Meet The HBCU Grad Who Is Making A Splash As A Clothing Line Owner

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Being a black small-business owner is tough. It does not matter how many years of experience in your field that you have, you just cannot shake the negative stereotypes. It is even worse when some of us buy into those stereotypes of expecting less than excellence when dealing with our own people, race and culture.

Many young black entrepreneurs are smashing these stereotypes though, including this HBCU graduate who recently launched Cole & Company Clothing, a brand that focuses on making you look great at an affordable price.

The mind behind Cole & Company is LaMarr Timothy Cole, a graduate of historically black Central State University in Wilberforce and founder of BowsByCole Bowties, Cole Creative Concepts, a creative consulting and artistic direction brand, and Cole Landscaping.

His latest achievement was making well over $1,000 on Black Friday in one day to achieve the goal he had set. “Not only did I meet that goal I surpassed it and flipped it in the process,” he told HBCU Buzz in an email. “I said to myself “Wow, if I can make that in a day then imagine what I could make tomorrow or the day after that if I kept it up.””

The significance of the barcode stems from everything in existence having its own value or worth and the current collection is easy to understand and yet strikes the eyes of the onlooker. “I love the simplicity of my collection because it makes you pay more attention to the individual wearing it. I have been told my brand at first glance looks like a luxery athletic apparel company. My font is modern, simple, and clean,” Cole said.

“I chose a holographic vinyl to add that futuristic pop that begs the question “What is fashion really supposed to look like in 2020?” Customers are attracted to the holographic and metallic fonts because it gives them the look of a superstar but at an affordable price.”

With the exception of a Collectors Edition Sweatshirt with the Metallic Gold barcode that comes in a metallic gold collectors box, Cole keeps the pricing in his online store under $50.

“It was important for me to keep prices in a range customers can afford but also have a profit model or breakdown that ensures the financial security of my businesses,” he said.

READ: A CSU Grad Made A Facebook Post About His Students Needing Comp Books And His Friends Came Through, Showed Out!

READ: Central State University Grad Deon Jefferson Announced As Gather And Gown Designer For Its 2020 Bridesmaid Collection

The black college experience

“There is no doubt I would not be the LaMarr I am today without my beloved Central State. The friendships I forged there have cemented themselves as lifelong,” Cole said.

His experiences that he had with CSU’s marching band Invincible Marching Marauders took Cole to places that he had never been before like Chicago, which has become one of his favorites cities to visit.

“I have also perfromed for Earth Wind and Fire, I have performed in front of thousands of people in NFL stadiums, I have recorded a soundtrack for a black college football game and I have developed a deeper love an appreciation for black culture through homecomings, step shows, yard shows — then involving myself in various organizations that contributes, celebrates, and manifests the black college experience in America.”

Back in 2011 when CSU President Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond had interviewed for the position, it was Cole who gave the leader who is stepping down at the end of the school year her first tour of the black college.

“I have assisted hundreds of high school students who eventually became college bound young men and women and decided to have Central State University as their HBCU of choice. That has been the highlight of my tenure at Central State other than my experiences with the band and my close friends.”

‘Are you in good company?’

Who knows how far Cole & Company will go but Cole sees his brand at every major retail store like Macy’s and Nordstrom in 10 years with his merchandise on a full display.

“Hopefully the concept of my current collection is timeless enough that it will drive the identity and the true meaning of value, worth and being mindful of the company you keep,” he said.

“With all good things I know I cannot do it forever. I have already developed business models for more companies I want to develop in the future. I am confident Cole & Company Clothing is here to stay and will be force to reckoned with in the eCommerce world.”

Cole’s current collection consists of the Holographic Branded Logo on sweat tops, hoodies, baby onsies, baby caps and bibs, T-shirts, long sleeve crews, and branded coffee mugs and it is exclusive so it is only going to be avalible until February in preparation for the brand’s Spring Collection launch.

