SHOPPE BLACK

Erin Jackson Becomes First Black woman to win Olympic medal in Speedskating

1 min read

Erin Jackson made history when she earned a gold medal in the 500-meter speedskating event at the Winter Olympics in Beijing Sunday.

The 29-year-old former inline skater won the women’s 500 meters at the National Speed Skating Oval with a time of 37.04, earning her first Olympic medal in what has been her best event. She also makes history as the first Black woman to win an Olympic medal in speedskating, according to The Associated Press.

It was also the Americans’ first speedskating medal of the Beijing Olympics.

Erin Jackson

Jackson joined Shani Davis as the only Black athletes to win speedskating medals at the Olympics. Davis, also an American, won gold in the men’s 1,000 meters and silver in the 1,500 meters in the Olympics in Turin in 2006.

 

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10 Step Guide for Growing Your Own Food

5 mins read

Growing your own food is a fun and fulfilling experience. It’s tremendously exciting to watch the seeds sprout, grow new leaves, blossom, and bear fruit.

growing your own food

The highlight of it all is harvesting and eating meals made from veggies you cultivated yourself. If you plan to grow your own food, check out our ten easy steps to guide you through the process. 

Choose the Seeds

The growing conditions of each plant are different. Thus, knowing what you will be growing will help you with your research and the rest of the process. Based on the seed availability, your favorite veggies, and the area available for gardening, choose what you want to grow and how much you want to grow.

Know the Veggie Friends

Growing certain plants together is a simple trick gardeners use to increase the profit. As you plan your garden for this year, make sure you choose companion plants that will complement each other and help your garden flourish. They can provide each other with nutrients, shade, or support, as well as attract pollinators and repel pests. 

Do Your Research

Now that you know what you are planting, read up on the season, the growing conditions, and processes for each of the seeds you have chosen. Know that each plant grows in different seasons and requires different amounts of sunlight, water, and manure. Have an understanding of the growing process for each seed to monitor the growth and make informed decisions. 

Find Your Spot

The perfect spot is where you can get a lot of morning sunlight. Sunlight contributes to the growth and development of a plant. However, planting it where the noon light shines a lot can make maintenance more difficult since it would require frequent watering and might even wither quickly. Plants require around 6–7 hours of sunshine to flourish. So, look for a spot with direct sunlight.  

Know Your Soil

Each plant requires different types of soil and pH levels for growth. A simple squeeze test can tell you whether your soil is clay, sand, or loam. Knowing your soil will help you determine how to prepare your soil for maximum yield.

Prepare the Soil

After understanding your soil type, you need to prepare your soil for each produce. Adding compost and fertilizers will help enhance the richness of the soil and help produce better yields. Add a generous amount of garden compost to the soil and mix it well before planting the seeds.

Plant It the Right Way

Depending on the seed, the way to plant it also differs. Some seeds need to be buried deeper, while others need only a light layer of soil to cover them. Bulbs can go straight into the pot, whereas the vulnerable range needs to start seed trays. They can be transplanted into the pot when they have a minimum of 4–5 leaves. Make sure to choose the right pot depending on the expected growth of each plant. 

Add Nutrients and Water

Like any living being, plants require sunlight, nutrients, and water to grow well. Keep a tracker and add fertilizers once every two weeks, and water it depending on the requirement for each plant. You can dip your finger in the soil to check the soil’s moisture level. Also, remember to add pesticides as and when needed. 

Harvest

Keep a close eye on ripening plants. Some need to be harvested raw, some fresh; some are happy to wait till you are ready to harvest, while some wait for none. Know and identify the right time to reap and enjoy harvesting the produce grown all by yourself.

Enjoy!

The final step is to enjoy the organic vegetables/fruit and make a healthy meal to share with your friends and family.

If you are looking for advanced ways to handle your garden, Torpedopot can help you set up a self-growing garden with a built-in, fully automated, pressurized plumbing system that waters your plants for you.

Black Owned Customer Service Platform Chatdesk Raises $7 Million to Support E-commerce Brands

1 min read

Chatdesk is a Black-owned customer service platform that helps companies deliver better customer service with messaging and analytics.

Founded in 2018 by Andrew Olaleye and Aneto Okonkwo, Chatdesk aims to bridge the gap between customers and companies.

While most people believe that Artificial Intelligence will eventually replace jobs that are done by people today, Chatdesk helps create job opportunities for the “Superfans” of eCommerce brands while leveraging machine learning to enable brands to deliver best-in-class support.

The New York-based startup recently raised $7 million in a round led by Cultivation Capital, with participation from Harlem Capital, Serena Ventures, Menlo Ventures, Stormbreaker Ventures, and Fika Ventures.

