WSSN Stories

By Lue Dowdy

Spinning on the 1z and 2z we got Ty-tyanna Tarkington aka DJ TAI.

I met this talented DJ through a good friend that goes by the name of Yung Miss. I instantly fell in love with her beautiful spirit, voice, and work ethic. I’ve had the opportunity to hire her for several events and let’s say I was not disappointed. This Queen is truly putting in the work. Below are 5 questions I asked her to answer so you’ll get to know her too. Until next time L’s!

Where are you from and currently residing? 

When asked I always said I’m from Palmdale, but really, I spent most of my life right here in the Inland Empire- more specific Moreno Valley. I’m always grateful of my start in Palmdale, but really Moval is home. I’ve met so many amazing people while growing up out here that, When I think of home, I automatically picture the big Murda “M”. Currently, I live in Riverside because I studied at the UC, Riverside (Go Highlanders!) for my Undergrad in Political Science and just never left.

What inspires you? 

I would say my family and my curiosity inspires me. My family because without my family’s support I wouldn’t be who I am, but really, it’s true. My parents taught me to never give up or to cut myself short, no matter what. This has been my standard of life in everything that I do from academia to my music to even the company I keep.

My curiosity inspires me because without it I would have held myself back from learning/doing everything that truly makes me happy now. For instance, I taught myself how to play the guitar with no guitar… like how you learn how to do anything without the most important element! However, I was determined. I remember, I was watching video, after video, after video of guitar legends talking about the fundamentals and even printing out guitar chords so I could finger along. Despite it obviously being regular printed on printer paper, in my head, I could really feel the smooth glossy neck of the guitar and hear each nickel-plated string. Honestly, I think my dad was more excited than I was to hear what I would sound like that, he gave me my birthday gift a week early! My mom laughed and said, “your dad was so excited to give you your own guitar that he couldn’t wait anymore.” So, all that to say, my curiosity and family really inspire me to really be the best me I can possibly be. If it weren’t for my family being a positive reinforcement of love and support, then I wouldn’t have the curiosity I do to just challenge the difficult/unknown.

How and when did you get started performing?

I got started in performing with my family at a young age (I think like 3-5?). My family would do talent shows in our front living room on like Friday nights. My mom loves Sade and has her live performance DVD that she would like, perform for everyone, which I would say really piqued my interest in singing in front of an audience. But, once I started praise dancing in church, I really fell in love with performing and entertaining people. 

What are some of your hobbies?

When I get the chance to relax and just be, I like to practice new songs on my Guitar. I, also, like to knit, skateboard, and figure out samples and originals to songs. It’s something I just started doing more with Yung Miss, so what I’ll do is send her a song and ask her to identify the sample. I like trivia questions, so it keeps me on my musical toes. 

Past and Current projects?

It’s funny because I’ve been songwriting and singing for about 12 years, but I just started releasing music myself as of last year. My first ever released song is called “You and I.” I dropped it back in May2020; when I wrote the song, I had just had a bad break-up and I felt so lost. I had built a whole identity around being with this person and now they were gone… so the song is about my process how dealing with that transition. 

I just dropped my 2nd song called “That Sux”! I’m not gonna lie, I loved writing this song so much. I love R&B and Neo-Soul, so I wanted to make an R&B song. I wrote it while I was on my way to my shitty job (at the time) when the beat for “That Sux” came on, and all the words just came out of me so easily. I feel powerful when I sing it because it’s so different from “You and I”. Especially my mindset during each time period, it’s crazy to hear myself be confident now when like 5 years ago I was so “I can’t go on without them.” I love it, so make sure to check it out, it’s call “That Sux.” It’s out on all platforms, be sure to check it out and let all your friend’s family and coworkers know about it! 

And as far as new projects go… it’s top secret so I have to keep it on the hush hush haha. So, just make sure to follow me on my Instagram: @tymashoe for more music update like show performances, music video releases *wink wink*, and new music exclusives. 

