health, prostate, Duke, cancer, prostate cancer patients

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 14, 2024

Founder Of Prostate Cancer Organization Launches Online Site For Personalized Medical Treatment

The Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN), whose mission is to eliminate the prostate cancer racial disparity for African American men, announced the launch of PHENPM.com, a new online portal focused on precision medicine care for prostate cancer patients. Precision medicine is medical care designed to enhance therapies for specific groups of patients, especially via molecular and/or genetic profiling. This innovative website provides information on personalized prostate cancer treatment, genomic testing for patients, targeted therapy for this disease, precision medicine clinical trials, and molecular diagnostics.

“Our goal in creating this portal is to help prostate cancer patients learn about the numerous benefits of precision medicine therapies, such as expanded treatment options, improved targeted therapies, better cancer detection tools, immunotherapies with fewer side effects, and enhanced quality of life,” said Dr. Keith Crawford, director of Patient Education and Clinical Trials at PHEN.

Patients can also find out about genomic testing for prostate cancer, which involves determining one’s genetic history and predispositions to cell mutations. Furthermore, the precision medicine portal offers a glimpse into patients’ lives via stories describing how precision medicine care and personalized prostate cancer treatments saved their lives.

One of PHEN’s goals is to diversify clinical trials by including more African American men. PHENPM.com also addresses personalized treatment via clinical trial participation. Clinical trials tailored to individual patients can revolutionize prostate cancer treatment, save lives, and improve each patient’s quality of life.

“There’s no way around it. Black men face a significantly higher chance of prostate cancer and mortality. It makes genetic testing crucial,” said Crawford. One in six Black men is diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is nearly 80% higher than in White men. To achieve the mission of eliminating this prostate cancer disparity, PHEN provides free online resources for African American prostate cancer patients, survivors, and those at high risk. Along with PHENPM.com, you can learn about prostate treatments by visiting PHENPath.com.

For clinical trial information, PHENTrials.com invites patients to participate in personalized prostate cancer trials. For information on early detection screening, visit PHENPSA.com.

This news was first reported by Blacknews.com

Graphic designer, tech jobs, springboard for the Arts

by Kandiss Edwards

November 14, 2024

Springboard For The Arts Awards $500 Monthly Grants To Minnesota Artists

Springboard For The Arts is giving artist room to balance creativity and family.

A non-profit organization, Springboard For The Arts, is awarding $500 grants to Minneapolis, Minnesota locals for the next five years.

Springboard For The Arts is committed to helping 100 artists stay afloat financially as they nurture their creativity. The grants will be awarded monthly, and there are no stipulations attached to maintaining eligibility.

Springboard For The Arts’s “Guaranteed Income For Artists” program began in 2021. The pilot program picked 75 recipients to springboard to success, according to their site.

Executive Director of Springboard For The Arts, Laura Zabel, commented on the ability of the program to “transform artists’ lives.”

“Our program is emerging as a national model, demonstrating how guaranteed income can transform artists’ lives, build community resilience, and strengthen local economies. We’re not just defying political headwinds—we’re changing the narrative with data, artwork, and meaningful stories of impact. When artists can focus more on their work, families art, and their community instead of worrying about basic needs, everyone benefits.”

In partnership with @SpringboardArts, we're launching a new grant opportunity for artists to fund projects that build understanding, interaction, compassion, joy, and solidarity between rural and urban communities.

Nominate an artist for an award today!https://t.co/pNsNr6uA7X pic.twitter.com/wEBfkqzkK7
— CultureSource (@CultureSource) August 8, 2024

The organization does more than financially supplement artists. It offers a plethora of resources and workshops to help artists build portfolios, apply for grants, and write purposeful artist statements via Zoom.

Their November itinerary includes multiple options to help artists grow in every area of the craft:

Artist Statements

Zoom Meeting – Get a hands-on, step-by-step approach to writing a range of statements that best represent your work as an artist.

