The Only Black Man in Tennessee Solar

Eric Brown
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The Only Black Man in Tennessee Solar

At Tennessee State University, Nashville native, Jason Carney, a Mechanical Engineer major, did his Capstone project about Renewable Energy. The capstone helped him understand Professional care, LEED Standards, and reintroduced him back to Solar the more he researched. At the time, Obama was president and was pushing for more renewables and Sunshine initiatives.Van Jones was talking about this work in 2008 through his book, The Green Collar Economy. President Jimmy Carter tried to push Solar in the 1970’s and President Reagan killed it and brought back oil. Even when Phil Bredesen was governor, he tried to make Tennessee a solar state. Now Former Governor Bredesen owns a Solar Company. People like Jason are trumpeting this effort even in the hostile environment of the south. On the West Coast, Hawaii, Germany, China, and Maui are already on board with renewables, but the Southern Region has to catch up to the rest of the globe.

In a homogenous industry such as Renewable Energy, there is not a lot of diversity. Not many black people are in the field and companies do not recruit at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, mainly because companies do not think African-Americans are smart enough to understand the work. Because of this, many African-Americans do not know about the industry. For Jason in a very predominantly white industry, he’s even been mistaken as working in the plant as a worker and not the field as an expert. Scientists say enough solar in one hour from the sun can supply the planet for a year. That doesn’t count wind or hydropower. This is a very good time for black and brown communities to think about the industry. Renewable energy is cheaper than ever, creates jobs, makes lower electricity bills, Environmentally friendly, and creates Energy Independence.

Jason has a passion for making sure black people are not excluded in Solar. He combined his passion with his intellectual and professional pursuits. He describes the work as very technical, with boardrooms full of white people, and he not finding anyone else who looks like him. Many people in this field make $200K while blacks are struggling. For Jason, he is consistently wondering, what can he do to bridge the wealth gap in this country? The average income of black people is half of what white people earn for the last 6 decades. There are generational disparities amongst black folk, mass incarceration, and yet black people make up 13% of the population while being 80 percent of the juvenile system. Every resource humans use takes tons of money to invest in. Millions of dollars for land and for tools to build the land. This come with Buyers and Investors. Many African Americans do not have the type of large capital nor do most want to put in the risk. Jason preaches that renewable energy is readily available and no one controls it. Solar Panels are simple in design, Installing them are simple, and for Jason, this is the mode to bridge the gap. It brings the opportunity of jobs to people without millions of dollars to invest. Sunshine Initiative did what it was intended to do. It pushed solar power down to $1 a KW. it’s below that now. Renewable Energy being cheap is pushing the wave and it’s not going backwards.

It can be disparaging for someone like Jason to remain in this industry, yet his Faith keeps him going. He hopes that Christianity is what will be his legacy. Jason is a civil rights movement buff and Nashville’s history in civil rights is real. Knowing this, Jason knows It takes intentional fortitude to do this work. While reading, Congressman John Lewis’ Walking in the WInd, he recalls the book connecting the everyday dots for him. Lewis didn’t think he was smart to do the things he was doing, but he did it anyways. Jason says, “We can look in the past 50 years, or realize that the everyday Joes and Janes are the ones that do the work. They are the ones to push us into the next generation. It might feel like a glutton for punishment, but if you do it, remember there is no progress without struggle. Unless you come up against adversity, you have to ask yourself if you are doing anything significant.”

Yet even with all these benefits, Policy and Education are the hardest part of the work. There are funding resources, but people don’t want to lose their power (pun intended), and laws are created to stop this from happening. Jason also teaches at Whites Creek where students ask what does solar do. He believes we have to educate for a tidal wave of influence to affect policy. “More people of color need to push the benefits to manipulate the finances even if they don’t have the capital there are grants, community solar projects to get it done. Residential solar pushes 100 percent through my house. This push on health disparities because form what type of energy we have can cause asthma and other health issues when it comes from coal.”

The question was asked to Jason, why should black people care about solar and renewable energy? He said, “All people should use renewable energy. If only blacks do it, there won’t be an overall effect, but it specifically effects black people.”

African Americans need something to level the playing field. Solar is the most fair and just resource humanity has because no one can control it. It offers jobs and entrepreneurship to close the wealth gap and that can close the health gap. If black people can work towards bettering themselves in the economic world, they can better ourselves in other fields. Even though Jason is not a wealthy man, he wants to hold the door open and lead many people through as much as he can.

