March 30, 2017 

By Stacy M. Brown 

NNPA Newswire Contributor 

 

In 1827, with the publication of the “Freedom’s Journal,” John Russwurm and Reverend Samuel Cornish established the Black Press and boldly declared their mission: to be the voice of the African-American community, standing up for victims of injustice, and championing the unsung.

 

Dedicated, resilient and strong Black women, who account for a significant number of the 211 African-American owned newspapers and media companies that are members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), stand at the forefront of that mission, today.

 

As Women’s History Month concludes, NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., said that it’s important to recognize publishers like Rosetta Perry of “The Tennessee Tribune,” Elinor Tatum of the “New York Amsterdam News,” Janis Ware of “The Atlanta Voice,” Joy Bramble of “The Baltimore Times,” Brenda Andrews of the “The New Journal and Guide” and the many Black women that own and operate media companies in the United States and around the world.

 

Chavis said that it’s also important to acknowledge the role that women play as leaders of the NNPA.

 

“Four out of five members of the NNPA executive committee are women and, in 2017, that shows that the NNPA, as a national trade organization, is out in front of all other organizations when it comes to putting women in the top positions,” said Chavis.

 

Denise Rolark Barnes, the publisher of “The Washington Informer,” serves as chair of the NNPA; Karen Carter-Richards, publisher of the “Houston Forward Times” holds the position of first vice chair; Atlanta Voice publisher Janis Ware serves as treasurer; and Shannon Williams, the president and general manager of the “Indianapolis Recorder,” serves as the organization’s secretary.

 

“For the Black Press, Women’s History Month becomes more noteworthy, because of the women of the NNPA and their very important roles,” Chavis said.

 

Still, the pressure of operating a newspaper isn’t lost on publishers like Carter-Richards of the 57-year-old Houston Forward Times.

 

Carter-Richards took over the Forward Times after the death of her mother, Lenora “Doll” Carter, whom she shadowed at the paper for more than 30 years.

 

“The business isn’t for the faint of heart and being a female publisher requires you to be even stronger,” Richards said. “Because of what my mother taught me, Forward Times Publishing Company has grown to become a multimedia company and an award-winning national publication.”

 

Chida Warren-Darby, the managing editor and co-publisher of the “Voice & Viewpoint” in San Diego, said that being a female publisher has proven to be an “amazing experience.”

 

Warren-Darby also offered advice to the next generation of women.

 

“[Women publishers] should always remain true to themselves and never conform. There’s a lot of authenticity missing in the world of journalism and the media industry as a whole,” Warren-Darby said. “I believe it’s slowly returning, but it will take the next generation to maintain that authenticity. I would also encourage them to know that their voices and ideas matter, to never underestimate what they bring to the table, and to never feel like it’s too late.”

 

Others have spelled out what the Black Press has brought to the table.

 

“The New York Times” noted that, well before the Civil War, publications and, more recently, radio and television stations owned and operated by African-Americans have provided an important counterweight to mainstream media, simultaneously celebrating and shaping Black culture—from politics and government to fashion and music.

 

It all starts with the Black Press and many of its talented and savvy female publishers.

 

“The Black Press has been the heartbeat of Black America since its inception,” said Tatum, publisher and editor-in-chief of the New York Amsterdam News, one of the most influential Black-owned and operated media businesses in the world, which ran its first edition in 1909. “From the abolition movement to the Civil Rights Movement to the Women’s Rights Movement, the Black Press has been our voice, a voice not heralded anywhere else.”

 

Tatum continued: “It’s a voice so true to itself, that our community still heeds the call today. A voice in many cases owned by women, run by women and nurtured by women.”

 

About 190 miles south of New York, Bramble founded The Baltimore Times on the premise that they’d publish only positive stories about Black people. After more than 30 years, Bramble said that The Baltimore Times paper, and its companion, “The Annapolis Times,” haven’t wavered.

 

“I am extremely proud to be a part of the long tradition of respected women publishers. My challenges as a publisher have not come from my gender, but rather my race,” Bramble said. “Black newspapers must jump through ridiculous hoops to receive or even be considered for advertising and promotional dollars.”

 

Women are changing the world and represent an important audience that should not be taken for granted, said Natalie Cole, publisher and CEO of “OurWeekly Los Angeles” which was formed in 2004 and boasts a readership of more than 200,000 weekly.

 

“The challenges that exist today are challenges to doing business successfully in our global marketplace,” said Cole. “Yes, racism and, in many cases institutional racism is evident…some will never buy what we are selling.”

 

Cole continued: “However, we must continue to educate our loyal readers as to major players or companies that support our communities as well as those that don’t support us with an emphasis on companies to which African-Americans are their core customers.”

 

NNPA member newspapers and media companies continue to deliver news, information and commentary each week to more than 20 million readers and the NNPA has been lauded for consistently being the voice of the Black community, reporting on events that make history.

