October 31, 2019 

By Saybin Roberson 

Contributing Writer 

 

In less than a month, the Black News Channel will launch bringing multi-platform news and information channel curated specifically for the Black community.

 

Arriving November 15, at 6 A.M. Black News Channel (BNC) founded by J.C. Watts Jr. will provide educational, entertaining, empowering, and inspiring news catered towards the Black community.

The minority-owned and operated network will be the first of its kind to give around the clock news created, “by people of color for people of color.”

 

BNC held a teleconference in partnership with the National News Publishing Association (NNPA) where they announced the official launch date and goals for the platform. The phone call featured business partner Shad Khan, with a discussion and question and answer portion from Chairman Watts and Dr. Benjamin Chavis, the president and CEO of NNPA.

 

During the 30-minute phone call, a lot of gratitude was spread across as everyone involved is extremely excited to be apart of the process and progress of the BNC.

 

“This is a significant hour for a very important time, not only our country but among our people and throughout our diaspora,” an NNPA representative stated.

 

The BNC will be able to reach each region of the country, and some globally. It’s estimated to reach 33 million households in the top African American TV markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, and Atlanta. The network will also partner with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to ensure every generation has a voice and influence.

 

“Black Americans striving for excellence in all fields of endeavor give life to our culture that attracts and impacts all people, Chavis says of the influence Black culture has. “We set trends for ourselves and others.”

 

“I hope that as time goes on, this becomes a bridge to connect all the cultures,” Shad Khan says during the teleconference. “But I do believe there is an undeniable calling for everything the Black News Channel will deliver to African American television audiences, who have ­historically been underserved in an era where networks have otherwise successfully targeted news to specific demographic groups and interests.”

 

“My decision to invest is an easy one because we get to answer that calling,” Kahn says regarding the underserved communities. Watts also added in, noting the goal of the BNC is not to separate cultures based on political, religious or geographical reasons, but to be true to the experience which will essentially bring everyone together.

 

BNC has promised to not just tell a story, we will tell the entire story. Giving voice to various experiences and shedding light on multiple points of view. The importance of their mission and purpose has been felt throughout, Watts believes this network is a win-win for the community.

 

“We will inform, educate, inspire, and empower the African American community,” said Watts. “We will be authentic and true to enriched and diverse African American experience.”

 

To learn more about the BNC and opportunities to join the movement, visit https://blacknewschannel.com.

October 24, 2019 

LAWT News Service 

 

Last Thursday, October 17, 2019, Chase Bank hosted the latest prime-time “Chase Chat,” in association with the Los Angeles Advancing Black Pathways ambassadors. The event was an inspirational moment for all in attendance – particularly for all of the young adults who were the primary guests in the room.

 

Held at our JPMorgan offices in Century City, Chase played host to over 80 young people from local organizations, including the Brotherhood Crusade, The Fellowship Initiative, Limitless and local area students from Santa Monica Catholic High School and Dorsey High School.

The evening was full of engaging conversation, insightful perspectives, with new friendships made and unforgettable advice given to the mostly young audience of color.

 

The panel was star-studded with four of Los Angeles’ leading African American luminaries present, including:

 

• Pam Bakewell: Executive Vice President of Bakewell Media – one of the nation’s most successful African American family-owned media companies. 

 

• Derek Fisher: Los Angeles basketball legend. 18-year NBA veteran. Head Coach of WNBA LA Sparks. 5-time NBA champion with LA Lakers.

 

• Marcellus Wiley: Los Angeles native.  10-year NFL Veteran and All-Pro. Media Personality.

 

• Norm Nixon: Los Angeles basketball legend. 2-time NBA Champion with LA Lakers. Accomplished businessman and humanitarian.

 

Bakewell was the panel moderator, inspiring Fisher, Nixon, and Wiley to share their thoughts and wisdom on business and answer tough questions from the financially inquisitive youth in the audience. 

The three were transparent about their early business mistakes, but shared how they matured and become financially aware, encouraging the youth to save and be smart about their finances early.

 

“We heard great personal insights from both the panelists and students, including why it’s important to save, tips on investing, advice on choosing career paths, knowing how to plan your personal finances and for your family, and mistakes and lessons learned from money management,” said California Divisional Director Barry Simmons.

 

“We want to extend a huge thank you to our panelists!