To learn more about Jason Carney and his work, go to https://www.energyelective.com and @energyelect on twitter

Bill Freeman Host Fundraiser for Councilwoman Sharon Hurt

Nadira Freeman
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Bill Freeman Host Fundraiser for Councilwoman Sharon Hurt

NASHVILLE, TN — On Thursday, August 15, 2019, Bill Freeman will host a fundraiser reception in honor of Councilwoman Sharon Hurt. Bill Freeman serves as Chairman of Freeman Webb, Inc., a real estate investment, management, and brokerage company he co-founded with partner James A. Webb, III. The goal of the reception is to help raise money for Councilwoman Hurt’s campaign through donations. The event will take place at Valentino’s Ristorante starting at 5 o’clock PM.

To donate online, please visit http://sharonhurt.com/donate/4590248334. 

For more information and to RSVP please contact Camille Turner at Camille@jmaynardgroup.com or Rana Webb at Intern@jmaynardgroup.com. 

Nashville’s 2019 Top Bachelorettes

The Nashville Voice
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Nashville’s 2019 Top Bachelorettes

Earlier this year, The Nashville Voice posted our first annual list of Nashville’s Top Bachelors. The article continued our discussion on dating in Nashville and allowed for a chance to see some the potential there is in single men living in Music City.

We decide to next celebrate some of the amazing Bachelorettes this city has to offer. We opened up a submission for who the public thought was the best women to be recognized this time around. There were many submissions gathered but a select group received the majority of the votes

What follows is a list of single women who are accomplishing many goals in a wide spectrum of fields.

Editorial Note: The following list is in alphabetical order by first names. 

Andrea Denson – Plan Administrator

Andrea Denson is a graduate of Fisk University where she majored in Political Science w/ a concentration in Public Administration. She is a former high school, collegiate, and professional cheerleader. Her former teams include the Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cincinnati Reds.

She serves as an advocate for the MidSouth Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association after losing her grandmother to the disease several years ago. She teaches adult fitness classes including Zumba, line dancing, chair, and burlesque. Her love for service has allowed her to give her time to the Ronald McDonald House of Nashville, Hands on Nashville, I am not My Hair, the Chris Hope Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity.

She is a pageant enthusiast having most recently held the title of Ms. Woman Tennessee United States 2018. She received a Top 10 placement at Nationals and was named Miss Congeniality.

What makes a great first date?  “Simplicity. I’d like to get to know you and not how much money you have or what kind of car you drive. Let’s meet at the park for ice cream and just talk to get to know one another.”

What do you look for in potential suitors? “I look for honesty, sincerity,
a heart for service, a relationship with God, and you must like dogs.”

What’s worst pick up line you’ve ever heard? “Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”

Delbrita L. Greene – President & CEO of Premier Funeral & Cremation Services

Delbrita L. Greene is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and has resided in Nashville, Tennessee for 17 years.

Delbrita is a graduate of Tennessee State University where she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Cardio-Respiratory Care Sciences. She is also a graduate of John A. Gupton Mortuary College where she received an Associates of Arts degree in Funeral Service. Delbrita is currently pursuing an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University

She is a first-generation funeral director and embalmer and has nearly a decade of experience in funeral service.

Delbrita is a member of the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Her hobbies include Hobbies: Reading, shopping, traveling, and spending time with friends & family.

What makes a great first date?  “A great first date would consist of good food, live music preferably, jazz, great conversation, and great wine.”

What do you look for in potential suitors? “What I look for in a potential partner is someone who has a genuine zest and passion for life, personal integrity and a love for God.”

What’s worst pick up line you’ve ever heard? “Girl, you’re feet must be tired because you’ve been running through my mind all day.”

Janita Hendricks – Data Director for the Tennessee Democratic Party

Janita Hendricks is a native of Saginaw, Michigan who moved to the Middle Tennessee region as a teenager. She attended Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) where she received a Bachelors of Arts in Communication with a minor in Political Science.

As a senior at MTSU, she had the opportunity to intern with Senator Jeff Yarbro at the Tennessee Legislature. While there she was hands-on with many of the senator’s bills and worked closely with his constituents. This experience led her to choose a career working in politics.

Janita now serves at the Data Director for the Tennessee Democratic Party where she works to get Democrats elected across the state. This allows her passion for politics and communication to meet. She is constantly searching for new ways to improve her community.

In her spare time, Janita loves to read, write, meal prep, discuss politics, and finding the hottest happy hours with friends.

What makes a great first date?  “There isn’t a one date fits all for me. Anything fun and interactive is great. It’s all about the quality of time spent for me – The more creative the better!”

What do you look for in potential suitors? “I’m trying to be more spontaneous these days, so spontaneity is a plus. I generally look for someone who has integrity, a good sense of humor, and the ability to hold a meaningful conversation.”

What’s worst pick up line you’ve ever heard? “I enjoy pick up lines! They’re all horrible, but they make me laugh and that’s what makes them great.”

Kristal Knight – Political Director

Kristal is a Memphis native and has lived primarily in the northeast after attending Howard University and University College London for under/graduate school.

