NBCUniversal and Group Black Launch ExcellencE! on Peacock

NBCUniversal officially launched their new content collection ExcellencE! on Peacock in partnership with mission-driven media company, Group Black.

ExcellencE! serves as a new destination for the platform's content that resonates with NBCUniversal's cross-cultural audiences and helps advertisers connect with them.

Starting today, Peacock subscribers can visit the ExcellencE! destination to view thousands of hours of diverse-led, inclusive programming such as "Bel-Air," "Martin," and "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," with additional original content to be added in 2025.

This launch is part of NBCUniversal and Group Black's expanded partnership, which originated from Peacock's Black Excellence 365 program in 2023. Over 30 brands joined to support Black-led and diverse content all year-round.   

"NBCUniversal's deep library of inclusive programming is the perfect launching pad for the new ExcellencE! collection on Peacock. Together with Group Black, we are bringing thousands of hours of diverse-led content to a curated destination, enabling our audiences to better explore cultural conversations through storytelling. " - Val Boreland, Executive Vice President, Content Acquisitions, NBCUniversal Entertainment

"ExcellencE! on Peacock will champion authentic voices and stories that reflect audiences' experiences everywhere," said Cavel Khan, Chief Growth Officer of Group Black. "This collection embodies what EXCELLENCE stands for – a platform where multicultural perspectives can thrive."

For more information about ExcellencE! and its available content, visit https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/excellence. 

Jericka Duncan is now the anchor of both the Saturday and Sunday editions of the CBS WEEKEND NEWS

Adrienne Roark, president of newsgathering and editorial for CBS News and Stations, shared the note below with staff to announce Jericka Duncan’s expanded role as the anchor of both the Saturday and Sunday editions of the CBS WEEKEND NEWS.

Hi all,

We’re thrilled to announce that beginning this weekend, Jericka Duncan will become the anchor of both the Saturday and Sunday editions of the CBS WEEKEND NEWS.

Jericka’s reporting, both from the anchor desk and on the scene of nearly every major story over the past decade, has elevated our coverage across platforms, like the WEEKEND NEWS, 48 HOURS, CBS MORNINGS, CBS EVENING NEWS, BET and more.

From her interview with an Ohio woman charged with a felony after a miscarriage, to her moving report on a 5-year-old boy from Gaza receiving medical care in the U.S., to her viral conversation with NBA star Steph Curry on embracing difference, Jericka’s stories reveal and illuminate the humanity behind some of the most pressing issues facing our nation. Her reporting on race and culture challenges our audience to reflect on who we are and who we want to be. This week, her voter panel in Michigan was just the latest example of her strong ability to unveil the issues that matter most to Americans.

She is often one of the first reporters on the scene when news breaks. Last month, Jericka was in Georgia to speak with Apalachee High School students following the school shooting there. We will never forget her emotional interviews with the friends and survivors of the Buffalo, N.Y., shooting in 2022. Reporting those stories is never easy, but in every situation, Jericka forges real connections with the people and communities she covers – in moments of tragedy and triumph – allowing them the space to share their experiences authentically.

Jericka’s in-depth coverage of legal cases for Bill Cosby, R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein has shaped our understanding of some of the most revelatory trials of our time. Most recently, she reported live from the courthouse in New York where Sean “Diddy” Combs was indicted. She has a proven track record of covering hard-hitting stories like these.

While she will helm the anchor desk on the weekends from New York, Jericka will continue to report across the Network. Please join us in congratulating her. I would also like to thank Craig Wilson and the WEEKEND NEWS team for their work in supporting Jericka and her coverage and staying on top of this nonstop news cycle every single weekend.

Thank you,

Adrienne

NAACP and Singleton Schreiber Champion Justice for Women of Color in Groundbreaking Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

The NAACP has partnered with Singleton Schreiber, a leading law firm specializing in civil rights, to pursue justice for Black and other women of color exposed to toxic chemical hair relaxers (perms). These products, widely marketed to women of color, have been linked to serious health problems such as uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and uterine fibroids with one of the following procedures: hysterectomy, myomectomy, or endometrial ablation. 

"The NAACP will use all its legal might to seek justice from those companies that have profited while Black women were harmed by these beauty products," said Janette McCarthy Wallace, General Counsel of the NAACP. "It remains the mission of The Association to protect Black women against predation of any form, most especially against their health and wellness."

