Business
NICU mom uses pain to strengthen bond with women
CHICAGO CRUSADER — Veroniqca Kozel has encountered loss and heartbreak, but she has used that pain to motivate her in her position as event coordinator with Emma’s Footprints. Emma’s Footprints plans events and fundraisers for families who have babies in the neonatal intensive care unit or have experienced the loss of an infant.
By Chicago Crusader
Veroniqca Kozel has encountered loss and heartbreak, but she has used that pain to motivate her in her position as event coordinator with Emma’s Footprints.
Emma’s Footprints plans events and fundraisers for families who have babies in the neonatal intensive care unit or have experienced the loss of an infant.
Kozel gave birth to her son Brody nine years ago. After his birth, Brody spent 15 months in the NICUs at Comer Children’s Hospital and Riley Children’s Hospital.
“He was born only one pound and 1.9 ounces. He was considered a micro-preemie,” said Kozel.
Following Brody’s time in the NICU, Kozel suffered from two 20-week miscarriages. It was during this time that Kozel looked for support in her community. She found Emma’s Footprints and attended her first event.
“I attended Emma’s Footprints first Wave of Light in 2016. That’s where I met Amelia [Kowalisyn],” said Kozel. She quickly formed a friendship with Kowalisyn, the founder of Emma’s Footprints.
Through 2017, Kozel became increasingly involved in the organization but wanted to give more. Kozel combined her passion for helping others and her love of celebrations by becoming the event coordinator last summer. Her current focus is on the second annual Mother’s Day Brunch.
“I love the Mother’s Day Brunch because it’s all about giving back, not fundraising. It’s centered around women and the similar struggle they’ve gone through,” said Kozel.
This year’s Mother’s Day Brunch will be held on May 19 at Innsbrook Country Club. Kozel is still looking for donations for door prizes and gift bags for the attendees.
For more information about how to donate to the Mother’s Day Brunch, email emmasfootprints@gmail.com.
Emma’s Footprints is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families with babies in the NICU and educating the community about infant loss from pregnancy through infancy.
This article originally appeared in the Chicago Crusader.
Business
V.P. Kamala Harris: Americans With Criminal Records Will Soon Be Eligible for SBA Loans
Speaking in Las Vegas on Jan. 27, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a forthcoming federal rule that will extend access to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to Americans who have been convicted of felonies but have served their time. Small business owners typically apply for the SBA loans to start or sustain their businesses.
By California Black Media
Speaking in Las Vegas on Jan. 27, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a forthcoming federal rule that will extend access to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to Americans who have been convicted of felonies but have served their time.
Small business owners typically apply for the SBA loans to start or sustain their businesses.
Harris thanked U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, for the work he has done in Washington to support small businesses and to invest in people.
“He and I spent some time this afternoon with business leaders and small business leaders here in Nevada. The work you have been doing to invest in community and to invest in the ambition and natural capacity of communities has been exceptional,” Harris said, speaking to a crowd of a few hundred people at the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall in East Las Vegas.
On her daylong trip, Harris was joined by Horford, SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman, Interim Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Eric Morrissette, and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev).
“Formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to economic opportunity once they leave prison and return to the community, with an unemployment rate among the population of more than 27%,” the White House press release continued. “Today’s announcement builds on the Vice President’s work to increase access to capital. Research finds that entrepreneurship can reduce recidivism for unemployed formerly incarcerated individuals by as much as 30%.”
Business
G.O.P. Lawmakers: Repeal AB 5 and Resist Nationalization of “Disastrous” Contractor Law
Republican lawmakers gathered outside of the Employee Development Department in Sacramento on Jan. 23 to call for the repeal of AB5, the five-year old California law that reclassified gig workers and other independent contractors as W-2 employees under the state’s labor code.
By California Black Media
Republican lawmakers gathered outside of the Employee Development Department in Sacramento on Jan. 23 to call for the repeal of AB5, the five-year old California law that reclassified gig workers and other independent contractors as W-2 employees under the state’s labor code.
Organizers said they also held the rally to push back against current efforts in Washington to pass a similar federal law.
“We are here to talk about this very important issue – a battle we have fought for many years – to stop this disastrous AB 5 policy,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City).
Now, that threat has gone national as we have seen this new rule being pushed out of the Biden administration,” Gallagher continued.
On Jan. 10, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a new rule providing guidance on “on how to analyze who is an employee or independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).”
“This final rule rescinds the Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act rule (2021 IC Rule), that was published on January 7, 2021, and replaces it with an analysis for determining employee or independent contractor status that is more consistent with the FLSA as interpreted by longstanding judicial precedent,” a Department of Labor statement reads.
U.S. Congressmember Kevin Kiley (R-CA-3), who is a former California Assemblymember, spoke at the rally.
“We are here today to warn against the nationalization of one of the worst laws that has ever been passed in California, which has devastated the livelihoods of folks in over 600 professions,” said Kiley, adding that the law has led to a 10.5% decline in self-employment in California.
Kiley blamed U.S Acting Secretary of Labor, July Su, who was the former secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, for leading the effort to redefine “contract workers” at the federal level.
Kiley said two separate lawsuits have been filed against Su’s Rule – its constitutionality and the way it was enacted, respectively. He said he is also working on legislation in Congress that puts restrictions on the creation and implementation of executive branch decisions like Su’s.
Assemblymember Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita) announced that she plans to introduce legislation to repeal AB 5 during the current legislative session.
“So many working moms like myself, who are also raising kids, managing households, were devastated by the effects of AB 5 because they lost access to hundreds of flexible professions,” Sanchez continued. “I’ve been told by many of these women that they have lost their livelihoods as bookkeepers, artists, family caregivers, designers, and hairstylists because of this destructive law.”
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of April 10 – 16, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 10 – 16, 2024
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
-
Activism4 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of March 20 – 26, 2024
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
COMMENTARY: D.C. Crime Bill Fails to Address Root Causes of Violence and Incarceration
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
Mayor, City Council President React to May 31 Closing of Birmingham-Southern College
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
From Raids to Revelations: The Dark Turn in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Saga
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
COMMENTARY: Lady Day and The Lights!
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
Baltimore Key Bridge Catastrophe: A City’s Heartbreak and a Nation’s Alarm
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
Baltimore’s Key Bridge Struck by Ship, Collapses into Water
-
Activism3 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of March 27 – April 2, 2024