This funding will enable Chatdesk to help more brands scale their customer service 24/7 and drive sales on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok.

Leading up to the fundraise, Chatdesk saw revenue growth of 300% year-over-year driven by a sharp increase in the volume of customer service tickets for e-commerce brands.

As the COVID-19 pandemic increased both the need for customer support and demand for remote work, Chatdesk has accumulated a waitlist of 5,000+ people that are excited to become customer support Superfans for the brands on the platform.

“We’re grateful to our customers and will use the new funds to grow our team, help more brands and create even more jobs,” says Aneto.

Tony O. Lawson


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Metaverse Marketing: Opportunities and Strategies for Brands

4 mins read

Traditional marketing approaches are no longer sufficient. Marketing methods are evolving, and marketers must adapt to the new environment. Through metaverse marketing, companies and brands have a chance to reach a global market.

Some of the world’s most well-known brands have already begun to integrate and build their digital presence in the metaverse.

Is there anything else it entails? Keep reading to find out what marketing in the metaverse is all about, and what opportunities it offers.

What is the Metaverse?

The metaverse is a persistent, online, three-dimensional universe that integrates numerous virtual spaces. It can be compared to a future version of the internet. The metaverse will allow people to work, meet, play games, and socialize together in these 3D places.

It combines multiple elements of technology, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and video where users “live” in a digital world. In the metaverse, users will work, play and stay connected with friends through everything from concerts and conferences to virtual trips around the world.

Metaverse Marketing: Opportunities

Although the metaverse has been around for some time and some companies have even experimented with metaverse marketing, the guidelines for mainstream marketing for most brands have not yet been established.

As new technologies are introduced almost daily, it is still unclear how to make the most of metaverse marketing by creating the perfect marketing plan.

Establishing these rules and developing appropriate strategies might just be the key to achieving success in the metaverse for a brand. Here are a few strategies being pursued by some brands.

Accessibility and Availability of Virtual Venues

The earliest websites were able to take their brands and businesses to the next level by simply being there first. Today, brands enjoy the same opportunity, but on a much larger scale.

Brands can now design fully immersive and engaging virtual venues, universes, and locations from scratch using 3D virtual reality technology.

Creating virtual venues, worlds, and spaces in which to hold events and experiences is instantly possible in the metaverse for brands.

Virtual Ownership Made Simple

Since people spend a lot of time online every single day, there is a higher value placed on digital assets and the showcase of acquiring virtual ownership rights.

In the world of virtual ownership, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are the most popular because they make it possible for individuals, businesses, and creators to own these virtual assets and to transfer them with other virtual entities at will.

Real World and Virtual Entertainment Redefined

Whether we like it or not, the line between real and virtual interactions is getting more and more blurred, resulting in new forms of entertainment and immersive virtual reality experiences.

New experiences are frequently participatory and shared by a group of individuals nowadays, resulting in the transfer of physical behavior to all sorts of digital platforms and creating an entirely new reality.

Establishing a Brand Presence Everywhere

A lesson that brands and retailers around the world realized as a result of the pandemic was that their digital presence cannot be ignored any longer.

The pandemic caused the whole world to shut down, forcing merchants to create digital versions of their businesses since real-world versions could no longer be accessed.

When customers can’t physically visit you, you must bring the brand’s 3D experience to them online.

What are your thoughts on the metaverse? Comment below!


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The 10K Project is on a Mission to connect One Million “Every Day” Black Investors with Black Owned Businesses that need Funding

7 mins read

Thanks to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act of 2012, entrepreneurs can raise up to $5 million per year from individual investors. These investments can be made via campaigns on SEC-approved equity crowdfunding platforms.

Black entrepreneurs who have historically struggled to raise funding from traditional financial institutions now have another option to raise the capital needed to start and grow their businesses.

For aspiring investors, it no longer takes thousands of dollars to start investing in early-stage companies like wealthy families do.

All you need to do is join platforms such as The 10K Project, a community of everyday investors who actively fund Black-owned businesses.

The 10K Project, founded by Cheree Warrick and Tawana Rivers is building a community of those not only buying Black but also investing Black.

We recently caught up with Tawana to find out more about the platform.

the 10k project
Tawana Rivers, Co-founder and COO, The 10K Project

What inspired you and Cheree to create The 10K Project? 

We were leaders in another group that uplifted the Black community. Each week, we would have conversations regarding how Black people could break into the blockchain industry by building businesses.

One of the primary concerns people had was a lack of capital. Cheree continuously said, “If 10,000 of us came together and invested $100 each into the business, that’s $1 million. We can fund our OWN businesses.”

