ICON TALKS

21/02/2023

Eight-year-old Mya Alvarado from Irvington, New Jersey recently used a virtual reality headset to experience Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I Have a Dream" speech in the metaverse through Time Studios' project "The March 360."

Mya felt confident and amazed after seeing King standing at his podium, surrounded by sparkles while talking about his dream of fairness for his children. This is one of many projects that use virtual reality to provide a more comprehensive education of Black history among young people.

Morehouse College launched its first Black history course in the metaverse this year, which virtually takes students on a slave ship and to Civil War and World War I battlegrounds where Black soldiers fought.

Black creatives like artist Gabe Gault are partnering with companies to create virtual reality experiences that pay homage to Black figures like Rosa Parks, the Tuskegee Airmen, and King. Gault's "I Am A Man" project is a virtual reality exhibition that recreates iconic sites like the Lorraine Motel, where King was assassinated in 1968.

The metaverse is also attracting many Black-led organizations, like Route History, a museum based in Springfield, Illinois, that explores the history of Route 66 through the past experiences of Black travelers.

In May, Route History will launch a metaverse experience allowing visitors to see the world from the perspective of four Black characters traveling along Route 66.

08/02/2023

King James breaks Kareem Abdul Jabar’s NBA record for the most points scored by a player in NBA history.

Congratulations

06/02/2023

Legendary songwriter and producer, Tricky Stewart, bags his sixth Grammy award as Beyoncé’s “break my soul” wins record of the year.

Not a new achievement for Stewart who in addition to winning 5 Grammys, has also sold 50 million records (for songs he’s been associated with)

He was listed in Billboard's 40 Under 40 list of music execs and is the founder of RedZone Entertainment, the record label that signed Frank Ocean and produced acts such as Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Pink, Usher, Ciara, Sting, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, just to name a few.

15/01/2023

brand Mielle Organics, founded by husband and wife Melvin and Monique Rodriguez, has announced that they will be joining beauty conglomerate Proctor and Gamble.

owns some of the biggest personal care brands in the world, including Always and Olay.

P&G Beauty will assist Mielle Organics in the expansion of the brand in Black communities and fund research and innovation in hair care for underserved communities.

It is important to note that many Black women are concerned about this product reaching white people because of the effects of a similar partnership with another brand known as Shea Moisture.

In 2017 when Unilever, another major consumer goods conglomerate acquired Shea Moisture, a Black-owned hair care brand, Unilever launched an ad that became infamous for featuring three women with straight hair and one with curly hair; only one of the women was Black.

Black hair care is a growing niche in the beauty industry, but there still are not many products available that, like Mielle Organics, are specifically created with natural hair in mind despite Black consumers spending “$473 million in total hair care (a $4.2 billion industry)” as of 2017, according to a Nielsen report.

“By now you know that there are not a lot of products on the market for us,” Ronelle Tshiela said in a TikTok. “If you go in store, you have to march to the ethnic hair section, and you notice that this section is significantly smaller than all of the other sections.”

21/07/2022

Alena Analeigh, a 13 year old sophomore at Arizona State University, made history as the youngest African American and the second youngest person overall to get admitted into medical school.

Originally intending to study space at ASU and work for NASA, the Texas resident was accepted to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine’s early acceptance program and plans to begin in 2024.

She now wants to become a viral immunologists studying viruses with the hopes of healing her community and the world as a whole.

05/07/2022

I’m a letter to Biden in the fourth of July, Griner wrote:

“Freedom means something completely different to me this year. As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever.

I realize you are dealing with so much, but please don’t forget about me and the other American detainees. Please do all you can to bring us home.”

Griner’s trial began Friday and she faces up to 10 years in a penal colony of convicted.

30/06/2022

Icon to Ican x Music Beats Heart are excited  to uplift the spirits and put smiles on the kids faces at El Paso Children’s Hospital! Thank you to , , & for making this special day possible!

