Forbes’ Under 30 Summit

Join the world’s top young leaders, founders, and creators for a life-changing four days of connecting, learning, teaching, and building. The 2023 Forbes Under 30 Summit is more of an immersive experience than a static conference: a private concert, A-list speakers, exclusive networking opportunities, industry-focused excursions, local culinary experiences, a legendary bar crawl, a powerful day of community service, and more.

This October, the brightest entrepreneurs and game-changers in their industries are gathering in the city that produced the world’s first billionaire: Cleveland. Will you be there?

*You must be 21+ years old to attend the in-person portion of this event.
https://www.forbes.com/connect/event/2023under30summit/

Black Owned Media is Here To Stay, says Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI)

By Devon Jones and Ron Calhoun

The mind-expanding Black-Owned Media Weekend hosted by the Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute and sponsored by HP Inc. and Build in Tulsa, took place in Tulsa, OK June 16 – June 19.

Black-Owned Media has been essential to combating discrimination and ensuring equity and equality in Black communities in the United States for many years. These platforms have served Black Americans since the early 1800s with the first black publication Freedom’s Journal. Freedom’s Journal was the first African American owned and operated newspaper in the United States. A weekly four-column publication printed every Friday, Freedom’s Journal was founded by free-born African Americans John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish on March 16, 1827, in New York City, New York.

Black Media has also endured racism and discrimination in the media industry, including obstacles around advertising, arbitrary platform requirements, and limited engagement by large corporations. Black-owned media platforms have been restricted and cut off from key resources, unlike their white counterparts. These platforms are vital to connecting Black Americans to important information and resources.

One of the answers to ensure the success and long-term sustainability of these platforms is the Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI).

BOMESI, Founded by Devon Christopher Johnson and Rohnesha Byng.

Founded by Rohnesha Byng and Devon Christopher Johnson in 2020, BOMESI’s mission is “to unite and advance Black-owned media businesses, educate the public on the importance of these platforms, and provide resources to support and sustain. Black-owned media outlets have been a beacon for Black communities for over 190 years.” By creating a platform to unite Black-Owned Media platforms across the country, BOMESI has provided platforms, both big and small, access to much-needed resources to generate revenue and achieve sustainability as organizations.

Why is this important? Black Owned media platforms have served as arbiters of truth during times of misinformation and distortion. With heightened concerns over the country’s direction, these platforms have been key voices of and for the communities they serve. As a member of this collective, The Cleveland Observer is here to service the community and provide much-needed resources and information. It’s clear that democracy is under attack and platforms like ours are key to holding leaders accountable.

Pictured is the backdrop to the Black Owned Media Weekend hosted by the Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute, BOMESI. The home of the first Black Wall Street, formally known as Greenwood, is a vital part of American history. On May 31 -July 1, the Tulsa Race massacre occurred in the neighborhood and community of Greenwood located in North Tulsa. Some estimate that 1,400 white men attacked residents, businesses, and buildings seeking to kill every black person and burn every building in sight.

With BOMESI’s theme being Owning Our Story, this historic four-day celebration kicked off with a welcome reception at the Hotel Indigo and conference sessions at the Agora Event Center. Attendees gained valuable insight and strategies from an impressive line-up of presenters to double their bottom line, optimize their sales strategy, develop their audience and SEO, and update their technology stack.

Speakers included:

Keith Clinkscales, media entrepreneur, founder of The Shadow League, former CEO of REVOLT
Lindsey Day, cofounder, EIC CRWN Magazine
Grouchy Greg, Co-founder of AllHipHop
Felicia Palmer, cofounder of SOHH
Nehemiah D. Frank, founder & editor-in-chief of The Black Wall Street Times
Marques E. Zak, Head of Multicultural Marketing, American Express
Karolina Anna Tuszewicka, Head of Digital Media Activation, HP Inc.

