Black Excellence
Founder of Unheard Voices Receives Man of Distinction Award!
What a great day to commemorate Father’s Day by recognizing the founder of Unheard Voices Magazine who received the 2018 Man of Distinction Award.
On June 9th, 2018 at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ, founder of Unheard Voices Magazine Keith Covin received the 2018 Man of Distinction Award given by the Men Make a Difference Organization.
About Men Make a Difference
Founded by John Blanton, the Men Make of Difference Organization (M2AD) of New Jersey focuses on celebrating and honoring men who exemplify strong values and respect while serving their community.
This year, the event recognized 10 men, with one receiving the man of the year award.
Founder of Unheard Voices receives Man of Distinction Award
Keith Covin is a proud graduate of Long Branch High School. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in English & Africana Studies at Rutgers University.
After finding his passion for computers, he completed a certificate at Bryman Computer School, an Associate of Arts in computer science from Brookdale Community College, and a Master of Science degree in Computer Science at Farleigh Dickinson Univ. Keith also took courses towards a PhD at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Computer Scientist
Keith started his career as a computer scientist over 30 years ago for the Federal Government. He was one of the few African Americans working in his department at the time.
While facing challenges as a person of color and beating the odds, he was able to shine during his time with the government, contributing to projects in Common Ground Station (CGS), Guardrail, IMETS (Meteorology program), and Artificial Intelligence.
Unheard Voices
After retiring from the government, Keith embarked in the communications and journalism field by founding Unheard Voices newsletter in 2004 which has now blossomed into an online newsmagazine.
Mr. Covin says his ultimate goal was for his magazine to be a beacon for the voiceless and to talk about the social ills plaguing our society.
Through his projects and writings, Keith has fostered conversations on race relations, policing and social issues by putting them on the forefront within his community.
He loves speaking to the youth and encouraging more African Americans to embark in the STEM field.
Mr. Covin has also implemented workshops and created an internship program within his community to give students hands on experience in the communications field.
Founder of Unheard Voices on life
Mr. Covin says his greatest accomplishment isn’t creating the platform Unheard Voices, but being a “single father and raising his children” which has kept him grounded.
What a great way to commemorate Father’s Day by recognizing the founder of Unheard Voices Magazine.
Congratulations Mr. Covin on your recognition on your many contributions to our community. Happy Father’s Day!
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Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
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Unheard Voices Magazine LLC is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Black Excellence
BLK Dating App Launches Summer “MBA” Program for Recent HBCU Graduates
BLK dating and lifestyle app for the Black community proudly unveils their new endeavor: The BLK MBA (Master of Black Affection) Program.
BLK dating and lifestyle app for the Black community proudly unveils their new endeavor: The BLK MBA (Master of Black Affection) Program.
The BLK MBA (Master of Black Affection) Program
Created to empower and support recent graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) facing post-graduation employment challenges, this innovative initiative seeks to redefine both professional and dating dynamics, while providing financial support to young job-seekers.
Improving employment rates
At its core, the BLK MBA Program creates an opportunity for recent HBCU graduates to navigate the journey from academia to the workforce.
Despite improving graduation rates, systemic and cultural obstacles often obstruct the path to employment for Black graduates. African Americans with college degrees are twice as likely to be unemployed as other graduates, with 12.4 percent of Black college graduates being unemployed, a rate significantly higher than the 5.6 percent average for all college graduates. BLK recognizes the need for solutions to fix this gap.
Summer of growth and discovery
The program isn’t your traditional MBA program – there will be no coursework or thesis statements. Instead, BLK will select three outstanding graduates from HBCUs, inviting them to embark on a summer of growth and discovery. These participants will immerse themselves in the vibrant BLK community, exploring networking and connections on the app. Along the way, they’ll share feedback to make the user experience even better, working alongside the brand to gain a deeper understanding of how Black Gen-Z approaches dating, networking and creating connections. Each participant will be awarded a stipend to support them during their journey.
BLK MBA Program Application
The application process for the BLK MBA Program commences in May, inviting recent HBCU graduates to apply.