Thank you to all the incredible sponsors , , and

03/06/2022

According to Forbes, is officially a billionaire with several of his initial investments showing tremendous appreciation.

19/05/2022

In the most up to date data compiled by , the 7 highest paid athletes in the world earned a combined $338M between May 2021 and May 2022.

The methodology used combined both earnings related to sports and income earned aside from sports.

Important to note that made the list with a combined earning of $38M. Sadly, who was the highest paid athlete last year, has been dethronedZ

19/05/2022

In 2022, a total of 252 people have died as a result of mass shootings. The latest shooter being 18 year old who carried out a domestic terrorism attack on the residents of Buffalo New York on May 14.

Gendron, who shot and killed 10 people at a Tops Supermarket in had detailed and talked about his plan for months leading up to the shooting.

Expressing hate for Jews and Blacks, Gendron believed in The far right , a theory that suggests there is a political ploy to replace the white race with blacks and migrants.

Gendron had not only been previously investigated for saying he wanted to murder people and kill himself, but had also admitted to murdering and mutilating a cat.

to read part of his manifesto. Our prayers are with the families of the dead and may the souls of their lost ones .

18/05/2022

In 2022, a total of 252 people have dird as a result of mass shootings. The latest shooter being 18 year old who carried out a domestic terrorism attack on the residents of Buffalo New York on May 14.

Gendron, who shot and killed 10 people at a Tops Supermarket in had detailed and talked about his plan for months leading up to the shooting.

Expressing hate for Jews and Blacks, Gendron believed in The far right , a theory that suggests there is a political ploy to replace the white race with blacks and migrants.

Gendron had not only been previously investigated for saying he wanted to murder people and kill himself, but had also admitted to murdering and mutilating a cat.

to read part of his manifesto. Our prayers are with the families of the dead and may the souls of their lost ones .

02/05/2022

Just 4 days after the traded their first-round pick to the for wide receiver Marquise Brown, the has suspended star receiver for violation their policy on performance enhancement drugs, otherwise known as .

The 2021 season was filled with injuries for Hopkins, who suffered both an ankle and a knee injury.

The three-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection player, will turn 30 on on June 6.

30/04/2022

announced a $100M commitment after a 3 year comprehensive report written by a team of 13 professors detailed the university’s ties to slavery.

According to the report, “Slavery—of Indigenous and of African people—was an integral part of life in Massachusetts and at Harvard during the colonial era,”

Leaders, staff, and faculty of Harvard University enslaved more than 70 Black and Indigenous people over about 150 years, with some of them living on campus.

The university’s President, Lawrence S. Bacow said in a statement “I recognize that this is a significant commitment, and for good reason,” he wrote. “Slavery and its legacy have been a part of American life for more than 400 years. The work of further redressing its persistent effects will require our sustained and ambitious efforts for years to come.”

Two of Harvard’s undergraduate houses — Mather House and Winthrop House at Harvard are named after slave owners.

Furthermore, Wadsworth House and Wadsworth Gate bears the name of former University President Benjamin Wadsworth.

Wadsworth House and Wadsworth Gate are named after former University President Benjamin Wadsworth, who is just one of at least 5 Harvard presidents who were slave owners.

28/04/2022

Jessica Watkins, a Stanford grad and UCLA PhD, made history as she was launched to space aboard SpaceX Dragon.

Watkins and her crew will embark on a six month research and maintenance mission on the international space station.

22/04/2022

- the daughter in law to Bernard Arnault (3rd richest man in the world) and owner of (Luis Vuitton, Moët, Hennessy), has just added and to a series of investors for her fashion brand .

which prides itself on being a pro all female funded brand just concluded Series A Fundraising which included investments from affluent females such as , and .

Ironically, Guyot’s father in law’s giant conglomerate LVMH owns 50% of Rihanna’s , and also just acquired Tiffany &Co; the jewelry brand which Jay Z and Beyonce has been the face of since last year.

