Alicia Keys Drops New Album 'ALICIA'
15-time GRAMMY-winning artist and worldwide-celebrated musician Alicia Keys released her highly-anticipated seventh studio album ALICIA (via RCA Records), inviting the world to join her for a soulful, sensual, and introspective sonic journey.
Keys plans to bring the new album to life in the summer of 2021, during rescheduled dates of her upcoming ALICIA: The World Tour, originally scheduled for summer 2020 before the global pandemic put a pause on live music gatherings.
The Self-Titled LP Includes Collaborations with Jill Scott, Khalid, Miguel, Snoh Aalegra, Tierra Whack, Sampha, and Diamond Platinumz
Usher Announces Headlining Las Vegas Residency At The Colosseum in Caesars Palace.
Additionally, Usher, Live Nation Las Vegas and Caesars Entertainment will be donating $1 of every ticket purchased to Usher’s Las Vegas Usher’s New Look, Inc. (UNL). Founded in 1999 by Usher as a young man barely out of his teens, UNL is on a mission to transform the lives of under served youth through a comprehensive program that develops passion-driven, global leaders.
For more information on Usher’s New look Foundation, please visit http://ushersnewlook.org. Follow Usher on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
We know that economic inequality is at the root of systemic injustice. Black- and minority-owned businesses are more likely to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. We see an opportunity to help rebuild these businesses as we rebuild our own.
We are focused on expanding our purchasing with minority-owned businesses, and especially those that are Black-owned.
We commit to partnering with organizations to significantly increase the inclusion of diverse suppliers in our supply chain opportunities, evaluate strategic investments in diverse businesses, and provide subject-matter expertise to help businesses navigate these unprecedented business circumstances.
We pledge these commitments to our colleagues, guests, customers, hotel owners and communities around the world to fight systemic racism and achieve equality together.
https://about.hyatt.com/en/inclusion-diversity.html
If we’re talking successful black-owned businesses, it makes sense to start with the IT behemoth World Wide Technology. With more than $10 billion in annual revenue and over 5,000 employees, WWT is one of the largest private companies in the U.S.
David L. Steward founded the company in St Louis, Missouri, back in 1990, and he’s still its chairman today. The company’s success is a long way from the poverty and discrimination he grew up with:
“I vividly remember segregation—separate schools, sitting in the balcony at the movie theater, being barred from the public swimming pool.”
Today, his net worth is estimated at almost $4 billion, and his company topped this year’s BE 100s list of the nation’s largest black-owned businesses.
https://www.wwt.com/about/press-kit
Every day, Black business owners and entrepreneurs make invaluable contributions to communities across the country, and their success is essential to Canada’s economic recovery and future prosperity.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated existing systemic barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized business owners in Canada. While we have made progress in advancing equitable access to support and opportunities, much more needs to be done to better help Black business owners and entrepreneurs, and address anti-Black racism.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced investments of up to nearly $221 million in partnership with Canadian financial institutions – including up to nearly $93 million from the Government of Canada over the next four years – to launch Canada’s first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program. This program will help thousands of Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country recover from this crisis and grow their businesses.
Quotes
“The pandemic has shone a light on the inequalities that disproportionately hurt Black Canadians, and has underscored the need to restart our economy in a way that allows all Canadians an equal chance to succeed. That is why today – thanks in part to the leadership, advocacy, and expertise of Black business owners and Black-led organizations – we are announcing Canada’s first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program. As we move forward, this program will help support Black entrepreneurs and create new opportunities for Black-owned businesses, so they are well-positioned for our economic recovery.”
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“For too long, Black entrepreneurs and business owners have faced systemic barriers to their success, and the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on them. With Canada’s first-ever Black Entrepreneurship Program, our government is taking real action to support Black entrepreneurs recovering from COVID-19, and empower them to start up, innovate, grow, and succeed. We will continue to do whatever it takes to support all small business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.”
The Hon. Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
“Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is unwavering, and the new Black Entrepreneurship Program reflects this. This program was created through collaboration with Black-led organizations, because Black Canadians know what their communities need best. This is another step towards removing the systemic barriers that exist within our society to create a truly inclusive Canada.”
The Hon. Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth.
To read the full press release: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/09/09/prime-minister-announces-support-black-entrepreneurs-and-business
The program will include:
up to $53 million to develop and implement a new National Ecosystem Fund to support Black-led business organizations across the country. It will help Black business owners and entrepreneurs access funding and capital, mentorship, financial planning services, and business training.
up to $33.3 million in support through the new Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund that will provide loans of between $25,000 and $250,000 for Black business owners and entrepreneurs. The Government of Canada is also partnering with financial institutions, including RBC, BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank, CIBC, National Bank, TD, Vancity, and Alterna Savings, to make up to $128 million available in additional lending support.
