Fired College Recruiter Defends Separating Students By Skin Color and Hair Texture

The Internet went livid when an Oklahoma Christian University recruiter was fired for lining up black students by skin tone and hair texture. The recruiter has now come forward, defending his actions, which put students in a very uncomfortable position.

Cedric Sunray, who had been an educator for 20 years, told Oklahoma’s News 4 that the situation has “destroyed his reputation but his character won’t change.” The now-disgraced recruiter said that he has been doing this “icebreaker” for years with no complaints. In fact, he had done the exercise around 90 times this year. “I break the groups into four teams and then I say, ‘Line up darkest to the front and lightest to the back,’” Sunray said to the news station. “From the largest afro to the tightest braid to the blondest hair, blue-eyed student, they all want to know they are valued and warranted. And that is the kind of programs I provide.”

The students involved did not share the same feelings as Sunray. They felt the exercise was unnecessary. “I accept who I am and what I look like,” 11th grader Korey Todd said the news station. “I don’t need an exercise from a college recruiter, personally.”

The university has already issued an apology to the students and parents involved, condemning Sunray’s actions. “I am embarrassed and ashamed and I am mad at what happened,” Oklahoma Christian University President John deSteiguer said. He added that the university will screen future presentations and implement programs like mandatory cultural sensitivity training.

When asked if he would do the exercise again, Sunray responded, “Oh yes.” He added that he had already been hired by another metro university which he refused to disclose.

“I have been doing this exercise for years,” Sunray said. “We need to have these conversations.”

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Billy Porter says he’ll bring genderless ‘magic’ to Cinderella

Billy Porter is playing the fairy godmother in the remake of Cinderella, and he said he’s soaking the whole experience in.

“It hit me when I was on the set last week, how profound it is that I am playing the Fairy Godmother — they call it the Fab G,” the Broadway gypsy, singer and actor told CBS News.

READ MORE: Billy Porter gives advice to parents upset about him wearing a dress on ‘Sesame Street’

Porter, who might be the first man to play the role, called the remake “a classic fairytale for a new generation.” He said the fairy godmother character is genderless to him so that’s how he will portray it.

“Magic has no gender,” Porter told CBS News. “We are presenting this character as genderless — at least that’s how I’m playing it. And it’s really powerful.”

“I think the new generation is really ready. The kids are ready. It’s the grownups that are slowing stuff down,” Porter added.

Pop singer Camila Cabello is set to play Cinderella in the Sony adaptation, directed by Kay Cannon and produced by James Corden. Missy Elliott will play the Town Crier and Minnie Driver was selected to portray Queen Beatrice. Pierce Brosnan is playing Prince Charming’s father, the king, and British actor Nicholas Galitzine will play Prince Robert. Idina Menzel was chosen for Evelyn, Cinderella’s evil stepmother.

Last year, Porter won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor for his work on FX’s Pose.

For Porter, what he loved most about that historic Emmy win was what that it gave visibility and representation.

“I represent something that I, as a young man, never had. That’s the greatest news. That’s where I have to leave it though so that I can continue to do the work,” Porter told CBS News.

READ MORE: Billy Porter has a few words for Dwyane Wade’s son, Zion: ‘Work It!’

Years ago, Porter also won a Tony and a Grammy for his work in Broadway’s Kinky Boots.

The remake hits theaters in February 2021.

The post Billy Porter says he’ll bring genderless ‘magic’ to Cinderella appeared first on TheGrio.

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Tech Founder Isa Watson is Helping Professionals Build Community Offline In a Digital Age

Isa Watson is driving innovation within the tech industry and “connection economy” through culture and community. As the founder and CEO of Squad, Watson is devoted to making sure people are able to connect with others offline in a meaningful way.

Squad is a highly curated connection app for young professionals. And, Watson says it was born out of the need for people to better connect in real life.

“We’ve been so complacent in the way that we connect on social media. But those connections are very loose. And quite frankly, when you look at the increase in social media use it’s actually parallel with the increase in loneliness, depression, social isolation, and especially in the millennial and Gen Z generations,” said Watson.

In this day and age of influencers and isolation, Watson is using technology to help people build their squad.

A Squad meetup at Cornell University. (Image: Squad)

Offline, Squad curates different events and experiences. And when on-site, Squad members are matched with a group of people, which is facilitated through the app.

“Squad uses the proprietary personality algorithm to create squad matches. And those are small groups of three to four people that based on your personality we think you will get along with,” said Watson.

Given their proven success, Squad has raised upwards of $4 million in venture capital in Silicon Valley from prominent investors.

Despite the fact that many black women founders have not been able to raise more than $1 million in venture capital, Watson offers this advice, “It is a marathon, not a sprint. A lot of times in a 26-mile marathon, some miles are going to be slow. You might have to walk around and sit down a little bit. The journey is super long and hopefully, we all have a lot of time in front of us.

Cultural competency and authentic intelligence also play a role in the way that people are able to connect using Squad.

