Monthly Archives: May 2021

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Record number of people voted to nominate a small business in their community for outstanding service or products

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The husband-and-wife team that owns and operates Sea to Sky Sourdough BReD in Whistlers Creekside scrambled when COVID-19 hit to pivot from a potential customer base of three million tourists to the about 12,000 residents who make the area their permanent home.

Our whole business model relied on the visitors we get each year, said Ed Tatton, who like his wife grew up in England. So it was devastating when they closed the mountain.

Natasha and I had sold our house in the U.K. Everything is on the line for us. If the business fails, then it would essentially take us years to recover.

The vegan and organic BReD was a week away from celebrating its first anniversary when Whistler/Blackcomb shut down for the first time in March of 2020.

I think when youve got that driving force behind you weve borrowed a lot of money and weve invested a lot of money ourselves we just have to make it work, Tatton said.

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The Tattons bakery was one of six Small Business B.C. award winners in the under-35 category for youth entrepreneur.

Like other small-business people, they had to move fast to upgrade their website, to adapt, to creatively come up with new ways of getting bread to customers, and to attract new customers. And, like a lot of small-business owners, the Tattons said they were incredibly grateful for the federal and provincial grants available during COVID-19.

A record number of people voted to nominate a small business in their community for outstanding service or products, a sign of support for local entrepreneurs who endured many challenges this past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Small Business B.C. said.

I think its clear from the overwhelming number of nominations and the more than 50,000 public votes that the spirit of support for small business runs strong in our province, Tom Conway, CEO of Small Business B.C., said.

This has been the most difficult year for small business owners and now their communities are standing behind them, recognizing what theyve been through and celebrating their success. We saw an overwhelming show of support from friends, families and communities coming forward to honour the small businesses they love.

Joining the Tattons were:

Jada Creations, Terrace, solopreneur category: Owned and operated by founder Jaimie Davis, a Gitxsan & Nisgaa artist, who sells Indigenous wearable art.

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Matidor, Vancouver, innovation: Co-founders Vincent Lams and Sean Huangs company simplifies the complex world of software services. The ultimate location visualization and data collaboration tool for businesses, with the only software solution of its kind that has built-in GIS functionality, according to the judges.

Sisters Sage, Vancouver, community impact: Lynn-Marie and Melissa-Rae Angus, the sisters behind Indigenous handcrafted wellness and self-care products inspired by their culture and traditions, give out so much inspiration to others who need some personal empowerment.

Bigfoot Donuts, Courtenay, premiers peoples choice: Lyndsey Bell and Jay Valeri are on a mission to reinvent the humble doughnut.

Charcuterie Vancouver, immigrant entrepreneur: Sadaf Rahimi arrived in Vancouver from Afghanistan, via a short stay in Russia, and established her business in 2019, elevating special events and occasions with custom-made charcuterie boards, tables and boxes.

At first it was super difficult, Rahimi said of running a new business that catered gatherings. We totally shut down in March and April (or 2020).

By May, she was coming up with new ideas, including buying a 3D printer and targeting special occasions, such as birthdays and Mothers Day, instead of preparing tables for 50 to 200 people at weddings and Christmas parties.

I had to pivot. Instead of doing boards and tables like we were doing beforehand, we ended up doing individual boxes. All of a sudden it just boomed.

gordmcintyre@postmedia.com

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B.C. small businesses find ways to win despite the pandemic - Vancouver Sun

In astrology, the new moon signals a fresh start and the beginning of a new lunar cycle. There are a total of 12 new moons in 2021, and each affects us in its own unique way. The new moon in Taurus of 2021 occurs on May 11th at 2:59 p.m., EST, and it is activating the need to change and start fresh in a situation that brings value. So, ask yourself: Where have you felt discomfort or inner-tension surrounding certain facets of your life? This new moon is packed with manifestation power, initiating the path towards a more aligned future.

The new moon in Taurus of 2021 invokes the energy of the materially focused Earth sign, ruled by the planetary goddess of abundance, Venus. It is in this dark divine feminine energy that creation and birth can occur, reminding us to re-engage back with our physical body, emotions, and senses in order to discover what is right for ourselves. In short, this new lunar cycle is about empowerment and radical self care.

This new lunar cycle is about empowerment and radical self care.

Taurus energy is all about self care that preserves your energy for what you truly value, setting boundaries, and not neglecting your well-being for the comfort of others. Putting yourself first is the ultimate form of self care, and the new moon in Taurus of 2021 urges you to break out of any devaluing and limiting situations with its connection to rebellious Uranus in Taurus.

Uranus has been shaking up what we value since 2019, and is also another energy involved in this lunar planetary alignment that promotes sudden change. Another powerful layer is the new moons connections with Black Moon Lilith in Taurus, Saturn in Aquarius, and Pluto retrograde in Capricorn. Together, they are bringing up where we may have given away our power or have not stood up for our worth in the past. Its now time to release this and choose the reality you truly deserve and dream of.

