At an early age, Maseray S. Kamara understood the importance of healthcare. Now, she is contributing to the creation of quality care for patients. Her professional journey dates back to Woodbridge, VA where she was raised by parents from Sierra Leone, West Africa. They informed her of various family members , some impacted by sickle cell, which can cause pain, infections, and joint issues throughout the body, according to the National Institutes of Health. These early conversations profoundly influenced her passion for healthcare and the importance of improving access to it. She also credits a science project from her eighth-grade year surrounding heart rates as a pivotal moment in solidifying her career path. In 2008, Kamara’s interest in science led her to Princeton University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in molecular biology. After that, she attended Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine to obtain a medical degree. She successfully completed her...
Keke Palmer became a millionaire by the age of 12. In 2004, the Chicago native landed her first film role in “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” . Her breakout role came in 2006 with “Akeelah and the Bee” and just a year later, she showcased her acting skills as Mary Thomas in Disney’s “Jump In!” alongside Corbin Bleu. By that time, Palmer’s parents had already hired a business manager—a strategic decision aimed at ensuring financial transparency. “They wanted me to know that they they weren’t the ones controlling my money. They had heard these stories and my mom said I don’t want money to come in between me and my child,” Palmer said on “Club Shay Shay.” Palmer also benefited from a Coogan account, which was designed to hold a percentage of child star’s earnings. She added, “That always was there regardless of anything else.” Palmer also spoke on the intricacies of reaching millionaire status by 12. “I became a millionaire at 12. To expect everybody to have become a millionaire at 12...
WNBA star Angel Reese has exceeded the expectations of her former agents. During a panel discussion at ComplexCon 2024, Nov. 16-17, in Las Vegas, NV, the Chicago Sky player looked back on the discouraging advice she received from her former agents, who had low expectations for her success with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. “I used to be with an agency, and I’m not with the agency anymore,” the 22-year-old explained on the panel, moderated by Speedy Morman , according to Complex. “And initially when I was with the agency, that specific agency told me I was never going to make over $2,000. … And that was when NIL first started.” Reese would prove those agents wrong. She has secured a slew of NIL deals with companies that include: Wingstop McDonald’s Raising Cane’s Amazon Sonic Bose Banter by Piercing Pagoda TurboTax Xfinity JanSport Outback Steakhouse In April 2024, her NIL valuation had reached $1.8 million, notes The Street. Reese is now working with new agents, Jeanine...
Navigating the delicate topic of salary expectations during a job interview requires finesse and preparation. It’s a common question that can influence the course of your employment negotiation and shape the future of your salary earnings at your company. It may seem easy to just let them know your dream number. But to truly get the desired outcome, handling this question with finesse and researching why you selected that given number is crucial. From viewing that current company’s financial standing or the average salary for similar roles on Glassdoor , you should do your due diligence. Being intentional before letting employers or hiring managers know your number is not only smart but essential. Here are some strategies to help you tackle this question confidently. How To Answer “What Is Your Current Salary?” The “What is your current salary?” question can be tricky, as it might seem like a straightforward inquiry. However, it’s essential to handle it with care. Instead of...
In today’s quickly changing job market, people are looking for companies that check all of their boxes. They want to show up and be inspired by their work, be inspired by company leadership and make an impact with the projects they work on. Many job seekers are also seriously considering how a company handles diversity in its workforce for the first time. Unfortunately, finding a company that meets those criteria in today’s job market can be challenging. In the past few years, employers have loudly proclaimed that diversity was a core part of their values and that the voices and contributions of Black talent were central to how they saw their company futures. But the reality of how Black employees are compensated, trained and valued hasn’t matched up to those claims. Fortunately, integrated advertising agencies within dentsu International’s network are showing up in a real way for Black employees. Through diversity initiatives and other social impact efforts, dentsu hopes to...
Sir Mix-A-Lot is one of the latest musicians to join in on the non-fungible token (NFT) action. Anthony L. Ray — better known as Sir Mix-A-Lot — is teaming up with META-X Studios to launch his debut collection of unique NFTs titled “BIT BUTTS.” According to a press release, the drop provides “cheeky” fun to celebrate the success of the 1992 hit song “Baby Got Back” and will also bring attention to cancer research and raise funds. “NFTs are a supercharged media for storytellers,” said META-X Studios CEO, Joe Sichta, in a press release. “We chose BIT BUTTS as our debut launch because we all need a good laugh right now for a good cause. Working with Sir Mix-a-Lot and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance was the perfect fit to showcase our firepower as an NFT creative factory, while raising awareness of a serious issue that can be embarrassing to talk about. We’re out to de-stigmatize colorectal cancer with a bit of ridiculous fun, and to donate a portion of the proceeds to support the work...
