• Entrepreneurship

by Wendy Pace

January 23, 2024

How To Network For Women Of Color Who May Not Be So Good At It

For business success, an element that is often overlooked is the importance of knowing how to network, even if it doesn't come naturally. 

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Originally published July 31, 2019

Many consultants and business “coaches” are out there peddling shortcut solutions to business success. However, just as we have known for decades that a balanced diet and regular exercise is the key to good health, there are also tried-and-true methods for business success. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts or schemes that will make you successful in the long run. Diligence, a commitment to customer service, offering a quality product or service—all of these elements are crucial to establishing a profitable business enterprise.

One element that is often overlooked, however, is the importance of knowing how to network, even if it doesn’t come naturally.

Networking is critical to positioning your business for long-term growth. As a woman of color, I initially found it challenging to put myself out there in venues where most other business owners were white males. It is human nature to want to stay with what is comfortable to us and to do business with people most like ourselves. You may be able to grow your business initially by sticking to what you know and are familiar with, but eventually you are going to hit a wall that will make further growth difficult, if not impossible.

How to Network in Easy Steps 

Identify the Networking Groups for You

The first step to networking is to identify the type of networking group that is going to work best for you. There are open networking groups, like your local chamber of commerce, and there are closed networking groups like BNI (Business Networking International). When you are first starting out, you might feel intimidated by people in your industry that are already present in these groups. Especially as a woman of color, it can seem daunting when you first start out. Don’t be discouraged: You are unique, and you bring a different perspective to the table. Believe in your services and provide good customer care, and the business will speak for itself.

Once you determine which type of networking situation is most comfortable for you, you need to start attending that group regularly. Showing up once and deciding it’s not for you because you didn’t leave with a sale is not how networking works.

Work the Room

Business networking is a long-term project and not something you should expect to bear fruit immediately. A good analogy is that of being a gardener. When you are networking, you have to go in with the idea that you are planting seeds. Some of those seeds will sprout and grow and others will not, which is why it is important to plant as many of them as possible. Some may not germinate for quite a while, only to bear a bountiful crop when you least expect it.

When you go into a networking meeting, you should enter with the idea that you are going to make a sincere effort to get to know everyone in the room. The initial goal isn’t to close a deal; it is to start building relationships! Go from group to group, put on a smile and offer a firm handshake. Ask the other people in attendance about their business, their families, what problems they are facing, and allow the conversation to develop organically and naturally. If someone expresses frustration or recounts a problem that you can help with, feel free to offer your advice, but remember that the purpose of these first meetings is to build relationships, not close deals.

Like any good gardener, you will need to be patient and tend your relationships. Periodically you will need to circle back to people to see how they are doing and if you can offer any assistance. Just because someone is not an immediate prospect doesn’t mean they can’t help you in other ways. It is a truism of human nature that we tend to do business with our friends, and as a business owner you need all the friends you can get.

People in your network may introduce you to other hot prospects or help open doors for you that you couldn’t get through on your own. Alternatively, they may just become good friends, and there is nothing wrong with having more friends!

Above all else, be patient. Networking takes time. But if you stick to a steady course, you will find yourself reaping greater rewards as time goes on. Business success is a marathon, not a sprint.

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by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 23, 2024

FAMU Bowler Kicked Off Team, Claims Due To Studying 

Former Florida A&M bowler, Shamoria Johnson, claims she was struck from the team due to her studying.

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A bowler at Florida A&M University, an HBCU in Tallahassee, claims that she was let go from the team due to her studying habits. Shamoria Johnson stated that she was forced to leave the squad by its new head coach. 

As reported by HBCU Gameday, Johnson told the first-year employee, Capri Howard, that she would be unable to attend a Dec. 4 practice. She stated that she alerted her days prior on Nov. 29 but was left on “read.” 

“I got no response back,” Johnson told U.S. journalist Roland Martin. “I didn’t get a text message back; instead, she sent us an email stating that we needed to manage our time better. And being a student athlete, we should be able to balance our school work and our academic work. So having homework or studying is not an excuse to miss practice.”

Johnson instead reiterated her commitment to her studies, as they are a top priority that must be balanced with the sport.