 

We really appreciate their time and wisdom. We look forward to hosting our next event soon. But immediately, we’re really proud of how engaged and thoughtful our young students are. They are all tuned into their futures and financial successes. This was on full display with their own attention and questions. They are just as, if not, more inspiring than our own esteemed panelists.”

October 17, 2019 

By Stacy M. Brown 

NNPA Newswire Correspondent 

 

The influence of African American consumers is extensive.

 

Driven by their tech affinity, passion for sharing experiences, and powered by their omnichannel thirst for information and recommendations, the nation's 48 million Black Americans are now just approaching their peak earning years, according to the Nielsen report, “It's in the Bag: Black Consumers' Path to Purchase.”

 

The report noted that African Americans are adopting and adapting media and technology in their shopping journey to fit their unique needs and culture. African Americans love the latest trends.

 

The 50-page report suggests that marketers should be aware that African Americans demand that product information and feedback opportunities integrate across multiple media channels.

 

African Americans are more likely than the total population to agree that advertising provides meaningful information on most platforms. However, companies that advertise directly to Blacks have decreased their investments. Advertising dollars targeted to Black consumers declined by $1 billion between 2017 and 2018, according to the Nielson report.

 

Nearly 40 percent of Black consumers saying that they are the first among their friends to try new products and services, surpassing the total population by 29 percent.

 

“Take a look at how African Americans make their decisions, whether it's physically or digitally… what we found is that when it comes to making decisions, we abundantly are going to use recommendations as our first line of research,” Cheryl Grace, Nielsen's Senior Vice President of U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement, told NNPA Newswire.

 

“African Americans rely on recommendations, and that's interesting,” Grace stated.

 

The report's authors said Black Americans are 48 million strong, with nearly 25 million being millennial age or younger as of 2018.

 

However, they are already dominating industries from music to fashion, and many others.

 

African Americans also are creating apps and digital spaces to serve their own unique needs when the opportunity demands it, according to the report.

 

“In a world bombarded by constant new media options and technologies, companies that want African American consumers' dollars must understand what most influences these consumers and how they influence others on their path to purchase,” Grace stated.

 

“Developing authentic strategies that evolve from listening to Black consumers' needs and demands is not only the best way — but the only way — for brands to realize the powerful growth opportunity ahead.”

 

“African Americans have a $1.3 trillion annual buying power, and we watch 15 hours or more every week of traditional television,” Grace stated.

 

“You can reach 92 percent of African Americans in any given week on the radio. When you look at radio, and you compare the consumption habits of how much time we're spending across these platforms, you'll see that the advertising spent with African American-focused media doesn't necessarily add up,” Grace noted.

 

Part of that problem is the lack of diversity at advertising agencies, she stated.

 

“There need to be more people of color in those firms,” Grace stated.

 

Perhaps a more diverse and inclusive workforce would enable marketers to better appreciate that African American interests are not monolithic. They encompass everything from good food, great music and the latest fashion trends to healthcare and the environment.

 

While climate change and protecting the environment is more vital than ever, African Americans typically are forgotten in the conversation. “African American shoppers are increasingly passionate about their environment, including buying local,” the report's authors noted.

 

When asked, “how important is it to buy local” in multiple food categories, African American consumers named produce as the most important category for local sourcing.

 

Sixty-one percent said it was extremely or very important, followed by bakery and prepared foods at 56 percent, eggs at 55 percent, and dairy at 52 percent.

 

Understanding the environmental and safety concerns of Black consumers can help marketers understand what matters most to African Americans consumers in making decisions along their shopper journey, the report's authors said.

 

The top 3 environmental/food safety concerns among Black consumers are: “Pesticide/ herbicide use in food production” (76 percent), “Antibiotic use in animal production” (71 percent), and “Rising prices due to trade tariffs” (68 percent – 21 percent higher than the total population).

 

The report concluded that the African American path to purchase is social and circular, with the transaction being a critical step in the process before consumers express their passionate feedback about their experience, be it positive or negative.

 

“Brick and mortar stores, online retailers and service providers should each strive to provide an experience that not only satisfies Black consumers, but creates buzzworthy raves that will quickly be passed on to friends, family and virtual networks in their discovery, awareness, and decision making processes,” the authors wrote.

 

“Developing strategies to connect with African American consumers, and assuring that their culture is understood and respected, as well as assuring that their expectations are exceeded, will provide far-reaching influence and growth throughout all consumers for many years to come in the evolving American mainstream,” Grace stated.

 

To view the full report, click here.