Contrary to popular opinion, lactation isn’t something that always comes easy (or naturally) for mothers. That’s why Shamiesha Ebhotemen created a lactation subscription service for Black mothers . The NurseMilk Latch Baby Latch is designed to “erase the stigma of breastfeeding.” And while breastfeeding has become more accepted as time goes on, there are still plenty of women that could use all the help they could get. With the Liquid Gold subscription, expectant mothers receive a support assessment, 1-on-1 classes, group classes, free merchandise, and weekly emails — and that’s just the beginning. According to Nurses You Should Know, Ebhtomen realized that it was important to her to create this lactation subscription service for mothers because her experience in both the medical field and as a mother made her realize that she needed to fill a void. “During her pregnancy, Shamiesha began searching for a lactation consultant of color in her neighborhood. She was only able to locate...
The Consumer Technology Association has announced it is committing $10 million to venture capital firms that focus solely on minority women and diverse founders. Last year, women brought in just 2.2 percent of the available venture capital funding in the U.S. and black women received just .0006 percent of that . According to PitchBook, when deals are finally cut, women receive on average $5 million, while their male counterparts get nearly $12 million. CTA’s investment works to offset these statistics and give founders a chance at the money many investors are leaving on the table. “It is imperative that we take full advantage of the diverse talent the U.S. has to offer to compete and the most successful and innovative companies will be those led by diverse teams,” said Tiffany Moore, CTA’s Senior Vice President of Political Industry Affairs. “It’s as critical that we don’t miss out on the innovation the next unicorn startup has to offer because they lacked investment.” Interested VC...
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has announced that it will invest $10 million in venture firms and funds focused on women, people of color and other underrepresented startups and entrepreneurs. CTA’s multi-million dollar fund targets the disproportionate amount of venture capital that women and minority-led companies receive. In 2017, women received nearly 2.2 percent of the available venture capital funding which totaled $85 billion. “To continue to evolve and grow, the tech industry needs more equal access to venture funding,” said CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro in a press release . “Various research reports indicate diverse teams make better decisions and achieve greater profits. At CTA, this is one more tool we are deploying to help promote diversity in the technology industry.” CTA has previously been criticized for having gender-bias and a lack of diversity at its events. Lora DiCarlo, a women-focused company, was supposed to receive an innovation award at this...
Snapchat’s public relations firm is suing Grown-ish actor Luka Sabbat for failing to promote Snap’s Spectacles with Instagram posts of himself wearing the camera sunglasses. The 20-year-old influencer—who has amassed 1.4 million followers on the platform—was paid $45,000 upon signing the agreement that was worth $60,000 total, according to the complaint filed in the Supreme Court of New York on Tuesday. Sabbat signed an influencer marketing deal in September and was supposed to create four “unique” Instagram posts: one Instagram feed post and three Instagram Story posts of him sporting the Spectacles. The deal also included him being photographed wearing them in New York, Paris, and Milan during Fashion Week, according to the suit. The suit alleges Sabbat only posted once to his Instagram feed and Story, and failed to be photographed wearing the product in public. The firm—PR Consulting, Inc.—is suing Sabbat for the $45,000 paid upfront, plus an additional $45,000 in damages....
For generations, the idea of retirement was wrapped in images of palm trees, golf courses, and pastel-colored condos lining the Florida coast. But for today’s retirees, those images are changing. The decision of where to retire is no longer just about sunshine and tax incentives; it’s about affordability, quality of life, and long-term stability. Instead of heading south, many retirees are opting for places like the Midwest, trading palm trees for pine forests, ocean waves for mountain peaks, and high insurance rates for financial security. And this shift isn’t random. For decades, Florida has been synonymous with retirement. The Sunshine State’s warm climate, tax advantages, and retirement-friendly communities made it the ultimate destination for older Americans. However, recent trends suggest that the tides are turning. A new study from Mirador Living, titled “Retirement Expectations vs. Reality: Factors that Impact Retirement Decisions,” reveals a surprising shift in where...