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Good Black News

Defy Ventures Helps Ex-Criminals Develop Start-Ups

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012

Defy Ventures helped Maliki Cottrell, who served time for carrying a gun without a permit, build a trash-hauling business.  (Victor J. Blue for The New York Times)

As a heroin dealer in Rhode Island, Jose Vasquez made $2,000 a day. He said he had a way with his customers. He took his best clients out for dinner and bought them presents on their birthdays.

“Everyone sells drugs, right?” said Mr. Vasquez, who was arrested in 2009. “So you got to find a way to differentiate yourself.”  Since his release last year, Mr. Vasquez, 26, has found that some of his skills as a drug dealer were transferable to a more legitimate pursuit; he opened a personal concierge service, Happy Vida, which runs errands for busy New York professionals.
Mr. Vasquez is a member of the inaugural class of Defy Ventures, a nonprofit organization that offers a one-year entrepreneurial training and mentorship program to people with criminal backgrounds. On Saturday, Defy held its first sales exposition, and Mr. Vasquez and nine of his classmates presented their start-ups. Guests and about 70 Defy students were asked to vote for the best sales pitch. Mr. Vasquez’s business received the most votes and won a $500 prize.

Russell Simmons Encourages The Urban Arts Community With His Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012
Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons

Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons attends the after party for the Gucci, Cinema Society & the Film Foundation screening of ‘La Dolce Vita’ at the Top of The Standard Hotel on June 1, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Known around the globe as a hip-hop pioneer, Russell Simmons’ passion for breaking new talent, particularly among urban youth, is well-documented and well-respected.  What largely flies under the radar, though, is his patronage of the arts in all forms, from the turntable to the easel, and his belief in the transformative effect that exposure to culture and having artistic outlets can have on the lives of urban youth.

Orphan Maud Chifamba Starts University In Zimbabwe At Fourteen

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012
Maud Chifamba, middle, started her studies in accounting September 10 at the University of Zimbabwe. Aged 14, she is the country's youngest ever university student.

Maud Chifamba, middle, started her studies in accounting September 10 at the University of Zimbabwe. Aged 14, she is the country’s youngest ever university student.

 (CNN) — She grew up in grinding poverty, losing both her parents at a tender age but 14-year-old whizz-kid Maud Chifamba has defied adversity and hardship to break academic records.  Against all odds, the extremely bright teenager has written history as last week she became the youngest ever university student in Zimbabwe — as well as the whole of southern Africa, according to education officials.

Bounce TV Celebrates 1st Birthday, Grows to 80% Of African-American Homes

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012

 Bounce TV Celebrates First Birthday; Nation’s First-Ever Broadcast Television Network for African Americans Founded By Martin Luther King III, Ambassador Andrew Young

ATLANTA, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Bounce TV (www.bouncetv.com) — The nation’s first-ever broadcast television network designed for African-American audiences — will turn one on Sept. 26 and its first year on-the-air has been overwhelmingly successful, with accelerated growth and expansion among station groups and distribution, advertisers and viewers alike.

Baltimore Raven Torrey Smith’s Emotional Ride Ends With Win Over Patriots

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012
Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after he scored a 25-yard touchdown recpetion in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after he scored a 25-yard touchdown recpetion in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE (AP) — Torrey Smith showed up at the stadium tired and drained, unsure if he would suit up for the Baltimore Ravens.  No one would have blamed him if he didn’t. After all, his younger brother had died in a motorcycle accident less than 24 hours earlier.  Smith opted to play, and the second-year wide receiver caught touchdown passes of 25 and 5 yards to help the Ravens beat the New England Patriots 31-30 Sunday night in a rematch of the AFC title game.

Thirteen Year-Old Texan Madu Eneli Pens Middle School Success Guide

By goodblacknews on September 24, 2012
Madu Eneli

Madu Eneli, an eighth grader from Texas, wrote a guide to academic and personal success for other middle schoolers. (Source: Aya Eneli International)

Students can sometimes find the transition into middle school stressful and challenging, so one eighth grader used his experience to create a road map for success.  Madu Eneli, of Harker Heights, Texas, published a book titled, “Am I Ready for Middle School?” Its chapters are dedicated to topics like handling a heavier workload, reaching out for academic help, and navigating the social aspects of lunch and recess.
“I started thinking about writing the book last year after I started seventh grade,” Eneli told Harker Heights Herald. “I don’t think there’s another book like this that speaks to middle school kids.”

GBN Quote Of The Day

By goodblacknews on September 23, 2012

“If you are a parent, recognize that it is the most important calling and rewarding challenge you have. What you do every day, what you say and how you act, will do more to shape the future of America than any other factor.”
–Marian Wright Edelman, author, activist and Founder of The Children’s Defense Fund

Report: African-American Consumer Influence Still Vital And Growing In U.S.

By goodblacknews on September 23, 2012

‪As the largest racial minority group in the United States, the influence of African-Americans on the nation’s culture is pervasive‬. With a collective buying power estimated to reach $1.1 trillion by 2015, Black consumers remain at the forefront of social trends and media consumption, according to the new African-Americans: Still Vital, Still Growing 2012 Report—the second installment to The State of the African-American Consumer Report released last year, a collaboration with Nielsen and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).
Nielsen has identified several factors that make the African-American consumer segment so uniquely diverse. Dynamic influencing factors–such as technology, social media and online connectivity– enable the Black consumer segment to leverage its collective power and influence. This segment, with its tremendous potential, holds a wealth of opportunities for businesses and advertisers, which makes understanding the Black consumer a critical need.

Keija Minor Named ‘Brides’ Editor-In-Chief, First African-American To Head Up A Condé Nast Magazine

By goodblacknews on September 23, 2012

Keija Minor

Keija Minor has been named the editor-in-chief of Brides, making her the first person of color to ever hold the title at a Condé Nast Publications (CNP) magazine.  To put it simply–Minor’s new appointment is major news.

Keija Minor Named 'Brides' Editor-In-Chief, First African-American To Head Up A Condé Nast Magazine

By goodblacknews on September 23, 2012

Keija Minor

Keija Minor has been named the editor-in-chief of Brides, making her the first person of color to ever hold the title at a Condé Nast Publications (CNP) magazine.  To put it simply–Minor’s new appointment is major news.