Community Archives - Rolling Out

Shaquille O’Neal is known for his wit as much as he is his athletic ability and having been the most dominant force in NBA history. Part of that humor and his ability to entertain has often been at his own expense, in the form of nicknames and in this case, it would be ever appropriate…

BLK & Bold is a specialty coffee and tea company that is paving the way for Black entrepreneurship. The company’s co-founders, longtime friends Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson, claim BLK & Bold is the first Black-owned, nationally distributed coffee brand. The Iowa-based brand is not only here to fulfill coffee-lovers cravings but also is deeply…

Beyoncé has done it again. From using her platform to speak to the masses about current social issues, to transforming her website into a marketplace for Black businesses, Beyoncé is all about uplifting the community. The superstar, who is known for making significant financial contributions to important causes, is now taking her commitment a step…

If you’ve been searching for a good sunscreen that is just right for your melanin-infused skin, look no further than Black Girl Sunscreen. Shontay Lundy created Black Girl Sunscreen in 2016 after she became fed up with using sunscreens that left behind a white residue. The clear-drying SPF 30 formula provides women of darker complexions…

Ja’Mal Green represents the next wave of Black leadership in Chicago. In his young career, he assisted Bernie Sanders with outreach during his first presidential campaign in 2016, challenged politicians and ran to become mayor of the Windy City in 2018. He is ambitious and bold and has become the go-to source when it comes…

Common is using this quarantine to get fit and he’s trying to help you too. The rapper has just launched a wellness series on “Com&Well” on YouTube. The six-episode series is all about health and wellness. Ahead of the first episode, which aired on Tuesday, Aug. 18., he made the announcement via Twitter and Instagram…

Hailing from southwest Atlanta, aka the SWATS, Keith A. Lewis Jr. and Jermaine Clarke understand the hardships of growing up as Black men in the city. With young kids being exposed to so much these days, Black fathers’ presence and guidance are more important than ever. Lewis and Clarke, high school best friends and dedicated…

If you’ve ever needed a resource to help you easily find local Black businesses to support, you’ll be happy to know that Mandy Bowman created one. Since graduating with a degree in entrepreneurship and global business management from Babson College, Bowman has been a driven advocate for economic empowerment and ownership within the Black community.…

A community in Baltimore is on high alert after an explosion caused three homes to collapse and debris to hit about 20 homes nearby. According to the Baltimore Sun, the incident occurred around 9:54 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. Residents of the Reisterstown Road community heard a loud explosion, and some neighbors witnessed the total…

It’s never too late to change your life. This is something that entrepreneur Chantel Calloway knows firsthand. Calloway created Rhyme Antics, a fun board game that uses hip-hop to test players’ vocabulary and rhyming skills. She got the idea during one of the lowest points in her life. After spending three days in jail for…

CURLFEST is the “largest natural beauty festival in America,” according to the organization’s website. The event that started in New York in 2014 and expanded to Atlanta last year is a cultural beauty movement. Each year it brings together about 40,000 people to celebrate Black women in all their glory. Unfortunately due to the pandemic,…

Since 1983, The Black Women’s Health Imperative has been dedicated to uplifting and educating Black women about health and overall wellbeing. This week they are celebrating 38 years of existence with a collection of virtual panels aimed at providing an open platform to discuss an array of issues that impact Black women. We spoke with…

From college dropout to becoming the largest Black female beverage manufacturer in the country, Nailah Ellis is the definition of success through determination. The Detroit native founded Ellis Island Tea in 2008 and now her products can found in retail giants like Sam’s Club and Costco and airport concessioners across the country. Ellis has been…

Following George Floyd’s death at the hands of officers with the Minneapolis Police Department, calls for police reform are being heard around the country. At rolling out, we want to hear from those in law enforcement who are dedicated to their jobs and the betterment of the community. U. Reneé Hall has been chief of…

From teenage activist to a community leader, mother and author, Kim Johnson has always strived to make an impact. She received degrees from the University of Oregon and the University of Maryland, College Park. Johnson is a proud college administrator and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She is now releasing her debut novel…

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is teaming up with Toyota to launch its Summer in the City fundraising campaign. During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit has already provided more than 1.1 million meals to families, served more than 304,000 beverages to families and helped nearly 3,700 families with utility and rental…

21 Savage is doing his part to uplift and empower the next generation. The Grammy Award-winning rapper announced the launch of his new Bank Account At Home program initiative through his foundation, Leading by Example, on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. The program is a collaborative partnership between the mobile banking service Chime, the education technology…

Lee England Jr. is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and activist. England is known as the “The Soul Violinist” for his ability to flawlessly blend R&B, hip-hop and soul. His undeniable talent has garnered the attention of Quincy Jones, Michael Jordan, and Sean“Diddy” Combs. England recently led a violin vigil for Elijah McClain, an unarmed 23-year-old…

Mondale Robinson is the founder of the Black Male Voter Project, an organization that uses non-traditional approaches to reach Black men. Robinson is a graduate of Livingstone College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in political science along with a concentration in African and Latin American politics. He is passionate about the expansion of democracy…

Pastor Mike McClure Jr. is a gospel artist and the senior pastor of Rock City Church. The Birmingham, Alabama, native recently released his hit single “BIG,” which spent 10 weeks as the No. 1 song on gospel radio. Pastor Mike, as he is known, is also actively involved in his community, advocating for civil rights…