The Government of Canada will continue to support Black entrepreneurs and create opportunities for Black-owned businesses so that they can recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and grow in the months and years to come.
Prime Minister of Canada announces
support for Black entrepreneurs
and business owners
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
Premier Stephen McNeil’s delivered an apology for the systemic racism that has marked our system of justice, including policing and the courts. The premier explained that the province is responsible for policing and public safety. He acknowledged that these institutions have not been just for many and apologized for the harms, trauma and pain many Nova Scotians have endured over generations.
“Our system of justice has failed members of our Black and Indigenous communities. This system is supposed to keep all Nova Scotians safe, but because of the colour of your skin, many of you live in fear. Today, I say: enough,” said Premier McNeil. “I see you, I hear you, I believe you and I am sorry. On behalf of my ministers, my caucus, our government, we are sorry racist institutions have failed you, your families and your ancestors. I can’t take away your pain or bring back the opportunities and lives lost. But I am showing up today to try to work with all of you to find a new approach to public safety.”
Premier of Nova Scotia
Stephen McNeil Delivers Apology to The Black and Indigenous communities
Read full story @
www.novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20200929002
Premier of Nova Scotia
Stephen McNeil
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the newly elected President of the Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.). I am truly humbled to have been elected by my peers and assure you that I intend to fulfill the mandated responsibility of this position with pride, dedication and focussed on achieving results.
Some of you may know that I am a product of the organization’s vision for young people within Law Enforcement and Justice. Indeed, 26 years ago, in 1993 I was the original recipient of the A.B.L.E. Scholarship Award. I am now a 20-year veteran Peace Officer with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), the 1st Woman to be elected to the office of President with A.B.L.E., and I’m engaged daily in CSC’ efforts to preserve and promote cultural identity and practices of our ethnocultural staff and offenders alike. All this because A.B.L.E. took the time to recognize me as a young black woman, they inspired and encouraged me to pursue a career in law enforcement in spite of obstacles.
This is why I am truly looking forward to the many opportunities to give back to the community, starting with the evening of May 25th, 2019, where we will host the 26th Annual A.B.L.E. Scholarship Awards Ball – Co-hosted by the Halton Regional Police Service at the Burlington Convention Centre. We are truly excited to welcome Justice Donald McLeod as this year’s featured keynote speaker. The gala will bring people together and will give us a platform to formally recognize youth achievement, something that is near and dear to me as a mom and former recipient. Please reserve this date and contact us for promotional opportunities at the event or in our Awards Ball Magazine. Our planning committee would be pleased to work with your agency.
I would be remiss not to take this moment to acknowledge the leadership of A.B.L.E.’s outgoing President, Mr. Kenton Chance. Kenton, on behalf of all members, thank you. You leave me big shoes to fill, and I assure you that I will do my very best to lead this organization in the tradition of leadership excellence you maintained throughout your tenure. As A.B.L.E.’s new President, it is my commitment to work with leaders of the Law Enforcement and Justice Sector to create and maintain reflective, fair, and equitable services where Black and Racialized members can reach their full potential. I am also committed to building and maintaining service relationships between our community and our profession that are responsive, respectful, and safe.
In closing, I truly look forward to working with all of you and appreciate your continued support of A.B.L.E. community and professional initiatives. It is my intention to reach out to you personally in the coming months. In the meantime, should you have a priority matter to discuss, I can be reached by email at or by phone at 647- 792-1081 Ext #1
Jacqueline Edwards President of the
Association of Black Law Enforcers
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Reconnect, Re-engage, Refocus, Re-energize
www.ableorg.ca
Walmart has over 340,000 Black and African American associates in the United States. Over the past few days, I’ve personally heard from many of our associates, leaders and members of the Walmart community. Overwhelmingly, people are hurting. There is an intense sense of pain, fatigue, and frustration. Let me say clearly to our Black and African American associates and communities, we hear you. We see you. I want you to know you are valued. You are loved members of our family. We need you to know you are not hurting alone. That I and others are hurting with you.
So, what now? Where do we go from here? Until we, as a nation, confront and address these hard realities, we will never achieve the best of what we can be.
What does this mean for us…for Walmart? Words and feelings matter but they are not enough. More action is required. We will find new ways to accelerate the desired changes inside our company and we will also find the ways that our business can influence real change in our country.
Making a Difference in Racial Equity: Walmart CEO Doug McMillon’s Full Remarks
Because we want to address systematic racism in society head-on and accelerate change, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committing $100 million to create a new center on racial equity. Through this $100 million commitment, the center will support philanthropic initiatives that align with four key areas: the nation’s financial, healthcare, education, and criminal justice systems. The goal of the center is to help advance economic opportunity and healthier living, including issues surrounding the social determinants of health, strengthening workforce development and related educational systems, and support criminal justice reform with an emphasis on examining barriers to opportunity faced by those exiting the system.
