SEQ Census 2020 Complete Count Committee Launch

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South East Queens Initiates Complete Count Committee for Census 2020

WHY: According to a recent report by Professor Reamer of Georgetown University, the US distributes $883,094,826,042 from 55 programs (based on FY 2016 numbers). The 2020 Census will implement new technology, for the first time giving respondents the opportunity to reply online as well as by mail or phone. It is critical that we inform, educate and activate respondents, to ensure we have the highest possible response rate. Funding and planning for hospitals, schools, roads, businesses and emergency services will be impacted by the data collected during the Census, making this a critical community endeavor.

WHO: U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks, NYS Senator Leroy Comrie, NYS Assembly Members Alicia Hyndman, Clyde Vanel, Council Members I. Daneek Miller, Adrienne Adams, District Leader Richard David, Melva Miller of the Association for a Better New York, and local civic, faith-based, cultural, academic and community leaders.

See Why Highly Decorated Veteran And HBCU Wellness Educator Is Awarded Atlanta VA Health Care System Research Volunteer of the Year

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Highly Decorated Veteran And HBCU Wellness Educator Charles Singleton Awarded Atlanta VA Health Care System Research Volunteer of the Year

The first annual Atlanta VA Health Care System Research Volunteer Of The Year Award was presented to Dr. Charles Singleton last week by Atlanta VAHCS Interim Director Dr. Ajay Dhawan. Dr. Singleton, a Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient, was nominated by the research team at the Atlanta VAHCS Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation (CVNR).

He is a passionate volunteer who participated in an extensive research study over the course of six months, and motivated his fellow research participants with his enthusiasm and dedication for the program in the process.  In addition to participating in the study, Dr. Singleton volunteers with research related activities including writing an article about his experience as a research participant for the Center newsletter and making a detailed journal about his experience to share with other Veterans and research participants.

Speaking at the event, Associate Chief of Staff for Research, Dr. C. Michael Hart, acknowledges that research participants “selflessly and altruistically give their time, energy, (and sometimes samples) to enable the process of biomedical research. Without volunteers for clinical research studies, the pace of progress and understanding in treating human disease would be significantly impaired. We are all thankful for and indebted to these volunteers.”

If you are interested in learning more about what research is taking place at the CVNR, visit http://varrd.emory.edu/active_studies/

If you would like to contact the Atlanta VAHCS Clinical Studies Center, please call 404-321-6111 ext 204934.

San Francisco Retired Firefighter Says He Was a Victim of Paramedic Brutality

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RETIRED BLACK FIREFIGHTER SAYS HE WAS RECENTLY A VICTIM OF PARAMEDIC BRUTALITY

San Francisco, CA -- Retired San Francisco Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Estrada believes he was a victim of paramedic brutality. He says he recently summoned 911 to his residence for help after he was overcome with pain from a back muscle spasm that made it difficult to stand to his feet.

Paramedic Unit 54 of the North Las Vegas Fire Department arrived. The crew asked Mr. Estrada some basic questions, mostly about medical insurance, but never performed a physical assessment. Mr. Estrada informed them that he was a retired San Francisco Firefighter/Paramedic and was injured while battling a six-alarm blaze on May 21, 2009, which can be viewed on YouTube by searching "Enoch Estrada." He also showed them all of his horrific injuries, but they did not seem to be interested in his history.

He says he walked to the doorway unassisted by the crew. At 6'1" 280 lbs, they could barely lift Mr. Estrada into the ambulance on their gurney. It would have been easier had they called for an engine company to help with the lift. According to Mr. Estrada, "The ride was bumpy and painful and tears streamed down my face."

Foundation Reunites 3,000 Fatherless Children With Their Biological Dads

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THIS FOUNDATION HAS REUNITED OVER 3,000 FATHERLESS CHILDREN WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL FATHERS

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, The Fatherless Generation Foundation Inc. and Dr. Torri J. Evans-Barton, are experts at reuniting children with their fathers.

Nationwide -- Michigan Native, Dr. Torri J. Evans-Barton, Founder & CEO of The Fatherless Generation Foundation Inc. (TFGF) has successfully reunited 3,112 fatherless children with their biological fathers. 1 out of 3 African American children grow up in a fatherless household and according to the National Center for Fathering, 72.2% of the U.S. population believes, fatherlessness is the most significant family or social problem facing America.