I really appreciate @Lueproductions hitting me up and asking me to write a little snippet, even though I almost wrote a whole 10-page essay haha. I am so grateful for the chance to speak about my experience as an artist and share it with everyone. So shoutout to Lue for allowing me on her platform! *DJ air horn noises* 

Thank you so much and don’t forget to check me out at the Next Lue Production Event, “SO YOU SAY” December 29th at Shooters Bar & Grill in Temecula! The open mic starts at 8:15pm-9:15pm & performances the rest of the night. I’ll be DJing until Midnight or until they kick me out the club- whichever happens first- so I hope to see you there!!!

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

Last month, Lawrence Lucas, founder of the United States Department of Agriculture Coalition of Minority Employees (USDA-CME), testified before the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.

Lucas said racism is the prime reason there are just a little over 400 Black farmers in California.

“The income of Black Farmers has been drastically reduced and the amount of wealth that has been taken from Black farmers is tremendous,” Lucas said. “What you would call reparations, we call justice. It is why you must do what you have to do in California to right the wrongs suffered by Black people.”

Lucas is not the only one concerned about mounting evidence that documents a long history of race-based discrimination in American agriculture.

The United States Department of Agriculture recently created the Equity Commission (EC) to study racial discrimination and government policies that have disempowered Black farmers, depleted their wealth and nearly wiped out their presence for over 100 years.

EC will advise the Secretary of Agriculture by identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices that created barriers to inclusion or perpetuated racial, economic, health and social disparities.

USDA-CME was founded in 1994 to address discrimination within the USDA, which Lucas referred to as the “Last Plantation” during his testimony. The coalition also focuses its work on the historical loss of Black land and how government policies deprived African Americans of generational wealth.

The EC is expected to issue a preliminary report and provide “actionable recommendations” within the next 12 months, and a final report to be finished within two years.

“The Equity Commission is taking important steps to dismantle barriers historically underserved communities have faced in accessing USDA programs and services,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a Sept. 24 statement.

Lucas said despite the USDA’s efforts to address decades-old discrimination practices, he does not see it “getting any better” for Black farmers. Non-Black farm producers are fighting back in the courts, Lucas said.

“You have White farmers, who own most of the land and get all the benefits from the land; they are the ones now bringing court cases around the country. They are saying that it’s discriminatory to have debt-relief for Black farmers,” Lucas said.

The CME’s biggest accomplishment is its involvement in securing debt relief for Black farmers as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The ARP package included a multi-billion-dollar fund for socially disadvantaged farmers throughout the United States.

The coalition has worked alongside U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) to create the Justice for Black Farmers Act, which will provide even more aid to socially disadvantaged farmers.

Of the approximately 70,000 farms in California, more than 90% are White-owned or White-managed and fewer than 1% are Black-owned or Black-managed, according to the 2017 federal agriculture census.

The 2012 census reported that California had 722 Black farmers. By 2017, that number had decreased to 429. Nationally, there are 45,508 Black farmers or 1.3% of all farmers according to the 2017 agriculture census. Their properties account for 0.5% of the country’s farmlands.

In contrast, about 14% of all U.S. farmers in 1920 were Black, according to that year’s agriculture census. At the time, there were 925,708 Black farmers. Nearly all of them farmed in Deep South states. Lucas blames the USDA for the depletion of Black farmlands over the last century.

However, the USDA says it is in the process of reversing harmful policies and taking restorative action for programs that affected the progress, financial stability, and productive livelihood of Black farmers.

“We are serious about our efforts to end discrimination across all areas of the Department and to improve access to services for key stakeholders,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh in a statement.

In March, the U.S. Congress passed a $4 billion debt relief program for farmers of color to address past discrimination in USDA programs.

The debt relief program was passed as part of the ARP. It includes funding to pay off USDA loans held by 16,000 Black, Native American, Alaskan Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic and Latino farmers.

Claiming discrimination, a group of White farmers have filed a dozen lawsuits against the program including one class action suit. Preliminary injunctions by three courts have momentarily blocked the program from issuing funds from the program.