New decisions and change can feel challenging, but this specific time is for your highest good. Below, learn what the new moon in Taurus of 2021 holds for your sign, and how to practice restorative self-care accordingly. For a more expanded view, read your sun, moon, and rising sign.

Money and self-worth are closely linked for you, and the new moon in Taurus of 2021 is affecting this area of your life. Finally receiving a bonus, boost in pay, or influx of compensation for the work that you do can develop. This also can be a time of change in work for the better. Feeling underpaid, under-appreciated, or overworked can push you towards making the right career shifts for yourself. First its important to release fears surrounding money, and to embrace the belief that you are worth every penny. The universe will correspond accordingly.

Your new moon self-care tip: Set your financial intentions at this time with the power of scripting. The energetics of money is that it is a physical manifestation of our self-worth. Writing down empowering statements in first person can give you an energetic boost to receive, especially if you are negotiating during this time. In green pen, create 10 first-person statements on why you believe you are worthy of abundance. For example: My work is priceless. I bring in my dream work without even lifting a finger. The universe always compensates me for my wisdom.

You have gone through many personal and professional shifts, and now the new moon in your sign is giving you the power of choice. Why settle for old situations that arent aligned with who you are becoming? You are feeling pushed to make a life-path change and to also shift surroundings in your life that dont feel right for you. As the sign ruling over self care, its time to prioritize yourself first and make all decisions from this value-driven space.

Your new moon self-care tip: This new moon energy is in your sign, so taking time to reconnect with your element, Earth, can be incredibly healing for you. Getting out into nature, going on a hike or heading to the beach can all be powerful forms of self care. If you can, meditate outside and mentally set your intentions for this new cycle. Who do you want to be?

This is a powerful time for you in finding your authentic voice. The new moon in Taurus of 2021 is activating the hidden area of your chart, which can allow you to access what you may have blocked yourself from before. This potent Taurus energy is highlighting where you may have not previously embraced and pushed for your value, especially in work. You can feel the cosmic encouragement to shift in a direction that feeds your spirit versus just your wallet.

Your new moon self-care tip: Taurus rules over the heart, and navigating this period through a heart-centered space is key. Moving your physical body through stretching and yoga can give you this moment. Take note of emotional tension, and journal how you feel after.

Your hopes, dreams, and future vision can be brought down into reality under the energy of the new moon in Taurus. A new opportunity through your network, or a significant connection, could help open the road ahead for you. Being open to the possibilities is key, as is monitoring what truly resonates with you. Its important first to release limitations you may feel around whether you are worthy of this new reality. Make the right choice, Cancer.

Your new moon self-care tip: The moon is your planetary ruler, and it can affect you more heavily than it affects other signs. This would be an optimal time to set fresh intentions to help guide your decisions. Create a vision board where you collage your dreams and what you would like to manifest, and hang it in a high-traffic area. Its best to be clear with the universe in order to receive!

New career beginnings and a focus on a more fulfilling work partnership are the focus for you during the new moon in Taurus of 2021. You may be leaving behind a past situation that is no longer in alignment and ultimately was not positive for your career growth. This is a time when you can choose yourself, your passions, and whats of value to you. While this life change is the result of tension, it will be for the best.

Your new moon self-care tip: Change can feel jarring, especially if you have not been expecting it. Grounding yourself through a solitary practice like meditation can help you reconnect with your thoughts and sooth emotional discomfort. If you can, put on a guided meditation surrounding abundance to help empower you.

During the new moon in Taurus of 2021, you may feel influenced to increase your knowledge by taking a course, teaching your own ideas, or working with others based internationally to gain much needed perspective. Learn, grow, have faith in your abilities, and walk through this portal with an open heart.

Your new moon self-care tip: After a period of hard work, you deserve time in a soothing bath. Practice self-care under the light of the new moon with a warm bath including your favorite essential oils and salts. After, take time to plan your big speech, presentation, or launch.

This new moon is bringing movement for you regarding investments like a new home, a marriage partner who may receive an increase of income, or you could receive the financial loan youve been waiting on. After much of a holding pattern, things can move forward in a positive direction and finally manifest into what youve been waiting for. Ensure that you negotiate, stick to what is of value to you, and remain firm in your financial stance.

Your new moon self-care tip: A great metaphysical practice during this time by setting your intentions with a simple candle ritual. Use a simple and small green candle. Light your candle and focus with your financial intention by staring into the flame. Close the ritual by allowing it to burn all the way down.