“I ended the email by saying that I would prioritize my academics as a student-athlete. And I also referenced one of the rules from the women’s bowling team, rules where it stated that being a student is the priority. That was the only bolded rule on the rule sheet, and I didn’t get a response to that email either.”

Johnson stated that the coach referred to the student as a “cancer” whose email was the final straw of disrespect, subsequently dismissing her from the team.

In protest of Johnson’s removal, some of her teammates walked off, leading to all of their scholarships being revoked. However, upon news of the incident, Johnson’s former teammates were given back their financial aid. 

Florida A&M VP of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes released a statement supporting Howard on her right to remove the ex-bowler,

“In December 2023, Coach Howard dismissed a student-athlete from the bowling team for reasons supported by NCAA Bylaws. Though it’s always challenging to see our student-athletes dismissed, I support the decision by Coach Howard as the proper procedures were taken before the dismissal.”

Johnson remains off the bowling team’s official roster but is continuing to spread awareness of what she believes is an unjust situation.

by Rafael Pena

January 23, 2024

Social Media In A Frenzy Over Black National Anthem At This Year’s Super Bowl

The NFL's announcement of performances for Super Bowl LVIII has generated mixed reactions in response to the Black national anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

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The NFL’s recent announcement of its pregame lineup for Super Bowl LVIII, scheduled for February 11, has generated mixed reactions, particularly in response to the inclusion of the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” commonly known as the Black national anthem, according to FOX News. While the league intended to showcase diversity and pay homage to the African American community, the decision has sparked criticism and debates surrounding national identity and historical context.

The star-studded lineup for the Super Bowl pregame show includes legendary country singer Reba McEntire singing the national anthem, popular modern performer Post Malone, and Grammy-winning R&B singer Andra Day set to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The latter has been a fixture at each Super Bowl since Super Bowl LV, introduced by the NFL in 2020 following the death of George Floyd as part of the league’s response to racial injustice.

The NFL’s decision to feature the Black national anthem has faced backlash, with some expressing confusion and skepticism about the need for a separate anthem. Radio host Larry Elder questioned the inclusion, suggesting alternative anthems and one NFL fan questioned the necessity of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” stating, “Bro, we’re American. Why tf do we need Lift Every Voice and Sing?”

The discussion on social media extended to debates over a hypothetical “White national anthem.” Nikole Hannah-Jones countered such arguments, pointing to Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner” and highlighting its historical context, including racist lyrics and its association with a composer who supported slavery.

“The white national anthem is played. It was written by a racist enslaver who believed Black people were inferior and fought abolitionists in the courts,” she emphasized, challenging the notion of needing a separate anthem.

The decision has become a focal point for discussions on national identity, historical awareness, and the implications of incorporating diverse cultural elements into mainstream events. As the NFL navigates these discussions, it remains to be seen how the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will be received during the highly anticipated Super Bowl LVIII.

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by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 23, 2024

Alpha Kappa Alpha Members Pack Purses For Atlanta’s Female Unhoused  

Atlanta members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. helped pack bags with toiletries and other items for the city's unhoused women.

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Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) are giving back to their community by packing purses for those in need. A local chapter partnered with Atlanta Housing on Jan. 19 to help unhoused women during the winter season. 

According to 11Alive, the sorority worked with the housing authority, packing used handbags with toiletries and essential supplies. Exactly 145 purses were filled with goods to provide some aid and hope during the cold months. 

Their service will assist a local nonprofit, Dignify A Diva Inc., which has provided these equipped bags, in addition to backpacks and overnight bags, for those unhoused in the area since its establishment in 2015. The sorority members have now contributed to the over 12,000 bags the organization has given out to individuals in need. 

The event followed the National Day of Service, recognized on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, in which service organizations nationwide volunteered their efforts to better communities. This charitable initiative seeks to specifically address an ongoing issue regarding homelessness in the United States, with the international sorority committed to benefitting all mankind in various ways.

For example, in 2020, the sorority raised “more than $15,000 through the organization’s virtual Peer-to-Peer Fundraising effort and provided monthly catered dinners to the more than 50 Nicholas House residents,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Their work here is needed as Atlanta, along with other areas across the country, has faced rising rates of unhoused individuals and families. To support an influx of those sleeping inside their facility, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport has been urged by city officials to develop a plan to assist the scores of people utilizing the building as a shelter. 

