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Black influencers, including the owner of a plus-size boutique, are among those lobbying Congress not to ban TikTok

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TikTok, TikTok ban, theGrio.com

WASHINGTON (AP) – Lawmakers, meet your newest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok.

The platform is once more inviting influencers to Washington, this time to lobby members of Congress to reject a quickly passed bill that will force TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company to be sold or banned in the United States. On Tuesday, some influencers kicked off a two-day event in support of TikTok, which organized their trip ahead of the House vote on the bill on Wednesday.

But unlike a similar lobbying event the company held last March, when talk of banning TikTok got here to a head, this yr’s motion seemed more rushed as the company tried hard to counter laws that was moving quickly on Capitol Hill.

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“If they ban it, I don’t know what that will do” to the company, Summer Lucille, a TikTok content creator with 1.4 million followers who’s visiting Washington this week, said in an interview organized by the platform. “It will be devastating.” The laws enjoys extraordinary support in Congress.

Content creator Summer Lucille poses for a photo in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. She is among the influential people lobbying lawmakers against a bill that will force TikTok to sell its platform or face a ban in the United States. (AP Photo/Haleluya Hadero)

Last week, a House panel unanimously approved the measure in an unusual display of bipartisanship. President Joe Biden has said he’ll sign the bill whether it is passed by lawmakers. However, it’s unclear what is going to occur in the Senate, where several bills geared toward banning TikTok are stalled.

The laws faces other obstacles. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, who holds sway over Republicans in each the House of Representatives and the Senate, has expressed opposition to the bill, saying it will strengthen the position of Meta-owned Facebook, which he continues to sharply criticize for its defeat in elections in 2020. The bill also faces opposition from some progressive lawmakers in the House, in addition to civil liberties groups who say it violates the First Amendment.

TikTok may very well be banned if parent company ByteDance fails to sell its stake in the platform and other apps it owns inside six months of the law’s entry into force.

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The fight over the platform comes at a time when U.S.-China relations have turned strategic competition, especially in areas resembling advanced technologies and data security, seen as necessary to each country’s economic prowess and national security. The change, which began under Trump and continued under Biden, imposed restrictions on high-tech exports and the outflow of US money to China, in addition to access of some Chinese firms to the US market.

The Biden administration also cited human rights concerns in blacklisting a number of Chinese firms accused of helping the state’s surveillance campaign against ethnic minorities.

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There is not any shortage of lobbyists on TikTok. Its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, has a powerful lobbying apparatus in Washington that features dozens of lobbyists from well-known consulting and law firms, in addition to influential figures resembling former members of Congress and former advisers to influential lawmakers, according to the Defense Foundation Democracy.

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TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew may even be in Washington this week and plans to meet with lawmakers, according to a company spokesman who said Chew’s visit was previously planned.

But influencers who’ve a strong following on social media and may share personal stories about how the platform has empowered their businesses – or just given them a voice – are still arguably one of the strongest tools a company has in its arsenal.

A TikTok spokesperson said the two-day event can be attended by dozens of influencers, including some who got here last yr. A spokesman did not immediately respond to questions on what number of recent people will take part in this yr’s lobbying foray. The company informs them about this before meetings with representatives and media interviews.

Lucille runs a plus-size boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina, and according to her, she has seen a significant increase in revenue thanks to her TikTok page. The 34-year-old began creating content on TikTok, specializing in plus-size fashion, in March 2022, greater than a decade after founding the company. She quickly gained hundreds of followers after posting a nine-second video about her boutique.

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Due to her popularity on the platform, her company has more online visibility and more customers, some of whom have even visited from throughout Europe. She says she also frequently hears from followers who find support in her content about fashion and self-confidence.

JT Laybourne, an influencer who also got here to Washington, said he joined TikTok in early 2019 after receiving negative comments on videos he posted on Instagram singing in the automotive together with his children.

TikTok, TikTok ban, theGrio.com
Republicans in the House of Representatives are backing a bill that will require Chinese company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the United States. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Laybourne, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, said he was drawn to the short video platform since it was easy to create videos that included music. Like Lucille, he quickly gained popularity on the app. He says he has also received more support from TikTok users who’ve responded positively to the content he has created about love and positivity.

Laybourne says the community he built on the platform rallied around his family when he had to undergo heart surgery in 2020. He said that after surgery, he used the platform to raise $1 million for the American Heart Association in lower than two years. His family now runs a clothing company that gets most of its traffic from TikTok.