Work of Art: Grant Writing

Zoom Meeting – Learn the essentials of grant writing along with resources for searching and structuring your grants. Presented in partnership with Hennepin County Library.

Ask Me Anything: SBA Resources for Creative Businesses

Zoom Meeting – The Minnesota District of the Small Business Administration provides a wide variety of services to small businesses. Anna Schmiel, Outreach & Marketing Specialist for the Minnesota District, will provide a brief overview of SBA services and answer your questions about starting a small business and what comes next.

To find a full listing of services and resources offered by Springboard For The Arts, you can go to their official website’s events page.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 14, 2024

Medicare Premiums Will Rise In 2025 Placing More Financial Burden On Elders

Senior citizens will have to deal with a spike in their Medicare premiums.

The cost of Medicare, Part B, is rising in 2025, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS.) Medicare is a supplemental service given to American citizens, usually 65 years old, who qualify for retirement.

CMS explained on its site how and why the premiums and deductible costs will rise in the coming year:

“Each year, the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to provisions of the Social Security Act. The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $185.00 for 2025, an increase of $10.30 from $174.70 in 2024. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $257 in 2025, an increase of $17 from the annual deductible of $240 in 2024.

The increase in the 2025 Part B standard premium and deductible is mainly due to projected price changes and assumed utilization increases that are consistent with historical experience.”

The cost will affect all senior demographics, including those who are married, single, employed or unemployed. While some will pay out of pocket for the expense, Senior citizens who receive Social Security benefits will see the deduction in their benefit payment.

“Medicare enrollees who are already getting Social Security benefits can expect the new 2025 Part B premium to be automatically deducted from their Social Security checks in January.”

Medicare consists of 2 parts, A and B. Part A partially covers hospital bills, and Part B comprises mostly outpatient services. Regular screenings, home health services, doctor visits, and outpatient services will now carry a higher expense.

CMS will be holding an online information session on Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. ET. The “Ambulance Open Door Forum” will discuss the rising fees and explain the particulars to recipients.

Join us tomorrow as we host an Ambulance Open Door Forum to discuss the Ambulance Fee Schedule Finalized Proposal in the Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule and more.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EThttps://t.co/1G7c9NyAt1 pic.twitter.com/1tfXKrbYaF
— CMSGov (@CMSGov) November 13, 2024

The price hike may seem small to some, but to others, the increase may mean sacrificing an essential item such as food.

BLACK ENTERPRISE recently reported on Senior citizens in Atlanta who are facing food insecurity. The Atlanta residents receive supplemental food assistance from the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. Like other American Seniors, they are not always able to afford groceries on limited incomes.

BE reported, “Atlanta is not the only city battling food insecurity among seniors. The nonprofit organization Feeding America is working to help seniors across the nation. As the elderly population grows, so do the issues of hungry citizens.”

Linda Nageotte, President of “Feeding America” spoke about how lack of access impacts health.

“Food insecurity is closely tied to health, which becomes especially critical as we age. Addressing food insecurity among seniors would help reduce chronic health conditions and could result in healthier communities overall.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 13, 2024

Support Your Girlfriends Hosts 6th Annual Pow(H)er Awards, Honoring Lil Kim And Nate Burleson

Presented by the Tene Nicole Creative Agency, the Pow(H)er Awards will take place on Nov. 21.

Support Your Girlfriends continues to highlight dynamic figures across various industries through its sixth annual Pow(H)er Experience and Awards.

Presented by the Tene Nicole Creative Agency, the Pow(H)er Awards will take place on Nov. 21, following its NASDAQ Partnership Pink Pow(H)er Billboard Tower Moment that Tuesday. Its 2024 iteration will celebrate diverse professionals dedicated to enacting change. Their achievements align with Support Your Girlfriends’ mission of elevating others and leading with purpose.

