There’s something different about watching history come alive, not in a textbook, but through voices that sound like right now.

At the M&T Bank Exchange at the Hippodrome, I attended “Standing on Her Shoulders: The Power of Women — Past, Present, and Future,” hosted by the Hippodrome Foundation. The room was filled with more than 200 Baltimore-area students. The energy felt real, unfiltered, and honestly…refreshing.

Through original speeches and thoughtful dialogue, they unpacked the legacy of the women’s suffrage movement while connecting it to today’s conversations around voice, visibility, and civic engagement. It wasn’t rehearsed, it was personal. And you could feel that.

That message was reinforced by panelist Maria Tildon, who emphasized the importance of not only understanding history, but actively participating in shaping what comes next. Her perspective grounded the conversation in the present, highlighting that civic engagement isn’t a moment, it’s an ongoing responsibility. As she shared, “This will give them the tools to consider all of the decisions they make in their lives, particularly with regard to civic engagement.”

The event is part of a larger lead-up to SUFFS, the Tony Award-winning musical coming to Baltimore May 26–31. The production tells the story of the women who fought for the right to vote,but what makes it hit is how relevant it still feels. It’s about persistence, community, and the power of everyday people choosing to speak up.

That throughline, from past to present, was impossible to ignore. These students weren’t just learning history; they were actively placing themselves within it, asking what it means to carry that legacy forward.

If this event was the preview, SUFFS is the full experience.

The show will take the stage at the Hippodrome Theatre, offering audiences a chance to witness a story that doesn’t just inform, it resonates.

Visit baltimore.broadway.com for more information. 

Follow The Baltimore Times on Instagram for your chance to win tickets to the May 26 show.

Bing Chen Is Building a Media Legacy That Feels Like a Hug, Not a Handshake

In a media landscape often dominated by metrics, sparkle, and fleeting trends, Bing Chen is building something deeper: a legacy rooted in cultural capital, emotional resonance, and systemic transformation. As CEO and Co-Founder of Gold House, the leading collective of Asian Pacific creatives, entrepreneurs, and leaders, Chen has helped reshape Hollywood, launch unicorn startups, and redefine what representation means in 2025. But for him, the real measure of success isn’t just impact—it’s how people feel.

“We’re often the first call when someone falls,” Chen says. “CEOs, creatives, leaders. People say Gold House feels like a hug, not a handshake. That sense of safety and solidarity is what I’m most proud of.”

That ethos—of building belonging while driving change—runs through every part of Chen’s work. In a wide-ranging conversation, he shared his thoughts on the future of media, the power of accurate representation, and why cultural capital should be treated like real capital.

Representation Isn’t Symbolic—It’s Structural

Asked why accurate representation still matters, Chen doesn’t hesitate. “It always matters,” he says. “Representation isn’t just about visibility—it’s the foundation of how we connect, invest, and understand each other.”

He points to three major societal disparities—loneliness, economic inequality, and political division—and argues that media and culture are at the root of all three.

“Media is arguably the foundation of most societal disparity,” Chen explains. “Who gets celebrated on screen is who gets affirmed and invested in. For decades, women and communities of color have been told they’re too risky to fund—despite data showing they build some of the most profitable companies.”

He also highlights the loneliness epidemic and the decline of traditional gathering spaces like churches and civic institutions. “Without places to convene, media becomes one of the few shared cultural touchpoints. If it’s not inclusive, people feel more isolated.”

And when it comes to political polarization, Chen is blunt: “If representation didn’t matter, why would there be so much uproar over a late-night show getting suspended? Most of us consume our information from tech platforms optimized for engagement—not truth. That’s how we end up in echo chambers.”

Building the Gold Standard

Gold House’s impact is undeniable. The organization has consulted on over 500 major media projects, supported Oscar-winning talent, and helped shift Hollywood’s portrayal of the Asian diaspora. “We’ve fundamentally been complicit in the sea change within Hollywood,” Chen notes, adding that the organization is now expanding into music, publishing, Broadway, and gaming.

On the venture side, Gold House has backed companies that have created tens of thousands of jobs and billions in market value. “We supported Aura Health, which just announced an $11 billion valuation. Umamicart is democratizing access to ethnic groceries. Ruck is helping construction workers access equipment to build the next great infrastructure.”

Chen is also proud of Gold House’s internal makeup: “We’ve been 51% women, 20% South Asian, 30% Southeast Asian since the beginning. It actually looks like our diaspora—and it’s aspirational.”

Marketing with Meaning

Gold House’s marketing strategy is rooted in cultural nuance and audience-first thinking. When asked about their role in promoting projects like K-pop Demon Hunters, Chen breaks it down: “First, we build density within the Asian diaspora—not because we expect automatic support, but because loyal early audiences drive momentum.”

He adds, “Second, we target adjacent communities based on affinities, not just demographics. Warner Bros. does this well—they market based on what people love, not just who they are. I’m first in line for Transformers movies—none of us are robots!”

This dual approach—anchoring in community while expanding through affinity—has helped Gold House elevate independent projects that might otherwise struggle for visibility.

Cultural Capital vs. Financial Capital

If Chen had a magic wand, he’d change the way media is valued. “I wish cultural capital could pay for real capital,” he says. “There’s so much value in journalism, books, and truth—but without a sustainable business model, they’re often dismissed or compromised.”

He’s not just wishing, though. “I’m working on two initiatives—very Asian, of course—that aim to help shift this dynamic,” he teases, though he declines to share details just yet.

Chen believes that the next billion-dollar industries will come from underrepresented communities and ideas. “It’s called show business, not show charity,” he says. “The future lies in the people no one’s paying attention to.”

Recognition, Humility, and Legacy

Despite his high-profile work, Chen remains grounded. “I love the work. I don’t need the sparkle,” he says when asked about awards and recognition. “I feel lucky to be recognized, but I usually pass awards to my team—they do most of the heavy lifting.”

He’s proud of his accomplishments but not defined by them. “I’m proud of me because of me—not because I got named in the LA Times or Out100. I was raised by great parents, and I know we don’t take any of this with us. What matters is what we’ve done for others.”

That ethos extends to his personal life. After ending a four-year relationship, Chen reflected on what he values in others: “I’m drawn to people who’ve achieved a lot but aren’t reliant on it. That duality—being accomplished yet untethered—is something I admire deeply.”

Receiving the Media Entrepreneur Award

Chen’s recent recognition by the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA) as a Media Entrepreneur was especially meaningful. “It’s an honor to be recognized by your superiors,” he says. “The title ‘media entrepreneur’ resonates because I’ve always lived between worlds—not fully American or Asian, not fully media or tech. Being acknowledged in that third space is incredibly validating.”

But for Chen, awards are fuel, not finish lines. “With recognition comes responsibility. Society is facing deep challenges, and my instinct isn’t to lament but to fight harder.”

He cites journalist Amna Nawaz as an example of someone who’s doing essential work. “She’s fighting—and she’s more necessary than ever.”

Journalism and the Future of Truth

Chen has strong opinions about the future of journalism, especially as traditional outlets face layoffs and shrinking budgets. “Journalists are the seekers of newness—and the retrainers of AI,” he says. “Truth-telling isn’t just a story, it’s a franchise.”

He encourages journalists to shift from pure creation to project management, leveraging AI tools to accelerate research and storytelling. “AI won’t take your job—the person who knows how to use it will,” he says, quoting Netflix’s Ted Sarandos.

Still, he’s candid about the challenges. “I don’t know what the sustainable business model for news is. I think journalism should be funded like a public good—like libraries. When profit drives news, truth often suffers.”

A Legacy of Belonging

At the heart of Chen’s work is a deep belief in legacy—not just as a concept, but as a practice. “We put points on the board like nobody’s business,” he says. “But what matters most is how we make people feel.”

Washington, D.C. January 22, 2026 — The Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA) today underscored the urgent need for a coordinated media and communications infrastructure to meet the demands of the current civic moment. Speaking at the National Press Club, MMCA President David Morgan emphasized that the challenges facing communities, movements, and civil rights leaders cannot be solved by messaging alone.

“Marc Morial recognized early on that this moment will not be won by messaging alone,” Morgan said. “It requires collaboration, coordination, mobilization — and ownership of the media and communications infrastructure needed to make that possible.”

MMCA, a ten‑year‑old nonprofit dedicated to advancing diverse media ownership and sustainability, highlighted the widening gap between trusted messengers and the distribution systems required to reach audiences at scale. Morgan noted that while leaders across policy, litigation, organizing, and civil and human rights are mobilizing on multiple fronts, the media ecosystem they rely on is in crisis.

“This is not a crisis of values or trusted messengers — the polling makes that clear,” Morgan said. “The crisis is distribution. Who controls distribution controls whether your story is heard, how it is framed, who is mobilized, and ultimately who wins or loses.”

Morgan cited the collapse of traditional referral traffic, the rise of disinformation on social platforms, and the credibility challenges facing mass media as core threats to effective communication and mobilization. Despite these challenges, he emphasized that a network of trusted truth‑tellers still exists — including legacy publishers, podcasters, news creators, and emerging journalists building new institutions with purpose.

“These outlets are critical civic infrastructure,” Morgan said. “They are often overlooked and under‑resourced, but they remain essential.”

To address this gap, MMCA highlighted the MMCxchange, launched last October at the National Press Club. The MMCxchange is a shared content and community infrastructure designed to connect trusted publishers and creators, enable collaboration and syndication, and support messaging and mobilization at the speed of trust.

(Photo Credit Mike Styles Studios: L to R: Dean Jackie Jones, Morgan State (SGJC); Nicole Dunga, President AAJA; Errin Haines, President, NABJ; Dunia Elvir, President NAHJ)

Morgan also acknowledged the partnership of Morgan State University School of Global Journalism & Communication Dean Jackie Jones, whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing the initiative.

“What has been missing is support and funding — for the MMCxchange and for the publishers who anchor this ecosystem,” Morgan said. “Media and communications infrastructure is not optional. The MMCxchange is a ready solution. What we need now is partnership — to align, adopt, and scale.”

Organizations and leaders interested in partnering with MMCA or joining the MMCxchange can contact david@mmcadc.org or visit mmcxchange.com.

About MMCA
The Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA) is a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing diverse media ownership, strengthening pathways for diverse storytelling, and building the infrastructure needed to inform, engage, and mobilize diverse communities at scale.

About MMCxchange

The MMCxchange is a first‑of‑its‑kind Content & Community Management Ecosystem that unites multicultural publishers, institutions, and community partners on one platform for collaboration, content distribution, and community engagement. Powered by AI‑driven content creation, engagement, and distribution tools, it also helps multicultural news outlets grow reach, relevance, and revenue, while enabling partners to connect with trusted audiences at scale through messaging and mobilizing at the speed of trust.

Over the past year, new data show the U.S. has undergone a broad rollback of civil-rights and racial-equity protections — not through spectacle, but through deleted datasets, frozen grants, dismantled diversity offices, and the quiet erasure of Black history from public institutions.

A new national poll from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, paired with a sweeping analysis by Onyx Impact, the Blackout Report, reveals a coordinated dismantling of the civil rights and racial equity infrastructure that generations fought to build. Taken together, they show a country turning away from truth — and toward a version of America that is smaller, narrower, and more dangerous for all of us.

What is the Blackout?

A Coordinated Backlash

According to the Blackout Report, three strategies have been defined for the rollback:

• Erasure: deleting historical content, removing Black figures from federal websites, cutting museum narratives, and sanitizing public archives.

• Distortion: manipulating or disappearing datasets that expose racial disparities — especially in maternal mortality, health outcomes, policing, and environmental harm.

• Suppression: pressuring institutions to abandon equity programs, end DEI offices, and halt grants focused on Black communities, Black entrepreneurship, or Black history.

Click to View Black Out Report

Esosa Osa, who leads Onyx Impact, says the pattern is unmistakable — and historically familiar.

• “This isn’t random. It’s intentional,” Osa said. “And it’s happening at the exact moment the Supreme Court is poised to gut Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act — a decision that could shift 19 congressional seats in one stroke. The timing tells you everything.”

She does not mince words.

• “We are watching the infrastructure that built the Black middle class be dismantled in real time,” Osa said. “This is not about DEI. It’s about power.”

Researchers say these actions aren’t random; they’re part of a political project.

The Trump administration and its allies have openly pledged to “eliminate woke influence” from every level of government, higher education, military institutions, and the workplace. Researchers and historians say that rhetoric is being weaponized to justify sweeping policy reversals: banning books, restricting what can be taught about race, gutting civil-rights offices, and reshaping federal hiring.

The White House Responds

When reached for comment, the White House did not dispute the report’s documentation of deleted datasets, frozen grants, or removed historical content. Instead, an administration official said the focus is on “restoring the Gold Standard of Science — not ideological activism” and removing what they called “divisive DEI initiatives” in favor of “merit-based hiring.”

The administration also pointed to earlier actions from Trump’s first term — including permanent HBCU funding, Opportunity Zones, and the First Step Act — as evidence of its record on Black economic progress.

Researchers behind the Blackout Report say those claims don’t address the current scope of cuts, deletions, or reversals.

By the Numbers 

Onyx Impact’s analysis reveals the scale:

• 306,000 Black women lost their jobs between February and August 2025 — the highest numbers since 2021.

• $3.4 billion in grants to HBCUs, health researchers, and Black entrepreneurs were slashed or frozen.

• 6,769 federal datasets were deleted, including those tracking maternal mortality and sickle cell disease.

• 591 books by Black authors were banned from Department of Defense schools and libraries — including works by Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, and Ibram X. Kendi.

These aren’t small changes, researchers say. They’re structural blows. And they follow a clear pattern.

A Historic Playbook, Repurposed for the 21st Century

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference, said what many historians have been warning:

• “We’ve seen rollbacks before — after Reconstruction, after the civil-rights movement — always with new language and new fears. This moment fits that same pattern. The terms change. The strategy doesn’t.”

Wiley says the Blackout Report mirrors the findings of a new poll her organization conducted with more than 1,000 Americans. The results show a public increasingly alarmed by rising extremism, worsening race relations, and what many describe as a country on the brink.

• “The Blackout Report reflects the same erosion we’re tracking,” she said. “When datasets or historical materials disappear, it becomes harder to see — and fix — racial disparities.”

The report shows what happens when truth is treated like a liability: Power distorts reality to justify oppression.

Erasing the Past to Control the Future

The rollback extends beyond budgets and datasets. It’s also playing out in federal institutions:

• The administration ordered a content review at the National Museum of African American History & Culture after Trump accused museums of being “out of control.”

• National Park Service pages on Harriet Tubman and Medgar Evers were deleted, then only partially restored after public backlash.

• Arlington National Cemetery quietly removed curated sections highlighting Black service members — sections that, unlike the individual biography pages of Colin Powell, Thurgood Marshall, and Joe Louis, have not been reinstated.

Historians say these revisions matter because history is not neutral — it is power. Who gets remembered determines who gets protected.

A Democracy Question, Not Just a DEI Question

Civil-rights leaders say this moment reaches far beyond Black communities.

Portia Allen-Kyle of Color Of Change describes a deliberate attempt to control the boundaries of acceptable speech and public memory:

• “These attacks aren’t one-offs — there’s strategy behind them. It’s the same instinct that tried to silence Ida B. Wells, only now it’s using algorithms, budgets and bureaucracy instead of mobs.”

National Urban League president Marc Morial put it even more bluntly:

• “The attempt to erase history has made all of us more cognizant of the need to tell it. It will not work — it’s backfiring.”

And Wiley offered the warning this moment demands:

• “These attacks start with us — but they don’t end with us. They’re coming for everyone.”

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 7, 2022 – The Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA) is proud to announce the launch of the BIPOCXChange, a metaverse solution created by MMCA to help Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) media increase ownership and control over how their community’s stories are told.  Free to join, the XChange is designed to provide media owners, buyers, brands, and creators with a single solution to connect with one another, identify needs, understand changing demographics, and reach core audiences.  The ultimate goal for the BIPOCXChange is to increase access for multicultural media in the metaverse, drive coverage and ensure equity and inclusivity on this new platform.  

This powerful digital ecosystem seamlessly provides members with the first-ever single solution to all of their BIPOC Media engagement needs, offering access to publications, creators, graphic artists, audiovisual, communications and numerous other services. Through the XChange, members connect, collaborate, and have the opportunity to invest, support, provide services or do business with BIPOC media. 

A Newsmaker Space, where members can contribute, access, and repurpose content, the XChange also serves as a Resource Hub, where participants can access news, exclusive data, information, and tools to address BIPOC media pain points. 

“The BIPOCXChange is our answer to the marginalization of BIPOC media and by extension their audiences. By utilizing technology to interlink a fragmented ecosystem of BIPOC media, we have created a metaverse solution that informs, educates, and empowers communities of color,” says David Morgan, MMCA president and CEO of the BIPOCXChange. “Through the metaverse we provide brands, agencies, businesses and individuals access to qualified BIPOC talent and to the communities of color that they are often unable to reach.”   

“With the metaverse gearing up to be an important part of our culture moving forward, we must be strategic in ensuring that we are creating inclusive spaces for BIPOC creators and communicators to share their stories,” said Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio. “Over the years, we’ve laid the infrastructure for DC to attract technology companies. Now, we are excited to work with organizations such as MMCA to amplify diverse voices and ensure that the metaverse is inclusive and reflects the diversity of the District of Columbia and world-at-large.” 

One exclusive offering included with membership is the BIPOCXChange Media Wire, a Web3 blockchain product that disseminates news and information from brands and newsmakers to over 250 Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American publishers. The one-stop solution fulfills a dual role by meeting the needs of publishers, editors, and journalists of color at every level of media who are often denied timely and equal access to advertising, capital, and other resources. It also allows brands, government agencies, non-profits, and businesses to reach critical audiences that have remained elusive.  

Benefits to joining the BIPOCXChange include: 

• Media Owners - Get access to content, capital, media spend, talent and resources to grow your reach, revenue and relevance. 

• Strategic Partners - Tap into an expansive community of BIPOC publishers who can help you reach, engage, build trust, and promote your products, services and good works to their audiences in a way that meets strategic goals and provides measurable ROI. The BIPOCXChange is an important tool for foundations, nonprofits, academic institutions, investors, lenders, and other stakeholders looking to find, fund, support, build advocacy coalitions, conduct research, promote resources to and otherwise engage with BIPOC media. 

• Talent - Get hired and get competitive pay for your skills, work, and services. The BIPOCXChange also acts as a free speaker’s bureau for commentators and experts looking to be booked for shows and media engagements 

• Newsmakers - Expand your influence by hosting, posting and participating in live events, news conferences, podcasts, announcements, commentaries, as well as clubhouse-styled events. Monitor and collect metrics, and track user engagement, user growth, trending topics, search results, and resource usage using our customized Data & Analytics Dashboard. 

# # # 

ABOUT MMCA 

MMCA is a BIPOC and non-partisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to secure greater control of who, what, where, when and how our story is told. We are proud to have built a powerful platform that (1) fosters coalition-building among BIPOC media advocacy organizations, (2) shapes media policy, (3) facilitates constructive engagement between policymakers and media industry stakeholders, (4) provides assistance to BIPOC media stakeholders, and (5) celebrates BIPOC media excellence. Follow us @mmcadc on all social platforms. 

PRESS CONTACTS:  

Martine Charles, martine@marcglobalcommunications.com 206-295-9114 

Jenny McIntosh, jenny@marcglobalcommunications.com 480-202-7112 

By any measure, Amna Nawaz has made history. As the first Asian American and Muslim American to moderate a U.S. presidential debate, and now as co-managing editor and co-anchor of PBS NewsHour, she stands at the helm of one of the most trusted journalistic institutions in the country. But for Nawaz, the power of her position isn’t about prestige—it’s about responsibility. It’s about who gets to shape the story, and how journalism can serve the public with truth, nuance, and humanity.

