penalized.

 

Her bosses told her that nonwhite employees at the store whose manager they wanted her to suspend had been paid less than white employees. Phillips objected, pointing out that store managers have nothing to do with determining salaries, which are set by a different division of the company, according to the lawsuit.

 

The next day, Phillips was fired, with managers telling her “the situation is not recoverable.”

 

Phillips claims in the suit that she regularly “received positive performance evaluations and related merit driven bonuses and salary increases.” She says she would still have her job if she were not white.

Phillips is seeking a jury trial along with compensatory and punitive damages.

Meanwhile, Starbucks officials have rejected her claims. “We deny the claims of the lawsuit and are prepared to defend our case in court,” a spokesperson told CBS3.

 



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Blow for Morocco as Ihattaren opts for Netherlands

PSV Eindhoven starlet Mohamed Ihattaren dashes Morocco hopes by pledging international future to The Netherlands.

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Ebola: Attackers kill DR Congo journalist shining light on virus

The army says Congolese radio host Papy Mumbere Mahamba was killed at home by unidentified men.

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Here’s What Happens When You Leave Weed Up Your Nose for 18 Years

A man thought he had swallowed the balloon-wrapped marijuana he was smuggling. He hadn’t.

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Inside the Icelandic Facility Where Bitcoin Is Mined

Cryptocurrency mining now uses more of the Nordic island nation's electricity than its homes.

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The Impeachment Vote in the House Tops This Week's Internet News Roundup

Last week, the US House voted to formalize the rules of the impeachment investigation against President Trump. Also, a nice dog won a medal.

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Drones That Work for Food, a Self-Landing Plane, and More News This Week

Uber Eats unveils its latest drone, which may begin deliveries next summer, and our reporter lands a $2 million plane with the help of new tech. 

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Yaya Toure: Former Manchester City midfielder sent off after 10 seconds in possible China farewell appearance

Former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is sent off just 10 seconds into Qingdao Huanghai's final match of the season.

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Cosmic Triangles Open a Window to the Origin of Time

Physicists have found a new way to conceive of time as an emergent dimension, a kind of hologram springing from the universe’s spatial correlations.

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14 Best Xbox One Games Every Player Should Try (2019)

Relive classics, play co-op with friends, and enjoy the mayhem of a battle royale with our favorite Xbox titles.

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The Internet Archive Is Making Wikipedia More Reliable

The operator of the Wayback Machine allows Wikipedia's users to check citations from books as well as the web. 

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Free Tools Boost 2020 Election Security, But Not Enough

More companies than ever are offering low-cost security services for election bureaus and campaigns. It’s still not clear how much they’ll actually help.

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Saturday, November 2, 2019

The First BlueKeep Mass Hacking Is Finally Here—but Don't Panic

After months of warnings, the first successful attack using Microsoft's BlueKeep vulnerability has arrived—but isn't nearly as bad as it could have been.

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Julius Boatwright: Steel Smiling Founder Champions Mental Health for Black Pittsburgh

BE Modern Man: Julius Boatwright

Mental health entrepreneur; 35; Founder, Steel Smiling

Twitter: @julboatwright; Instagram: @juliusboatwright

Steel Smiling bridges the gap between community members and mental health support through education, advocacy, and awareness. We’re planning to expose 100% of black adults in Pittsburgh to at least one mental health engagement that improves their quality of life by 2030.

Our programming consists of Mental Health Awareness Month, Beams to Bridges, Suicide Prevention Month Forum, and a Birthday Fundraiser. Mental Health Awareness Month creates space for black community members to receive mental health support from black clinical professionals. Beams to Bridges is a neighborhood-specific, 9-month training and education program for a cohort of black community members to learn about topics such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. This program also provides them with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to serve as Steel Smiling Champions in their communities. Our Suicide Prevention Month Forum convenes black clinicians, leaders, and laypeople to participate in a panel and forum discussion about suicide prevention.

Finally, our Birthday Fundraiser welcomes community members to celebrate our collective accomplishments. During this experience, attendees can expect free food, music, live painting, line dancing, creative performances, and peer support.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN LIFE?