“Not to give too much away but expect a pop of color, some neons, some camouflage and the quality of the merchandise improve. It is important as an individual to recognize your worth,” Cole said.

“Are you in good company?”

Follow Cole & Company on Facebook.

Follow Tommy G. Meade Jr. on Twitter @tommygmeadejr

Gary Owen Announces His Daughter Is Attending An HBCU

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Written by Paul Meara

Comedian Gary Owen is one proud papa as he just announced that his daughter Kennedy was accepted to an HBCU.

Taking to his Instagram account, he wrote, “Ok it’s official my daughter has been accepted to go to NC A&T next year.” He captioned under a post of him holding her acceptance letter, “She told me her freshman year of high school she wanted to attend an HBCU. A&T was her first choice. So get ready @terrencej @frederickwjr @willpowerpacker that loud white guy at the homecoming game will be me for the next 4 years. #ProudDad #AggiePride #HBCU.”

Many in his comment section were also happy about Kennedy’s acceptance. “That is awesome. Great school!!!” one person wrote. “Congratulations…. this is an awesome accomplishment,” another commented.

Owen shares his daughter Kennedy with his wife Kenya Duke whom he married in 2003. The couple also has two sons, Emilio and Austin.

Congratulations to Kennedy, Gary, Kenya and the whole family!

Source: BET

8 In 10 Black Americans Say Trump Is ‘A Racist’, Poll Finds

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According to a new Washington Post-Ipsos poll published on Jan. 17, 2020, more than 8 in 10 black Americans believe that President Donald Trump is a racist. The poll also finds that black Americans believe the president has made racism a bigger issue in the country.

The poll, which was conducted Jan. 2 to Jan. 8, found former Vice President Joe Biden is currently black Democrats’ candidate of choice with the election 10 months away. Biden had the support of 48% of survey respondents, Bernie Sanders had 20% and Elizabeth Warren had 9%.

Nine in 10 blacks disapprove of the president’s job performance. Trump campaigns on having the lowest unemployment rate for black Americans in the history of the country, but 77% of respondents of the poll give him “only some” or “hardly any” credit for the 5.5% black unemployment rate.

“I don’t think [Trump] has anything to do with unemployment among African Americans,” said Ethel Smith, a 72-year-old nanny who lives in Lithonia, Georgia, told The Washington Post. “I’ve always been a working poor person. That’s just who I am.”

Sixty-five percent of blacks surveyed said they feel optimistic about their lives “all” or “most of the time” but another 65% say it’s a bad time to be black in America. Only 16% think that a black child born in the U.S. today has “a good opportunity to achieve a comfortable standard of living.”

Dana Clark, a black father of 11 in Ontario, California, tells all his children it’s possible to succeed in America.

“I tell them we’re going to set this plan up. Whatever you want to do you’re going to be able to do it,” he said. “But it ain’t going to be easy, especially if [you] want to make some money because you’re going to be in a world where they’re not going to expect you to be there. You can get what you want, but you’ve got to work harder, faster and stronger.”

This post was written by Justin Barton, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.

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HBCU Alum Mo’Nique Will Be Starring In Her Own Comedy Special On Showtime

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Hey, HBCU family!

Morgan State University alum Mo’Nique got her own comedy special with Showtime!

According to Madame Noire, this news comes a few days after Netflix asked that the lawsuit she filed against them back in November be dismissed.

(Remember Mo had accused the streaming giant of basically lowballing her when Netflix offered her $500,000 to film her own comedy special? She had argued that her resume is just as good as the white and male comedians that they gave millions to in the past for their specials. And, she is right. But that is neither here nor there.)

The black college alum and Academy-award winning actress just broke the news on social media, gushing about her starring in her comedy special.

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“HEY MY LOVES!!!INTRODUCING MO’NIQUE & FRIENDS ON SHOWTIME FEBRUARY 7TH AT 10PM. I LOVE US 4 REAL!!!,” she wrote.

