Sunday, February 23, 2025

Kamala Harris Delivers Uplifting Message While Accepting Chairman’s Award at NAACP Image Awards

Kamala Harris delivers an inspiring and uplifting message as she accepts the prestigious Chairman's Award at the NAACP Image Awards. Her powerful words highlight her ongoing commitment to equality, justice, and progress. Watch the Vice President’s unforgettable moment as she makes history once again at this celebrated event!

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Shakur Stevenson Beats Josh Padley By 9th-Round TKOto Retain WBC Lightweight Title

Newark NJ's Shakur Stevenson retained his WBC lightweight title with a ninth-round TKO win over Josh Padley in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Shakur, a Three-time world champion took his time and put on a boxing clinic dropping the challenger three times. Padley performed well, all things considered, but he was clearly outmatched in the areas of skill and athleticism.

Stevenson is now 23-0 with 11 knockouts.

Stevenson will now be looking to the bigger and better fights, with fans calling for him to pursue a huge unification showdown with Gervonta Davis.

The Black Therapy Network is helping Close the Mental Health Gap for Black Americans

With Black mental health gaining national attention, The Black Therapy Network (BTN) is launching to ensure culturally competent therapy is accessible to all. Black Americans are 50% less likely to receive treatment, despite facing mental health challenges at similar or higher rates than white Americans. With only 4% of therapists in the U.S. being Black, many struggle to find culturally competent care. BTN is bridging this gap by making therapy accessible, affordable, and stigma-free.

Unlike mainstream therapy platforms, BTN is built for Black clients by Black professionals, ensuring a deeper understanding of cultural experiences and identity-related stressors. This movement is dedicated to normalizing therapy in the Black community by breaking systemic barriers and providing a trusted space for healing.

Why This Matters

  • Black Americans face significant barriers to mental health care, including stigma, financial constraints, and a lack of culturally competent providers.
  • Mistrust in the medical system, along with systemic disparities, makes therapy harder to access.
  • BTN offers affordable, virtual therapy with licensed Black professionals who understand their lived experiences.

"Far too often, Black individuals struggle to find therapy that speaks to their lived experiences," says Kerry Shipman, J.D., MPA, Founder of The Black Therapy Network. "BTN provides a space for Black clients to receive culturally aligned, accessible, and stigma-free care."

BTN: A Solution Designed for the Black Community

  • Black Therapists, Black Clients – All therapists on the platform are licensed Black professionals.
  • Affordable Therapy Packages – Flexible pricing ensures accessibility.
  • 100% Virtual Therapy – Clients receive care securely from anywhere in the U.S.
  • A Focus on Stigma-Free Support – Encourages mental wellness as a community priority.

Now Accepting Clients Nationwide

BTN invites clients across the U.S. to join the waitlist for early access. Those who sign up will:

  • Connect with licensed Black professionals
  • Receive an exclusive discount on their first session
  • Enter to win a Wellness Package Giveaway

Spots are filling up fast – sign up now at blacktherapy.net!

Therapists Support the Mission

"For many Black clients, finding a therapist who truly understands their experience can be life-changing," says Lethea Pittman, LCSW, LCAS. "The Black Therapy Network creates a safe space where healing can happen without barriers."

Beyond Therapy: A Movement to Normalize Black Mental Health

BTN is more than a platform—it's a movement. The organization actively partners with Black-led organizations, mental health advocates, and community groups to expand awareness.

BTN is calling on media partners, corporate sponsors, and nonprofit organizations to join the movement. Together, we can break barriers to Black mental health care and create lasting change.


Black Women in Corporate America to Gather at the 2025 Women of Power Summit in Las Vegas

March 5-9, 2025 — More than 1,800 of the most powerful Black women in corporate America will convene at the Women of Power Summit, the nation's premier leadership conference for Black women in business. Presented by Title Sponsor Nationwide, this transformative event will take place at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV, featuring C-suite executives, industry trailblazers, and influential thought leaders who are shaping the future of corporate America.

"This summit is more than a conference—it's an engine for empowerment," said Earl "Butch" Graves Jr., CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE. "At a time when leadership and career advancement are top priorities in corporate spaces, the Women of Power Summit provides a critical platform for Black women to connect, strategize, and elevate their careers."