“I couldn’t believe I was the first,” Nawaz said of her historic debate role in 2019. “There have been so many incredibly qualified Asian American and Muslim American journalists who could have sat in that chair before me. It says a lot about who’s had access to positions of power over time.”

That moment, she recalls, came with a unique pressure—one familiar to many trailblazers. “When you’re the first, you don’t want to mess it up. Because if it doesn’t go well, it can close the door for everyone behind you. It’s an unfair pressure, but it’s real.”

Her daughters stayed up late to watch the debate, too young to follow the details but old enough to notice the intensity. “My older daughter asked, ‘Mama, why was that man yelling at you?’ And I said, ‘Oh honey, that’s just Bernie Sanders. That’s how he talks.’” Nawaz laughs at the memory, but the moment is etched in her mind—a reminder that visibility matters, and that representation ripples far beyond the newsroom.

Building a Platform for AAPI Storytelling

Before her current role, Nawaz was a foreign correspondent and bureau chief in Islamabad. But one of her most formative projects began stateside, when she noticed a glaring gap in the media landscape.

“At NBC, we had NBC BLK for African Americans and NBC Latino for Latinos. But there was nothing for the Asian American Pacific Islander community,” she said. “That struck me as odd—especially for the most diverse and fastest-growing demographic in the country.”

So she built it. The platform she founded didn’t just spotlight AAPI stories—it fed them into the national mainstream. “Just because a story centers on an Asian American doesn’t mean it’s not relevant to everyone,” she said. “We empowered a generation of AAPI journalists to tell stories from their own communities. And we got those stories on network news, morning shows, cable hits. It doesn’t take much to connect people—just someone to find the story and point others toward it.”

Today, she’s proud of how far the platform has come. “It’s grown exponentially since I left. Huge credit to the editors who came after me. What they’ve built is beyond anything I imagined back in our early days in 2014.”

Journalism as Bridge-Building

Nawaz’s years as a war correspondent shaped her deeply—not just professionally, but personally. “I loved every second of it because of the challenge and the possibility,” she said. “I saw my work in conflict zones as not just reporting, but building bridges.”

Raised with the belief that “there’s very little that separates each of us from the other,” Nawaz carried that ethos into communities devastated by war. “I’ve been in places where people’s lives looked a lot like mine—until they didn’t. That perspective stays with me.”

One of her most profound experiences came while reporting pregnant. “I was in communities where families didn’t have schools, doctors, or roads for their daughters. Meanwhile, I knew my daughter would grow up with all of those things. That contrast made the storytelling feel even more urgent and personal.”

Even now, Nawaz returns to the field when she can—interviewing President Zelenskyy in Ukraine, reporting from Israel after the October 7 attacks, visiting the U.S.-Mexico border. “It makes me better at asking questions of people in power. I can say, ‘I met this woman in Ukraine who told me this—what about that?’ That’s an enormous privilege and responsibility.”

Leading with Inclusion

As co-managing editor, Nawaz is reshaping how stories are chosen and told. “One of the most important decisions we make every day is what we decide to cover,” she said. “In today’s nonstop news cycle, that choice matters more than ever.”

She’s intentional about inclusion—not just in coverage, but in the newsroom itself. “I work to make sure everyone is part of the conversation. In our morning meetings, I want people to speak up—whether it’s based on their reporting or lived experiences.”

Newsrooms today are more diverse than when Nawaz started 20 years ago, but there’s still room to grow. “We’re having deeper, more nuanced conversations—ones that bring humanity and intimacy to our coverage. That’s what makes journalism powerful.”

She’s proud of her team at NewsHour. “I see how hard they work and how much of themselves they bring to the job. That’s what makes the journalism good—not just the headlines, but the heart behind them.”

Navigating AI and the Future of Journalism

In today’s media landscape, Nawaz is also grappling with the rise of artificial intelligence. “AI comes up in every major conversation I’ve been part of—and it always leaves us with more questions than answers,” she said.

She’s cautiously skeptical. “There are real risks—especially for communities with less access to technology, rural areas, and people of color who are often excluded from the design and development process. If we’re not intentional, those who’ve historically been left behind will continue to be.”

Still, she sees promise. “We report on the good all the time—like remote healthcare access and expert knowledge reaching underserved areas. As a human being, I want to believe in its potential. But as a journalist, I know we still need answers to some critical questions.”

Rewriting the Script—Together

When asked what she’d change about the industry if she had a magic wand, Nawaz didn’t hesitate. “I’ve seen enough democracies rise and fall to know how essential a free and fair press is,” she said. “If I could change one thing, it would be to ensure journalism is always practiced in the public interest.”

That could mean new financial models, stronger public media, or protections against political and commercial pressures. “Without a free and fair press, we’re just a shadow of the democracy we claim to be. Whatever helps uphold that truth—I’d wave that wand in a heartbeat.”

And while Nawaz is often celebrated for her leadership, she’s quick to share credit—especially with her husband, Paul. “When I got the NewsHour job, he left his full-time role at The New York Times to be full-time with our girls. That’s what allows me to travel, stay late, and pour myself into the work.”

She smiles, “He’s annoyingly a better parent than I’ll ever be. But we make it work, like so many families do.”

In the end, Nawaz believes we’re all rewriting the American story—one decision, one headline, one moment at a time. “Millions of us live with one foot in two worlds. We don’t follow a defined path—we imagine one, then create it. That’s how we rewrite the American story in real time.”

Amna Nawaz reminds us that journalism isn’t just about headlines—it’s about humanity, representation, and rewriting the American story. Her journey is proof that when we show up, speak up, and lead with purpose, we shape the future.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mosaic Genius Institute Launches in Louisiana as Catalyst for the South’s Innovation Economy and New Institute at Southern University and A&M College 

Photo credit April Buffington: Ribbon Cutting (Baton Rouge) — Leaders from Southern University, Head and Heart Philanthropy, and Mosaic Genius cut the ribbon to open the MGI Research Center

(New Orleans, LA / Baton Rouge, LA - October, 21, 2025) -  Head and Heart Philanthropy and Mosaic Genius, a collective of cross-sector philanthropic and business leaders, has announced the launch of the Mosaic Genius Institute (MGI), a new hub for research, innovation, and workforce development designed to power the future of work as part of a broader Southern Strategy. The launch was marked by two milestone events held last week in New Orleans and Baton Rouge with a ribbon cutting at Southern University and A&M College. The event officially marked opening the Mosaic Genius Institute Research Center on the university’s campus.

“The South has always been a place of resilience and ingenuity,” said Christal M. Jackson, Founder of Head and Heart Philanthropy and the Mosaic Genius Institute. “With the Mosaic Genius institute, we’re focusing on shaping the future by ensuring that talent doesn’t leave the region but can thrive and contribute to the regional economy.” 

Jackson, a nationally recognized leader in social impact and philanthropy founded MGI to align capital with purpose and strengthen economic and educational outcomes across the South. She was joined by Cathy Floyd, Chief Operating Officer of Head and Heart Philanthropy and Interim Director of MGI, whose experience in technology and business development has helped build robust networks and innovation ecosystems nationwide.

Photo credit April Buffington: Ribbon Cutting (Baton Rouge) — Leaders from Southern University, Head and Heart Philanthropy, and Mosaic Genius cut the ribbon to open the MGI Research Center

“The launch of the Mosaic Genius Institute marks a historic moment for Southern University and for the entire South,” said Dennis J. Shields, president of the Southern University System. “We are proud to serve as the home of an institute that embodies innovation and opportunity. This partnership reflects our shared belief that the next generation of leaders and innovators will be cultivated right here in this region.”

Operating from the campus of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, MGI will build a sustainable ecosystem for innovation by improving educational outcomes, bridging the digital divide through AI, reimagining the future of work, and expanding entrepreneurship pathways. The Southern Strategy—spanning Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Alabama, a region home to nearly 89% of the nation’s HBCUs—will channel investment and expertise into programs that expand entrepreneurship, strengthen education pipelines, and promote sustainable development. The Institute will empower communities to design and lead their own economic futures through access to capital, mentorship, digital literacy, and workforce development. 

Photo credit April Buffington: Christal M. Jackson, Founder of Head and Heart Philanthropy and the Mosaic Genius Institute.

About the Mosaic Genius Institute

The Mosaic Genius Institute is a dynamic hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership development dedicated to transforming the social and economic landscape of the American South. By partnering with schools, HBCUs, and community organizations, MGI provides education, training, and access to capital—empowering communities to build wealth and shape a future with access and opportunity for all.

About Head and Heart Philanthropy

Head and Heart Philanthropy is committed to connecting and convening the best and the brightest working at the intersection of wealth building and social impact. The organization works daily to reduce barriers to access and opportunities for under-represented leaders.

Since its inception in 2015, Head and Heart has been supporting leaders and entrepreneurs committed to tackling complicated issues impacting communities and reducing barriers to access and opportunities for under-represented leaders.

Media Contact: 

Nina Flowers

Nina@flowerspragency.com

In a recent discussion, a new policy initiative was introduced with the potential to significantly impact Black and Brown communities across the United States. This policy, championed by leaders who understand the challenges faced by marginalized groups, aims to bridge the gaps in economic opportunity, healthcare access, and educational equity. By focusing on the needs of these communities, the policy seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

At its core, the policy acknowledges the systemic barriers that have historically hindered the progress of Black and Brown communities. These barriers have manifested in various forms, including discriminatory practices in housing, employment, and education, as well as limited access to quality healthcare. The policy's primary objective is to dismantle these barriers through targeted interventions and robust support systems. 

One of the key aspects of the policy is its focus on economic empowerment. Recognizing that economic disparity is a significant issue, the policy proposes the creation of programs that provide financial support, business grants, and low-interest loans to Black and Brown entrepreneurs. These initiatives aim to foster the growth of minority-owned businesses, which are often the backbone of their communities. By enabling these businesses to thrive, the policy not only stimulates local economies but also creates job opportunities within these communities.

Another critical component of the policy is healthcare reform. The policy addresses the alarming disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among Black and Brown populations. It proposes expanding healthcare coverage through subsidies and reducing out-of-pocket costs for low-income families. Additionally, the policy emphasizes the importance of culturally competent care, ensuring that healthcare providers are trained to understand and meet the unique needs of diverse populations. This approach is expected to improve health outcomes and reduce the mortality rates that disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities.

Education is also a central focus of the policy. It includes measures to increase funding for schools in underserved areas, improve teacher training, and create mentorship programs that connect students with professionals who can guide them in their career paths. The policy recognizes that education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty and aims to equip the next generation with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Moreover, the policy includes provisions for criminal justice reform. It seeks to address the over-policing of Black and Brown communities and the disproportionate incarceration rates by promoting alternatives to incarceration, such as community service and rehabilitation programs. This aspect of the policy is crucial in fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

In conclusion, this policy represents a comprehensive effort to uplift Black and Brown communities by addressing the root causes of inequality. It is a bold and necessary step towards creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. By focusing on economic empowerment, healthcare reform, educational equity, and criminal justice reform, this policy has the potential to create lasting change and pave the way for a more just and inclusive future.

The media landscape is evolving, and content creators are at the forefront. Video producers, podcasters, photographers, graphic designers, and animators bring stories to life across platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram. Journalists and e-book authors inform and educate, while social media influencers, vloggers, and live streamers drive trends and engagement. With growing opportunities for monetization and brand partnerships, creators have more power than ever to shape culture and build sustainable careers. Now is the time to leverage digital platforms, expand your reach, and make an impact. 

The media industry is shifting rapidly, with multicultural voices playing a crucial role in shaping narratives, driving cultural conversations, and influencing consumer behavior. As digital platforms expand, BIPOC creators and media professionals must navigate a competitive space where authentic representation and equitable opportunities are more important than ever.

Market trends show a rising demand for diverse voices—audiences want content that reflects their lived experiences, and brands are actively seeking partnerships with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) influencers who bring unique perspectives. However, despite this demand, many multicultural creators face monetization challenges, limited visibility, and unequal revenue opportunities.

This is where BIPOCXchange stands out. As a digital ecosystem built for multicultural media and influencers, BIPOCXchange connects creators with high-value opportunities, equitable revenue models, and a supportive network that ensures they get paid fairly for their contributions. By bridging the gap between creators, brands, and media organizations, BIPOCXchange is helping to redefine the future of media representation.

Now is the time for multicultural creators to leverage platforms that prioritize their success. Join BIPOCXchange to take control of your media career, expand your influence, and create impact in today’s evolving media landscape.

**MEDIA ALERT**
**January 23, 2025**

ESPAT Studios Partners with 9B Collective and Bright Winter Studios to Revolutionize the Content Creation Experience

ESPAT TV is thrilled to announce 9B Collective and Bright Winter Studio has joined the ESPAT Collective. This groundbreaking partnership with 9B Collective and Bright Winter Studios, aimed at creating innovative integrated experiences that redefine the way audiences consume and interact with their favorite content (ie: music, festival, film, digital, programming, EdTech, etc). Together, these two powerhouse studios are set to join the ESPAT Collective, which consists of Ridley Scott Creative Group, The Famous Group, Inworld AI, Elite Edge, Zoic Studios, PRG (world’s largest technology and innovations company), Petrol Ad, Unbridl Studios, Screenvision and Enthusiast Gaming. push the boundaries of creativity and technology in the development, production and design industries.

9B Collective is led by Hollywood actor Aldis Hodge (Cross on Prime, Black Adam, Hidden Figures, etc), concept artist Michael Uwandi (Marvel, Epic, Lucasfilms, Skydance, Electronic Arts) and concept artist Phillip Boutte Jr. (Black Panther, Super Bowl Halftime Show, Marvel, X-men, DC Universe, Man Of Steel, etc). Most recently working with costume design with Wicked.

Bright Winter Studios is led by Danar Worya and Michael Uwandi. Bright Winter has played integral roles, as visual and concept artists, in the following films: Transformer: Rise of the Beasts, The Last of Us, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Marvel Studios MOONKNIGHT, etc.

The collaboration will leverage ESPAT Studios extensive resources and market reach, combined with Initiative Studio's fresh perspectives and cutting-edge design philosophy.

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ESPAT TV, as a collective, is most recognized for its work with the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl (on Nickelodeon), developers and creative design artists for record breaking music performances within video game environments (Travis Scott/Fortnite, Lil Nas X/Roblox, Post Malone/Pokémon, etc), and Halo: The Series (Paramount+).  This partnership aims to develop new production, concept, design and development experiences that are not only immersive but also a merge of entertainment, appealing to a broad audience.

**Key Highlights of the Partnership:**

- **Innovative Development:** Combining talent and technology to create unique content viewing experiences (music festivals, traditional sports, programming, utilizing gaming innovations).

- **Commitment to Quality:** ESPAT Collective is comprised of best-in-class studios domestically and globally, ensuring the highest-quality production, storytelling and creative standards.

9B Collective & Bright Winter Studios joining of the ESPAT Collective is set to kick off immediately, with both teams working closely to share ideas, resources, and creativity. More information about upcoming projects and initiatives will be shared in the coming months.

**About ESPAT TV & Studios:**
ESPAT is a design, development and creative studio building connections through storytelling and entertainment, utilizing next-generation technologies. ESPAT is the home of creative storytellers, concept innovators, cultural insights & premium production.

**About 9B Collective:**
9B Collective is the first black-owned concept art studio, made up primarily of BIPOC artists, founded by Mike Uwandi, Phillip Boutte Jr., and Aldis Hodge. 9B was created to provide a shift in the Entertainment landscape by helping creators with authentic storytelling and creativity.

**About Bright Winter Studio:**
BRIGHT WINTER STUDIO is a production powerhouse of artists, creatives and producers who build worlds and craft unforgettable stories. We specialize in visual development for animation, film/TV, games and music. Projects include Love Death + Robots, Red Dead Redemption 2, Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World, Marvel’s Black Panther, League of Legends, and more. In addition, we’ve worked with industry-leading names such as: Marvel, Disney, Warner Bros, Netflix, HBO, Riot Games, and Epic Games.

For further information, press only: Dante Simpson, dante@espat.tv

The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)’s dynamic conference returns to New York City from February 24 to 26, 2025, with a stylish twist. Under the theme “ASJA: Always in Fashion, NYC 2025,” the event will be hosted at the Fashion Institute of Technology and supported by the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology and Marketing Communications Department, the presenting sponsor.

 Some media industry leaders who will attend the ASJA Conference include Pulitzer Prize-winning feature writer Lane DeGregory, deputy editor of the New York Times The Great Read Mike Wilson, Teen Vogue Editor-in-Chief Versha Sharma, true crime bestseller T.J. English, and senior editors from AARP the Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, and Elle.com.

ASJA members at the Oct. 21, 2024, MMCA event in D.C. (left to right): Lisa Rabasca Rope, Gabby Gayagoy Gonzalez, Emily Paulsen, and Olga Lucia Torres. 

As the Board Chair of the Multicultural Media and Correspondent’s Association and the treasurer of ASJA, I’m excited to offer a 10% discount on the nonmember registration rate with the code ASJA25GRP.

 This three-day gathering offers significant opportunities for writers of all levels, from budding freelancers to seasoned professionals. The conference's centerpiece, Client Connections, will take place on February 25. It will offer ASJA professional members invaluable one-on-one meetings with editors, agents, and content managers from leading publications and organizations.

 The conference’s program caters to independent writers' core interests in journalism, nonfiction books, and content marketing. Attendees can participate in “pitch slams” across all three genres and receive immediate feedback from top industry professionals.

 The conference's midtown Manhattan location perfectly embodies its commitment to keeping writers on the cutting edge of their craft. For over fifty years, ASJA's conference has evolved alongside the industry, addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities—whether that's developing passive income streams or mastering podcast creation.

 What sets this year's event apart is its unique timing. The last in-person conference was in 2022. And as the conference shifts to a virtual format in 2026 before returning to in-person gatherings in 2027, “ASJA: Always in Fashion, NYC 2025” represents the only chance for writers to experience a national ASJA event in person for the next two years.

 Continuing its commitment to diversity in journalism, ASJA will offer scholarships covering conference registration for freelance writers from historically underrepresented populations. Scholarship application details were announced in the ASJA Weekly newsletter, the organization's social media channels, and the ASJA website.

 For writers serious about advancing their careers and expanding their professional networks, this February's ASJA conference is not to be missed. With its strategic timing and fashion-forward venue, the event promises to provide attendees with immediate opportunities and long-term career benefits. Hope to see you at the conference!

In the wake of the most recent election, it’s clear that Black and Brown votes matter. But voting is only one part of the equation. History teaches us that change comes when people join forces, using both political and economic influence. Think of the colonists who boycotted British goods, or the Civil Rights leaders who used economic resistance to demand justice. These movements didn’t just rely on voting; they relied on the power of people coming together, strategically spending (or withholding) their money to create a world that reflected their values.

This is dual voting. Voting in every election is critical, but imagine the impact of aligning your spending with your values. Imagine what could happen if, instead of putting money into corporations that profit off the status quo, we redirected our $7 trillion in collective spending toward businesses that believe in social and economic justice. Think about that for a second—$7 trillion. That’s the power we’re sitting on, and if we choose to use it, there’s no telling what we could accomplish.

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The Tools to Make It Happen

That’s why Friends of the Movement (FOTM) created tools like the Conscious Spending Ticker and the Voter Wallet as part of the Our Money United campaign. These aren’t just tools; they’re a way for us to wield our collective power like never before.

1. Conscious Spending Ticker: This ticker tracks every dollar spent with businesses that stand for social and economic justice, showing us in real-time the power of our spending. It’s a beacon that displays our shared commitment, permanently demonstrating that we—the people—are fueling the economy, and we’re choosing where that power goes.

