#Karen Boykin-Towns

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Pretty in Pink 💖 

Harvey looking stunning in a pink tux and black sheer top at the NAACP Image Awards Nominee Luncheon!

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Exemplifying Excellence at the NAACP Image Awards - Karen Boykin-Towns

The planning of the 55th NAACP Image Awards is well underway. The show will air on March 16, 2024, looking to exceed the success of this year’s show which was nothing short of record-breaking. With close to three million viewers and a whopping 72% increase in viewership from the previous year, it was a resounding success. Further, there was a 55% increase in media impressions and social…

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NAACP honor Image Awards nominees

LOS ANGELES  – The NAACP celebrated the stellar achievements of the 55th NAACP Image Awards nominees across film, television and streaming, music, literature, and podcasts, at its Nominees Brunch at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Hosted by TBS’ Friday Night Vibes co-hosts Nina Parker and Kevin Fredericks (KevOnStage), the event recognized talented individuals nominated in more than 90 categories. The 55th NAACP Image Awards will broadcast LIVE on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 8 p.m. (live ET/PT on delay) on BET and CBS from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. 

Actress Lauren E. Banks, star of "Lawmen: Bass Reeves," attends the 55th NAACP Image Awards Nominees' Brunch at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Century City, California, on Feb. 25, 2024. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline The nominees brunch kicked off with welcome remarks from NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and Vice Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors Karen Boykin-Towns who congratulated the nominees for their accomplishments. More than 130 nominees graced the stage for a special “55th NAACP Image Awards” class photo and were presented with certificates recognizing their immense talent and overall impact to their respective fields. Guests and nominees included Adrian Holmes, Aml Ameen, Carl Anthony Payne II, Choice Skinner, Chris Spencer, Elisha “EJ” Williams, Garcelle Beauvais, Gia Peppers, Glynn Turman, Jabari Banks, Jalyn Hall, Jeremy Piven, Kale Futterman, Keith Powers, LaRoyce Hawkins, Lucky Daye, Mara Brock Akil, Mila Davis-Kent, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Roy Wood Jr., Shoshana Guy, Tre’Vell Anderson, Vic Mensa, William Stanford Davis, and more. Pastor Brenda Palmer delivered an invocation during the afternoon, and gospel artist Pastor Mike Jr. performed his song “Impossible.” “For over a century, the NAACP has championed the fight for a society that cherishes our culture and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of the Black community,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. 

"Wonka" star Calah Lane attends the 55th NAACP Image Awards Nominees' Brunch at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline “Today, we are honored to stand united in recognizing the transformative power of storytelling. Media shapes our perceptions, so let us embrace the challenge to be louder, to activate change, and to amplify the importance of our community, our culture, and our stories. Together, we matter, and our collective voice reverberates through the halls of history,” Johnson added. “In celebrating the NAACP's 115th birthday, we acknowledge that for nearly half its existence, this organization has recognized the vital contributions of the creative community,” said Karen Boykin-Towns, Vice Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors.  “Your work matters – it's a powerful ally to our pursuit of justice and equality. While we fight against false narratives, you craft new stories daily in scripts, songs, and books. Together, our work becomes more accessible and impactful, and we thank you for your commitment to excellence. Congratulations to all, and let's continue fighting together for a brighter future,” Boykin-Towns continued.

"Bel-Air" star Jabari Banks attends the 55th NAACP Image Awards Nominees' Brunch at the Fairmont Century Plaza on February 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline The event's co-hosts Kevin Fredericks (KevOnStage) and Nina Parker led a lively gospel karaoke competition where select Image Awards nominees volunteered to perform gospel classics, including Kirk Franklin’s “Melodies from Heaven” and “Hosanna,” Hezekiah Walker’s “Clean Inside” and “How Much We Can Bear,” “I Just Want to Praise You” by Maurette Brown Clark, and “We’re Blessed” by Fred Hammond. Winners of the 55th NAACP Image Awards will be revealed via telecast on March 16, 2024 on BET and CBS. NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories virtually from March 11-13 on www.naacpimageawards.net, during the Awards Dinner on March 14 and the Fashion Show on March 15. For all information and the latest news, please follow NAACP Image Awards on Instagram @NAACPImageAwards.  The 55th NAACP Image Awards is proudly presented by this year’s incredible partners and sponsors, including Google, Bank of America, Gushers, FedEx, AirBnB, Amazon, Diageo, Denny’s, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines.  Top photo caption: "Creed III" star Mila Davis-Kent attends the 55th NAACP Image Awards Nominees' Brunch at the Fairmont Century Plaza on February 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline Read the full article

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Breaking news! NAACP Image Awards to Air Live on BET Networks; February 22, 2020

    New York, NY (Monday, November 25, 2019) – The NAACP and BET Networks announced a broadcast partnership to air the 51st NAACP Image Awards. The telecast will take place from Pasadena, California and will air on BET Networks for the first time ever. The announcement was made today by NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Leon W. Russell, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, President of BET Networks Scott Mills and Executive Vice-President, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy Connie Orlando. The NAACP Image Awards is the preeminent event celebrating the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature, and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.

