THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
10
THINGS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
BY TAYLOR LEWIS AND TANYA A. CHRISTIAN
1
BLACK WOMEN VOTE
G ERI L AVROV/G E T T Y IMAG ES
The political influence that we have is undeniable. During the 2012 election, 82 percent of eligible Black female voters showed up at the polls. In fact, Black women voted at a higher rate than any other group—across gender, race and ethnicity. So come November 8, let’s aim for the same record turnout.
ISSUES
OCTOBER 2016 ESSENCE .COM 85
ISSUES : TRENDING TOPICS
by slaves. And I watch my daughters—two beautiful, intelligent Black young women—playing with their dogs on the White House lawn.
”
—First Lady Michelle Obama,
speaking at the 2016 Democratic National Convention
3 EDUCATION BOOM
4
WANTED: BLACK M.D.’S
The number of HBCU graduates applying to professional programs with medical disciplines has declined in recent years, and the presidents of Morehouse School of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and Meharry Medical College held a two-day conference to discuss why. With plans to implement measures, such as creating pre–med school academies, to get application rates up, the administrators cite the crucial role that minority scientists and clinicians play in improving health outcomes.
5 HEALTH FIRST Black residents of Louisville, Kentucky, are benefiting from an investment in their health. The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Humana insurance company, gave a $225,000 grant to the local Urban League chapter to assist in educating communities about insurance plans, health services, after-school activities and ways to access fresh, nutritional and affordable food.
6 COMBATING CANCER
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer in African-American women, raising a red flag for the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This past summer, the organization awarded a $12 million grant to researchers at three universities to conduct a study examining why African-American women die at higher rates and have more aggressive breast cancer. The folks at NCI hope the research will lead to big developments in care.
86 ESSENCE .COM OCTOBER 2016
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT When he was just 5 years old, California native Isaiah Cooper enrolled in a youth aviation program at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum in Compton. This past summer, at 16, he became one of the youngest Black pilots to navigate around the continental U.S. But that journey, which lasted two weeks, was just a precursor of a bigger goal of Cooper’s: to become the youngest person ever to fly around the world.
HISTORY MAKER In July, Carla D. Hayden, Ph.D., broke a centuries-old glass ceiling. Confirmed by the Senate as the newest Librarian of Congress, she’s now the first woman and first person of color to hold the position in the library’s 214-year history. Before accepting the position, Hayden was working as the chief executive of Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library.
8
9 BANKING BLACK
Who says celebs don’t inspire social action? Shortly after the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, stars like Solange Knowles and Killer Mike encouraged fans to divest from mainstream banks and move their funds to Black-owned institutions. A week after the announcements, 8,000 people applied to open accounts at Atlanta’s historic Citizens Trust Bank.
10
Art plus activism in any and all forms is a powerful statement that can spread a message that transcends the barriers and limitations of our different realities to reveal the commonality of our shared human existence.
”
—black-ish costar Yara Shahidi, while accepting an award at the 2016 Points of Light Conference
For the latest news, follow ESSENCE Features Editor Lauren N. Williams on Twitter @LAURNWILLIAMS.
2. PAUL MORIGI/GETTY IMAGES. 6. EIVAISLA/GETTY IMAGES. 7. JARED RYDER. 8. COURTESY OF AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
Neighborhoods across the country stand to gain from a multimillion-dollar investment from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). As part of its Promise Neighborhoods competition, the ED will distribute $30 million in grants to up to five organizations. Schools and nonprofits are able to apply for a portion of the money to go toward funding local programs that ensure students have access to a quality education and resources.
7
”
up every morning “inIawake house that was built
THINGS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT
BY TAYLOR LEWIS AND TANYA A. CHRISTIAN
1
BLACK WOMEN VOTE
G ERI L AVROV/G E T T Y IMAG ES
The political influence that we have is undeniable. During the 2012 election, 82 percent of eligible Black female voters showed up at the polls. In fact, Black women voted at a higher rate than any other group—across gender, race and ethnicity. So come November 8, let’s aim for the same record turnout.
ISSUES
OCTOBER 2016 ESSENCE .COM 85
ISSUES : TRENDING TOPICS
by slaves. And I watch my daughters—two beautiful, intelligent Black young women—playing with their dogs on the White House lawn.
”
—First Lady Michelle Obama,
speaking at the 2016 Democratic National Convention
3 EDUCATION BOOM
4
WANTED: BLACK M.D.’S
The number of HBCU graduates applying to professional programs with medical disciplines has declined in recent years, and the presidents of Morehouse School of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and Meharry Medical College held a two-day conference to discuss why. With plans to implement measures, such as creating pre–med school academies, to get application rates up, the administrators cite the crucial role that minority scientists and clinicians play in improving health outcomes.
5 HEALTH FIRST Black residents of Louisville, Kentucky, are benefiting from an investment in their health. The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Humana insurance company, gave a $225,000 grant to the local Urban League chapter to assist in educating communities about insurance plans, health services, after-school activities and ways to access fresh, nutritional and affordable food.
6 COMBATING CANCER
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed form of cancer in African-American women, raising a red flag for the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This past summer, the organization awarded a $12 million grant to researchers at three universities to conduct a study examining why African-American women die at higher rates and have more aggressive breast cancer. The folks at NCI hope the research will lead to big developments in care.
86 ESSENCE .COM OCTOBER 2016
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT When he was just 5 years old, California native Isaiah Cooper enrolled in a youth aviation program at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum in Compton. This past summer, at 16, he became one of the youngest Black pilots to navigate around the continental U.S. But that journey, which lasted two weeks, was just a precursor of a bigger goal of Cooper’s: to become the youngest person ever to fly around the world.
HISTORY MAKER In July, Carla D. Hayden, Ph.D., broke a centuries-old glass ceiling. Confirmed by the Senate as the newest Librarian of Congress, she’s now the first woman and first person of color to hold the position in the library’s 214-year history. Before accepting the position, Hayden was working as the chief executive of Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Free Library.
8
9 BANKING BLACK
Who says celebs don’t inspire social action? Shortly after the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, stars like Solange Knowles and Killer Mike encouraged fans to divest from mainstream banks and move their funds to Black-owned institutions. A week after the announcements, 8,000 people applied to open accounts at Atlanta’s historic Citizens Trust Bank.
10
Art plus activism in any and all forms is a powerful statement that can spread a message that transcends the barriers and limitations of our different realities to reveal the commonality of our shared human existence.
”
—black-ish costar Yara Shahidi, while accepting an award at the 2016 Points of Light Conference
For the latest news, follow ESSENCE Features Editor Lauren N. Williams on Twitter @LAURNWILLIAMS.
2. PAUL MORIGI/GETTY IMAGES. 6. EIVAISLA/GETTY IMAGES. 7. JARED RYDER. 8. COURTESY OF AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
Neighborhoods across the country stand to gain from a multimillion-dollar investment from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). As part of its Promise Neighborhoods competition, the ED will distribute $30 million in grants to up to five organizations. Schools and nonprofits are able to apply for a portion of the money to go toward funding local programs that ensure students have access to a quality education and resources.
7
”
up every morning “inIawake house that was built