Relationships, both love and work-related, are in the energetic spotlight for you during the new moon in Taurus of 2021, highlighting your value in relation to others. It can present a challenging crossroads where you must release what is draining you personally in order to embrace the abundance you deserve. You are worthy, Scorpio, so choose according to what feels right for you.

Your new moon self-care tip: Creating lists can keep us organized, and its an incredible way to make decisions. Using a simple sheet of paper, create a pros list and a cons list. Focus on the current situation you are dealing with and write down what fits under each. If there are more cons than pros, consider that as you make your decisions.

The universe is bringing some much needed relief and the push for you to honor your physical body when it comes to your health and well-being. You may have been burning the candle at both ends or experiencing challenges in regards to your health. Now, you can decide to make a self-care-oriented change, whether thats cutting back work hours if you are able to do so, or changing your day-to-day routine entirely.

Your new moon self-care tip: A day off could be soothing for you. If you can, get out in nature and away from urban centers to find rest. Taking a break from the grind can also bring mental clarity on what moves you should make next at this time.

Its time to embrace the new and express yourself in the most authentic way possible. The new moon in Taurus of 2021 can bring about a new work launch or creative project that feels right for you. This is similar to giving birth because its something youve had in the gestation period for some time. Fertility or matters related to children can also be a theme for some. Remember to release attachment to outcome, and be in the present moment as much as you can.

Your new moon self-care tip: Tap into your inner child for inspiration and comfort. Activities like watercolors, drawing, and playing a game can loosen up tension at this time. If you have children, involve them in this as well! Doing so can bring back the fun and joy into your life, thus positively boosting your creative confidence.

Matters surrounding your home or new realizations regarding your family life are all in store for you with this new moon in Taurus of 2021. You may not believe the current home you are in is a fit for you at this time and choose to move in a more stable direction. Past ancestral patterns surrounding not valuing your emotional needs can surface, but the universe is encouraging you to take back your power through this new direction.

Your new moon self-care tip: Your emotions can feel up and down at this time. Through healing discomfort, you can align with whats meant for your highest good. Working with an energy healer or reiki practitioner can feel especially powerful for you. Take time to do this to navigate the changes youre experiencing.

This new moon in Pisces of 2021 is encouraging you to be more outspoken in regards to your needs. This could be in the form of negotiating your worth or articulating your value to others. This is a big step for you in regards to your communication, and its also is a moment of personal growth through your voice. Speak authenticallythe new moon energy is on your side.

Your new moon self-care tip: Find a private spot to meditate in for 20 minutes. When it feels right to you, yell, scream, or sing. This practice allows you to soothe tension and limitations, especially right before you publicly speak

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The New Moon in Taurus Prioritizes Radical Self CareHeres How Your Sign Can Make the Most of It - Well+Good

YWCA of Alton is issuing its final call for 2021 Women of Distinction (WOD) nominations.

WOD Nominations are due Monday, May 17 at 5 pm or postmarked by May 17. Nomination packages are available at YWCA or on the YWCA website (www.altonywca.com). You may request nomination materials by calling 618-465-7774 or by emailing info@metroeastywca.org. The community, especially members from the Women of Distinction Academy, is urged to nominate women who are making a difference in their communities. Women must live, work or volunteer in Madison and Jersey County to be eligible.

Thirty one years strong, YWCA provides a unique opportunity to support and acknowledge remarkable women who honor the YWCA mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice and dignity for all persons through their personal and professional lives. Women of Distinction honorees are a diverse group striving to improve both individual lives, families, and their community through solid, consistent and self-less efforts.

After being honored at the 30th Annual Women of Distinction Celebration scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 26 at the Best Western Conference Center, honorees become part of the Women of Distinction Academy. The 2020 and the 2021 honorees will be celebrated at Best Western Premier Conference Center in Alton.

A volunteer panel of judges will select the 2021 honorees from nominations. Honorees will be selected for significant contributions in giving back to the community through time, talent, mentoring and resources, demonstrating a commitment to YWCA mission, working for positive social change that helps improve communities, including advocating for policies and practices, changing attitudes and taking action, and creating programs that positively impact families, including, but not limited to, the areas of health, safety, economic stability or development.

Established in 1918, YWCA of Alton is part of the largest and oldest womens organization in the world. YWCA tailors our programs to meet the unique needs of our communities, as aligned with three key national platforms: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girls.

YWCA of Alton is proudly sponsored by Alton Memorial BJC Healthcare, Morrissey Contracting Company, Inc., and Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery.

