Black bussinessman is trying to trademark the N-Word

For 20 years, Curtis Bordenave said he has spotted oncoming trends and gotten out ahead of them. Most recently, that's involved efforts to profit from a racial slur.

His business, Better Moves Consulting, markets and sells clothing and other merchandise aimed at promoting unity, equality and understanding, he said.

In a roundabout way, he claims that mission is exactly why he is trying to trademark the N-word.

Bordenave of Columbus, who is African American, filed a trademark application in June with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for "Nigga," shortly following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that now allows trademarking disparaging language. The office accepted his application and assigned it to an examiner for review, a process Bordenave said could take up to a year.

In the meantime Business Moves Consulting is gearing up to produce products for the brand. Bordenave said it had already designed T-shirts and plans to produce soap, shaving cream, moisturizer and fingernail polish. He said a website where customers can purchase the products should be live next week, and the Nigga_brand Instagram page -- which had 16 followers as of Friday morning -- features mockups for the products.

"Our vision for the brand is not to disparage people, but to change the narrative and the meaning of the word," Bordenave said. "Products were sold with that name on it many years ago, and to say we can't change the meaning of that word is not really accurate.

"We give the word more power if we shelter it away, so that if anybody wants to just pull it out, it has a stink," he added. "We believe that we can change it."

He said the logo will be discrete on products, which will more prominently feature messages about inclusiveness and unity.

Should the brand grow to be successful, Bordenave said he wants to use funds to help African American students go to college and enable them to give back to their communities.

Read more: Local man trying to trademark N-word

NAACP Issuing Travel Advisory Against the state of Missouri

The NAACP is moving forward with a travel advisory warning black people to be careful while in Missouri because of a danger that civil rights won't be respected.

Missouri NAACP President Rod Chapel said Thursday that national delegates voted the day before to adopt the advisory, which was put in place at a statewide level in June. Chapel said it's up for ratification by the national board in October.

It cites legislation signed by Gov. Eric Greitens that will make it more difficult to sue for housing or employment discrimination.

The advisory also cites other issues, including a recent attorney general's report that shows black Missouri drivers last year were 75 percent more likely to be stopped than whites.

Chapel says he hopes recognition from the national organization will boost awareness.

SOURCE: KY3

Maxine Waters Grills Treasury Secretary Mnuchin On Russia & Trump

During a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Maxine Waters asked Treasury Mnuchin why she hadn’t received a response to a May letter she sent him about Trump's financial connections to Russia.

Instead of immediately answering, Mnuchin started complimenting the ranking member. Unfortunately for Mnuchin Auntie Maxine wasn't having it.

National Urban League Convenes 2017 Conference

Symbolically gathered at a thriving community center built upon the ruins of a burned-out symbol of urban unrest, the National Urban League today convened its 2017 Conference. 

"Transforming frustration and despair into opportunity and hope is the overarching theme of our Conference and our mission,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H.  Morial said. "We’re so proud to showcase the Community Empowerment Center of Ferguson as a successful example of the work of the Urban League Movement and our committed partners.

“Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs + Justice,” the theme of the 2017 National Urban League Conference campaign is an examination of the challenges facing urban communities, particularly as the shift of power in Washington, D.C., brings sweeping changes to the nation. Continuing through Saturday at America’s Center, the nation’s largest civil rights and social justice conference attracts thousands of the nation’s most influential community leaders, together with top policy-makers, academicians, business leaders and artists.

“As longtime supporters of the Urban League Movement, Centene is pleased to welcome the conference to our hometown of St. Louis,” said Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman, President and CEO of title sponsor Centene and President of the National Urban League Board of Trustees. “I can think of no better city than St. Louis to host our conference this year. St. Louis is a city that is stepping up to the challenge of working to create positive social change. Since the ensuing unrest of 2014, our experiences – particularly in Ferguson – can serve as an example of this progress that can be made when businesses, community organizations and elected officials work together for the transformation and betterment of a community at large.”

Also on hand for the ceremonies was Lezley McSpadden, the mother of Michael Brown the unarmed teenager whose death at the hands of Ferguson police sparked days of unrest there in 2014.

Two major plenary sessions focus on the State of Black America, the National Urban League’s seminal annual analysis of the social and economic status of African Americans, and the Main Street Marshall Plan, a comprehensive outline for combating poverty and eliminating disparities

“World Wide Technology is honored to be a title sponsor of the conference,” Vice President of Human Resources Ann Marr said. “We are proud of our cultural diversity that exists within our global organization.  Corporate and social responsibility is important to WWT and we are passionate about supporting our community.  We are committed to many organizations like the Urban League and we will continue to advance these programs.   We than all the dignitaries and thought leaders joining us at the conference; it will be an incredible event.”

The four-day event at America’s Center features empowering sessions and workshops presented by political, business, and entertainment leaders and influencers on topics including education, business, the economy, health, and justice.  The N.U.L. Experience Hall, free and open to the public, includes exhibits, entertainment, a Volunteer Zone, Health Zone and chances to win exciting prizes.  Participants in Saturday’s Small Business Matters entrepreneurship summit will have a chance to audition for ABC TV’s Shark Tank, or win cash prizes at the Pitch Contest.

Also partnering to present the conference are longtime Urban League supporters Toyota, Nationwide, UPS and Target.

Backpacks and school supplies will be distributed to thousands of community members at the Back-To-School Community Empowerment Festival Community Day on Saturday, which features health screenings and other informative and entertaining exhibits and sessions. 

Notable speakers, panelists and honorees include: 

• The Rev. Dr. William Barber, former President of the North Carolina NAACP
• Allan C. Golston, President of the United States Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Angela Rye, Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies; CNN Political Commentator and NPR Political Analyst             
• Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Sociology Professor, Georgetown University, Author, Tears We Cannot Stop
• Tamika D. Mallory, President, Mallory Consulting, National Activist, Champion of the New Civil Rights Movement                
• Melanie Campbell, President & CEO/Convener, Black Women's Roundtable, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
• CCH Pounder, Award Winning Actress
• Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder & President, National Action Network, Television Talk Show Host on MSNBC, “PoliticsNation”
• Richard G. Hatcher, First African-American Mayor to serve as mayor of a major city
• Robbie Montgomery, Musical Artist, Reality TV Star and Founder of St. Louis Restaurant Sweetie Pie's

Michelle Obama discusses racism she face while First Lady

Former First Lady Michelle Obama discussed racism she faced as First Lady during The Women's Foundation of Colorado 30th anniversary celebration at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

WFCO President and CEO Lauren Y. Casteel commented that Obama had broken and a glass ceiling by becoming the first African American First Lady, and then asked her what shards of the falling glass cut the deepest.

Michelle Obama responded:

“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” she said, referencing being called an ape and people talking about her bottom. “Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”

She said she can’t pretend like it doesn’t hurt because that lets those who do the hurting off the hook.

“Women, we endure those cuts in so many ways that we don’t even notice we’re cut,” she said. “We are living with small tiny cuts, and we are bleeding every single day. And we’re still getting up.”