The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented challenges and altered ways of living across the globe. Now, more than two years later, the effects are still felt widely. Many non-emergent clinical services were limited or suspended during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, which may have adversely impacted epidemics of public health importance,…
Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer death among Americans with prostates. This year alone, more than a quarter million people in the U.S. will receive the diagnosis. With approximately 1 in 6 Black men expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his…
Health care is essential for everyone throughout their life. To further equity, improve outcomes and increase access, it is important people are able to get the care they need when and where they need it. However, the American healthcare system can be complex. Medicaid is a government-sponsored program to help provide low and often no-cost…
The 2022 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Honors a Dynamic and Determined Sisterhood Driven to Make a Difference The d-mars.com 9th Annual Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards continues to pay tribute to a distinguished sisterhood of women around Houston and the nation who are dynamic and driven to make a difference in…
If you dream of homeownership, having your mortgage application denied can be devastating. If this does happen to you, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Thirteen percent of all purchase mortgage applications — a total of nearly 650,000 — were denied in 2020, according to federal government data. Before quickly reapplying for a…
Bank of America announced a new zero down payment, zero closing cost mortgage solution for first-time homebuyers, which will be available in designated markets, including certain African American and Hispanic neighborhoods in Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Miami. According to a news release, the Community Affordable Loan Solution aims to help eligible individuals and…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association If you are setting your sights on buying a home or condominium, keep in mind that the property may be governed by a homeowners association (HOA). More than 63 million people live within communities that are overseen by HOAs, according to the…
Similar to how the ways we listen to music and watch movies have changed, cellular networks are evolving too. In fact, all major wireless providers plan to shutter their 3G cellular networks this year. 3G networks are the wireless equivalent of being on dial-up internet access years ago. Built in the early 2000s, 3G networks…
In the past few years, the United States has made significant progress in expanding access to high-speed internet. During the COVID-19 crisis, emergency relief rolled out for Americans who needed to stay connected from home. In the last two years, through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the American Rescue Plan Act…
Recently, Denny’s announced its commitment to the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership program created by the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA). Denny’s and MFHA have enjoyed a successful 25-year alliance and, as a new Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership partner, Denny’s will help MFHA reach its goal of creating 100 Black-owned franchises by 2023….
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Say her name. Breonna Taylor’s family may finally get justice after the Department of Justice charged four current and former police officers in Louisville, Kentucky, who were involved in the fatal March 2020 raid on her apartment. The DOJ accused the officers of lying to obtain…
By Jim Winston and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. Thus far, 2022 has been a year of multiple socioeconomic and political challenges for all Americans across the nation. Yet for African Americans and other communities of color, this year represents both challenges and opportunities from a business ownership perspective. In particular, for Black-owned media businesses,…
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Foundation recently hosted their Inaugural Law Enforcement and Community Champions Awards Gala and Fundraiser. This Black-Tie event highlighted and awarded members of Fort Bend’s Law Enforcement community in the categories of Rookie of the Year, Investigator of the Year, Deputy Dhaliwal Community Relations Officer of the Year, Supervisor of the…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Emory University in Atlanta has announced the first African American Studies Ph.D. Program in the Southeast United States. “We are accepting applications beginning in September 2022,” Carol Anderson, the Charles Howard Candler Professor of African American Studies at Emory, announced on Twitter. In an overview posted…
Frito-Lay announced a partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) that will further enable Black and Hispanic students across 10 U.S. cities to attend college. The snack leader is investing $500,000 in need-based scholarships to help reduce the financial barriers to attending and graduating college. Students are encouraged to apply beginning now and until…
Texas Southern University has been selected to be part of the launch of a new research project by Meta. This research, led by Meta’s Civil Rights and Responsible AI Teams, is being done with the goal of creating a better user experience for historically marginalized communities. This effort will allow Meta to better understand the…
If you’ve ever played a popular 80’s video game, then you know about the disadvantages your character has right out of the gate. You can’t jump as high or as far, and it’s easier to lose the level and have to start all over again. But in the first few seconds, there’s usually always a…
Written by: Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent In the past, it hasn’t always been clear when a recession loomed, let alone when it has already begun. However, the silver lining now is that, unlike in previous downturns, the Federal Reserve and the U.S. government have already taken action by making critical adjustments…
From digital payments to video banking, the way consumers conduct basic financial transactions has changed substantially throughout the past decade, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated the trend toward digital banking. However, brick-and-mortar bank branches continue to play an essential role for many consumers when it comes to important financial conversations. Industry experts say…
Could your finances use a checkup? If so, you’re not alone. According to the Financial Health Network, “Financial Health Pulse: 2021 U.S. Trends Report,” nearly two-thirds of Americans struggle with financial health. But what does that mean? The study considered factors such as people’s ability to pay bills, their amount of short-term savings, and their…