After reuniting with her biological at 31-years old, Dr. Torri J. found her purpose in working with fatherless individuals to help them heal from their fatherless journey through reunification and if reunification is not possible tools for healing. Over the last six years, her "Father's Day" segment on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show where she reunites fatherless children and their biological fathers live on the air gives hope to fatherless children and their fathers that one day they will be reunited.

Dr. Torri J. is also the proud recipient of The President Obama Lifetime Achievement Award and various other awards solidifying her as a fatherless & reunification expert. She has also been featured in JetMagazine, on BBC Radio, CBS Radio, and NBC Black.

Black-Owned Skincare Line Signs Supermodel Jessica White as Brand Ambassador

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NEW BLACK-OWNED SKINCARE LINE FOR WOMEN OF COLOR SIGNS SUPERMODEL JESSICA WHITE AS THE BRAND AMBASSADOR

Nationwide -- Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Skin Care Specialist, Dr. Myla Bennett, has officially signed Supermodel Jessica White, as the the official brand ambassador for her recently launched skincare line, Pretty Rx by Dr. Myla. As the ambassador for the brand, White will represent Pretty Rx via a global campaign which will inspire women to unleash their inner and outer beauty and live more confident lives.

White has positioned herself as the 'model of her generation' after spending 11 years as the face of Maybelline and was the first African American model to hold two separate cosmetic campaigns, Maybelline along with Covergirl. After securing her supermodel status by appearing on the catwalk of the infamous Victoria Secret fashion show, White has been on the runways for fashion houses such as Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Oscar De LaRenta, and Tommy Hilfiger. She has been featured in editorials for Teen Vogue, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and in campaigns for Chloe, Covergirl and Gap. She was a natural fit for the Pretty Rx brand. White will appear in elements of the brand's holistic marketing campaign, including TV, print and digital advertising, in-store displays, public relations, and social media.

Pretty Rx by Dr.Myla is a cutting-edge medical grade skin care line. The brand was developed by Dr. Myla for the sole purpose of helping women have clear, radiant skin while making them feel comfortable so that makeup would become optional. Dr. Myla has been the skin care specialist to some of the leading names in the entertainment industry including Supermodel Ashley Graham, Grammy Award winning Singers Toni and Tamar Braxton, and many more. Dr. Myla's goal has been to gain exposure to cutting edge products, treatments, and surgical procedures to prevent, slow down, and even reverse the signs of aging.

Educator Turned Entrepreneur Launches Products to Help Children Grow Emotionally

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BLACK EDUCATOR TURNED ENTREPRENEUR LAUNCHES PRODUCTS TO HELP CHILDREN GROW EMOTIONALLY STRONGER

Nationwide -- The Feeling Friends®, created by African American educator and entrepreneur Karen Cuthrell, is a Social Emotional Learning program that teaches children to identify, express, and manage their feelings. The foundation of The Feeling Friends is love is the most important feeling. It is in this love that children grow emotionally stronger.

The Feeling Friends are just what educators need to teach social-emotional learning to their students. It gives children the vocabulary to identify, express, and manage their feelings.

The Feeling Friends include professional development for early childhood teachers which helps teachers develop their SEL skills. It also includes direct instruction with effective interventions embedded within the activities, giving children repeated opportunities to practice SEL skills throughout the day.

Black-Owned Tech Venture Address Under-representation In Clinical Trials

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NEW BLACK-OWNED TECH VENTURE HELPS MINORITIES KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN TAKING  MEDICATIONS

 
Nationwide -- Whenever taking medication, one naturally assumes the treatment will work. After all, the medication's effectiveness is based on years of clinical trials. However, this may not always be the case if you're a person of color.

Historically, participants in clinical trials tended to be white men. Then in 1993, Congress passed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Revitalization Act to increase the number of women and minorities in clinical trials.

However, clinical trials still lack adequate representation of people of color. For instance, one study found "less than 2 percent of the National Cancer Institute's clinical trials focus on any racial/minority population as their primary emphasis."

1st Black-Owned Toddler Shoe Line Set to Make Its Debut With Legacy Retailer

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FIRST EVER BLACK-OWNED TODDLER SHOE LINE SET TO MAKE ITS DEBUT WITH LEGACY RETAILER

Yolandra Rodgers

New York, NY -- Tippy Tot Shoes, founded by Yolandra Rodgers, is famous for its luxury walkers for babies. As the first Black entrepreneur to launch such a shoe line specifically for toddlers, Rodgers will soon be expanding from selling online to selling at major retail stores across the country!

