Tennis star Naomi Osaka. (Photo: Twitter/@NaomiOsaka)
Tennis star Naomi Osaka. has pledged her earnings from her next tennis tournament to help the Caribbean nation of Haiti which was struck by a 7.2 earthquake, leaving nearly 1300 people dead. Osaka, who is Haitian and Japanese stated Saturday on Twitter:
Photo: Twitter/@naomiosaka
“”Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break. I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ancestors blood is strong we’ll keep rising.”
The Western and Southern Open is held at the Linder Tennis Center in Mason, OH. Rescue efforts were suspended today in Haiti as Tropical Depression Grace bore down on the first Black republic of the Western Hemisphere.
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
UPDATE: As of today, the death toll has climbed to 1,297 people as the search continues for survivors. Rescue workers continue to search feverishly as the Caribbean nation braces for a quickly approaching tropical storm.
A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck the western side of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Haiti is still recovering from a 2010 catastrophic earthquake which killed 250,000, and left more than 3 million people impacted by the fallout.
Seismologists said the epicenter of the quake was 78 miles west of the capital of Port-au-Prince (Saint-Louis du Sud) and the effects were felt as far away as 200 miles in Jamaica.
Multiple news outlets are reporting more than 200 people are dead and some like the BBC are expecting that number to climb as search and recovery efforts continue.
Check out a report by CBSN News correspondent Vladimir Duthiers, who is Haitian-American, and has reported extensively from Haiti:
A little more than one month ago, Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise was assassinated at his home, leaving the country reeling. On July 20, 2021, Ariel Henry was appointed prime minister of Haiti. Henry said there is “extensive damage” and has declared a state of emergency through the end of the month. Elections for the new president will be held next month.
This story is developing. Follow The Burton Wire on Twitter @TheBurtonWire for updates.
This news brief was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
LOS ANGELES – The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) and its first-ever health initiative OWN YOUR HEALTH announced today an exclusive partnership with Hologic’s Project Health Equality public health initiative. The partnership will bring awareness to the disparity of healthcare Black women receive in the areas of breast, cervical, and uterine fibroids; provide access to education and preventative tools using Hologic’s comprehensive research and resources; and share original content from celebrated OWN creative visionaries highlighting the authentic stories and voices of Black women.
Key insights from leading public health, academic, and professional health organizations indicate that healthcare is a critical social justice issue that will require collective resources to eradicate. The facts are clear:
Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer.*
Black women experience higher mortality rates from cervical cancer than any other racial or ethnic group.**
Black women are 2x as likely to die from cervical cancer than white women.***
Black women are 2.4x more likely to undergo a hysterectomy for uterine fibroids.****
Black women are 3x more likely to be hospitalized for fibroid-related issues as white women.*****
“As a global leader in women’s health, one of our top priorities is to ensure the women we serve have access to life-changing and life-saving care and resources,” said Karleen Oberton, Hologic’s chief financial officer. “It is more important than ever to address health disparities for Black women – and there is no better partner than OWN to make real change happen. With our resources and OWN’s reach and resonance, we are steadfast in our commitment to serve Black women everywhere.”
“COVID-19, societal pressures and the ongoing racial justice movement have highlighted that stark disparities continue to exist regarding affordable and accessible healthcare, systemic racism, and racial discrimination in healthcare, especially for Black women.” said Jennifer Giddens, head of marketing at OWN. “We are proud to announce this important partnership that supports awareness and action to Black women to own their whole health – physical, mental and emotional as it has never been more critical to use OWN’s wide-reaching platform to meet our audience where she is with support, tools and resources to prioritize her health and wellness.”
The Epidemic Within The Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic raised broad awareness of how Black women – and Black communities — have been disproportionately impacted by the virus. This is also the case for other health conditions. In many health areas, Black women experience lower preventive screening rates and follow-up care than other ethnic groups and, accordingly, may be diagnosed with illness at a later stage.