For generations, Black women have used chemical relaxers to straighten their hair, a practice shaped by societal standards that favor Eurocentric beauty norms over natural Black hair textures. Haircare companies have aggressively marketed these harmful products to Black women and girls, often failing to disclose the associated health risks. Now, a lawsuit targeting major beauty corporations such as Soft Sheen-Carson LLC and others, seeks accountability for these companies' failure to disclose the dangers of their products. Women across the country have experienced health impacts, from scalp burns and infections to life-altering cancers, without being adequately warned. 

"Our partnership with the NAACP amplifies our shared mission to protect the health and rights of Black women," said Danielle Ward Mason, Partner at Singleton Schreiber. "By holding these companies accountable, we're sending a strong message that corporations profiting at the expense of women's health will face justice." 

The campaign aims to raise awareness, provide legal support to affected women, and ensure victims receive the compensation they deserve. This lawsuit represents a pivotal step in addressing the exploitation of marginalized communities by powerful corporations.  

For more information on this legal battle and how to join the fight, visit https://naacphairrelaxerjustice.com/  .  

Three officers found guilty in the Tyre Nichols federal case

Three former Memphis police officers were convicted of witness tampering in the 2023 beating of Tyre Nichols but were acquitted of the most severe civil rights charges related to the deadly beating of Tyre Nichols in 2023.

The jury reached a mixed verdict Thursday the three former Memphis police officers. The officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—were convicted of witness tampering related to the cover-up of the brutal beating but were acquitted of the most severe civil rights charges they faced.

American Nurses Foundation Awards HBCU Nursing Program $339,000 Grant to Support Programs for Male Nurses of Color

The American Nurses Foundation (the Foundation) is excited to announce that one of its premiere nursing research grants, Diversify Nursing Research through Support of Minority Institutions, focused on both increasing ethnic minority nurse researchers and expanding diversity of topics and perspectives, is already yielding tangible results. The $339,000 grant was bestowed in April to Southern University and A&M College, a historically Black institution of higher learning (HBCU) in Louisiana. And some male student nurses of color within the cohort that received this funding have shared a viral video on social media showcasing the positive impact of this award.

Three minority serving institutions of higher learning were solicited for this grant opportunity and a diverse, independent review panel of three nurses selected the proposal from Southern University and A&M College. The proposal “Workplace Racism, Perceived Stress, and Health Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors Among African American Registered Nurses” was chosen due to its comprehensive approach to engage both faculty, students, and early advance career nurses.

"African American nurses account for 11% of the registered nurse workforce in the United States and even less than that are African American men. Southern University School of Nursing (SUSON) is the largest producer of African American nurses in the state of Louisiana, playing a critical role in addressing racial and gender disparities in nursing,” said the Dean and Professor of the College of Nursing and Allied Health at Southern University School of Nursing. “Through support from the American Nurses Foundation, we are closing the gap and increasing the diversity of the nursing workforce to improve health outcomes in vulnerable populations."

This three-year grant partnership was developed out of the desire to address some of the barriers faced by racial and ethnic minorities in the field of nursing. As one of the main funders of nursing research, the Foundation responded to insights released from the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing workgroup on racism in nursing research, which was the catalyst for the creation of this grant. The goal is to fund meaningful research led by diverse nurses to advance the nursing profession and promote equity and diversity of thought.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to see bright minds benefiting from the Foundation’s support of this program and excited about their future careers in nursing. The American Nurses Foundation is a leader in nurse-led research and funding opportunities for bold projects to advance the nursing profession. In that respect, we are strategic and intentional with our investments,” said Adriane K. Griffen, DrPH, MPH, MCHES®, Interim Executive Director and Vice President of Programs at the Foundation. “My father was a registered nurse, so this is personal for me - and this work is a great step forward in shaping the profession to be more diverse and inclusive.”

To learn more about this opportunity and the other research grants sponsored by the Foundation, please visit the Foundation’s Resource Center on Nursing World.org

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About American Nurses Foundation
American Nurses Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association (ANA), with the mission to transform the nation’s health through the power of nursing. The Foundation supports research, education, and scholarships, which improve health, wellness, and patient care. For more information visit www.nursingworld.org/foundation

About the American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's more than 5 million registered nurses. ANA advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For more information