According to Khubaka Michael Harris of the California Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association (CBFAA), “The debt relief was written in a way to help Black folks, but it is not just for Black folks. That’s why it’s in the courts. It was written where anybody who is a farmer can say, ‘Hey, I’ve been affected by COVID, too.’ Then, you are going to say that this money is just earmarked for Black folks? Now, the legislators have to go back to write in a language that targets underserved communities.”

Based in Sacramento, CBFAA advocates for socially disadvantaged California Black farmers, and agriculturalists of color nationwide.

Lucas said it is actions such as the lawsuits that “deny Black farmers their dignity,” “a right to farm,” and deny Black farmers the “right to the same programs and services that White farmers get in this country.”

In California, farming is classified under the term “agricultural activity.”

The state defines it as “the harvesting of any agricultural commodity, including timber, viticulture, apiculture, or horticulture, the raising of livestock, fur bearing animals, fish, or poultry, and any practices performed by a farmer or on a farm are also agricultural activities.”

“That goes for licensed cannabis farmers too,” Harris said. “If you cultivate cannabis you are a farmer in this state.”

Assembly Bill (AB) 3121, titled “The Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans,” was a law created to investigate the history of slavery in the United States, the extent of California’s involvement in slavery, segregation, and the denial of Black citizens their constitutional rights.

The nine-member task force is expected to hear more testimonies from Black farmers in California, including producers from the Central Valley.

“I see what all of you in California are doing is what needs to be done across this country,” Lucas said during his testimony. “It is the courage of your governor and the courage of the people on this reparation committee to take on this daunting task of talking to other people about their pain and suffering. Black farmers are suffering.”

CABINDA/ANGOLA – 09JUN2010 – African farmer to watering plantation.

Local Las Vegas professional beauty school, the Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas (CILV), donated 20 wigs handmade by school students and completed several complimentary beauty makeovers to local breast cancer survivors during its 5th annual “Wig-A-Thon” event on Friday (11/5) afternoon.

Spearheaded by Denise Dixon, longtime philanthropist and founder of The Cosmetology Institute, the heartfelt charity event touched the hearts of many. During the uplifting “Wig-A-Thon” event, The Institute’s beauty students provided four breast cancer survivors, three of which were currently still battling the horrific disease, with complimentary handmade wig installations as well as makeup, nail and hair services. Emotions ran high from the survivors, students and school instructors as the survivors were overcome with joy and gratitude, even being invited to come back for ongoing complimentary wig maintenance services as needed.

Additionally, through its partnership with the American Cancer Society of Nevada, CILV donated 16 handmade wigs to be gifted to women.

“The American Cancer Society is grateful for the continued support of the Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas,” said Angela VanBrackle, executive director of American Cancer Society of Nevada. “Providing wigs to those undergoing treatment is a great boost to self-confidence to those women and being able to share in the moments of them receiving the wigs is inspiring. With our strong partnerships with several cancer treatment centers here in the Las Vegas valley; we are able to distribute the donated wigs to those in need.”

Additionally, 18 women received on-site mammograms at the event from the Nevada Health Centers Mammovan, a mobile, medical 3D mammogram station, that was stationed at The Institute during the Wig-A-Thon. Determined to give back for this special cause, The Institute paid for all uninsured recipients to receive the same-day mammograms. In honor of her family members recently diagnosed with breast cancer, Dixon will also donate $1,000 to the Nevada Health Centers Mammovan to thank them for their support.

The “Wig-A-Thon” event concluded with lunch in the courtyard with the breast cancer survivors, staff and students, complimentary catered by Kountry Boi Catering & BBQ, and a heartwarming award ceremony praising the participating students.

About Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas 

The Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas opened in 2015 to serve the Las Vegas community with a professional beauty school and outlet aiming to lift up disenfranchised youth, especially BIPOC, in need of professional skills, direction and career opportunity within the beauty industry. CILV offers young students an educational facility with affordable tuition, professional training, and the necessary skills to start and maintain their own business. Programs include: cosmetology, esthetics, hair design and nail technology. The school received National Accreditation in 2019 and has since seen hundreds of graduates. CILV was founded by Denise Dixon, a small business owner, serial philanthropist, author, and community advocate in Las Vegas. Dixon’s mission is to pay it forward and give other women and minorities in her community a helping hand via CILV and its related scholarships, grants, programs and events.