07/04/2022

In the 233 year history of the Supreme Court, will become the first ever black wom an to serve on the court.

This comes after the senate confirmed her with a 53-47 vote. Even though the Democrats had enough votes of their own to confirm her, the final tally included the votes of 3 Republican Senators; Lisa Murkowsky, Mitt Romney, and Susan Collins.

04/04/2022

Phoenix Mercury star will remain in Russian jail until her first court appearance on May 19.

Teammates and media were initially discouraged from speaking out against her imprisonment for fear that Russia might use her as a pawn or negotiating card in the Russo-Ukrainian crisis.

Amid her pending drug charge, she’ll most likely miss the beginning of the Phoenix Mercury Season which starts May 6. Members of her legal team had sought house arrest but the Russian prosecution refused the request.

Of the thousands of US citizens imprisoned around the world, the US government designated a small portion of them as wrongfully detained. However, the gov is yet to place Griner on this list.

11/03/2022

Next in our series, we honor Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; the first Latina woman to be elected to the Florida House, the Florida Senate, and then to the US Congress.

Lehtinen would go on to serve her constituents and local community for 40 full years.

11/03/2022

Next in our series, we honor Ileana Ros-Lehtinen; the first Latina woman to be elected to the Florida House, the Florida Senate, and then to the US Congress.

Lehtinen would go on to serve her constituents and local community for 40 full years.

10/03/2022

On April 8, 1993, Ellen Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to go to space. Although her first flight was for 9 days above the Discovery shuttle, Ochoa would go on 3 more space flights.; for a total of 1K space hours.

10/03/2022

On April 8, 1993, Ellen Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to go to space. Although her first flight was for 9 days above the Discovery shuttle, Ochoa would go on 3 more space flights.; for a total of 1K space hours.

02/02/2022

Woodson believed that young African Americans in the early 20th century were not being taught enough of their own heritage, and the achievements of their ancestors.

To get his message out, Woodson first turned to his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, which created Negro History and Literature Week in 1924. But Woodson wanted a wider celebration.

In February 1926, Woodson sent out a press release announcing the first Negro History Week.

February was chosen primarily because the second week of the month coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Lincoln was influential in the emancipation of slaves, and Douglass, a former slave, was a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement, which fought to end slavery.

Lincoln and Douglass were each born in the second week of February, so it was traditionally a time when African Americans would hold celebrations in honor of emancipation, Kaplan said. (Douglass' exact date of birth wasn't recorded, but he came to celebrate it on Feb. 14.)

Thus, Woodson created Negro History Week around the two birthdays as a way of "commemorating the black past," according to ASALH.

Forty years after Ford formally recognized Black History Month, it was Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, who delivered a message of his own from the White House, a place built by slaves.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama host the annual reception for Black History Month at the White House on Feb. 18, 2016.
Mike Theiler/Pool/Getty Images
"Black History Month shouldn't be treated as though it is somehow separate from our collective American history or somehow just boiled down to a compilation of greatest hits from the March on Washington or from some of our sports heroes," Obama said.
"It's about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America," he continued.

(Canada also commemorates Black History Month in February, while the U.K. and Ireland celebrate it in October.)

24/01/2022

Icons, let’s discuss!! is this progress?

2021 broke the record for the murder or manslaughter charges brought against police Officers in shooting deaths.

According to Statista, 201 Whites, 113 Blacks, 63 Hispanics, and 495 Unknown were killed by Police in 2021. Only 21 were charged.

08/01/2022

Sidney Poitier, a Hollywood icon and the first black man to win an Oscar for the Best Actor Award has died at 94.

13/12/2021

99.9% of us have never seen the illustration of a black foetus on a medical chart. Nor have we seen any medical illustration that was not White.

A Black medical student, Chidiebere Ibe, is going viral for advocating for health equality through his illustrations. Ive, a self taught illustrator has been depicting medical illustrations in dark colors for over a year now.