Additionally, Black health disparities often exist as a result of unique stressors such as systemic racism within and outside of the United States healthcare system, racial segregation of neighborhoods, racism-related chronic psychosocial stress and medical mistrust. The OWN YOUR HEALTH and Hologic Project Health Equality partnership addresses the physical, mental and social/emotional aspects of health for and about Black women.
Key Healthcare Issues for Black Women in America:
To inform the campaign, OWN is implementing a study to identify key healthcare issues, attitudes, and behaviors affecting Black women in America. The study includes questions about Black women’s experience of bias in healthcare settings, the impact of past trauma on receiving care, their existing relationships with healthcare providers, and inquiry into cervical, breast, and uterine health and screenings.
OWN YOUR HEALTH focuses on three key pillars affecting Black women’s health:
Proactive Prevention – including routine screenings, nutrition, physical activity, health education and accountability.
The Unspoken – including fertility, motherhood, sexual and relationship health, trauma, financial health, and treatment options.
Superwoman – source of pressure many Black women regularly experience – the obligation to project an image of strength and to suppress emotions, to resist accepting help or admitting vulnerability and prioritizing caregiving to others and community to the detriment of self.
Jennifer Hudson has a bevy of accolades including a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe and Academy Award for her brilliant portrayal of Effie White in Bill Condon’s film version of the iconic Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Hudson knows the stakes of bringing a beloved story and electric musical performances to the big screen. The BAFTA award winner has had many roles on television and film since then including starring in 2013’s film version of Black Nativity, but playing her idol Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul and by all accounts a musical genius, is something else.
It isn’t as if Hudson hasn’t played a legend before. In 2011, she starred as freedom fighter Winnie Mandela in the Darrell Roodt directed film of the same name. Playing a woman doing whatever it takes to win the fight against Apartheid in South Africa against all odds is one thing. Playing the woman who changed rock ‘n roll and R&B and hand-picked you to play her in a movie while facing her mortality is another. Aretha Franklin is an institution and any actress who takes on the role of bringing Franklin’s story to the big screen is engaged in some heavy lifting in the entertainment world.
A young Jennifer Hudson meets Aretha Franklin for the first time in 2004 after opening a show for the Queen of Soul. (Photo: Jeremy Lawson/JHUD Twitter)
Hudson acknowledges the surreal aspect of playing a woman who she grew up idolizing and informed her musical style. “I grew up singing in church and anybody who sings in the choir idolizes Aretha Franklin,” says the two-time Grammy award winner. “Preparing for this role, I had to think about the acting and the music. I feel blessed and grateful to be here,” added Hudson, who sang at Franklin’s star-studded funeral.
Hudson, who got her break as a contestant on American Idol and rose to superstardom through her role as Effie and Grammy win for her self-titled debut album, is known and respected in the music world for her singing chops and gospel influences. Hudson, who also sang at music legend Whitney Houston’s funeral, understands the role of the church and faith in her life as well as Franklin’s.
“I think it’s so powerful the film starts in the church and ends in the church,” says Hudson. She added that is was important for her to have faith at the center of the narrative of the film, directed by Liesl Tommy.
Like Aretha, whose life was difficult and full of obstacles and tragedy, Hudson has suffered her own with the devastating loss of her mother and nephew at the hands of an enraged and violent family member. At the height of Hudson’s fame, the celebrated performer was dealt a personal blow from which many never recover. Hudson persevered and maintained her significance in the music and film world much like Franklin, married and gave birth to a son the following year.
It is clear that Hudson, who first met Franklin backstage after opening a show for her in 2004, understands the significance of being selected by the Queen of Soul to play this role. Yes, she is tremendously qualified to play the role, but the Chicago native’s steps are also ordered to be chosen by Franklin for the role. Just as Hudson learned to develop her style of singing in the church and from watching and listening to Franklin, Hudson also learned something about herself when making this film. Hudson learned to own her voice.
“It wasn’t until Aretha owned her voice, we all got our Queen of Soul,” says Hudson. Like Franklin who is perhaps the most influential music artist of our time and left a legacy of excellence in multiple genres, Hudson understands remaining true to your core values and yourself is what will bring you the joy and reward many are seeking.