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YWCA announces final call for Women of Distinction nominations - The Edwardsville Intelligencer

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In Partnership with Journalist and Advocate Gretchen Carlson and Powered by Sinch technology, the New Docu-Series Reveals How Hard, Uncomfortable Conversations Are Effective Tools in the Fight for Unity

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, MAY 11, 2021 As President Biden concluded his first 100 days in office with an address to the nation his call for Americans to come together as one nation was louder than ever. To help bring people together on some of the most divisive topics today, Sinch (XSTO: SINCH) has teamed up with journalist and advocate Gretchen Carlson to showcase the worlds first chat documentary, Unread Messages. The docu-series, which is available today atunreadmessages.org,reveals how people across the U.S. are using technology to create a grassroots effort of unity in America.

America is facing unprecedented division confronting a trifecta of issues: politics, protests, and the pandemic. Although there is great division within the country, people are more connected than ever before. Mobility and social media have become effective platforms to share ideas and connect people, particularly during the pandemic, but it has also been the birthplace of much of the division sewn in the country.

During this unprecedented time of isolation, our phones have allowed us to stay connected, but because of the challenges the world is facing race, health, sexuality, politics some of our relationships have been bruised with opposing views, said Jonathan Bean, Chief Marketing Officer atSinch. Too often were only presented with how technology is dividing us and rarely do we see how it effectively unites us. Every story has two sides and is why Unread Messages is so powerful. The chat documentary reveals, through real messages, the highs and lows of finding common ground. Just like in real life, some of the stories have happy endings, while others continue to be works in progress. Unread Messages shows the important role conversations have in healing the divide.

When Sinch approached me with the opportunity to tell stories of how real Americans are using technology to bridge the divide, I was intrigued, noted award winning journalist and empowerment advocate Gretchen Carlson. Bringing people together to help tell their own stories, has been one of the cornerstones of my life, especially after telling such a personal story of my own. The project is a unique way to step inside someone elses shoes by sharing real and intimate conversations through personal messages. Unread Messages allows for greater empathy to shine through no matter what side of the conversation youre on.

Unread Messages is powered by SinchsChatlayertechnology and while each story uploads, the user is able to be part of the conversation through Natural Language Processing (NLP) before unleashing the real-life conversations. The interactive experience allows for each participant to feel more intimately connected to the story. The result is a greater sense of understanding and empathy towards each persons point of view.

To help more people use the power of conversation to reunite the country, Sinch has partnered with Living Room Conversations to build discussion guides which can help open the hardest and most uncomfortable conversations today, including: race, religion, sexuality, medicine and politics. These conversation guides provide people with the tools necessary to build trust, share personal experiences and find common ground so that we can cross the bridge toward unity.

Were proud to be part of the Unread Messages conversation, said Living Room Conversations co-founder Joan Blades. We understand the power of conversations and many of the challenges. Weve developed conversation guides which can help anyone willing to be curious and follow some basic conversationagreements. Respectful conversations increase understanding and connection and improve conversation skills in meaningful ways."

To learn more, please go tounreadmessages.orgto experience each story and to download the tools needed to have your own conversations and join the grassroots effort to reunite America.

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CONTACT:Jeff HasenDirector of Content and Communications at Sinchjeff.hasen@sinch.com

ABOUT UNREAD MESSAGES:Unread Messages is a first of its kind four-part chat docu-series, journalist and advocate Gretchen Carlson joins as a philanthropic partner and powered by SINCH technology, to uncover the hard and uncomfortable conversations American families are having every day through text messaging and show how conversations can help reunite America.

ABOUT SINCH:Sinch brings businesses and people closer with tools enabling personal engagement. Its leading cloud communications platform lets businesses reach every mobile phone on the planet, in seconds or less, through mobile messaging, voice and video. Sinch is a trusted software provider to mobile operators, and its platform powers business-critical communications for many of the worlds largest companies. Sinch has been profitable and fast-growing since its foundation in 2008. It is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has local presence in more than 40 countries. Shares are traded at NASDAQ Stockholm: XSTO:SINCH. Visit us at sinch.com.

ABOUT GRETCHEN CARLSON:Gretchen Carlson is a fierce, fearless and internationally recognized advocate for womens rights, whose bold actions against Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes helped pave the way for the global #MeToo movement. A journalist, author, TED talk alum, and champion for workplace equality, Carlson was named one of Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People in the World.Shes aPEOPLE TVspecial contributor and host of the new daily news podcastGet The News With Gretchen Carlsonon Quake Media. Carlson is the author of the New York Times bestsellerBe FierceandGetting Real,and recently co-founded the non-profitLift Our Voicesto end the silencing of harassment victims through forced arbitration and non-disclosure agreements.

