For more than a decade now, we’ve watched Michelle Obama grow, stretch, and transform, becoming who she is today. Black women, in particular, have observed her with great interest and great love. We have prayed for, cried for, and consistently rooted for her as she evolved from a deeply reluctant public figure into a global…
Family Business: The Woman Behind the Akon Brand
Khady Thiam Gueye is the sister to Akon Thiam, also known as superstar artist and disruptive entrepreneur, “Akon,” and Abou Thiam, also known as the trailblazing executive and music industry mogul, “Bu,” two heavy hitters who are making waves in music and tech but what the world doesn’t know is that she is much more than…
Study: Black Millennials Are More Religious Than Their Millennial Peers
When it comes to religion, black millennials emerge above their peers in this generation. In fact, based on several benchmarks, African American millennials are appreciably more religious than others in their age group, a new Pew Research Center analysis reveals. In recent years, a number of Pew Research Center surveys have shown that Millennials in the United…
Small Business Lessons From Tyler Perry
One of the highlighted events of this year was the highly-regarded Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Summit. The event touted industry leaders, policymakers, and influential experts such as Warren Buffet, Sir Richard Branson, Lisa Price (Carol’s Daughter), Sara Blakely, Michael R. Bloomberg, Tyler Perry, and more. I was especially intrigued to sit just a few…
“Becoming Michelle Obama”: 7 Real-Life Moments to Which Every Black Woman Can Relate
There were two big revelations from First Lady Michelle Obama’s new memoir, Becoming Michelle Obama (Crown; $19.48). First, is her revealing her miscarriage. The second is her daughters, Sasha and Malia, were conceived by IVF (in-vitro fertilization). It’s this candor that makes Michelle Obama so beloved and such an inspiring figure particularly for women of…
Best-friend doctors chase their dreams as they open Quench Wellness in Chicago
Best friends since 2001, Drs. Gameli Dekayie and Chantale Stephens-Archer have gone through the University of Chicago together, been roommates and became the first doctors in their respective families. Now they’re business partners, too, as co-owners of the new South Loop medical practice, Quench Wellness, which recently opened. The practice, located at 1319 S. Michigan…
27 Tips for Entrepreneurs on Hustling Smart
Yesterday, Ramon Ray, founder and editor of Smart Hustle magazine hosted the 13th Annual Smart Hustle Small Business Conference at the New York Institute of Technology in New York City. More than 250 entrepreneurs and small business owners attended to learn how they could take their business to the next level. Throughout the day, attendees learned how…
African American Women Who Made U.S. Military History
Whether it’s defending our country on the front lines or providing support to U.S. soldiers and civilian employees, African American women have made significant accomplishments in the Army. Women’s Memorial compiled a list of trailblazers that helped paved the way for some of today’s Army leaders. 1st Lt. Nancy C. Leftenant 1st Lt. Nancy…
13 Black Veterans Who Now Sit on Corporate Boards
Before they were placed into board service to protect assets of shareholders at some of the largest publicly traded corporations on the S&P 500, a phalanx of BLACK ENTERPRISE Registry of Corporate Directors members chose military service to secure our nation. After their tours of duty, many of these black veterans applied their leadership and…
Spending Rehab: 3 Steps To Avoid A Financial Hangover
In an economy like ours—driven by consumer spending and near-ubiquitous advertising designed to get you to spend, and then spend some more—even the most financially disciplined among us can fall prey to overspending. For example, most of us are especially vulnerable during the holiday shopping season, during which many of us spend more money in…