The Williams Sisters Turned Business Moguls
August 19, 2010
Having owned the world of women’s tennis for the past few years, Venus and Serena Williams have decided to branch out into business, and start a couple entrepreneurial empires of their own. Both sisters have taken up touring schedules to promote their respective business ventures, giving rise to mild speculations about possible shift from their mega-successful pro tennis careers into lucrative business endeavors. Serena Williams has recently launched a clothing line, while Venus Williams has co-authored a book entitled “Come to Win”.
Chairman Ed Towns Earns the ‘Spirit of Independence Award’ from National Industries for the Blind
August 13, 2010
Chairman Edolphus (Ed) Towns (D-10th-New York), a long-time AbilityOne Champion, has earned the “Spirit of Independence Award,” in recognition of his lifetime commitment to advance economic and personal independence for people who are blind. National Industries for the Blind’s President and CEO Kevin Lynch presented the prestigious award to Chairman Towns at a ceremony on Capitol Hill on July 30, 2010.
Vivica A. Fox Hair Collection Now Available Online at Especially Yours and Wig.com
August 13, 2010
Freshen up your look and have some fun with a new line of wigs and hair extensions from one of today’s most fashion-forward celebrities, Vivica A. Fox. The new Vivica A. Fox Hair Collection, now from EspeciallyYours.com and Wig.com, features a wide range of styles, cuts and colors to help you get today’s hottest looks without the hassle and expense of salon visits.
Procter & Gamble’s Bounty brand, Platinum Sponsor of Russell Simmons’ 2010 Art For Life East Hampton benefit
August 13, 2010
Procter & Gamble’s Bounty brand, Platinum Sponsor of Russell Simmons’ 2010 Art For Life East Hampton benefit, announced the launch of the Make a Clean Difference contest. The nationwide contest will award one school with a $25,000 classroom makeover designed by, Cortney and Robert Novogratz of Bravo’s “9 By Design.” Bounty will also award 10 finalists with $5,000 grants to use toward transforming their school art rooms and a visit from the Bounty Make-A-Messterpiece art bus, an experiential art studio on wheels. Potential winners can head to Bounty Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bounty) to submit a deserving school.
Social Security: The 75-year-old Lifeline for Many African-Americans
August 9, 2010
Just like the years fly by as we age, it’s hard to believe it’s been 75 years since Social Security was first created. And for many Americans of all generations, and of all ethnic backgrounds, Social Security is a lifeline. To fully celebrate this historic anniversary, we need to recognize the program’s importance and its value for future generations.
Social Security is without a doubt the most successful government program in history. In fact, 53 million Americans get benefits, and a vastly larger number are protected if tragedy strikes. Social Security checks put food in the refrigerator, and shoes on people’s feet. They help people repair their homes, buy medicine and pay for utility bills.
However, for a great many households, Social Security is the only source of income.
Mary J. Blige Shatters Prestige Fragrance Records Selling More Than 60,000 Units of My Life
August 6, 2010
HSN, a leading multichannel retailer, announced today that its exclusive launch of Mary J. Blige’s My Life fragrance on July 31 drove the sale of more than 60,000 units with about 6 hours of air time, shattering fragrance records at HSN for units sold and placing the launch amongst the most successful in the prestige fragrance market.
Essence magazine criticized for hiring white Fashion Director
July 31, 2010
Essence magazine, a publication geared toward African-American fashionistas, is being criticized for recently hiring a white woman for its Fashion Director position—a job that was always held by African-American employees since the magazine’s inception 40 years ago.
A former Essence employee, Michaela Angela Davis, publicly noted her disapproval of this hiring decision on her Facebook page, where she wrote, “It’s with a heavy heart I’ve learned Essence magazine has engaged a white Fashion Director. I love Essence and I love fashion. I hate this news and this feeling. It hurts, literally.”
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against 24 Hour Fitness for Racial and Gender Discrimination
July 24, 2010
MALDEF and the law firm of Lewis, Feinberg, Lee, Renaker & Jackson, P.C. announced that they filed a class action law suit on behalf of employees of 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc. alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin and gender. The lawsuit, Fulcher v. 24 Hour Fitness, was filed in Alameda County Superior Court.
