by Rafael Pena

November 21, 2023

2nd Round Of Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests Launched Before The Holiday

The Biden administration has initiated a second round of free at-home tests available through Covidtests.gov.

In anticipation of a potential surge in COVID-19 cases during the winter months, the Biden administration has initiated a second round of free at-home tests available through Covidtests.gov, The Hill reported.

As of Nov. 20, the website began accepting new orders, allowing households to request up to four tests. Those who did not previously order in September are eligible for eight tests. The U.S. government, through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has distributed over 1.6 billion free COVID-19 tests to the American public.

HHS has provided over 4 million free tests weekly directly to various facilities, including long-term care facilities, schools, community health centers, and food banks. The direct mailing program, temporarily halted at the end of May to ensure supply availability, was reinstated after HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra confirmed supplies were replenished in September.

Recent market prices for at-home rapid COVID-19 tests average around $11 per test, according to a health policy research group analysis by KFF.

These new test distributions align with recent data indicating that COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths, and emergency department visits have stabilized after a surge earlier in the fall. While new vaccines became available in September, many Americans have expressed reluctance to get them. According to a KFF survey, half of all adults nationally indicated they would not get the latest COVID-19 vaccine, citing concerns about virus contraction.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that just under 15 percent of adults have received an updated shot, although tracking accuracy is limited. As the Biden administration strives to curb the potential winter increase in cases—which historically is a bad time for the flu—the availability of free at-home tests aims to empower individuals to monitor and manage their health during these uncertain times.

Nia DaCosta Skipped ‘The Marvels’ Screening To Celebrate Her 34th Birthday

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 21, 2023

Nia DaCosta Skipped ‘The Marvels’ Screening To Celebrate Her 34th Birthday

Director Nia DaCosta is being called out for missing a cast and crew screening of "The Marvels" to attend her own birthday party.

Director Nia DaCosta has been accused of showing a lack of interest and dedication to her latest movie, The Marvels, so missing a cast and crew screening to attend her own birthday party is only adding to the side eyes.

There was a screening of the latest MCU entry Nov. 8 at Westwood’s Fox Village Theatre where cast and crew were expected to take part, according to The Hollywood Reporter. With the screening starting at 7:30 pm, actors were prevented from participating due to the SAG-AFTRA strike that didn’t end until midnight.

But DaCosta was free to attend as the film’s director and expected at the event since she attended the film’s Las Vegas premiere the night before. The Candyman director was a no-show, celebrating her 34th birthday, staffers from the Marvel Cinematic Universe say.

Marvels executive producer Mary Livanos stepped in for DaCosta and introduce the film. Now DaCosta is facing more criticism from Marvel insiders who feel she’s shown a complete disregard for the film and the MCU.

A rep for DaCosta said “it would be quite disrespectful and upsetting to suggest Nia has anything other than adoration for her creative team.” Reportedly the director had no idea the screening was taking place and learned about it when she invited members of the cast and crew to her birthday party.

“Nia would have been there,” the rep added. “She would do anything for her cast and crew.”

The latest incident comes after a Variety interview where DaCosta called out “pockets” of fans for being “virulent and violent and racist—and sexist and homophobic.”

All the while, DaCosta is proud of the glass ceiling she was able to break as the first Black woman to direct an MCU film. “Most people seeing the movie aren’t going to know or care about that,” she said. “For other young Black women who want to be filmmakers, I think it’s important to be an example.”

DaCosta is currently in pre-production on her forthcoming film, Hedda, starring Eve Hewson and Tessa Thompson.

Davido Asks Are We African, Yet? At A.W.A.Y. Festival In Atlanta

by Rafael Pena

November 21, 2023

Davido Asks Are We African, Yet? At A.W.A.Y. Festival In Atlanta

The Atlanta stop brought a fusion of chart-topping sounds and performances by an array of African artists.

The multiplatinum global sensation Davido headlined the inaugural (A.W.A.Y.) Are We African Yet? Festival on Nov. 18. The Atlanta stop brought a fusion of chart-topping sounds and performances by an array of African artists.

The festival, conceived by Davido, promoted cultural exportation and collaboration between Africa and the global music scene. Davido, renowned for his multifaceted collaborations with U.S.-based artists, is a unique bridge connecting continents through the universal language of music.

The lineup for the first annual A.W.A.Y. Festival was an impressive array of talent, featuring not only Davido but artists, including E Cool, King Promise, Lo Jay, Mayor Kun, Musa Keys, Spinall, TXC, and rising Nigerian star Victony. The diverse lineup delivered an unforgettable musical experience, showcasing the rich tapestry of sounds emanating from the African continent.

