HOUSTON (April 5, 2023) – Party on the Plaza is back with another spectacular line up of all-star artists, musicians and tribute bands. Houston First Corporation is proud to again present this free Spring concert series at Avenida Plaza, downtown’s entertainment destination. The popular concert series will be held every Friday beginning April 14 through May…
The debate on whether in-person working environments versus remote has come into play. Some workers believe that in-person work leads to better problem-solving tactics, beneficial training, especially for new employees while strengthening corporate settings. eCommerce Business John Wright, who operates a small internet-based service helping consumers receive discounted packaged deals on cellular phones and plans,…
Nobody likes unexpected medical bills – such as for an ambulance or an out-of-network doctor at an in-network hospital – and the No Surprises Act enacted on Jan. 1, 2022, was designed to fix the problem. Unfortunately, flawed implementation of the act has caused new problems that could ultimately reduce access to care for patients….
Scams and fraud are more deceiving these days, reaching you in more ways than ever before. The FTC reported 2.8 million fraud reports from consumers in 2021 alone, with reported fraud losses increasing by 70% from 2020 and more than $5.8 million. Scammers begin their traditional uptick at the start of the holiday season, and…
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of people’s lives and, as it turns out, it also impacted their feelings about financial security and life insurance. In a national survey commissioned by Erie Insurance: • Two-thirds of respondents (66%) said the pandemic made them more concerned about their financial security than they were before. •…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Senate Democrats took a critical step toward reducing inflation and the cost of living by passing the Inflation Reduction Act. Proponents said the measure would make a big difference for many Americans by locking in savings on health insurance premiums and reducing the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices. The…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The Southern Prisons Coalition, a group of civil and human rights organizations, submitted a new report on Friday to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination on the devastating consequences of incarceration on Black people throughout the southern United States….
Small businesses are the heartbeat of communities. They pump life into neighborhoods, making them vibrant places to live, work and raise families, and are key to millions of local jobs. In fact, approximately 50% of all Americans are employed by a small business and 99% of American businesses are small businesses, according to the U.S….
New research is offering insights into how the world can recover and rebuild from the pandemic, along with how individuals and organizations can address issues they care about in their communities. “Civic Life Today: The State of Global Civic Engagement,” which was commissioned by Points of Light and designed and executed by INFLUENCE|SG, studied attitudes…
If you have a vision for where you’d like to be financially in the coming years – but no clear idea of how to get there – you’re far from alone. In fact, a recent survey by Wakefield Research and financial services company Digit (now a part of Oportun) found that 78% of American adults…