For more information on the Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas, please call 702-756-2208, visit the school at 3249 W. Craig Rd., #100, North Las Vegas, 89032, or browse their website at CILV.com. Follow them on social media at facebook.com/CosInsLV and on Instagram at @CILVegas.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA — — The Television Academy Foundation today announced applications are open for its 2022 Internship Program in Hollywood for college media students nationwide.

Paid internships are offered for graduate and undergraduate college/university media arts students for the spring and summer of 2022. Internships may be in person, hybrid or remote, depending upon the opportunity, and are subject to change. As a condition of employment, the Academy Foundation will require all in-person or hybrid work interns to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

The prestigious program gives students in-depth and hands-on professional experience in a variety of television careers and professions at prominent Hollywood studios and production facilities. Internship categories include animation, cinematography, program development, directing, editing, interactive media, news and writing.

Among the career-advancing opportunities available is the Foundation’s distinctive “Star Trek Command Training Program,” in association with CBS Studios, which offers students an immersive professional experience within the Star Trek franchise.

Exclusively for Southern California college students, the Foundation also offers the Diversity and Inclusion Unscripted Internship Program for students from disadvantaged backgrounds interested in nonfiction television careers. In addition, internships for foster youth in the greater Los Angeles area, provided through an endowment gift from Dick Wolf’s Wolf Family Foundation, are available.

“The Foundation’s Internship Program is in a class all its own,” said Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy Foundation. “For over 40 years, it’s offered students from across the country the chance to get relevant job experience and network in the entertainment capital of the world. We urge media arts students to apply for this program, which has jumpstarted careers for so many industry professionals.”

Finalists for these coveted opportunities are selected by members of the Television Academy; final selections are made by participating host companies. The program is designed to train, inspire and open doors for diverse and highly motivated students who might not otherwise have access to the industry.

Summer interns will receive weekly professional-development sessions including panels with television-industry leaders, customized seminars on personal brand-building and navigating the job market ahead.

Established in 1980, the Foundation’s Internship Program has been instrumental in launching the careers of prominent writers, producers, directors, executives, and Emmy^® nominees and winners. Notable Foundation alumni include: The Orville executive producer Brannon Braga, Space Force producer Jennifer Celotta, POV Entertainment President Layne Eskridge, Grey’s Anatomy consulting producer Elisabeth Finch, The Sandman series executive producer David S. Goyer, Maya and the Three creator and executive producer Jorge R. Gutierrez, America’s Got Talent associate director Carrie Havel, WandaVision assistant art director Eric R. Johnson, The Boys creator Eric Kripke, and Judas and the Black Messiah executive producer Sev Ohanian.

All selected interns become lifelong members of the Television Academy’s alumni network, gaining access to exclusive networking opportunities, industry events and an online alumni platform.

Online applications are currently being accepted through Jan. 19, 2022, by

5:00 p.m. PDT at TelevisionAcademy.com/Internships.

About the Television Academy Foundation

Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Television Academy Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of television while educating and inspiring those who will shape its future. Through renowned educational and outreach programs, such as The Interviews: An Oral History of Television Project, College Television Awards and Summit, Student Internship and Fellowship Programs and the Faculty Conference, the Foundation seeks to widen the circle of voices our industry represents and to create more opportunity for television to reflect all of society. For more information on the Foundation, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com/Foundation.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

Last week California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a “consumer alert” warning Californians that cannabis-infused edibles are being packaged and sold as copycat versions of popular food and candy products.

The California Department of Justice is advising consumers that illegal and unregulated edibles may contain dangerously high levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in Cannabis, and they are available in packaging nearly identical to those of popular brands like Cheetos, Fruity Pebbles, and Sour Patch Kids.

Bonta is urging Californians not to consume these dangerous knockoffs and to report the products if they encounter them.