As the Martell Cognac sponsored event unfolded, attendees rocked out to a celebration of diversity. The festival served as a platform for established stars and provided emerging talents like Lo Jay and Victony an opportunity to shine.

Artists like Davido and Burna Boy have played pivotal roles in bringing Afrobeats to the forefront of the global music scene. According to data from Spotify, Afrobeats saw a significant surge in popularity, with streams increasing by over 200% between 2015 and 2019. Davido’s impact is evident through his chart-topping hits and massive social media following. The music streaming platform Audiomack reported that Burna Boy’s album “Twice as Tall” was one of the most-streamed albums globally in 2020. With Burna Boy’s Grammy win in 2021 for Best Global Music Album, Afrobeats continues to solidify its position as a major player in the global music landscape.

As Davido took the stage alongside a stellar lineup, the The A.W.A.Y. Festival marked a milestone in the global music calendar, reflecting the power of collaboration and African musical heritage.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 21, 2023

11-Year-Old Black Boy Makes History, Raises $233K For Charity

Murhaf Hamid, an 11-year-old Black boy, collected an astonishing $233,000 for the Majblomman (Mayflower) children’s charity.

*Originally Reported by Blacknews

Meet Murhaf Hamid, an 11-year-old Black boy from Sweden who made history by collecting an astonishing $233,000 for the Majblomman (Mayflower) children’s charity. He went viral on social media after sharing his experience of facing racism while out collecting money.

In the traditional yearly campaign, children usually raise around 1,300 kronor ($126) by selling paper flower pins. However, Hamid’s efforts have skyrocketed, reaching a remarkable 2.4 million kronor ($233,000) so far, according to AFP.

The funds go to a charity that helps poor children in Sweden, while the young fundraisers get a 10 percent commission on pin sales and they can also keep any tips they receive.

However, on his first day of raising funds, Hamid, whose parents are Ethiopian, encountered racism as some adults told him to leave the street. He sold only a few pins in 5 hours that day.

He suspected racism, and when a family friend shared his story on Facebook, it went viral. Despite some racist comments, the post garnered overwhelming support. Even political leaders, including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, bought pins from him.

Laila Rahman, a family friend who wrote the viral Facebook post, emphasized that Hamid’s story goes beyond fundraising. It is also raising awareness about a boy born in Sweden almost 12 years ago, whose family’s asylum application is still in process. Hamid thought of buying a permanent residency after successfully raising funds. Unfortunately, it’s not possible.

Hamid initially aimed to earn some pocket money but ended up exceeding all expectations. He said, “I’m going to buy myself some clothes, trainers, and a few things for my family.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 21, 2023

22-Year-Old Becomes One of Ghana’s Youngest Medical Doctors

Kwaku Boakye Gyamfi, a 22-year-old from Cape Coast, Ghana, is one of the youngest medical doctors in the country.

*Originally Reported by Blacknews

Kwaku Boakye Gyamfi, a 22-year-old from Cape Coast, Ghana, is making waves as one of the youngest medical doctors in the country. He recently graduated from the School of Medical Sciences at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), earning praise for his achievement.

In 2001, Gyamfi was born to a father who is a Business and Financial Advisor and a mother who works as a caterer. When he turned 5, he started his education early at Danem Royal Montessori School in Accra.

After finishing his basic education in 2014, he joined Prempeh College Senior High School at the age of 13. He graduated high school at the age of 16. He then immediately secured admission to the UCC School of Medical Sciences after he aced a “rigorous” interview.

Fast forward to September 7, 2023, Gyamfi proudly walked the stage, officially becoming a medical doctor at the age of 22. The second child and only son among four siblings, he’s brought immense pride to his family and friends.

Moreover, his graduation photos have gone viral on social media, sparking awe and curiosity about how someone so young could achieve such a remarkable feat.

AI, technology, marketing, branded, branding, mistakes

by Stacy Jackson

November 21, 2023

Mom, Daughter Raise $1.4M For AI Product That Changes Literature To AAVE

Tamar Huggins and her 13-year-old daughter's ChatGPT alternative changes classical literature to African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

Tamar Huggins and her 13-year-old daughter raised $1.4 million for their ChatGPT alternative, Spark Plug, which changes classical literature to African American Vernacular English (AAVE) to create a more inclusive learning experience for Black students.

The mother-daughter duo raised the amount in their pre-seed funding round led by TD Bank, according to People of Color in Tech. Salesforce, the government of Canada, and NBA Canada also participated in the investment round of funding for the platform that aspires to be a leader in inclusive generative AI (artificial intelligence).

According to the outlet, Huggins created the product’s language model with the help of her GenZ daughter, Talia Grant. Grant trained the model along with work by Harlem Renaissance authors and civil rights movement activists, TechCrunch noted.

