Lifestyle
Johns Hopkins begins work on a building in honor of Henrietta Lacks
In her short life, Henrietta Lacks inadvertently modified the face of medicine. Now the girl whose donated cells proceed to tell and advance medical research can even change the face of Johns Hopkins, because the institution begins work on a building named after her. On Monday, several of Lacks’ descendants joined representatives from Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine at a groundbreaking ceremony on the corner of Ashland and Rutland Avenues in Baltimore.
“Today we make a concrete commitment to ensure that Henrietta Lacks’ name is as immortal as her cells,” said Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University, based on the report from the institution. “When the Henrietta Lacks Building is built, it will be a vibrant, multidisciplinary place of learning, discovery and dialogue that will facilitate community-oriented medical research and support the next wave of progress in research and the promotion of research ethics. We look forward to a building that does justice to the transformative legacy of Henrietta Lacks, and we sincerely thank the members of the Lacks family for their generosity in lending this building her name.”
As documented in the best-selling book “The immortal life of Henrietta Lacks“Lacks’ history with Johns Hopkins is controversial. After starting treatment at this institution, a 31-year-old mother of five children was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Despite treatment, she died in October 1951. However, a sample of cells taken during Lacks’ biopsy proved resistant, and never only survived but additionally multiplied, a previously unseen phenomenon. Intrigued by the rarity of Lacks’ genetic material, biologist and cancer researcher George Gey, who was collecting and studying cells from cancer patients in the hospital on the time, made the samples freely available to other global researchers.
Lacks’ cells, because the cells named “HeLa” (representing the primary two letters of her name) would prove to be the idea for future medical research and innovation. In the years because the tissue was collected, its cells have been used in research on the human genome, in the treatment of cancer and HIV/AIDS, and even in currently available vaccines against polio and Covid-19, Johns Hopkins reports. Yet for all their value in the medical world, for a long time Lacks received no recognition or any compensation for her surviving family; that’s, until researcher and writer Rebecca Skloot uncovered Lacks’ story and investigated, with John Hopkins’ input, the bioethical issues surrounding the unauthorized harvesting of her precious cells.
“At several points over these decades, we discovered that Johns Hopkins could have – and should have – done more to inform and engage with the family members of Henrietta Lacks out of respect for them, their privacy and their personal interests,” he added. the institution finally relentedcommitting to cement Lacks’ legacy along with her family. In 2013, Johns Hopkins partnered with the Lacks family and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create contract based on consent for the use of Lack’s genetic material in NIH-funded research. Two members of the Lacks family currently serve on the committee, one of whom is Henrietta Lacks’ granddaughter, Jeri Lacks Whye, who attended Monday’s groundbreaking.
“While this building will bear her name, it will also provide a space for further research, learning and inspiration for future generations,” Lacks Whye said in a statement. “We appreciate more than the scientific contributions her cells have made possible. We also acknowledge the story of a Black woman who didn’t live to see the world her cells helped create – a story that has been hidden for too long. We hope this building will continue to shine a light on her legacy.”
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At Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony, Theodore DeWeese, dean of the college of medicine and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to just do that, stating: “Today just isn’t about these immortal cells, necessary as they’re. Today it’s about immortalizing the name of the girl from whom these cells come. The idea is that her name and unconscious role will all the time be remembered by all students, all residents, all other interns, management and staff entering the building that shall be built on this plot.
“(Henrietta Lacks) is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in science and medicine, and we truly hope that this building will be an important reflection on the importance of her life to this world,” DeWeese added.
Designed by Black architect Victor Vines The future building bearing Lacks’ name, situated on the Johns Hopkins campus in East Baltimore, shall be a 34,000-square-foot facility adjoining to the university’s Deering Hall, the longtime home of the Berman Institute of Bioethics. According to Johns Hopkins, the brand new building “will support multiple programs of the Berman Institute, Johns Hopkins University and the School of Medicine, and will house flexible programs and teaching space for educational, research and community use.”
“With the new building, the scope and depth of our work will expand,” said Jeffrey Kahn, director of the Berman Institute, adding, “and the dedication to Henrietta Lacks serves as an important reminder of the need for ethics, equity, responsible science, and community-engaged research.”
As for the inspiration behind the design, architect Vines described the concept as “veil-like (and) delicate, (yet) strong, bold and beautiful, which we thought this person was.” The building’s evocative features include “a grand staircase leading up through the building towards the sky, where I believe Henrietta Lacks is today,” added Vines, who collaborated with each Johns Hopkins and the Lacks family on the design concept.
For JaBrea Rodgers, Lacks’ great-granddaughter, this architectural tribute continues to disclose the complete significance of Lacks’ long-overlooked legacy. “Today we recognize not only her cells, but her humanity,” she said of the laying of the cornerstone. “My great-grandmother was a mother, wife and friend. While we cannot change the injustices of the past, we can make its legacy known and celebrated. As we look to the future of this building, may it be a symbol not only of scientific progress, but also of the continuing journey towards recognizing the humanity behind every discovery.”
Construction on the Henrietta Lacks Building at Johns Hopkins is anticipated to be accomplished in 2026.
Lifestyle
BlaQue Community Cares is organizing a cash crowd for serious food
QNS reports that Queens, New York-based nonprofit BlaQue Community Cares is making an effort to assist raise awareness of Earnest Foods, an organic food market with the Cash Mob initiative.
