by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 25, 2024

Decatur Charter School District Chooses To Shame Students With Unpaid Meal Charges By Giving Them Cheese Sandwiches

In just one week the City Schools of Decatur will begin serving cheese sandwiches and milk to students with unpaid meal charges. 

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In just one week, the City Schools of Decatur will begin serving a cheese sandwich and milk to students with unpaid lunch bills.

Beginning Feb. 1, a public charter school district in DeKalb County, Georgia, will allegedly single out students with balances on their meal plans by serving them a different lunch from other students. The school district has implemented new meal charge protocols that give students a maximum of three meals charged to their accounts for the entire school year.

Students will be served an alternative lunch once the meal charges are maxed out. It equates to a balance of $10.50 for middle and high school students and $9.75 for elementary students before they are given a cheese sandwich and milk to hold themselves over throughout the school day. 

Parents expressed their concerns with the alternative meal plan during a Jan. 17 Decatur School Board community meeting. Many are upset with the different treatment some students will receive for something that is beyond their control.

The new procedures are in response to the school district’s balance of about $88,000 in unpaid meal charges.

“I would love for the administration and nutrition department to come up with some creative solutions between now and winter break that lowers the risk that these kids are going to be shamed, or the kids will be given an alternative lunch,” School Board Chair James Herndon said during the community meeting. “I hope they are working on that. I look forward to seeing what we can do.”

The school district also claims students won’t be deprived of nutrition with the alternative meal plan.

“To offer an alternative meal at no additional cost to students, we have selected the most economical choice that still offers a nutritious meal,” a spokesperson for the City Schools of Decatur said.

The school district is asking parents to pay any outstanding balances for meal plans to help reduce the $88,000 debt, 36% of which is from students who receive free or reduced lunch.

“At this point, we have not made any progress as far as paying off the debt. We are a nonprofit organization,” School Nutrition Director Monique Breedlove said. 

“We want our kids to have a regular lunch, but our program can’t run if we’re not bringing in the funds from students paying for it.”

by Rafael Pena

January 24, 2024

Vistex CEO Plunged To His Death In Front Of Employees During 25th Annual Celebration

A tech executive's theatrical entrance took a fatal turn as Vistex CEO Sanjay Shah plunged to his death from a wooden structure suspended above the stage.

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In a devastating turn of events at a celebratory event in Hyderabad, India, on Jan. 18, a tech executive’s theatrical entrance took a fatal turn as Vistex CEO Sanjay Shah plunged to his death from a wooden structure suspended above the stage, according to Futurism. The incident, which was captured on camera, unfolded during an employee celebration at the Ramoji Film City studios.

Shah, a Chicago native and founder of the multinational software company Vistex, was supposed to make a grand entrance in an iron cage alongside company president Raju Datla. As they were being lowered into the cage, the chain supporting it snapped on one side, causing the pair to plummet 20 feet before a shocked audience of 700.

Shah succumbed to his injuries in an area hospital. Meanwhile, Datla suffered a severe head injury and is currently in critical condition.

Established by Shah in 1999, Vistex has grown into a global entity with 20 offices worldwide and a clientele that includes major names like General Motors and Coca-Cola. The Times of India reported that Vistex has since filed a complaint with the police, initiating an investigation into the alleged lax safety measures at the venue.

The shocking incident prompted an outpouring of condolences and messages of remembrance. A Spain-based employee expressed, “My deepest condolences to family and friends and to all the company, to which I still feel, somehow, part of.” Another highlighted Shah’s philanthropy: “He was a lovely human being who led with quiet confidence and gave back generously, including building a world-class hospital in India.”

The celebration, which was intended to mark Vistex Asia’s successful 25 years in business, turned into a somber occasion, with the tragic accident overshadowing the achievements. The Vistex flag now flies at half-staff at his headquarters Hoffman Estates, Illinois, reflecting the company’s somber but respectful mood.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 24, 2024

10-Year-Old Black Girl From Indiana Honored For Saving 2 People’s Lives

Aneres Bellefont, a 10-year-old African American girl from Indiana, has been hailed as a hero for saving two people’s lives.