The special will be an hour-long and features Mo’s comedian friends like Donnell Rawlings, Prince T-Dub, Just Nesh, Tone-X and Correy Bell.

Follow Tommy G. Meade Jr. on Twitter @tommygmeadejr

HBCU Alum Erykah Badu’s Online Store Is Coming — Here’s What We Know

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In a profile with InStyle, soul legend Erykah Badu revealed that she had something up her sleeve — an online clothing store. Partially inspired by Chinatown Market’s “bootlegged” approach, Badu is cultivating a wide-ranging online space for her dedicated fans. It’ll be complete with knick-knacks Badu has seen during her travels around the globe. Her brand will be aptly titled, Badu World Market. 

Badu World Market will mix the concept of a traditional merch store with highly intentional curation. Back in late October, Badu worked with Chinatown Market on a now sold-out shirt to give a glimpse into what their collaborative relationship is like. The collaboration, which happened via Instagram live, also showed one of the types of pieces that buyers will be able to cop once the store goes live.

She confirmed via Instagram that the store will have a section dedicated to sacred metals. One item that will be sold through this portion of the site is the chakra-balancing, metal baby hairs. “I challenged my fave classmate on earth, artist [Soull Kehinde Fundsworth] OGUN to conjure me up some enchanted baby hairs and edges that I can’t sweat out at the club, yet, will also keep me grounded and focused on balancing my ‘Dougie’ chakra,” she wrote. “Only at Badu World Market,” the singer added.

The store is set to launch on February 20, 2020, six days before Badu’s birthday. 

Source: Essence

Central State And Wilberforce University Students Come Together For Annual March To Honor MLK Jr.

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Students at Ohio’s only public HBCU, Central State University in Wilberforce, and sister college Wilberforce University, the nation’s oldest private historically black college, are ready to come together for the annual march to honor the late Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday (Jan. 20).

The event commemorates the “Civil Rights Movement: The Power of Community” and is sponsored by the Delta Xi Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. King was a member of the fraternity, pledging as a young graduate student at Boston University and was pursuing his Doctorate of Philosophy degree. He also graduated from HBCU Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Students will meet at the Sunken Garden at 9:30 am on the yard at Central State and then trek to downtown Xenia at the courthouse.

At the end of the march Bro. Rev. JD Covington will speak at the courtyard gathering.

Following the event will be a community service celebrating King’s life.

Follow Tommy G. Meade Jr. on Twitter @tommygmeadejr

Texas Southern University Student Megan Thee Stallion To Release New Single From Debut Album ‘Suga’

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HBCU hotties, Texas Southern University student Megan Thee Stallion is slated to release a new single from her debut album Suga next Friday (Jan. 24).

The “Cash S**t” rapper recently took to social media to announce that her upcoming single is called “B.*.T.C.H.”

It seems as though Pharrell will be producing a few songs on the album. In a post on Instagram, she wrote “Cooking up with the mf legend himself @pharrell. We been going in for 3 days straight he calling me meg thee machine ! #SUGA.”

Read more: Why HBCU Texas Southern University Student Megan Thee Stallion Is Not A Role Model, But Rather A Success Model

According to the black college student, “B.*.T.C.H” serves as the opening track on Suga. It definitely will set the tone for one of the most anticipated albums of 2020.

Follow Tommy G. Meade Jr. on Twitter @tommygmeadejr

This HBCU Just Offered Zaire Wade And Teammate Basketball Scholarships

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I understand that I am a little bias when it comes to historically black colleges and universities. But if you ever attended a black college then you know that there is nothing quite like the HBCU experience. With that being said, I hope that future young sports stars like Zaire Wade, a 6’2 senior point guard and son of former NBA star Dwyane Wade, decides to attend an HBCU.