“if we all took the time to look within ourselves and own our own voice, then we would see what queen or king is under there and find the gift to give to the world,” adds Hudson. It is clear that Hudson, who studied piano in preparation for the role, has many more gifts to give and this performance is one of them.
RESPECT premieres Friday, August 13, 2021 in a theater near you. Check local movie listings for screening times.
This article was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
The world is officially recovering from the 2021 Olympics which took place in Tokyo, Japan, the second time for Tokyo and the fourth time for Japan. The Jamaican women’s track team showed up and showed out by sweeping the 100 meter final.
Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica defended her title as the fastest woman in the world, winning gold in the 100 meters race and breaking the late, great Olympic champion Florence Griffith Joyner’s record of 33 years in the process. Thompson-Herah was the defending gold medalist in this event and her legendary teammates Shelly-Ann Fraser took home Silver while Shericka Jackson took home the Bronze medal.
This isn’t the first time Jamaican women swept the 100. Led by Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, they swept the 100 in the Beijing Olympics (2008), with Fraser winning the gold and teammates Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart tying for second place.
Jamaica, which gained its independence from the U.K. in 1962, has won 87 medals since 1948. One cannot talk about Olympic greatness without mentioning the Jamaican track and field dynasty as evidenced by Usain Bolt, Merlene Ottley, Arthur Wint, Veronica Campbell, Donald Quarrie and of course Fraser-Pryce.
It is impossible to discuss Jamaican champion track athletes or Olympic champions without discussing Herb McKenley, the pioneer of Jamaican sprinters. In addition to winning the silver in the 200m and bronze in the 400m in the 1952 Helzinki Olympics, McKenley had the vision to create track and field clubs throughout Jamaica to create more competitive runners. McKenley served as the director of Jamaica’s national team, 1954-1973 and in 1992 received the Silver Order, from the International Olympic Committee, in recognition of his contribution to athletics for half a century.
Interestingly in her quest to retain her title, Thompson-Herah recently switched training clubs before the 2021 Olympics, which may account for what some have called the “frosty” response from her teammates to her record breaking run. Thompson-Herah’s win further demonstrates the importance and impact of McKenleys vision for having training clubs available throughout the country.
As we celebrate the wins of the Jamaican women’s Olympic track and field teams, it is essential to remember these world-class athletes are standing on the shoulders of those who came before them, and continuing the legacy of outstanding Jamaican track athletes.
This article was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
A collage of artist Steve R. Allen's Olympics work
created over the years as "official" artwork for the games. Allen has served as an official artist for eight Olympic games. (Photo and Copyright held by Steve Allen)
In a move to demand equity in the business of Art for Black people, renowned international Artist Steve R. Allen is gifting select HBCU’s coveted pieces of Art featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture as part of a multimillion-dollar gifting initiative.
Born in a one-room shack in North Carolina and without any formal art training, Mr. Allen’s artworks have been acquired by private collectors around the world. The self-taught artist served as the official artist for eight Olympic Games. Five of Mr. Allen’s artworks hang in the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture Founding and Permanent Collection in Washington, D.C. His extensive body of work has taken him all over the world and stimulated international dialogue about the significance of art on social justice.
Throughout his career, Mr. Allen has noted the lack of representation on the business side of art as it relates to high end auction houses and mind-boggling private banking transactions that value artworks as tradable assets. His HBCU gifting initiative serves as social commentary on the financial value of Black art in American culture and is a demand for equity amongst Black people in the business of art.
“This gift, along with those that follow, aligns with my mission to expose the variety of visual contributions of African American artists to students, scholars and collectors and, moreover, to demand equity for my brothers and sisters in the business of art. My intention is to strengthen the position of Black institutions as innovative places for teaching art and revealing its power and financial value,” says Allen. “I cannot think of a better way to honor my mother, Rev. Dr. Rebecca Bowden Allen Johnson, an alumna of Shaw University, and brother Arthur Lee Allen’s, legacies than by providing Black and other audiences around the country with access to these artworks.”