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Aneres Bellefont, a 10-year-old African American girl from Indiana, has been hailed as a hero for saving two people’s lives. She was honored with an award by Henry County Sheriff John M. Sproles for her quick thinking that saved lives.

Young black girls exhibit remarkable intelligence and quick thinking, especially when faced with high-pressure situations. Their resilience and resourcefulness shine through as they navigate challenges, showcasing a depth of intellect that defies stereotypes. In these moments, their ability to analyze, adapt, and lead highlights the immense potential within this demographic, breaking barriers and inspiring positive change.

On January 8, Aneres Bellefont called 911 after she found a man passed out in a car near her place. She also saw a lady knocked out near the car. She thought they weren’t breathing, and she couldn’t see any other adults around, according to 11Alive. 

Amidst the situation, Aneres did not panic. She helped out the emergency personnel by telling them exactly where to find the two adults. She stayed on the line, keeping dispatchers updated on the condition of the two adults.

When the medics arrived, they used Narcan on both of them before rushing them to Henry Community Health Hospital. One of the adults even ended up in the ICU. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a critical tool in combating opioid overdoses. When administered promptly, it can reverse the life-threatening effects of opioid toxicity by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, effectively restoring normal respiration.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Office put up a post on social media, saying, “Aneres Bellefont, you are a true hero! Two adults are alive today because you courageously took control of the emergency situation you found yourself in. You did all of the right things!”

This news was first reported by Blacknews.com

RELATED CONTENT: MEET THE 10-YEAR-OLD WHO CONVERTED A SCHOOL BUS INTO A FOOD TRUCK BUSINESS

by Daniel Johnson

January 24, 2024

Las Vegas School District Releases Footage Of Violent Arrest Of Teen 11 Months After It Occurred

The incident involving student too place in February 2023.

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A Las Vegas school district has finally released police reports and officer body cam footage that depicts a white police officer kneeling on a Black student in an incident that happened in 2023. As the Associated Press reports, the incident drew comparisons to the murder of George Floyd from students, and was met with accusations of police brutality as video of the encounter spread on social media.

According to an incident report by Clark County School District police Lt. Jason Elfberg, the teenager (whose name is redacted) declined to step away as officers were handcuffing another student. This occurred during an investigation into a report about a gun being displayed the previous day, along with a threat to “shoot up” a Las Vegas school. No weapon was discovered.

Elfberg’s actions resulted in protests and calls for him to be fired. It was a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada that made school district officials release information about the incident. Late on Jan. 18, school officials finally released the footage of the incident, which occurred on Feb 9, 2023. The six clips’ cumulative runtime is over two hours and blurs out the faces of students and other scenes. 

The district said that the records of the encounter between Elfberg and the students should not be released because of the ages of those who had been detained. As such, the district denied several media requests for those records. On Jan. 19, the ACLU said that the district fighting its attempts to get the records for nearly a full year was “shameful;” they also described the police’s description of events as “an attempt to spin the events and avoid accountability for attacking school children.”

ACLU Executive Director Athar Haseebullah noted in a statement that the ACLU’s lawsuit representing two students is still ongoing, both were 14-year-old male students at the time of the incident.

Elfberg’s account of the incident states that things escalated after he instructed the student to start walking, but the teenager told him no. At that point, Elfberg states, “I then grabbed (the teen) who immediately pulled away and started pulling his hands from my grasp, and yelling at me not to touch him.” Elfberg continued, saying that after he pushed the student against a fence, “he (the teen) attempted again to remove himself from my grasp, so I then spun him around and took him down to the ground.”

There have been calls for Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson to investigate during a joint news conference with ACLU lawyer Christopher Peterson and NAACP Las Vegas President Quentin Sawvoir.

