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Largest-Ever Survey of Black People in the U.S. Announces Nearly 130,000 People Reached

The second Black Census Project, which will close in October 2023, has already quadrupled in size since 2018

Published

1 month ago

August 24, 2023

Daily News Staff

ATLANTA /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Black Futures Lab announced that it has reached a historic milestone in the Black Census Project survey, which will conclude in October 2023. With nearly 130,000 responses from across all 50 states gathered to date, this effort already marks the largest survey of Black people conducted in the United States, four times the size of the 2018 Black Census.

“Going into another presidential campaign season, we know that Black communities are still being undercounted and under-engaged,” said Alicia Garza, Founder and Principal of Black Futures Lab, who began designing the Black Census Project after the 2016 election. “It is critical that we engage Black communities early and often. Every day, policy is being made about us, without us. We launched the Black Census to transform that–we take the data from the Black Census and use it to inform a Black agenda that serves as a roadmap for policymakers and politicians on how to best address the needs of Black communities. The Black Census is historic and important—there is still time for you to join us and participate so that your voice can be heard.”

The Black Census Project, launched in 2018, engages communities that are typically under-represented in traditional surveys and policy making. The Black Census Project is collecting findings of Black attitudes and opinions across demographics and geography, including LGB+ communities, trans communities, incarcerated Black people, Black immigrant communities, and Black people in rural areas.

“Now more than ever, it is essential that Black trans people are seen, heard, and counted,” said Aria Sa’id, Founder Emeritus of the Transgender District. “Given all the attacks on trans rights, we know Black trans folks will be the most impacted. While our rights are being taken away and our communities are being targeted, very few people are talking to trans people about what we’re experiencing, and what support we need to live dignified lives. The Black Census does this and gets information from us about our needs and experiences, and what we want to see for our futures. The experiences of Black trans people matter, not just for us, but for all Black communities.”

Once the Black Census closes in October, Black Futures Lab will use the survey to design and release the Black Agenda 2024 in early 2024. The Black Agenda 2024 is a policy roadmap that will inform legislators nationwide of the key priorities of Black communities across America. It also will be used to activate and engage Black voters in advance of elections, encouraging Black communities to stay engaged and wield political power to inform, influence, and impact all institutions and decision-makers who are or should be engaging Black people.

“With the 2024 presidential elections right around the corner, and the first GOP debate kicking off tonight, we know Black votes matter; Black people do too,” said Angela Rye, Principal and CEO of IMPACT Strategies. “In order to be powerful in politics, Black people must curate, shape, and push our own political agenda—a Black agenda–and the Black Census Project equips us to do that. That is why this project is tremendously important.”

Over 30,000 Black people from across the country participated in the first Black Census Project in 2018. The Black Futures Lab used the results to identify pressing legislative and policy priorities, turning the survey into a national, state, and municipal policy platform to guide 2020 Presidential candidates as they devised strategies to earn the support of Black voters.

In 2022 and 2023, Black Futures Lab collaborated with more than 50 Black-led grassroots organizations, over a dozen national media partners, and Black influencers to reach more than 129,000 Black people across the country to date. A majority of respondents (64%) are from the South, 14% are from the Midwest, 13% are from the Northeast, and 10% are from the West. Nearly half (40%) of respondents are ages 60+; a quarter are 50-59, 17% are 40-49, 12% are 30-39, 4% are 25-29, and 4% are 18-24. Initial findings show the top three issues for Black people are:

Low wages that are not enough to sustain a family: 39%
Gun violence: 32%
Schools that fail to prepare children adequately: 32%

“This is the largest survey of Black people in American history—there is nothing else that comes close,” said Michael Harriot, writer and author of Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America. “This is a way for people to actually know what Black voters want, and what Black voters are concerned about. It also has historical significance and gives us the ability to dispel myths about Black people with real data.”

Personally identifiable information will not be collected, and all participants can opt into becoming a part of the Black Futures Lab supporter community. Some participants who complete the survey (at BlackCensus.org) will be eligible to receive a $20 gift card.

About the Black Futures Lab
Black Futures Lab works with Black people to transform our communities, building Black political power, and changing the way that power operates—locally, statewide, and nationally. We work to understand the dynamics impacting our communities, we build the capacity of our communities to govern, and we engage and include Black people in the decisions that impact our lives. Our mission is to engage Black communities year-round, using our political strength to stop corporate influences from creeping into public policies, and combining technology and traditional organizing methods to reach Black people anywhere and everywhere we are. blackfutureslab.org

SOURCE Black Futures Lab

Community

Fresh Thyme Market Celebrates $400,000 In Donations to Local Food Banks

Fresh Thyme shoppers support Midwest food banks

Published

5 days ago

September 23, 2023

Daily News Staff

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. /PRNewswire/ — Fresh Thyme Market, a grocer that has a mission to improve the way communities eat by offering real fresh food, is proud to announce for Hunger Action Month that it has donated over $400,000, the equivalent of around 4 million meals*, to the Feeding America network of food banks and other local food banks in 2023.