2. Voter Wallet: The Voter Wallet is about putting power into the hands of everyday consumers. It’s a tool that helps you align your spending with your values, finding and supporting businesses that make a positive impact. This isn’t just about rewarding companies that “do no harm”—it’s about actively supporting businesses that do good, that contribute to the kind of society we want to live in.

With these tools, we’re organizing in a way that previous generations could only dream about. We’re making every dollar a vote for justice, equality, and opportunity. We’re building something bigger than any one person or one company. We’re building a movement.

Why Dual Voting Matters More Than Ever

The stakes today are higher than ever. We live in a world where corporations shape policies that impact our lives, often without regard for our well-being. But remember, there are more of us than there are of them. And when we unite around a shared agenda, we are unstoppable. We have the numbers, and we have the tools. What we need now is the will.

Dual voting—voting with our ballots and our dollars—gives us a way to hold corporations accountable, to show them that our money will only go to businesses that align with our values. This isn’t just about spending. It’s about power. And if we leave that power unused, we’re letting others decide our future for us.

A Call to Action: It’s Time to Organize

So here’s my call to you. Let’s stop sitting on this power. Let’s stop leaving our future in the hands of a few who only seek profit. Let’s vote twice. Let’s vote in every election, and then let’s vote every day, with every dollar we spend. Let’s make sure that our money supports businesses that want what we want: a society where justice and opportunity are for everyone.

We’re at a moment where we can either complain about the state of things or use the power we have to change it. The choice is ours. Are we going to sit back and let corporations decide our future? Or are we going to take control of our destiny, together, as a force they can’t ignore?

I’m inviting you to join the Our Money United campaign, to use the Conscious Spending Ticker and the Voter Wallet, and to become part of a movement that’s about more than spending—it’s about building the future we want. There’s no more time to waste. The journey to real change begins now, and it begins with us. Let’s vote twice, and let’s show the world what happens when the people take control of their own power.

Dr. Charles Walker Jr.

Founder, Chairman, & CEO

FotM Global Inc., https://fotmglobal.com

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View MMCA Sheroes in Media Awards Reception Sizzle Reel

MMCA HONORS “SHEROES IN MEDIA” CHAMPIONING MEDIA DIVERSITY

2024 Sheroes in Media Awards to Katina Arnold, Alicia Bell,

Janet Dewart Bell, Yvette Cabrera, Nicole Dungca,

Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Tracie Powell, and Emily Wilkins, 

Lifetime Achievement Award to Margery Kraus and

Luminary Award to Janet Yang

WASHINGTON, DC– The Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA) hosted its exclusive 2024 Sheroes in Media Awards reception on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the National Press Club near the White House, with leaders in media, philanthropy and communications gathered to uplift extraordinary women who exemplify diverse media excellence. 

Following the success of the inaugural virtual ceremony in 2021, this year’s event added two special award categories: the Lifetime Achievement Award, given to Margery Kraus, Founder and Executive Chairman of APCO, and the Luminary Award, given to Janet Yang, award-winning Hollywood producer and President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

“Never underestimate the power of being underestimated,” said Kraus during her acceptance speech, as she recounted her journey of building one of the largest PR firms in the world, as a first-generation Jewish woman with parents who immigrated from Cuba. She emphasized the importance of inclusion, noting that “we have much more to do” to ensure more diversity and equity in the media and society. 

Other honorees shared similar stories of grit, resilience and courage in overcoming stereotypes while rising to the top, where they are now leading the fight to ensure both gender and multicultural representation as presidents of various journalists or journalists-supporting organizations. 

The awards were presented by Olga Lucia Torres, Chair of the Board of Trustees, followed by trustee Sui Lang Panoke's brief overview of MMCA’s accomplishments. 

“The MMCA is grateful to honor these amazing Sheroes. They work to ensure equity in the media so that BIPOC stories are seen and heard and to empower people of color and women in the media. Their tremendous work is inspiring, and we are overjoyed to acknowledge their accomplishments,” said Torres.

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Emceed by Reena Ninan, a television journalist and founder of Good Trouble Productions, the Sheroes in Media Awards ceremony was co-created by MMCA president David Morgan and trustee Hannah Kim, former deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the US Department of Health and Human Services, who also presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Margery Kraus. The event was produced by Green Gigz, Inc., Global Strategy Group and powered by the BIPOCXChange.

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2024 MMCA Sheroes in Media Award honorees pictured (From Left to Right:)

• Yvette Cabrera, President, National Association of Hispanic Journalists

• Emily Wilkins, President, National Press Club

• Katina Arnold, Board Chair, Alliance for Women in Media Foundation

• Nicole Dungca, President, Asian American Journalists Association

• Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Founder, Institute for Independent Journalists

• Tracie Powell, Founder and CEO, The Pivot Fund, Inc.

• Janet Dewart Bell, Board Chair, Women’s Media Center

• Alicia Bell, Director, Racial Equity in Journalism Fund, Borealis Philanthropy

• Mary Kraus, Founder and Executive Chairman of APCO (Lifetime Achievement Award)*

• Janet Yang, President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Luminary Award)* 

MMCA interviewed each honoree to gain insights into their incredible journey. A publishable interview article and related press assets for each honoree can be downloaded by clicking on their names above.

###

About MMCA

Established in 2016, MMCA is a nonpartisan/nonprofit organization leading a call to action to increase media diversity.  MMCA has become a trusted convener and facilitator of thought leadership, resource and information sharing, and strategic engagement between multicultural media stakeholders, tech and media decision-makers, policymakers, and private entities committed to increasing the percentage of diverse media stakeholders and content. www.mmcadc.org; @mmcadc on all platforms. 

About the BIPOCXChange

The BIPOCXChange (BXC) is a disruptive networking, news distribution and online newsroom platform created to help BIPOC media increase reach, relevance and revenue and marketers seamlessly facilitate online multicultural media marketing and communications to local and niche BIPOC audiences at scale.

Laughing to the Bank Entertainment Group releases its first feature film, "Strange Love," on Amazon Prime

(ATLANTA) MegaMind Media and Kountry Wayne Entertainment is forming a joint-venture agreement between Tressa Azarel Smallwood and Dewayne “Kountry Wayne” Colley to launch Laughing to the Bank Entertainment Group to create both long and short form content for distribution.

Under the terms of the deal, announced Jan. 31, Laughing to the Bank will develop and package long and short form content for traditional and nontraditional distribution through a range of channels. Strange Love, which started streaming Feb. 14 on Prime Video, is the first project released through the new agreement. Executive produced by Colley, Smallwood, Donte Lee and Jermaine Smith, Strange Love is a direct-to-consumer release. 

“I am excited to executive produce my first, hopefully of many, films through Kountry Wayne Entertainment,” says Colley. “Working with Tressa Azarel Smallwood and her team at MegaMind Media helped fulfill my dream of releasing my first film independently.”

Smallwood and MegaMind Media scored a string of recent successes at networks like BET, BET Her, BET+, TV One, and AMC AllBlk with diverse projects including: Sinners Wanted, "The Available Wife", and "All In", which received the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the American Black Film Festival in 2019.  While meteoric is the only way to describe the ascension of Colley from his first viral Facebook post in 2014 to amassing over 10M combined followers on social media to being named by Variety as one of the 10 Comedians To Watch in 2021.  Together Smallwood and Colley will develop, produce and finance projects through Laughing to the Bank.

“The opportunity to work with “Kountry” Wayne [Colley] piqued my interest immediately,” says Smallwood.  He is an amazing talent and our business interests aligned, but when he wanted to keep the project as an independent feature, I welcomed that challenge.”

Strange Love is the perfect scarytale from Colley and Smallwood. Carl Anthony Payne ("Martin"), directs a cast that represents the blending of producer’s creativity.  The cast is a mashup of established actors like Marquita Goings ("Woke") and Patrice Lovely ("Boo! A Madea Halloween") with social influencers like Michael "Mike Bless" Anthony ("Raising Dion") and Rolonda"Ro" Rochelle ("Chicago Fire")—from the popular “Kountry Wayne” sketches—and reality stars-turned-actors like Shirlene King ("Little Women: Atlanta") and Erica Pinkett ("Society Society").  Under Payne’s direction they create an original, raw, sexy, hilarious, entry to the comedy-horror genre.  However, it is the unique perspectives brought to each project produced by Smallwood and Colley that holds so much promise for the future of Launching to the Bank. 

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Washington, DC., June 26, 2023 - The Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA) announced this week the start of an innovative summer internship program for Morgan State University students seeking to change racial narratives in media and transform the communications landscape with their ingenuity and creativity. 

The eight-week program will immerse four students in the planning, production, promotion and execution of MMCA’s Racial Reckoning Discussion Series, and in the production and distribution of multimedia content to hundreds of Black, Indigenous, and other publishers of color. MMCA has hired Eric Brown Jr., an experienced mentor and media technologist, to manage the internship program.

“BIPOC communities are chronically and disproportionately targeted and harmed by mis/disinformation and stereotypes of inferiority,” said David Morgan, MMCA’s founder and CEO. “One reason MMCA created this internship pilot is to engage, develop and empower the next generation of talented and diverse media professionals to correct these false narratives that threaten our fragile democracy and create alarming economic, social and political risk for the private, public and social sectors.”

MMCA’s Racial Reckoning Discussion Series, which launched in January 2023, explores what, exactly, has changed or not changed in the 2+ years since widespread rallies for racial justice rocked the world, and what it will take to harness the country’s renewed awareness of racial inequity into transformation, healing and narrative change. 

It is hosted via the BIPOCXChange (BXC), a metaverse community styled platform for BIPOC media and influencers that, among other services, hosts events and distributes digital content to its 350+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) media members and their audiences.

MMCA’s Narrative Change Internship is unique in that it allows students to hone their multimedia skills, produce content for hundreds of diverse media outlets, and form valuable connections with potential future employers. Interns will also have the opportunity to influence and support the  planning and pre-production for the 2023 Multicultural Media & Correspondents Dinner (MMCD) and Summit, an exclusive, invitation-only gathering of media influencers, policymakers, executives, advocacy organization allies and Hollywood VIPs to honor media industry legends and luminaries of color.

“Our students learn journalism in 2023 as multimedia storytellers and this internship allows them to participate as a collective of writers, editors, videographers, digital content providers and public relation specialists,” said Ed Robinson, Professor of Multimedia Journalism at Morgan State University. “This internship has offered our students a special opportunity to implement the skill sets they learn in class while working as a team on an important project. It shouldn’t go unnoticed that the team aspect of this internship is unique and is a direct correlation to the partnership between the School of Global Journalism and Communication and the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association.”

Robinson selected the following four students to participate in the inaugural MMCA narrative change internship:

• Dreema Carrington is a 23-year-old journalist from Baltimore who recently earned a bachelor’s in Multimedia Platform Journalism from MSU. Carrington said she switched her academic focus from creative writing to news during the 2020 pandemic “when a mix of COVID-19, police brutality, and the presidential election showed me the importance and delicacy of quality journalism.”

• Sophomore Elijah Pittman, 19, is a multimedia journalism student who has written extensively for the MSU Spokesman. Pittman aspires to work for a publication that allows him to “write stories that change the perception of the Black experience, race, and class, in both professional and interpersonal social spaces.”

• India A. Hudson, 22, of Prince George’s County, MD, recently earned a degree in multiplatform production with a concentration in film and television. Inspired by the work of actress, screenwriter and director Kasi Lemmons, Hudson says she hopes to influence and shift media narratives through writing and film directing. 

• Aliya Moody, a 19-year-old sophomore from Richmond, VA, was inspired to pursue a degree in multimedia journalism when she saw “just how much the narrative of race, demographic iniquities, and social change is creating a barrier between people and the idea of equality.” 

“I am excited about joining MMCA as an intern program manager, primarily because I believe in the power and potential of the now generation,” said Eric Brown, Jr. “Our young minds, with their brilliance and unique perspectives, are not only the voices of tomorrow but also significant drivers of change today. In the history of racial narratives, their voice has often been the catalyst for breakthroughs, and I look forward to facilitating their stories and ideas.”

ABOUT MMCA:

MMCA is a BIPOC and non-partisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to secure greater control of who, what, where, when and how our story is told. We are proud to have built a powerful platform that (1) fosters coalition-building among BIPOC media advocacy organizations, (2) shapes media policy, (3) facilitates constructive engagement between policymakers and media industry stakeholders, (4) provides assistance to BIPOC media stakeholders, and (5) celebrates BIPOC media excellence. Follow us @mmcadc  on all social platforms.

ABOUT BIPOCXChange:

The BIPOCXChange is a metaverse community styled platform created by MMCA and Elevate Media Group to better position Black, Latinae, Asian, Indigenous and other People of Color media (BIPOC Media) to produce timely, relevant and premium content, grow and monetize their audiences and unleash their market potential. It also provides marketers with the first-ever single solution to all their earned and paid BIPOC Media engagement needs. www.mmcxchange.com for more information.

ABOUT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY:

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution providing instruction to a multiethnic, multiracial, multinational student body and offering more than 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan fulfills its mission to address the needs and challenges of the modern urban environment through intense community-level study and pioneering solutions.
 

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Despite their role in transformative tech advancements, Black founders still struggle to get adequate funding and recognition.

By Linda Miller, BIPOCXChange 

In 2014, tech entrepreneur Tavonia Evans raised $165,000 from angel investors to launch her first startup, a peer-to-peer identity verification and background check platform called Safe2Meet. But when she went looking for capital to scale the business, she ran headfirst into a shameful reality: Black women founders receive less than 1% of venture capital dollars. At the same time, she saw many of her peers starting to raise money for their ventures using blockchain and cryptocurrency.

“I figured out a long time ago, that's what Black folks need. We need to create our own money, especially in America,” Evans said. In 2017, she did just that, creating Guapcoin, the first publicly launched, decentralized, digital currency focused on building generational wealth in the global African diaspora. 

It’s but one example of how Black tech innovators are disrupting the status quo, shattering the myth of Black inferiority with their accomplishments, and ushering in a more inclusive and equitable society through technology—often with little recognition.

Evans recently joined other entrepreneurs in discussing the challenges facing Black tech founders but also the incredible opportunities that technology like artificial intelligence holds for fostering equity and advancing Black liberation. The Feb. 27 conversation was the second installment of the virtual Racial Reckoning Discussion Series sponsored by the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA) and held via the BIPOCXChange (BXC), a metaverse platform that, among other services, hosts events and distributes content for its 300+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) media members and their audiences.

Black entrepreneurs are creating new opportunities for themselves and others by launching startups, designing apps, and founding organizations that are changing the tech landscape. Yet they are woefully under-represented in the industry and in mainstream media narratives about it, said MMCA President David Morgan, creator and co-host of the discussion series.

Added Morgan’s cohost Tiffany Norwood: “I can tell you as a lifelong technologist that there are many things in our everyday lives that we use, that were invented by Black people. Caller ID came from a Black inventor. Traffic lights came from the creative minds of Black tech. One of my favorite inventors—Patricia Bath, a Black woman—created and has five patents around laser cataract surgery.”

Norwood received her first IP right, a patent, at the age of 23. Currently, she heads up Tribetan, a company she founded that uses technology, music, video and animations to teach entrepreneurship and innovation literacy for success in business, school and life.

Norwood said she taught herself to code in the 1970s using a book, paper and pencil. She went on to earn degrees from Cornell University and Harvard Business School and to launch nine startups. Her ventures have ranged from the first one-strap backpack to the automation technology behind self-install kits for broadband internet to a virtual reality gaming platform. In 2022, Cornell named her Entrepreneur of the Year, and she recently published her first book,"Vote Like a Boss: An Entrepreneur’s Perspective on Innovation, Leadership, Creativity, Storytelling, and Voting."

The skill sets and mindsets that I cultivated along the way to being an entrepreneur are the skillsets and mindsets that are important in everyday life. They're the skill sets and mindsets of being self-made. They're the skill sets and mindsets of agency. They are the same skill sets that allow people to be the first of their family to go to school or to get a university degree,” Norwood said. “And it [centers] around persuasive storytelling, cultivating endurance and cultivating optimism.”

Fostering endurance and optimism is even more critical when you consider Black or Latinae graduates earn 15-19% of computer science degrees yet they make up less than 3% of the tech industry, according to a 2020 report in Techonomy. 

Industry executives often blame this failure—and the wealth gap that it fuels—on the so-called "pipeline problem," using terms like "lowering the bar" to infer Black, Latinae and women candidates are less qualified. These stereotypes are then amplified in media coverage that continually hypes the brilliance of White male innovators and disruptors like Elon Musk and Steve Jobs while ignoring the contributions of Black tech superstars like Evans, Norwood and others who participated in MMCA’s discussion:

• Albert E. White, whose book, "Race for the Net: When African Americans Controlled the Internet and What Happens Now," charts the story of Network Solutions, a Black technology company that played a pivotal role in creating the Internet;

• Dante Simpson, cofounder of ESPAT TV, a creative studio that, among other ventures, meshes live TV, advertising, music, movies and other content with esports and video games;

• Bentley Charlemagne, who founded Qme Spotlight Ecosystem, a company that builds customized digital environments that strengthen community connection and support small business growth;

• Tayler J. James, former director of research at The Plug, which prior to its March 16 closing, published The Black Tech Effect Report, celebrating the success of 100 promising Black-led, high-growth tech companies while acknowledging the ongoing challenges affecting the Black tech ecosystem.

They spoke about what prompted them to pursue careers in tech, how they got to where they are, what they are working on now, and how they persevere in a sector that, already one of the least diverse, is experiencing massive layoffs that are disproportionately impacting women and people of color and eroding diversity, equity and inclusion commitments.

Simpson said he takes inspiration from Tyler Perry’s powerful acceptance speech upon receiving BET’s Ultimate Icon Award in 2019.

“It’s all about trying to help somebody cross. While everybody else is fighting for a seat at the table, talking about ‘#OscarsSoWhite, #OscarsSoWhite,’ I said, ‘Y’all go ahead and do that. While you’re fighting for a seat at the table, I’ll be down in Atlanta building my own.’” Perry said, adding, “I want you to hear this, every dreamer in this room. There are people whose lives are tied to your dream. Own your stuff, own your business, own your way.”

Perry’s words changed Simpson’s journey. “I'll never forget it. It's kind of my motto, and...I've made it a mission within the gaming space.”

And with notable success. Simpson’s ESPAT Studios has been a part of some of the most memorable moments in gaming culture, including the development and production of immersive experiences, mixed-reality, and trailers for notable gaming titles. “Anytime you go into a movie theater and you watch a trailer and you see a video game air prior to the movie, that's actually coming through our studio,” Simpson said.

During the height of the pandemic, Simpson began embedding virtual concerts into immersive video game experiences, which led to notable moments like Travis Scott’s five-performance tour in Fortnite.

“We meshed everything that we had done previously and kind of brought it into this gaming space.

Being a disruptor, Simpson said, is often just identifying an obvious gap or “white space” and using ingenuity to fill it, often through collaboration. Then there is the kind of innovation that disrupts entire systems, like using gamification in education to offer students tangible rewards that go beyond just grades.

Or, as Evans has done, creating an entire currency that not only builds Black wealth but gives people more control over their money, their data, their future. “That's what blockchain would allow us to do,” Evans said. “To have that transparency, to see our money function, how it functions, where it's functioning, and to have greater control over our dollar.”

Entrepreneurs of color are often denied access to capital not just to start their own businesses but to scale them.

Consider the case of Network Solutions, a Black-founded technology company that developed the domain name registration service for the Internet, earning an exclusive contract from the National Science Foundation in 1993 to be the provider for .com, .net and .org top level domains. The firm was acquired two years later for $4.7 million in part because its Black founders were denied the investments necessary to scale the business, said White, who worked at the company and wrote a book chronicling its journey.