Peterson, meanwhile, emphasized the rights of those who observe the police, saying that they can “film, criticize and question officers,” before adding that the video showed Elfberg threatening to pepper spray those who were watching. Peterson also said that the students “bravely stood their ground on a public sidewalk facing threats of retaliation.”

RELATED CONTENT: Video Shows Black Teen Slammed By White Police Officers as White-Looking Teen Fighting Him Placed on Couch

by Derek Major

January 24, 2024

Howard Basketball Players Live Hoop Dreams While Getting Ph.D., Law Degrees

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Howard basketball players Seth Towns and Joshua Strong are playing out their hoop dreams on the court for the Bison while training to do much more after their careers end.

Towns, 26, who previously attended Harvard University, where he was Ivy League Player of the Year and AP All-America honorable mention as a sophomore, is studying as a doctoral candidate. Meanwhile, Strong, 21, who helped Division II Minnesota-Duluth advance to the NCAA Elite 8 as a sophomore, is working on his law degree.

Together, the two men have helped the Bison to an 8-12 record this season and 2-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) behind Delaware State, Norfolk State, and North Carolina Central University. 

Although Towns and Strong are teammates, they took very different routes to Howard.

Knee and back injuries cost Towns his last two seasons at Harvard, but that didn’t stop him from continuing his education. He transferred to Ohio State, where he earned a master’s degree and played one season of basketball (2020-21) in three years. Towns thought his basketball days were over and sat out last season, but he got the itch to play on the hardwood again and filed an NCAA waiver to play at Howard as an eighth-year senior.

Towns told the Columbus Dispatch, like many aspiring ballers, it took him a while to put the game second in his life and his education first. 

“I think I have restructured my relationship with basketball,” Towns said. “It is much healthier now. I’m not saying I put my entire identity into basketball, but man, it was hard because that’s kind of the only professional aspiration I’ve had. Everything else was kind of subsidiary to that.”

Towns, who leads Howard in rebounding (6.8 rpg) assists (43), and is second in scoring (15.2 ppg.) is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in English literature and added he’s proud to attend an HBCU school.

“I knew off jump that I wanted to go to Howard if I had any eligibility left,” Towns, the oldest NCAA basketball player this season, told Slam Magazine. “I feel like the value of something like attending an HBCU isn’t always seen clearly. It’s [ours] to build, ours to protect, and ours to cultivate into this huge magical thing.”

Strong, who’s averaging 5.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, and 1.5 apg, earned his Bachelor’s degree in two years and applied to the Howard University School of Law. After being accepted, he contacted head basketball coach Kenny Blakeney about walking onto the Bison team. After showing his game during summer workouts, Strong earned a spot on the team and ran the hardwood while preparing himself to excel in the courtroom.

“I always had a passion for social justice,” Strong told The Washington Post. “I guess early, I kind of conceptualized law as the way to attack that. I was always smart, and people would say, ‘Oh, you’re going to be a doctor, engineer.’ Well, how am I going to help Black people?”

While they may not shoot hoops at the next level, the future is bright for both Strong and Towns. According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, 50% of Black lawyers are HBCU graduates, and the Advocate reports Howard University is the best HBCU for English literature majors.

RELATED CONTENT: Howard University Wants To Produce More Black Pharmacists Than Ever

by Stacy Jackson

January 24, 2024

VC Firm Zeal Launches BBFI Fund To Expand Capital And Support For Black Tech Founders, Appoints New Managing Director

In her new role, Thomas will lead Zeal Capital Partners' pioneering Barclays Black Formation Investments initiative.

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Venture capital firm Zeal Capital Partners has appointed Stefanie Thomas as managing director to spearhead its expanded commitment to inclusive investing. Thomas brings over a decade of experience backing diverse founders and emerging companies.

In her new role, Thomas will lead Zeal’s pioneering Barclays Black Formation Investments (BBFI) initiative, Essence reported. Backed by Barclays, BBFI provides critical early-stage capital and support to talented Black founders building high-growth tech startups.

