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As we all wait with baited breath for the release of Marvel’s Black Panther, one artist decided to reimagine the film’s poster with children. London-based Nigerian visual artist Àsìkò was commissioned by Looks Like Me, a talent agency that aims to redefine beauty and raise the profile of underrepresented groups in the United Kingdom. Though he was hesitant to work with children, Àsìkò lept at the chance to riff on Black Panther because it was one of his favorite comic books as a child. “As a kid who read comics Black Panther was one of the very few Black superheroes I came across,” he wrote on Instagram. “For a child, it is a beautiful thing to see yourself represented in a positive light in pop culture.” “What is also great is that it’s a hero steeped in culture and heritage and not drug deals or street thugging,” Àsìkò added. “[Ryan Coogler] and [Marvel Studios] have made a film that is part of the positive narrative changing views of Africa and the Black race and boy does it matter.” Black Panther opens February 16 and has already brought in millions in pre-sale tickets — in addition to campaigns for children around the world to see the film in their local theaters. 

George Lucas helped out with a scene when he visited the set of Solo. Is it possible the creator of Star Wars would ever like to return to the galaxy far, far away? We discussed the possibility on today’s Nerdist News Talks Back, along with whether or not the latest Infinity War teasers are doing anything to get us more hyped for the movie, and if the Peter Rabbit controversy has merit.

Host Jessica Chobot was joined today by producer Jesse Gill, Mothership writer Amy Vorpahl, and Nerdist News writer Joey Clift, and they assembled to first look at the latest TV spot for Infinity War. There was almost nothing new in it, so they kicked off the discussion by questioning the point of releasing a short spot like this.

We also found out last week George Lucas helped direct a scene when he visited the Solo set. Does this mean he hasn’t truly let go of his Star Wars baby? It’s hard to imagine, but maybe there’s a possibility of him returning to Star Wars in a more official capacity.

Finally, like everyone predicted, the Peter Rabbit movie has led to controversy, with Sony apologizing for how it depicted a food allergy. Is this too much sensitivity, or are parents right to be upset?

Remember Nerdist News Talks Back airs live on our YouTube and Alpha channels at 1 p.m. PT Monday through Thursday. Starting this Friday, Nerdist News What the Fridays will kick off; it’s our brand new hour long show recapping the week in pop culture, and it will air at 1 p.m. PT exclusively on Alpha.

No, George Lucas will not be involved with the show. Unless he wants to be, then he’s definitely welcomed to help out. The guy did create Star Wars after all.

We still want to hear from you about today’s show, so talk back to us in the comments below.

Featured Image: Lucasfilm

Catch up on this news!

• George Lucas helped direct a Solo scene.
• What’s up with Cap’s shield in Infinity War?
• Michael Fassbender will star in Kung Fury.

A number of black athletes are making history at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, which kicked off earlier this week. This includes Maame Biney, who became the first black woman to join the U.S. Olympic speedskating team at just 17 years old; Erin Jackson, the first black woman to secure a spot on Team USA’s Olympic speed skating team; and Jordan Greenway, the first African American player to compete on the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team. However, there are scores of black athletes who’ve paved the way for these legends-in-the-making over the last century.

10 iconic black Olympians who’ve made history by breaking records and racial barriers:

Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera

(Image: Wikimedia)

In 1900, French soccer player Constantin Henriquez de Zubiera became the first black athlete to compete at the modern-day Olympics, which launched four years earlier in 1896. The Haitian-born rugby player was also the very first person of color to earn an Olympic gold medal when the French team won the first Rugby Olympic Tournament. 

George Coleman Poage

(Image: Wikimedia)

George Coleman Poage was another trailblazer who faced great racial adversity during the Olympic games in St. Louis in 1904. Although many of the events were segregated, Poage became the first African American to win an Olympic medal after earning a bronze medal in both the 220-yard and 440-yard hurdles.

John Taylor

(Image: Wikimedia)

Four years later, John Taylor became the first African American athlete to win a gold medal in athletics when the U.S. men’s medley relay team came in first place at the 1908 Summer Olympics.

Jesse Owens

(Image: Wikimedia)

In 1936, black American sprinter and athlete Jesse James Cleveland Owens won four gold medals for running and field events in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. This victory helped dispel Nazi-based myths about Aryan supremacy.

Alice Coachman

(Image: Facebook)

Track and field star Alice Coachman was the first black woman to win an Olympic gold at the 1948 games in London. The HBCU graduate also set new records with her high jump.

Wilma Rudolph

World-renowned track-and-field star Wilma Rudolph made Olympic history at 16 years old when she became the youngest member of the U.S. team and won a bronze medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. She later earned gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and sprint relay events in the 1960 Olympics, making her the first American woman to win three medals in track-and-field events.

Florence Griffith-Joyner

Known for her flamboyant style on the field, Florence “Flo Jo” Griffith-Joyner set an all-time record as the fastest woman in the world at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul while competing in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

Ibtihaj Muhammad

(Image: Flickr)

Ibtihaj Muhammad became the first Muslim woman to compete for the U.S. in fencing and the first U.S. Olympic athlete to compete in a hijab during the summer 2016 Olympics. The fencing champ also became the first female Muslim-American athlete to win an Olympic medal when she took home the bronze in the team saber event at the Summer Games in Rio.