I’m most proud of being alive at 35. As a black man, the world is constantly telling us what we’re supposed to be in life. Growing up, my family relocated often, and I spent part of my youth living in public housing projects. I made countless bad choices that jeopardized my freedom and existence. Reflecting on everything now, it’s humbling to see how God protected me. To be breathing today is truly a miracle.

HOW HAVE YOU TURNED STRUGGLE INTO SUCCESS?

Four and a half years ago, one of my best friends from college died by suicide. It was one of the most challenging moments that I have ever experienced. Also, I’ve thrived with symptoms of depression and anxiety for 20 years. So, when he passed away, it had a profound impact on me.

As I learned more about processing trauma, I gained perspective on how to honor his legacy. It became clear that the universe needed me to help black people explore mental health. After working in traditional settings, I became interested in collaboratively creating accessible, culturally-sensitive, community-based supports. When these experiences intertwined, it resulted in the launch of Steel Smiling. The rest is history.

WHO WAS YOUR GREATEST MALE ROLE MODEL AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM HIM?

My greatest role model is God. Without his unconditional love and infinite understanding, I’d be nothing. I’ve had thousands of instances that if it wasn’t for him, I’d be dead or in jail. As a result of that grace and mercy, I have learned how to wholeheartedly love people.

WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

One of my elementary school teachers preached something that has stuck with me since I was a kid. I remember seeing the quote elsewhere, but he was the first person that I remember saying it. He said, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.”

HOW ARE YOU PAYING IT FORWARD TO SUPPORT OTHER BLACK MALES?

Whenever I connect with a black man, I ask how he’s feeling. Oftentimes, we pose the question, but don’t really care about the response. My goal is to gain an intimate understanding of his mental state. However, as black men, we may not be comfortable sharing those details. I’m always considering that my brother could be one second away from a crisis. The least I can do is actively listen and respond to his needs accordingly.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE MANHOOD?

On any given day, you’ll hear me using words like vulnerability, compassion, empathy, authenticity, and gentleness. For a long time, I believed that men always had to be tough, aggressive, assertive, dominant, and powerful. I’m not saying that the latter is bad. There are times that call for us to stand confidently in those areas. Nonetheless, I grew to appreciate that there’s also power in emotional intelligence. Being able to share our weaknesses is courageous. For me, manhood is about not letting others define it for you.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BEING A BLACK MAN?

That I have so many opportunities to impact the lives of young black boys, including through Steel Smiling. When you’re a child, it’s difficult to comprehend how your experiences are designed for such a time. As an adult, I’ve had hundreds of chances to learn with young black boys. It’s eye-opening to witness how God bridges those worlds.


BE Modern Man is an online and social media campaign designed to celebrate black men making valuable contributions in every profession, industry, community, and area of endeavor. Each year, we solicit nominations in order to select men of color for inclusion in the 100 Black Enterprise Modern Men of Distinction. Our goal is to recognize men who epitomize the BEMM credo “Extraordinary is our normal” in their day-to-day lives, presenting authentic examples of the typical black man rarely seen in mainstream media. The BE Modern Men of Distinction are celebrated annually at Black Men XCEL (www.blackenterprise.com/blackmenxcel/). Click this link to submit a nomination for BE Modern Man: https://www.blackenterprise.com/nominate/. Follow BE Modern Man on Twitter: @bemodernman and Instagram: @be_modernman.

 



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Test

Ethiopia violence: Facebook to blame, says runner Gebrselassie

The running legend says hate speech on the social network was behind the deaths of 78 people.

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Beyoncé requests everyday people for London music video shoot

Beyoncé is set to revisit her The Lion King: The Gift album with a video for her “Brown Skin Girl” song, which is being filmed on various south London estates.

The album was released in this past summer, but now the song will be treated as a single, according to the Daily Mail. Filming is taking place in both Catford and Thamesmead, along with members of the superstar singer’s team being seen near the HM Prison Thameside on Thursday.

