Nakia Booker’s introduction into the art world began as a young child learning different mediums of art from her grandfather. Decades later, the Southern University and A&M College graduate has returned to her roots through her brainchild The Black Artivism Capsule. The curated collection is now a home for 26 creatives to share their realities with the world through a Black lens. Featured artists include Raphael Adjetey Adjei Mayne, Ashley Nesmith, Khalid Thompson, and the late Crystal Kirk. The spread will feature the Black experience through all its facets such as civil unrest, health crises, and snapshots of a more hopeful future. “The place where I was at this time when all this was going on — I was feeling upset, angry, frustrated, like everybody else.  This project I started during the pandemic gave me hope and joy because it is timeless. It captures the past, present, and future so when you look at it you’ll be reminded of where we used to be and where we are now,” Booker...

Like many industries during the pandemic, the music industry was a sector that was rocked to the core when live in-person events were temporarily shut down. With no way for artists to tour or throw live shows, companies like Deep Root Records had to make a smart pivot toward technology to still support artists. The independent Black-owned record label based in New York City, founded in 2014, has been known for its live music experiences — including their annual Yacht Party Series in New York and Paris. But when the pandemic hit last year, the company had to find a way to save its live shows so they could continue to thrive in a new realm. It wasn’t before long until Deep Root Records pivoted the way many other brands and labels did, and turned toward hosting virtual shows online. The live show to livestream concept was the root of Deep Root Records’ success during the pandemic, but their ability to collaborate with other labels and brands in the same predicament is what helped put...

The advancement of technology doesn’t necessarily always have to be a bad thing. While many suggest that technology and social media alone have caused us to communicate less effectively, this Black founder says it can also mean the complete opposite. “If the pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that both of those things are kind of true,” said Travis Montaque on the latest episode of Black Tech Green Money (BTGM). “When I think about some of the things that we’ve done at Holler from a research perspective, one of the things we look for is how people are utilizing technology and platforms to connect with each other.” Holler is a messaging technology company that delivers content in messaging environments that includes texts, social media, and payment apps. Montaque shares that during his company’s most recent report, studies found that 42 percent of people message more than they did pre-pandemic. “If you think about the natural behavior that created the demand for messaging platforms...

New York City is giving back to its creatives with a major outlet to not only benefit them but the city too. The New York Times (NYT) reports that the city is launching a brand new $25 million recovery program to lend financial support to artists and performers whose income has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new program, the City Artist Corps, will reportedly provide funding to artists and musicians as well as other performers to help them create works across the city through public art, performances, pop-up shows, murals and other community arts projects. According to Gonzalo Casals, New York City’s cultural affairs commissioner, the initiative aims to ensure artists are not being left out of the city’s recovery efforts during the pandemic. “We want to make sure that we put funds in the pocket of artists,” he said in an interview with the NYT. “Artists have been one of the hardest-hit populations. They have so much to offer and so much give.” City officials...

The California Black Health Network (CBHN) continues its efforts to change healthcare for the Black community in California. According to PR Newswire, the company has announced the appointment of Rhonda M. Smith as its new Executive Director, effective Jan. 4, 2021. The announcement follows just as she comes off the heels of serving as CBHN’s Interim Executive Director since July 2020. “I am honored to be chosen to lead CBHN, an organization that has such a legacy in the Black Community,” said Smith in a statement. “There is so much potential for CBHN in the years ahead for us to make an impact in improving the health and health outcomes for Black Californians. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we take action to improve health outcomes for Black Californians, inspire hope for a new and better future, and ensure a racially just humanity. We also need to ensure that there are more effective education, advocacy, and policy initiatives that mitigate those factors that...

The $600 unemployment bonus initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic has been contentious. While some argue it discouraged workers from returning to their jobs, others say the $600 was necessary and that those who are now without it are feeling a severe financial pinch. How much help did the bonus really provide, and what should those who were counting on the funds do now? Remember, the news is constantly evolving as states are independently assessing the value of additional bonuses. If you are dependent on these funds, it would be wise to stay up to date on developments in states’ policies, as some jurisdictions are providing an extra $300 to $400 of weekly unemployment benefits. Here’s everything you need to know about the success of the program and how to find more money for daily expenses if you’re out of work. What was the goal of the bonus? To help with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES...

We’ve all felt the impact of COVID-19 on our personal lives, both financially and emotionally. But for small business owners, the pandemic packs an extra punch. According to a survey performed by the National Federation of Independent Business , about half of small business owners said they’d be unable to continue operations for more than two months without help. Impacted entrepreneurs are experiencing slower sales, supply chain disruptions and, of course, concerns about employees contracting the illness — and that’s all on top of figuring out how to keep their doors open. Fortunately, there are steps small business owners can take to help their companies come out of this quarantine on the right side of the proverbial dirt. Just as you use masks and hand sanitizer to help you survive the pandemic personally, here are some tools to help your business make it out alive, too. 1. Apply for emergency funding The coronavirus has led to unprecedented economic pressures — which is part of...

Billions of children are out of school during the current global pandemic and major adjustments in households across the nation are being made to manage a new routine. Moms are assisting with online learning, dads are serving up snacks and both are turning to TikTok when they run out of fun ideas. However, new research shows that the disruption to everyday life may predict two major outcomes for gender equality. According to CNN , researchers Matthias Doepke and Jane Olmstead-Rumsey of Northwestern University, Titan Alon of the University of California San Diego and Michèle Tertilt of the University of Mannheim report that moms will shoulder the majority of childcare duties during the pandemic. However, now that fathers are forced into stay-at-home dad roles, the shift in gender roles may lead to greater gender equality post-quarantine. Women are on the frontlines. As COVID-19 cases surge, healthcare and other essential professionals are working more, longer hours. The U.S. Labor of...