"My inspiration is drawn on the finest shoes for beginner walking toddlers. The foundation that I build today will become a legacy that will last long after me. Our company is growing rapidly while taking the business to higher heights and new-found territory. It's imperative that we evolve with something greater each year," said Rodgers, whose eCommerce store is preparing a soft launch of the Walkers Collection in partnership with a legacy retailer (TBA) starting May 15, 2019.

The debut of the Collection will kick-off in San Francisco, CA. The store name and locations will be listed on Tippy Tot Shoes website soon.

Once Homeless, Dr. Tommy Watson Tells His Powerful Story of Beating the Odds In Biopic Film

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ONCE HOMELESS, DR. TOMMY WATSON TELLS HIS RIVETING AND INSPIRING STORY OF BEATING THE ODDS IN NEW BIOPIC FILM

Dr. Tommy Watson

Nationwide -- Dr. Tommy Watson is sharing his empowering life story in a new film called Resilient that is scheduled to start filming in Charlotte, NC in the summer of 2019. Based on his award-winning book A Face of Courage: The Tommy Watson Story, the film tells the story of Watson's inspiring journey from homelessness, abandonment and childhood neglect to successful Big Ten football player with hopes for the NFL and later a fulfilling career as a school principal and motivational speaker.

Watson's parents were heroin addicts and shoplifters. He grew up in the Five Points area of Denver, Colorado, a crime-ridden neighborhood wrought with gang violence, drugs and poverty. Living in this type of neighborhood would create any number of obstacles and challenges for a young person.

However, Watson's biggest challenges were faced behind closed doors. Watson says that he and his siblings "paid a hell of a price" due to the actions of their drug-addicted parents. Fortunately for Watson, he was able to rise above the odds that consumed his parents, siblings, and many friends.

Producer of "Miracle in Rwanda" Honored in NYC

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LESLIE LEWIS HONORED BY NDABA MANDELA AND HAKEEM JEFFRIES FOLLOWING PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAY "MIRACLE IN RWANDA" SUPPORTED BY ONE HUNDRED BLACK MEN, INC. OF NEW YORK

Theatre Row, NYC -- Following the Friday evening performance of the critically acclaimed off-Broadway play Miracle in Rwanda at the Lion Theater, Leslie Lewis, co-creator and producer was celebrated for her heartfelt dedication to the healing of the Rwandan people through her art and her actions.  Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, spoke to Ms. Lewis in a pre-recorded video message played following the performance sponsored by One Hundred Black Men, Inc. of New York.

He congratulated her on the great work she was doing and wished her much success with the play. Mr. Mandela, recalled that while both South Africa and Rwanda suffered atrocities in 1994, both countries have made the conscious decision to move from the past in love and peace.

Link to Ndaba Mandella remarks:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IexjmspqYieuaPhc9X-zTVvWR6Mhwq7x/view?usp=sharing

Hakeem Jeffries, attorney (D) member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York's 8th congressional district in Brooklyn and Queens, honored Ms. Lewis with a Congressional Proclamation commending her commitment to the people of Rwanda and her remarkable talent as an actress, writer and producer.

App to Help Employ Thousands in the Black Community

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ENTREPRENEUR BELIEVES HE CAN EMPLOY THOUSANDS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY BY EXPANDING HIS FREE APP

Steven A. Williams, founder of the Blue Book Black News app

Nationwide -- Did you know that African Americans are not only frequent users of social media, but also have helped build social media platforms like Twitter into the giants they are today by adopting and adapting them to their needs? This fact comes from Nielsen's 2018 report, 'The Digital Lives of Black Consumers.'

Despite African Americans being big users and influencers of the tech industry, they are not equally represented on its business side. In Silicon Valley, the percentage of Black creatives is minimal at every level. Although Milwaukee is growing a reputation for being a tech hub, this disparity exists here as well.

 Steven A. Williams is working to change that paradigm on a local level. He created the Blue Book Black News app because he recognized the need for Blacks to not just be consumers of technology, but to also create and own the platforms.

The Blue Book Black News app is free to download for users on Androids and iPhones. It currently has over 1,000 users. "Our focus is providing news, resource and entertainment information that is specifically tailored for the Black community," stated app creator Steven A. Williams. "We know that the Black community is heavy users of smart devices," he added. "We connect with them where they are and provide credible and relevant information."

Black Author Gives Women of All Ages a Voice

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NEW MEMOIR GIVES WOMEN OF EVERY AGE A VOICE

Indianapolis, IN -- From magazine articles and social media posts, the world around us is constantly telling women how to look and how to behave. With aspirations of large followings and celebrity-status, many women get swept away by the illusion of success and acceptance.