Fueled by her passion to see more Democratic women involved in politics, she recently relocated to Nashville in 2017 to run Emerge TN and most recently joined a super PAC for the 2020 election cycle.

As an outgoing person, she enjoys cultural excursions, museums and art from local artists. She remains connected to the causes she believes in through board service and she is actively founding a new statewide organization that will seek to engage more Tennesseans in the civic process.

In her downtime she enjoys running, traveling, trying new restaurants, listening to audiobooks, or attending sports games and concerts.

What makes a great first date? “Engaging conversation is the ideal first date. Engaging conversation at a sports game or nice restaurant is even better!”

What do you look for in potential suitors? “Spiritually connected, enjoys travel, enjoys outdoor activities, financially and business savvy, physically and mentally fit.”

What’s the worst pick up line you’ve ever heard? “A guy recently asked me ‘So, when are you taking me out on a date’ SMH!”

Leigh Lovett – Social Media Strategy Manager, Business Owner and Blogger

Leigh is a Nashville Native. She moved away for undergrad and grad school where she received degrees at Spelman College and Northwestern University respectively.

She currently is the Social Media Strategy Manager at Dollar General and has previously worked at Mars, Inc and General Mills. She’s the Co-Founder of Blogger Xchange and runs her own successful blog, love, Leigh Love.

She’s the youngest of five kids and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

In her free time she enjoys traveling to visit friends and family, attending music festivals and concerts, participating in outdoor activities including swimming concerts, eating yummy food and drinks and throwing/hosting events around the city.

What makes a great first date? “Good conversation and good vibes between two people make a great first date. This can happen anywhere, but the best places are in a place that you can hear each other, eat and drink. For me, I don’t need an activity, just someone that doesn’t feel like they’re interviewing me or I’m interviewing them. The conversation needs to flow, if it’s forced then my drink becomes my focus. Sometimes activities are used to break the ice, but I need someone who can hold their own without the crutch of golf, bowling or painting. We can do those things after we have established we actually want to hang out and enjoy it just being us.”

What do you look for in potential suitors? “My friends will say I’m picky. I just want someone that genuinely makes me smile, challenges me intellectually, supports me and when they’re gone I miss their presence. A potential suitor with all I have going on has to make me not want to work on the weekends and when I don’t I still feel happy and fulfilled. I pour a lot into others’ cups to support their events, businesses and blogs. I just want someone to do that for me and I for them. Being motivated and ambitious are important to me. I’m busy and they need to be busy too so they don’t feel neglected and then we both have to prioritize the relationship and quality non-working time. My suitor needs to be able to meet me in the stage of life I’m in all bases of mentally, financially and spiritually. I want an equal partner brining as much as I am to the table. Did I say attractive? Physical attraction is extremely important. Also, they can’t take themselves too seriously. We’re dressing up for Halloween, music festivals, bar crawls and anything else with a theme!”

What’s the worst pick up line you’ve ever heard? “I’ve heard so many recently. I can’t remember the last time I heard a good one. Most of my “pick-up” lines come via Instagram or Facebook DMs and I’m more creeped out than anything. The shooting your shot culture isn’t shoot your best shot, rather just take the whole rack and shoot til you land one. I expect a little more thought and care upon being approached. Even if it’s in the moment. ”

Micky Jones – Writer, Speaker, Activist, and Facilitator

“I believe in throwing parties as a key revolutionary strategy. I am a movement chaplain, the Justice Doula, writer, facilitator, pilgrimage guide, faith-rooted activist & organizer, and speaker. I love bringing people together to explore the intersections of our lives, awaken empathy and fight oppression. I am obsessed with creating brave spaces, pursuing shalom, and I spend too much time on social media reading articles and making up hashtags. I long to lead in a way that would make Ella Baker and Fannie Lou Hamer proud. I believe with all that I am that my liberation is tied up in yours – so let’s get free together.”

Visit https://nobelwomensinitiative.org/meet-micky-scottbey-jones-usa to learn more about Micky.

What makes a great first date? “It’s a great first date if we have a lot to talk about, feel a spark of attraction and leave the date wanting more.”

What do you look for in potential suitors? “Passion (what makes you excited about life) and compassion (how do you treat others) and a desire to keep growing and learning as a person. A gorgeous smile doesn’t hurt and will probably make me smile back!”

What’s the worst pick up line you’ve ever heard? “Honestly, “Hey beautiful!” Just because it’s overused. Just come tell me you want to talk to me and let’s see what happens.”

Page Turner – Host of HGTV’s Flip or Flop Nashville and Real Estate Broker

Page Turner is half of HGTV’s breakout flipping show, Flip or Flop Nashville that has completed their second season after attracting more than 19 million viewers over the last two seasons.  Page’s execution on the show has assisted HGTV to achieve a Top 5 cable ranking amongst upscale women 25-54 in the Thursday 9-9:30 p.m. ET/PT timeslot.  