Just two weeks ago, North Carolina Central University offered Lebron James’ eldest son and namesake a.k.a. “Bronny” a basketball scholarship. Now the black college’s rival, North Carolina A&T, is trying to one-up NCCU, offering Wade’s son and his teammate Shy Odom basketball scholarships. According to CBS17.com, Odom is a 6’6 forward with multiple offers including Georgetown, Boston University, and Tulane. And while many critics would say that the pair, along with Bronny, will never choose to attend an HBCU for whatever given reason, I have got to ask: What if these young men and student-athletes do decide to go HBCU?

Here are the reactions:

Follow Tommy G. Meade Jr. on Twitter @tommygmeadejr

Black-Owned Yacht Charter Business Launched By HBCU Alum

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Soca Caribbean Yacht Charters is a new boutique travel agency founded by a Hampton University and Howard Law School graduate Shelia Ruffin. Growing up on the eastern shore of Virginia, Ruffin always had an affinity for boats. Her grandfather was an avid boater and this allowed her the opportunity to spend her childhood on the water.

Ruffin eventually attended law school but failed to pass the bar on the first try. This led her to land a job on the island of St. Thomas where she decided to practice law. While there, Ruffin decided to become a certified travel associate, but she wanted to do more than just be a travel agent.

“I googled yacht agencies that were one-stop-shops, but I couldn’t find any,” Ruffin told Travel Noire. “This gave me an idea of what I could do. Plus, I couldn’t find any people of color within the industry. Therefore, I set out to start my own company.”

From there, Soca Caribbean Yacht Charters (SCYC) was born.

“We offer a door to dock-to-door service,” Ruffin said. “The minute you step out of your home, there is a luxury car waiting to take you to the airport. Once you arrive in your Caribbean destination, we provide transfers to the dock where you board your yacht. After your trip, we also provide all services in reverse.”

SCYC works with yacht companies in the Bahamas, Grenada, St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands, St. Vincent and St. Martin. The company provides access to yachts featuring a private chef and captain.

“To be the anchor between the yacht industry and millennials and people of color is amazing,” Ruffin said. “It’s not easy. I’m entering into space where black women aren’t normally present. It’s an amazing feeling.”

SCYC also wants to encourage people of color to experience the high-end luxury yacht experience. Ruffin told the Miami Times, in 2018 black people “contributed $63 billion to America’s travel and tourism industry and Hispanic Americans contributed $56 billion.”

With that type of tourism purchasing power, this black-owned company looks to gain increased market share in the Caribbean.

This post was written by Justin Barton, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.

Howard University Receives $2.5M African American Art Collection

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Howard University has received a collection of African American art valued at more than $2.5 million in honor of the former dean of the school’s political science department, Ronald W. Walters.

Walters’ wife, Patricia Turner Walters, gifted her collection to the school.

“It is an incredible honor to receive this generous gift of precious art from the Walters family,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “This collection of sculptures and portraits and paintings will be an excellent complement to our gallery and a beneficial focus of training in our art history courses.”

Howard University will also establish the Ronald W. Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics.

The art collection includes 152 pieces of African American art in various forms. It includes original pieces, sculptures, rare prints, photographs and pieces from notable eras, including the Harlem Renaissance.

Patricia Walters began her collection in the late 1980s with most of her pieces acquired after 2002.

“I could not be more delighted about the decision to give my art collection to Howard, the institution that my husband cared so deeply about,” said Walters. “I always knew I wanted to do something like this to honor my husband’s legacy, but I never imagined that I would get to see it happen in my lifetime.”

Ronald W. Walters was a Howard professor from 1971 to 1996. He died in 2010.

Source: WTOP

Flight General Manager, Central State University Grad Brandon Harper Urges Fans To Give The Team A Chance

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Flight General Manager Brandon Harper is urging fans to give the new team in the Gem City a chance, insisting that they have talent produced right here.

“We’ve got the NBA, and you have a level right under that you can enjoy right here in your backyard,” Harper said. “We have homegrown talent. Instead of going overseas, they’re right here making a name for themselves and competing for a championship. They’re going to put on a show and take flight in the city’s backyard. This is monumental. We have professionals. Just like the Dayton Dragons have done it for 20 years, we’re looking to start our own legacy here in the city.”