September is Hunger Action Month, the annual month-long call to action to spread awareness and inspire everyone to join the movement to end hunger.

Fresh Thyme Market has donated over $400,000, the equivalent of around 4 million meals*, to the Feeding America network of food banks and other local food banks in 2023.

“At Fresh Thyme, our partnership with Feeding America and supporting local food banks is not just a collaboration but a shared commitment to combat food insecurity in our local communities,” said Fresh Thyme Market President, Liz Zolcak. “We strive to enrich the lives of the communities we serve. It guides all we do, and we’re proud to give back with our customers in a way that directly aligns with our mission and values.”

Three annual programs are a part of Fresh Thyme’s donation to Feeding America and other local food banks across the brand’s Midwestern footprint:

Round Up at the Register: All Fresh Thyme store locations host a Round Up at the Register program throughout the year, where customers have the opportunity to donate upon checkout each time they shop.
Food Rescue Program: Fresh Thyme stores donate surplus food and meals to community food banks. Each store team works diligently to ensure the food donations are maximized through careful handling of product pulled from the shelf and staged for local food bank partners’ routine pick-ups. In 2023 thus far, Fresh Thyme has donated an additional 900,000 meals through this program.
Grab and Give Initiative: Customers also have the ability to purchase pre-bagged groceries at checkout during the holiday season through the Grab and Give program, where the purchased groceries go directly to local food banks.

Fresh Thyme has been a longstanding partner of Feeding America and other local food banks in its continued commitment to fight against hunger. In addition to donating food and meals, Fresh Thyme employees come together to volunteer at local food banks throughout the year. These events span from Northern Illinois Food Bank to Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank. Fresh Thyme also invites local food bank partners to participate in in-store events to celebrate its customers’ donations and amplify Feeding America’s voice in its local communities.

Fresh Thyme invites its customers to join in its efforts and make a meaningful change in the battle against hunger. To learn more and find a Fresh Thyme location near you, visit freshthyme.com. For more information on Hunger Action Month visit FeedingAmerica.com/take-action.

*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals

About Fresh Thyme Market
Fresh Thyme Market, a local, community-focused grocer with 71 stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest, was born from a genuine desire to help people live better and healthier lives. Every day Fresh Thyme Market works to be a trusted resource in our communities, bringing people access to real food at real affordable prices. With a local focus on what the community needs, each store provides fresh, natural, and organic food at affordable prices. By offering an immersive, intuitive shopping experience, Fresh Thyme Market meets people wherever they are on their journey to living a healthier lifestyle. To learn more, visit freshthyme.com.

About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment.

We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

SOURCE Fresh Thyme Market

Community

Global Citizen Forum Unveils Earth Age – the Second Chapter of the Butterfly Effect Trilogy

Published

5 days ago

September 23, 2023

Daily News Staff

RAS AL KHAIMAH CITY, Arab Emirates (Newswire.com) – Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the Global Citizen Forum is proud to announce the highly anticipated second chapter of its trilogy, The Butterfly Effect: Earth Age. Hosted alongside COP28 and in Ras Al Khaimah, the nature Emirate of the UAE, the event takes place December 6-7, 2023, and will help focus the world’s attention on humanity’s quest for a sustainable future.

Held in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the transformative two-day experience will delve deeper into the core elements that shape our world: Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Humanity, the fifth and most crucial element. By exploring the symbolism of these elements, Earth Age aims to ignite a passion for solving the challenges we face as a species and explore how we can overcome them together – reemerging with a renewed sense of purpose to build a sustainable future we can be proud to leave behind for coming generations.

“We are the architects of our planet’s future. By harnessing the elements, we can tap into the wisdom of nature and use it as a guide to relate to ourselves, each other, and the world around us,” commented Armand Arton, Founder and Chairman of the Global Citizen Forum. “As global citizens, we are at the core of directing the natural flow of evolution, and therefore are responsible for its path.”

Embracing Ras Al Khaimah’s breathtaking coastline, the Summit will feature captivating beachside experiences, immersive participatory workshops and thought-provoking panel discussions, culminating in a star-studded gala fundraiser. Earth Age is also expected to create history with the first-ever underwater panel on coral reef restoration, in partnership with OceanShot and PADI, highlighting the urgent need for environmental action.

“We look forward to hosting the Global Citizen Forum for a third year in a row, which demonstrates our commitment to an inclusive and sustainable future. We are focused on creating a tourism industry that benefits not only responsible travelers but also our economy, community and natural environment,” explains Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

At the culmination of the Summit, the Global Citizen Forum will collaborate with its community to develop a manifesto for future global citizens. Emphasizing meaningful action, transparency, sustainable policy changes, environmental justice, and responsible resource utilization, the Global Citizen Manifesto will uncover and define the elements needed to create lasting change for today and tomorrow.