With over 100 Million Dollars in property sales, Page is a fifteen-year Real Estate Broker and owner of The EGAP Group/Powered by eXp Realty with licenses in Tennessee, Georgia, and California. Page has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious recognition of being amongst the 2018 Top 100 Leading African Americans in Business and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency Agent of the Year. Having been featured three times in 2018 on The Today Show, The Harry Connick Jr. Show, People Magazine, Access Hollywood, US Weekly, CMA Fest Co-Emcee (to a 60K audience!), Pickler & Ben, people.com and many more, Page continues to expand her calling and business expertise as a sought-after television personality, event speaker and host.

Page’s passion for success comes from being a proud single mom to three amazing daughters (including twins!) that have all recently graduated from the University of Notre Dame, University of Tennessee and Bellarmine University.  Page is a champion for women and has a great passion for speaking into their lives that if she can do the work to beat odds and overcome the adversities that often single mother’s and entrepreneurs encounter, then so can they!

Rana Webb – Student and Model

Rana Webb is graduating senior attending Austin Peay University where she will be receiving a Bachelors in Business Management with a minor in International Studies.

She is currently a freelance model and who also practices photography. Rana is artsy, goofy and a free spirit. She loves to travel and has been out of the country 3 times.

Strong-willed, confident, and bilingual, Rana works hard for everything. In her free time, she paints, acts, sings, and enjoys outdoor activities.

What makes a great first date? “I am very creative and I admire creativity so any first date that includes good company, fun, creativity, and food is a great first date to me.”

What do you look for in potential suitors? “The first thing I look for is that he is a man of God. Then a few other qualities I look for are confidence, leadership, family-oriented, an optimist, and a go-getter with a growth mindset.”

What’s the worst pick up line you’ve ever heard? “Tie between ‘Excuse me beautiful, I lost my number can I have yours?’ and  ‘I can’t find my phone…can I use yours to call it?’”

Tiffany Lowe – Director of Essential Health and Licensed Hemp Grower

When Tiffany Lowe relocated to Nashville, Tennessee almost a decade ago, she had no idea that she would become a guru in the heavily male-dominated personal injury industry. Her clients include major law firms throughout the states of Tennessee and Georgia. Recently, Tiffany has become a Tennessee Licensed Hemp Grower where she will be providing high-quality grade hemp to the biomedical industry for research purposes.

Tiffany is an alumnus of LeMoyne Owen College and the University of Memphis. After graduate school, she worked as an administrator in the mental health field for many years. She is heavily involved in local politics and is an advocate for restoring the voting rights of individuals who have lost their right to vote due to old felony convictions. She strongly believes people deserve second chances.

What makes a great first date? “The location sets the tone of the first date. A man taking a woman out for the very first time should have some insight on what she likes eating. How engaging the conversation is during the first date will determine the level of chemistry. Being on an unmemorable boring date is a complete waste of time.”

What do you look for in potential suitors? “Compatibility, self-confidence well-groomed and a sense of humor”

What’s the worst pick up line you’ve ever heard? “A guy once complimented me on my smile and then asked if my teeth were real. After I replied that they were he asked if he could touch them.”

Pivot Tech to Offer Tech Coding and Analytics Boot Camps in North Nashville

Articles Submitted
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Pivot Tech to Offer Tech Coding and Analytics Boot Camps in North Nashville

Nashville, Tenn. – Two local Entrepreneurs have joined forces to open a technology school with the goal of helping African Americans and other people of color have a chance to become a part of the growing tech industry. Joshua Mundy, owner of Music City Cleaners & Co-Founder of The Lab Nashville and Quawn Clark CEO &. Co-Founder of Focal Point Solutions saw the lack of diversity in tech and decide it was time to help make a change.

Thus Pivot Tech was born, a boot camp program that offers 3 primary tracks: Data Analytics, Software Development and Web Development.

According to USA Today, a recent study in leading technology companies’ employment diversity reported that less than 5 percent of tech workers identify as African American. Clark, who has working in technology for over 10 years, has personally experienced the lack of diversity in tech.

By Co-founding Pivot Tech, Mundy believes there is an opportunity to increase the number of black available for hire by tech companies. “There are less than 3% of African Americans that have Tech careers and we want to change that paradigm and create pipelines of highly trained talent to these organizations,” he explained. “We want to expose as many adults as possible to coding and data analytics.”

Pivot Tech will offer three 14-week programs beginning January 6th, 2020. Two Software Development Tracks and one Data Analytics Track will be available. Enrollment is open now with pre-work starting in September as a way to get individuals familiar with tech terminology and practices.