One day, Cheree said it again for the umpteenth time and I asked her, “When are you going to do something about it?” She said that she couldn’t do it alone so four of us joined her as the founding members of The 10K Project. And here we are!

the 10k project
Cheree Warrick, Co-founder and CEO, The 10K Project

Briefly explain the importance of creating an ecosystem of Black investors.

We oftentimes hear phrases such as “it takes a village,” “each one teach one,” “we’re better together,” and “we must circulate the Black dollar longer;” however, most people aren’t sure how to implement them. We want to help people build generational wealth.

At The 10K Project, we aim to not only let these sentences be catchphrases. Instead, we live them! We bring together 3 groups of people:

  1. Entrepreneurs who have great ideas and want to raise capital for their businesses,
  2. Investors who have as little as $100 to invest in Black founders, and
  3. Experts who can help these entrepreneurs grow their companies (e.g. project managers, sales consultants, construction professionals, etc)

We bring together people from all socioeconomic backgrounds who want to uplift and invest in the Black founder. Within our organization, we say “We buy Black. Now we can invest Black, too.”

If we want to truly OWN and DOMINATE industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, healthcare, and technology, then we MUST invest in each other. No one is coming to save us, so we must save ourselves.

What are some things a business should have in place in order to have a successful crowdfunding campaign?

To successfully manage a crowdfunding campaign, entrepreneurs must have a winning crowdfunding campaign plan, a knowledgeable team who understands legal compliance, investors, a legally compliant crowdfunding platform, and experts to guide you through your campaign. 

We offer entrepreneurs more information regarding how to successfully launch and complete an equity crowdfunding campaign at www.roadtocrowdfunding.com.

Fill in this blank. “We need to see more Black businesses that ____”

Have equal amounts of resources as our counterparts. Most Black businesses aren’t able to maximize growth due to a lack of resources. And resources are more than cash. It’s team members, mentors, access to credit, access to networks, etc.

The 10K Project is more than just access to capital. We are a community of individuals who work together to help the entrepreneur succeed. If the entrepreneur needs staff, then he or she can access our Expert Directory and find the skilled talent they need.

If the entrepreneur needs access to profit acceleration resources such as marketing, product placement, and business efficiencies, our Knowledge Center has recorded webinars and individuals to help.

As Black businesses receive the resources needed, they hire more people within the community, grow revenues, give back to our nonprofits, mentor more of our children, and uplift our economic standing globally.

the 10k project

Where do you see The 10K Project in 5 years?

We will be an investor network with 1 million members.

Within 5 years, we will be THE place where entrepreneurs raise $5 million (the legal limit for Regulation CF governed by the SEC) within 48 hours…and we will do this over and over again.

We want to expose our investor members to opportunities that can help them build generational wealth. And we want to have a major economic impact globally (including the Caribbean and Africa). 

Sign up here to join The 10K project and start investing Black!

Tony O. Lawson


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Your Mental Health Matters: Here Are Some Tips For Managing It

5 mins read

There is no doubt that racism and discrimination have an adverse impact on mental health. Systemic racism has had a persistent and profound effect on countless members of the Black population. The increasing number of media reports and images of police brutality and violence has only made matters worse.

Inhabiting a Black body can come with challenges and stressors no one else can understand. That’s why we must do all we can to practice self-care and engage in effective strategies to protect our mental health.

Here are essential self-care tips you can incorporate into your day to feel more at ease.

How to Look After Your Mental Health

1) Limit your time on social media.

Whether you’re a reporter covering the current political turmoil, a peaceful protester at the frontline, or simply a Black person being bombarded with news—limiting your social media presence is vital.

You should also not feel obligated to respond to questions from Non-Black friends and allies about how they can best support you right now. Besides the wealth of information that’s available online (books, podcasts, etc. ), it’s not your job to soothe guilt nor provide answers.

2) Create a Black-Only virtual group as a safety net.

If limiting your social media time seems a bit hard to do, especially if it’s a field you work in, never underestimate the solace you can receive from an intimate group chat that lets you speak your mind.

Having a private group can help alleviate the stress and trauma resurfacing in the Black community today. Venting, sharing resources, expressing your rollercoaster of raw emotions, and supporting others as they do the same is one of the most fundamental steps on this shared journey.

3) Look for low-cost or free therapy sessions.

If you believe you are suffering from anxiety or are eager to speak to a qualified professional, there are programs available to help those most in need. There are many organizations out there that were created specifically for Black people experiencing mental health issues.

For instance, Chicago-based company Sista Afya provides virtual, low-cost guidance; Black Men Heal has limited, and selective free mental health service opportunities for Black men.

