We in the Black community are not surprised that “Hidden Figures” did so well in the box office because the movement to support “Black first” is resurfacing. Black buying power has always been a major source of strength — from demanding civil rights to determining how businesses cater to our communities. Even though individuals within the Black community do not have much individual wealth, the collectivebuying power within the Black community reached nearly $1.2 trillion in 2016 according to the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth. Ironically, Black people continue to be underserved in most sectors of society, including health care. What if we changed the way we provided health services to the most vulnerable populations, like people with low-income in Black communities, by treating them as powerful consumers?
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My story drives my work - I am a daughter of Coin Coin
As a child, I heard stories of how the matriarch of our family, a former slave named Marie Therese Coin-Coin (1742 – 1816), earned her freedom and bought her children out of slavery in Louisiana. As a planter and trader, she became one of the first independently wealthy Black women in the United States. As a result, my Franco-African ancestors founded a community on Cane River in Louisiana that had family, faith, entrepreneurship, and collective well-being at its center.
Read More"Hip Hop Raised Me": An Interview with 9th Wonder and Talib Kweli at Duke University
Talib Kweli is arguably the most prolific lyricist to grace the hip hop stage, not only because he is a talented writer, but because his background is as unique and complex as his lyrics. On February 15, 2017, he sat and discussed his life with 9th Wonder, who is a producer and legend in his own right.
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WRAL Out and About: Kweli brings hip-hop to Duke in residency
Durham, N.C. — Talib Kweli is a prolific hip-hop artist and activist who also served a week-long artist-in-residence spot at Duke University. He played two sold out shows last week at Motorco in Durham.
As part of his Durham visit, Kweli was part of Duke Performances’ Hip-Hop Initiative, which provides class visits, talks and performances by notable artists and performers throughout the year. It is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mary Duke Biddle Foundation.
Kweli is one of the most lyrically gifted and politically conscious rappers to emerge in the last two decades. He’s worked alongside Mos Def as one half of Black Star and collaborated with Kanya West, J Dilla, and many others. In 2011, Kweli founded Javotti Media, envisioned as a platform for independent thinkers and doers. He has collaborated with Durham's own 9th Wonder on several occasions, including their jointly released 2015 album Indie 500. On Friday, he sat down with Duke Professor of Black Popular Culture Mark Anthony Neal at Beyu Caffe to discuss hip-hop’s role in the Trump era.
Haters gonna hate: 10 Ways to Channel Criticism into Constructive Opportunity
Like Michelle Obama said, “When they go low, we go high.” Of course, going “high” is one of the most difficult things to do, especially when dealing with insecurity, anger and frustration. But there are several ways to redirect those feelings.
I Choose Me: Why I Wear Red for #HIVAwareness #2BeatHIV
August 10, 2011 marks the day I decided to choose me. I had recently gotten married to a man I was in a relationship with for seven years. On the surface, everything seemed great between us. We often publicly shared photos together on social media, wrote love poems about each other, and he even wrote songs about me. Our wedding was absolutely beautiful, with over 200 guests, a 16-person wedding party, a beautiful wedding gown, and a grandiose reception hall. But secretly, we were both in a pit of dysfunction, co-dependency, and depression.
Read MoreNegotiating Boundaries as a Black Female Social Entrepreneur
There are several ways that people have crossed the line with me as I have grown my business and I have had to learn some tough lessons as a result. As a speaker, researcher, and community organizer, I have encountered too many people who ask me to speak at their event or help organize their event for free.
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I Ain’t No Sell Out: Be Intentional About Your Company’s Mission
What is your threshold for holding true to your values or selling out to make your business successful? It’s a question that every entrepreneur will have to ask themselves as they work to build their brand and increase revenue.
Read MoreCommunity Engagement Improves STD Testing and Treatment in Asia
Researchers, policy-makers, physicians and students convened for the 2017 UNC-South China International Summit for STD Prevention and Control and Expert Consultation on Advancing Implementation Research on Syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis in Asia in Guangzhou, China, and the 2017 International Symposium on STD Clinical Services Improvement for High-Risk Populations in Shenzhen, China, from Sept. 21 to 28, 2017. Researchers presented on the state of the HIV/STD epidemic in Asia and consulted on ways to improve approaches for prevention, testing, and treatment. One main priority for the meeting was to to identify and evaluate new ways to combat the epidemic.
Read MoreAllison Mathews & 2BeatHIV featured on "Love Dish" with Bedroom Kandi Consultant, Travis Peterson
Dr. Allison Mathews of 2BeatHIV and Travis Peterson, Bedroom Kandi consultant, dish about safe sex and great dessert! ©KSLewis Media, LLC 2017.
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Are you worth the risk? 11 tips on becoming financially stable to launch your company
First, you need to assess the level of risk you are willing to take to grow your money, save, and invest in your company. Second, set some achievable short term goals.
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NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Honors Allison Mathews with Dr. John Hatch Early Career Professional Award →
“We want healthy people and healthy communities … that is our vision,” said Elders, who urged the audience to continue to work in their communities to improve health outcomes.
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