ABOUT LIVING ROOM CONVERSATIONS:Living Room Conversations are designed to assist in weaving the fabric of our democracy, one six-person conversation at a time. First developed in 2010 they are an open source, replicable, and scalable platform for people to come together to form relationships, build understanding and reveal common purpose. Faith communities, libraries, clubs and individuals use these conversations to strengthen community connections.As people of good will discover they care about each other, divides in our culture decrease and we will be better able to address the issues of our time. For more information:http://livingroomconversations.org/

UNREAD MESSAGES ARTWORK_JPGs_UM_SINCH TRANS KV 9_16[1]

Unread Messages harnesses power of conversations

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Unread Messages, The World's First Chat Documentary, Harnesses The Power Of Conversations To Reunite America - StreetInsider.com

Tosin Clegg writes that Hon. Sherifat Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay, member, Lagos State House of Assembly representing Amuwo Odofin 1 Constituency who was accussed of using COVID-19 palliatives meant for constituents as part of her birthday gift pack has a history of charitable deeds which deepens in the last days of Ramadan

Hon. Sherifat Kehinde Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay who is the lawmaker representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency I and Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation has continuously and effortlessly proven to be for her people and works tirelessly to support, empower and use all the resources available to her to do her utmost best. She has an unquenchable passion for social justice, making a tangible difference in the community, resolving peoples problems and also sharing in the weight of their historical, political and socio economic burden. Alli Macaulay began her political career in 2010, with prior experience in handling leadership positions.

Amidst her good will and efforts towards governance the controversy of an alleged use of palliatives for her personal use drew negative attention her way late last year. Going further to a push for her recall which was driven with full force. She has however maintained transparency since the situation developed and in an honest effort to dispel the rumor that she used the palliative items meant for her constituents for her birthday celebration last year stating, I didnt use palliatives for my birthday. The ceremony was for my birthday and women empowerment and was a coincidence that 90 boxes of indomie off the palliatives came at the time and had to be shared anyway to the rightful owners. Im a woman of compassion. I cannot take whats meant for my people! Even before I became a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2019, I have always touched peoples lives.

Mama Amuwo as she is fondly called said, On my part, my office has reached out to over 3000 people through our empowerment programmes and this holy month of Ramadan is not any different as we will be reaching out to over 1000 women. According to her, this is the time to remain faithful to God and to forgive one another. It is also a time to ask for forgiveness especially in these last 10 days of this glorious month to worship and get close to Allah. Alli-Macaulay also prayed for the peace and unity of Lagos State and that of the country generally.

She will also be giving out free meals to her constituents in her office in Amuwo-Odofin to break their fast.

In the spirit of Ramadan, she will be giving out food items to several people in the next few days, apart from others that will be fed before the end of the holy month. For her, Ramadan period is a time for everybody to show love to neighbors, especially those that are in need, Ramadan is also a good time to pray for Nigeria and the rest of the world against insecurity, poverty and the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic. The lawmaker said that food items that were available for distribution to the people include milk, milo, sugar, spaghetti, garri, semovita, noodles, just to mention a few. She noted that the gesture was not from the assembly but that she was doing it personally. Mojisolaluwa has inspired and empowered thousands of women, children and youths and also pointing them in the direction of positive change in their immediate environment, society and towards nation building. And thats why she uses every avenue and opportunity to give effortlessly and cheerfully.

She admonished the people to develop a heart of giving and help the people around them, especially those who are in need. Alli-Macaulay said that the essence of Ramadan was for Muslims to put themselves in the position of those that were hungry so that they could know how it feels to be in need.

Stating that, Just like Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that anytime we are in the Ramadan period, we should always remember that there are some people somewhere who do not have food to eat. So whatever you have and no matter how little it is; we should try to share it with the people around us.

For Alli Macauley her act of benevolence is not about politics, religion, gender and that there should be no sentiment in doing things to worship Allah. Alli-Macaulay noted that last year, she gave out pepper grinding machines, sewing machines, hairdryer sets, popcorn machines to empower several women. Concluding she mentioned, It is not about sentiment, I am just passionate about helping people and putting smiles on their faces. Like I will always say, adding growth to humanity Is greater through political participation, good conscience, diligence and women empowerment Alli Macaulay, so it is important to give women 35 percent chance when considering people for positions of authority especially at all levels of government, according to the accord reached at the Beijing Conference in China, while making reference to the forthcoming local government elections in Lagos State, Alli Macaulay said that more women should also be encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity of the forth coming local government elections, adding that discrimination against women should be eliminated in our society.

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Lagos Lawmaker Accussed of Hoarding Palliatives Restitutes at Ramadan - THISDAY Newspapers

Show & ProveInterview: Sowmya KrishnamurthyEditors Note: This story originally appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of XXL Magazine, on stands now.

Milwaukee is known for its breweries, cheese curds and NBA basketball star Giannis Greek Freak Antetokounmpo, but hip-hop has struggled to escape its city limits to make it on the big stage. Lakeyah, a native of the Wisconsin city, wants to change that. I aspire to be the biggest artist in the world, she affirms. The 20-year-old rapper-singer has always had grand aspirations beyond her hometown. I never saw myself doing anything else besides being an artist, she conveys. That dogged determination catapulted Lakeyah to joining Quality Control Music in 2020home of superstars like Lil Baby, Migos and City Girls. Hold on. Its something different about this girl, remembers Pierre P Thomas, CEO of Quality Control Music, when he first stumbled upon her Instagram in October of 2019. She just had so much passion.