Courses will be held at The Lab Nashville, located on historic Jefferson Street. The location will give access to people of color who rarely have the chance to this type of education. “It’s almost 2020, we are living in a time where technology is running every aspect of our lives from cell phones to computers and soon driving our cars,” said co-founder Quawn. “With the world shifting we must ensure that minorities are enhancing their skill sets to take advantage of some of these Tech Opportunities.”

To learn more or to enroll visit www.pivottechschool.com

Blogger Xchange Xpo Brings Nashville’s Growing Influencer Community Together

Articles Submitted
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Blogger Xchange Xpo Brings Nashville’s Growing Influencer Community Together

Nashville, TN – Music City? You mean Blogger City! You’ve seen them at the murals, standing over food and taking over sidewalks. Nashville has a booming blogger community that is attracting new talent and companies wanting to work with them. The blogger/influencer industry is currently worth over $4 billion and projected to be $15 billion by 2022. Nashville bloggers are getting their piece of the pie and Blogger Xchange is helping. Nashville natives, Leigh Lovett and Kay Elle White are on a mission to bring the Music City blogging community together through their group Blogger Xchange. The childhood friends and Co-Founders of the Blogger Xchange are hosting the 2nd Blogger Xchange XPO Thursday, August 22 through Sunday, August 25 in Nashville.

Lovett and White started the Blogger Xchange in November 2017. The two met at a burger bar in Brentwood in early October to discuss the fragmented blogger community and the lack of diversity in meetup groups. After two milkshakes, the Blogger Xchange was born and 6 weeks later they held their first event. By May 2018, they expanded the meet-up series to Minneapolis and Memphis. “Influencer marketing is growing and every blogger wants to learn how to get a piece of the pie. That is what we focus on; presenting the best version of your blog and eventually turning it into a business,” said Kendra White.

The 2nd Annual Blogger Xchange XPO will take place over 4 days at 4 of Nashville’s best event venues that are sponsoring the event, The Lab Nashville, The Ainsworth Nashville, Nossi College of Art and redpepper. “We wanted to highlight various venues and parts of Nashville,” said Leigh Lovett. “Each of these venues has a mission and environment that fosters and encourages creativity, community and entrepreneurship.” The XPO features local brands and businesses including NashTN, Slim & Husky’s, Deep Bay Spirits, Share Love Everywhere and Tiff’s Treats. They have over 40 national and local sponsors for the weekend. Bloggers can connect with all for potential opportunities.

VIP weekend passes are $125, GA weekend passes are $100 and single day tickets and can be purchased on the Blogger Xchange website. Each ticket includes access to the Friday night kick-off party, food, drinks and entertainment, keynote speaker, Saturday classes, breakfast, lunch, vendors, brand activations and a swag bag, Sunday brunch with buffet, mimosa bar, photo booth, DJ and vendors. The XPO is open to bloggers, creatives and small businesses. For more information and to see the full list of sponsors, you can visit www.bloggerxchange.com/xpo or reach out to Leigh Lovett via email at bloggerxchange@gmail.com.

At least eight Walmart stores were the subject of threats over the past week

CNN Newsource
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At least eight Walmart stores were the subject of threats over the past week

By Hollie Silverman and Steve Almasy, CNN

(CNN) — At least eight Walmart locations have received threats over the past week after deadly shootings at two stores in recent weeks, law enforcement agencies said.

The threats follow a horrific massacre at a Walmart in Texas last weekend and a deadly shooting at a store in Mississippi late last month.

In Florida, Richard D. Clayton, 26, was arrested after he allegedly posted a threat on Facebook that he was about to have his gun returned and people should stay away from Walmart.

He was detained Friday after an investigation by various agencies, including the FBI, the Winter Park Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

He allegedly made a threat Tuesday on a Facebook post stating, “3 more days of probation left then I get my AR-15 back. Don’t go to Walmart next week,” the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said.

He remains in custody on $15,000 bond, according to online records. It is unclear whether he has an attorney.

In other incidents:

• On August 4, a Florida man from the Tampa area called a Walmart and told an employee he would shoot up the store, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. The man faces a false threat charge.

• In Texas, officers responded to a threat posted Saturday on social media, the Harlingen Police Department said in a statement. “During the course of this investigation, officers learned that a male subject had used a social media site to post up an imminent threat that was to occur at the Walmart in Harlingen on a specific date,” it said. A man was arrested at his home for making a terroristic threat and is awaiting arraignment.

• Also in Texas, police in Weslaco arrested a 13-year-old boy after the boy’s mother brought him to the station Saturday. The boy will face a charge of terroristic threat for making a social media post Wednesday that prompted a Walmart to be evacuated, police said on Facebook.