The creators of the Spark Plug platform hope to make learning more personalized for Black students and Zoomers (the collective of GenZ). “Historically, Black people haven’t always felt like they belonged, and as a result, we’ve had to create our own spaces,” Huggins told TechCrunch. “Technology is no different.”

Black people across the diaspora can look forward to Spark Plug’s translation of different dialects.

Huggins explained why the company plans to expand the product to feature different ways Black people speak, “A Black child in Canada is very different from the U.S., and it’s very different in Haiti or Jamaica.”

She added, “We believe to see the changes we want to see in our community, we have to redesign the learning experience, and in order to redesign it, we have to personalize it.”

The mother and daughter also want people who do not identify as students to be able to use Spark Plug. For example, the platform’s LearningDNA tool can help teachers understand how students learn best.

“As long as we are including the voices of those systematically left out of the conversation, AI can take us in the right direction.”

Huggins’ artificial intelligence company, Tech Spark AI, created Spark Plug. The company established Canada’s first tech and design school for girls and children of color.

by Sharelle Burt

November 21, 2023

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Makes Unexpected Visit To Kyiv To Show Continued Support of Ukraine

This is his second visit to the European nation.

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced stop in Kyiv to push the the country’s support of Ukraine.

Austin came from Poland on Nov. 20 to reaffirm that money and weapons will remain in Ukraine even though the United States and other countries are tied up with new global risks due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

He announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he would be meeting with Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Chief of Staff Gen. Valery Zaluzhny. “I’m here today to deliver an important message–the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia’s aggression, both now and into the future,” he wrote.

I just arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders.

I’m here today to deliver an important message – the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia’s aggression, both now and into the future. pic.twitter.com/1D96aeeACl
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) November 20, 2023

This is the second time Austin has visited Ukraine’s capital city. The first was in April 2022, just a few months after Russia’s major invasion. During that time, Austin initiated international efforts that are currently hosting meetings for 50 countries to coordinate which weapons, training, and other means of support can be pushed into Kyiv. As of November 2023, the United States has given Ukraine over $44 billion in weapons, ranging from bullets to air defense systems, European and U.S. battle tanks and pledges for F-16 fighter jets.

However, in early November 2023, according to ABC News, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said artillery shell deliveries to his homeland have “really slowed down.” European countries such as Poland have scaled back tremendously on their support, stating their need to maintain an adequate ability to defend themselves.

Elected officials have been pushing for the United States to provide more funding for Ukraine, but Republicans disagree. Some feel additional support isn’t needed without guaranteed support for other issues, such as stricter immigration laws and funding for border control. A new bill was passed to avoid a government shutdown during the holidays, but money for Ukraine wasn’t included.

Black Korean Woman Creates Allergen-Free Snacks Company

by Stacy Jackson

November 21, 2023

Black Korean Woman Creates Allergen-Free Snacks Company

She overcame funding obstacles to create the company that was inspired by her daughter, who was diagnosed with severe food allergies.

Partake Foods founder Denise Woodard is an example for other women of color who want to start and grow a business.

The Black Korean-American entrepreneur overcame obstacles in venture capitalism to create a snack for people with food allergies. Her snack company, Partake Foods, is a leading brand in the highly sought-after consumer packaged goods (CPG), according to Forbes.

According to the outlet, Woodard’s daughter, who was diagnosed with severe food allergies in the summer of 2016, was the inspiration behind the company.

“At the time, my now eight-year-old daughter was one and had been recently diagnosed with allergies to tree nuts, eggs, corn, and bananas,” she said. “I was anxious, scared, and frustrated with the existing options. I felt there were some gaps from a taste and nutritional perspective.”

Woodard was a national sales director for Venturing and Emerging Brands at the Coca-Cola Company. She began establishing Partake Foods while working full-time. She left Coca-Cola in August 2017.

Partake Foods has grown significantly since then, going from having products in 50 stores to more than 12,000 stores across the U.S. Among the outlets: Target and Walmart. Partake Foods has partnered with Ben & Jerry’s, DoubleTree by Hilton, and American Airlines.

“I’ve been told ‘no’ a lot along the way. So funding has been a big challenge,” Woodard said “I’ve been very deliberate in how I’ve raised capital and who I’ve raised capital from, as well as in the composition of our board of directors.”

The business owner added, “Our investor base is predominantly people of color…We’ve raised over $20 million of outside capital.”

Investors include Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners, Bobby Wagner, and Rihanna.

Partake Foods maintains a healthy culture for its customers and employees. The company has 17 remote employees and continues to uphold its values for elite customer and employee experiences by offering 15-minute weekly meetings for employees to discuss personal and professional matters and 15-minute weekly coffee chats.