2025 Key Speakers Include:

  • Valerie Jarrett, CEO, Barack Obama Foundation
  • Glenda McNeal, Chief Partner Officer, American Express
  • Robin Washington, Incoming CFO, Salesforce
  • Karine Jean-Pierre, Former White House Press Secretary
  • Jemele Hill, Award-Winning Journalist
  • Monique Rodriguez, Founder, Mielle Organics
  • Abby Phillip, Anchor, NewsNight with Abby Phillip, CNN

Empowering Black Women in Leadership
Now in its 19th year, the Women of Power Summit provides career-changing mentorship, networking, and leadership development tailored specifically for Black women navigating corporate spaces. The event will feature fireside chats, executive coaching, boardroom preparation sessions, and industry-specific panels, ensuring attendees leave with actionable insights and powerful connections.

Key sessions will tackle:

  • Breaking Barriers to the C-Suite – Insights from top executives on how Black women can navigate corporate leadership.
  • Politics Not as Usual – A powerful discussion on the intersection of leadership and public policy.
  • Next Up? A Corporate Board Seat – A must-attend session for professionals looking to transition into corporate board leadership, featuring top executives who've successfully made the leap.

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Morehouse College Honors Operation HOPE Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant with Prestigious "Candle Award"

In a night of celebration, inspiration, and philanthropy, Morehouse College honored John Hope Bryant, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, with the esteemed "Candle Award" at its 37th Annual "A Candle in the Dark" Gala. This premier event, held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta, recognized Bryant's outstanding contributions to civic engagement and entrepreneurship—a legacy he has championed for over three decades.

The gala, one of the nation's foremost celebrations of African American excellence, raised an impressive $6.8 million to support student scholarships, furthering Morehouse College's mission to develop leaders who will shape the future.

A Visionary Leader in Financial Empowerment
Bryant is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and financial literacy advocate whose impact spans industries and communities nationwide. As the Founder of The Promise Homes Company, the largest minority-controlled owner of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental homes in the U.S., and the driving force behind Operation HOPE, the nation's largest nonprofit dedicated to financial literacy and economic inclusion, Bryant has transformed countless lives. Morehouse College recognized him for his unwavering commitment to empowering underserved communities in metro Atlanta and beyond.

Commitment to Education and Social Impact
The Morehouse College Candle Award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon individuals who exemplify professional excellence, leadership, and a profound commitment to community service—values deeply embedded in Morehouse's rich legacy. During the gala, Bryant reinforced his dedication to education by announcing a $100,000 personal commitment to support Morehouse students from underserved backgrounds pursuing degrees in finance, business, and entrepreneurship.

"Financial literacy, education, and community engagement are at the core of Morehouse College's storied history, making this recognition a profound honor," said Bryant. "Morehouse is the birthplace of transformative movements and home to leaders like Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am proud to continue advancing this mission and championing financial empowerment for future generations."

Celebrating Excellence and Achievement
Bryant was honored alongside an illustrious group of trailblazers, including:

  • Otis Moss, III –Senior Pastor, Poet, Activist, Author, and Filmmaker
  • Pharrell Williams – Award-winning Recording Artist, Philanthropist & Fashion Designer
  • Rashaun L. Williams – Venture Capitalist, Educator, and Atlanta Falcons Limited Partner
  • Marvin Dunn – Author, Educator, Historian, Veteran, and Social Activist
  • Bryan Rand – Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Rand & Co Holdings LLC

Since its inception in 1989"A Candle in the Dark" Gala has become a cornerstone event for Morehouse College, recognizing African American achievement and raising vital scholarship funds. The sold-out event drew more than 800 distinguished guests, including Morehouse College and HBCU alumni, business and civic leaders, and philanthropists. To view a replay of the live stream, click HERE.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Since 1992Operation HOPE has been a driving force in economic empowerment, shifting America from civil rights to "Silver Rights"—a movement to ensure free enterprise and capitalism work for all. Through its award-winning HOPE Inside model, which received American Banker's Innovator of the Year recognition, Operation HOPE has impacted more than 4 million individuals, directing over $4 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities. With a mission to turn check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into entrepreneurs, and minimum-wage workers into financially independent individuals, Operation HOPE continues to redefine economic inclusion. The organization recently earned Fast Company's "World Changing Ideas" Award and has been recognized with ten consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator for fiscal transparency and  accountability. For more information, visit OperationHOPE.org. Join the HOPE  conversation on TwitterFacebookInstagram, and LinkedIn.