• In Springfield, Missouri, a man was arrested Thursday after panic ensued when he walked into a Walmart equipped with body armor, a handgun and a rifle. He faces a charge of making a terrorist threat in the second degree, the police department said on Twitter.

“I wanted to know if Walmart honored the Second Amendment,” Dmitriy Andreychenko told investigators, according to a probable cause statement filed by Springfield police. CNN was unable to determine whether he was represented by an attorney.

• Also in Missouri, Kansas City police tweeted Friday and Saturday that they were looking into threats posted on Reddit and other online sites regarding a local Walmart.

Walmart spokesman Lorenzo Lopez said the chain is focused on safety and security at its 5,000 US stores.

“We take threats seriously and provide additional security as appropriate. We will continue to help federal and local authorities with their investigations to determine the source and any credibility of the threats.” he said.

• An anonymous source reported a person with a gun at a New York Walmart on Saturday, according to the Cortland Sheriff’s Office. Officers responded but did not find anyone armed.

• Multiple 911 calls reported a man with a gun in a Walmart in North Carolina, an open carry state, Wilkesboro Police Capt. Jason Delbert told CNN. A man was detained and is being questioned, police said. It is unclear if the man was menacing anyone with the gun.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

Tips to Take Great Pet Pics

StatePoint
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Tips to Take Great Pet Pics

Whether you’re hoping to make your dog an Instagram sensation or you just want a nice portrait for the mantle, you’ve likely discovered pets, in general, can be elusive around cameras.

Check out these tips and tricks for getting your fur baby to sit for the camera and look picture perfect, from e-tailer Zulily, creative photographer, Taylor Graham:

• After choosing a great location for your shoot, give your pet a few minutes to get comfortable with the new setting.

• If you’re shooting outside, situate your pet in a shaded area. Direct sunlight can make your pet look greasy, and distracting shadows can obscure important features. A flat, overcast day makes for the most flattering pet photos.

• Get low to your pet’s level and frame the face tightly, focusing on eyes for maximum impact. Remember to photograph the most endearing parts of your pet. Often overlooked, paws and ears can be some of the most expressive and adorable features of your furry friend.

• Treats and squeaky toys are a given for getting pets to focus, but make sure you’re using them to your advantage. Hold the toy or treat as close to the lens as possible. This will get your pet’s gaze right where you want it to be. For capturing selfies, try the Sniff & Snap, a debut phone accessory which snaps onto the back of any mobile phone and features a slobber- and dishwasher-safe compartment for your pet’s favorite treat — making it easier to attract a dog, cat or any pet’s attention through the power of smell long enough for totally Insta-worthy portraits. Available for only $7.99 on Zulily, the online retailer also invites pet parents to tag @zulily and share their #smelfie.

• Most cameras and camera phones have a “burst mode” that takes many pictures in a row. Later you can select the perfect frame.

• Don’t just pose your dog against a white wall. Add flair with accessories that fit your pet’s personality. For unique pet products at great prices, shop apps like Zulily. To celebrate the “dog days of summer” in August, the app launches two-month long sales (breaking from its traditional 72-hour sales) for pet parents that will help you capture lasting memories of your pooch. In addition to the Sniff & Snap phone accessory, are exclusive sets of day-in-the-life dog accessories curated in five distinct dog personality types, including: the Hiking Hound, the Pampered Pup, the Glamour Pooch, the Hipster Hound and the Dapper Dog. For only $29.99, these exclusive sets represent some of the best deals in retail, and include a special treat (from Bark Brew to Dog Champagne), stylish accessories (from bandanas to bowties), feeding must-haves (like zippered travel or millennial pink bowls), engaging toys (pineapples, avocados, hiking boots) and pampering products (from sunscreen to hydrating butter to cologne).

• With easy-to-use smartphone apps like VSCO and Photoshop: Express, you can adjust brightness, color and sharpness to bring a professional quality to images in seconds.

With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can take better pet snapshots, and what better way to celebrate the dog days of summer than by capturing some amazing memories of your furry friend?

Danielle McGee Connecting Black Business with Black People

Mike Patton
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Danielle McGee Connecting Black Business with Black People

Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, the entrepreneurial spirit was implanted early in the life of Danielle McGee.

“My mother really instilled in me being able to go out and make things happen for yourself and equipped me with the skills to be able to do that, but my father really instilled in me how important it was to have a hustle and to have hustle about yourself to be able to go out and make something happen.  So, me and one of my closest friends growing up started a dog-walking service when we were 11 or 12. We would go around the neighborhood asking people if we could walk their dogs because we just wanted to make some money. Me and her came from households that didn’t have a whole lot of money. So, to make our own money to go to the store of go to the mall was important to us.”

She would grow up in Chicago to have a spa for five years as one of her entrepreneurial endeavors, but when she was accepting a job transfer to Nashville, she was ready to move on from that field.

