Essence_USA__February_2018

ISSUES : TRENDING TOPICS
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MAKING STRIDES
New data from the Reflective
Democracy Campaign show that while
White men make up just 30 percent of
the U.S. population, they account for 65
percent of elected officials. Thankfully
things may be changing, as several newly
elected African-Americans took office in
January. Wins include Sheila Oliver, who
assumed her position as New Jersey’s
lieutenant governor.
DIGITAL LEARNING
On February 22 the National WWII
Museum will host a 50-minute webcast
titled Fighting for the Right to Fight:
African-American Experiences in WWII.
The electronic field trip will expose
students to the story of 1.2 million Black
Americans who fought for victory on the
world stage and equality at home. To
register visit nationalww2museum.org.
A RICH TRADITION
We have long revered HBCUs for their
role in nurturing the best and the
brightest among us. Now the history of
these institutions will be in the spotlight
when Tell Them We Are Rising, a project
by famed documentarian Stanley
Nelson, premieres February 19 on PBS.
The film is one of the first to chronicle
these institutes of learning and their
importance to the Black community.
My focus is on trying to expose the
way that racial inequality is maintained
through official policy and action. But
I don’t just write that it exists—I try to
expose how it happens. I try to expose
the connection to history...and how
people are doing things to maintain it.
—The New York Times Magazine
writer and 2017 MacArthur Genius Nikole
Hannah-Jones on the basis of her work
BREAKING BARRIERS
Toy company Mattel is cracking the
mold and embracing the evolving
national landscape. This fall the
California-based manufacturer is
releasing a hijab-wearing doll for
the first time ever. Modeled after
Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad, the newest
Barbie joins ones celebrating Ava
DuVernay, Zendaya and Misty Copeland
in the company’s Sheroes collection.
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FUNDING THE FUTURE
In 2013 Philadelphia shuttered about 10
percent of its public schools, leaving
African-Americans among those
negatively affected by the shutdowns. In
hopes of closing the educational equity
gap, The Fund for the School District of
Philadelphia established a Web-based
giving platform—Philly FUNDamentals—
that allows public schools to raise money.
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REBUILDING DETROIT
Black real estate developers in the
Motor City are receiving a lifeline,
thanks to a $5 million program offered
by Capital Impact Partners. The
Equitable Development Initiative—
which received a $500,000 investment
from JP Morgan Chase—will provide
financing and training to help increase
the number of minority developers who
participate in the city’s revitalization.
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REPRESENTATION MATTERS
Google is making good on its promise
to bring more diversity to the tech field.
The technology giant announced a
$1 million grant to The Hidden Genius
Project, an Oakland-based group that
mentors Black boys and aims to shift
public perception of computer
scientists. The grant money will be used
to expand the organization into other
cities and inspire more young people.
FOR US, BY US
After a $150,000 fund-raising effort by
Sabrina Madison, The Progress Center
for Black Women is opening in Madison,
Wisconsin. (At press time, she had raised
$90,000.) Madison will use the center to
help women of color with professional
development, entrepreneurial pursuits
and small-business loans. “My goal is to
have more Black women in positions of
power,” she says.
2. EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ/GETTY IMAGES. 4. MATTEL. 6. JAMES ESTRIN/
THE NEW YORK TIMES. 9. COURTESY OF THE HIDDEN GENIUS PROJECT.
66 ESSENCE.COM FEBRUARY 2018
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