Applicants will be required to submit their resumes and a personal statement that showcases both their desire and need to be a part of the program. A panel of judges, comprising BLK brand team members and Black leaders from the BLK Advocacy Council, will evaluate applications to select three participants based on academic achievements, personal statements, and potential contributions.
Selected participants will embark on a transformative journey throughout the summer, immersing themselves in the vibrant BLK community to hone their networking skills and forge meaningful connections with other Black singles, recent graduates, young professionals and Black business leaders.
Participants will also proactively network, arrange meetings, and go on dates with the goal of fostering relationships that could lead to meaningful relationships and valuable job opportunities. As they navigate the digital dating landscape, participants will not only shape the future of dating experiences for Black Gen-Z individuals but also gain invaluable insights into effective networking strategies.
More information
For further information about the BLK MBA Program and details on how to apply, please visit https://www.theplugbyblk.com/blkmba2024.
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Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
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Unheard Voices Magazine LLC is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Black Excellence
In Memoriam : Renée McMillan (1963 – 2024)
Renée McMillan was a well-respected educator, real estate agent, and community organizer, who will be sorely missed.
Renée McMillan was born in Brooklyn, New York. As a child, she was adopted and decades later, Renee was reunited with her biological family which brought her a great sense of joy and fulfillment.
She was a product of the New York City School System and would not hesitate to tell you that she was from Brooklyn, more specifically, “Do or Die Bed-Stuy” which signified the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.
Highly educated
Renée was highly educated and every facet of the word excellence.
She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Office Management and Supervision from Buffalo State University, an Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Georgian Court University, and a Master of Arts in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Career
She started her career as an Accounts Payable Bookkeeper for the Gamma Liaison Photo Agency in NYC. After that, she served as a Sales Representative for Nabisco before entering her calling: the field of Education.
Renee McMillan as an educator
Renée worked many years in the Asbury Park and Neptune Public School systems before finishing up her career as Vice Principal, at the School of Architecture, Construction, and Trades at John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, New Jersey. She had a passion for education and spent countless summers tutoring students in math. Renée received great satisfaction in inspiring her students to set goals and understand their purpose for their lives.
Real estate
After retiring from the Paterson Board of Education, Renée worked as a Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams Realty.
Renée McMillan served the community
She continued her service by being actively involved in the community. She held positions as Director of Neptune Township Biddy Basketball, a humble servant in the Women’s Ministry at St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey, a former County Committee Member for District 10 in Neptune, a member of The PAC Program at Monmouth University, and also coordinated the GOTV activities for local, state, and national campaigns which provided the youth of Neptune with employment during the political season.
Renée’s hobbies were cooking and reading. She became well-known for her culinary and baking skills, extending her love towards others with her incredible gift.
Her legacy will live on forever
Renée leaves to mourn her memory to her loving and dedicated husband, her beloved children, two daughters and one son, her precious grandchildren, one girl and boy, a devoted and caring godmother, god sister and godbrother, godson and goddaughter, two doting sisters, three adoring brothers, two special brothers-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives as well as a countless number of friends and colleagues.
Renée was loved by the Unheard Voices community and she sorely be missed.
Visit James Hunt Funeral Home to read Renee McMillan’s obituary in full.
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Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
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Unheard Voices Magazine LLC is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Black Excellence
Inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood® Awards
Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
Get a look inside the 17th Annual ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards.
Hosted by Clifford “Method Man” Smith, the star studded event premiered March 15, exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
About ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards
The ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood honors women who are making their undeniable mark in film and television and amplifies their strides in defining what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.
Honorees
This year’s honorees and entertainment industry trailblazers include Academy Award nominated actress & Grammy Award winner, Danielle Brooks, six-time Grammy nominated singer and leading-actress Halle Bailey, acclaimed screenwriter and showrunner of All American, All American: Homecoming and Found, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and industry powerhouse & President of Original Programming for STARZ, Kathryn Busby.
Check out some photo highlights inside the 17th ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards
For more, please visit http://www.essence.com/bwih2024
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Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
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Unheard Voices Magazine LLC is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
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