“While cannabis-infused edibles packaged to look like our favorite brands may seem harmless and fun, the dangers of consuming unregulated and untested cannabis products are high, particularly for children and teens,” Bonta said. “The fact is: here in California, we have a safe, regulated, and legal cannabis market. But if a product is being marketed to children, mimicking a well-known consumer brand, and advertising sky-high levels of THC — it’s not likely to be a part of it.”

Cannabis-infused edibles describes any food or drink containing marijuana or any of its active ingredients, most often THC and cannabidiol (CBD), according to the Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab (RVDAR), a California drug rehabilitation and substance abuse treatment program.

Generally, the edible product is infused with cannabis extract. Marijuana is heated in an oil-based liquid to obtain the extract, RVDAR explains.

“Compared to other ways of consuming marijuana, edibles are known for producing a delayed high. Further, they may be more discreetly consumed than marijuana from a blunt, vape pen or bong,” according to RVDAR.

The California cannabis industry is regulated by the state’s Business and Professions Code and is covered by the Medicinal and Adult Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA).

According to Bonta, the edible products sold by unlicensed operators, often contain levels of THC that exceed the legal limit, and are advertised to youth in violation of MAUCRSA, which sets up a basic framework for product licensing, oversight and enforcement.

Cannabis businesses have to follow the same rules that other businesses in California follow. For example, there are rules in the statutes about waste disposal, protecting the environment, vehicle registration and paying taxes.Bonta’s office makes the following recommendations:

IDENTIFY LOOKALIKE PRODUCTS:

Californians should look for copycat packaging with language that indicates that the product contains cannabis — such as “medicated”, “THC,” “CBD,” “keep out of reach of children and animals,” and/or an image of a cannabis leaf.

In California, legal cannabis products must be affixed with the universal symbol that includes an encircled triangle with a marijuana leaf and exclamation mark in it. It letters CA are imprinted below it.  If you see indications of copycat packaging or do not see the universal symbol, the product is illicit — and may be dangerous.

KNOW THE HEALTH RISKS:

Illegal cannabis products present a risk to public health and safety. Children can experience a variety of delayed symptoms upon ingesting cannabis edibles, including, but not limited to difficulty breathing, lethargy, dizziness, nausea, and loss of coordination.

Illegal products made with synthetic cannabinoids may pose additional health risks. Synthetic cannabinoids can be highly toxic and are illegal in the state of California. Side effects of consuming synthetic cannabinoids include rapid heart rate, agitation, vomiting, trouble breathing, psychosis, among others.

In recent years, California has seen a surge in pediatric exposure and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) visits related to cannabis edibles, as well as an increase in children as young as 12 who are intentionally using cannabis products.

In 2020, there were 1,173 calls to the Poison Control Center for services related to children aged 0-19 ingesting cannabis products. This is up from 404 calls in 2016, with the biggest increase for children aged 0-5.

California has also seen a rise in emergency room visits related to cannabis poisoning among young children. In 2016, there were approximately 21 visits per one million Californians aged 0-5. In 2020, there were approximately 113 visits.

Bonta’s office insists that if a child has accidentally consumed these illicit products, monitor them for symptoms of intoxication. California’s Poison Control System has a 24-hour hotline available for immediate assistance.

The toll-free phone number is (800) 222-1222. Language interpreter services are offered in over 200 different languages and calls are kept confidential.

Upon encountering lookalike cannabis-infused edible products, Bonta is asking the public to file a complaint with the Department of Justice and with the Department of Cannabis Control.

ATLANTA, GA— Morris Brown College boasts a new mentorship program that matches local MBA professionals from eight prestigious schools with its growing base of diverse students. The inaugural program will support a select number of full-time juniors and seniors along with a unique cohort of first year students from the College’s adult education program.

“This wonderful opportunity offers an educational and mutually beneficial experience for both the mentor and mentee, and Morris Brown is excited and motivated to bring it to fruition,” said the College’s President, Dr. Kevin James.

Mentors are expected to provide student participants exposure to new career & industry possibilities as well as general business guidance, including insights into various functional areas, best practices of networking, and interviewing strategies.