   “We’re proud to partner with BET Networks to showcase the incredible breadth of Black excellence in television, film, music, and literature, and to bring awareness to the social justice and economic empowerment work of the NAACP,” said Johnson. “Through its diverse platforms, BET delivers culturally enriching and entertaining content to a wide and multigenerational audience. As we head into a critical 2020 election and Census, the collaboration with BET will be critical to reaching our shared communities.”

   “The NAACP is vitally important, and BET Networks shares the organization’s commitment to our community and social impact,” added Mills. “With the NAACP’s half-century of history acknowledging the achievements of African Americans across entertainment and activism, this partnership allows BET to further our mission to entertain, engage and empower our viewers by delivering this cultural pillar to the communities we serve. We’re thrilled to welcome the NAACP Image Awards home to BET.”

  NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson.

        Karen Boykin-Towns, NAACP National Board of Directors Vice-Chairman is the newly appointed Chairman of the NAACP Image Awards Planning Committee and will provide strategic guidance and leadership. Eris Sims, Chief of Staff will oversee all NAACP Image Awards events and activities.

        “We are excited that two storied organizations, NAACP and BET, are partnering to cultivate innovative approaches to our work and to deliver a transformative experience that inspires and empowers the Black community. This is a natural partnership and one which aligns with our strategic focus,” said Boykin-Towns. “We are confident that the NAACP Image Awards will continue to grow in both impact and legacy.”

  NAACP Image Award

    One of the most iconic annual celebrations of black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws a crowd of the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years attendees include Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Steve Harvey, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, Issa Rae, Trevor Noah, Terry Crews, Yara Shahidi, Danai Gurira, Jacob Latimore, Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Josh Gad, Loretta Devine, Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Ava DuVernay, Chadwick Boseman, and many more.

      “It is our honor to partner with the NAACP as the exclusive broadcast partner of the Image Awards, one of the most influential Award Shows in the black community,” said Orlando. “We will celebrate and acknowledge the excellence and achievements of African-Americans in television, music, arts and give special recognition to the artists that have thrilled us and shaped the past the year in black culture. As we head into our 40th anniversary, it is only right to start off 2020 with this monumental partnership and bring the legacy of NAACP Image Awards to BET.”

    Nominations for the “51st NAACP Image Awards” will be announced on January 9, 2020. Additional key dates are as follows:

    Dec 6:      Submissions close

Dec 20:    Nominating Committee Voting Opens

Jan 03:     Nominating Committee Voting Closes

Jan 09:     Online Public Voting Opens

Feb 07:    Online Public Voting Closes

Feb 21:     Non-Televised Awards Dinner

     For more information and the latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at www.naacpimageawards.net.

[cannabisbusinessexecutive]

Cannabis Trade Federation Launches Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force

Cannabis Trade Federation Launches Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force

PRESS RELEASE

Top officials from leading civil rights organizations to collaborate with diverse group of cannabis industry professionals

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Cannabis Trade Federation (CTF) announced the formation of a task force centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the cannabis industry. The task force, which includes some of the most significant civil rights…

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A corporate powerhouse and veteran of Fortune 500 companies like Pfizer, the NAACP Vice Chairman — Karen Boykin-Towns has learned to be bold and speak up for change and empowers others to do the same. “Using your voice doesn’t have to be speaking to tens of thousands of folks. It’s about figuring out what’s authentic, and putting that out there,” says Boykin-Towns. Read more about it here.

[damajority]

DaMajority Fresh Article https://www.damajority.com/increased-racism-and-missing-black-women-and-girls-are-most-important-issues-for-black-women/

"Increased Racism" and "Missing Black Women and Girls" Are Most Important Issues For Black Women

“Increased Racism” and “Missing Black Women and Girls” Are Most Important Issues For Black Women, Finds Zeta Phi Beta’s “In the Voices of Black Women” Study

Zeta to host “Black Women Vote 2020” town hall and release study results during Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee Weekend on Sat., February 29

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2020  — Leading women’s service organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., will release results from In the Voices of Black Women study during its “Black Women Vote 2020” town hall on Feb. 29 at 2:30 p.m. on the campus of Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. The town hall is open to the public and will provide attendees with a chance to participate via real-time mobile voting and open discussion. Registration is available via Eventbrite.

Washington D.C., February 19, 2020 – Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. ended its Finer Womanhood Empowerment Summit held at the Washington Hilton on Jan. 18 with a panel of women leaders who shared tips on how to mobilize the Black community. Panelists included (left to right): Kendra Hatcher King, moderator; the Honorable Barbara West Carpenter; Karen Boykin-Towns; Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, International Centennial President; Ireisha Vaughn; Retired Maj. Gen. Linda L. Singh; and Ramunda Lark Young.

“While 2020 is a big year for Zeta, as we celebrate 100 years of service, it’s an even bigger year for our country as we prepare for the 2020 elections and Census,” said Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, Zeta’s International Centennial President. “We must be heard, and our communities must be counted. In the Voices of Black Women goes beyond the headlines to educate our communities about real issues that matter the most to Black Women. It’s time to get our issues addressed,” she added.