As Zeal founder Nasir Qadree stated, “We’re thrilled to welcome Stefanie to Zeal Capital Partners, to spearhead a timely effort to propel the next generation of diverse entrepreneurs and companies shaping the future of technology and business at scale.”

Thomas shares this mission to expand access to capital so innovative teams and ideas can thrive. Her diverse background gives her a unique lens to identify talented founders with important business concepts that can create value and impact.

With the launch of the pioneering BBFI fund, Zeal is dramatically expanding capital and support for Black founders in tech. Thomas’ appointment represents a major investment in this initiative. As she stated, unlocking value for the industry and world begins with funding the most talented yet overlooked teams.

“My work and life experiences have helped me to see investment opportunities beyond a traditional investing lens, and I’m looking forward to using that experience to identify founders with unique and important ideas that will unlock value for both our industry and the world,” the new managing director said according to Essence.

This work aligns with Zeal’s commitment to inclusive investing and empowering new voices in venture capital. As Qadree emphasized, Thomas’ leadership will continue Zeal’s focus on generating outsized returns, uplifting diverse teams, and cultivating the next generation of VC investors, Essence reported.

Previously, Thomas was a founding investor at Impact America Fund (IAF), helping expand it from $7 million to over $100 million.

Now at Zeal, she will have the opportunity to leverage her experience backing overlooked founders to unleash the potential of diverse entrepreneurship.

by Rafael Pena

January 24, 2024

Russell Westbrook Is Now Part Owner of Arizona Athletic Grounds

Renowned NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook, through Russell Westbrook Enterprises, has recently become part of the ownership group at Arizona Athletic Grounds.

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Phoenix Business Journal reports, renowned NBA All-Star and entrepreneur Russell Westbrook, through Russell Westbrook Enterprises, has recently become part of the ownership group at Arizona Athletic Grounds. The announcement of the collaboration came on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and aims to blend Westbrook’s passion for basketball programming with a strong commitment to community engagement through his Why Not? Foundation.

Westbrook, a nine-time NBA All-Star, is celebrated not only for his athletic prowess but also for his forward-thinking approach to business and philanthropy. With a keen eye for innovative ventures, Westbrook’s investment in AAG aligns seamlessly with his dedication to community-based education programs and empowering youth.

Donnell Beverly, President of RWE, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Chad Brownstein and Rocky Mountain Resources, emphasizing RWE’s goal to transform Arizona Athletic Grounds into a national hub for basketball tournaments. Beverly stated, “We’re excited to bring the resources of the Why Not? Foundation to at-risk youth in the Mesa and Phoenix Valley area to create a longstanding relationship with the community.”

Arizona Athletic Grounds, located in Mesa, AZ, stands as the premier youth sports and entertainment facility in the Western United States, according to Visit Mesa. Attracting over 4,000,000 visitors annually, the facility offers a diverse range of youth and adult athletic programming and hosts various special events. AAG boasts an extensive array of amenities, including eight Baseball and Softball Fields, 19 Basketball Courts, 24 Soccer Fields, Football and Lacrosse Fields, 57 Indoor Volleyball Courts, 12 Beach Volleyball Courts, 41 Pickleball Courts (with a 2,000-seat Stadium), 22 Futsal Courts, a 14,000 square foot performance center, and multiple festival fields.

Chad Brownstein, Chairman of AAG, expressed admiration for Westbrook’s community leadership, stating, “Russell is the great American embodiment of community leadership. We are pleased to partner with him and Donnell at AAG. The alliance will grow our Basketball programming and solidify our commitment to supporting at-risk youth.”

The collaboration between Russell Westbrook Enterprises and Arizona Athletic Grounds signifies a synergy between sports, community engagement, and philanthropy. As Westbrook brings his influence and resources to AAG, the alliance aims to enhance basketball programming and foster a positive impact on at-risk youth in the Mesa and Phoenix Valley area.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 24, 2024

Former NBA Player Kevin Porter Jr. Agrees To Plea Deal After Alleged Assault Of Former Girlfriend

Porter pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation and if he completes the court-ordered treatment program, he may stay out of jail.