Plaintiffs claim that the giant chain of fitness gyms has systematically subjected minority and female employees to discrimination regarding promotions to management positions and equal compensation in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the California Business and Profession Code.
The National MultiCultural Institute Appoints Cross-Cultural Expert John Kirksey As President
July 24, 2010
The National MultiCultural Institute (NMCI), a Washington, DC-based consulting, organizational development and training organization, announced today the selection of cross-cultural expert John R. Kirksey as its new president. NMCI serves and counsels government, corporate and not-for-profit entities on a wide range of multicultural and diversity issues and helps them maximize the opportunities associated with the demographic and cultural changes taking place in our society.
Mr. Kirksey, a former senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer for financial giant AXA Equitable, becomes only the second president of NMCI in the organization’s 27-year history, replacing founder Elizabeth P. Salett in that position. Ms. Salett will remain on the NMCI board of directors.
RiverFront Investment Group Grows Fixed Income Team With Addition of Industry Veteran, Kevin Nicholson
July 24, 2010
RiverFront Investment Group announced today that it has added another industry veteran to its roster. Kevin Nicholson has joined the group as a Senior Fixed Income Portfolio Manager.
Kevin previously served in the same capacity with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and its predecessor firms where he managed both taxable and tax-exempt fixed income portfolios. His career began in 1992 at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC during which time he held numerous fixed income trading positions including senior preferred stock trader, corporate bond trader, senior fixed income strategist, and senior fixed income portfolio manager. Most recently Kevin managed a group that oversaw $1.3 billion of taxable and tax-exempt separately managed accounts. He earned a BA in Business and Economics from Randolph-Macon College and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.
AMF Media Group Adds Former Macy’s West VP LaTonya S. Lawson as Director of Client Services
July 24, 2010
AMF Media Group, a fast-growing public relations and communications firm, continues to grow with the addition of former Macy’s West Vice President LaTonya S. Lawson as AMF’s new Director of Client Services. Lawson, an award-winning marketing executive, manages creative direction and strategic development at AMF.
“LaTonya is a pivotal addition to our growing staff,” said Vintage Foster, president of AMF Media Group. ”She has the unique ability to both develop strategy and see it through to creative execution. Not many people can do both. We’re honored to have her leadership.”
Tyra Banks to Launch Fierce New Fashion & Beauty Website
July 24, 2010
Tyra Banks can’t be stopped: the supermodel-slash-talk-show-host-slash-entrepreneurial-force announced plans to launch a new fashion and beauty site.
In a note on her website which Banks signed, “Fierce & Love, Tyra,” the supermodel painted a general picture of what to expect from the “online media brand” she will spearhead in conjunction with Demand Media.
Nigel Adams Joins Rosetta as Partner, Talent Management and Leadership Development
July 24, 2010
Nigel Adams has joined Rosetta, the nation’s largest independent interactive agency, as Partner of Talent Management and Leadership Development. In the newly created position, Adams will create a “leadership brand” for the agency including guiding principles for how the agency attracts, recruits, engages, develops, coaches, and empowers team members. Rosetta has seven office locations, including Princeton, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, Denver and Toronto, with over 750 individual team members.
Countrywide Sued Again for Discriminatory Lending
July 20, 2010
Bank of America’s mortgage unit Countrywide is being sued in Illinois for discriminating against black and Latino borrowers. According to a report in Bloomberg, Illinois’s attorney general, Lisa Madigan, has filed a suit alleging that Countrywide disproportionately steered minorities into risky subprime mortgages:
“Countrywide’s illegal discriminatory lending practices destroyed the wealth and dreams of thousands of African American and Latino homeowners,” Madigan said in the statement.
The Old Spice Guy Now Making Custom Videos for Fans via Social Media
July 20, 2010
How do you get bloggers, fans and random Internet folks to make your campaign go viral? Namecheck them in a personalized monologue delivered by a shirtless man, of course!
That’s right, everyone’s favorite topless dude, Old Spice Guy Isaiah Mustafa, has been tweeting just-for-you-vids to a bevy of Internet folk all day.
