Month: September 2020

Building self-esteem through positive representation is an important part of raising healthy children. Simone Edmonson established Dreams and Jammies LLC, an Atlanta-based company, to play a key role in transforming how children of color see themselves uniquely portrayed in their sleepwear as they drift off into their heavenly dreams.

Company founder Simone Edmonson states, “I wanted children of color to know that they’re valued and their faces matter. On average, children are in their PJ’s nine-plus hours per day. So, I thought it would be inspirational for them to show their individuality by selecting designs, which aligns with the child’s inner spirit. Parents could use Dreams and Jammies as a platform to launch their child’s daily affirmation of self-worth.”

The greatest impact the launch has made in the Black community was beautifully stated by buyer Denise Johnson of Baltimore Maryland, “When I saw those beautiful black girls wearing Dreams and Jammies on my Instagram feed, I burst into tears. I initially did not know why I had this visceral reaction. Then it dawned on me that in the fifty-five years of my life, I have never seen anything like this so I purchased a pair for my grandchildren and great-nieces.”

Dreams and Jammies pajamas are 100% cotton, designed to be comfortable, and tagless. The initial product line, which is called the Comfy Collection with four distinct styles of pajamas, has received exciting responses from parents and children. “We’re constantly creating new designs and plan to launch our boys’ line of pajamas in 2021,” Simone explains. Also, the company plans to grow its brand to include kids’ underwear, slippers, as well as adjustable satin hair bonnets. Interested consumers can sign up for advance notices on the availability of the latest products.

All DreamsandJammies.com products are available for direct shipping worldwide with prices starting at $14.99. Tuck in your little princesses at night with these awesome jammies!

To learn more about the line of products visit our website or connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.

For press inquiries, contact Simone Edmonson at [email protected]

Original article was published here.

Written by Nigel Roberts

Family and friends of Chadwick Boseman held a private memorial service for the late Black Panther star to console each other and to say their final goodbyes.

The Sun published photos of the gathering in Malibu, California. In addition to Boseman’s wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, several of his co stars, including Michael B. Jordan and Lupita Nyong’o, attended the memorial.

Photographs of the gathering show a photo of the 43-year-old actor was on display with a floral arrangement. The memorial service included music from a hang drum.

On Sept. 3, the city of Anderson, South Carolina honored Boseman, their native son, with a public memorial. The celebration was held at an outdoor amphitheater that practiced the CDC’s social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines. He will also be buried in his hometown after a private funeral for his family.

In his first public comments about being shot seven times in the back and paralyzed by a Wisconsin police officer, Jacob Blake described the pain he endures 24 hours a day and how his life changed in the snap of a finger.In his first public comments about being shot seven times in the back and paralyzed by a Wisconsin police officer, Jacob Blake described the pain he endures 24 hours a day and how his life changed in the snap of a finger.

The 29-year-old Black man, who was shot last month in Kenosha in front of three of his children, broke his silence in the 57-second video from his hospital bed that was released by his attorney.

“I just want to say, man, to all the young cats out there, and even the older ones older than me, it’s a lot more life to live out here, man. Your life and not only just your life, your legs, something that you need to move around and move forward in life, can be taken from you like this, man,” he says snapping his right fingers.

An online petition to remove a confederate monument in Chadwick Boseman’s hometown and replace it with a statue of the deceased star continues to gain momentum. Thousands of signatures have been collected in support of the idea.

As the world continues to reel over the announcement that Boseman, 43, passed away after enduring a four-year battle with colon cancer, tributes continue to pour in. More than just a Hollywood actor who starred in one of the highest-grossing films of all time, Boseman conducted himself as a true professional and humanitarian.

His status as a role model for Black communities everywhere has affected people of all ages and genders. And, as more time passes and people come to terms with just what this huge loss means, there will undoubtedly be calls to publicly honor Boseman in one way or another.

Exactly how the world can pay appropriate respect to such a superb talent and human being is debatable, but many feel that an excellent place to start would be in the star’s hometown of Anderson, South Carolina.

by Dana Givens,

According to a study conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 5% of practicing physicians are Black. With growing racial disparities in the medical field, it is important to provide space to create more Black doctors that know how to treat Black patients who are often neglected.

This week, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced he will be making a $100 million donation through Bloomberg Philanthropies to be distributed to scholarships for current students enrolled in medical programs at four HBCU medical schools impacted by the COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, pandemic. The institutions include Meharry Medical College, Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Charles R. Drew University University of Medicine and Science.

The $32.8 million gift to Howard’s College of Medicine is the largest sum its been given in its history.

“Healthcare disparities exist for a myriad of reasons related to systemic infrastructural issues, not the least of which is the dearth of Black doctors. Black doctors with cultural competency are a major part of the solution, but their path is often hampered by a compromised financial situation,” said Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University in a press statement.

“This gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies is the first stone dropped into a calm lake of opportunity and promise. The ripple effects that it will have on the lives of our students and our programs will carry on for generations.”

The donation is the first investment from the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative, created to increase generational wealth among Black families. “COVID-19 has been especially devastating for the Black community, and the scarcity of Black doctors practicing in Black communities is one reason for it,” Bloomberg said in a press statement.

“More Black doctors will mean more Black lives saved and fewer health problems that limit economic opportunity. But right now, the burden of student debt and lack of financial aid means that the shortage of Black doctors could get even worse. During my campaign for president, I proposed a set of bold policies—which we called the Greenwood Initiative—to increase generational wealth among Black families and shrink the racial wealth gap. The commitment Bloomberg Philanthropies is making today is just the first step we will take to bring that work to life.”

Original article was published here.