The company is also focused on mentorship and combating food insecurity.

When Woodard launched the company, she admitted there were gaps in her industry knowledge. She had to do her own research and reach out to others for resources and help. She credits her success to mentorship and advocacy.

“I don’t think we’d be here today if people hadn’t been willing to help me,” in the “Owning Your Niche” episode of BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s Sisters Inc. on December 22, 2021.

Woodard said the company wants to create an inclusive and equitable future. Partake Foods launched a fellowship program to help increase diversity in the food industry while “working to eradicate childhood food insecurity.”

Kerry Washington, Tyler Perry, The Six Triple Eight, WWII

by Stacy Jackson

November 21, 2023

Kerry Washington To Receive Equity In Entertainment Award

Washington will receive the Equity in Entertainment award at The Hollywood Reporter's annual Women in Entertainment breakfast gala on Dec. 7.

Kerry Washington will receive the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporter‘s Women in Entertainment event on Dec. 7.

The annual breakfast gala is presented by Lifetime and will be held in Los Angeles, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Equity in Entertainment Award, created in 2016, has acknowledged people in the entertainment industry who magnify the voices of underrepresented communities.

Washington, well known for her role as Olivia Pope in the political television series Scandal, is also the founder of Simpson Street production company. According to Nekesa Mumbi Moody and Maer Roshan, the co-editors-in-chief of The Hollywood Reporter, she is worthy of the honor.

“Kerry Washington is an incredible force of nature who has shown us at each phase of her career why she is one of Hollywood’s most important creative talents. This year alone, she produced and starred in Hulu’s acclaimed Unprisoned as part of her Simpson Street shingle. She wrote the best-selling memoir, Thicker Than Water, which ignited a national conversation about the different definitions of family.”

They added, “Those works represent just a slice of her barrier-breaking career, which includes her formidable acting credits, her burgeoning production work that has elevated diverse voices, her philanthropic efforts and her political activism. She has spent decades working for equity everywhere, so we are so excited to award her with our Equity in Entertainment award at Women in Entertainment.”

Washington will be presented with the award by actress and Oscar winner Ariana DeBose.

In 2022, The Hollywood Reporter honored Issa Rae with the Equity in Entertainment award. Previous award recipients include Nina Jacobson, Ryan Murphy, Amy Pascal, and Selma Blair.

The Women in Entertainment gala is sponsored by Cadillac, Gersh, and Upneeq. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, Chapman University, and Loyola Marymount University will present the breakfast gala.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 21, 2023

Black Entrepreneur Launches New Bottled Tea Line, Expands Brand To Over 700 Grocery Stores Worldwide

Pennie's Tea is now really making its mark, taking over shelves in more than 700 retail stores with her bottled Tea, including giants like The Fresh Market, Gelson's, Giant Foods, Bristol Farms, and Mariano's.

When the world thought it had seen the pinnacle of wellness and empowerment, Pennie’s Tea, a Black-owned brand founded by unstoppable CEO Pennie Crockett, has broken through yet another ceiling. Unveiling its “What Tea is For Me” line as part of the empowering “Heal & Empower” collection. Pennie’s Tea is now really making its mark, taking over shelves in more than 700 retail stores with her bottled Tea, including giants like The Fresh Market, Gelson’s, Giant Foods, Bristol Farms, and Mariano’s.

A New Age of Tea — Functional, Therapeutic, Transformative

Pennie’s Tea, a brand globally celebrated for its intersection of wellness and social change, introduces its functional teas —tailor-made for the health-conscious consumer. This new line merges the best of science, sommelier expertise, and soulfulness to offer BIG & BOLD flavors that go beyond mere refreshment — they ignite your well-being and spirit.

A Woman of Force, A Brand of Purpose

Pennie, a Chicago native and a former Health Science Professor, has always been a disruptor. She’s shattered barriers in the male-dominated beverage industry, earning her product a sacred spot where less than 3% are occupied by Black female entrepreneurs. “We craft each blend with purpose and passion, combining exquisite flavors with unparalleled quality,” declares Pennie.

More Than a Sip, It’s a Social Statement

“What Tea is For Me” is not just another product; it’s an activism you can taste. A portion of every Pennie’s Tea sale fuels the Crisis Center for Women in Domestic Violence. “Every sip is a step toward healing and empowerment. We’re not just in the tea business; we’re in the business of transforming lives,” she says.

The New Benchmark of Tea Has Arrived

Why settle for the ordinary when you can sip something extraordinary? With flavors like Ginger Peach Blast, Tropical Bliss, and Strawberry Kisses, your taste buds and your soul will thank you.

For more information or to join this transformative journey, visit the brand’s official website at PenniesTea.com.

This news was first reported by blackbusiness.com