“We could not raise capital, even though we had this premier position in the world,” White said. “A lot of people kept saying to us, ‘well, we don't know where the internet's going’…and ‘if it's that important, why did they give [the contract] to Black people?’”

In 2002, the company was sold again in an all-stock deal worth $21 billion.

“Historically that's been our tradition. We develop something, put it out there, we can't get funding, and then somebody else benefits from it,” White said. “So that was the reason that I wrote the book. I wanted our community and other communities to know that African Americans played a major role in the initial launch of the internet…I was also curious about what would be said in the future to our grandkids and our kids about the internet.”

Though Black founders raised almost $2 billion in funding in 2021, that number is minuscule compared to the $147 billion startups raised collectively. 

“The difference between Jeff Bezos and the average Black person is he lost $300 million but was able to get more money to launch [more businesses] even after that failure. We couldn't have gotten money like that,” White said

Norwood noted that, as a Black female tech entrepreneur, she raised $700 million for satellite radio startups. “And even with all we've done and the impact, [we've achieved] every time I do a startup…I still have to start at the very beginning as if I've done nothing.”

Perhaps that is why Norwood and the other entrepreneurs are so passionate about helping other Black talent succeed in tech and the promise that artificial intelligence (AI), Web3 and other emerging technologies hold for helping Black businesses to thrive. 

Bentley Charlamagne grew up in the Caribbean, moved to the U.S., where he created the Qme spotlight digital ecosystem providing marketing, branding, and technology solution development, and earned “every certification you could think about.”

“It propelled us to the top of the food chain very quickly, working with 14 Fortune 500 companies,” he said. “But in talking to some of those communities, we realized there were challenges for a lot of the small businesses” that weren’t being addressed.

So Qme pivoted to building online “ecosystems” that facilitate learning, connection, and problem-solving, especially for small business owners. They’ve built ecosystems across the FinTech space and the news and media space, among others, including creating the BIPOCXChange. In Philadelphia, Qme built online portals to help Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs) assess minority small businesses and connect them with banks, CDFIs and other investors that can provide them with capital.

Qme is now looking into how to integrate AI tools like ChatGPT into its platforms.

While chatbots have long been a common tool for answering customer service questions online, ChatGPT can take a prompt, comb the internet for relevant information, and convert that into plausible-sounding paragraphs of text. It has been used to write essays and poetry, summarize documents, build apps, even conduct makeshift therapy sessions. Just two months after its November 2022 debut, ChatGPT had more than 30 million users, making it one of the fastest-growing software products in memory according to The New York Times. Despite complaints that ChatGPT is prone to giving biased or incorrect answers, it has set off a feeding frenzy of investors trying to get in on the next wave of the A.I. boom.

“I've already built three apps utilizing the OpenAI ChatGPT and there's more I want to build,” said cryptocurrency developer Evans. “There’s just so much opportunity. I just want to scream it from the mountaintops.”

Evans believes publicly accessible AI could be a transformative tool for Black business owners who struggle to get the capital needed to hire employees and build their businesses. “In this age where Black women are starting businesses at a rate of 3:1 to everybody else, they now have another tool to scale their businesses at a rate faster than anybody else,” she noted.

But, just like with cryptocurrency, there is a lot of confusion and trepidation around AI, including concerns that it is going to put a lot of people out of work. Evans said it’s incumbent upon those in the industry to help people of color move past their fears. “We have to stop what we are doing and get out on the streets and educate the people and say, ‘Hey, it's not like what you think. This is an opportunity. This is the help that you've been asking for, that you need. We need to create more opportunities amongst our people, so the education piece is huge right now.”

White agreed. He is currently an advisor on a large venture fund that only invests in established minority firms, where he focuses on how to leverage emerging technologies, such as electric vehicles, which he says will be bigger than the internet. “There's a tremendous opportunity for our community to capture the [EV]space, but we’ve got to be trained,” he said, noting that he is looking to acquire a large training company that can build the capacity of HBCUs.

Tayler James is the former research director at The Plug, a news outlet and research company that, until its recent closing, covered the ways that Black people are affected by and engaged with the innovation economy, and produced a weekly newsletter offering insights on HBCUs.

“I love everything about HBCUs and the foundation that they set for the Black economy,” said Tayler, herself a proud graduate of Florida A&M University.

On March 16, Founder and CEO Sherrell Dorsey announced that The Plug was closing. 

It filled an important gap, producing original research on everything from how many Fortune 500 companies have at least one Black board member who is an alumnus of an HBCU (11%), to a look at how well ChatGPT responds to questions about the Black tech ecosystem, to its State of the Pledge report, a comprehensive overview published in partnership with the Blacks In Technology Foundation that revisits the 2020 commitments made by tech organizations to be more inclusive of Blacks through investment and recruitment efforts.

One of the firm’s last studies, The Black Tech Effect Report, was the culmination of a year-long effort to dive deeper into solution-oriented, problem-solving companies paving a path toward the future, many of which are having their time in the spotlight for the very first time. It was produced in partnership with "The Tech We Want," a program of Omidyar Network.

 “We decided to highlight and celebrate 100 Black founders who are creating systems and solutions to address different disparities and issues within our country, within our world, and give them their flowers and celebrate with them, in all of their accomplishments,” James explained.

“We have a whole section of companies that are creating work within the social impact space. They're in EV, they're in climate change—things that you don't typically hear about, especially within our Black community. And they're creating these systems and solutions,” James said.

“We highlighted 100, but there are thousands.”

To view the entire Black Innovators and Disruptors conversation, visit the BIPOCXChange.

KFC also closed the gender experience gap and commits to achieving gender parity at every level across restaurant support centers and company-owned restaurants by 2030

Plano, Texas, March 26, 2024 – During the celebration of Women’s History Month, KFC today proudly announced that it has successfully achieved parity between women and men globally across its corporate offices, referred to as restaurant support centers (RSCs). Women now constitute 51% of the collective team.

KFC recognizes the importance of ensuring its team reflects its global customer base. By embracing a rich blend of experiences, backgrounds and perspectives, KFC fuels innovation and propels sustainable business growth. Today, the company proudly commemorates the realization of this ambition.

Additionally, the company announced that it has closed the gender experience gap globally across its RSCs, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual feels valued and empowered.

Since 2021, KFC has been actively measuring progress in driving inclusion outcomes and practices using the McKinsey & Company Inclusion Survey, which tests whether a subset of employees believe they have an equal chance of succeeding. According to McKinsey & Company, the gender experience gap refers to the differences in employees’ observed, perceived and lived experiences. These experiences are specifically explored in relation to belonging, equality and openness.

Cristi Lockett, Chief People Officer at KFC Global, celebrated this achievement, stating, "We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve closed the gender experience gap at KFC. This is a reflection of the work environment we’ve built that empowers, retains and develops future women leaders. Our continued commitment to gender parity allows us to unlock a powerful talent pool and supports a workplace where everyone can thrive.”

Findings from McKinsey’s 2023 Women in the Workplace Report underscore the persistent gender disparities within the restaurant industry. Specifically, the report highlights that for every 100 men promoted from entry-level to managerial positions in 2023, only 87 women received similar promotions. This contrast underscores the need for continued efforts to bridge the gender gap and promote equitable opportunities for all.

KFC looks ahead with determination, recognizing that the journey is far from complete. In collaboration with its parent company, Yum! Brands, KFC aims to achieve gender parity in leadership globally by 2030 in alignment with Paradigm for Parity®.  

As KFC celebrates this milestone, the unwavering commitment to inclusive people practices remains a cornerstone moving forward. These practices not only cultivate talent effectively, but also ensure that advancement opportunities are accessible to all. 

About KFC

KFC is a global chicken restaurant brand with a rich, decades-long history of success and innovation. It all started with one cook, Colonel Harland Sanders, who created the Original Recipe more than 90 years ago, a list of 11 secret herbs and spices scratched out on the back of the door to his kitchen. Today, while honoring our heritage, we remain committed to modernizing the colonel's vision, by serving feel-good food, at scale, through inclusive, equitable and sustainable business practices.  We continue to follow his formula for success, with real cooks breading and freshly preparing our delicious chicken by hand in more than 30,000 restaurants in nearly 150 countries and territories around the world. KFC is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM.)​    

By Nate Dillard

The Big Picture: President Biden's Executive Order on AI marks a significant step in America's approach to artificial intelligence. It aims to seize AI's promise while managing its risks, focusing on safety, security, equity, civil rights, and fostering innovation, according to an official White House Briefing.

What’s Next: The Order sets a comprehensive strategy for AI, building on previous actions and voluntary commitments from leading companies. It involves new standards for AI safety and security, privacy protections, equity advancements, consumer and worker support, and global leadership in AI.

Zoom In: Key Directives

• AI Safety and Security: Developers of influential AI systems must share safety test results with the U.S. government, with a focus on national security and public safety.

• Privacy Protections: Enhanced privacy-preserving techniques and research, with guidelines for federal agencies on AI data use.

• Equity and Civil Rights: Addressing AI's potential for discrimination in housing, healthcare, and criminal justice with specific guidance and best practices.

• Consumer, Patient, and Student Protection: Safe use of AI in healthcare and education, including drug development and educational tools.

• Workforce Support: Principles to mitigate AI's impact on workers, focusing on labor standards, equity, and job displacement.

• Global Leadership: Collaborating internationally on AI standards and responsible use, aligning with global initiatives like the G-7 Hiroshima Process and the UK Summit on AI Safety.

• Government Use of AI: Standards for AI deployment in government, improving procurement, and accelerating AI talent hiring.

The Bottom Line: This Executive Order represents a holistic approach to harness AI's benefits while mitigating its risks, emphasizing America's leadership in responsible AI innovation and governance.

One Digital Work Angle: For BIPOC and underrepresented communities in Dayton, Ohio, this order may offer new opportunities and safeguards. It addresses issues like AI-driven discrimination and privacy concerns, which are particularly pertinent in communities where technology access and literacy vary. Moreover, the emphasis on workforce training and development resonates with Dayton's diverse workforce, potentially opening up new pathways in AI and tech fields. The focus on equitable AI deployment in healthcare and education could also bring advancements tailored to the needs of these communities.

One Digital Work is an editorial campaign powered by the One Digital Dayton digital ecosystem, a hub where job seekers and small business owners can find the essential jobs and support services they need to thrive and grow.

What are the solutions to the growing problem of burnout in journalism? 

The Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri is conducting an anonymous survey of current and former United States based journalists, journalism students and journalism educators to see what changes newsrooms and journalism schools could make to help prevent professional burnout. 

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and not only will the results be shared widely but we expect this public dataset to be highly useful to future researchers who want to dig deeper into the topic. By taking the survey and encouraging others to take it as well you’ll be helping a solutions-first approach to tackling an important problem in the news industry.

You can take the survey here and share this link with other journalists: https://surveys.smithgeiger.com/survey/selfserve/bec/231006

Shocking video just released by the BIPOCXChange shows a gathering of Black and Latino friends being repeatedly water-hosed by a White male neighbor in an attempt to break up their upscale, backyard birthday celebration at the home of a prominent New York doctor. 

The incident, which occurred Sept. 17, 2022, is the subject of a civil rights suit filed last week in Kings County, NY, against the neighbor, Marcus Rosebrock, and an unnamed White woman accused of forcibly entering the doctor’s home with a “large, menacing German Shepherd in an effort to silence plaintiffs and end their celebration.”

The scene is reminiscent of when White police officers used fire hoses and dogs to attack, intimidate and silence African Americans participating in civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s, the lawsuit notes. Only this time, the scene was a beautifully decorated garden party in the wealthy neighborhood of Forest Hills, featuring a nine-course, catered dinner and attended by business, music and government affairs luminaries, and other prominent members of the legal community, including Rigo “Riggs” Morales, senior vice president of A&R and artist development at Atlantic Records; David Morgan, co-founder of the BIPOCXChange and CEO of the Washington D.C. nonprofit Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association and his wife Kevonne Small.

The surprise party was hosted by Dr. Yves Duroseau, who made headlines for becoming the first U.S. doctor to receive the coronavirus vaccine, and his wife, Claude Duroseau, for Yves’ younger sister, Rosevony Duroseau. Rosevony, an asylum officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and graduate of Fordham Law School, was celebrating her 47^th birthday and her recent engagement to William McBorrough, a cyber security, expert, entrepreneur and associate professor.

Around 9:50 p.m., as the party was winding down, an unnamed White woman entered the Duroseau home, uninvited, with a large German Shepherd and demanded that the music playing in the backyard be turned down, according to the suit. The hosts, fearful that the dog would attack and seriously injure them, told the woman that the party was winding down, asked her to leave, and returned to the garden to join their guests.

It was then that Rosebrock, whose backyard abuts the Duroseau property, began water hosing Plaintiffs and the other guests to get them to disperse. The pressure from the hose was “extremely powerful and stinging in nature,” according to the lawsuit. At one point Dr. Duroseau, Morales and another guest climbed Duroseau’s son’s treehouse to look over the fence separating the Duroseau and Rosebrock properties and ask that Rosebrock stop. 

Rosebrock “turned his water hose on them with increased water pressure, and violently water sprayed them in the face and body, drenching them, and putting them in fear of serious bodily harm as they were afraid that they would be knocked to the ground from out of the tree house,” the lawsuit claims, noting the water hosing continued even as the caterers were clearing the tables of plates.

 “Our clients are deeply scarred from being attacked with a water hose and intimidated with a German Shepherd. They feel degraded and humiliated, and they were made to feel less than human. The Duroseaus haven't been able to enjoy their home fully since this assault, and they haven't dared to hold a backyard event for fear of being assaulted again. In essence, they are prisoners in their own home,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Mina Malik.

The suit seeks unspecified damages for violating their civil rights, assault, battery, trespassing and intentional affliction of mental anguish and emotional distress.

“Unable to use their property for a peaceful gathering, and humiliated, put into fear, embarrassed and degraded, plaintiffs seek justice for the assaultive conduct, battery and civil rights violations,” the lawsuit says.

By Dr. Lawrence Jones II

60th Anniversary of the March on Washington

The 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington still addresses America's persistent challenge to racial inequality and injustice. The March on Washington was a massive protest march in August 1963, when some 250,000 people gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., to draw attention to continuing challenges and inequalities faced by African Americans a century after emancipation. It was also the occasion of Martin Luther King Jr.'s now-iconic "I Have a Dream" speech. The belief and power of religious and spiritual people uniting the country six decades ago is still a fundamental desire.

Multi-Media and Correspondence Association (MMCA)

The Multi-Media and Correspondence Association (MMCA) has provided insightful discussions with their latest series. Two weeks ago, MMCA featured its third episode, hosted by the founder of the BIPOC Exchange, David Morgan. A national reporter for Religion News Service, Adelle M. Banks, moderated the third series. Examines how important of a role faith communities continue to be in healing a fractured America. Historically, interfaith efforts were instrumental in ending apartheid in South Africa and undergirding the Civil Rights movement in America. 

An increased awareness of racial justice is a focal point of the panelists. MMCA's BIPOCXChange (BXC), a metaverse platform that, among other services, hosts events and distributes content for its 350+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) media members and their audiences. Faith leaders, journalists, commentators, podcasters, and other creatives have informed and relevant perspectives on racial equity, healing, and transformation." The panelists discussing ways to move towards continuing transformation and healing are personally engaged in creating civic actions to increase awareness and galvanize support for civic efforts among Christian Jewish sects and other communities to create change, racial justice, and equity. 

Guest Panelists for Discussion

The guest panelists consisted of Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, Executive Director of the Religion and Society program at the Aspen Institute, author of the national bestseller "The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform your Life", the reverend Dr. Audrey Price who is the former executive minister for strategic operations with the southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ and she is now the deputy director at the Aspen institute of religion and society program, and Rabbi Joshua Stanton of East End people in New York City and co-founder of the Journal of Interreligious Studies, and remarks by Dr. Charles Steele Jr. CEO and President of the Southern Leadership Conference. The final show segment is a call to action, cultivating ideas to improve efforts toward racial reconciliation. 

Dr. Charles Steele Jr., CEO and President of the Southern Leadership Conference looks at people being excluded by another group of people as the root cause of inhumanity. Although race and gender are used to include or exclude people, the problem of exclusion causes conflict. The progress of these efforts, obstacles to creating widespread and enduring change, and how, in these times of increased unrest, faith leaders have come together to confront racism and "interrogate religion's role in making true racial justice a reality," according to Reverend Dr. Audrey C. Price. 

MMCA asked four pressing questions to students interning on Capitol Hill

The MMCA asked four pressing questions to students interning on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The youth often are the catalyst of political awareness and awakenings. The interfaith panelists also consider the responses to the questions by the Capitol Hill interns. They, too, weigh in on the comments by the Capitol Hill interns regarding their experiences and expertise. These four questions are also for the readers of this article:

1) What type of change in racial justice would you like to see?

2) When you think about the fight for racial equality in America, who do you picture leading that movement?

3) How would you feel if I told you that religious groups and religious organizations are moving towards achieving racial justice and equality in America?

4) Is there a way to get young people and religious leaders working together to create change?

First question

Regarding the first question: "What type of change in racial justice would you like to see? "interns Douglas Burnett, Sage Allen, Oladunni Oni, J. Hardy, Jordan Braithwaite, and Jordan Spencer collectively comment that the criminal justice system, voting rights, education, restorative justice as it relates to school suspensions and a concern by everyone regarding racial justice. 

Dr. Singh gives his interpretation of the intern's response to the first video questions:

I'm reminded of a conversation with my daughter that's what's top of mind when she was almost four. I'm reminded of a conversation with my daughter; that's what was top of mind when she was after the killing of George Floyd. 

Rabbi Stanton "I perceived a sense of frustration that was well worn into and very much with accuracy, he said. But why have we yet to make more progress, and why are we still fighting the same issues that our parents read and parents fought for? I think it is well placed, and at the same time, funny things like finishing the work are the last piece of that going from ideals to practice can be a lot more complicated than any possibly have imagined at the outset, so I think the frustration is well placed. We've got a lot of work, thank you very much."

Second question

The second question posed to the interns was, "When you think about the fight for racial equality in America, who do you picture leading that movement?" Interns Leianis Gunn and Jordan Spence commented on the role young people will continue to play, which is a role historically; young people have been the catalysts for change. Also, the interns expressed that more Black women will hopefully be recognized as leaders and contributors to change.

Dr. Audrey Price comments: I think that this video is spot on; first of all, it's sad that people are not aware of the work that is being done, and it's on us, the practitioners of the work, to make sure that people are aware the religious society program is leaning in quite heavily racial justice and religion and that is a collective of people from the Unitarian Universalist community to Sikh community, Muslim, Jewish, and those who don't adhere to any tradition, and Christians going to now elevate more of a public platform more awareness because there is strength in numbers and there's strength and understanding. I think that's one of how the media has been complicit in not helping to celebrate Reverend Jackie Lewis for her fantastic work and the national stage Reverend Tracy Blackman (for instance, in Charlottesville, VA, 2016). 

Third question

The third question, "How would you feel if I were to tell you that religious groups and religious organizations are moving towards achieving racial justice and equality in America?" Interns J. Hardy, Jordan Braithwaite, Quinn Headen, and Marcelles Martin collectively feel that the media isn't doing enough to show the intersection of these religious groups and that there's a lot of work to be done regarding spreading awareness and controlling the narrative." There needs to be a joint effort between religious groups and non-Black people. 

Dr. Audrey Price comments on how faith and Identity are linked. She stated, "Identity and faith are core principles and values that we hold very dear, and there are differences within particular faith traditions. From the Christian perspective, Christianity in and of itself is not monolithic. We have fought over and divided over, and in some cases, lives have been lost, so often when we come to the table ecumenically as Christians. I think all faith traditions and even those who don't adhere to a faith tradition can at least look at the human dignity of people." 