Additionally, Therapy for Black Girls has Black counselors on their rosters, so make sure to consult them when looking for a therapist or beginning a new course of therapy.

mental health

3 Tips for Seeking Mental Healthcare

1) Remember you have nothing to prove.

Those of us who are experiencing psychological and emotional health challenges have nothing to prove to anyone but themselves.

Of course, there are obligations to loved ones that must be fulfilled, but prioritizing mental and physical wellness so that you can be more present for those who love and depend on you is essential, but always remember to put yourself first.

2) You can pick your mental health professional.

No matter what your biological sex or racial or ethnic background, sitting down and sharing your deepest secrets can be challenging.

However, one benefit to seeking services is that, in most cases, you can choose the professional with whom you feel most comfortable. If you are uncomfortable with the first person selected, you can, and should, request someone else.

3) It is perfectly ok—and healthy—to seek psychiatric treatment, therapy, and counseling.

We need to retire this taboo stereotype about mental health resources once and for all. Any person who wants to speak with an objective and non-biased professional in a confidential setting should feel like they can be comfortable considering counseling without judgment.

For more mental health services geared towards the Black community, check out NAMI. They also have more articles on mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

 

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5 Money Myths That Could Be Preventing You From Building Wealth

5 mins read

They say money can’t buy you happiness—and to a certain extent, that’s true. But poverty doesn’t bring happiness either, does it?

Let’s face it, there are a ton of money myths out there parading around as truth. But the real truth is that most of these myths are keeping hardworking people broke!

The Internet can be filled with financial “tips” that are more myth than fact. You must validate financial tips you find on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, or Facebook by doing your own research and speaking to a professional.

But don’t worry, to get you started, we’ve compiled a list below to call out “truths” as myths.

1) I can start saving later.

Savings is only for the rich, right? Well, not if you want to stop living paycheck to paycheck. Nearly one-quarter of Americans fail to save money every month.

However, the key to saving is to save the right thing. The rate of inflation reduces the purchasing power of your money but also increases the value of your assets, such as real estate or stocks. Rather than saving for the sake of saving, invest your hard-earned cash in assets that will pay you and keep pace with inflation.

2) All debt is bad debt.

This is one of the biggest myths of all. Having an outstanding balance on your credit card or a high-interest loan can cost significantly more than the sum you originally borrowed. However, not all debt is the same.

It is possible to acquire “good debt”—debt with a low-interest rate that builds wealth over time. Good debt will provide future value, like a mortgage or student loans.

But you must avoid overextending yourself, even with good debt: It can become a problem if you cannot afford the payments. The amount of debt you have will play a significant role in determining your credit score, which is used by lenders to assess your credit risk. The higher the score, the better the terms, which saves you money on interest.

3) You’re throwing away money by renting.

A house can be a good investment as equity will be built over time. However, becoming a homeowner is not always financially feasible because it requires you to pay the mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, and repairs—not to mention the upfront costs of buying a home.

If you are only planning on living in an area for a few years, renting could make more sense financially. It can also be a great way to save a lot of cash if you live below your means.

4) Credit cards should be avoided.

Credit cards are convenient, but they can easily become a burden if you’re not careful. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one.

As long as you pay off your card balance in full each month to avoid interest, making purchases with credit can be worthwhile. In addition to being a great way to redeem points for cash, travel, electronics, or investing, it can also help increase your credit score, making it easier to buy a car or house in the future, with a lower interest rate.

5) You’ll spend less money during retirement.

Many people make the mistake of assuming they have plenty of time to save for retirement. In reality, it approaches faster than you think. And for some, their retirement lifestyle could be even more expensive than their working years.

Retirement looks different for everyone. For some, it may be a time for leisure and traveling. For others, it offers the chance to pursue a second career they’ve always dreamed of. Maybe you just want to leave a legacy for future generations of your family. No matter what it is, you can do it!

 

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Homeschooling Among Black Families Is on the Rise

4 mins read

While once considered an option for white, middle-class families who opted out of traditional or private schools to focus on their children’s education through a religious lens, homeschooling has begun to gain traction among Black families during the pandemic.

A recent U.S. Census Bureau report showed that homeschooling rates quintupled amongst Black families, with the proportion of homeschooling increasing from 3.3% in the spring of 2020 to 16.1% in the fall of 2020. Though we’ll note that the number may not be completely accurate, due to many children choosing to remote learn in response to the pandemic.

Even so, the numbers signal a significant increase in the number of black children being homeschooled and indicate a trend among the Black population in America.