According to Dayton Daily News, the new Dayton minor league basketball team starts its season with two home games, playing the Columbus Condors at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 and play the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jackals a day later at the same time.

Flight starts a 10-day training camp on Friday. In total, 26 players will be attending the event. Only half of that number will remain by the start of the season.

“The competition is going to be crazy,” Harper said. “I’m feeling bad for guys we’re going to have to send home because we’re going to send some talented guys home who won’t make our roster.”

Head over to Dayton Daily News to read more.

UNCF To Host Columbus Mayor’s Masked Ball

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Events like this help UNCF change the narrative of HBCUs across the nation by helping more students get to and through college

Columbus, GA, Jan. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — COLUMBUS, GA —UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will host the 15th annual UNCF Columbus Mayor’s Masked Ball at 6 p.m., Saturday, March 21 at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center.  More than 600 guests will attend the major fundraising event, including honorary host Mayor B.H. “Skip” and Mrs. Karon Henderson; U.S. Rep. Calvin Smyre (D-GA); and business, civic and education leaders who support UNCF’s mission.

 Benefitting historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), UNCF is striving to change the HBCU narrative across the nation by equipping more minority students with the resources necessary to transition into college, graduate and ultimately expand and diversify America’s highly educated workforce.

“A college education is more important than ever, but it is more expensive than ever.  We are living in a time when official support for getting a college education—state support for state colleges and universities, federal support for Pell Grants and other student aid—is under attack and losing purchasing power,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “So that means that more students of color than ever before are looking to UNCF to invest in them.  Events like the Columbus UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball helps us meet their needs.”

 With the help of the Columbus community, more than $10 million was awarded last year in scholarships and programs for UNCF’s Georgia member institutions, including Spelman College, Morehouse College, Interdenominational Theological Center, Clark Atlanta University and Paine College.  In addition, students received UNCF support at Columbus State University, Albany State University, Georgia State University, Emory University, and other Georgia HBCUs, colleges and universities.  UNCF’s publication, HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, proved that Georgia’s HBCUs contributed $1.3 billion in total economic impact and generated more than 12,000 jobs across the state last year. 

 “The UNCF fundraising campaign in Columbus continues, year over year, to show itself in support of UNCF’s mission,” says Justine Boyd, regional development director, UNCF Atlanta. With the growing support of our friends and supporters in Columbus, along with Mayor and Mrs. Henderson, a multitude of deserving students will have will their financial burdens lifted so they may focus on their education.

Head over to Yahoo! Finance to read more.

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Bernie Sanders And Joe Biden Are Statistically Tied For The Black Vote In This New Poll

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In addition to raising an astounding $34.5 million in the final quarter of 2019 and taking the lead in Iowa just weeks away from the state’s Feb. 3 caucuses, Sen. Bernie Sanders seems to be making headway in wooing black voters in his quest for the White House. A poll conducted by VICE News-Ipsos last week reveals that just as many voters of color would support the Vermont senator as they would former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election should either of them win the Democratic nomination. When asked would you consider voting for the following candidates for president in 2020?, 56% of African Americans said they would consider supporting Sanders in the general election while 54% said they would back Biden. Meanwhile, more Hispanic respondents said they would “consider voting for” Sanders than those who said they’d consider voting for Biden.

“Despite frequently being described as a ‘socialist’ or ‘too liberal’, Bernie Sanders has as many, if not more, minority Americans considering voting for him as any other candidate,” Ipsos Public Affairs Vice President Chris Jackson told Vice News.

According to the report:

Fully 56% of African-Americans said they’d “consider voting for” Sanders in 2020 — a statistical tie with the 54% who said the same about former Vice President Joe Biden and significantly higher than any other candidate.

 

Only 23% of African-Americans said they wouldn’t consider voting for Sanders, about the same number as the 24% who said they wouldn’t consider voting for Biden.