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Kevin Porter Jr. was arrested last year on Sept. 11 for allegedly attacking his former girlfriend, Kysre Gondrezick, in a New York City hotel room. The former Houston Rockets guard was charged with domestic violence assault. He originally pleaded not guilty to felony assault and strangulation. The Associated Press reported that he reached a plea deal on Jan. 23 to keep him out of jail.

Porter pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation due to the incident that allegedly took place last September. If he completes the court-ordered treatment program and stays out of trouble, there will be no jail time. Porter agreed to enroll in a 26-week Abusive Partner Intervention Program or an equivalent program with a private counselor. He is also required to abide by a limited order of protection, keep all slated court dates, and make sure he doesn’t get arrested.

If Porter adheres to the stated requirements, he will be able to withdraw his assault plea in a year and will be sentenced to time served for the non-criminal harassment count. Doing so will clear his criminal record.

The attorneys for the 23-year-old Porter accused prosecutors of presenting false felony allegations as Gondrezick also stated they presented a false narrative of what took place that evening.

“The resolution will allow Mr. Porter to put this incident, which involved false felony allegations and false facts, behind him with no criminal record and move forward,” Porter’s attorneys, Phillip Jobe and Stephanie Kelemen, said in a written statement.

ABC 7 reported that the shooting guard was taken into custody by the New York Police Department. Prosecutors stated that Porter attacked Gondrezick at the Millennium Hilton Hotel and left her with a fractured neck vertebra and a deep cut above her right eye.

After the accusation, the Rockets banned him from the team and traded him to the Oklahoma Thunder on Oct. 17, after which the NBA team released him.

RELATED CONTENT: Houston Rockets Trade Kevin Porter Jr. To Oklahoma Thunder, Who Promptly Release Him

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 24, 2024

Olamide Olowe Makes History In Beauty Industry With Topicals Brand

Olamide Olowe of Topicals is changing the game with her innovative and inclusive skin care company.

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Olamide Olowe has been a game-changing entrepreneur ever since she stepped into beauty with her popular Topicals brand. The CEO and founder of the skincare company is making history as she reaches new heights through successful capital funding rounds. 

According to AfroTech, Olowe launched the brand in 2020, securing $2.6 million in venture capital to grow its reach. With the investment backing its quality products, the brand continued raising the bar by becoming the fastest-growing skincare brand sold in Sephora in 2022. That same year, at the age of 26, the founder emerged as the youngest Black woman to raise $10 million in funding, with Black investors including Kelly Rowland, Gabrielle Union, and Jay-Z’s Mary Venture Partners also joining in. 

Olowe spoke on her thriving journey in entrepreneurship with BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Sisters Inc. in 2021. She is well aware of the obstacles, but notes how crucial diverse investors, and even Black women mentors, have been to her growth.

“I wanted to get as many people who looked like me in the round,” expressed Olowe. “One, because we want to increase wealth in the Black community. But two, because they, like myself, have dealt with these skin conditions and have dealt with being an outsider…In order to become great, you have to surround yourself with greats. And I’m so fortunate that each and every one of those women has seen me and has taken me under their wing to help support this business…They’ve been instrumental to our success.”

BE has continued showcasing Olowe and her mission with Topicals through her inclusion as a 2023 “40 Under 40” honoree. Topicals features a variety of masks, serums, and newly added lip products to combat common issues, such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation, for diverse skin types and tones. However, Topicals seeks to uplift from within and throughout, advocating for mental health causes in addition to showcasing other Black-owned brands to support alongside them. 

Olowe and Topicals have furthered their brand development and product sales in this commitment to authenticity and giving back to their consumers. The bright CEO not only has a promising future in the industry, but has maintained her promise of a holistic impact to the world. 