“I will fight tooth and nail for this application,” he said.

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But it’s unclear whether the opposition the company gathers through lobbyists or influencers will likely be enough to derail the bill. On Tuesday, House lawmakers received a briefing from the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence officials about national security concerns about TikTok.


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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com

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Forum Pitchblack Black Public Media, which exceeded $ 2 million

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Dow, CEO, Karen, S. Carter, PITCHBlack, $2 million,, funding


Black Public Media (BPM), the National Non -Profit organization, supporting the creators of black content, announced on Tuesday that his Pitchblack forum awards over $ 2 million in film financing and interesting projects this yr. Forum, recognized as the most important competition on the pitch within the United States for independent filmmakers and artistic technologists focused on black narratives, will call in Harlem on April 30 from 9 am to 17:00

The culmination of this event will likely be Pitchblack Awards on May 1 at 19.00, in which production and distribution prizes will likely be announced. . There may even be a night Presentation of the distinguished BPM Trailblazer Award Lillian E. Benson, Ace (American Cinema Editors), a known character known from her Emma’s work on breakthrough projects, comparable to Showtime’s, NBC’s and OWN.

Pitchblack Forum, sponsored by Netflix and PBS industry giants, will provide a platform for talented creations to issue their progressive projects in front of an excellent audience of public media representatives, television directors, distributors and founders throughout the country.

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Since its launch in 2015, BPM has transferred over $ 1.8 million to support 23 convincing film and addictive projects through the Pitchblack competition. This yr it’s a major milestone when the forum moves to the stages of Apollo in Victoria, Harlem, a vigorous district of New York, which serves as a BPM base. Since BPM provides for the granting of over USD 225,000 for projects themselves this yr, the organization is able to break USD 2 million in complete financing granted through the Pitchblack program from its creation.

“We are glad that this year we will organize Pitchblack in the creative and cultural Mecca of Harlem,” said Leslie Fields-Cruz, executive director of BPM. (*2*)

Futurist promoting Tameka Kee will return to the moderate Pitchblack forum for this yr’s event. In the film segment, scheduled from 9 am to noon, there will likely be fields for documentary teams, including Sidney Fussell and Jennifer Holness, Karen Hayes, Arlieta Hall and Brittany Alsot, Chelsi Bullard and Jacqueline Olive and Caron Creighton. The engaging competitors of the Arabia, Aya, Steven Christian, Jeremy Kamal, Joel Mack and Rasheed Peters-Wajd on the stage from 13:00 to fifteen:30, presenting projects that contain the most recent technologies, comparable to artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality, augmented reality, 3D animation and interactive games.

The winners of the Pitchblack Forum will likely be announced through the award ceremony on May 1 at 19.00

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The award ceremony, led by the comedian Jamie Roberts, will include a radical conversation with the winner of the Trailblazer award, Lillian E. Benson, moderated by the host NPR Brittany Luse from a recognized podcast.

The winner of Fellowship Nonso Christian Ugbode, a prestigious award named after the late Director for Digital Initiatives BPM and designed to support talented creativity below 30, may even be announced through the award ceremony. The evening will end in live nature.

Tickets for Pitchblack awards They are priced For $ 300 and could be bought on the Apollo Theater website.

By adding one other dimension to celebrating the influential Benson’s profession, this yr’s flashback of the BPM Trailblazer film will contain a particular collection of works edited by The Estemed Honore. These movies will likely be available totally free stream transmission to BlackPublicmedia.org between April 28 and May 12, offering a wider audience the chance to experience the master edition of Benson. Recommended movies include; ; ; And; and two key parts: (part 10) and (part 13).

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The significant impact of Pitchblack on the landscape of black media is feasible because of the generous support of key sponsors Netflix and PBS, with additional financing provided by Corporation for Public Broadcasting, John D. and Catherine T. Macarthur Foundation, Acton Family, Agog Llc, New York Community Trust, New York Community, Rockefeller Fund, New York City of Cultural Affairs, New York State Found. The mayor’s media and entertainment office.

For those interested, learn more about progressive projects competing at this yr’s Pitchblack Forum, yow will discover detailed information Here. Further details about black public media and their initiatives can be found at BlackPublicMedia.org. The most significant information and updates from Pitchblack could be followed on Instagram, Facebook and Tiktoku on @blackPublicmedia.