Often, in this pursuit, they lose their own voices and morph into someone other than their most authentic selves. A new book, No Weapon! My Journey to Win peels back the layers of one woman's quest to find her inner most self and her voice.

Throughout the newly released memoir, she shares her journey to self-acceptance and self-love with the world.

Discover Why This Special Dad And His Son On The Autism Spectrum Created Super Heroes To Learn By

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Led Bradshaw And His Son Jacob Create Super Hero Series To Help Educate Special Needs Kids 

Led Bradshaw and his son Jacob Co-creators of the Jet Jetpulse Comic Superhero Learning Series. Interview by Kamau Austin with Led Bradshaw.

Led Bradshaw is a quintessential father and then some.  His love for his son on the autism spectrum Jacob, and his commitment to help him succeed is also complimented by his concern for helping other children with similar challenges.

Bradshaw discovered a way to use his talent for art and drawing to connect on a profound level to help his son to learn using his love of superheroes.  I was able to get Led to take time from his busy parenting and professional schedule to answer some questions on the innovative and inspirational development of the Jake Jetpulse comic superhero educational series.

Interview with Led Bradshaw 

Kamau: Can you tell us a little about your background and your son's life growing up?

Led Bradshaw: I'm a Brooklyn born comic book artist/writer, graphic artist and Level 1 Teaching Assistant. Art is my life and it presents me with a ton of challenges yet none are more challenging or exciting than being a single father to an amazing 7 year old boy named Jacob.

Ever since I was I a kid, all I ever wanted was to draw comic books or saturday morning cartoons. It was always in my dreams. That's all I ever wanted.

Autism became a part of my life when Jake was diagnosed at the age of four. I created Jetpulse comics by embracing his special interests and pull him into learning.

Jake created the story for Jake Jetpulse through illustrations that he drew and hung on the refrigerator. After school, we'd sit and draw together for 30 minutes everyday.

Kamau: What inspired you to go into developing your comic book series with your son?

Led Bradshaw: before Jake was diagosed with autism, His mother and I noticed that he was having difficulties paying attention and learning in class. He was very self-directed and spent a great deal of time focusing on superheroes. Understanding this subject as his special interest, I incorporated 25 minute art activities into his daily routine.

At first, we focused on understanding emotions with colors. Then using those colors to communicate our mood in pictures. After several weeks of this, Jake started drawing himself as a caped superhero named "Ultra-Jake".

I encouraged him to draw more pictures of Jake and his superhero adventure. We worked together to flesh out the world that his character lives in, his strengths, weaknesses, as well as his allies and villains.

The "Ultra-Jake" character became such a big part of him; So much, that he'd dress up like his character to play. That's when I got the idea to draw the character myself and include his daily homework into the adventure.

Kamau: What is the name of your comic series and some of the leading characters?

Led Bradshaw: The name of our comic book series is "The New Adventures of Jake Jetpulse" with Jake as the main hero. he's joined by his best friends, Julia Santiago and Marrz the Troll. The characters were created to represent the three characteristics of autism.

Julia Santiago is the brains of the team. Her incredible intellect and knowledge of everything technical makes her an incredibly valuable member of the team. She's more into building fighting robots than hanging out at the mall with her friends.

Marrz is a member of a race of beings who dwell in the "Under-Boroughs" of New York City. they're a noble race of trolls who live to protect an ancient suit of armor that, if in the wrong hands, could spell doom for everyone on the planet. While lost and hungry on the surface, Marrz gets in trouble by stealing Julia's lunchbox. Jake helps Marrz return the stolen lunchbox and Julia forgives him for taking it and offers to help the giant troll. This is how they become friends.

Black-Owned Potato Chip Brand Celebrates 3 Years

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FAMILY-OWNED POTATO CHIP BRAND CELEBRATES 3 YEARS IN BUSINESS

Nationwide -- The road to entrepreneurship is a long one, but once there, the ability to maintain can be just as hard if not harder. The Anderson family, founders of Symphony Chips, pride themselves on working together to sustain their business and continue their growth. Dondre Anderson and his two daughters, Amina and Amari, have gone through several obstacles to get to where they are today.

The largest obstacles they've had to overcome were first packaging, then supply chain and finally marketing. Their packaging issue was both the look and then finding the right company to produce their very vibrate and alluring potato chip bags.