The Atlanta University Center in Atlanta, Georgia (which includes Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, ITC Interdenominational Theological Center), Florida A&M (Tallahassee, FL), and Stillman College (Tuscaloosa, AL), are the initial recipients of the coveted Art and will host formal receptions in 2022 to mark the occasion.
Mr. Allen’s papers were acquired by Emory University’s Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library alongside other luminaries including Langston Hughes, Alice Walker and Josephine Baker.
For more information about Mr. Allen’s charitable giving and programming, please visit the Steve R. Allen Foundation.
This article was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
Martha's Vineyard (Photo: Allan Johanson/Flkr Creative Commons)
Run&Shoot Filmworks has announced the return of the live 19th AnnualMartha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF), with a pre-festival exclusive advancedscreening of the highly anticipated film “RESPECT” on Friday, July 30 at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center (MVPAC). The event will feature Academy Award® -winning actress, singer and philanthropist Jennifer Hudson, who plays the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in the movie. Drama Desk award winner Liesl Tommy is the film’s director. This exclusive event will be followed by the start of “the summer’s finest film festival” that will run from August 6-14, 2021. Check out the full schedule here.
“Coming out of the 2020 pandemic, we wanted to come back big,” explained Stephanie Taveras-Rance, co-founder, Martha’s Vineyard Africa America Film Festival. “The festival is a staple of the Vineyard, and we couldn’t be more excited to kick off this year’s festival with the film “RESPECT.”
Established in 2002, MVAAFF and its producers are committed to supporting filmmakers, content creators and artists of color, who are the fabric of the Festival and the industry at large. During the entire week, MVAAFF will present an exceptional program of over 70 original feature films, documentaries and short films produced and directed by a collective of talented filmmakers from all over the globe.
The Festival will include panel discussions and exclusive events throughout the island. For more information on the MVAAFF, a complete schedule of screenings and special events, please visit www.mvaaff.com.
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
Chef José Andrés (l) and CNN commentator Van Jones (r) have each been awarded $100 million for philanthropic projects. (Photo: TBW)
Following the launch and landing of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin trip into space, the billionaire announced he would be awarding commentator Van Jones and chef and philanthropist José Andrés $100 million dollars each to use as they please.
During the press conference following his historic trip to space, Bezos made the announcement and said, “They can give it all to their own charity, or they can share the wealth. It is up to them.”
The awards are tied to what Bezos has coined the “Courage and Civility Award,” a philanthropic initiative awarded to those committed to unifying a “divisive” world.
Andrés, who owns two Michelin Star restaurants, has spent millions of dollars and resources to help feed the poor and needy before and during the pandemic. Andrés says the award is a “dream come true.”
Van Jones has founded and led several social justice initiatives including REFORM Alliance, Color of Change, the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and the Dream Corps, which works to close prison doors and open doors of opportunity in the green and tech economies.
This post was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
Biz Markie at South by Southwest 2016. (Photo: Daniel Benavides)
The world is mourning the loss of rap legend Biz Markie who passed away Friday at age 57 at a Baltimore hospital. Lisa Respers France, senior writer for CNNconfirmed the Hip-Hop icon’s death.
Nicknamed the “Clown Prince of Hip-Hop,” Biz Markie gained fame through his collaborations with Big Daddy Kane and Marley Marl. Born Marcel Theo Hall, the Harlem born rapper burst onto the scene with his classic 1988 album “Goin’ Off,” which featured the hit songs, “Nobody Beats the Biz,” “Vapors,” and “Make the Music With Your Mouth Biz.” Biz Markie formed the legendary Juice Crew with Marley Marl and released the album on the Cold Chillin’ rap label under the guidance of legendary hip-hop DJ, DJ Mr. Magic. In a 2008 interview with Hip-Hop A3C, the rap legend stated, “When we did pick the Juice Crew, it was about people being different and dope in their own way.”
