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Federal Trade Commission Launches Inquiry into Infant Formula Crisis
Today, the Federal Trade Commission staff launched an inquiry into the ongoing shortage for infant formula that has caused hardship for countless American families. The inquiry seeks information about the nature and prevalence of any deceptive, fraudulent, or otherwise unfair business practices aimed at taking advantage of families during this shortage. It also aims to shed light on the factors that have led to concentration in the infant formula market and the fragility of the supply chains for these crucial products. FTC Chair Lina M. Khan released a statement in conjunction with the public inquiry committing to a series of actions to confront this crisis.
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Black Real Estate Professionals Recruit Black Appraisers to Combat Bias, Declare War on Black Homeownership Gap
When a former client of leading Black real estate broker Donnell Williams was about to get his house refinanced in Wharton, New Jersey, Williams quoted him as asking, “‘Should I have my White friend come over and open up the door for the appraiser?’”
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Speaking of Theories...
Marcel Verdier’s 1840s painting, “Punishment of the Four Stakes/Pegs in the Colonies,” depicts an enslaved Black man, staked naked and spread-eagle face down on the ground as he is whipped by another enslaved man, while a white planter, joined by his wife and infant child casually look on. This painting speaks to the power of the white man and the helplessness of the Black man. This painting initially was created for an exhibition in Paris, France, in the mid-1800s. But the exhibition jury rejected it because it was thought that its harsh theme would offend the colonial ambassadors in Paris at the time. It now hangs in a museum in Texas.
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Rapist sentenced to 37 years in prison
A 38-year-old Houston man who raped a woman after using the internet to lure her to a motel has been sentenced to 37 years in prison, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced Tuesday.
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MAC Venture Capital Closes Seed Round of Award-Winning Startup AMP Global Technologies with $2 Million Vote of Confidence
Game-changing VC backed by Hollywood’s hottest new studio throws its weight behind Africa’s first blockchain-based entertainment platform
MaC Venture Capital – an LA-based seed-stage VC that invests in visionary founders – has just closed out the $5.6 Million Seed round of African startup AMP Global Technologies, with a healthy $2 Million investment. MaC is affiliated with the entertainment juggernaut MACRO, which has garnered 15 Oscar nominations and 3 wins since its inception in 2015.
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Renowned Chef and Humanitarian José Andrés to Receive Service to America Leadership Award
Andrés will be honored during in-person ceremony on June 7, 2022, in Washington D.C.
The National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF) will present esteemed chef and humanitarian José Andrés with the Service to America Leadership Award, the Foundation’s highest individual honor. The award, which honors an individual’s commitment to advocacy and public service, will be presented during the Celebration of Service to America Awards on June 7 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.
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SECU Foundation Awards $200,000 Grant for UNCF Emergency Student Aid Program
Earlier this month, SECU Foundation announced a $200,000 grant for UNCF (United Negro College Fund) to provide emergency financial assistance for students attending one of the state’s five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) within the University of North Carolina System. The grant will support UNCF’s Emergency Student Aid program to ensure college students impacted by the pandemic or other unexpected hardships remain on track to graduate.
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Holding check L to R: Thomas Parrish-SECU Foundation Board Member; Jama Campbell-SECU Foundation Executive Director; Tiffany Jones-UNCF Area Development Director; and Natia Walker-UNCF Development Director, …
Published on May 24, 2022
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Blaffer Art Museum Announces Departure of Curator Tyler Blackwell, National Search for New Curator
The Blaffer Art Museum at the University of Houston announces the impending departure of Cynthia Woods Mitchell Associate Curator Tyler Blackwell, who will leave the Blaffer in July 2022 to begin a new position as Curator of Contemporary Art at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, KY. The Blaffer also announces a national search for a new curator, set to commence this summer.
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Millennial Entrepreneur on Working with Sommer Ray & Tackling the Taboo of Sexual Wellness
Attorney, co-founder of Imaraïs Beauty (by Sommer Ray), millennial entrepreneur Felicia Hershenhorn is making a serum for sex AKA Play Primer (available July 2022) that’s as chic as your BFF’s designer lipstick, the next step in your self-care routine (basically a skin-serum for your vagina), and CBD-infused for bigger, better, and faster orgasms.
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Congressman Al Green Joins Congressman Dean Phillips to Introduce Legislation to Strengthen the State Small Business Credit Initiative
On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:
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Galveston Island Job Fair Tomorrow
Catch the Wave of Change at this year’s 15th Annual Oceans of Opportunities Job Fair on Wednesday, May 25th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Galveston Island Convention Center at the Saint Luis Resort.
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Five secretary of state races to watch, starting Tuesday
A version of this story appeared in the CITIZEN BY CNN newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here.
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Walmart apologizes for selling Juneteenth ice cream
Walmart's attempt to commemorate Juneteenth with a new ice cream didn't go over so well. The company is apologizing for selling "Celebration Edition: Juneteenth Ice Cream," under its Great Value label. The branding sparked a backlash with many people on social media.
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'Active shooter' incidents jumped more than 50% last year, FBI report finds
The number of "active shooter" incidents across the US increased more than 50% in 2021 compared to 2020, and those incidents resulted in the highest number of deaths since 2017, the FBI said in a report Monday.
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The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency Hosts 7th Annual Wine Dinner
The aroma of rich and harmonious wine along with culinary delights and entertainment united more than 200 supporters and guests on the vine for The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency and its 7th Annual Wine Dinner at Tony’s on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. The Wine Dinner, presented by The Durdin Family and Parkway Family Chevrolet, Mazda and Kia, raised more than $205,000 to ensure Houston-area women and girls have free access to tools they need to be advocates for their health through classes, workshops, lectures, and publications focused on physical, mental, financial, emotional, health, and wellness.
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Bill Gates: We must remember this takeaway from the Great Recession
During the Great Recession, something happened that I found surprising -- and very encouraging. When the United States and other wealthy countries faced a financial crisis, I expected they might cut foreign aid. But instead, from 2007 to 2009, data we analyzed from The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development show that donor nations increased their commitment to global health aid by 16% -- and millions of lives were saved.
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Robert Earl Keen's World Tour of Texas Incudes Texas Uprising in Houston on August 20
The road is ending soon. Legendary Texas songwriter and entertainer Robert Earl Keen will wrap up 41 years on the road with the final leg of his final tour in his home state of Texas from August 4 - September 4.
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FBI doing an internal review of possible misconduct in Trump-Russia probe
The FBI is conducting an internal review into possible misconduct related to the Trump-Russia investigation, including potentially improper handling of a surveillance warrant that was used early in the investigation, an FBI agent revealed Tuesday in federal court.
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The quest for longer-lasting Covid-19 vaccines
As waves of new coronavirus variants circulate the globe, one thing has become clear: human immunity against the virus fades over time.
