#NowReading “The Tanning Of America” [by: Steve Stoute]

For all you, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business” men, Steve Stoute writes a book that shares all his marketing secrets. It’s called The Tanning of America and it’s already interesting from the preface, where Stoute explores his fascination with the partnering of Run DMC and Adidas! This book is all about how America isn’t just white and hip-hop isn’t just black!

If you didn’t know, Steve Stoute is responsible for a lot of marketing decisions made on behalf of Jay-Z, an artist that’s known to be all about his brand. A successful brand at that. In essence, this is Steve Stoute’s Decoded.

Get your copy at Amazon.com

Posted by:

DJWillieShakes

Eligible to Propose

Last week, we posted a blog from a writer that argued that proposing is solely a man’s responsibility. We wanted to know: is getting married in 2011 still a gendered process? This is one response from the other side featured at Small Strokes Big Oaks.

By Shelly

Sam and I discussed getting married before we were engaged. A lot. We talked time lines, expectations, proposal thoughts, rings, wedding locations, etc. When he proposed, I knew he had already bought the ring. I was definitely surprised when it happened (and where, and how ), but I knew more or less it was coming. And seriously, THANK GOD.

The proposal was nothing like I imagined when I was twelve years old and my “science” teacher had us write a letter promising abstinence to our “future spouse.” Also, Thank God.

I count my exposure to feminism as a significant reason that our courtship was different from the start. To explain that, I have to tell you about my first feminist mentor, Val.

… Continue Reading

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The Editor

Arizona Bans Abortion on Basis of Race or Gender

In yet another example of bizarre legislative moves in Arizona,  Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill into law yesterday to ban abortions performed on the basis of the race or gender of the fetus.

The Associated Press reports:

“The law makes it a felony to perform or provide financing for an abortion sought because of the race or sex of the fetus or a parent’s race… Illinois, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania already have laws that ban abortion for the purpose of gender selection.”

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Sarah Stern

Melyssa Ford, I’m SORRY!!!!!!!

Today, Bossip posted our video of Melyssa Ford encouraging everyone to mail back their census forms. (The forms will be hitting your mailboxes in March.) While I am super appreciative that they showed love and threw up our video, I was a little surprised to see how they spun it.

More after the jump.
… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Biko Baker

More Diversity = More Profit

My friend recently interviewed for a job at a large economic firm in New York. While researching the company, he turns to me and says, “The CEO is a woman. Isn’t that weird?”

Rare? Perhaps. Weird? Absolutely not.

In fact, studies have shown that having more women in senior positions isn’t simply “fair,”  it is more profitable. According to studies conducted by Ernst & Young, Columbia University, McKinsey & Co, Goldman Sachs, and Pepperdine University, companies with more female senior members yield higher profits.  In fact, Pepperdine University found that Fortune 500 firms with women in charge profited 18 to 69 percent more than other companies.  In examining the top European companies, McKinsey found that more gender diversity led to higher stock performance. Similarly, “Catalyst, a research firm focused on women and business, found that Fortune 500 companies with three or more women in senior management positions score higher on top measures of organizational excellence. In addition, companies with three or more women on their boards outperformed the competition on all measures by at least 40 percent.”

Still not convinced? Let us put the numbers aside and be a little politically incorrect. … Continue Reading

Posted by:

Kiera Aaron