RELATED CONTENT: 26-Year-Old Black Founder Makes History After Raising $10M in Funding for Her Skincare Company

• Career

by Black Enterprise

January 24, 2024

3 Ways To Strengthen Your Ability To Concentrate

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Originally Published Sep. 11, 2016 

One facet of productivity that doesn’t often get talked about is the difference between efficiency and effectiveness. You could arrive at work early, knock a bunch of items off of your to-do list, and feel good about your day. And while you may have earned it, have you ever stopped to think about how effective you really were?

At my company, Do.com, we help companies become both more effective and efficient with their meetings. The lack of follow-up and action taken after a meeting is a problem that plagues a lot of boardrooms. The sole purpose of a meeting is to discuss things collaboratively so that action items can be acted on; however, this is often not the case. We’ve pinpointed several reasons why your meetings aren’t as productive as you think–and how you can change them for the better.

Hows to Concentrate Better: Give Your Undivided Attention to the Task at Hand 

Let’s say you’re in a meeting, and you’re answering emails while discussions are taking place. Those who can multitask are often admired for their ability to juggle, but the reality is that you can never give your undivided attention to any one thing when you’re constantly jumping between two or more items. You’re really just giving a few minutes here, a few minutes there, and are never fully engaging.

So if you’re in a meeting and you’re answering emails, you might think you’re giving your attention to both, but you’re actually not giving your whole attention to either. This means you can miss important questions, decisions, and discussions. You also risk slipping up in your email communication, losing your train of thought, or failing to reply to an urgent message.

A great way to combat this is to use the famous Pomodoro technique, in which you work for 25 minutes on one task, without checking your phone, email, or switching between apps. Then, you take a five-minute break where you can check those emails or respond to those texts. This cycle repeats for four rounds, after which you take a 15-minute break. This really helps fight the urge to multitask and has been proven to allow you to fit 40 hours of work into 16.7 hours of actual work.

Train Your Mind to Focus for Longer Periods of Time 

What do some of the most successful entrepreneurs, artists and actors all have in common? They’re able to stay focused for longer periods of time on a single task.

This concentration has to be cultivated; it doesn’t come naturally when you’re used to constantly checking your phone, surfing the web, and giving into other distractions. For reasons already mentioned, if you give 100 percent to everything you engage in, you’ll make fewer mistakes and get more done. “Big projects” will feel less intimidating when you discover that you’re able to complete them with a couple of hours of focused effort. As a result, your confidence will also increase. You’ll soon discover that you have plenty of time left over for lower-value tasks. Using the aforementioned Pomodoro technique will allow you to focus on what’s really important at any given moment, since you have to prioritize tasks during each cycle. When these cycles finish, you can work on other, less pressing tasks during your breaks.

Be Selective, and Prioritize 

If you don’t prioritize your activity, it will have power over you. Assuming you could only pick three to five things to complete on any given day, what would you choose to work on? Manage your expectations. Don’t go into your day with the idea that you are superhuman and can handle everything under the sun. Instead, pick your battles. Don’t allow yourself more than three to five items on a daily basis. Then, if you have time left over, start crossing off smaller tasks that don’t require a lot of time or mental effort. Every morning at our company, we lay out the most important things for us to tackle that day. As you go throughout your day, use a to-do list or journal to track what you’ve accomplished and what you still need to complete. Look back on this after every task and at the end of the day. It’ll make you feel really good about your productivity and is a great way to visually see your progress throughout the day.

Every morning at our company, we lay out the most important things for us to tackle that day. As you go throughout your day, use a to-do list or journal to track what you’ve accomplished and what you still need to complete. Look back on this after every task and at the end of the day. It’ll make you feel really good about your productivity and is a great way to visually monitor your progress.

Don’t forget — these tips don’t work if you don’t prioritize. If you find yourself jumping from one task to another, remember that there are tasks on your to-do list that can wait. You need to be able to segment your projects into meaningful categories in order to gain clarity on the importance of each. Pretty soon, you’ll be accomplishing way more than before — and it’ll reflect in your business.