Usain Bolt

(Image: Wikimedia)

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt set a world record in the men’s 100-meters, 200-meters, and the 4×100 meters relay during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. He is also celebrated as one of the most decorated sprinters of all time with six gold medals.

Gabby Douglas

(Image: Wikimedia)

During the 2012 Summer Olympics, U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas made history at as the first woman of color to win gold in the all-around competition at 16 years old. In addition, she is the first American gymnast to win gold in both the individual and team all-around competition.

The post 10 Black Olympian Historymakers appeared first on Black Enterprise.

The mental health stigma remains a cloud of shame with many fearing discrimination or alienation from family, friends, even society at large. Approximately 1 in 4 people suffer from some form of mental illness.

HLG Scans Founder Charmaine Gresham has dealt with depression pretty much all her life, beginning in her adolescent years. Gresham has faced some tremendous highs and very dark lows, but she prides herself on still standing and not being ashamed. She challenges the notion that you can’t be successful if you have a mental illness.

For Gresham, it’s about knowing trigger moments and how to efficiently work through them via professional counseling and meditation. Black Enterprise contributor Chanel Martin discusses with Gresham how she is able to build her business and take care of her family while managing her mental illness.

Chanel Martin: Tell us about your business. What is it? How did you get started?

Gresham: HLG Scans was started out of necessity. My newborn daughter was having sinusitis health problems, and I had to constantly take leave from my corporate job to take care of her. I finally decided I didn’t want to choose anymore and started the process of developing HLG Scans L.L.C. HLG Scans is a multi-dimensional electronic document management company. We have three subdivisions: federal contracting, online products and services, and small business services. HLG Scans is a certified Veteran Owned (VOSB) and Women-Owned (WOSB) Small Business.

We provide third-party vendor services to federal government agencies from administrative to minor construction outsourcing. Our online division provides interactive tools, training, and consultation to transform your traditional office into a digital workspace with the ability to work from anywhere. Our small business division, provide scan conversion and electronic document management services to help local business owners save money and increase office productivity. The workplace is an ever-changing entity. Technology is changing the way we do our business. Things that used to take weeks, now only take hours and minutes. Electronic document management is becoming a requirement and no longer a luxury.

As a mental health survivor, entrepreneurship can be very stressful. How do you manage your diagnoses while pursuing your entrepreneurial efforts?

Mental illness is something I’ve dealt with in one form or another for a majority of my life. Before I was clinically diagnosed with PTSD, I would continually have highs and sometimes feel so low that the only thing that got me to a place of recovery was prayer and determination to see another day. With mental illness, your trigger moments can feel like a deep dark hole you’re constantly trying to climb out. Normal habits, such as getting out of bed, taking a shower, brushing your teeth, can easily be put on the backburner because you’re too exhausted to get out of bed. I would have slept my life away I could. With PTSD you’re constantly struggling with past demons. It’s like playing a broken record in your head. Usually, with PTSD, you’re triggered by past and present moments of stress. You’re trying to win this battle in your head and everything you hold dear gets damaged in the crossfire. It can be utterly exhausting fighting with yourself.

Sometimes my moments of depression could end up lasting for a week, with me struggling to find a real reason to keep pushing. When you’re not adequately dealing with your mental health, nothing gets 100% from you, including family, friends, and your business. Sometimes I would go a week without being productive, things weren’t getting done, and it showed. I was trying to do everything myself, which made me stressful, which made me depressed. The goal for any business is consistency, and that’s something I could not give because I wasn’t dealing with my issues. Once I started treatment, delegated some responsibilities, and learned to take a break and breathe; things began to change for the better. Contracts began coming in, and real progress has been made across the board for my business. I want a happy and fulfilling life, and I deserve it. My main priority is maintaining a positive outlook for my family and me, which includes medication, regular counseling, exercise, and meditation.

What is a typical day in the life for you?

A typical day for me includes early morning meditation; getting my daughter ready for school, and meeting with my trainer for an exercise session. I then return home and start my workday which includes: virtual meetings with my team, responding to emails, reviewing my to-do list, developing new online products, social media interaction, live video trainings, and local networking meetings and events. I usually meet with my counselor twice a month to decompress. I always feel refreshed after our sessions.

What advice do you have for others who may feel that a mental health diagnosis would limit their ability to build a sustainable business?

First, you must openly acknowledge and accept your mental health diagnoses. It’s not a death sentence or something you should be ashamed of. I would suggest seeking physician care, professional counseling, regularly participating in activities that bring you peace and joy, and if you have a triggered moment, don’t beat yourself up. We’re all beautifully flawed human beings.

What motivates you to keep going?

I do believe there’s an anointed strength in me that keeps me going through all the trials and tribulations of juggling three hats (business owner, mother, and wife). I’ve had tremendous growth because through it all, I kept going. Unfortunately, sometimes I don’t take the time to pat myself on the back because I always see something that can be better. I’m slowly learning to stop and smell the roses; enjoy the moment of achievement and growth. I’m also learning that no matter how busy or driven I am, to always make time for me. Enjoy the different vices that help me relax and just be. Mental illness isn’t something to be ashamed of, it’s a part of me, and I have to love all parts of me—no matter what.

The post Mental Health Survivor and Entrepreneur on Building Her Business While Managing PTSD appeared first on Black Enterprise.