The BlaQue Cash Mob program is a community-led event that goals to support local businesses, reminiscent of grocery stores in Jamaica, by encouraging shoppers to go to the shop and spend a certain quantity of cash, roughly $20. BlaQue founder Aleeia Abraham says cash drives are happening across New York City to extend support for local businesses. “I think it’s important to really encourage local shopping habits and strengthen the connections between residents and businesses and Black businesses, especially in Queens,” she said after hosting six events since 2021.
“We’ve been doing this for a while and we’ve found that it really helps the community discover new businesses that they may not have known existed.”
As a result, crowds increase sales and strengthen social bonds for independent businesses.
Earnest Foods opened in 2021 after recognizing the necessity for fresh produce in the world. As residents struggled to seek out fresh food, Abraham defines the shop as “an invaluable part of the southeast Queens community.” “There’s really nowhere to go in Queens, especially Black-owned businesses in Queens, to find something healthier to eat. We need to keep these businesses open,” she said.
“So someone just needs to make everyone aware that these companies exist and how to keep the dollars in our community. Organizing this cash crowd not only encourages people to buy, but also shows where our collective dollars stand, how it helps sustain businesses and directly serves and uplifts our community.”
The event will happen on November 24 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 123-01 Merrick Blvd in St. Albans. According to the shop’s co-owner, Earnest Flowers, he has partnered with several other Black-owned brands in the world to sell his products at the shop. Flowers is comfortable that his neighbors can come to his supermarket to purchase organic food and goods from local vendors like Celeste Sassine, owner of Sassy Sweet Vegan Treats.
At the grand opening three years ago which was visited by over 350 viewersSassine stated that the collaboration was “super, super, super exciting” to the purpose that the majority of the products were off the shelves inside hours.
Lifestyle
Keke Palmer Recalls the Key Advice Will Smith Gave Her as a Child: “It’s Hard to Be First”
Like many young people, actress Keke Palmer went through a phase wherein she clashed along with her parents. Recently in a performance at “Toast” podcast.Palmer revealed that fellow actor Will Smith helped her take care of the situation along with her family.
As a child star who has appeared on Nickelodeon and Disney productions, the “Akeelah and the Bee” actress explained how juggling fame has affected her and her family relationships — a lot in order that she admits she once considered emancipating herself from her parents.
Although her lawyer tried to get her into counseling, Palmer said it was Smith’s words that ultimately modified her mind.
“A couple of weeks go by, I’m on the set of ‘True Jackson, Vice President’ and I get a call from a very, very unknown number. And I said, “What? If it was strange, I would not answer,” she said, mentioning that she simply went back to work. Later, while retrieving her phone, Palmer received a voicemail from the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star.
“Hey Keke. This is Will. We’re here filming ‘The Karate Kid’ with (my son) Jaden and I just want to let you understand that I’ve talked (to your lawyer),’ Palmer continued, impersonating Smith. “He let me know every little thing you are going through and I need you to know that sometimes it’s hard to be the first, but you may do it. Just stay focused, love your loved ones and every little thing shall be high-quality.
Palmer remembers struggling as a child with the attention and fame that got here with climbing the ladder in the entertainment industry. While trying to adjust to the demands of her burgeoning profession, the actress recalls feeling that fame meant she would have to “throw (her) family away.”
“It’s something that happens when you leave and you can become a child artist, you can be the first person in your family to go to college, or you can be the first person in your family to get married,” Palmer said: explaining her feelings at that moment. “There are so many firsts that can happen as the generations of your family grow and evolve.”
Ultimately deciding not to undergo the emancipation process, Palmer emphasized the importance of getting a healthy community when navigating the entertainment industry.
“I think I’ve always felt like a lot of people, whether they’re big names or whether they’re my lawyers, have been a good community,” she added. “Also, my parents made sure I was around (people) who would encourage community rather than discord and separation.”
Lifestyle
Issa Rae will be honored at the British Fashion Awards 2024
Issa Rae gets flowers – in style.
The 39-year-old author, actress and producer will receive the Pandora Leader of Change award at the upcoming British Fashion Awards 2024, which will happen on December 2 at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the British Fashion Council announced.
Actress and former “Insecure” co-star Yvonne Orji will present the award to Rae at the event, which serves as a significant fundraiser for the council’s foundation, in keeping with Women’s on a regular basis clothing.
“We are thrilled to honor Issa Rae with the Pandora Leader of Change Award at the Fashion Awards 2024,” Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, shared in an announcement.
“Rae’s work has inspired and resonated with people around the world. “She is a staunch supporter of the civil and women’s rights movements, always advocating for equality and social justice in her acting and writing,” Rush continued. “She consistently uses her platform to highlight the lack of diversity in Hollywood and advocate for greater representation in the industry, including meeting people of color behind the scenes.”
She added: “She is wholeheartedly committed to moving the conversation forward and galvanizing voices that are typically absent and underrepresented to open doors for others. She truly embodies the principles of this award and we are very excited to celebrate her in December.”
According to the British Fashion Council website, the Pandora Leader of Change award recognizes individuals who “lead innovation” to extend representation in arts and culture. Rae will be the second-ever recipient of this award. According to official details about the award, one other actress and author Michaela Coel was honored in 2023 Elle Magazine.
“Issa Rae truly embodies the spirit of the Pandora Leader of Change award,” Berta de Pablos-Barbier, Pandora chief marketing officer, said in the release. “In this second year of presenting this award, we are (honored) to celebrate a woman whose love for her craft and community shines through in each multi-dimensional character she brings to life.”
Pablo-Barbier added: “Her passion and purpose make her a natural candidate for this award, which fits perfectly with our values at Pandora, where love is always at the center. Issa’s commitment to meaningful change and uplifting others makes her an extraordinary change leader, and we are proud to honor her.”
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