Dr. Singh comments on how faith and religion have their ugly sides: "Unfortunately, religion has been used to justify racism and all sorts of nasty things in the world against humanity. American racism used the Bible to enslave and emancipate the freedom of black people in this country."

Rabbi Stanton: "I wholeheartedly agree. What I was wondering about was the context for all of those comments. I was nodding to myself like, yeah, everything they're saying is right. Every comment is rooted in context. I wish I knew the context. What gives you the most Hope that people across space and generations can work together is Hope we've done it before. Hope comes from history. We can do it again; the key question is what makes for the circumstances we will that is our task."

Fourth question

The fourth question asked: "Is there a way to get young people and religious leaders working together to create change?" Interns Oladunni Oni Jordan Spencer collectively express that if you can't bring young people to church, get the church to them. They also say interfaith leaders should be in the spaces where young people are. Lastly, listening is a crucial skill for young and old. Everyone can learn something. 

Rabbi Stanton: "People might have seen at the end of the video wonder how you respond to some of these thoughts that both Dr. Price and these students have talked about so I love that Elie Wiesel quoted a pastor and it's Pastor Martin  who as it turns out was my grandfather's pastor my grandfather was biologically Jewish enough he lost a considerable number of relatives in World War 2 and had to flee for his own safety but in order to make it in training society his parents and him in turn had converted to Christianity and so there is a remarkable resonance personally with Pastor Martin my grandfather received his first Bible from him and his orientation to religion came very largely from this justice focused on coalition building pastor in Germany and So what I love about what Dr Price described is sort of the religious inspiration for justice work and how we get it the center stage and I don't have many answers I do not pretend to be an expert but if there's one thing I do know from my family history and from grandfather’s  Pastor that it became center stage after the fact at the time it was important for a lot of individuals after the fact it was instructive for generations yet to come and So what I wonder in terms of the staying power of religion is what is going to be informational in 25 years from now what are we going to take as heritage to pass on to our kids and their kids.”

Closing remarks

To the guest panelists: How has someone, perhaps surprisingly, been an ally of yours? 

Dr. Singh: "I can give one that comes to mind. We were at a United Nations event a few months ago, and I had issues getting through security. Rabbi Stanton (Josh) was there with me and insisted on staying with me until I got through. And you know, it's not like him being there made the process go any more quickly. It wouldn't have made a difference with him being there whether I got through it or not, but just because he was willing to stay with me and hang out, it helps that we're friends. We had fun hanging out, but also, you know, him making a pointed statement to the security guard saying you know I'm not not going unless he goes nothing to them probably, but it meant a lot to me, so I just was meaningful."

Conclusion

The key takeaway from the discussion is that we are more alike than not alike. Does racial conflict and religious conflict have a financial benefit to media and journalism? Rabbi Stanton comments that there is a lot of press and media about what needs to be fixed in the interfaith communities, but more media coverage about the excellent work that comes from interfaith collaboration is required. All three interfaith leaders agreed that the interns who responded to the questions shared wisdom. 

However, there needed to be more connection between the young intern's view of the world and perhaps the interfaith panelists. The interfaith panelists were disconnected from each other concerning some of the social nuances accompanying each leader. 

For instance, Dr. Simran Jeet Singh commented on his faith perspective and how he is perceived by people who are not part of his community. Rabbi Stanton addressed how he is perceived first as a white person before being Jewish.  Reverend Dr. Audrey Price commented on how her faith and Identity as a Black woman and a Christian play a role in how she perceives the world and how the world interprets her. In many respects, some of the nuances discussed by the panelists and how the interns answered their questions indicate much-continued work ahead. Also, a new approach to bridge the gap between young and old, religious, and non-religious, male and female, and white and Black must be applied compared to 60 years ago.

The Narrative Matters!

References:

View Full "Racial Reckoning: Moving Toward Transformation and Healing Part III" 

https://mmcxchange.com/marketing_detail/racial-reckoning-discussion-series-part-iii-interfaith-efforts-to-secure-racial-healing-and-justice 

(2023). March on Washington - Date, Facts & Significance (history.com)

(2023). https://mmcxchange.com/

By Charles McDonald, Founder and Principal, Actualize Impact and Founder and CEO of Community Engagement Partners (CEP)

Picture this: A world where racial justice and equity are no fantasy, but the very heartbeat of society. Can you see it now? What do you see? 

This is more than an idle question. It’s a call to hope, to dream, and ultimately, to act together. As for me, I see a world where Black people are leading and governing communities in ways that nurture and embrace all forms of life on Earth. I conceive a wealth so vast and evenly distributed, it transcends the conventional monetary concept. I envision reality where the hell of "hunger," "prison," and "poverty" are concepts so foreign they hold no power or meaning. It's a world of no ACE scores. A place where PTSD and cortisol never assails the body. 

As we peel back the layers of this envisioned world, we can see that it's not only a dream but a call to collective action, a blueprint to be unfolded. Now, imagine if there existed an organization which took this audacious vision and strived tirelessly to make it a reality. The hypothetical transforms into the tangible with the introduction of Community Engagement Partners (CEP).

CEP undertakes the delicate yet significant task of connecting two spheres - the realm of possibilities and the sphere of realities Black leaders committed to equity and justice face across the United States. On one side, there exists an array of potentials, of dreams waiting to be realized; on the other, the harsh realities that often hinder these possibilities. Acting as a bridge, CEP facilitates a passage, ensuring these envisioned ideals can traverse the chasm, secure a firm foothold, and ultimately, flourish despite these realities. Through cultivating trust, sharing resources, and crafting innovative partnerships, CEP allows dreams to not only root but thrive, transforming the imagined world of equity and justice into tangible communities of prosperity.

The potency of CEP's approach lies in its core values: Justice and equity. We prioritize establishing trust-based relationships with Black leaders deeply rooted in their communities, aiming to bolster their visions in their unique ways. At times, this involves illuminating the often 'invisible' to the eyes of funders. An example of this was our partnership with the My Village Project (MVP), a volunteer-driven alliance led by Black leaders and comprising over 90 organizations serving families and youth throughout Jacksonville, FL. Despite eight years of excessive demands and inadequate funding, within their first year of partnering with CEP the relationship yielded a seven-figure grant for MVP with a significant national funder.

Our resources – financial, human, and logistical – are always at the disposal of our community partners. When aiding in the establishment of the Transformational Alliance of Black Leadership and Excellence (TABLE) in Cincinnati, Ohio, we provided such resources. With founding members hailing from every significant sector in the city, TABLE is now primed to be a central hub to catalyze, incubate, and champion transformational Black leaders aiming to resolve Cincinnati's most critical issues.

Another instance is our collaboration with Elevate Dayton, a team of extraordinary Black social entrepreneurs in Dayton, Ohio, which led to the inception of the One Digital Dayton platform, an innovative AI-driven digital platform committed to bridging Dayton's mile-wide economic gap. This platform unifies various stakeholders - business owners, job seekers, economic developers - in a single, shared digital ecosystem grounded in equity and economic mobility. Our efforts alongside Elevate Dayton have carved a path for coalition-building at both local and national levels around One Digital Dayton, and steered us toward seeking funding opportunities through the Economic Development Administration’s Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program.

Given CEP’s small budget and team, we take immense pride in what we have been able to accomplish with our community partners. What underlies our effectiveness is our commitment to living out the values we hold. We share our resources (dollars, knowledge, and connections), devoid of any strings attached. There are no clandestine fees for fiscal sponsorship, no implicit quid-pro-quo, and no facade of tokenism to veil our hidden agenda. We believe to truly be a beacon of justice and equity begins with extending trust to others. Express your love, validate the expertise and groundbreaking approaches to change making driven by Black leaders, and you'll discover that trust has a way of being echoed back. Building heartfelt partnerships starts with being clear about your beliefs, interests, expertise, and having the self awareness to know their limitations. Our journey toward equity and justice is more enjoyable when we move together, and our work is more impactful when we address the underlying policies and ideas that reproduce inequity and injustice in new forms.

At CEP, we recognize that the pursuit of justice and equity is a multifaceted journey, laden with obstacles yet also rich with rewards. Our commitment to authenticity, trust, and shared power is unwavering, regardless of the resources we dedicate. We offer our experiences as a lesson to funders genuinely invested in enhancing outcomes in Black communities: Both financial and relational investments only bring about significant change when rooted in the principles of equity and justice.

No pathway exists that is "race-neutral or justice-neutral" that can lead to prosperity for all Americans. Yet, this is the very path that funders allocate billions of dollars to each year. After George Floyd's tragic murder in 2020, funders and corporations pledged a record $11.8 billion towards racial justice. But where are we now?

Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity reports that less than two-thirds of this historic pledge reached its intended recipients. A recent announcement from the Ballmer Group, New Profit, and Echoing Green’s partnership emphasized the grim reality: "Despite Black and Latine leaders making up around 10% of nonprofit leadership in the U.S., they receive a mere 4% of philanthropic funding. Data shows that early-stage Black-led nonprofits operate with 24% smaller revenues and 76% smaller unrestricted net assets, indicating an ongoing bias and a lack of trust in Black leaders within the funding landscape."

Further analysis reveals that among the top 20 recipients of racial equity and justice funding, only two (Unidos US and Equal Justice Initiative) were originally established by and for communities of color. These stark realities underscore the urgent need for a genuine commitment to justice and equity in philanthropy. 

What lived experience teaches us is that funders launch their own racial equity efforts with the belief that they have better solutions than the ones embraced by Black communities. During one of our earliest attempts to hold space between a funder and Black community leaders, CEP was warned by foundation staff that our "ideas" were too disruptive of their vision, and put us at risk of being "cut-off" from future opportunities with the foundation. We were told "program officers share notes and avoid organizations that make their work difficult." We were “moving too fast,” and foundation leaders “weren’t ready to embrace racial equity.” Ironically, these comments came after CEP had been privately invited to share these "ideas" with the foundation's board, who were responsive to our approach, eventually resulting in a landscape-altering investment from the foundation in the visionary work of our community partners foundation staff were eager to dismiss as not worthy. That experience has not stopped us from dreaming big, but it has shown us that dreaming in the presence of gatekeepers can be perilous.

The lack of adequate and available funding for our approach to change is nothing new, and serves as a helpful reminder that the challenges CEP has faced are widely felt among Black leaders and organizations regardless of whether or not they choose to unapologetically center equity and justice. A seasoned educator and community organizer once shared some insight with me that helped put things in perspective: "Foundation staff and boards have difficulty discerning between helping and controlling the work of Black leaders." Indeed, program officers struggle with the “help” vs. “control'' dynamic. If CEP received a one year, unrestricted grant for every time a program officer has shared that they view their role as “translating” or “interpreting” the work of grantees to final decision makers, we would be funded well into the next millennium, and our office would likely be on the moon, staffed entirely by philanthropic robots dedicated to equity and justice.

All jokes aside, authenticity, partnership, and trust form the core of CEP’s approach to our pursuit of creating more prosperous and resilient outcomes with our community partners. We have no intention of deceiving anyone about the type of impact we seek to make. We need your help in the process, but we are not asking for your permission.

Here are three actions funders can take today to support racial equity and justice:

1. Fulfill and Expand Racial Equity and Justice Funding Commitments to Racial Equity: Fund Black-led and governed organizations centering racial equity and justice. Particularly those not typically on the radar in the places like the Midwest and Southeast. If you're unsure of where to begin, consider supporting CEP and our partner organizations such as Elevate Dayton, TABLE, and MVP. Additionally, we highly recommend supporting COAACC, a central Ohio-based organization of which CEP is a proud member. Introductions can be provided upon request.

2. Support the Ongoing Development of Your Staff and Board: Partner with Camelback’s Capital Collaborative as they hold space for white identifying funders to diversify their networks and make their grantmaking more equitable.  Hire firms like ShiftED Consulting that specialize in developing leaders with the knowledge and tools to eradicate anti-blackness and white supremacy, both individually and systemically, to foster inclusive and thriving environments.

3. Invest in Community-Based Solutions for Racial Equity and Justice: With roughly 262 state, county, and municipal declarations acknowledging racism as a public health crisis across the U.S., and Ohio leading with about 32 such declarations, there's an immense opportunity to align with organizations like CEP and Black Community Innovators. Together with like-minded local officials, we can confront racial and social inequality from all angles, tackling issues both "upstream" and "downstream". The potential for change is extraordinary!

We're inviting the funding community to join us in a mission that might seem impossible. Yet, it's a mission our ancestors embarked on and one our current leaders carry on daily. We're not seeking permission, but rather, your genuine partnership. If you truly wish to be a part of this journey, don't hesitate to connect with me at charles@cepartners.io.

Disclaimer: This article is written by Charles McDonald, Founder and Principal of Actualize Impact, and Founder and CEO of Community Engagement Partners (CEP). It's important for readers to be aware that Community Engagement Partners (CEP) is a financial supporter of Elevate Dayton's One Digital Dayton workforce and economic development initiative. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Elevate Dayton or One Digital Dayton.

By Serdar Tumgoren

of Big Local News

Trying to keep tabs on contractors scooping up bids in the region? School boards discussing CRT? The latest big box store angling to build in your town? Agenda Watch has you covered.

The new Agenda Watch platform, built by Big Local News at Stanford University and the Reynolds Journalism Institute, is now live to help journalists shine a light on local government. By law, public agencies must post notice of upcoming discussions (agendas) and provide a record of their meetings (minutes). Agenda Watch harvests those documents on a daily basis from agencies across the country. You can research topics of interest on the platform and subscribe to receive alerts when similar items crop up in new documents.

Agenda Watch is designed by and for local reporters. Many of us have spent late nights in city council and school board meetings, waiting for a vital public issue to come up for discussion. And many of us have missed important public meetings because there simply are too many to cover. 

Government doesn’t slow down for the public, but our hope is that Agenda Watch will enable journalists and the public to keep a closer eye on decisions that affect their communities.

Learn more here

By Nate Dillard

The big picture: The looming U.S. debt ceiling crisis could spell financial trouble for the nation, particularly for marginalized groups, such as Black Americans. As Congress tussles over raising the federal debt limit, the threat of an unprecedented default hangs heavy, according to The Grio. 

Why it matters: If the U.S. defaults on its loans, it could trigger far-reaching economic turmoil. This scenario could disproportionately impact Black and brown households, including those in Dayton, Ohio, where many depend on federal services. 

Zoom in: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy insists on spending cuts in return for a debt limit increase, which could lead to reduced funding for public schools and safety programs. As Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) explains, such cuts could harm the entire country, but especially the Black community. 

What we're hearing: Many experts, including equity scholar Michael Neal, warn of an uncertain fallout from a U.S. default. The possible fallout includes the suspension of federal workers' pay and a stoppage of vital services like food stamps and Social Security, which support a significant percentage of the Black community. 

Between the lines: The prospect of a default also spells danger for Black veterans and older Black women, who are typically more reliant on federal benefits due to systemic issues such as wage disparities and access to healthcare. 

What we're watching: The knock-on effect on the economy could increase borrowing costs for things such as auto, home, and personal loans. Neal also warns that communities of color, who typically have weaker credit profiles, could face increased credit access difficulties. 

The backstory: The debt ceiling is the legislative limit of money the U.S. government can borrow. As the nation's expenditure exceeds its revenue, the need to increase the debt limit becomes imperative to avoid defaulting on its debts. 

Catch up quickly: The U.S. has never defaulted on its loans, and it's currently in uncharted territory as the June 1 deadline approaches. If an agreement is not reached, the repercussions could be devastating. 

What's next: The future of the U.S. economy now largely rests on President Biden's ability to negotiate with Republicans over the debt ceiling and avoid spending cuts. 

The bottom line: The debt ceiling crisis could be financially disastrous for many Americans, especially Black and brown communities, if not handled carefully. 

Go deeper: The ongoing crisis underscores the need for a balanced approach to fiscal policies that protect the most vulnerable while maintaining economic stability. 

The community angle: The Black and brown communities of Dayton, Ohio, like many across the U.S., rely heavily on federally funded services, and they stand to bear the brunt of the impending crisis. They could face more significant struggles due to systemic disparities in healthcare, education, and the labor market. These communities will need special attention to buffer the potential negative impacts of the debt ceiling crisis. 

How two efforts – one to build understanding between faith and the media, and one to strengthen BIPOC-owned and-serving media – can inform each other and yield more accurate coverage of faith and BIPOC communities.

By David Morgan

Media plays a critical role for our country – it shapes how we think about ourselves, one another, and our collective world. We rely on the media for guidance into the social, economic, and political events that we may not always be privy to all the details of, and the media in turn weaves a narrative for us to follow. Sometimes, those narratives don’t align with a community’s ideals or way of thinking – particularly true with BIPOC communities.

So when the media has a blindspot, it impacts all of us.

In my work, I focus on the impact these blindspots have on communities of color. But the same can be said about communities of faith.

A blindspot exists in both of these communities, one that results in very little mainstream media coverage of each. And when these communities do garner such coverage, it’s often coverage of controversy or scandal, which only continues to feed negative narratives and the lackluster perceptions of faith by some.

The United States is at an important inflection point in the fight for economic, social and political justice and equality. We are also at an inflection point on what it means to be a citizen.

In that context, misrepresentative media coverage has serious economic and social implications for the BIPOC and faith communities, and society as a whole – from reinforcing negative stereotypes and exacerbating barriers between people, to fostering polarization and economic exclusion.

That’s partly what makes a burgeoning national conversation on faith and the media so important – and it’s why BIPOC and multicultural media should play a central role in informing that discussion.

The Multicultural Media Correspondents Association works to engage, advocate for, celebrate, and – most importantly – invest in local BIPOC media outlets as a fixture of civic infrastructure for communities across the country. Through this, we have worked to counter negative mainstream media narratives and to strengthen the accuracy of stories told through mainstream media from and about Americans of color.

Fortunately, a new Faith & Media Initiative, of which I am honored to be a part, has helped launch a similar  conversation in the hopes of garnering more accurate coverage of matters of faith.

The question of how we address the rift between news consumers of religious faith and media representations of those faiths served as the basis for a robust and insightful discussion during both the Horasis USA Meeting and in Dubai as part of the World Government Summit.

These conversations made clear that there are several causes underlying this media blindspot, with much of it centered on fear. 

Good reporters want to get the story right, but may not know enough about an institution of faith to feel comfortable reporting on that institution’s work, and may be anxious about getting something wrong and inadvertently offending their readers or viewers. 

Leaders of faith institutions can sometimes feel anxious about engaging with the press and accidentally overstepping, opening themselves up to scrutiny of their nonprofit statuses.

Such anxiety can lead to skewed coverage. According to new research conducted for the Faith & Media Initiative, over 60% of faith-related media content analyzed stemmed from stories of either controversy or scandal.

By developing and furthering relationships between the media and members of faith institutions, these relationships will then yield a better understanding of the other.  

Another important, yet often overlooked, solution is to build upon what is already working: investing in the media sector that can truly connect and report on the generative role that people and institutions of faith play in helping communities to thrive: BIPOC-led and-serving media, who exist as a critical and endangered part of our civic infrastructure.

BIPOC community media have long-standing relationships with the faith institutions in the communities they cover. Both BIPOC media outlets and local faith institutions are more aware of each others’ social work and support for members of the community, and are integral parts of underserved communities. 

BIPOC media and faith institutions work to provide spaces for connection, inspire leadership, create organizational capacity, build networks, and facilitate experiences that help people engage across their differences and develop a shared sense of collective good. 

For instance, while we do not often hear mainstream media stories about faith institutions providing support to their communities during the pandemic, local BIPOC media have taken special care to share these community-minded stories.

