Redemption & Rewriting History
Newly sworn in Governor Wes Moore is living proof that how you start does not have to dictate how you finish. At just 11 years old he got into trouble with the police and was handcuffed for spraying graffiti. That experience saw Mr. Moore at a crossroads, and thanks to his mother & grandmother, he made the right turn. Fast forward 33 years and he's now making history as the 1st African American governor in the state of Maryland, and only the 3rd elected Black governor in US History.
Governor Moore is an example of redemption and what is possible despite unfavorable odds. When interviewed by USA Today, he stated that he "wants every kid of color to know that they are never in a room because of someone’s benevolence, kindness or social experiment. They’re in that room because they belong there.”
Source: www.usatoday.com
Strengthening the Foster Community through Hair Care
School teacher turned business owner Joy Hankin started her black hair care line The Joy of Curls in 2020. After doing so, she came up with another idea -- to use her business to support the hair care needs of black children in the foster care system....especially those whose foster parents' race may differ from their own and who may therefore experience hair care challenges..
To make an impact in her immediate community, Joy decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to the local foster care system. She has also created a network of foster parents for whom she provides tips on how to care for the afro-centric hair of the children they welcome into their homes. This is something that will go a long way toward helping prevent shame & embarrassment in the life of these children who are already having to deal with so much as foster kids. Joy is a healing hero indeed!
Source: KCCI News 8 www.kcci.com
Improved Access to Money-Saving Financial Tools for Communities of Color
A historic moment is in effect during Black History Month as the nation’s largest Black-owned bank launches the nation’s largest surcharge-free ATM network to help its customers save money on banking fees, something that is particularly important in the currently challenging economy.
According to Teri Williams Bank President & COO, OneUnited's new "Empowerment Network" now has over 100,000 surcharge-free ATMs, including Chase Bank and Citibank branches and neighborhood retailers such as 7-Eleven, Costco, CVS, Target, and Walgreens. OneUnited continues to break records to empower customers with better access to their money.
The Empowerment Network also includes OneUnited Card Command to empower customers with more control over their OneUnited Bank Visa® Debit Card.
Source: www.eurweb.com
Women of Color Building a Legacy of Wealth
As a firm believer that we must always attempt to 'lift as we climb', Dr. Angela D. Reddix, an Ebony Magazine Power 100 list honoree, had a dream to bring women-of-color and allies together to learn the fundamentals of wealth and to translate the conversation into action. The RR Fund was born as a lab where women discover, challenge, and grow their perspective of and relationship with the "almighty dollar".
In January 2022, the lab launched with 60 founding members and a million dollars in investments. Today, the RR Fund has 75 members and growing nationwide. The focus is to remove fears and empower women to build wealth through the stock market, real estate, and angel investing.
Source: www.rrfundllc.com
Kindness, Pass It On.
"Be a place where people feel a true sense of joy for life. Bring all human beings together. Be a place where kindness is priority. Have a positive impact on all human beings who walk through our doors..." With so much negativity in the world, LaLa Land Kind Cafe took the idea of 'being kind' to another level in the aftermath of COVID-19.
The Texas & California based organic cafe chain began its random acts of drive-by kindness to help spread joy in the lives of unsuspecting, perfect strangers, with random compliments.
These "drive-bys", which usually leave recipients with a wide grin, a chuckle or look of disbelief, have gone viral on Tik Tok and are the cafe's way of both normalizing kindness and sharing the love.
Source: usatoday.com
How to Save A Life...and Be a Force for Good
More than the acting that brought her global fame, Oscar winning actress Kate Winslet's favorite role seems to be that of "mom". And a such, she understands the highs & lows of parenting, and how despite who you are or where you come from, all mothers -- or at least most, always want what's best for their children and will do whatever necessary to make it possible..
So, when she heard of the plight of Scottish mom Carolynne Hunter whose daughter has multiple severe health challenges, and whose care drove up the cost of Ms. Hunter's electricity bill to £17,000 (the equivalent of approximately $20,728 USD) -- in ONE MONTH due to the various pieces of at-home medical equipment required for her 'round-the-clock care, the actress stepped in and paid the bill through a GofundMe donation.
Winslet said she "recognized the mother's struggle to fund the life-saving equipment and how it put the child's continued care at risk...and she simply could not let that happen".
A Healing Hero Indeed!
Source: independent.co.uk
Humanity Among Adversaries
Being an extraordinary athlete is not just about besting your opponent on the field of play. Sometimes it's what you do off the field that makes all the difference in the world.
US Men's National Soccer Team member Antonee Robinson proved that far beyond athleticism, character counts! After a hard fought victory over Iran's soccer team during the knockout round of World Cup, Iranian soccer team member Ramin Rezaeian was brought to tears over his team's devastating loss to the U.S. Robinson, took notice and immediately began to console Rezaeian...a powerful reminder of the need for humanity among adversaries.
Source: insider.com
Healing as We Mourn
Just days after a mass shooting in Colorado, the nation was rocked yet again by a mass shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, VA -- 2 days before Thanksgiving.
THIS ONE (really) HURT because it was close to home!
While I didn't know any of the victims, I am very familiar with this Walmart location as I've visited it frequently in the past, while living in Chesapeake for several years. Although I didn't expect anything less, many thanks to the City of Chesapeake leadership for creating an opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate the lives of those lost, to mourn and to heal.
Source: 13NewsNow
Healing from Hate
Military Veteran. Entrepreneur. Mass Shooting Hero Richard Fierro, co-owner of Atrevida Beer Co, in Colorado Springs, CO has, along with his wife Jessica, reopened their brewery just days after the mass shooting at Club Q, to allow people of all walks of life, race & ethnicity to come together and heal from hate. They also hosted a fundraiser for a local non-profit that helps LGBTQ college students.
Fierro, along with Thomas James is credited with intervening to stop a mass shooting that injured 18 people and claimed the lives of 5 others including the boyfriend of Fierro's daughter Kassy .
Source: KRDO News Channel 13 via YouTube
Paying it Forward and Giving Thanks
Hampton, VA native and NFL football player Tyrod Taylor, his nonprofit The Tyrod Taylor Foundation and Kroger Grocery team up to provide 350 Thanksgiving meals to families in need.
Source: 13NewsNow via YouTube
Investing in the Future One HBCU at a Time
Truist Bank lends its support to Hampton Roads VA area HBCUs
by donating $500,000 during an "HBCU Sunday" event hosted by
The Mount Church of Chesapeake, VA.
Source: 13NewsNow via YouTube
Bowling for H.E.R.
The Help and Emergency Response (H.E.R) Shelter and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center partner up to
"Strike Out Domestic Violence"
Source: Wavy 10 News
Photo Courtesy of Deborah Aspersion via wavy.com
I am My Brother's Keeper
7th Grader takes a stand against bullying; sacrifices allowance savings to purchase new shoes for a friend in need.
Source: WGRZ Channel 2 via Blavity.com
Making Moves that Matter
Two brothers started a moving company to make extra money.
As their business grew, so did their impact on an endangered population of clients. Before long, they inspired others to #MovetoEndDV
Source: Good News Network
You Can Begin Again...
In her memoir Finding Me, Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis takes the reader on a journey of discovery & awareness, perseverance, resilience and faith. Her book is a story of hope, survival and self-acceptance...not despite life's circumstances, but because of them. It is an inspiration to all who dare to read it, see glimmers of themselves in the struggle and are brave enough to shift their mindset for the better.
This book is an undeniable reminder that the current chapter of life's challenges doesn't have to be how the story ends, because... you can begin again.