Held last year, the first chapter in the trilogy – The Butterfly Effect: Human Metamorphosis – hosted an extraordinary gathering of visionaries and changemakers, transcending boundaries and igniting conversations on a multitude of pressing global challenges. With over 650 attendees from 90 countries, the Summit featured an impressive lineup of international icons, including Grammy Award-winning artists Ricky Martin, Wyclef Jean, and Ashanti, bestselling author and alternative medicine pioneer Deepak Chopra, former FBI negotiator Chris Voss, as well as regional superstars like renowned Virgin Radio presenter Kris Fade, and Huda Beauty founders Huda and Mona Kattan.

The stage is now set for an unparalleled journey of discovery, reflection and exploration that awaits at The Butterfly Effect: Earth Age.

About Global Citizen Forum

The Global Citizen Forum is a Canadian non-profit organization driven by a global community of leaders and catalyzers unlocking the potential of global citizenship. Through a series of curated events and experiences, GCF’s community gathers from across the globe for their Annual Summit to bridge dialogue with action for traceable, transparent, and measurable impact.

About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. RAKTDA aims to develop the Emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Authority has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the Emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry.

About Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is known for its diverse landscape, from 64km of beaches to deserts and imposing mountains, as well as its rich history, dating back 7,000 years. It has many archaeological sites, four of which have been shortlisted on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. The Emirate’s Jebel Jais, which is the highest mountain in the UAE, boasts attractions including Jebel Jais Flight, the world’s longest zip line at almost 3km, and 1484 by Puro, the UAE’s highest restaurant. Ras Al Khaimah is centrally located at the modern crossroads between Europe, Asia and Africa, with one-third of the world’s population within four hours of flying time, making it an ideal location for businesses to expand into the UAE, the Middle East and Africa region and beyond. The Emirate boasts one of the most diverse economies in the region, with no single sector accounting for more than 30% of the Emirate’s GDP – a critical advantage that enhances Ras Al Khaimah’s economic flexibility and strength. Ras Al Khaimah has been rated in the ‘A’ range by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s international ratings agencies for 15 years. Ras Al Khaimah is a multicultural society, with a population of 0.4 million people in 2023. With year-round sunshine, straightforward business set-up and a competitive and affordable cost of living, Ras Al Khaimah is the informed choice for business, lifestyle and exploration.

Source: Global Citizen Forum

Blog

Chartwells Higher Education Launches New International Dining Experience Focused on Authentic Global Flavors

United Table offers unique global cuisines and helps students celebrate different cultures

Published

6 days ago

September 22, 2023

Daily News Staff

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Recognized leader in contract foodservice management Chartwells Higher Education has announced United Table, a new dining experience focused on global flavors. Students at Northeastern University and the University of Illinois Chicago are the first to experience United Table’s bold, modern dining experience that celebrates the stories of cultures, cuisines, and people around the world through authentic dishes, ingredients, and cooking techniques.

Research from the Institute of International Education (IIE) shows international student enrollment in higher education is on the rise. According to IIE’s Fall 2022 Snapshot on International Student Enrollment, the number of new international students enrolled at U.S. institutions increased by 7% last year, building on the 80% rebound in new enrollments during the previous academic year. With United Table, Chartwells is creating a tailored dining location that not only meets the needs and wants of international students but opens the door for all students to experience new cultures through food.

“There’s something special about sharing a meal with friends, family, and even people you’ve never met before, which is why we’re always looking to create food-forward initiatives that bring students together,” said Lisa McEuen, CEO of Chartwells Higher Education. “We hope United Tables gives international students a taste of home while also encouraging others to engage with new cultures, people, and foods and ultimately create more meaningful interactions with one another.”

Chartwells’ culinarians conducted extensive market research and taste tests to create the United Table’s special menu, which features a variety of concepts and recipes such as:

Asian kitchens featuring Korean fried chicken, pulled pork banh mi, and chicken biryani
Mediterranean kitchens featuring Turkish ezme salad, beef shawarma, and shatta chicken
Latin kitchens featuring birria tacos, Jamaican jerk chicken, and arepas
Global breakfast options featuring English breakfast, calentado, and Japanese fluffy pancakes

“As an international student, when you’re away from home, food is something that you really miss because its flavors take you back to happy memories of where you grew up,” says a third-year Northeastern student from Greece. “It’s been a challenge to find traditional foods in the States so it’s a very comforting feeling to be able to come to the dining hall and have something that takes you back to home and makes you feel comfortable.”

For more information on United Table please visit chartwellshighered.com.

Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract food service management, hospitality, and guest service at over 300 college and universities in the United States. Chartwells is re-inventing the on-campus dining experience by investing in high-tech, food-infused social spaces that bring students and people together to promote meaningful relationships and interactions. The company’s excellence in culinary, nutrition, technology, and sustainability brings truly unique dining experiences to every campus.

Learn more about how Chartwells is creating joy in campus dining and preparing students for success at www.ChartwellsHigherEd.com, www.DineonCampus.com.

SOURCE Chartwells Higher Education