This moment presents an opportunity. Both BIPOC media and faith institutions are critical and essential parts of the civic infrastructure of communities and have proven to effectively work together. They can – and must – unite over a common purpose to help strengthen democracy, advance racial equity, create social cohesion and increase civic engagement. It is crucial that they improve their communication, engagement, and resource-sharing to help advance these goals. 

There is no better time than now for this conversation.

David Morgan is co-founder the CEO of the Mutlicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to increasing BIPOC media ownership and changing harmful narratives through advocacy, coalition building, media business transformation and celebrating multicultural media excellence.

The Minority Business Development Agency Federal Procurement Center is presenting a Black History month podcast series during the month of February 2023. They have selected 28 leaders from around the globe who they believe are committed to living out the precepts of, and promoting President Biden's Executive Order 13985 Advancing Racial Equity in their daily lives. 

Timothy Maurice Webster, Behavioral Psychologist, Author & Professional Podcaster, MBDA FPC, Operator | President, KDM & Associates, LLC, about his understanding of how the MBDA FPC is helping to create an inspired community of entrepreneurs, minority businesses, change agents and public sector officials from the Federal Government agencies who are committed to Advancing Racial Equity through Executive Order 13985. This is the first of a series of podcasts during Black History Month.

The Host / Interviewer: 

Timothy Maurice Webster, Timothy Maurice Webster, Behavioral Psychologist, Brain and Brand  Author, & Professional Podcaster

tmaurice@mbdafpcenter.com 

Guest Speaker:

Keith Moore, MBDA FPC, Operator | President, KDM & Associates, LLC

kmoore@mbdafpcenter.com  

ST. LOUIS, MO – For the past 112 years, the St. Louis Argus Newspaper has established itself as a trusted voice for Missouri’s diverse African American communities. Founded in 1912 by brothers Joseph Everett Mitchell and William Mitchell, the St. Louis Argus is the oldest continuously operating African American-owned business west of the Mississippi River. 

Named after Argos Panoptes, a Greek mythological giant called the “all-seeing one” because his body was covered with 100 eyes that never closed. The Argus has steadfastly continued its mission to inform and protect the St. Louis African American community through its journalism, with insight, truth, and diligence.

Today, the ARGUS sports a different look, but it is still a “NEVER-SLEEPING CRUSADER” regarding Social Justice, Political Fidelity, and Economic Progress. It continues to uplift the African American community, as well as the larger community of Greater St. Louis and the surrounding Midwest Region, with its coverage of relevant issues, inspiring individuals and events, and its dedication to “Speaking Truth to Power” for the ascendance of a more inclusive, ethical and vibrant St. Louis.

To better meet the needs in today’s challenging political and social environment, the Argus will launch the “ARGUS NEWS. NOW. – Emerging From Our Past Into The Future” initiative to increase racial equity from all angles with a specific emphasis on Community Development, Healthcare, Economic Development, and Social Justice. In addition, the ARGUS News Now program will also highlight the work of diversity change agents, organizational advocacy, and community influencers committed to building equitable solutions. 

Recently, the Argus has also expanded its reach to regional news affecting Kansas City, East St. Louis as well as St. Louis City and County. In addition, the Argus News is embracing technology to reach old and new audiences and adopt a digital mindset to reach more than 400,000 online readers and subscribers via its website, e-mail and social media platforms.

“We are inviting all companies, organizations, and individuals to get involved in this new initiative and serve as key partners who will work diligently to decrease the disparities in the African American community,” said T.D. El Amin, publisher of the St. Louis Argus. 

Specifically, the Argus is currently searching for Key Partners to inform, assist and provide funding sponsorship for developing solutions-based access to resources. Key partners will attend virtual town halls and in-person events and address the intersection between financial, community, and health equity areas of focus. The Argus is particularly looking for representatives from community development financial institutions, public-facing institutions, community service organizations, and philanthropic organizations.

Learn more: https://stlargusnews.com/argusnewsnow/

Interested parties should contact the ARGUS in St. Louis  at st.louis.argus@gmail.com  / www.stlargusnews.com or call to schedule an appointment 314.632.6079.

(Back row left to right) Levi Rickert, Daniel Laplaza, Da’Shaun Harrison. (Second row left to right) Emily Daly, Maria Hernandez, Melanie Figueiredo, Sonali Kohli, Rae’Mah Henderson, Valeria Fernandez. (Third row left to right) Leonor Ayala Polley, Ashton Lattimore, Ariam Alula, Janelle Zagala, Andaiye Taylor, Mitra Kalita, Ellah Nze. (Front row left to right) Ashanti Martin, Arya Royal, Mukhtar M. Ibrahim, Tareq Alani, Candice Fortman, Mazin Sidahmed, Sara Lomax. Photo: Hari Adivarekar

January 3, 2023

News RJI Partnerships Research

Measuring the unique impact of BIPOC media

Arya Royal

This partnership between RJI and URL Media strives to measure how communities are empowered by the media they’re consuming

URL Media is partnering with the Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) to research and develop new metrics to quantify the depth of engagement BIPOC media outlets have with their communities that is not solely based on stale media buying metrics rooted in scale. 

The approach of this project aims to measure what we call the “currency of impact,” the multitude of ways that BIPOC media outlets serve, center, support and uplift their audiences. It also seeks to disrupt traditional pricing models such as CPMs (cost per mille; impressions for every thousand impressions as ad receives) or audience scale quantified by page views or unique visitors—metrics more favorable to national media or organizations driven by less diverse stakeholders. 

URL Media, a network of 18 high-performing Black and Brown media outlets across the U.S., launched two years ago in the wake of 2020’s protests over racialized violence and police brutality. It boasts a diversified revenue model consisting of advertising, philanthropy and inclusive talent development services. Co-founders Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita, veteran media executives who respectively run WURD Radio in Philadelphia and Epicenter-NYC, had grown frustrated with the prevalence of news practices that anonymized and otherized people of color’s day-to-day experiences. They sought to achieve scale without sacrificing the trust and intimacy of local, community media. 

But conveying the value of the media outlets to their communities and the premium, targeted audiences they represent, requires a constant education of clients, sponsors and advertising partners. 

“Impact investing means advertisers are not only pouring their dollars into scale and reach, but into outlets that significantly resource and represent the diverse voices of their respective communities,” says Melanie Figueiredo, URL Media Vice President for Ad Sales and Sponsorships. “The feedback we receive from our users, the gratitude, is unparalleled in the mainstream media marketplace. We organically produce a loyal media consumer, who is also empowered by the media they are consuming.”

She cites metrics that taken together can help paint a picture of this impact and empowerment: open rates on newsletters, action taken after published stories and attendance at events or forums.

The time has never been better for equity of measurement in digital media. Advertising firms and the companies they represent are often governed by a commitment to spend on sustainable, ethical activities that promote environmental, social or governance (ESG) interests. They need new standards to evaluate how to choose which companies they’ll invest in. As we’ve seen, news organizations can count less on an Elon Musk-led Twitter and overhauled Facebook for traffic to their sites. 

The time has never been better for equity of measurement in digital media. Advertising firms and the companies they represent are often governed by a commitment to spend on sustainable, ethical activities that promote environmental, social or governance (ESG) interests. They need new standards to evaluate how to choose which companies they’ll invest in.

This makes the direct audiences who turn to members of the URL Media network ever more valuable. 

Still, talk of CPMs and audience scale dominate media investment meetings, where advertisers decide which companies are going to receive sustaining funds. While many corporations and agencies earmark ad dollars specifically for the work of Black and Brown publishers, the publishers themselves don’t report significant uptick.  

“Oftentimes what happens is corporations appropriate money to the Fifth Avenue advertising agencies, who suck it all up and the money doesn’t trickle down to publishers,”  says Levi Rickert, publisher and editor of Native News Online and Tribal Business News. “[The funds get] caught in this vicious loop and power still lies in ad agencies, which are predominantly white.” 

He was quoted in a URL Media story on where advertising dollars pledged after the murder of George Floyd had gone. In 2020, only 2 percent of U.S. advertising dollars was spent with Black-owned media, according to Nielsen Ad Intel. “For sure the issue went out of vogue for many corporations,” says Jade Ogunnaike, senior campaign director at Color of Change, an online racial justice organization. “Every Fortune 500 made commitments, but very few followed up on those commitments and refused a clear transparent process.”

A focus on brand-safety also has a disproportionate effect on Black and Brown publishers. An investigation last year by The Markup found that Google blocked advertisers from putting money against terms like Black Lives Matter in YouTube videos whereas “all lives matter” and “White lives matter” were just fine. 

“We’ve had to purposefully and consistently become activists in media-buying meetings, by challenging the status quo. Whether that’s highlighting the harmful and racist nature of ‘brand safe words’ or challenging the old model of reach, CPM, scale,” says Figueiredo. “Our audiences engage differently, and that’s what differentiates their quantifiable media consumption value, and the cost of their attention. This is a premium, curated, attentive, audience. And the ad dollars we are deriving should and do reflect that, even in our inaugural year of this work.”

Indeed, a comparative content analysis of the Black press and U.S. mainstream media published by the Center for Community Media at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY found that Black media excels more than mainstream media in covering issues important to Black communities, including racism, health disparities, and voting access and provides more historical context to present-day challenges.

Besides other measurements such as open rates and impact, Figueiredo also mentions business principles such as working with vendors and service providers run by people of color: “Those media consumers are also consumers of other goods and services — and they look to patronize brands that are shepherding their dollars back to these same communities. Representation affects spend. In a cookieless world, the relationships we are building with our audiences are invaluable.”

For the next year, URL Media and RJI will work on new and comprehensive ways for media to quantify their value. We will be working with a combination of journalists, data analysts, ad-tech engineers, and sales and marketing experts. Throughout this project we will share transparent updates, ask for feedback and provide adoptable resources which will include guides, a white paper, webinars and ultimately a resource that other newsrooms can use. This resource will provide a model and metrics to define and calculate your service journalism’s social and economic footprint on the communities you serve.

Arya Royal currently works full time at URL Media. She graduated from the Distinguished Major Program in Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law at the University of Virginia. She recently served as a researcher and interviewer for Nora Neus’s oral history, 24 Hours in Charlottesville, to be published in July of 2023. 

EURweb in collaboration with Image Geyser and the BIPOCXChange is kicking off a yearlong multimedia examination, critique, and celebration of the artist, the album, and Hip Hop’s cultural impact and influence beginning with the 30th Anniversary of The Chronic.

READ THE STORY on BXC Metapage

READ THE STORY on EURweb

LISTEN TO ARTICLE HERE: 

Elevate Dayton is one of the media outlets receiving funding from the Google News Equity Fund. The outlet received $11,000 in non-dilutive funding to support original journalism for purposes including paying personnel, work tools, marketing expenses and other needs. Elevate Dayton was among more than 450 newsrooms from 52 countries to receive funding through the News Equity Fund.

“Elevate Dayton is proud to be a beneficiary of the Google News Equity Fund to help further empower our community mission and spur future growth,” said publisher Nate Dillard. “With this investment, we will be able to further expand our reach and push for greater positive change in Dayton’s under-represented communities.”

The News Equity Fund is Google’s global commitment to providing financial support and opportunities to news organizations that primarily serve underrepresented communities. Goals for the News Equity Fund include strengthening inclusion, empowering a diverse news ecosystem and supporting small and medium-sized publishers in creating original journalism for underrepresented audiences worldwide.

Elevate Dayton was also a graduate of the Google News Initiative (GNI) North America Sponsorships Lab. The 14-week program helped members and other public service newsrooms increase revenue from event sponsorships, sponsored content and other earned revenue sources. The program is a part of the GNI Digital Growth Program, which helps news organizations grow their digital businesses through free training, consulting and support.

During the GNI Sponsorships Lab, Dillard learned how to hone Elevate Dayton’s customer value proposition, redesign its media kit and strengthen its sponsorship pricing and rate card. He also learned how to sell different types of sponsorship for various forms of media, including podcasts, email newsletters, event sponsorships and others. Dillard met virtually with other publishers from across the nation bi-weekly about sponsorship sales progress and updates.

“Nate was an enthusiastic participant,” said Fran Scarlett, a coach for Blue Engine Collaborative that partnered with the GNI Sponsorship Lab. “He is dedicated to making his enterprise successful and to growing his revenue through sponsorships and is eager to put what he’s learned into practice.”

The Elevate Dayton team first learned about the Google News Equity Fund and the GNI Sponsorships Lab through the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA), the outlet’s first investors. The MMCA held a webinar in July on its BIPOCXChange platform to inform and educate publishers about the opportunity.

Moving forward, the Elevate Dayton team plans to use what they learned during the GNI Sponsorships Lab to onboard several new sponsors in early 2023. The outlet also plans to hire an editor and staff writers next year.

Disclosures: The MMCA is an investor for Elevate Dayton. Nate Dillard, publisher of Elevate Dayton, is a partial owner of the BIPOCXChange. Linda Miller, editorial advisor to Elevate Dayton, is director of the Equitable Media and Economies Initiative, which is a joint project of MMCA and RJI.

A year into the pandemic, Black veteran entrepreneurs were asked to take stock of their experiences. What they said may surprise you.

 

By Malik Keith and Linda Miller, Elevate Dayton

 

COVID-19 has exacted a heavy toll on the nation's 2.5 million veteran entrepreneurs. A survey conducted by Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military families found that, barely a year into the pandemic, 39% veteran-owned businesses had closed due to COVID-19, and more than 41% were operating at 20-40% capacity.

But the study also revealed some encouraging signs, especially among Black and African American entrepreneurs. For instance, we know that COVID-19 has disproportionately harmed minority-owned businesses as a whole. Yet veterans responding to the Syracuse survey were not any more likely to anticipate closing their businesses than White entrepreneurs.

In addition:

 

• 90% of Black and African American respondents said they were able to adapt their business during the pandemic;
• 83% were able to accommodate (themselves or employees) to work from home;
• And 78% believed their business/venture would survive the pandemic.

Two years later, the road to veteran entrepreneurship is still paved with obstacles, especially for women and people of color. In this story, the last installment in our COVID Can’t Stop Us editorial campaign, Elevate Dayton explores some of those barriers and what is being done to address them.

 

Source: Maury, R.; Tihic, M., Almissalati, N. (2021). Data Brief: Black & African American Veteran Entrepreneurs. Syracuse, NY: Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University. © 2021, IVMF at Syracuse University

 

‘Vetrepreneurship’ declining

In the past, creating a business was the norm for nearly half of U.S. veterans who returned home from major conflicts. According to Syracuse University, nearly 50% of veterans who served in World War II started their own businesses, and roughly 40% of soldiers from the Korean War started businesses. But this is a trend that has dropped dramatically in recent years.

 

A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics says less than 5% of the more than 3.6 million people who have served in America's armed forces since September 11, 2001, created a company.

 

One reason for the dropoff is a change in the types of available jobs. In the past, vets would come home, work on an assembly line, and climb the ladder into management positions, which would ultimately teach them the skills needed to be a business owner. In recent years, those manufacturing jobs have vanished, forcing veterans to acquire those skills in other ways. 

 

Another factor has to do with the resources available to veterans returning from active duty. The G.I. Bill of World War II guaranteed loans for veterans who borrowed money to purchase a home, business or farm. The modern-day version does not.

 

Another factor could be that Americans with lower family incomes are more likely to join the military than those with higher family income, meaning they may have fewer financial resources with which to start a business.

 

In fact, access to capital remains the top-cited barrier for businesses owned by women and minority veterans. According to the most recent Syracuse University survey:

 

• 63% of Black entrepreneurs and 55% of women entrepreneurs say the capital they need is not readily available, compared to 44% of Whites and 41% of men;
• Black entrepreneurs (57%) and women (51%) were more likely to be turned down by a creditor or lender than Whites (52%) or men (36%);
• Black and women entrepreneurs also were less likely to apply for another loan after being turned down;
• And 50% of Black veterans and 44% of women were not able to secure any funding to expand or grow their business, compared to White veterans (25%) and men (27%).
   

Source: Maury, R.V.; Tihic, M., Feng., R. (2022). Data Brief: Black & African American Veteran Entrepreneurs. Syracuse, NY: Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University. © 2022, IVMF at Syracuse University

Despite these barriers, the number of women military entrepreneurs continues to rise. Between 2007 and 2012, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, the number of women veteran-owned companies almost quadrupled, to about 383,000 from just 97,000.

One Daytonian who has successfully made the transition from veteran to businesswoman is Juanita Darden, owner of Third Perk Cafe and soon-to-be-owner of a new soul food kitchen. 

Juanita Darden has kept multiple businesses afloat during the pandemic. (Photos courtesy of Juanita Darden)

 

Darden weathered the challenges of running a business during the COVID-19 pandemic and is positioned to open a new restaurant in part because of assistance from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and resources from the city of Dayton.

“The help was very important,” Darden said, “The money we received from the city was very instrumental.”

 

SEE RELATED STORY: Local business owner embarks on new business despite the pandemic

Another local Black woman entrepreneur who is expanding her business footprint in Dayton is Air Force veteran Charlynda Scales, founder and CEO of Mutt’s Sauce, LLC. Scales, who has an MBA in Strategic Leadership, started the company after inheriting a secret sauce recipe from her grandfather, Charlie “Mutt” Ferrell Jr., who also served in the Air Force, in Vietnam and the Korean War.

Recently, Scales teamed up with two other Black women entrepreneurs to co-found a large-scale commercial and training kitchen. The 6888 Kitchen Incubator (pronounced “six-triple-eight”) will be a two-story, 10,000-square-foot commercial kitchen, retail space and classroom situated inside the Dayton Arcade when it opens late next year or in early 2024.

 

Veterans often credit the leadership skills and other lessons from their military service for preparing them for entrepreneurship, and more recently, for helping them survive COVID—lessons like don’t accept defeat, utilize the resources you have, and always have a contingency plan. But making that initial leap to business owner isn’t for the faint-hearted.

 

SEE RELATED STORY: Collaboration helps Dayton entrepreneurs build resilience and foster collective responsibility

“The steady paycheck of the military — the stability of a full-time job — is a stark contrast to being a small business owner,” Scales told CNBC in a 2019 interview. “At every point, you’re trying to save on overhead, and there’s no part of your day that isn’t involved with saving money.” 

One telling insight from the Syracuse studies is that while community development finance institutions (CDFIs) were instrumental in funneling much-needed federal COVID relief dollars to small businesses, they are rarely if ever utilized by veteran entrepreneurs. Just 1% of survey respondents tapped CDFIs in 2020 and 2021, making it one of the least utilized sources of capital.

Given that about half of veteran entrepreneurs require $50,000 or less for startup and growth, and that a primary purpose of CDFIs to invest in small businesses in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, increasing awareness and access could pay big dividends for some minority-owned veteran businesses.

SEE RELATED STORY: The ABC’s of CDFIs

 

Source: Maury, R.; Tihic, M., Pritchard, A. (2022). Data Brief: Women Veteran Entrepreneurs. Syracuse, NY: D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University. © 2022, IVMF at Syracuse University

Motivation and Mentorship

In 2020, 88 veteran-owned businesses received aid through the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act in Montgomery County, according to the county’s website.

 

One of those businesses is Creek Technologies (CreekTech), a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that specializes in delivering innovative information technology solutions, educational services, and management consulting. The company was named one of “Dayton’s Fasted Growing Businesses” in 2019 and “Small Business of the Year'' by the Dayton Biz Journals.

 

Creek Tech CreekTech’s president and CEO, Lea Culver, served in the U.S. Army as part of the Army Space Program Office from 1983 to 1992. He specialized in engineering satellite imaging intelligence R&D systems and aerial reconnaissance systems supporting the Department of Defense and an array of federal agencies.

For Culver, being a fulltime businessman is a process that happened over time. 