Lakeyahs journey from the Midwest to one of raps most exciting record labels didnt happen overnight. The artist, who formerly performed under the name Lakeyah Danaee, was shy and reserved while growing up. She remembers being bookish, loving to read and do poetry slams. In high school, she used her diary and iPhone Notes app as her creative outlets. She listened to artists like Nicki Minaj, Lauryn Hill and Tee Grizzley, but making music didnt enter her purview until 2016s So Gone challengebased on singer Monicas 2003 lovelorn song of the same namearrived. The internet challenge, which featured artists such as Chance The Rapper and NBA star Damian Lillard flipping the track, was the perfect way for the high schooler to flex her skills. In her clip, the fresh-faced teenager rapswhile in bracesfrom her bedroom. That was one of my first viral moments, she remembers.

Viral fame became her driver as she released content on YouTube and Vine. By the time she dropped 2018s Fucked Up Love Story which she says was inspired by R. Kellys 2005 sonic saga Trapped in the Closether flow was more confident and the views went up. Bold-faced names like Rod Wave and singer Tank took notice as did people in her immediate orbit. It really was a creative moment, Lakeyah reflects. Thats when people started knowing me around my city... People were my moms age coming up to me like, Oh my God, youre so talented.

She was also briefly in a local girl group called BTM that disbanded. In the aftermath, Lakeyah needed to take the reins of her own career. She graduated high school and moved to Atlanta in 2019 in hopes of signing to Quality Control Music. It was her singular vision to join the QC roster. I always liked studying the artists, she explains. I watched all the documentaries, the interviews and it just seemed like they always put so much into the artists that they signed. This goal was bolstered by a 2018 trip to Atlantas Trap Music Museum. I saw their little [exhibit] in there and Im like, This is who I really want to be signed to, and thats what I was working towards ever since.

Despite those affirmations, nothing manifested at first. Trying to get the attention of QCs P with a barrage of Instagram direct messages proved futile. Its thousands in my DM every day, P says. Its hard for me to actually comb through all those different artists sending their music. Lakeyah was down in Atlanta but not out. It definitely was hard, she admits. Being 18, down here by myself with my partner and just trying to figure things out.

It was her love of freestyling that aligned the stars. She jumped on JTs First Day Out in early 2020not once but twice, after someone alleged that she had copied their style and thats when Ps ears perked up. I went to my DM and I think she had been DMing me for like, months, he recalls. A back-and-forth ensued and when Lil Baby cosigned her remix to his song We Paid, that sealed the deal. In July of 2020, Lakeyah signed to Quality Control Music.

But there was no time for popping bottles. Signing a record deal during a global pandemic and lockdown meant no fanfare, touring or partying. When I signed it was straight to work, the artist maintains. I believe like, the first night that me and P actually met, he said I want to see your recording process and Ive been recording ever since that night.

Being holed up in the studio has paid off. In December of 2020, she released her Times Up mixtape, which includes the standout Big FlexHer featuring 42 Dugg. The stuntin anthem is a fitting introduction to the rap game. I feel like Im up now, fuck all that Im up next/A bitch gon really have to iron me to say that Im pressed (Yessir)/And its my last time sayin Im the G.O.A.T. around this muthafucka (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)/And in my eyes, Im the coldest round this muthafucka, she raps on the track. The video for the song has over 2 million YouTube views. Female Goat, a girl power collaboration with label mates City Girls, made a bigger splash and racked up over 4.6 million YouTube views.

She calls the first mixtape an appetizerand the main course isIn Due Time, which dropped in April. At press time, both Lakeyah and P are vague about detailshe promises a club banger with Gucci Manefor now. Theyll see that this is about the grind, she expresses. Like, Ive been working nonstop on music. P highlights her dexterity, not just as a singer and rapper, but also thematically. Shes not just stuck on one subject, he adds. Shes very open with talking about relationships, with love life, heartbreak. She can talk about club shit or some self-empowerment women shit. Shes diverse.

Candor and being open, personally, often turns into fodder and gossipespecially for female artistsand Lakeyah being a lesbian has become an unwanted focal point. She doesnt hide who she is or her partner, but she wants the music to define her narrativenot her personal life. I just think its kind of weird that people even care about artists sexualities, she asserts. As an artist, its really about the music. Its about what I bring to the world. My personal life is my personal life.