In addition, The Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta hosted a “Sleep the Night Out” event in December 2023 to showcase solidarity with those experiencing homelessness in the city.

by Lauren Nutall

January 23, 2024

Howard University Wants To Produce More Black Pharmacists Than Ever

Howard University is on a mission.

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Howard University wants to introduce more Black pharmacists to the world of healthcare, WTOP News reports.

With the profession’s high starting salary and crucial role in helping people overcome life-threatening illnesses, pharmaceutical work is ripe with opportunity, which the HBCU stresses. But the field lacks Black representation. According to the Department of Labor, there are 315,000 pharmacists, but a scant 4%—a little more than 12,000 pharmacists nationwide—are identified as Black.

Howard wants to change that in a bid to eliminate racial disparities and improve treatment for Black patients, who statistically respond better when treated by Black physicians.

“It’s so very important for us to have practitioners that we can talk to, that we can trust, who we can relate to,” said Dr. Tamara McCants, a clinical assistant professor at Howard University, to WTOP News. “And especially for the pharmacists because they’re the most accessible healthcare professional.”

Jelani Smith, a first-year student at the HBCU’s School of Pharmacy, has witnessed the decline of pharmaceutical care firsthand after the only pharmacy and the closest thing his small town had for a doctor unexpectedly shut down.

“Cardiovascular disease is killing our community. Diabetes is killing our community,” he said. “My ultimate intention is to return home and open up that pharmacy.”

Despite the advantages of being a pharmacist, McCants said, there are disadvantages.

“We have to be honest with this generation. We’re realizing that the students who are applying for pharmacy schools are not the same kind of students who applied 10 or 15 years ago. If you’re not used to this type of course load, it can be overwhelming,” she shared.

If Howard University can get more of its students to become pharmacists, it could transform the current landscape of pharmaceutical care as Black people continue to face disproportionate treatment and distrust toward health providers.

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by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 23, 2024

Van Lathan Blasts Rappers For Not Interviewing With ‘Traditional’ Hip-Hop Media: ‘They’re Afraid To Have The Conversation’

Van Lathan called out rappers for appearing on trendy social media shows rather than sitting down for in-depth interviews with “traditional” hip-hop journalists.

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Van Lathan is calling out rappers who appear on trendy social media shows rather than sitting down for in-depth interviews with “traditional” hip-hop journalists.

The former TMZ producer appeared on the Bootleg Kev Podcast, where he tackled the trend.

“It is incumbent upon hip-hop artists to do interviews with hip-hop media because that feeds the ecosystem,” Lathan said. “They have to do hip-hop media…If you are a rap artist and a big rap artist, you have to do traditional hip-hop media…You have to do it all the time.”

Citing the “[cultural] responsibility” rappers have “to invest back into the media,” Lathan noted how their appearances “feed the ecosystem of hip-hop.” Instead, 2023 saw rappers like Drake, Offset, and Lil Yachty sit down with white podcaster Bobbi Althoff, who was accused of using an unbothered schtick (many accuse her of copying from Black podcaster Funny Marco) to capitalize off of Black hip-hop fans.

“The people who look like Bobbi (Althoff), they gon’ eat off hip-hop regardless,” Lathan said. “The question is whether or not the Black people, and not just Black but the people in hip-hop media, whether they’re going to eat off of it.”

The Higher Learning podcast host believes it’s a fear rappers have with sitting down with real hip-hop journalists who will hold them accountable and get them to talk about topics they might not be well versed in.

“As hard as they are, they are equally p**sy. And I say they [are] equally p**sy because everybody wanna be hip-hop, but don’t nobody wanna be hip-hop,” Lathan said.  “Don’t nobody wanna sit down and answer questions in the way that hip-hop interviewers ask them…Hip-hop is supposed to be this cultural art form where we don’t dance around, and we get straight to the point.”

He continued. “They’re afraid to have the conversation, so they would rather go sit down with someone that has a big platform that will treat them [in] a way, to me, that is not culturally authentic than actually have a culturally authentic and powerful conversation with someone that benefits…the entire hip-hop ecosystem.”