 

 

Sanders does even better relative to Biden and the rest of the field among Hispanics: 47% say they’d consider voting for Sanders, while 37% said they’d consider voting for Biden. More Hispanics say they wouldn’t consider voting for Biden (37%) than wouldn’t vote for Sanders (31%).

The survey reveals that Biden and Sanders are the most popular Democratic candidates with black and brown voters at this point in the race. In comparison, only 39% of African Americans said they would consider voting for Sen. Elizabeth Warren in comparison to 29% who said they would not. Twenty-seven percent of respondents said they would support former Michael Bloomberg compared to 37% who say they would not, while 17% said they would back Pete Buttigieg if he won the primary and 42% would not.

LESSONS LEARNED

Since losing the 2016 Democratic Primary to Hillary Clinton, Sanders has made a concerted effort to reach more voters of color in his 2020 campaign. “His failure to win over more non-white voters, especially early on in the primaries, was a big reason Hillary Clinton won the nomination,” reports Vice News. Biden, however, still maintains a tight lead on the black vote in the Democratic Primary race. A new Washington Post-Ipsos pollshows that 48% of African Americans said they would vote for Biden if the primary or caucus was held in their state today. That’s a 28-point lead over Sanders, who gained just 20% of support. On the other hand, Sanders is leading among black voters under age 35.

Nevertheless, the polling suggests that black voters are fired up to vote this November for whoever lands on the Democratic ticket. When asked what the biggest reason for them to vote in 2020 was, more than half, 52%, of African Americans said: “to vote against President Trump.”

This post was written by Selena Hill, a writer at Black Enterprise, where it was originally published. It is published here with permission.

This FAMU Pharmacy Student Is Eyeing The Lash Business

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Alexia Gillis has launched a trending eyelash brand called The Lash Pharmacy while attending Florida A&M University.

The second-year Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate posted her lashes in prescription pharmacy vials on Twitter during the Christmas break. The post allowed her brand to go viral. 

In less than three months, she gained more than 50,000 followers on Instagram.  According to her page, her lashes are priced at $17.

Student Alexia Gillis showing off her lashes. Photo courtesy of Gillis

Gillis has implemented her passion for pharmacy and makeup throughout her brand.

“I purchased lots of makeup over the years and found myself purchasing several types of lashes, but could never find one that I loved,” the New Orleans native said. “So, I decided to do some research and find exactly what I was looking for.” 

Gillis’ lash brand unexpectedly skyrocketed on Instagram from multiple shares on Twitter. 

“I started off with about 20-26 followers, which was mostly just friends and family. As of today, I am at about 52,000 on my business Instagram. I think people genuinely want to see me win and for that I am grateful,” Gillis said.

Sophomore criminal justice student Morgan Head shared her thoughts after coming across Gillis’ lash brand.

“I think what makes it different is the packaging itself. She really made her business stand out by doing something that was not only eye-catching but cost-efficient,” Head said.

Customers have been raving on social media about how creative her lash brand is.

“I definitely expect to see more from her especially since she has a creative eye. I will be ordering from her soon,” Head added.

The growth from her lash brand has helped her network with photographers, YouTubers, and others. 

Jay Heart, a social media influencer did a review after receiving lashes from The Lash Pharmacy after seeing how much publicity the brand received. 

“The lashes came in the same packaging I saw on Twitter, also in a cute prescription bag. I have seen a lot of lash companies come and go, but I really do see potential in her brand. Influencer marketing is the key to success in the makeup industry these days no matter how big or small; these influencers can push your products to new audiences,” Heart said.

YouTube influencer Jay Hearts thumbnail from her review on The Lash Pharmacy. Photo courtesy of Jay Heart

Gillis plans to expand her brand and continue to network with others. She says her followers can expect much more from her soon.

“I am really overwhelmed by the support and I am open to working with others. You can expect luxurious, sustainable, quality products. You can also expect to see me launch my biggest idea in the near future, which has nothing to do with retail,” Gillis said.