With In Due Timeout now, Lakeyah encourages fans to be open-minded about her journey. I dont want people to try to box me into who I am, she says. The details of my life, of who I really am, is going to come into my music and, you know, people are going to love me or hate me.

Check out more from XXLs Spring 2021 issue including Cardi B's cover story, howrappers are legally making money from the cannabis boom and the social justice that comes with it,Snowfall's Damson Idris on how hip-hop impacted his life, A$AP Ferg reflects on the making of his Always Strive and Prosper album, Shelley F.K.A. DRAM talks about his comeback, Trippie Redd speaks on how Playboi Carti and Lil Uzi Vert helped change hip-hop, Show & Prove with 42 Dugg and more.

Cardi B covers the spring 2021 issue of XXL magazine.

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Lakeyah Aims to Be the Biggest Artist in the World as Quality Control Music's Next Up - XXLMAG.COM

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, BLACKBiz is kicking off an intimate and often taboo discussion surrounding the intersection of mental health and the Black experience. This important discussion will take place on May 22nd, from 3:00 5:00 pm EST via virtual Webinar. All interested parties can register at http://www.blackbizglobal.eventbrite.com.

As part of our mission, we are inviting these conversations to unveil and heal,by removing the cultural stigma of personal weakness, BLACKBiz co-founder Gina Diggs said, this event seeks to address the importance of self-care, support resiliency, and promote resources and tools that lead to strength and well-being.

There will also be an exclusive interview with hip hop legend and icon Doug E. Fresh.

Doug E. Fresh has been a longtime advocate in the Mental Health and Emotional Wellness space and an honorary board member of Hip Hop Public Health- whose mission is to deliver a positive health message through music, art, and science.

The panel will consist of various experts in their respective fields pertaining to mental and emotional wellness in the Black community. The intent is to overcome and neutralize the Black cultural stigma and emphasize that showing weakness is not a character flaw.

The BLACKBiz Foundation (www.blackbizapp.org) is a 501(c)(3) and is chartered to address the need for economic empowerment within underserved communities. BLACKBiz helps Black-owned businesses grow and scale by providing access to capital, business expansion resources and digital exposure utilizing their custom-designed digital platform launching in June. We know if Black-owned businesses flourish, so will the communities they serve. BLACKBiz strongly believes there is power in collective collaboration, as their motto suggests: TOGETHER WE ARE THE ANSWER!

About the FYREchat panelists

Shane P. Teran is an organizational Development Psychologist, and founder of SP Consulting Group. The minority-owned Executive Coaching, Organizational Development Consulting, and Mental Wellness company focuses on individual leaders and leading organizations seeking optimal health and well-being to the workspace, organizational culture, and personal endeavors.

Gregory Coleman is CEO of Sworkit, a company dedicated to educating people worldwide on achieving their fitness goals using the companys award-winning and internationally recognized connected fitness platform.

Trei Bethel, Director & Founder of Distinguished Kings, a nonprofit organization that discovers underlying unnoticed men between the ages of 13-60-focusing on business, family, community, and education.

Mark Fisher, of the Mark Fisher Focus, teaches essential leadership principles as well as helps his audiences pinpoint the origins of stored up mental clutter causing possibility blindness.

For more information Contact:

Gina Diggs

masterminds@blackbiz.app

About BLACKBiz

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Black Entrepreneurs Host The Second BLACKBiz FYREchat Virtual Series On Mental Health And The Black Experience - PRUnderground

The government, in partnership with the World Bank, has handed over twenty thousand (20,000) wheelchairs to the Ghana Federation of Disabilities Organisations as part of ongoing interventions to improve their livelihoods and wellbeing.

The manual and powered wheelchairs, to be distributed by the Ministry of Health through the various District Health Directorates, will enhance personal mobility, a precondition for enjoying human rights and living in dignity. It will equally assist persons with disabilities in becoming more productive members of our communities.

Handing over the wheelchairs at a brief ceremony in Accra on Tuesday, May 11, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, assisted by the Minister of Health, Hon Kwaku Agyeman Manu and Dr. Anthony Seddoh, World Bank Country Lead for Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, said the donation was further evidence of Governments renewed commitment to building a fair and inclusive society, which ensures that all citizens share in the country's wealth and prosperity, irrespective of their background.

Without a doubt, the past one year has been challenging for many of us because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Problems of social equity, how to defend the weak and most vulnerable in society, how to provide social housing, how to improve equitable access to health care to all citizens in the country regardless of where they live, how to ensure increased access to the education of all Ghanaian children, have always been at the core of our social policy challenges. These challenges have always been there. COVID-19 just amplified the challenges.

As we are all aware, persons with disabilities are always confronted with these challenges, which prevent them from having a decent quality of life and fulfilling their true potential.

The Government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is not insensitive to these challenges, hence the implementation of several initiatives to ease and to eliminate the obstacles many of you face in your everyday lives.