 

“Our papers are trusted, read from cover to cover and are a vital part of the community—190 years and still going strong,” Bramble said. “I am sure that we will still be around for another 190 years, as we continue to be the standard bearer for all the good news that’s happening in our communities.”

March 23, 2017 

LAWT News Service

 

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Black PR Wire and Women Grow Strong have teamed up to honor and recognize women who have made a profound impact in the lives of hundreds of people on a local, statewide, national and even global level.  This special feature edition of Power Profiler takes a closer look into the lives of these incredible women and champions for change.

 

This week’s feature profiler is the Vice President of Community Relations at Coca-Cola North America, Lori George Billingsley.

 

Mrs. Billingsley has more than 30 years of public relations experience in developing and implementing breakthrough programs that meet organizational goals, target audience needs and produce results. In her current role, Lori oversees community giving, engagement and volunteerism for Coca-Cola North America. “I’m extremely passionate about the community so it's a joy to be able to do this work for such a global and iconic brand,” says Lori. “I've always been passionate about helping others and wanted to be in a position to positively impact the lives of others.”

 

Prior to joining the Coca-Cola team, Lori led her own public relations consultancy, held positions in a global public relations agency and for the government in the District of Columbia. She has also served as professor, instructor and lecturer at two Ohio-based colleges, as well as her alma mater, Howard University.

 

But with success also comes challenges. As a businesswoman, Lori has had to overcome obstacles throughout her career. “Most of my career challenges have centered around discernment between the ‘good to do’ and the ‘right to do’ opportunities,” she says. “Additionally, as an African-American woman, I have faced challenges that my male colleagues have not. The simple fact that I often enter conference rooms and see no one else of color or no other women creates a unique experience for me. On top of whatever skill set I was called to bring, I have had to also represent the African-American perspective and/or the female perspective. There is automatically an assumption that I am a focus group of one.”

 

Lori continues to overcome any and every obstacle by being intentional in her actions and making sure that if no one else is going to include other perspectives – she will. Her personal motto is Proverbs 3:5-6, which proclaims, "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path."

 

When asked what advice she would like to share with other women, she told us: “Do not hesitate in pursuing roles that might be a stretch. Be open to taking risks.”  Another piece of advice she gives is: “Don’t waste your time, talent or treasures. You can never get time back;” to “go where you are celebrated, not tolerated;” and to “save early and often.”

 

A native of Teaneck, New Jersey, Lori received her Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations at Howard University; and her Master of Arts degree in public communications at American University. She is a member of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2008 and of the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Georgia Chapter. She has also served on several national and local boards, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., Atlanta Mission, PRSA Foundation, International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute, ColorComm, Inc., and Living Water for Girls.

 

Mrs. Billingsley has received numerous awards, including the Network Journal’s 2015 Top 25 Influential Black Women in Business; Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence (2015, 2014) from the Atlanta Business League; and Howard University’s School of Communications (HUSOC).

 

Lori George Billingsley is also an ordained minister and lives in Decatur with her husband, Bishop Jeffrey Billingsley. In her free time, she enjoys regular spa treatments and traveling to sunny beaches.

 

March 16, 2017 

By Manny Otiko 

California Black Media 

A proposed state bill designed to restructure California’s tax system could end up hurting small businesses. Senate Bill 640, which was introduced by State Sen. Robert M. Hertzberg (D-Los Angeles,) would raise taxes on services such as haircuts, and beauty shop and veterinary visits.

 

According to the bill, the funds raised would also help offset a downturn suffered from the Great Recession during which state revenue to the general fund dropped by $20 billion annually.

 

Andrew LaMar, a spokesperson for Hertzberg, said the senator wants to make California’s revenue system more broad-based and less dependent on personal income taxes. Revenue from income taxes currently makes up about two-thirds of state income. 

 

However, during a YouTube video titled “Talking Taxes” filmed at a black-owned barbershop in Sacramento, Board of Equalization Vice Chair George Runner said this new tax could actually hurt small businesses. Runner blamed the reason for the proposed bill on the size of government, which only seems to be increasing.

 

“The problem is government keeps getting bigger and someone’s got to pay for it,” said Runner.

 

Keith Moore, one of the barbers at CeCe's Cutz, where the YouTube video was filmed, said that any tax increase would likely force him to pass the costs on to his customers.

 

Owner Heidi Jenkins was particularly upset with the proposed bill because she would get hit twice, since she is an owner and booth operator.

 

“The price on the service will definitely go up,” she said. “It could cause us to lose business. I don’t think it’s fair.”

 

 Runner said the legislature should ponder how any proposed tax increases affect working people.

 

 “The Legislature is considering a number of tax proposals that would have a very real impact on working Californians and business owners,” Runner said.

 

 After his barbershop visit, Runner said he enjoyed interacting with the public and hearing their opinions in a different setting.

 

“I enjoyed the opportunity to have a dialogue in a place where Republican officials normally don’t go. Conservative values reach across all cultures. The haircut and conversations were great,” he said.