Michelle Obama to lead weekly online story time series for kids during Covid-19 pandemic

Former first lady Michele Obama will be hosting a live-streamed story time session every week for children over the next month as schools across the country remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books and PBS KIDS announced on Friday that the former first lady will be reading some of her favorite children's books for the next four weeks, starting this coming Monday, as part of a collaborative effort with the organizations.

The four-week series, dubbed “Mondays with Michelle Obama” will feature Obama reading one book during a story session that will be streamed live at noon (ET) from the PBS KIDS’ Facebook page and YouTube channel as well as Penguin Random House’s Facebook page.

“As a little kid, I loved to read aloud,” she said in a statement on Friday. “And when I became a parent, I found such joy in sharing the magic of storytelling with my own children—and then later, as First Lady, with kids everywhere.”

“At this time when so many families are under so much stress, I’m excited to give kids a chance to practice their reading and hear some wonderful stories (and to give parents and caretakers a much-need,” she added.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Howard University Creates Emergency Fund to Help Students Impacted by the Covid-19 Pandemic

Historically Black Howard University in Washington, D.C., has established a scholarship fund to help students who are facing financial hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The university has heard from students and parents who have lost jobs or are facing other hardships related to the COVID-19 outbreak. All of the money in the fund will be used to give immediate, need-based scholarships to prospective May graduates in all 13 schools and colleges of the university, to assist them as they continue working towards their diplomas as planned.

The university has already taken steps to help students by refunding portions of students’ room and board, waiving seniors’ graduation fees, and returning fees for student activities, parking, and labs. The university is asking alumni to support the fund. Donations to the Howard University Alumni Association Emergency Scholarship Fund may be made here https://alum.howard.edu/emergencyfund.

“We have all been impacted by COVID-19, but Howard students have been hit especially hard,” says Sharon Strange Lewis, director of Alumni Relations whose daughter graduated from Howard University in 2017. “As a Howard alumna and the parent of a Howard graduate, I understand the level of excitement, anticipation, and pressure students feel when they’re about to graduate. This fund was created to support those graduating students who have experienced unforeseen hardship caused by the outbreak. Our hope is that each gift, no matter how small, will allow us to do something great for these students.”

Gianna Bryant & teammates selected as honorary picks at WNBA draft

Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, who were among nine killed in a January helicopter crash that also claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, were named honorary selections in Friday's WNBA draft.

"It would have been a dream come true for her," Gianna's mother, Vanessa, said. "Kobe and Gigi loved the WNBA. Thank you. I want to congratulate all of this year's draft picks. Congratulations. Work hard. Never settle. Use that Mamba Mentality."

Before the start of the draft, Engelbert honored Gianna Bryant, Altobelli and Chester by announcing each of the players as jerseys were shown on the screen with their last names on them. The three girls, all 13 years old at the time, were passengers on the helicopter as it traveled to a basketball game at Kobe Bryant's Mamba Sports Academy in California on Jan. 26.

The WNBA had said it planned to honor the memory of the three young teammates during the draft, which was held virtually in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gianna, known as Gigi, made no secret of her desire to one day follow her father's footsteps in professional basketball and play in the WNBA. Kobe and Gianna were frequently spotted at WNBA, NBA and college games.

[SOURCE: ESPN]

Colin Kaepernick donates $100K to aid communities of color amid pandemic

Colin Kaepernick announced Thursday he is donating $100,000 to aid communities of color during the coronavirus pandemic.

He encouraged others to donate to the Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Relief Fund to assist disproportionate communities highly affected by the crisis.

Donations can be made here: https://www.knowyourrightscamp.com/covid19

Structural racism makes Black & Brown ppl more likely to die from #COVID19. We've launched the Know Your Rights Camp COVID-19 Relief Fund to directly impact the disproportionate effect #coronavirus is having on our communities. #WeGotUs 🖤✊🏾 Donate at: https://t.co/ag2euE1Qtz pic.twitter.com/aBcjKku2kC

— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) April 16, 2020

Russell Westbrook helps to donate 4.2M masks, PPE to medical workers in African American communities

NBA star Russell Westbrook is joining an effort that will donate millions of masks and other personal protective equipment to medical workers serving the African American community.

African American communities have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus has infected and killed African Americans at disproportionately high rates.

The Houston Rockets point guard is joining Tulco founded by Thomas Tull to help launch Operation 42 in celebration of Jackie Robinson.

Operation 42 will donate 4.2 million masks and other personal protective equipment to medical workers in African American communities hit hardest by COVID-19.

I am proud to join Tulco founded by my friend Thomas Tull to help launch #Operation42 in celebration of Jackie Robinson. #Operation42 will donate 4.2M masks & other personal protective equipment to medical workers in African American communities hit hardest by COVID-19 @WhyNotFdn pic.twitter.com/a25Xw1HsGy

— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) April 16, 2020