“When I came out and started Creek Technologies it was a type of a side gig,” Culver said. “When I made the shift over to be full-time in my businesses, I self-funded the company from 2007 through 2016.”

 

Source: Maury, R., Tihic, M., Pritchard, A., McKelvie, A., Euto, L. (2022, Jan). 2021 National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs. Syracuse, NY: Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University. © 2022, IVMF at Syracuse University

In addition to funding, other challenges faced by aspiring veteran business owners include a lack of social capital, inadequate mentorship, and difficulty maintaining a positive work-life balance, according to the 2016 report Operation: Vetrepreneurship.

In fact, the opportunity to be financially independent consistently continues to rank among the top motivations for minority veterans starting a business, along with maintaining personal freedom and a desire to support their community, according to the 2021 Syracuse study. 

 

Culver says it often takes veterans later in life to secure the resources and knowledge to start a business and he believes that can be having an impact on the decline in the number of veteran entrepreneurs. It is not that they have no desire to start a business. It just might take longer for them to reach that goal.  

“Veterans are trained to be mission-oriented, but very few are trained to be business leaders,” Culver said. 

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, small veteran-owned businesses employ more than 5 million people across the United States. Additionally, they create revenue of more than $1.4 trillion a year, and a yearly payroll of $195 billion. 

 

Fewer veteran business owners has a ripple effect because employers who once served in the armed forces are 30 percent more likely to hire other veterans, according to a 2012 study from the International Franchise Association. 

“To continue service to this country, I’m doing it as a disabled service veteran that focuses on hiring veterans,” Culver said. 

Licensing and Training

Another veteran-owned business in Dayton is The Next Wave, a marketing and advertising agency owned by David Esrati, who served in the U.S. Army from 1981 to 1987. In 2004, Esrati helped start VOB 108, a group of veteran business owners in Dayton whose mission is to support and help one another acquire skills, grow small businesses and win government contracts.

The federal government seeks to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) each year.

“We found that most contractors require a General Services Administration Schedule (GSA),” Esrati said. “If you are selling professional services, it gets more complicated.”

Esrati said if business owners aren’t able to obtain a certain level of contracts within a certain time period, they risk being taken off of the schedule, which ultimately puts their business at risk. 

David Esrati founded VOB 108 to support veteran business owners in obtaining government contracts.

“There have been a lot of organizations that have tried to crack the code and get representation in federal contracting,” Esrati said. “To get past performance within the government system, the contract has to be $250,000 or bigger. It is not set up for very small businesses.”

Esrati also notes that transitioning to a volunteer force has led to fewer people with military experience. 

“In World War II, Korea and Vietnam there was a draft,” said Esrati. “At one point a large majority of people in Congress all had military service. Now it is less than 10%. The military population is way smaller now.”

In response to the drop in veterans starting businesses, there has been a proliferation of courses, programs and incubators that help veteran entrepreneurs.

One of them is Boots to Businesses, run through the U.S. Small Business Association It involves training via military installations around the world through the U.S. Department of Defense Transitions Assistance Program (TAP). There is also the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program (WVETP), which offers training to women veterans and women spouses of service members as they grow their businesses.

In addition to funding and education for veterans who are aspiring businesses owners, both Culver and Esrati say much of the support will have to come from those who have already successfully made the transition, and the skills they learned in the military are qualities that are needed for those who want to start their own company. 

“I can tell you that the discipline, the structure and the accountability is absolutely unheralded,” Esrati said. “Most veteran business owners I know would hire a veteran any day.” 

Culver says he always keeps his door open for veterans who have questions or need a place to get started. He owns an office suite that he gives veterans access to for a full year without charge so they can establish a presence in the community. The space also gives new veteran business owners access to phones, internet and other essential tools. Culver says the shared experiences people have when they serve in the military is a special type of relationship, and he is committed to passing on his knowledge to fellow soldiers. 

“I still mentor other smaller veteran business owners in common business practices,” Culver said. “Veterans are really a part of a fraternity and a brotherhood. It is a bond that transcends any type of relationship that we can form in life.”

More resources for veteran entrepreneurs

The Surgeon General and other health officials field questions about COVID vaccines and health equity issues from multicultural media professionals via the BIPOCXChange on Oct. 27, 2002.

Top U.S. health officials leverage the power of BIPOC media to inform and engage communities about the proven benefits of COVID vaccines and treatments and to combat misinformation as they work to save lives and head off a winter surge of the virus. 

By Linda Miller

Oct. 29, 2022

WASHINGTON (BIPOCXChange Media Wire) – Federal health officials are looking to news outlets to boost awareness and uptake of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines as the weather turns colder and COVID infection rates begin their predictable rise. And judging from an online news conference held last week, multicultural media are ready to take up the challenge. 

The hour-long briefing with top health officials was co-hosted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association using MMCA’s BIPOCXChange, a new digital platform created to connect multicultural media stakeholders with each other and with entities wanting to invest, engage and do business with them. It drew nearly 80 journalists and other media professionals, most of them representing Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American communities that have disproportionately borne the brunt of COVID-19.

Addressing inequities was a central theme of the multicultural media briefing as well as the focus of the Biden-Harris Administration’s pandemic response and its  “We Can Do This” vaccine public education initiative. Over the course of the vaccination rollout, Black and Hispanic people have been less likely than their White counterparts to receive a vaccine, but these disparities have narrowed over time and reversed for Hispanic people.

“COVID’s not done with us yet, but we’ve got more resources and tools than ever before, between the vaccines, the masks that we can get to all communities, the availability of tests, and the availability of treatments that can save your life or keep you out of the hospital,” said Dr. Cameron Webb, White House senior policy advisor for COVID-19 equity. “We’ve got to make sure that we are getting these to the people who need them most.”

(To view the multicultural media press conference, click here.)

In late August, the Food and Drug Administration approved new, updated COVID-19 vaccines that target both the new omicron variants and the original strain of the virus. The bivalent boosters are now authorized for use by those ages 5 and older who are at least two months out from their last shot, and administration officials believe they are a critical step to pushing the U.S. out of the pandemic.

“When we look at the data, what we see is that the vast majority who are dying from COVID right now are people who tend to be either unvaccinated or undervaccinated, meaning that they are not up-to-date with their vaccines, or they are people who have not actually received treatments like Paxlovid when they’ve gotten ill,” U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy told reporters.

“This is such an important moment for us as we go into the winter to make sure we are taking all the right steps to protect people from the worst outcomes of COVID, and anything you can do to help get the word out will help us save lives and prevent people from ending up in the hospital.”

So far, Americans have been slow to get the new vaccine. As of Oct. 27, 22.8 million people or 7.3% of those eligible to receive the new shots have gotten them, according to just released CDC data. One reason could be that not enough people know about the shots or are confident that they qualify.

A national Kaiser Family Foundation poll conducted in late September found only modest awareness of the updated vaccine, with half of adults surveyed saying they had heard “a lot” (17%) or “some” (33%) about the updated booster, 31% saying they had heard “a little,” and one in five saying they had heard “nothing at all” about the new vaccine doses. Among adults who are fully vaccinated, 40% said they were unsure if the updated COVID-19 booster dose is recommended for them, with Black (47%) and Hispanic (51%) respondents even more uncertain. 

Webb noted that partnerships with community-based organizations were key to closing racial gaps both in primary vaccinations and the first rounds of booster shots, and he said they will be critical this time around, too.

“We know there is a path to making sure equity is centered in the vaccination effort and it starts with respecting and acknowledging that people from the community really are going to be the key to our success, and recognizing that there are resources that are necessary to help support those organizations in their outreach and their work.”

Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, the “We Can Do This” campaign has partnered with more than 1,000 organizations, the majority of which work with minority or rural communities, reaching over 26 million people and resulting in tens of thousands of vaccinations, said Georgeta Dragoiu, an HHS public affairs official who works on the campaign. 

Officials also have engaged ad agencies to co-create culturally relevant and in-language content, and campaign materials have been translated into more than 17 languages, including English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese, she said.

And just this week, the campaign launched new national and local TV, radio and print ads in English and Spanish, geared at reaching Black and Latino audiences in more than 30 markets, including Miami, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Columbia, S.C.

CDC also has created a variety of culturally relevant materials and worked closely with partners such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants to offer additional resources including factsheets, videos, toolkits and conversation guides, noted Dr. Jose Romero, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, where he leads CDC’s efforts to detect, prevent and respond to vaccine-preventable and respiratory infectious disease threats.

“The CDC has worked to eliminate racial and ethnic inequities by addressing barriers to vaccination in structural and social conditions that give rise to them, such as lack of access to healthcare and insurance, missed opportunities to vaccinate, as well as misinformation and distrust,” Romero said. “We have focused efforts on vaccine supply, provider access, as well as recipient education.”

Several media representatives expressed appreciation for those and other efforts and asked what more they could be doing to inform and protect their communities.

Alvaro Gurdián, president of the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP), wanted suggestions on how  to use in-language and other materials to reach and engage their audiences. “We have ideas. This is what we do. But I’d also like to get your input on that.”

Preston Ng, development and programs associate for the Asian American Journalists Association, noted that AAJA has been at the forefront of ensuring that newsrooms are not exacerbating the stigmatization and racism that has been aimed at Asian American Pacific Islander communities due to COVID. “How can journalists continue to report on COVID and not perpetuate this stigma?” he asked.

David Morgan, president and CEO of the MMCA, inquired how equitable media organizations could better collaborate with one another and with HHS to “really deepen and make sure there is a consistent message, and that there is community voice and community engagement not only around COVID-19 but about health equity issues in general?”

And Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association/Black Press of America, asked what administration officials are doing to dispel misinformation about vaccines and how multicultural media organizations might help. 

Surgeon General Murthy urged media professionals to shine a light on those trusted voices in communities that are sharing accurate information.

“When we looked at people who changed their mind about getting vaccinated between January 2021 and the summer of ‘21, it turned out a big reason that folks decided to get vaccinated was because they talked to a family member, a friend or their healthcare provider,” Murthy said. “So the bottom line is there’s a lot that you can do to help lift up the right message and accurate, scientifically-based advice, but also to lift up the right messengers in communities.”

He added that churches and other civic organizations, beauty salons and barber shops, have “played a vital role in providing space and places where people can come and get vaccinated, and they often did this in partnership with local pharmacies. And of course, local doctors and nurses have been vital in this effort to get people vaccinated.” 

Amplifying the voices of those trusted community messengers can also help counteract misinformation,  he said.

“Accurate information is essential for us to make sure people get the vaccines and life-saving treatments they deserve. And unfortunately, we have seen an avalanche of misinformation during the last couple of years that I believe has actually cost us lives because it has turned people away from measures that could have protected them from the worst outcomes of COVID-19.”

In July of 2021, Murthy issued a Surgeon General’s Advisory on misinformation to combat the profound impact it was having on health, including tools and tips of what individuals can do to help make a difference. 

Levi Rickert, founder, editor and publisher of Native News Online, noted that at one point, among People of Color, Native Americans led the way in terms of vaccination rates. “However, the data that we have is over a year old. How can we get that updated so we can do better reporting among our community?” he asked.

Webb acknowledged that there is room for improvement in data collection and dissemination, especially when it comes to disaggregating data within different communities of color, and he encouraged journalists to keep pushing public health officials to do better.

Accurate data, he added, “is really going to right our path in so many ways.”

“We know that COVID has had disproportionate impacts. And we want to make sure we are leaning into moments like this, at the start of this fall, as we head toward this holiday season, to say we’ve seen the data of what happens in the winter, we’ve seen what happens if you’re not protected and we have high levels of infection of COVID, and we know that it hurts communities of color the most,” Webb said.

“We know these data are true. And so what stands to reason is that we need to take this moment to do everything we can to get those resources—the masks, the tests, the vaccines and the treatments—to communities to make sure they are ready.”

https://mmcxchange.com/detail/mmca-announces-launch-of-the-bipocxchange-single-solution-for-bipoc-media-engagement-collaboration Tue, 11 Oct 2022 10:08:51 -0400 https://mmcxchange.com/detail/mmca-announces-launch-of-the-bipocxchange-single-solution-for-bipoc-media-engagement-collaboration

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 7, 2022 – The Multicultural Media & Correspondents Association (MMCA) is proud to announce the launch of the BIPOCXChange, a metaverse solution created by MMCA to help Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) media increase ownership and control over how their community’s stories are told.  Free to join, the XChange is designed to provide media owners, buyers, brands, and creators with a single solution to connect with one another, identify needs, understand changing demographics, and reach core audiences.  The ultimate goal for the BIPOCXChange is to increase access for multicultural media in the metaverse, drive coverage and ensure equity and inclusivity on this new platform.  

This powerful digital ecosystem seamlessly provides members with the first-ever single solution to all of their BIPOC Media engagement needs, offering access to publications, creators, graphic artists, audiovisual, communications and numerous other services. Through the XChange, members connect, collaborate, and have the opportunity to invest, support, provide services or do business with BIPOC media. 

A Newsmaker Space, where members can contribute, access, and repurpose content, the XChange also serves as a Resource Hub, where participants can access news, exclusive data, information, and tools to address BIPOC media pain points. 

“The BIPOCXChange is our answer to the marginalization of BIPOC media and by extension their audiences. By utilizing technology to interlink a fragmented ecosystem of BIPOC media, we have created a metaverse solution that informs, educates, and empowers communities of color,” says David Morgan, MMCA president and CEO of the BIPOCXChange. “Through the metaverse we provide brands, agencies, businesses and individuals access to qualified BIPOC talent and to the communities of color that they are often unable to reach.”   

“With the metaverse gearing up to be an important part of our culture moving forward, we must be strategic in ensuring that we are creating inclusive spaces for BIPOC creators and communicators to share their stories,” said Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio. “Over the years, we’ve laid the infrastructure for DC to attract technology companies. Now, we are excited to work with organizations such as MMCA to amplify diverse voices and ensure that the metaverse is inclusive and reflects the diversity of the District of Columbia and world-at-large.” 

One exclusive offering included with membership is the BIPOCXChange Media Wire, a Web3 blockchain product that disseminates news and information from brands and newsmakers to over 250 Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American publishers. The one-stop solution fulfills a dual role by meeting the needs of publishers, editors, and journalists of color at every level of media who are often denied timely and equal access to advertising, capital, and other resources. It also allows brands, government agencies, non-profits, and businesses to reach critical audiences that have remained elusive.  

Benefits to joining the BIPOCXChange include: 

• Media Owners - Get access to content, capital, media spend, talent and resources to grow your reach, revenue and relevance. 

• Strategic Partners - Tap into an expansive community of BIPOC publishers who can help you reach, engage, build trust, and promote your products, services and good works to their audiences in a way that meets strategic goals and provides measurable ROI. The BIPOCXChange is an important tool for foundations, nonprofits, academic institutions, investors, lenders, and other stakeholders looking to find, fund, support, build advocacy coalitions, conduct research, promote resources to and otherwise engage with BIPOC media. 

• Talent - Get hired and get competitive pay for your skills, work, and services. The BIPOCXChange also acts as a free speaker’s bureau for commentators and experts looking to be booked for shows and media engagements 

• Newsmakers - Expand your influence by hosting, posting and participating in live events, news conferences, podcasts, announcements, commentaries, as well as clubhouse-styled events. Monitor and collect metrics, and track user engagement, user growth, trending topics, search results, and resource usage using our customized Data & Analytics Dashboard. 

# # # 

ABOUT MMCA 

MMCA is a BIPOC and non-partisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to secure greater control of who, what, where, when and how our story is told. We are proud to have built a powerful platform that (1) fosters coalition-building among BIPOC media advocacy organizations, (2) shapes media policy, (3) facilitates constructive engagement between policymakers and media industry stakeholders, (4) provides assistance to BIPOC media stakeholders, and (5) celebrates BIPOC media excellence. Follow us @mmcadc on all social platforms. 

PRESS CONTACTS:  

Martine Charles, martine@marcglobalcommunications.com 206-295-9114 

Jenny McIntosh, jenny@marcglobalcommunications.com 480-202-7112 

The largest-ever Global Faith and Media Study is launched today, looking at the portrayal of faith and religion in the media. It reveals a strong demand across the world for more news media coverage on faith, despite the reality that journalists and editors admit coverage of the topics is rarely encouraged in newsrooms.

The study captures the views of 9,000 global citizens as well as journalists and editors in 18 countries covering the world's major religions. The research was commissioned by the Faith and Media Initiative (FAMI) and conducted by global market research company HarrisX.

The study reflects the feeling among the general population that media coverage can perpetuate faith-related stereotypes rather than protect against them. It also lays out some of the factors that journalists and editors think can lead to religious and faith stereotypes in news coverage.

The study also signals universal recognition among journalists and editors that coverage of faith and religion needs a reset. It captures detailed insights about the complex set of factors that have created the current status quo affecting editorial coverage.

"The data reveals that faith and religion are a core element of personal identity globally, with 82% of respondents viewing themselves as faithful, religious or spiritual," said Dritan Nesho, CEO of HarrisX. "Yet the journalists with whom we spoke to believe that faith and religious coverage are becoming increasingly marginalized due to everything from newsroom economics to fears of 'getting it wrong'.

"Ultimately, the research points to a clear global deficit in coverage, treatment and quality of understanding of faith and religion in modern media." Nesho added.

Key insights from the Global Faith and Media Study include:

People globally see the need for better representation of faith and religion in the media

• 63% of people globally said that high -quality content on faith and religion is needed in their respective countries.
• 53% of people globally believe that the media coverage actively ignores religion as an aspect of society and culture today.
• 59% of people globally think that it is important that the news media coverage reflect a diverse set of religious perspectives in their content and reporting.
• 56% of people globally agree that there should be more nuanced coverage of complex religious issues.

Religious stereotypes are a concern globally in relation to faith and religious coverage

• 61% of people globally said that media coverage often perpetuates faith-based stereotypes rather than addresses and protects against them.
• 53% of people globally think that religious stereotypes should get the same level of attention as other stereotype issues in the media.

More varied spokespeople are needed to represent faith and religion in media coverage

• More than 80% of people globally feel that faith and religious groups need to provide the media with greater variety of spokespeople.
• Journalists and editors admit there is an issue with religious stereotyping in media coverage and noted that the lack of varied media sources and spokespeople for faith organizations is a significant issue that they believe perpetuates the problem.

Media agree that editorial coverage on faith and religion has become more marginalized

• The Global Faith and Media Study uncovers the complex set of factors that have influenced the way faith and religion is covered in the media, based on direct interviews with journalists.
• Media respondents universally described a continued marginalization of media coverage on faith and religion and cited many influencing factors giving rise to increasingly unbalanced reporting:
• Newsroom Economics: Media respondents reported on squeezed budgets leading to a lack of specialist journalists in newsrooms. They cited a "hollowing" out of specialisms within the news teams leaving generalists to cover topics, including faith and religion.
• Fear of Getting It Wrong: Media described a general "fear" in the newsroom around covering religion. In an era defined by some as a time when religion has become increasingly politicized, news coverage – often at speed – brings with it the tacit acceptance that it is impossible to cover the topic with a level of nuance and sensitivity given the time and resources available.
• Diversity and Newsrooms Dynamics: Media respondents in all regions noted that the newsroom teams rarely represent the plurality of religious views in society, which causes self-limiting in exploring the faith agenda. Among journalists with a strong faith background, a feeling exists that they might be negatively judged if they covered stories relating to their faith or religion due to a concern it would raise questions about their impartiality and risk damaging their reputations in the newsroom.
• Clicks for Controversy: A consensus exists among media respondents that faith and religion are not seen as drivers for reader engagement. Editors rarely encourage stories in this area unless they correspond to a narrative of controversy, dissent or scandal. This runs counter to the 63% of people globally who said that high-quality content on faith and religion is needed in their respective countries.
• Lack of Spokespeople Compounding Religious Stereotyping: Stereotyping was identified by media respondents as an issue, with a lack of variety of sources and spokespeople for faith and religious groups noted as a significant issue that perpetuates the problem. Many media say religion is most frequently positioned as a conservative or extreme force in editorial coverage and suggested that this drives the tendency to seek out outspoken spokespeople versus those who are middle-ground more mainstream.