“Culture is that one thing that is an authentic director. When you’re online, you have all these, like curated types of interactions, and these curated types of ways that you present yourself. But when you’re in person and you’re live, right? You’re the embodiment of your own culture and your ability to embrace it better enables your ability to connect with somebody,” said Watson.

Because of the culture of Squad, Watson says that people feel comfortable showing up as they are to meetups and events.

As someone who is passionate about the work that she does, Watson is intentional about building healthy and supportive communities around her that support her showing up as her best self.

“When I think about how I’m building my community and how I evolve, it boils down to my needs. Sometimes, I need those people that I don’t even talk about work with and have amazing conversations about life and ideas. I need to be in community with my business partners; people who I can talk about my faith with; founder friends; and even investors. I’ve built a multi-dimensional community around me. I stand on the backs of them. They are incredibly pivotal not just to my success, but my mental health as well,” said Watson.

Watson’s community helps her to preserve her mental health and navigate life in a way that brings her happiness and joy. And, that is what she intends for Squad to do for others.

To learn more about Squad and to build your tribe, click here.

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Tech Founder Isa Watson is Helping Professionals Build Community Offline In a Digital Age

Isa Watson is driving innovation within the tech industry and “connection economy” through culture and community. As the founder and CEO of Squad, Watson is devoted to making sure people are able to connect with others offline in a meaningful way.

Squad is a highly curated connection app for young professionals. And, Watson says it was born out of the need for people to better connect in real life.

“We’ve been so complacent in the way that we connect on social media. But those connections are very loose. And quite frankly, when you look at the increase in social media use it’s actually parallel with the increase in loneliness, depression, social isolation, and especially in the millennial and Gen Z generations,” said Watson.

In this day and age of influencers and isolation, Watson is using technology to help people build their squad.

A Squad meetup at Cornell University. (Image: Squad)

Offline, Squad curates different events and experiences. And when on-site, Squad members are matched with a group of people, which is facilitated through the app.

“Squad uses the proprietary personality algorithm to create squad matches. And those are small groups of three to four people that based on your personality we think you will get along with,” said Watson.

Given their proven success, Squad has raised upwards of $4 million in venture capital in Silicon Valley from prominent investors.

Despite the fact that many black women founders have not been able to raise more than $1 million in venture capital, Watson offers this advice, “It is a marathon, not a sprint. A lot of times in a 26-mile marathon, some miles are going to be slow. You might have to walk around and sit down a little bit. The journey is super long and hopefully, we all have a lot of time in front of us.

Cultural competency and authentic intelligence also play a role in the way that people are able to connect using Squad.

“Culture is that one thing that is an authentic director. When you’re online, you have all these, like curated types of interactions, and these curated types of ways that you present yourself. But when you’re in person and you’re live, right? You’re the embodiment of your own culture and your ability to embrace it better enables your ability to connect with somebody,” said Watson.

Because of the culture of Squad, Watson says that people feel comfortable showing up as they are to meetups and events.

As someone who is passionate about the work that she does, Watson is intentional about building healthy and supportive communities around her that support her showing up as her best self.

“When I think about how I’m building my community and how I evolve, it boils down to my needs. Sometimes, I need those people that I don’t even talk about work with and have amazing conversations about life and ideas. I need to be in community with my business partners; people who I can talk about my faith with; founder friends; and even investors. I’ve built a multi-dimensional community around me. I stand on the backs of them. They are incredibly pivotal not just to my success, but my mental health as well,” said Watson.

Watson’s community helps her to preserve her mental health and navigate life in a way that brings her happiness and joy. And, that is what she intends for Squad to do for others.

To learn more about Squad and to build your tribe, click here.

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Black Haircare Vendors Say They Their Business is Being Affected by the Coronavirus Outbreak

As the coronavirus continues to spread, black hair care businesses have started to feel the effects of the virus on the wholesale side of their business.

Due to the restrictions on imports from China, hair care businesses may soon struggle to fulfill customer orders on popular items such as wigs, weaves, and hair extensions from factories primarily based in China. The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has already killed six people in the United States and more than 3,000 across the globe.

Shannle Wallace, who oversees District Cheveux in Bowie, Maryland, told WUSA 9 that she made an order for hair extensions from her China-based supplier in January. Her order still hasn’t arrived. The vendor is blaming the delay on the virus. “I just never imagined coronavirus would affect me, being in the states,” Wallace told the station. “Not directly as far as being sick, but my business.”

Wallace also mentioned that the scare has also affected customers worried that the hair they purchase might be contaminated with the virus. “When they get their hair, (they ask), ‘Is it going to be contaminated?’” she added. The CDC had said the virus dies on the surface. “There is likely very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures,” the agency wrote on its website. “Coronaviruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets.”

Stephanie Nolan, a beauty entrepreneur and owner of XOXO Virgin Hair based in Prince George’s Country, Maryland, said she is also feeling the effects of the coronavirus. “Due to the coronavirus, and the measures taken to cut down on the virus in China, people aren’t allowed to go to, or really return to, work,” Nolan told WUSA9.

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