To learn more, see @TheLashPharmacy to keep up with Gillis’ latest posts on her lash business.

Source: The Famuan

Writer: Nadia Wilson

Democratic Presidential Hopeful Joe Biden Launching A New Outreach Program To Recruit And Organize On HBCU Campuses

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HBCU family, in an effort to be more successful than Sen. Bernie Sanders in regards to engaging younger voters on the yard at historically black colleges, Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden recently rolled out a new outreach program to recruit and organize HBCU students. This comes after Sanders emerging as a potent force on HBCUs.

Texas Southern University student Adunola Rachel Osinuga, who has been named one of three student leaders by the Biden campaign, told BuzzFeed News over the phone that “I don’t discount elderly individuals. I think he has a very wise attitude in the way he deals with people of my generation, and he’s someone who has had a lot of experience in politics. So you have to give credit where credit is due.”

From Buzzfeed News:

The announcement comes as Biden surrogates are launching a bus tour in South Carolina ahead of what could be a potentially lethal stretch of voting in Iowa and New Hampshire, mostly white states where Biden enjoys strong support but hasn’t yet drawn enough excitement to pull away from some of his Democratic challengers. Biden has maintained strong support among black voters.

“Joe Biden has always been, and continues to be central to civil rights activism and social justice, and produce outstanding young leaders. … The campaign is proud to have student leaders on HBCUs across the country organizing and volunteering for our campaign, and their strength will help us win the nomination and beat Trump,” campaign aide Kamau M. Marshall said in a statement to BuzzFeed News.

HBCUs have been a quandary for national Democrats — and attention has turned increasingly toward them in 2020. At many HBCUs, students are upset and impatient with the lack of racial progress and economic opportunities. Students attend institutions that lack resources (unlike well-known HBCUs like Howard University and Spelman College) — many are barely scraping by, sustained by the educators and administrators. Biden, Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg have all released plans to specifically address funding issues for HBCUs and students who attend them; Biden’s proposal includes a $70 billion investment.

Sanders has emerged as a potent force on HBCUs, with strong support among young black voters nationally. In recent polling from the Washington Post, Sanders led all candidates in support among black voters under 35, while Biden led with black voters overall and among older age groups.

The other two student leaders of the “HBCU Students For Biden” program are the Student Government Association president at Spelman College in Atlanta, Nia Page, and William Fairfax of Claflin University.

HBCU Grad Oprah Winfrey Will No Longer Executive Produce Documentary About Russell Simmons’ Alleged Sexual Assaults

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HBCU family, remember late last year when Russell Simmons took to Instagram to post an open letter to Oprah Winfrey in regards to her role as executive producer on an Apple+ documentary focusing on sexual misconduct claims against him?

Well, the Tennessee State University graduate announced that she will no longer serve as executive producer, stepping aside from the documentary.

According to an official statement, Winfrey said “I have great respect for their mission but given the filmmakers’ desire to premiere the film at the Sundance Film Festival before I believe it is complete, I feel it’s best to step aside. I will be working with Time’s Up to support the victims and those impacted by abuse and sexual harassment.”

From Forbes:

Although stating that she “unequivocally believes and supports the women” behind the allegations, she explained that her decision stems from her belief that “there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision.”

The yet-to-be-titled documentary mainly focuses on former Def Jam executive Drew Dixon, who accused Simmons of rape a few years back. Simmons has repeatedly denied both the latter accusation and the dozen other sexual misconduct claims he’s been denounced of throughout the years.

The filmmakers behind the documentary, Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, said in a statement, “Revealing hard truths is never easy, and the women in our documentary are all showing extraordinary strength and courage by raising their voices to address sexual abuse in the music industry,” taking the film to Sundance.

”While we are disappointed that Oprah Winfrey is no longer an executive producer on the project, we are gratified that Winfrey has unequivocally said she believes and supports the survivors in the film,” the duo said.