Evictions have been front-page news during the pandemic, and for a good reason. At the start of the pandemic, the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that without assistance, 30 to 40 million Americans would be in danger of eviction by the end of that year. It’s a heart-wrenching situation, which was largely avoided through…
Owning a home has long been an aspiration for many people across America, and one of the most effective ways to build generational wealth. Yet, due to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and housing affordability concerns, including the lack of affordable housing supply, homeownership may seem out of reach for…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association Whew. The buyer and seller both signed the contract, so that’s it, right? The house is sold, and everyone moves on. Not so fast. There’s still a long way to go. Unfortunately, sometimes real estate transactions that start out smoothly can unravel…
We hear the term “women’s empowerment,” but do we really stand on it? Backbiting, catfights, and jealousy seem to be the norm depicted on reality TV and in the media when it comes to women and their circles. But Charlene Taylor, the founder, owner, and CEO of Sexy Diva World, Inc.,successfully leads this global movement…
When working from home and attending school virtually became part of everyday life during the COVID-19 pandemic, it taught us how vital home broadband internet is. A recent OpenVault report found broadband usage spiked nearly 50% year over year during the first quarter of the pandemic, and that usage has sustained today. Those with a…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The digital divide and digital redlining, zone casting, and overall access to the internet for Black and brown communities top the agenda of Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks. With three Democrats and two Republicans, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent government agency overseen by…
Your digital accounts and online activities may make your life easier and perhaps even more enjoyable, but did you know every time you log in, it’s a chance for cybercriminals to hack your information and exploit it in numerous ways? Hacking threats are constant. According to research from the University of Maryland, cyber attacks happen…
If you run a business, you probably already know that no two businesses are alike. An online jewelry business or web design service based in your home won’t have the same needs (or hazards) as a food truck or florist shop. From home-based enterprises to businesses run out of a vehicle or a brick-and-mortar location,…
In school, students are learning new skills that will help them achieve their dreams. For a growing number of them, these dreams include owning their own business. Small businesses are an important part of the American economy and have accounted for two out of every three jobs added in the past 25 years, according to…
National Preparedness Month was last month, and FEMA and the Ad Council have released new Ready Campaign Public Service Announcements (PSAs), developed specifically to target Black and African American communities as part of FEMA’s ongoing approach to advance accessibility and cultural competency in boosting the nation’s preparedness. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Deputy Administrator Erik…
Sheldon Theragood is the author of the inspiring book, “Whatever It Takes, Walking Through God’s Purpose.” Sheldon is also a motivational speaker, youth mentor, police officer, and philanthropist. He is a native Houstonian who received his Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Texas Southern University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Prairie View…
Following President Joe Biden’s announcement canceling student loan debt of up to $20,000 for specific borrowers, the U.S. Department of Education said applications for relief under the plan should be submitted by Nov. 15. Department officials said they’ve made the application process simple, and if borrowers fail to apply by Nov. 15, they’d still have…
More than one in three Black community college students is in poverty, and widespread inequality in community colleges deepened throughout the pandemic for Black students facing basic needs insecurity. According to a new report from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies on the state of Black students at community colleges, an alarming 70…
As inflation continues to put a strain on budgets, talk of an upcoming recession has Americans worried about their finances. Prices on everyday items continue to rise and consumers are trying to find ways to make their dollar stretch further while safeguarding their money against the potential challenges a recession may bring. The future may…
Life insurance is for people of all ages, not just parents and grandparents. While life insurance needs vary by age and stage of life, it’s a good idea to invest in a life insurance plan while you’re young. If you’re in your 20s and 30s, life insurance may not seem necessary, but it’s a useful…
If you’re unsure of how to start planning for your financial future through investing, you’re far from alone. In fact, it might surprise you to know that 80 million Americans are interested in investing but don’t know where to begin. Yahoo Finance even reports that 54% of millennials have less than $5,000 of their money…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Hear Her campaign raises awareness of potentially life-threatening warning signs during and after pregnancy and encourages the people supporting pregnant and postpartum people to really listen when they express concerns. Valencia, one of the women featured in the campaign, talked about her experience with a pregnancy-related complication….
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The current trend of polypharmacy – the simultaneous use of multiple drugs by a single patient for one or more conditions – reflects racism and discrimination in the treatment of Black, Indigenous, and people of color children and teens, according to Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross, an…
A staggering 90 percent of people fail to achieve a good night’s sleep, according to new international research presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2022. The study found that suboptimal sleep was associated with a higher likelihood of heart disease and stroke. The authors estimated that seven in ten of these cardiovascular…
Feeling overwhelmed by your Medicare options? There’s a good reason for that. With more than 3,000 Medicare Advantage plans, over 700 Part D Prescription Plans available and an array of carriers offering Medicare Supplement plans, there’s a lot to consider. “Whether this is your first time enrolling in Medicare or you’ve been through the process…