This year’s honorees include culture icon Kimberly “Lil Kim” Jones, who celebrates the 28th anniversary of her debut album Hardcore. The trailblazing rapper helped pioneer women in hip-hop, as her legacy extends to female empowerment and Black creativity. Former NFL player and CBS Mornings co-host Nate Burleson will also receive recognition as the second Power(H)im Man Of The Year.

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Cheryl Stallings, vice president of Global Content and Business Operations at the NBA, will be honored at the ceremony, alongside Haberdashery and HH Bespoke Spirits & Beverages. Additional honorees include Black women CEOS and corporate executives greatly impacting their sectors.

As for the Pow(H)er experience on Nov. 20, the complimentary event encompasses a full day of workshops, panels, and connection with Support Your Girlfriends’ vast network. Moreover, the experience will provide 1-on-1 chats about real estate and financial insight to elevate one’s portfolio. A fireside chat with a Tamika D. Mallory will go down at sunset to inspire attendees.

Powered by Novartis, Grow with Google, Chase for Business, and Barbados Tourism Marketing, the Pow(H)er Experience and Awards remains dedicated to uplifting Black men and women in all fields. Since its development through Support Your Girlfriends, the event champions Black excellence while continuing to promote the next generation of icons and leaders.

All will gather at the Dream Hotel in New York City to applaud the efforts of these pioneers while encouraging others to stand out. Tickets to the coveted awards dinner are on sale now through Tene Nicole’s website.

by Sharelle Burt

November 13, 2024

Kamala Harris’ Team Faces Severe Backlash Over Massive Campaign Bill

Someone's got to pay for it...

Newsweek reports that ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ final days in office, Democrats are fearful of being stuck with her massive $900 million campaign bill.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) revealed Harris’ campaign spent that amount out of the $1 billion raised. Members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) have labeled the campaign a “$1 billion disaster” with close to $20 million in debt. A few moves during her campaigning have been under a microscope, especially alleged payment to top celebrities seen at rallies.

Harris’s team is accused of paying Grammy-Award-winning artist Beyonce $10 million to endorse the candidate at a rally in Houston in October 2024. However, fact-checking websites FactCheck.org and PolitiFact found “no evidence” supporting the claim. Harris’ campaign also allegedly paid $1 million to Oprah Winfrey’s production company, Harpo, for a celebrity-filled town hall in Detroit, but the former talk show host claims she wasn’t paid anything. A spokesperson for Harpo said her boss wasn’t paid a personal fee but highlighted the campaign “paid for the production costs.” The amount spent on ads was also scrutinized.

An eye-catching projection on the massive Las Vegas Sphere during the final week of the campaign allegedly had a $450,000-a-day price tag—something that wasn’t filed with the FEC.

The overall cost of ads between Harris’s nomination as the Democratic Party nominee and Election Day reached more than $650 million.

According to Axios, Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison has privately shared his concerns about the potential level of debt, including in a documentary that Harrison is scheduled to be included in. Members of the campaign have “rolled their eyes” at the time the chair has spent being followed around by cameras, but an official alleges the campaign isn’t financially responsible for the film.

Most campaign committees are stricken with huge amounts of debt, but the DNC is worried Harris’s debt mimics former President Barack Obama’s successful re-election campaign in 2012. The committee was hit with a $2 million bill in late 2015 after Obama won and was still able to raise funds. During Hilary Clinton’s campaign run, growing bills made it hard for the committee. Tensions rose between the committee and Clinton’s team as they believed the DNC’s debt assisted in her defeat in 2016.

Harris’ campaign is expected to continue raising funds after the election cycle is completed, as swing states seemingly take days to count votes. However, with Trump’s victory under the belt, post-election fundraising is more difficult.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 13, 2024

‘GQ’ Names Pharrell Williams Designer Of The Year

Pharrell is the Men's Creative Director of Louis Vuitton

Music producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams is having quite a year. After his Lego-inspired movie, Piece by Piece, was released in theaters in October, GQ magazine announced that the Virginia native is the publication’s Designer of the Year.