Always in on the joke, the beloved rapper created a persona of a happy go-lucky jokester and kooky rapper with funny and clever lyrics and videos like “The Vapors” amid a sea of rap personas wrapped in machismo and conflict. Biz Markie’s collaborations gave Hip-Hop some of it’s most iconic hits. Biz followed up “Goin’ Off,” with 1989’s “The Biz Never Sleeps,” album which produced the iconic hit, “Just a Friend,” which went platinum. Biz Markie lamenting over a love interest openly cheating on her boyfriend while singing loudly and off-key was pop culture gold, catapulting the beloved rapper into the pop culture stratosphere. There was even a popular dance named “The Biz” and “The Biz Markie.”
The good times wouldn’t last forever. Biz Markie was sued for his follow-up 1991 album, “I Need a Haircut,” by musician Gilbert O’Sullivan, for sampling his 1972 hit song, “Alone Again,” on Biz’s song with the same name. In what would become a landmark case, O’Sullivan won the lawsuit changing the way samples were licensed in rap music going forward. Biz Markie learned from the experience, naming his next album, “All Samples Cleared,” as a nod to the game changing Hip-Hop in the process.
In 2009, Biz Markie appeared in a Radio Shack commercial parodying his smash hit, “Just a Friend.”
Over the years, Biz Markie continued to work as a producer and traveled the world as a DJ, DJing sets or parties for celebrities, many of whom were close friends like Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. In 1999, Biz Markie was featured on Will Smith’s song, “So Fresh,” along with rap legend Slick Rick and appeared in the music video directed by Jada Pinkett Smith. Over the years, Biz Markie appeared on numerous television shows and films including The Meteor Man, Men in Black II, “Eve,” “Crank Yankers,” “Empire,” “Yo Gabba Gabba,” “Sharknado 2,” “Mad TV” and “Black-ish.”
In recent years, Biz Markie suffered from diabetes and had been hospitalized for the past few months following a stroke. In early July, it was reported and confirmed the Hip-Hop legend had been moved to hospice care, after false reports of his death surfaced online.
Hall is survived by his wife Tara Hall, who reportedly held his hand as the rapper transitioned. The “Clown Prince” is now the “Crown Prince” of Hip-Hop. Biz Markie was 57.
This article was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
CHICAGO (July 15, 2021) – Eight exemplary Black women in corporate business, entertainment business, media, literature, performing arts and sports were recently inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) as honorary members.
Trailblazers Ursula M. Burns (corporate business), Ruth E. Carter (entertainment business), Debra Martin Chase (entertainment business), Cynthia Erivo (performing arts), Lisa Leslie (sports), Robin Roberts (media), Tracee Ellis Ross (performing arts) and Alice Walker (literature) became members of the sorority in separate ceremonies in New York, N.Y., Atlanta, Ga., Los Angeles, Calif., Berkeley, Calif., and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., all following the CDC’s COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Presiding over the formal, in-person inductions was Alpha Kappa Alpha’s International President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Glenda Glover. Also in attendance were Staci R. Collins Jackson, Chair, International Honorary Members & Awards Committee and Committee Members Rose Jackson Flenorl and Rashan Ali.
“I am honored to welcome these extraordinary women into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Each of these luminaries has reached the pinnacle of success in her respective field and sphere of influence. They are recognized and celebrated around the world and epitomize greatness. Since our founding in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha women have been history makers and standard bearers. Our newest members are writing a new chapter in our long and distinguished history. They now join an international sisterhood of more than 300,000 members who exemplify excellence through our lifelong commitment to the communities we serve. The induction of our newest honorary members will ensure that we continue to shine our light on the extraordinary accomplishments of Black women,” said Glover.
Honorary membership is the sorority’s highest honor and awarded to distinguished women whose works and contributions parallel AKA’s ideals of achievement and service.
For more information about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the nation’s first sorority for college-educated Black women, visit: www.aka1908.com or follow on Twitter @akasorority1908.
This post was curated by The. Burton Wire founder & editor-in-chief Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Follow Nsenga on Twitter @Ntellectual.