Some of the initiatives undertaken since 2017 include the presentation in 2020 of Ghs4 million to two thousand (2,000) disabled men and women entrepreneurs under the Presidential Empowerment for Male Entrepreneurs with Disability (PEMED) and the Presidential Empowerment for Women Entrepreneurs with Disability (PEWED) respectively; and the handing over of 10,000 hospital beds to the Minister for Health for distribution across the country.

Through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), Government also provided students living with disability in selected tertiary institutions with assistive technology-enabled devices and training to promote their digital inclusion in 2019, and also provided 240 fit-for-purpose gender and disability-friendly school sanitation facilities to over 231,870 school pupils of low-income communities in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) through the GAMA Sanitation and Water Project.

Government is also exploring opportunities to remove existing barriers in public buildings, educational systems, healthcare, and in the job market to provide opportunities for all. The challenge for us is how our collective actions can minimize some of the circumstances that deny other citizens the benefits of personal mobility, he added.

Citing World Health Organisation reports which indicate that except for infectious diseases such as polio, malaria, and meningitis, the foremost cause of disability is road accidents, Vice President Bawumia expressed worry that such accidents, particularly from motorised accidents, do not only cause death but could also leave occupants and innocent pedestrians disabled.

I, therefore, urge road users to abide by the traffic rules and regulations. A great mind once said, Nothing is of greater importance than the conservation of oneself. Let us remind ourselves that to walk is a right, to drive or to ride is a privilege.

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Bawumia hands over 20,000 wheelchairs to persons with disability - Modern Ghana

Losing a loved one is hard enough... let us help.

SAN DIEGO (PRWEB) May 11, 2021

The winners of Fast Companys 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards were recently announced, honoring the businesses, policies, projects and concepts that are actively engaged and deeply committed to pursuing innovation when it comes to solving health and climate crises, social injustice or economic inequality.

Atticus the first and only probate and estate settlement mobile app, is honored to announce the recognition of being a finalist within the App Category and honorable mention among On the Rise businesses from around the world by Fast Company.

Bringing a close to the personal and financial life of a loved one is a universal need, yet surprisingly few people have affordable access to the resources needed to easily manage the overwhelming burden of responsibilities.

Atticus empowers families and their advisors through the necessary steps of navigating probate and settling an estate with confidence and peace of mind. Without Atticus, the typical family spends an average of 513 hours and $14,225 over the course of 12+ months working to interpret ones wishes, close financial accounts, manage distribution of assets and coordinate ongoing communication across family members often with many advisors involved. Atticus drives transparency and affordability among family members and advisors across the U.S. and Canada.

Now in its fifth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 33 Winners, more than 400 finalists and more than 800 honorable mentions - with Health and Wellness, AI & data among the most popular categories. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 4,000 entries across transportation, education, food, pandemic response, politics, technology, and more. The 2021 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Brazil to Denmark to Vietnam.

Everyone leaves a legacy. Were on a mission to modernize the way families navigate life after the death of a loved one, said Ben Hopf, Atticus CEO. Were honored to be recognized among the likes of innovators and teams impacting the world as we continue to drive empowerment, transparency and harmony into a process that has historically been known to create friction and stress among surviving family members.

Fast Company's Summer 2021 issue showcases the world's most inventive entrepreneurs and companies tackling exigent global challenges.There is no question our society and planet are facing deeply troubling times. So, its important to recognize organizations that are using their ingenuity, impact, design, scalability, and passion to solve these problems, says Stephanie Mehta, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. Our journalists, under the leadership of senior editor Morgan Clendaniel, have discovered some of the most groundbreaking projects that have launched since the start of 2020.

About AtticusAtticus is a fintech company committed to empowering families through the process of bringing a close to the financial life of a loved one. Its groundbreaking probate & estate settlement product is a comprehensive, all-in-one platform that combines personalized guidance with intuitive, easy-to-use tools allowing families and their advisors to save time and money by navigating the estate settlement and inheritance process together. Atticus is available nationally across the United States and Canada, and is backed by a passionate team of industry experts including tax, legal, financial and fiduciary professionals.

To learn more about how Atticus is reimagining the way families navigate legacy, visit us at weareatticus.com or follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/weareatticus.

About the World Changing Ideas AwardsWorld Changing Ideas is one of Fast Companys major annual awards programs and is focused on social good, seeking to elevate finished products and brave concepts that make the world better. A panel of judges from across sectors choose winners, finalists, and honorable mentions based on feasibility and the potential for impact. With the goals of awarding ingenuity and fostering innovation, Fast Company draws attention to ideas with great potential and helps them expand their reach to inspire more people to start working on solving the problems that affect us all.

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Atticus Selected as 2021 World Changing Idea by Fast Company - PR Web