The popular recording artist has been at the helm of Louis Vuitton for almost two years after getting the nod to replace the beloved and ultra-talented Virgil Abloh, who died nearly three years ago on November 28, 2021. Pharrell is the Men’s Creative Director of Louis Vuitton. He spoke to GQ in an exclusive interview, discussing his time at the fashion house, and expressed that the theme with which he works focuses on joy.

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A post shared by GQ (@gq)

After stating that “Joy is not only an experience and an emotion, but it’s an art form,” the “Happy” songwriter admits that “it’s the color I paint with.”

He works on many items and campaigns with Louis Vuitton, which gives him the freedom to tap into his creativity that isn’t solely based on what made him popular, which was his music. He mentions he appreciates being able to utilize his talents and has to be reminded by the brand that he is “supposed to be in this position.” He is allowed to use his gift to make things happen.

“Whereas what I’ve learned now is that when you err on the side of humility, empathy, gratitude, chivalry, you still—your talent is your talent. Your gift is your gift. So when you fuse all those things in it, that produces joy. My appointment here, it’s so much bigger than apparel, footwear, bags, accessories, trunks—

“—Campaigns, shows, windows. Man, I think about the shoes and bags that we are about to drop—bro, you will remember this conversation. It’s so crazy. But it took the brand tapping me on my shoulder to say, “Hey, you’re supposed to be in this position, and this is what you’re supposed to do.” The appointment is not just here [at LV]; it’s an appointment to my life. In every situation that I encounter, my job is to produce joy.”

Check out the full interview at GQ.

‘There’s Not Enough White Men’: John Hope Bryant Shares His Thoughts On U.S.’s New DEI Efforts

by Sharelle Burt

November 13, 2024

‘There’s Not Enough White Men’: John Hope Bryant Shares His Thoughts On U.S.’s New DEI Efforts

Could there be some truth to this theory?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion advocate John Hope Byrant identifies why he feels America is taking a new direction on DEI efforts and what it will do for the economy, Fortune reported.

The founder and CEO of Operation HOPE said that DEI’s success is critical to the advancement of the U.S. economy – simply put – more white men need to be involved. “There’s not enough white men,” Bryant said while speaking at Fortune’s Global Forum. “Mathematically, there’s not enough college-educated, successful white men to drive GDP (Gross Domestic Product) for 30 years.”

As the founder of HOPE, a non-profit providing financial literacy training, Bryant feels the reality of what the term DEI represents is the reasoning behind its recent politicization. For the country to continue growing and being an economic leader, the nation needs to keep DEI structures going, as it can’t afford to cut off women and minority communities from financial gains. “DEI became weaponized,” Bryant said. “It became political, it became emotional… I like math and inclusive economics, which is my approach. It’s just neutral.”

The financial literacy wiz highlighted that consumer spending takes up 70% of the U.S. economy. The ideal consumer looks different as the demographics of the country change. As Bryant said, “that 70% is going to look different” in the years to come.

Data from a report from the U.S. Census Bureau backs up his theory. By 2044, the United States will be a minority-majority nation, revealing that white Americans will no longer outnumber the combined number of minority groups. As of 2024, minority groups control a heightened purchasing power that is key to the economy. Black consumers are projected to dish out $1.7 trillion in spending power by 2030, with Hispanic consumers accounting for $3.2 trillion in economic output.

In comparison to white Americans, who control 80% of the wealth in the U.S. and are accountable for only 65% of the country’s households, Bryant says bringing minority groups up to par was imperative. “Financial literacy is the civil rights issue of this generation,” he said.

With a new president scheduled to take over the White House, the footprint of the initiative may look different.

President-elect Donald Trump started his anti-DEI agenda prior to leaving office in 2020. According to Forbes, he signed executive order M-20-37 with the subject “Ending Employee Trainings that Use Divisive Propaganda to Undermine the Principle of Fair and Equal Treatment for All.” Following his departure, GOP legislators and allies have increased measures to diminish DEI in the workplace.