Terry Comer, a Morris Brown College graduate (2003) and Harvard Business School alumnus (2006) is helping to spearhead the program alongside an impressive grouping of local MBA alumni. “I’m excited to support Morris Brown’s resurgence, particularly given how instrumental the College was in my personal development as a business leader. This program has tremendous potential and would not be possible without the broader Atlanta MBA community being so generous of their time,” said Terry Comer.

The collection of mentors represents a diverse group of our nation’s most respected MBA programs. All of the mentors hold senior leadership positions within established startups to Fortune 500 companies, spanning a variety of industries from retail to digital infrastructure. Together, these talented MBAs with a wide range of professional experiences and backgrounds, including 10 who are Presidents of their companies, are coming together to exclusively support Morris Brown College after its recent accreditation candidacy announcement.

At the conclusion of the first 8-month period, mentors and mentees are expected to complete surveys to best evaluate the program’s impact as well as identify future opportunities for expansion and improvement. The objective is to continue to serve the College for many years to come as Morris Brown expands its enrollment.

For more information, please visit https://morrisbrown.edu/.

By Lou Yeboah

So, the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” [Genesis 6:6-7].

And then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them…” [Numbers 14:11-12].

And He withdrew from them about a stone’s cast, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, ‘Not my will, but yours be done.’ And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” [Luke 22:41-44].

Listen, before mankind rebelled against God, we were warned that if we broke fellowship with the Lord, we would face dire consequences. But Jesus, God the Son, took on flesh, became a man, and suffered the penalty we deserved. Yet, in spite of all that Jesus did for us, we rebel against Him. We rebel against the One who gave His life a ransom for us. Shame on you! Shame on me! “We are all like sheep who has gone astray.” [Isaiah 53:6]. “A people with a revolting and a rebellious heart.” [Jeremiah 5:23]. May the Lord have mercy on our soul!

The Bible is clear that there are two possible destinations for every human soul following physical death: heaven or hell [Matthew 25:34, 41, 46; Luke 16:22–23] and for those who do not receive Jesus Christ as Savior, death means everlasting punishment [2 Thessalonians 1:8–9]. This punishment is described in a variety of ways: a lake of fire [Luke 16:24; Revelation 20:14–15], outer darkness [Matthew 8:12], and a prison [1 Peter 3:19]. This place of punishment is eternal [Jude 1:13; Matthew 25:46].

Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion, says the Lord? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness- only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil. Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a cucumber field, like a city under siege. Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. [Isaiah 1:5-9]. Therefore, consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, says the Lord. [Revelation 2:4-5].

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you [Revelation 3:1-3]. Accept Jesus Now! God has made extraordinary efforts to encourage humanity to repent. Consider all the Old Testament calamities, catastrophes, and cataclysms. They were designed to get men to repent.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you, life, and death, blessing and cursing therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. [Deuteronomy 30:19].

However, they did not repent [Revelations 9:20].

By Hermene D. Hartman

Chris Kempczinski, the President and CEO of McDonald’s, showed no remorse, compassion, sympathy, or empathy as he spoke about parenting to Mayor Lori Lightfoot. First, a policeman killed Adam Toldeon, 13 years old, on the premises of McDonald’s. Weeks later, a seven-year-old girl, Jaslyn Adams, was killed in the drive-thru lane at McDonald’s on the West Side Side of Chicago.

The president of the $20 billion corporation, texted Mayor Lightfoot after a face-to-face visit at the McDonald’s headquarters, “With both, the parents failed those kids, which I know is something you can’t say. Even harder to fix.” By his own admission, he told The Wall Street Journal, “I have, through my background a very narrow world view. “My to comments to Mayor Lightfoot revealed that ignorance.” Mr. Kempczinski is Swedish. How many worldviews do you need to feel for the parent, whose seven-year-old daughter was killed in the drive-in of McDonald’s? All seven-year-old wants to go to McDonald’s.

He spoke as a racist, white privileged, prosperous affluent male, who is insensitive. His reported salary in 2018 was $4.678 million. If he knew you could not say it, why did he say it? What made him so comfortable with Mayor Lightfoot, Black, and female, that he could text what he wrote.