Even though we’ve had anatomy drawings for millennia, they’re predominantly white and male.

Ibe’s illustrations have garnered high praise from the medical community. Ni-ka Ford, the diversity committee chair at AMI (Association of Medical Illustrators), even described the crises as an extension of medical and systemic racism.

She went on to add that visual education material such as medical illustrations, play a vital role in training medical professionals. It affects patient health since it promotes trust and honest communication, which are often vital in medical care.

21/08/2020

I Am a Dreamer | Motion Picture Association

We are incredibly excited to announce the premiere of our documentary that we have been working on in partnership with the . The project is truly timely and we are confident that it will empower you, inspire you and dare you to DREAM big DREAMS. We are excited to share it with the world. Please find link below to RSVP for the premiere next Thursday.

https://www.motionpictures.org/event/i-am-a-dreamer/

Join the Motion Picture Association and Icon Talks for the virtual premiere of “I Am a Dreamer” — a new documentary film directed by Torrance Hampton and executive produced by John Burns, John Hartsfield, and John Gibson.

17/06/2019

We were so thankful to participate in what was truly a POWERFUL brunch during . We celebrated the cast of and learned about the much anticipated final season of the hit drama. The highlight of the day was to see our brother receive a proclamation from that his name was being entered into the Congressional Record at the Library of Congress. Thank you to , , on the amazing partnership. @ STK

24/02/2019

Haircuts for SA Homeless February

Icon Talks and Icon 2 Ican where on the move, serving over 100 homeless persons with .

Seeing is beliving...donate now to our charitable program Haircuts for the Homeless at: fundrazr.com/Haircuts_for_Homeless

14/02/2019

Show some this , to by and .

See out story and donate now at: fundrazr.com/Haircuts_for_Homeless

Did you know: Persons experiencing in the experience significant barriers to self-care and personal hygiene.

12/02/2019

to and 's program this !

We over 100 homeless men, women, children and veterans each month.

09/02/2019

Donate this February to our program in San Antonio.

See our story and donate now at:
fundrazr.com/Haircuts_for_Homeless

07/02/2019

Helping Haircuts for the Homeless

with our amazing crew of that and our community with and .

See our story and DONATE to at: fundrazr.com/Haircuts_for_Homeless

06/02/2019

Helping Haircuts for the Homeless

549,000 Americans are homeless on a typical night.

Help and raise $1,000 for Haircuts for the Homeless in February.


See our story and donate now at: fundrazr.com/Haircuts_for_Homeless

05/02/2019

Helping Haircuts for the Homeless

and strive to make which make and ultimately !

With the help of 12 amazing barbers from the area, each month we are able to provide free haircuts to more than +100 homeless people as well as children. We find it important to give back to the communities that give so much to us!

now to Icon to Ican’s campaign.

We help make strong communities, families and kids! Our monthly program strives to desinstitutionalize homelessness serving thousands of homeless persons with comprehensive services including haircuts, medical services, meals, arts and more. Donate now!

13/11/2018

I C O N to I C A N | LIL JAY
This Saturday we are so thankful to partner with for our annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway for those in need and give back to our community of San Antonio.
November 19, 2016 from 12:00PM to 2:00PM at Travis Park Church - 230 E. Travis Street

18/08/2018

BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE |

SUPERSTAR SENSATION is Hosting FREE back to school Drive for the youth of San Antonio from
5-8pm August 23 at (TDK) Upstairs inside INGRAM MALL!

*FREE HAIRCUTS*
*FREE SCHOOL SUPPLIES*

Location:
INGRAM MALL
(TDK) Upstairs
4361 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX, 78238

13/05/2018

✨H O M E T O W N H E R O✨
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One time for the
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13/05/2018

👑❤️|| HAPPY MOTHERS DAY ||❤️👑 "God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers." -

09/04/2018

ICONTALKS EVENTS

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