State National Companies (SNC)’s Post

Over the weekend, we joined forces in Selma to address the urgent matter of #VotingRights. Meanwhile, our legal team is in Mississippi working alongside ACLU, ACLU of Mississippi, Mississippi Center For Justice, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP to prevent the dilution of Black voting power. Dive deeper into this crucial trial: https://lnkd.in/eVG2iNb4 

#ClientNews It's been great working with Dunamis Charge ⚡️ . With a Chief like Natalie King , its no wonder! She's an ingenious, industrious trailblazer. No doubt about that! #GoBlue ! #electriccars #electriccharging #electricvehicles #sustainableenergy #climatesolutions #climatejustice #environmentaljustice #blackwomenintech #womeninbusiness #blackbusiness #blackwomenfounders #womenbusinessowners

A few of my favorites!

Black Businesses & Entrepreneurs: Catalysts for Change During the Civil Rights Movement https://wix.to/Kbi2nsT #newblogpost #BlackHistory #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackBusinessHistory #SmallBusiness

Today marked a significant chapter as I joined @livenowfox to discuss the transformative impact of National Black Funding Day which is a National holiday I created last year as a movement towards equal financial opportunities for black and brown entrepreneurs. This journey is about empowering these communities, breaking down long-standing barriers, and pioneering new, inclusive avenues for capital access. Let’s unite in this mission and pave the way for a more equitable future in entrepreneurship https://lnkd.in/eYVyAGGA

Lawrentians are the best. Impressive at every turn. Here are 10 we got to know in 2023.

In our latest post, we explore finding evidence that Black-led Underground Railroad leadership activity in Philadelphia was economically sophisticated, employing economic instruments like stocks and mortgages to support Freedom Seekers. The Black-led efforts for self-determination, emancipation, and economic empowerment in the 19th century are often overlooked. And the use of economic instruments for Freedom Seeker assistance is hard to find in the existing literature. We are therefore proud and excited about learning what the Agricultural and Mechanics Association of Pennsylvania and New Jersey was doing, and what it represents, and hope that scholars will use this information as a launching point to think more creatively about Black actions for emancipation. https://lnkd.in/e7-VstnA

From this month's FOCUS: Inside Black DC (Tech Policy) newsletter: ▶️ The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit declared the Universal Service Fund unconstitutional, shaking the foundation of key Federal Communications Commission broadband programs. This decision threatens to widen the digital divide, impacting Black communities and communities in the Black Rural South who rely on these programs for affordable internet access. ▶️ The Senate passed two bills (#KOSPA and #COPPA 2.0), marking the first significant congressional effort in decades to hold tech companies accountable for the harm they cause to children online. Learn more in our tech policy newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/ep4SEGdt

The controversy surrounding "The First: Fire Commissioner Robert O. Lowery’s Story" documentary highlights ongoing diversity and inclusion issues within the New York City Fire Department (NYCFD). Robert O. Lowery, the first Black fire commissioner from 1966, symbolized progress in a predominantly white department. His milestone, significantly supported by the Vulcan Society—a key advocate for Black firefighters since 1940—was expected to be a central documentary theme. However, the family and the Vulcan Society's protests over the film's failure to fully portray their role and the continuous fight against systemic racism highlight inadequacies in addressing these critical aspects. The documentary's cancellation during Black History Month, meant to honor Lowery's legacy, reflects deeper challenges in achieving racial equity within NYCFD. Despite efforts to diversify, Black firefighters represent only about 10 percent of the force in a city with a 23 percent Black population, raising concerns about recruitment, hiring practices, and department culture. The situation complicates under the leadership of Laura Kavanagh, the first female department head, and Mayor Eric Adams, the city’s second black mayor, reflecting on diversity progress. Yet, the documentary’s controversy and ongoing departmental strife, including lawsuits against current leadership, indicate the need for more than symbolic appointments. Achieving racial equity demands addressing systemic issues comprehensively. Moreover, the Vulcan Society's historical and current efforts, including legal actions leading to a significant settlement for hiring more Black and Latino firefighters, emphasize the persistent need for systemic change. The family and the Vulcan Society have called for a thorough retake of the documentary to accurately reflect Lowery's legacy and the society's role, emphasizing that true inclusion requires acknowledging and acting on the ongoing struggles for racial equity. #RobertOLoweryLegacy #FireDepartmentDiversity #VulcanSocietyImpact #RacialEquityInFireService #NYCFireDeptControversy #BlackHistoryInFocus #InclusionAndRepresentation #SystemicChangeNeeded #DocumentaryDebate #CulturalAwarenessInAction https://lnkd.in/eiF2UswW

August is National #BlackBusinessMonth, a reminder that the Underground Railroad lives in E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Co. The Columbus, Ohio-based firm is recognized as the United States’ oldest continuously Black-owned business, dating to the 1840s when it began transporting runaway slaves. Black companies have endured and evolved since the horse-and-buggy era, continuing to surmount our nation‘s racial fault lines. According to Lendio, Washington, D.C. has the highest percentage of Black-owned businesses (35%) and employer firms (15%). There are approximately 3.7 million Black-owned businesses nationwide and roughly 161,400 have at least one employee. The largest is World Wide Technology, with $17 billion in revenue and 10,000 employees. But financing remains a problem for Black business owners: 47% who apply for a loan are denied. Thankfully, organizations that understand the work and worth of Black businesses are available to assist. These include the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council, as well as local Chambers of Commerce in the District, Northern Virginia, and Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. Take advantage of these resources and support Black businesses all year long! #supportblackownedbusinesses #blackownedbusiness #SRBProud