I’ve enjoyed many Pride festivities with LGBTQ+ friends and allies 👀 🎉, and if you haven’t been, you should definitely plan to go. The timing of Pride is unique in every city, and New York City Pride is coming up next month!

However, Pix 11 News in NYC is reporting that the federal government has warned that religious extremist threats to Pride events are increasing. If you watch the hit TV show "We’re Here," you know that anti-trans and anti-drag laws are trying to force us back into the closet under the threat of violence.

But even eight years after Pulse nightclub, we don’t bow to violence. So make a plan, grab some friends, and I mean this in the most respectful way possible, get out there and shake that *** (I mean behind). But also stay aware and protect each other. ❤️

Your go-to spot for celebrating the vibrant contributions of historically underrepresented communities in art, literature, music, and media. Get inspired and stay in the know with the latest in creative expression! 😊

Social media is on fire after the Kpop group Stray Kids faced racially insensitive remarks from photographers at the Met Gala. AsAm News reported that despite being the first Kpop group invited to the prestigious event, the group endured comments like "alright idiots" and "what the f*ck" as they posed in their custom-designed suits. This incident sheds light on the systemic barriers non-Western artists still face in Hollywood in the American art scene.

Support Stray Kids and celebrate their talent by listening to their latest album, "Rock-Star," and show that diversity in music is powerful and appreciated. 🎶

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is showcasing over 80 pieces by artists with developmental disabilities in a new exhibit, "Creative Growth: The House That Art Built." This exhibit celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Creative Growth Art Center and features a range of media, highlighting the immense talent and creativity of these artists.

Microaggressions, or just plain aggression. This section is for all the times you’ve wondered if your work colleague, your fellow student, or your boss…really just said that. Write-in to us at [email protected] and we might anonymously share your story in the newsletter.

Could you imagine being at work as a journalist covering the New York Governor and having to ask yourself, Wait, Did She Just Say That?

New York Governor Kathy Hochul sparked controversy with her comment that young Black kids in the Bronx "don’t even know what the word ‘computer’ is." Criticized by local politicians for being misinformed and harmful, Hochul later apologized, clarifying that she meant to address the lack of access to technology. This incident underscores the importance of thoughtful communication and recognizing the capabilities of all communities.

This section includes the stories you need to know presented by press organizations owned and run by historically underrepresented peoples.

Do you have a negotiating strategy to ensure your compensation package is equitable?

Historically underrepresented workers often downplay their value to stay safe and “fly under the radar.” Finding joy in your work shouldn’t come at the cost of equitable compensation. Negotiating salary and benefits with confidence and strength is essential for achieving fairness. By knowing the average compensation packages for similar roles, articulating your value, and emphasizing equitable pay practices, you can ensure your compensation reflects your worth.  Learn more strategies in this article and apply them to your next salary performance evaluation.

Just like a good drag queen, I’m going to indulge in some shameless self-promotion. I write a newsletter on LinkedIn called Perspectives on Leadership, where I distill the day's news into leadership lessons.

This week, Adam Mahoney’s article on environmental injustice revealed how Black communities are disproportionately impacted by hazardous waste, highlighting the intersection of corporate interests and racial inequity.

I wrote about three things progressive professionals can do to counteract these negative market forces: business collaborations with environmental justice organizations, educating colleagues, and holding companies accountable.

Read the full article to explore actionable steps for integrating social and environmental justice in your workplace.

The FTC took a bold move and banned most non-compete agreements, despite having no legal precedent or legislative backing for this administrative action.

If upheld in court, the rule would unlock job mobility and boost wages, especially benefiting historically underrepresented workers who are statistically more likely to be stuck in toxic work environments. This groundbreaking change promises more freedom and fair opportunities but faces fierce legal battles from big businesses.

Dive into the full article to understand how this ban could revolutionize your career and protect your rights.

Nikole Hannah-Jones' Center for Journalism and Democracy is injecting nearly $200,000 into student newsrooms at 10 HBCUs to boost technology, operations, and investigative reporting. This funding will help level the playing field for HBCU journalists, who often lack the resources of their peers at predominantly white institutions.

Read the full article to see how this transformative initiative could shape equity in journalism and support aspiring reporters.

In a closed-door meeting, John Hope Bryant, founder of the nonprofit Operation HOPE, unveiled a five-tier plan emphasizing diversity as crucial for maintaining America's economic leadership. The plan highlights the financial benefits of DEI initiatives and the costly impact of racism on the U.S. economy.

Read the full article to learn how embracing diversity and investing in people of color can secure a prosperous future for our nation.

If you can’t get a small business bank loan because the bank doesn’t understand your culture, customs, customers, and business practices, what do you do?

You open or work with an existing CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution). There is a new podcast series, and the first episode focuses on Gary and Sue of Big Sky Café. Gary went to several traditional banks and was denied funding because he didn’t own the reservation land and banks did not understand the Native community in Montana.

Listen to the first episode of the podcast, Difference Makers 2.0, to learn about CDFIs. And if you or someone you know is starting a small business, make sure you investigate the local CDFIs in your area. Opportunity network has a tool for that here.