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by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 23, 2024

Beverly Johnson Recalls Hotel Draining Pool After She Stepped Inside: ‘It Was Racist’

It wasn’t even that long ago that Beverly Johnson was at the height of her game as a supermodel. But even in the 1980s, the first Black woman to cover Vogue faced extreme racism.

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It wasn’t even that long ago that Beverly Johnson was at the height of her game as a supermodel. But even in the 1980s, Johnson, the first Black woman to cover Vogue magazine, faced extreme racism.

Johnson, 71, is opening up in her new one-woman show, called “Beverly Johnson in Vogue,” which chronicles her life and career, and the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking Vogue cover. 

But even while she shattered glass ceilings, the fashion star existed in an atmosphere of racism. She recounted how a luxury hotel drained a pool after she’d taken a dip in it. It was in 2012, while Johnson was attending famed modeling agent Eileen Ford’s 90th birthday party, that a fellow model told Johnson about the pool draining, which Johnson had no idea had occurred. 

“All the models were there, and the very rich people, and one girl said to me, ‘Remember when they drained the pool?’ When you got in the pool at the so-and-so hotel?” Johnson told “Page Six.”

“I was like, ‘They did?’ And she said, ‘You didn’t know that?’”

Johnson noted the time frame and dared not give the name of the hotel. “This was during the ’80s, I would not say the name of the hotel because I don’t want to get sued,” she said.

But the reveal highlights the barriers Johnson faced and crossed at a time when Black people were still looked at as “less than,” despite their success or status.

“So you get a lot of that. People draining pools, it was racist,” said Johnson. “As a model, there were different kinds of things that would happen to me because I was Black.”

It took other models and fashion professionals championing her presence to help Johnson land the countless magazine covers she graced throughout her career. 

“Lauren Hutton would go to photo shoots and say out loud, ‘Why isn’t Beverly on the cover of magazines? She is just as pretty,’” Johnson recalled. “And at that time Lauren was on every cover. She was the it girl. So it was major for her to say that out loud at the time.”

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by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 23, 2024

Terry Crews Wants Us To Accomplish Our Fitness Goals By Getting Better Sleep

Terry Crews is kicking off 2024 with a new campaign aimed at showing the nation how revitalizing sleep helps accomplish fitness goals. 

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Terry Crews is kicking off 2024 with a new campaign aimed at showing the nation how revitalizing sleep helps accomplish fitness goals. 

The America’s Got Talent host has teamed up with Natrol, America’s #1 sleep aid brand, to bring awareness to the importance of sleep.

With a new year in full effect, many kicked off 2024 with fitness goals that were still on hiatus due to lack of energy stemming from a deficiency in quality sleep. 

The shortage in sleep leads to a shortage of energy, which creates a challenge in maintaining discipline for nutritious eating and the endurance needed for a productive and focused day. To combat this, Natrol joined forces with leading global fitness brand Barry’s to empower individuals to prioritize their sleep and conquer their goals this year.

Crews served as an honorary fitness coach for a workout class in Venice, California, earlier this month where he co-led a challenging workout and incorporated powerful sleep advice and insights.

Healthy living is a natural passion for the NFL-alum-turned-TV-star who is hoping to help others establish their optimal sleep routine.

“I remember when everybody was big on hydration, it was like this big thing about everybody should drink more water. And now everybody has their water bottles. They got the shakers and everything, but no one talks about sleep,” Crews told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The White Chicks star recalls being forced to understand the value of sleep after working himself into exhaustion early in his television career.

“I mean, it was like TV shows, movies, ad campaigns, all this stuff. I had a whole thing that was like, ‘to be more, you got to do more.’ And that was my whole concept, but I was burning the candle at both ends and I literally burned out,” Crews explained.

After a complete burnout that included “a big migraine” and aches throughout his body, Crews went to a doctor who couldn’t find anything wrong. However, the doctor did tell him that he was facing exhaustion due to a lack of sleep.

“I had heard about exhaustion before. But I realized that I had been sleeping maybe four, three or four hours a night,” he revealed.

Now, the Brooklyn Nine-Nine alum is proud to be in bed by 8:30 p.m. and up by 4:30 or 5:00 a.m. It helps him get an early start on his day and accomplish all of his fitness goals.