However, that isn’t stopping some corporations from carrying on the imperative work that DEI carries. As a majority of companies continue to invest in DEI initiatives and others look at it as an unaffordable luxury, some represent what is called a “magic middle,” presenting an opportunity for DEI to continue to thrive. The key to effective DEI work has been identified as organizations finding a way to integrate it into their culture over professing to be a diverse and inclusive organization out loud.

Such declarations are seemingly looked at as not being genuine and often face backlash.

GOP, Black Conservative Federation, Trump, black men

by Kandiss Edwards

November 13, 2024

Black Men Discuss Why They Are Embracing The Conservative Agenda Post-Election

Black men in Atlanta discuss the pull of conservatism.

Black men’s reticence to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election became a topic of discussion towards the end of her campaign. Amid Harris’s sweeping loss to President-elect Donald Trump, the post-mortems are plenty. In a YouTube video posted by the Associated Press, Black men are speaking out about their reasoning.

Black men spoke at the Legacy Barbershop in Atlanta. Haneef Robinson spoke about what he believed was Trump’s firm positions on issues and Harris’s lack of consistency when discussing proposed policy. However, he did not specify any particular policies he agreed or disagreed with.

“Trump was at least standing on stuff like he had clear — he told you what he was going to do, what he wanted. She was like flip-flop, like she ain’t she wasn’t standing she wasn’t standing on nothing.”

Robinson continued to speak about society’s weakness, an excess of civility. He denounced the need for proper etiquette and say’s Trump’s ability to veer off message is admirable.

“Society getting soft like everything, so soft sensitive filter and all that, and then you got Trump he going to say what want like regardless he don’t really got no filter.”

Ayinde Luqman, a Fulton County resident, points to Harris’s embracing LGBTQ+ rights as the reason for Black men’s exodus of support. He spoke about how the Republican party is viewed through the eyes of Black men.

“They see people who are about family. On the left, you see this notion that a family can look like anything other than a man and a woman. And there a lot of young man that don’t believe in that. They don’t agree.”

There is no doubt that Black males are slowly migrating away from the Democratic party. Exit polls show that 74% of Black men voted in favor of Harris and her policy programs. Still, 24% of Black men supported Trump in 2024, according to a PBS analysis.

BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the Black and Latino men becoming the new “swing voters.”

Black and Latinx voters cited the economy and jobs as a reason they voted for Trump, although Trump’s policies are expected to make the cost of living even more expensive.

by Daniel Johnson

November 13, 2024

Trump’s Cabinet And Administration Picks Reportedly Hinge On Loyalty

Loyalty to Trump seems to be a determining factor in the early stages of key Cabinet and other positions in the next Trump administration

Donald Trump has begun nominating and naming his Cabinet members and key administration members at an accelerated pace compared to both his predecessors and his own first term.

According to The Washington Post, loyalty to Trump is a determining factor. In addition to choosing more established Republican politicians for some roles, in others, Trump and his team selected individuals who don’t possess much, if any, governing experience in their related roles to oversee broad policy portfolios.

One selection that has generated particular attention is the surprise choice to appoint Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and combat veteran, as Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth will likely face an uphill battle for Senate confirmation, but he is amenable to Trump’s vision for the military and has criticized military leadership as being too focused on diversity and not on global threats.

According to The Associated Press, Trump has also named noted white nationalist Stephen Miller, his longtime advisor, as one of his deputy chiefs of policy.

Miller was one of the chief architects of Trump’s first term’s immigration policy, including family separation, and Miller has been a key influence on Trump’s more hardline speeches.

At Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden, Miller seemed to set the table for what he could focus on as one of Trump’s unofficial policy czars.

Miller told the crowd, “Your salvation is at hand” after “decades of abuse that has been heaped upon the good people of this nation — their jobs looted and stolen from them and shipped to Mexico, Asia, and foreign countries. The lives of their loved ones were ripped away from them by illegal aliens, criminal gangs, and thugs who don’t belong in this country.”