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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How does professional life change in Great Britain

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For many individuals in Great Britain, it changes: how we work, what we do and where we do it. Change is quicker for some than for others – and does not at all times change for the higher.

New national study – organized and managed by my colleagues and I – paints a mixed picture of professional life in Great Britain. What makes him Testing skills and employment 2024 It is exclusive that it’s eighth in a series that dates back to the mid -Eighties.

The survey focuses on the professional life of individuals: what skills they use and where they work and what they consider their work. The data series consists of interviews of just about 35,000 employees, with about 5500 in 2024.

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Some people have good things to say about changing professional life. Other people’s professional life is just not improving. For a lot of us it’s a little bit of each.

Good news

One of the excellent news is that only a few employees think that their work has no value. Against estimates Through some scholars that about 40% of individuals “work on tasks they consider to be pointless”, our study suggests that only 5% of respondents imagine that their work is irrelevant and has no value.

So -called “Bullshit Jobs” They are rare. Instead, almost 70% reported that their work gave them a way of feat at all times or more often than not, while 76% stated that their work was useful.

Work becomes more qualified too. In 2024, 46% of employees stated that they would want qualifications on the graduate level in the event that they were to use for his or her current job. It increases from 20% in 1986.

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Another excellent news is that the pace of excessive qualification has dropped. In 2024, 35% of employees reported that they’d qualifications that were higher than those currently required to work in comparison with 39% in 2006.

. Quality of labor sex gap It is narrowing. The difference in salaries was consistently falling, however the gap in the physical work environment – in the standard of labor and professional skills – also narrow. For example, the share of men who reported that their health or security was threatened due to work from 38% in 2001 to 21% in 2024, while amongst women remained stable at 22%.

Bad news

However, not every thing in the world of labor. Abuse of workplace It is common – 14% of British employees have experienced intimidation, violence or sexual harassment at work. The risk of abuse is far higher in women, LGBTQ+employees, nurses, teachers and those that work at night.

How common is abuse at work?
Alan Felstead/Skills and Employment Survey 2024IN Author given (without reuse)

One of probably the most striking findings from our study is a big decrease in ability Employees to make decisions About their immediate professional tasks. In 2024, 34% of employees stated that they’d a “great influence” on what tasks they performed, how they did them and the way they worked hard. In 2012, it’s a decrease in 44% in 1992.

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The mechanisms of greater worker control increased over time, but this didn’t translate into greater control at the person level.

Mixed news

Another striking, if not surprising, the statement is to extend the number of individuals Woking from home. But the long nature of change could also be a surprise. The study shows that the rise in hybrid work began in 2006, long before this date.

The survey also sheds light on where they work from home. It shows that 45% may isolate themselves from others in the household, making a home office. The rest have to be content with a kitchen table, sofa or corner of the room.

A chart showing the location in which people work
Where do people work?
Alan Felstead/Skills and Employment Survey 2024IN Author given (without reuse)

After years of falling membership in the Trade Union, the study shows that the wave may ultimately They turned around. Levels of membership increased, and the rates of trade union presence in the workplace and the impact of unions on remuneration increased in 2017-2024.

The growing a part of the members of trade unions claims that their relationship has a big or significant impact on the best way of organizing work – in comparison with 42% in 2001 to 51% in 2024.

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The technological change brings each possibilities and advantages. This study showed Digital technology He played a job in just about all workplaces, and 78% of employees are considering “necessary” or “very important” computers in their work, in comparison with 45% in 1997.

The participation of AI users increased throughout the data collection period, which indicates its quick acceptance. But there are few signs that they’re displacing employees, a minimum of for now.

Regular monitoring of all problems raised here – and lots of besides – is just possible if regular and solid research, reminiscent of Skills and employment test are carried out. These are invaluable elements of our knowledge infrastructure that have to be valued, protected and supported if we’re to evaluate exactly how the world of labor changes.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Why buyers abandon the Costco goal after Fallback: “I wanted them to get up”

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Chi Walker was a faithful goal client. Knowledgeable chef, based in Detroit, was so regular in the store that she had funds for shopping.

“I was a real target girl,” said Walker with a giggle. “I called it by conveying a weekly donation and even tithe, you know. I loved the goal.”

The 44-year-old entrepreneur was specially attracted to the dedication of goal in raising independent small firms, women belonging to women and black brands, reminiscent of The Honey Pot or The Lip Bar, a private Walker favorite since the founding father of the make-up brand, Melissa Butler, is a native Detroit.