“When I moved to Nashville, I really decided to focus on my career in and step back out of entrepreneurship.”

While entrepreneurship wasn’t an immediate thing Danielle wanted to pursue here in the Music City, it eventually found her. And after she attended and taught a class that ignited her entrepreneurial spirit, she then came up with the idea of Black Business Boom website.

“I’ve tried for years, as I have had all these different businesses, to figure out what my passion was and I couldn’t figure out what my passion was. So, eventually it finally hit me that my passion was helping other business owners and talking about their businesses and helping their businesses to grow. The business kind of came together as a marrying of my love for helping business owners and my love of marketing. So I went home one night and was laying there and was thinking  ‘I have to find a way to help Black business owners that are struggling like I have struggled’ and it literally just came to me late one night. “

The website features a breakdown of what Black Business Boom is about, how you can support the movement and how businesses can be a part of the website so your business can offer coupons and things of that nature, but the absolute biggest feature is the Boomin app that accompanies the website.

The app allows you to discover local and nearby Black-owned businesses along with save money with coupons for Black businesses, earn bonuses for being a loyal Black business supporter and can even let you know when you are near a Black business with Blasts on your cell phone.

While McGee more of the services of the app are tailored around brick and mortar businesses, she also does have over 100 online businesses so you can download the app and get coupons for online businesses.  And rest assured, this app will be expanding to cities near you says McGee.

“We will quickly be expanding to other cities. We just had to get all the kinks worked out here in Nashville (test market). We will be expanding literally to ten different cities by the end of this year. We are currently looking at Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, D.C. and St. Louis right now. Those are kind of the top right now on the list. But we are letting our consumers drive that and really looking at where our users are.

And for those that would like to assist in growing the brand with Danielle, she has something for you too.

“We are also recruiting what we are calling Boombasadors. Those Boombassadors will help us to bring the app to their cities. So, for example, if they are able to go out and identify maybe 20 Black-owned businesses that may be interested, then we will work with the to actually pay them to help us expand into that city.”

Danielle’s main goals with this venture are to not only get more people to spend Black but also help Black-owned businesses to have a digital marketing strategy.

To find out more information about Black Business Boom, please check out the www.blackbusinessboom.com . As far as the app, Boomin, it is available on Apple app store, Google Play or www.boominbiz.com .

True Patriots: 11 Alabama brothers give 158 years of US military service

Lee Johnson
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True Patriots: 11 Alabama brothers give 158 years of US military service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Terence Powell is proud of his African American heritage, but when it comes to the military, he has reason to stick his chest out just a little more.

His stepfather, Nathaniel Davis, is one of 11 African American brothers from Alabama who collectively served 158 years in the U.S. military. The brothers recently made national news when an Associated Press reporter wrote a story about them.

“To be living among someone who has a story like that, makes you proud,” said Powell, a bank officer in Nashville.

Nathaniel was among seven of the 11 Davis brothers who gathered in mid-July at a hotel and casino in Tunica, Mississippi for a reunion, and to celebrate three July birthdays. Nathaniel was one of them; he turned 75.

A writer for Nashville Voice was also at the reunion, and spoke to the brothers, who laughed, and told stories from their days growing up and serving the country, and reminisced about what it was like to be black in the U.S. military in the 20th century in America.

Nathaniel recalled the behavior of a white woman when the bus he was on made a stop in Montgomery, Alabama.

“I was dressed in full uniform, and she refused to sit by me,” said Nathaniel, who served three years in the Army.

Sixteen siblings — the 11 veterans, plus three sisters and two brothers who did not enter the military — grew up on a 60-acre cotton farm in Wetumpka, Alabama. Their parents were Ben and Hattie Davis.

“Their moral and ethical values were pristine,” said Arguster, the youngest brother at 67 years old.

Military experience runs long in the Davis family. The brothers’ uncle, 99-year-old Master Sgt. Thomas Davis, is Alabama’s only known living Pearl Harbor survivor.

Ben Jr. was the first brother to enlist. He joined the Navy in 1944 during World War II, and went on to serve 33 years in the Navy and Army Reserves.

Arguster served in the Air Force for four years and then the Air Force Reserve until 1998.

Lebronze, who served 20 years in the Army, was one of four brothers who went to Vietnam. He saw the heaviest fighting of all the brothers.

During one particular mission in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, Lebronze was among 116 American soldiers who went into battle. Eighty were killed or wounded. Lebronze was among the 36 who survived without a scratch.

“I just believed I was going to make it out,” said Lebronze, 70. “I thank God I did.”

Edward, 89; Julius, 73; and Frederick, 68, also served in Vietnam. Edward spent 23 years in the Army and Air Force; Julius served 13 years in the Air Force; and Frederick served two years in the Army.