"This ground-breaking global study on the attitudes of people, journalists and editors toward coverage of faith and religion in media will be used as a springboard for positive change," said Brooke Zaugg, Vice President of The Faith and Media Initiative. "These new findings shine a light on the urgent need to offer faith leaders improved access to the power and reach of the news media, and media a direct line to faith leaders for enhanced understanding of beliefs in the context of modern society. "By joining forces, we can better serve humanity by ensuring a more accurate, balanced representation of all faiths in journalism and entertainment worldwide,"

You can follow the conversation for FAMI at: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, #faithandmedia, #FAMI and for HarrisX: Twitter and LinkedIn

The goal of this marketing plan is to launch a consistent and relevant marketing and public relations messaging awareness regiment that will effectively reintroduce the Chamber of Commerce to the regional business world as the newly  innovative brand that has transcended the previous business model of being a brick & Mortar “association” for the local business community to now being a digitally powered “Ecosystem” and “innovation hub” tied to a brick & mortar address that will drive guaranteed ingenuity and growth within the local economy.

Updated COVID-19 shots are expected to protect against the currently circulating Omicron variant, with our nation likely on a path where the majority of Americans without significant health risks can be protected against serious illness, hospitalization, and death by getting an annual shot

In response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) recommendation of an updated COVID-19 shot, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra issued the statement below after signing a directive - PDF to ensure the vaccine is widely available. CDC’s recommendation followed the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authorization.

Studies have routinely shown that COVID-19 vaccines lower the risk of getting infected with COVID, lower the risk of spreading the virus to loved ones, and improve protections against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. People ages 12 years or older with at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine, should get the updated COVID shot which is available now. Those 12 years or older who had COVID-19 in the last 3 months may want to wait. But if it’s been longer than 3 months since having COVID-19 — get the updated vaccines right away.

“COVID-19 vaccines have brought us through the worst of the pandemic – saving millions of lives, keeping countless people out of the hospital, and providing peace of mind for the country. As fall approaches and people spend more time indoors, I encourage everyone who is eligible to get this free updated COVID vaccine to protect themselves and their loved ones, just as they would get an annual flu vaccine. We now have another opportunity to get ahead of this pandemic and we will continue working every day to get everyone protected from COVID-19,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.
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Last revised: September 7, 2022

Elevate Dayton is building partnerships and expanding its reach across the state. The outlet is the newest member of the Ohio Black Media Collective (OBMC).

The OBMC is a joint venture between eight founding member Black media outlets and six affiliate members. The collective aspires to be a bridge between corporate sponsors and Black media outlets, while also sharing information that strengthens the Black community.

“Elevate Dayton joining the OBMC is the next logical step in terms of gaining a larger foothold throughout our home state,” said Elevate Dayton publisher Nate Dillard. “I appreciate the collective for bringing us on board and I can’t wait to help the collective tell more stories about the Dayton community.”

Content sharing takes on a few different forms. The OBMC’s founding members and affiliate members can liberally republish content when it suits their publication needs. The collective’s website serves as a hub that houses all content from founding members and affiliates. A news service is in the works to make the OBMC a formal Black media wire for Ohio.

“Elevate Dayton brings a fresh perspective and needed technological know-how to the OBMC,” said Montrice Terry, managing member of the OBMC. “They further augment our presence in the important Dayton market.”

The OBMC started as a loose idea in June 2020. Meetings were held between 50 to 60 media outlets from around the state about coming together to amplify their reach. Over time, the number of media outlets at these meetings dwindled to about a dozen.

Traction started to pick up in August 2021 when the founding eight media outlets incorporated the OBMC. The collective was introduced to the public during the Ohio Conference NAACP’s State Convention in September of that year.

Beyond news, the OBMC aspires to offer more than just news. The collective’s website hosts additional services including business directories, events and classifieds. The OBMC plans to enhance these offerings as it upgrades its website in the future.

The Ohio Conference of Branches of the NAACP is continuing to prioritize and partner with Black-owned media across the state. The Ohio Conference is forming a strategic partnership with the Ohio Black Media Collective (OBMC).

The OBMC is a joint venture between more than a dozen Black-owned media outlets that spans across the state of Ohio. The collective aspires to be the preeminent source for the state’s Black-owned multi-media outlets, while also sharing information that strengthens the Black community.

“In our current hyper-fragmented media environment, it’s imperative that we support Black-owned media,” said Tom Roberts, president of the Ohio Conference. “This strategic partnership is about helping amplify the Black community’s stories and perspectives throughout the state.”

The strategic partnership comes with good timing. The Ohio Conference’s State Convention and Media Luncheon is coming up on Sept. 16. The OBMC is slated to have a prominent role in covering the event and other Ohio Conference events in the future.

Content sharing takes on a few different forms. The OBMC’s members can liberally republish content when it suits their publication needs. The collective’s website serves as a hub that houses all content from founding members and affiliates. A news service is in the works to make the OBMC a formal Black media wire for Ohio.

“Having the support of the Ohio Conference is invaluable,” said Dr. Mike McNair, managing member of the OBMC. “The insights and perspectives of their leadership and branches will be a great asset as we tell the Black community’s story in every corner in Ohio. I hope other legacy organizations see this strategic partnership as a model to coalesce around an agenda for the Black community.”

The collective was introduced to the public during the Ohio Conference’s State Convention in September last year.

Beyond news, the OBMC plans to be the state’s Black-owned media hub. The collective’s website hosts additional services including business directories, events and classifieds. The OBMC plans to enhance these offerings as it upgrades its website in the future.

Learn more about the OBMC by visiting its website at ohiobmc.com. 

I grew up being told, “you can’t do that because you’re a girl” and I hated hearing that. It’s been something that has tormented me my entire life.

Read more at Luz Media.

Latina activists and entrepreneurs Stephanie Valencia and Jess Morales Rocketto secured $80 million in investment to launch the Latino Media Network, an audio-first media company, as reported by Axios.

Read more at Luz Media.

Many 2nd generation Latinos often have to provide for themselves and for aging parents. Generations of white people have had unfettered access to myriad opportunities, while Latino (and other BiPOC) families haven’t had the same access.

Read more at Luz Media.

Aggregating Local, Digital and Mainstream BIPOC Media On New Web3 Platform Delivers Value For Publishers Beyond News Dissemination
 
(Washington, D.C., 8.4.2022) —  This week, in response to calls for comments to proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), over 140 Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) publishers united to urge federal regulators to include multicultural media as part of the funding.  The call-to-action led by the Multicultural Media and Correspondents Association (MMCA) unveiled a Web3 product that aggregates media for the purposes of news and information dissemination, BIPOCXChange Media Wire.  
 
Officially set for launch in October, the BIPOCXChange is a Web3 platform that connects a fragmented BIPOC media marketplace, and provides the infrastructure for the media wire.  A 21st Century version of the Associated Press, the XChange media wire is a resource for multicultural media owners, creators, and producers to receive and disseminate news and information to expand reach, relevance and revenue and, in the case of the CRA comment call-to-action, to mobilize and advocate for their collective survival.  Uniting publishers and organizations seeking to support them in a common effort to leverage the CRA reform process is an essential first step in addressing BIPOC media funding and advertising issues.
 
Publishers, editors and journalists of color at every level of media voice a similar complaint: being denied timely access to advertising, capital and newsmakers hinders their ability to do their best work.  BIPOC media for years have consistently called out everyone from Hollywood studio executives to the Capitol Hill press core for exclusionary tactics. The retort from corporations and policymakers who want to reach audiences of color with media messages is that they have no way to easily identify and reach BIPOC media. The XChange Media Wire solves that problem.  Built on a blockchain, the Web3 media wire ensures timely news dissemination.
 
The XChange’s effort to rally BIPOC media owners to sign a CRA petition became news, driving off-platform coverage, proving the power and value of a cooperative community of BIPOC media.  NCRC wrote an Op-Ed on the XChange’s call-to-action that was picked up by  the Minority Business News, Reynolds Journalism Institute and other websites.
 
Could Updating a Federal Banking Law Help Increase Capital Infusion in Minority Media? - MBNA
 
The original NCRC Op-Ed picked up by other outlets was inspired by MMCA’s call-to-action, part of its Equitable Media and Economies Initiative, which lives as a media metapage in the BIPOCXChange ecosystem.  The media metapage is the product of a highly coordinated effort to activate the XChange’s media wire and engage publishers, media owners and stakeholders around CRA reform. 
 
“Could A Banking Law Designed To End Redlining Drive More Capital Into Local Journalism?”  - NCRC
 
“The BIPOCXChange Media Wire has the power to drive engagement outside the BIPOCXChange membership, media databases and core demographics to the broader mainstream audience,” says Darren Dickerson, Chief of Operations for the XChange. “It is a fully integrated news and content distribution portal.”
 
 
Could A Banking Law Designed To End Redlining Drive More Capital Into Local Journalism? - RJI
 
BIPOC media play a critical role in creating a more equitable economy. They are connectors, convenors and sources of relevant, actionable and often life-saving information, as we saw during the pandemic. They are as essential to a community’s well-being as affordable and reliable housing, education, transportation and health care and, in many cases, the most trusted information provider and a conduit for community engagement. And yet the institutions we often turn to for funding critical community infrastructure — banks, community development finance institutions (CDFIs), socially responsible businesses, and government agencies — largely ignore Equitable Media as an essential building block. Despite this chronic disinvestment, BIPOC media continue to hold incredible trust, power and relevance across low-income and traditionally underserved communities.   
 
Commentary: Could a banking law designed to end redlining drive more capital into local journalism? - Elevate Dayton
 
“There is strength in numbers and the BIPOCXChange, our new media metaverse platform, provides the technology to link together a fragmented BIPOC media, create ecosystems, and showcase our power and impact within targeted demographics,” says David Morgan, MMCA President.  “We’ve always provided brands and agencies the education and access, this partnership and platform will aggregate the content and visuals that are necessary to create successful campaigns.”
 
The BIPOCXChange provides media owners, buyers, brands and creators a single-solution to connect with one another, identify needs, understand changing demographics, and how to reach core audiences.  Rallying the publishers to engage in CRA reform is in keeping with the spirit of the platform as more than an ecosystem or aggregator but as a virtual community that services the needs of its members.  
 
The XChange also recently teamed up with the Google News Initiative to host a webinar for BIPOC publishers and media owners applying for the GNI Global News Equity Fund.  A live stream event attended by nearly 100 BIPOCXChange members, the virtual conversation remains accessible via the media metapage created for the webinar.  This page allows media who could not attend in real-time to access the same information with fully integrated hyperlinks to relative pages and social media sites.
 
Between now and the October launch, the goal of the BIPOCXChange is to increase access for multicultural media and drive more coverage as a result of engagement through the XChange.  

A consortium of news publishers wants federal regulators to update Community Reinvestment Act rules so banks do more for local, minority-owned media.

By Andrew Nachison, National Community Reinvestment Coalition

(Editor's note: MMCA and the Reynolds Journalism Institute provide financial and capacity-building support to Elevate Dayton.)

Changes to federal bank rules that influence trillions of dollars of loans, investments, philanthropy and services in lower-income communities could offer a new path to survival for struggling local news and information providers.

The Multicultural Media & Correspondent Association (MMCA), a network of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) media owners and advocates, is asking its members to sign a comment letter that urges bank regulators to add financing, investments and spending with minority-owned media to a list of community development activities that earn banks credit under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).

Publishers and others who wish to sign MMCA's CRA comment letter should click this link.

MMCA is leading a national effort, in collaboration with the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism, to create a stronger and more equitable economy by investing in media outlets that prioritize underserved communities and communities of color, which MMCA refers to as  “Equitable Media.”

"Just as redlining in lending has had devastating consequences for BIPOC communities, the ongoing and purposeful lack of investment in the media organizations that prioritize their information needs is perpetuating information disparities and harming traditionally underserved communities," said MMCA CEO David Morgan. "This media redlining, combined with the crushing loss of advertising revenues exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, poses an existential threat to local, BIPOC-owned media."

Federal regulators have proposed sweeping changes to the rules banks must follow to comply with CRA, a 1977 law that requires banks to provide loans and services in all the communities where they are chartered to do business.

The law was originally enacted to reverse and erase the impacts of 20th Century redlining, a system of intentional, government-sanctioned discrimination that excluded entire neighborhoods from mortgage and small business lending by banks.

Federal regulators have proposed what would be the first major update to CRA rules since 1995. Public comments on the proposal are due August 5.

 

“Just as redlining in lending has had devastating consequences for BIPOC communities, the ongoing and purposeful lack of investment in the media organizations that prioritize their information needs is perpetuating information disparities and harming traditionally underserved communities.”—MMCA CEO David Morgan

CRA by itself didn't close the nation's profound racial and socio-economic gaps in wealth holdings. Today, people who live in formerly redlined neighborhoods suffer not only from reduced wealth and greater poverty, but from lower life expectancy and higher incidence of chronic diseases.

But the law did have a huge impact on how banks work, who they work with, and on the reinvestment of bank deposits into underserved communities. Banks attributed to CRA at least $2 trillion in community development financing between 1996 and 2017, and nearly $3 trillion in home and small business loans to lower-income borrowers and communities between 2009 and 2018.

MMCA wants banks to direct some of that capital into equitable media committed to the information needs of their communities, and to have that objective spelled out in the new CRA rules.

That would create a new way for banks to meet their CRA obligations – for instance, by supporting community news and information services that inform residents of homeownership counseling fairs, or by reporting on environmental hazards that need to be removed to facilitate new investments in a neighborhood.

It would also be a rare shift in public policy to encourage private investments in local news and information services, which is desperately needed.

Local journalism in America has been dying a slow death since the early 2000s, and the collapse is now so deep that local news is disappearing altogether from growing pockets of news "deserts." About 7% of the nation’s counties now have no local newspaper, according to a 2022 report on the state of local news from Northwestern University. 

Local news providers have mostly failed to come up with new and reliable revenue streams to sustain the production of local reporting and information services that were once enormously profitable when newspaper publishers bundled news, editorials and letters to the editor with comics, sports and entertainment information - and also with advertising from local merchants. Now those ads are on Google, Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, LinkedIn, Craigslist, TikTok and other national and global tech platforms. US newspaper revenue dropped 52% between 2002 and 2020, from roughly $46 billion to $22 billion, and newspaper publishers shed half their newsroom employees between 2008 and 2019. 

At the same time, disinformation, conspiracies and deepened political divisions, amplified through weaponized social media platforms, have eroded trust in news and in journalists themselves.

A nascent generation of nonprofit and for-profit local news startups are trying to fill the void, but even the most innovative among them face the same economic headwinds.

If local, independent, fact-based journalism hasn't vanished completely from your community, what's available there is likely a feeble relic of what was there 20 years ago, with fewer full time reporters and editors, little or no investigative reporting and less routine coverage of local news, government, elections, schools, housing, business, health, public safety, justice, culture and other services and essential ingredients of everyday life.

That's not to say that local journalism in past decades was a nirvana for public knowledge or informed citizenship. In the wake of the 2020 racial justice protests over the police murder of George Floyd, a stream of old, mainstream newspapers that once dominated civic life and politics in their communities published confessional apologies for their decades of blatant and devastating racism in their coverage and business practices, which contributed to the landscape of inequality, including disinvestment in communities of color, and the racial and socio-economic wealth divides that endure across the nation today. See, for instance, mea culpas over past failures from the Orlando Sentinel, Baltimore Sun and Los Angeles Times.

One outcome of 20th Century redlining in communities of color was limited investment in locally owned media dedicated to covering the news of those communities.

Adding community-driven news to the mix of services financed by CRA won't end America's local journalism crisis. But it's a novel and sorely needed shift that could spark new investments in news. Beyond that, it would also symbolically recast local news and information as necessary and critical for all communities, just like the people and systems necessary to provide housing, roads, electricity, clean air and water, healthy food, reliable broadband data networks, schools, healthcare and cultural institutions. 

That's an urgently needed change in perspective for policymakers, lenders, community development leaders - and for news providers as well. They don't simply "cover" their communities. They are part of the fabric of their communities, and without them, the fabric tears apart.

For more on the proposed changes to CRA rules and sample comment letters, see the TreasureCRA hub from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. Public comments are due Aug. 5, 2022.

Andrew Nachison is NCRC's Chief Communications & Marketing Officer.

The Multicultural Media Correspondents Association, an investor for Elevate Dayton, helped facilitate the CRA Letter outreach. Nate Dillard, publisher of Elevate Dayton, is a partial owner of the BIPOCXChange, the platform that hosted the push for CRA Letter signatures.

WASHINGTON, Wednesday June 27, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is seeking nominations for the 2022 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Awards. These prestigious honors will be presented during MBDA’s National Minority Enterprise Development Week and celebrate the outstanding achievements of minority entrepreneurs, as well as individuals and organizations demonstrating a commitment to advancing minority business enterprises (MBEs). 

_{West Palm Beach, FL - Kushae (pronounced koo-SHAY), the first OB/GYN created, plant-based feminine care system, is proud to announce Celebrity Mom LeToya Luckett as its official Brand Ambassador.  Kushae is the first feminine health and hygiene company to launch a major global celebrity campaign, focused specifically on helping women become bold, unapologetic, and fearless about making their feminine health a priority.  Kushae, a Black-owned and women-led business, continues to dismantle the stigmas and barriers women face in speaking about their feminine health and wellness.}  

_{For Kushae Co-Founder and CEO, Kimba Williams, choosing LeToya Luckett as the company’s first Brand Ambassador was a natural choice.} 
 

_{Williams shared, “Women are craving real, credible, honest sources of information about feminine and intimate health.  We chose LeToya Luckett as our Kushae’s Brand Ambassador because of her passion for healthy living.  We welcome her unique perspective as a woman of color, Mom, and health advocate to help spread the word about the importance of using natural, chemical-free products.”} 

_{LeToya Luckett commented “I am excited to work with Kushae.  As the proud Mom of two beautiful children, I understand how the different phases of life can change a woman’s body.  I support Kushae’s simple, science-backed natural products and welcome the opportunity to spread positive information to educate women about the importance of their feminine health and wellness.”}

 
_{Kushae is turning the feminine health industry upside down in more ways than one. Co-Founder & CEO, Kimba Williams recently raised $1.25M through venture capital/angel investors, making her one of the first 100 Black women to do so. Launched in 2018 with exhibits and expos, the company literally worked to reach and support women one “Kushae” at a time.  By 2020 they had achieved triple revenue year over year growth and debuted in Whole Foods Market. The brand has since been featured in global publications including Essence, Vogue, NBC News, and more.}
 

_{Despite popular trends in the feminine care space, Kushae’s mission and values of always putting women first remain the bedrock of the brand. Led by co-founder Dr. Barbara McLaren (aka Dr. Barb), a Board-Certified OB/GYN, Kushae uses the highest quality natural, plant-based ingredients in every formula to create unique products that are highly effective and manufactured in the USA.  Education-driven, the brand focuses on helping women to make informed decisions about their own health; creating avenues for open dialogue where they can feel comfortable and confident about learning about their bodies. Kushae also encourages women to develop feminine health routines and to be more proactive and intentional about their feminine wellness.}
 

_{To learn more about Kushae, please visit https://www.kushae.com/. The brand is currently available at Kushae.com and on Amazon, in addition to other e-commerce retail partners.  Follow us on social media, twitter,  facebook, and instagram.}