Who is he to speak on parenting in the first place? And when he texted such a message, where was Lightfoot’s response? Perhaps she called him or had a zoom meeting. If so, she should make her comments public. It’s like she excused him.

He spoke aloud. We hear him. McDonald’s is a racist company; they practice “systemic racism” throughout.

In 2020 the company made $20 billion. Thirty percent of their company consumer base is Black. Blacks produced $6 billion of their total income. In 1998 there were 377 Black McDonald’s franchisees. Today there are 186 out of 1300. Don Thompson was the Black CEO of McDonald’s from 2012 to 2015. When he retired, so did many of the top Black executives. In 2019 McDonald’s spent $1.6 billion in advertising; less than $10 million of those dollars were spent with Black-owned media.

Byron Allen, the founder of Allen Media Group, filed a lawsuit for $10 billion against McDonald’s, stating the company discriminated against Black-owned media back in May 2021. According to the case, the fast-food chain has a “tiered advertising structure that differentiates based on race. He has also ta

ken out full-page newspaper ads pointing to the racism in McDonald’s Black ad spend. After Byron’s ads appeared, McDonald’s quickly added $10 million to the black budget. But where did it go?

I had a harrowing experiment with McDonald’s as I spoke to the head of advertising, Sheila Hamilton. It was a circus. A call had been initiated with discussion, where the new advertising lady listened to our pitches. I followed up with her to discuss TV advertising. Then, the circle of do nothing began. She told me about the Black McDonald’s owners, who do an excellent job with their dollars to support the Black community in multiple ways.

I asked questions about the $10 million extra – What agency did it go to? What was the spend? When would it be executed? I spoke to a White agency and provided three different people with the basic information requested. Eventually, I was sent to two Black agencies, who claimed ignorance about the new $10 million. One agency never returned calls.

I went back to the advertising director of McDonald’s, to say stop playing games and sending me on a wild goose chase. If you are not prone to advertise, say that and be upfront about it, but don’t insult my intelligence. She told me she would have the Black agency, Burrell, call me. I never got the call, and the advertising lady disappeared, not answering the tough questions. The run-around ended.

Back to Mr. Chris Kemczinski. Mrs. Lanesha Walker, the grieving mother of seven-year-old Jaslyn Adams, spoke to Maudlyn Ihejirika, who writes “Chicago Chronicles” for the Chicago Sun-Times. She said, “Mr. CEO, you have no clue what it’s like to live on the South Side and West Side in the trenches, where it gets real treacherous just to protect your children; you come from privilege. You can’t speak about me.”

Ms. Walker wants a direct apology from Mr. Kempczinski. He owes her an apology, a private one and a public one. He is not fit to be CEO of a $20 billion company. He is an example of how white privilege and systemic racism lives and is perpetuated. He not only showed Ms. Walker disrespect, but he also disrespected his consumer, his significant customer.

McDonald’s fast food is not the healthiest. It can lead to hypertension, diabetes, and definitely obesity. I hope Black folk at every level, the consumer, the Black-owned media, the customer, and the franchisees don’t take the insult. Let’s disappear from McDonald’s. Perhaps they should have a lesson in cancel culture. Since my conversation with the McDonald’s Chief Marketing Officer, I have vowed “hell no” to McDonald’s with its many agencies. Their business model is racist all around. It’s not the advertising; it is the insult.

We have to challenge the business model. Disrespect for your customer is not an option; it is mandatory. If Kempczinski’s lifestyle and experiences are beyond the reach of his customer, he probably shouldn’t be the CEO.

If the president of a company cannot respect his client, he should not be at the helm. He is not emotionally qualified. When Byron Allen raised the question of McDonald’s advertising with Black-owned media, McDonald’s gave the traditional civil rights organizations $1 million donations, half to the Urban League and to NAACP. Corporate hush money.

Not enough McDonald’s. An apology is required directly to Mrs. Walker. In fact, why don’t you do an apology commercial?

More Black franchisees.

Enough of the insult.

And Mayor Lori Lightfoot, we await your response to Kempczinski’s text message. Meanwhile, band McDonald’s from your menu.