Washington, a six-year Army veteran, has passed away. Ben, Alphonza, who served 29 years in the Army, and Calvin, who did four years in the Navy, couldn’t attend the reunion.

All the brothers who did attend said they loved serving their country, and would do it over again if they could. They encourage high school graduates, who may not want to attend college right away, to consider the military.

“I advise going into the military for three reasons,” said 80-year-old Octavious Davis, who served two years in the Army. “First, you’ll have a job in the military. Second, you’ll learn something more than you would have if you hadn’t gone in; and third, you can go to school in the military and be anything you want to be.”

In 2017, the Davis men were honored by the National Infantry Museum Foundation. The names of the 11 brothers and their uncle are engraved on four paving stones installed at the museum.

Powell said he hopes there are many more stories about the Davis men.

“Their story needs to be heard,” he said.

Tennessee State University, Apple Host National Coding Academy

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Tennessee State University, Apple Host National Coding Academy

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has launched a national initiative that seeks to bring coding experiences to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and underserved communities.

TSU hosted the inaugural HBCU C2 Presidential Academy July 14-19 through its newly established National Center for Smart Technology Innovations. HBCU C2 will bring coding and creativity opportunities to students across HBCU campuses and to a broad group of students across Nashville.

Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted about the initiative: “Anything is possible when people come together with a shared vision. Thank you to @TSUedu for your leadership and enthusiasm in bringing coding to your community and HBCUs nationwide!”

Leaders of 14 historically black colleges and universities – including Tennessee State – from across the country came away from the Academy with knowledge and skills in coding and app development from Apple’s comprehensive coding curriculum, which utilizes its popular Swift programming language.

“Tennessee State University is proud to host this great initiative as we give HBCU students and Nashville public schools access to this opportunity to expand their knowledge and gain important workforce development skills,” said TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover. “Coding and app development are a growing part of the global workforce, and we want to help make sure people of color, especially our students, are equipped with the knowledge and skills to be competitive, and successful.”

The HBCUs that were part of the first cohort include: Arkansas Baptist College, Bethune-Cookman University, Dillard University, Fisk University, Fort Valley State University, Lincoln University-Missouri, Morehouse College, Norfolk State University, Prairie View A&M University, Southern University Shreveport Louisiana, Texas Southern University, Wilberforce University and Xavier University of Louisiana.

Participants at the Academy included HBCU presidents, faculty members, IT staff and STEM students interested in becoming app developers.

“I think this program is phenomenal,” said Dr. Sharron Herron-Williams, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at Southern University. “We have a reputation as HBCUs for taking people from where they are, to where they want to be in life. And it is my belief, that by participating in this program, this is only going to expand our territory.”

TSU business administration major Ahmad Richardson agreed. The junior from Memphis was returning a book to the campus library when he saw signs about coding and inquired about it.

“I talked to two ladies who told me more, and asked if I’d like to join,” recalled Richardson, who plans to start his own business. “And I said, I’d love to. It’s a real opportunity to be able to create something new, to add my own flavor.”

TSU is also working with Apple, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Motlow State Community College and the Metropolitan Nashville Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. to expand coding opportunities to other students in the community.

“We want students of all ages and background to have the opportunity to pursue coding and creativity,” said Dr. Robbie Melton, TSU’s interim Dean of Graduates and Professional Studies, and the initiative’s main facilitator. “That’s why TSU is working side-by-side with Metro Nashville Public Schools to empower students from Pre-K through workforce and align curricula to make it even easier for students to learn to code and get credit for that effort.”

Program participants showcase apps. (TSU Media Relations)
Program participants showcase apps. (TSU Media Relations)

Dr. Douglas Renfro is executive director of learning technology and library services at MNPS. He says coding provides “opportunities for students that they had not seen before.”

“We’re also showing students you don’t have to necessarily have a four-year degree to get started in life,” said Renfro. “This can become a way that you can boost yourself up, find your interest, and then maybe go get your four-year degree, or your two-year degree.”

As part of the new initiative, students who complete a Swift coding course at Motlow State Community College will be able to seamlessly transition to TSU or other four-year degree programs.

“We are excited to be part of this national effort to expand coding opportunities to students and teachers, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things our community can do with these new skills,” said Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Dean of TSU’s College of Engineering, and one of the coding trainers.

Apple is supporting TSU with equipment, scholarships and professional development to help the university launch its HBCU C2 initiative.

“Students of all backgrounds should have the opportunity to learn to code,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.

“We are thrilled to be working with Tennessee State University to support their new initiative to bring coding and creativity to underrepresented groups across the broader Nashville community and to HBCUs nationwide.”

To learn more about HBCU C2, visit http://www.tnstate.edu/hbcuc2/.

Department of Media Relations

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

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