Day 1:

Panel Session #1
Connecting Legacy + Next Gen Black-Owned Media
Moderator: Charreah K. Jackson, media consultant

Panel:

Alfred A. Edmond Jr. SVP/Executive Editor-at-Large BLACK ENTERPRISE; Nehemiah D. Frank, founder & CEO of The Black Wall Street Times; Lindsey Farrar, Publisher, CRWNMAG

Panel Session #2
Allies Like Us Panel
Moderator: Brittany Willis ‘Protégé to Pro’ podcast

Panel:

Marques E. Zak, Head of Multicultural Marketing, American Express Richard Fowler, Contributor Fox News. Contributing Writer Forbes, Richard Media Company Co-Founder Darian Symoné Harvin, Beauty Editor at Large, LATimes Imag

Panel Session #3
Fireside Chat

Felicia Palmer, SOHH.COM Grouchy Greg, Founder, AllHipHop.com

Resource Presentation: Taboola

FOR PEOPLE
It can be news, topical information or advice, a new product or service, or something entertaining. The content we expose through the Taboola discovery platform is what’s interesting and new.

FOR ADVERTISERS
Taboola helps promote your brand at the moments your audience is most receptive to new messages, products, and services.

FOR DIGITAL PROPERTIES
For publishers, mobile carriers, and other digital properties, Taboola is a powerful engine that provides what’s relevant, interesting, and new to your audience. The result: new engagement and monetization opportunities.

Black Wall Street Tour

Enjoyed Juneteenth Festival

Day 2:

Resource Presentation: HP + KARGO

Hewlett Packard (HP) – Commitment to diversity

Kargo – Kargo’s top commitment is helping publishers bring more attention to their intellectual assets. We create ad experiences that serve your audience and respect your brand. Using a brand’s assets, Kargo’s award-winning design team turns them into beautiful mobile-first creative ads that drive lift in awareness, engagement, visitation, store visits, and Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), a must-have metric for digital marketers everywhere. The proof is in the performance.

Workshops

Audience Development and SEO
Updating Your Tech Stack: Essentials For Growth + Sustainability
Doubling Your Bottom-line: optimizing your sales strategy

Dresser Mansion

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Dresser Mansion is one of only ten houses in Tulsa with such a historic designation. Dinner, cocktails, and networking were enjoyed as we closed the conference reception in style.

Awesome Experience – First class!

March For Our Lives More Urgent Than Ever

By Meghan K. Donovan

In 2021, there were 44,851 gun violence deaths in America. The shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo are just the most recent manifestations of the epidemic of violence in this country. Activists are more motivated than ever in demanding an end to the horror. Trevon Bosley, a March for Our Lives organizer from Chicago, said, “It’s important to show that lives are still being taken due to gun violence.”

March for Our Lives started in 2018 as a response to the February 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The first march was the largest single day of protest against gun violence in history. This year, more than 300 marches are planned across the country throughout June.

For Bosley, gun violence is a personal issue. In December 2005, he lost a cousin to gun violence and less than a year later his brother was shot and killed. While still in elementary school, Bosley joined Brave Youth Leaders in Chicago. In 2018, some members flew to Parkland and spoke to the survivors of the shooting. Bosley is now a board member for March for Our Lives.

Brave Youth Leaders has also been affected by gun violence. Two members have been shot since last year. Bosley stays motivated to continue by thinking about his cousin and brother. “Changing lives is something I have to do,” he said. When he feels discouraged, he talks to his mentor, Father Michael Flander, an activist in Chicago for more than 60 years. He also disconnects from social media when necessary.

To get involved with a local March for Our Lives, text MARCH to 954954. Bosley emphasized that there are many ways to get involved. “You don’t have to be in front of a crowd to do good in your community, he said.”

How To Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages

Federal Trade Commission

If you have a cell phone, you probably use it dozens of times a day to text people you know. But have you ever gotten a text message from an unknown sender? It could be a scammer trying to steal your personal information.

Find out what you can do about unwanted text messages and how to report them.

Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information – things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or, they could sell your information to other scammers.