Read in full @ https://corporate.walmart.com/equity
Diversity and inclusion are both fundamental to a more inclusive society, where all Canadians are able to participate and thrive.
Although our government has already taken important steps to combat racism, systemic racism is still a daily reality for too many Canadians. That is why our government pledged to address systemic racism in the Speech from the Throne, and committed to do so in a way that is informed by the experiences of racialized communities, religious minorities, and Indigenous Peoples.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, our government introduced a new national strategy against systemic racism, Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, 2019-2022. The strategy is designed to take immediate steps to combat racism and all forms of discrimination. It builds a foundation for long-term action by supporting three guiding principles: demonstrating federal leadership, empowering communities, and building awareness and changing attitudes. As part of the strategy, we also established the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat.
Formed in October 2019, the Secretariat is committed to advancing human rights by collaborating with equity seeking groups, all orders of government, and all sectors of society in dismantling systemic racism in Canada. Part of this involves setting up a one-stop shop for anti-racism resources and tools. This work also involves helping government departments identify systemic barriers and gaps in initiatives, implement new responsive efforts, and track impacts with the aim of better community outcomes.
Still, more work needs to be done. We continue to witness persistent racism and discrimination across the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether aimed at Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, Canadians of Asian descent, Muslim Canadians, Jewish Canadians, racialized and religious minority communities, newcomers, LGBTQ2 people, women, or people with disabilities, discrimination and racism are unacceptable. It is the duty of every Canadian to stand up against all forms of discrimination and racism, wherever they are found. This will take federal leadership, and that is why it is fitting that it is the first of three guiding principles of the strategy.
As Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, it is my goal that the Secretariat’s work will empower and enable all Canadians to ensure that we build a better, stronger, and more consciously inclusive society. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Canada Day 2020, “We know that our work together is not done, not while anyone faces racism or injustice.”
Working together for true and lasting change in society is worth the effort, because it benefits us all.
The Honourable Bardish Chagger Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth
Message from the
Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth
Honourable Bardish Chagger
Financial technology (abbreviated fintech or FinTech) is the technology and innovation that aims to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services. It is an emerging industry that uses technology to improve activities in finance.. The use of smartphones for mobile banking, investing, borrowing services, and cryptocurrency are examples of technologies aiming to make financial services more accessible to the general public. Financial technology companies consist of both startups and established financial institutions and technology companies trying to replace or enhance the usage of financial services provided by existing financial companies.
For the estimated near 2 billion people worldwide without bank accounts, fintech provides a nimble option to participate in financial services without the need for the brick-and-mortar. And, to a large extent, that is precisely what fintech has been developed to do - give consumers direct access to their financial lives through easy-to-use technology.
Fintech has been used for many of the newest technological developments - from payment apps like Online banks, PayPal, Apple Pay, Alipay, Stripe, Kickstarter, Patreon, GoFundMe, Bitcoin, litecoin, Robinhood, Acorns, Venmo & Square just to list a few. Online Banking this is the future.
Vice President Kamala Harris has unveiled a range of public and private sector initiatives aimed at advancing racial equity, particularly within small businesses owned by Black and other minority groups. Speaking at the Freedman’s Bank Forum, Harris recognized the ongoing struggle faced by these businesses in securing funding, particularly during economic downturns.
One key measure announced by the Biden-Harris administration was the proposal of a new rule by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in the fall, which would expand its lender base by lifting the moratorium on new Small Business Lending Companies. This would permit new lenders to apply for a license to offer SBA-backed 7(a) small business loans.
Additionally, the Minority Business Development Agency (MDBA) will be issuing a $100 million notice of funding opportunity, which will provide technical assistance grants for entrepreneurship technical assistance providers. This funding will be used to help businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals to launch, scale, and connect with growth capital.
Harris also revealed that in order to facilitate greater availability of small-balance mortgages, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will issue requests to solicit specific and actionable feedback on the barriers that prevent the origination of these mortgages and recommendations for increasing the volume of small-mortgage loans in federal programs.
These measures, alongside others announced recently by the administration, aim to deliver capital and resources to underserved small businesses and the community lenders who serve them. Janet Yellen, the U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary, stated that the White House was using the Freedman’s Bank Forum to highlight how the administration's pandemic relief efforts supported Black and minority-owned businesses.
In acknowledging the struggles faced by entrepreneurs of color, Harris stated that traditional financial institutions frequently turned them away for loans at higher rates than their white counterparts. Community lenders were also reported to struggle with capital and technical capacity, limiting their ability to invest in communities that most needed their services.
Harris asserted that small businesses are the engines of the economy and the key to economic prosperity for countless Americans in underserved communities. Community lenders, including CDFIs, MDIs, and others, were highlighted as vital to unlocking the full economic potential of these communities, turning previously sidelined talent into a source of economic growth and shared prosperity for all.