“I get so much done before 9 o’clock. You know what I mean? I’m already up for four hours,” he gushed.

“I’ve been getting my ideas together. It’s just amazing to me how once you really, really focus and decide to do those two to four things really, really well, how much your life will improve.”

Natrol offers a diverse selection of sleep and stress supplements, including tablets and gummies, available at Target, Walmart, and Amazon, as well as local grocery and pharmacy stores across the nation. Learn more about Natrol and its products on Natrol.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

by Stacy Jackson

January 23, 2024

Family Of Woman With Dementia Asks Public For Help Over One Year After Her Disappearance

Ruth Jenkins, a mother of five, vanished from her Pineville, South Carolina hometown on July 16, 2022. She was 76 years old at the time and suffered from dementia.

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Ruth Jenkins, a mother of five, vanished from her Pineville, South Carolina hometown on July 16, 2022. She was 76 years old at the time and suffered from dementia. Over a year later, her family continues to pray for her return.

Robert Jenkins Jr., the eldest of the woman’s five children, said that the night before his mother disappeared, her dog had run off. Ruth, who was upset by this, drove to the next town over, called Monck’s Corner, to search for her dog. A same-day visit to Walmart resulted in a family member driving the elderly woman home after she lost her keys and couldn’t get into her car, the news outlet reported.

The next morning, Ruth set off on her usual walking route, asking neighbors along the way to help her look for her lost keys, according to Robert and the news site. A neighbor’s home surveillance footage captured Ruth searching around 11 a.m. She even entered a neighbor’s home in her disoriented state before wandering away for the last time, NBC News reported.

Robert got a distressing call from his brother Rastrado, who lived with Ruth but was out of town. The eldest brother rushed to Pineville with his wife, joining a massive search effort over the next few days. But no trace of Ruth emerged.

Now, over a year later, Robert is holding onto hope that his beloved mother is still out there.

On November 27, 2022, Ruth’s 77th birthday, the family gathered for an emotional balloon release in her honor, according to NBC News. As Robert expressed, “We pray and we hope that she is [somewhere]. We love her, and we can’t wait to see her again.”

Ruth wears glasses and is between five feet, four inches and five feet, six inches tall, weighing around 125 pounds. She was last seen wearing jeans and a white T-shirt.

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate her disappearance. The family is also appealing for the public’s assistance, urging anyone with information to come forward to help them bring Ruth home.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 22, 2024

Fastest-Growing Black Woman-Owned Publishing Company Black Odyssey Media Celebrates A Publishing Milestone

Founded by author, independent film producer, and former literary agent Shawanda “N’Tyse” Williams, Black Odyssey Media is preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of her nationally distributed publishing enterprise.

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This news was first reported by Blacknews.com

Founded by author, independent film producer, and former literary agent Shawanda “N’Tyse” Williams, Black Odyssey Media is preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of her nationally distributed publishing enterprise. Since its inaugural launch, her company has acquired over 40 novels, with 28 of those titles being positioned in the marketplace before the year’s end.The company projects continued growth, with plans to publish even more titles during its soft launch of Black Odyssey Nova, a digital-first imprint expressly tailored for hybrid authors who produce content at a rapid pace and emerging creators with shorter-length works or simply those who are looking for a publishing home to grow with.

“In our initial strides towards the one-year milestone, we have already seen a tremendous response to the unique stories and perspectives our authors bring to the literary landscape,” said Founder and CEO Shawanda Williams. “While there is still work to be done, the communal support from avid readers and mass retailers like Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc., displays the strong demand for authentic and multicultural content.” 

Williams credits Black Odyssey Media’s sales and distribution partnership with Kensington Publishing Corp., a leading independent publisher known for the diversity of its publishing program, for playing an integral role in its debut into the traditional marketplace.

Kensington’s President and CEO Steven Zacharius said, “Whether she’s writing her popular novels as N’Tyse, identifying talent, or developing innovative cross-media platforms for amplifying diverse voices, Shawanda Williams has a singular perspective and a keen sense of what the market wants. We have a history of success together… so when she first came to Kensington with her vision for Black Odyssey Media, we immediately wanted to be a part of it.” With inclusivity and representation as driving goals, Black Odyssey Media continues acquiring books that transcend cultural boundaries.

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