Trump also appointed former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a selection that seems to mirror his previous term’s selection of Betsy DeVos to lead the Department of Education.

Zeldin, according to a statement released by Trump, is expected to “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses,” as well as maintaining “the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.”

Zeldin, however, does not come highly recommended by the environmental community, as the League of Conservation Voters scored his eight-year tenure in Congress at 14% regarding his approach to economic policy.

According to his statements to Fox News, Zeldin seems more concerned with business and capitalism than protecting the environment.

Zeldin told the outlet on Nov. 11 that he wants to make sure the United States can “pursue energy dominance … bring back American jobs to the auto industry and so much more.”

He also seemed excited about Trump’s economic agenda, adding, “I think the American people are so hungry for it. It’s one of the big reasons why they’re sending him back to the White House.”

According to The Washington Post, the rapid-fire nature of Trump’s appointments and nominations have left some members of his staff reeling.

One member of his staff told the outlet that “There is a total atmosphere of chaos,” said a person who spoke on condition of anonymity. “No one knows where the leaks are coming from, and nothing is real until Trump announces it.”

Another railed against the selection of Trump loyalist and South Dakota’s Republican Gov. Kristi Noem as Trump’s secretary of homeland security.

“What does she know about FEMA? What does she know about homeland security? She’s the governor of South Dakota!” an anonymous advisor told the Post.

According to James P. Pfiffner, a political scientist at George Mason University, Noem and Hegseth’s appointments will likely be the norm in the next iteration of Trump’s administration.

“The lesson is to have people who are personally loyal and will do anything he wants,” Pfiffner told the Post. “I expect these are going to be people who are really loyal to President Trump rather than taking an oath of office to the Constitution. They are not going to be hesitant about anything he decides to do.”

by Daniel Johnson

November 13, 2024

Sylvester Turner Easily Wins Congressional Seat Left Vacant by Shiela Jackson Lee’s Death

Turner's win after his selection by local Democratic precinct chairs followed a resounding endorsement from the late Sheila Jackson Lee's children, Jason Lee and Erica Lee Carter

Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner handily won the race for the 18th Congressional District of Texas, beating Republican Lana Centonze by capturing 70% of the heavily Democratic District on Nov. 5.

According to Fox 26, Turner’s win after his selection by local Democratic precinct chairs followed a resounding endorsement from the late Sheila Jackson Lee’s children, Jason Lee and Erica Lee Carter.

Jackson Lee died in July following a battle with pancreatic cancer after serving the 18th Congressional District for 30 years.

“We have no doubt Mayor Turner will carry on our mother’s legacy of service because we’ve witnessed it almost our entire lives. Our mother had no greater partner than Mayor Turner, and he honors her with his willingness to dutifully and humbly serve as a sturdy bridge to the next generation of leadership for the historic 18th Congressional District of Texas,” the pair wrote in August.

Turner, formerly a popular mayor in one of the nation’s largest cities, will take over in January 2025 once Lee Carter’s term ends because she won a special election to fill her mother’s seat on Nov. 5.

According to Houston Public Media, Lee Carter also defeated a Republican, Maria Dunn, by a nearly identical margin as Turner, winning 69% of the vote in the special election to fill the remaining two months of her late mother’s term in office.

Lee Carter’s platform focused on education, job training, healthcare, women and families.

Turner’s more expansive policy platform includes hurricane recovery, addressing cancer clusters in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens, safety, education, and women’s reproductive rights.

Following his win, Turner spoke to Houston’s KHOU-13 station.

“I look forward to representing people in the 18th over the next few years. Look, you can’t replace Sheila Jackson Lee, but in her memory, you can continue to serve the people in the 18th. You can give them a sort of representation that they rightfully deserve,” Turner said. “You can fight to bring back federal resources. You can fight for affordable healthcare, affordable housing, economic, workforce job opportunities, and infrastructure dollars. Those are the things that they need.”