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Walker, which is black, said that her goal loyalty modified at the starting of the yr, when the company announced that she would throw its employment goals for groups considered a minority as a part of a greater withdrawal of Dei initiatives or diversity, equality and integration.

The change took place in the light of the issue of President Donald Trump, an executive ordinance, which directed diversity, justice and inclusion, in addition to the end of “illegal discrimination”, and “restoring possibilities based on merits”.

While the order immediately influenced the activities in the federal government, it’s clearly called the private sectorBy promising to use the power of the American Prosecutor General to “promotion in the private sector of the individual policy of the individual initiative, perfection and hard work.”

For Chi Walker it was the moment when she expected the goal to double as an alternative of retreating.

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“I felt broken, honestly,” said Walker Thegrio. “It was as it was a lie. Regardless of the alliance, regardless of the ally you had in yourself, you know, supporting the minorities was performance. You didn’t mean it. And I took it very personally.”

Walker not only perceived the retreat of Dei Target as personal small for her hard -earned dollars, but additionally considered an indication to take her business elsewhere.

Walker joins the undisclosed variety of buyers who boycott the goal that begins to have an actual financial impact on the giant of corporate purchases.

Original boycott, organized by Pastor Jamal Bryant from the recent birth of the Baptist missionary church and officially generally known as “a quick goal,“He called 40 days of refraining from the store and redirecting money to black brands.

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But many purchasers not only avoided Target, but as an alternative took their activities to Costo. The alternative is meant. The Costco CEO openly defended the diversity, own capital and integration, and thanks to the nod of Fr. Al Sharpton, who organized the “entry” of the wholesale brand, sees the increase in profits.

Recent report From the variety of numbers, he claims that pedestrian surveys and assessments show 7.7 million more visits to Costco and 5 million fewer visits to aim for 4 weeks in February. The changes are very visible in black and never black Latin households. They recognize that another aspects could affect numbers, but see a connection to a boycott.

Chi Walker once described as a “target girl”, but redirected her dollars to Costco during the boycott of Dei initiatives by Target. (Photo courtesy of Chi Walker)

“They didn’t get scared, you know what I’m saying?” Walker said about the position of pro-dei costco. “It is so that you can get a slack. The president issued this executive order that you no longer have to do these things … and stood 10 fingers and said:” Well, no, we wish to do. We want everyone to be represented in our company. “

Other buyers with whom she talked throughout the country claim that additionally they moved from Target to Costo to show their support for diversity, equality and inclusion.

“I felt like my dollars or my culture didn’t matter,” said Tara Paige, a 51-year-old patio designer from Texas. “I wanted them to stand in stakeholders on my behalf and not.”

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Netta Jenkins, a leadership expert and published writer, said Thegrio said that the purpose of fixing Costco is “one of the most convincing studies of the business cases of our time.”

Republican state officials press Costco to abandon their policy Dei

“Target, once heralded as a progressive brand, made a fatal mistake,” said Jenkins. “From day to day, it distanced from the principles that built consumers trust, exposing themselves as an example of consumers’ exploitation, leading consumers to convince that they valued all people, only after returning when the opposition appeared.”

“Meanwhile, Costco not only stood definitely, but also charged its teams and consumers to a completely new level. I go 30 minutes from home only for shopping at Costco,” she explained. “Costco blooms because consumers recognize authenticity and reward companies that honor their obligations.”

Asked in the event that they would return to their destination or if the company modified their position, some customers say it is simply too late to apologize.

“Although I thought I would miss the climate, I don’t do!” Tara Paige explained. “There is nothing to go through the target and enter Costco for absolutely nothing more than the blue climate !!!!”

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For Chi Walker, the feeling of detachment is the same.

“I do not miss what is strange, because it was suddenly for me to decide that I would not do shopping here,” said Thegrio. “I do not know if they might force me, because then it could still be performance in my head

Walker believes that each company or brand that doesn’t recognize the value of diversity, equity and inclusion, there may be a scarcity of value for patrons like her.

ANDIt’s something that is simply comfortable or comforting by nature when you see yourself represented in these spaces. It’s like I was part of the club. You respect me, respect my dollar, respect my business. “

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Reverend Jamal Bryant calls for a 40-day

(Tagstranslate) Boykot (T) Costco

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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