READ MORE: Beyoncé and ‘The Lion King’ cast reign at North America opening weekend

The LEMONADE singer’s casting team is requesting “black and brown people of different cultures, nationalities, ethnicities, genders and ages” in London to come forward for the video.

A source also detailed to the Daily Mail Beyoncé’s wish to have the video “truly represent the essence of the song” and to have “normal people step forward and tell their stories” despite having name-dropped iconic figures like Naomi Campbell and Lupita Nyong’o in the lyrics.

Additional requests for people include different family structures, citing a request for blended, single parent, queer and adopted families. The video will also have a focus on a variety of body shapes and ages. The age range is stated to be girls as young as six months all the way to elderly women.

The video is set to be directed by Jean Nkiru, who worked on The Carters “APESH**T” video. “Brown Skin Girl” features Saint Jhn, Wizkid and Beyoncé’s own daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

READ MORE: Kanye West’s ‘Jesus Is King’ IMAX movie bags more than $1M at box office

“Brown Skin Girl” may not be the only video that Beyoncé is working on. The Sun detailed that her and Jay Z were in Hollywood for a video for a forthcoming duet. “It’s one of her most extravagant and expensive shoots,” a source said, according to the Daily Mail.

“It was mostly filmed in LA and has a highly choreographed routine and also a steamy, romantic scene,” the source added. “She is working with some new creatives and is ready to change things up.”

The post Beyoncé requests everyday people for London music video shoot appeared first on theGrio.



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Maryland community reburies remains of former slave

Janice Hayes-Williams went from being an amateur local historian to an area hero when she found the remains of Smith Price, a prominent Black man displaced from his burial site.

Price was the founder of the first free Black community in Annapolis, Maryland, and his remains had been dug up for the development of a renewal project in the 1980s. However, no one knew where to find the bones.

READ MORE: In the midst of political tug-of-war, Maryland House elects its first Black woman speaker

“How do you dig up people and take them away?” Hayes-Williams said in an interview with The Washington Post.

The remains now are located in St. Anne’s Cemetery in Annapolis, which Hayes-Williams stated  is “they’re home” after seeing a set of custom wooden caskets. According to the Capital Gazette, a 12-man group of community leaders led the remains to the final resting place of St. Anne’s.

The bones in the caskets are of Price and his son, buried once again after a ceremony was held at the church Price assisted in the founding over two centuries ago. The eulogy was performed by Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford, who is the second African-American in the history of Maryland to have the job. Rutherford spoke of Price, stating he possessed “resilience in the face of conditions we really can’t understand today.”

Price was the son of a white father and Black mother and born into slavery during the 1750s. He was considered the property of the first president of the Maryland Senate, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer. Price was known as a talented blacksmith and artisan. He was freed in 1791 after his slave owner’s death and eventually purchased the land for the Asbury United Methodist Church.

In addition to buying the land, Price would also buy the freedom of other enslaved people before his death in 1807. The remains of Price and his son were moved from the graveyard behind the church in the 1980s when Black residents in the area were displaced by pricey townhouses.

While Price and his son were able to be recovered, Wayne Clark, the chief state archaeologist of Maryland at the time, told The Washington Post other remains in the cemetery might have accidentally ended up in a landfill with trash from construction.

“I have a habit of checking construction sites around town,” Clark said. “I was shocked and upset that there was no archaeology done on this area.”

READ MORE: Hundreds line up to attend Elijah Cummings Baltimore funeral

Hayes-Williams had just started research in the area and was hurt by the way the graveyard was treated.

“This is my story, my people,” Hayes-Williams said. “I mean, these guys were leasing lands, running shops and taverns, buying their own people out of slavery. And nobody knows.”

Hayes-Williams would recover the bones from Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in Calvert County, a state facility that held over 8 million archaeological artifacts. She was there for a meeting after being appointed to committees by a local official.

The bones were in a box, which was allowed to be turned over to the church for a reburial.

The post Maryland community reburies remains of former slave appeared first on theGrio.



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