The scammers use a variety of ever-changing stories to try to rope you in. They may promise free prizes, gift cards or coupons, offer you a low or no interest credit card, or promise to help you pay off your student loans.

Scammers also send fake messages that say they have some information about your account or a transaction. The scammers may say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity on your account, claim there’s a problem with your payment information, send you a fake invoice and tell you to contact them if you didn’t authorize the purchase, or
send you a fake package delivery notification.

The messages might ask you to give some personal information — like how much money you make, how much you owe, or your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number — to claim your gift or pursue the offer. Or they may tell you to click on a link to learn more about the issue. Some links may take you to a spoofed website that looks real but isn’t. If you log in, the scammers can then steal your username and password. Other messages may install harmful malware on your phone that steals your personal information without you realizing it.

What To Do About Spam Text Messages

If you get a text message that you weren’t expecting and it asks you to give some personal information, don’t click on any links. Legitimate companies won’t ask for information about your account by text. If you think the message might be real, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real, not the information in the text message. There are many ways you can filter unwanted text messages or stop them before they reach you.

On your phone

Your phone may have an option to filter and block messages from unknown senders or spam. Here’s how to filter and block messages on an iPhone and how to block a phone number on an Android phone.

Through your wireless provider

Your wireless provider may have a tool or service that lets you block calls and text messages. Check ctia.org, a website for the wireless industry, to learn about the options from different providers.

With a call-blocking App

Some call-blocking apps also let you block unwanted text messages. Go to ctia.org for a list of call-blocking apps for Android, BlackBerry, Apple, and Windows phones.

You can also search for apps online. Check out the features, user ratings, and expert reviews.

How To Report Spam Text Messages

If you get an unwanted text message, there are three ways to report it:

Report it on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam.
Copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM)
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The National Do Not Call Registry https://www.donotcall.gov/

National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry was created to stop unwanted sales calls. It’s free to register your home or cell phone number. If you’ve already added your phone number to the Do Not Call Registry and are still getting a lot of unwanted calls, odds are the calls are from scammers. Read about blocking unwanted calls to find out what to do about them. If you answer one of these calls, hang up and report the call to the FTC.

How do I add my number to the Registry?

Go to DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register. It’s free.

If you register your number at DoNotCall.gov, you’ll get an email with a link you need to click on within 72 hours to complete your registration.

How long will it take for sales calls to stop?

Your phone number should show up on the Registry the next day, but it can take up to 31 days for sales calls to stop. You can check whether your number is on the Registry at DoNotCall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to verify.

Will my registration expire?

No, your registration will never expire. The FTC will only remove your number from the Registry if it’s disconnected and reassigned, or if you ask to remove it.

Can I add my cell phone number to the Do Not Call Registry?

Yes.

What about robocalls?

If a robocall — a call that plays a recorded message — is selling something, it’s illegal unless the company trying to sell you something got written permission, directly from you, to call you that way.

So if you haven’t given the company permission, and the robocall isn’t purely informational — like your cable company confirming a service appointment — there’s a good chance it’s a scam. At the very least, it’s from a company you don’t want to do business with.

If you get an illegal robocall, hang up. Don’t press buttons to be taken off a call list or to talk to a live person. It might lead to more unwanted calls. Instead, report it to the FTC.

Learn more about robocalls at https://ftc.gov/robocalls

What’s the penalty for companies that illegally call numbers on the Registry?

Companies that illegally call numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry or place an illegal robocall can currently be fined up to $43,792 per call.

The number from my caller ID was faked. Why should I report it?

Technology has made it easy for scammers to fake or “spoof” caller ID information, so the number you’re reporting might not be the caller’s real number. But sometimes, the FTC and other law enforcement agencies can still trace the call based on the information you give. Your report also helps because the FTC analyzes report data and trends to identify illegal callers based on calling patterns. It also uses additional information you report, like any number you’re told to call back, to track down scammers. Learn more about common phone scams.

To get fewer unwanted calls, look into call-blocking and call-labeling solutions.