

Google is all about getting the facts straight! In a new open fund, the company plans to put an end to vaccine misinformation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “The global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is exacerbating a perennial problem of misinformation about immunization,” shared Google in a blog post. “To support additional debunking efforts, the Google News Initiative is launching a COVID-19 Vaccine Counter-Misinformation Open Fund worth up to $3 million.” Sadly, we do live in a world where thanks to social media, false information can spread quickly. Google aims to prevent a continued COVID-19 infodemic which they share has been global in nature and used to target specific populations. Their Open Fund is currently accepting applications from projects that are on a mission to widen the audience of fact checks, specifically for those who are more prone and may be disproportionately affected by the misinformation at hand. Open to new organizations of every size, Google’s new fund is...

The California Black Health Network (CBHN) continues its efforts to change healthcare for the Black community in California. According to PR Newswire, the company has announced the appointment of Rhonda M. Smith as its new Executive Director, effective Jan. 4, 2021. The announcement follows just as she comes off the heels of serving as CBHN’s Interim Executive Director since July 2020. “I am honored to be chosen to lead CBHN, an organization that has such a legacy in the Black Community,” said Smith in a statement. “There is so much potential for CBHN in the years ahead for us to make an impact in improving the health and health outcomes for Black Californians. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we take action to improve health outcomes for Black Californians, inspire hope for a new and better future, and ensure a racially just humanity. We also need to ensure that there are more effective education, advocacy, and policy initiatives that mitigate those factors that...

Make no mistake, the pandemic has forced a major shift in all day-to-day processes—one being the school system. After months of debate whether sending kids back to school is safe, in many states, kids have continued distance learning . This new practice—carried over from many students’ previous school year—has introduced a heap of new ridiculous expectations for kids and their parents. A Bankrate survey of about 600 parents with children enrolled in pre-kindergarten through high school courses says 61 percent of parents believe they’ll spend more money on remote learning this fall. Among the mandatory costs are school uniforms, meals, and new technology. In short, the negative impact distance learning has on families financially is glaring. I told y'all it's all about compliance because WUTTICEDIS?! pic.twitter.com/GygaHcKY1g — Angela 👩🏾💻👩🏾🏫 (@wokeSTEMteacher) September 6, 2020 This fall, some Southern California school districts still require private school kids to wear uniforms in the...

The $600 unemployment bonus initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic has been contentious. While some argue it discouraged workers from returning to their jobs, others say the $600 was necessary and that those who are now without it are feeling a severe financial pinch. How much help did the bonus really provide, and what should those who were counting on the funds do now? Remember, the news is constantly evolving as states are independently assessing the value of additional bonuses. If you are dependent on these funds, it would be wise to stay up to date on developments in states’ policies, as some jurisdictions are providing an extra $300 to $400 of weekly unemployment benefits. Here’s everything you need to know about the success of the program and how to find more money for daily expenses if you’re out of work. What was the goal of the bonus? To help with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES...

We’ve all felt the impact of COVID-19 on our personal lives, both financially and emotionally. But for small business owners, the pandemic packs an extra punch. According to a survey performed by the National Federation of Independent Business , about half of small business owners said they’d be unable to continue operations for more than two months without help. Impacted entrepreneurs are experiencing slower sales, supply chain disruptions and, of course, concerns about employees contracting the illness — and that’s all on top of figuring out how to keep their doors open. Fortunately, there are steps small business owners can take to help their companies come out of this quarantine on the right side of the proverbial dirt. Just as you use masks and hand sanitizer to help you survive the pandemic personally, here are some tools to help your business make it out alive, too. 1. Apply for emergency funding The coronavirus has led to unprecedented economic pressures — which is part of...