Micro-Aggressions and Bullying

In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many students into online learning environments, there are many other reasons for Black parents to homeschool their children. Didakeje Griffin, for instance, told NPR that she wanted to protect her children from bullies as well as COVID-19. Schools across the country report an increase in bullying affecting Black children recently, some with irreversible, and devastating effects, such as the suicide of Isabella “Izzy” Tichenor.

Similar to the workplace microaggressions adults face, some kids are subject to embarrassing (and even dangerous) encounters with classmates and teachers based on their race. Based on a 2014 study by the Office for Civil Rights of the US Department of Education, Black students are suspended at three times the rate of white students and have higher chances of being reprimanded. The Association for Psychological Science reported in 2015 that Black students are more likely to be labeled “troublemakers” by teachers.

These statistics have contributed to the distrust in the education system among parents and guardians of Black children.

A 2022 Children Now report, which grades California outcomes for children, says overt and systemic racism adds to the pressures on Black youths. Kelly Hardy, senior managing director of health and research for Children said, “What we are seeing as far as causes are that there is overt and systemic racism that is putting additional pressures on Black youth. And that our Black young people are over-policed and under-resourced.”

Educational Freedom

Beyond the racial tensions developing in and out of schools, many black parents and caregivers cite educational freedom as a reason to homeschool their children, allowing them to learn and celebrate their own culture. Whether intentional or subconsciously Black educational freedom can be stifled in mainstream white-dominant educational institutions.

Moreover, homeschooling can bring out the best in Black children. It allows their creativity to flow without the fear of getting in trouble for being different or disruptive.

Community Building

Many Black families are finding a community through homeschooling. Parents and caregivers are discovering that there are networks of Black homeschoolers in their area and all over the country. In fact, many communities even have their own community association so homeschooling families of color can find and support each other.

Homeschooling allows children the freedom to ask questions and learn without a strict curriculum. It also allows them to connect with their culture.

Have you started homeschooling your children? Comment below to let us know how it has benefited your children.

 

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17-Year-Old Imunique Triplett Completes Nursing Degree Before High School Graduation

2 mins read

Imunique Triplett is a 17-year-old Milwaukee resident who just earned her practical nursing diploma while still in high school.

She is one of the first to complete the nursing track as part of the M³ College Connections program.

M³ (pronounced M-cubed) allows Milwaukee Public School students to enroll in Milwaukee Area Technical College and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee classes, earning credits that count toward their graduation from both high school and college with pathways including nursing, teaching, and general education.

Imunique says she had to juggle her three to four college classes and high school coursework simultaneously including during the height of the pandemic.

Her road to this achievement hasn’t been easy. Her great aunt and great uncle adopted her when she was 10 months to help provide a stable foundation for life and school.

“I work so hard because I’ve seen how people can struggle. I have seen my parents live from paycheck to paycheck and I knew that I wanted to change that narrative,” she said. “I have tried to surround myself with people who inspire me and that I can inspire.”

Students who complete the nursing track can become licensed practical nurses, who often work in extended care facilities or hospitals. They can continue their education to become registered nurses or nurse practitioners who have more responsibilities and higher salaries.

Imunique hopes to become a registered dnurse, but her teachers are confident she could become a nurse practitioner, the highest level of nursing.

 


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First Black Owned Ice Skating Academy Opens in Detroit

2 mins read

Dream Detroit Skating Academy (DDSA) is the first Black owned ice skating academy based in Detroit, Michigan.

DDSA was founded by Angela Blocker-Loyd and Candice Tamakloe, two of only a few competitive African American skaters in the metropolitan Detroit area.

black owned skating club
Photo credit: Dream Detroit Skating Academy (DDSA

Angela started figure skating at 9 years old and was one of the youngest skaters at the Berkley Ice Arena and Recreation Center at the time. Candice, who was 14 years old at the time took Angela on as a little sister.

As their skating careers progressed,  both ladies noticed that there was a lack of representation and opportunity for Detroit youth in the figure skating world.

With hopes of being the change they wanted to see, Candice and Angela launched Dream Detroit Skating Academy at the Jack Adams Memorial Ice Arena in Detroit.

DDSA is also run by Crystal Stewart, who began ice skating at age 6, through the Berkley Recreation Department, alongside the co-founders.

“There has never been a skater at the national or international level to come out of the city of Detroit,” Candice told the Detroit Free Press. “We want to bring that quality back into the city.”

DDSA offers a rigorous figure skating program with the goal of preparing Detroit’s youth for a variety of figure skating disciplines.

It also offers both group and private figure skating lessons to youth ages 4 and up with skill-building opportunities starting from Learn to Skate classes to competitive and ice show performances.

 

Tony O. Lawson


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