Washington D.C., February 19, 2020 – Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. hosted the Finer Womanhood Empowerment Summit at the Washington Hilton on Jan. 18, inviting women leaders to share how they found their voices to become community advocates. Participants on panel two included (left to right): Syleena Johnson, moderator; former Congresswoman Donna Edwards; Anita Hill, Esq.; Valerie Hollingsworth Baker, International Centennial President; Elisabeth Omilami; and Dr. Joyce N. Payne.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 55% of eligible Black women voted in the 2018 midterm elections, 6 percentage points above the national average, making Black women a key demographic to watch. “We found that while ‘gun violence’ and ‘criminal justice’ are crucial, ‘human trafficking of Black girls and women’ and ‘mental health’ are of greater importance, despite being ignored by the media. We are forced to become our own advocates. We serve in our communities, financially support our causes, and most importantly, we vote,” said Kendra Hatcher King, Zeta’s International Brand Director.

Key findings explored during the town hall will include issues of concern, economic development, social advocacy, health and wellness, family connectiveness and education. President Baker will also deliver a charge focused on Zeta’s commitment to voter education and mobilization.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1920 on the campus of Howard University and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Zeta has initiated a diverse membership of more than 125,000 college-educated women with over 850 chapters in North America, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East. For more information about Zeta, visit www.zphib1920.org.

SOURCE Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

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Catch a Wave! America’s Most Affordable Beach Towns, 2019 Edition

valio84sl/iStock; realtor.com

For many Americans the ultimate summertime fantasy has less to do with washboard abs and a killer tan than owning their own piece of beachfront real estate—aka bliss. From Memorial Day through Labor Day (and beyond), beach lovers across the U.S. find themselves dreaming of escaping the hellish deadlines, soul-sucking commutes, and humdrum daily grind—and trading it all in for salty ocean breezes, caipirinhas on the sand, and fresh lobster rolls from a seafood joint around the corner.

Now just imagine doing it from your very own place. 

There’s just one problem: Conventional wisdom suggests that only the seriously loaded can afford to own prime beach–area real estate. But we’re here to tell you that you don’t need seven-figure bank balances to make this sunny reverie into a reality. You just have to find the right beach town, one serving up a magical combo of home affordability and surfy satisfaction.

That’s where the sunburned data team at realtor.com® comes in. As we do every summer, we scoured the United States’ 95,471 miles of shoreline to locate the most affordable beach towns in the nation. What we discovered were a sometimes surprising selection of sun-and-sand options that are a lot more financially feasible than a “country cottage” in the Hamptons or Malibu, CA.

And we never lose sight of a very important fact: A beach home is more than a dream, it’s an investment.

So, what’s the key to avoiding a financial belly-flop of a beach house?

“At the outset, you should have some exit strategy,” says James H. Boykin, author of “Investing in a Vacation Home for Pleasure and Profit.”

In other words, getting into a sweet place with plenty of peace and quiet might be easy. But if you buy in a place that’s not desirable to other beachgoers, you might have a hard time selling or renting it out.

To find America’s most affordable beach towns, our number-crunching ninjas located the country’s biggest metropolitan areas with the highest share of listings with keywords such as “beach,” “beachfront,” and “ocean.” (Metros include an area’s main city and its surrounding suburbs, exurbs, and urban areas.) Then we made sure these markets had lots of fun water-based activities, narrowing our list to the places that boast the highest percentage of things like rafting, kayaking, surfing, boating, and fishing on Yelp.com. We then ranked these metros based on their median prices for the 12-month period of May 2018 to April 2019.

It’s important to note that not all of the cities that anchor these metros are actually on the shore. But they all include at least one sweet beach area within their confines. We limited our ranking to just two metros per state to ensure some geographic diversity. And, as in previous years, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many affordable beach options on the ever-pricey West Coast. (Sorry.)

Ready to dive in? Strap on the water wings, and let’s paddle through the most affordable beach towns of 2019.

Most affordable beach towns of 2019

Tony Frenzel

1. Jacksonville, NC

Median list price: $198,846

Condo in Jacksonville, NC

realtor.com

Topsail and Surf City, both part of the Jacksonville metro area, have been attracting second-home owners from all over the country. They come from as far away as Boston, Ohio, and even California to Jacksonville, which rose from second place last year to nab the top spot in 2019. There’s an especially long beach season here, stretching from late March through October, and excellent boating with large docks and deep channels.

The area is particularly popular with military families, who have been stationed nearby at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Nature lovers are fond of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, in Surf City, a fun attraction for children and adults.

“It’s nice and quiet here,” says Heather Smith, the real estate broker at Coastal Compass Agency at Keller Williams. “It’s become a real hot spot for second homes, retirees, and snowbirds.”

And it can be fairly cheap, too. It’s possible to find a four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom townhome with ocean views, right on the sand starting around $300,000. Or folks can go inland a block or two and save big bucks on a beach cottage.

2. Aberdeen, WA

Median list price: $229,564

Home in Ocean Shores, WA

realtor.com

Known as the “Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula,” Aberdeen is nearly two hours southwest of Seattle and just a short drive from Olympic National Park. It’s where Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain hailed from. It is not, however, a beach town itself. But the city leads to two nice oceanfront areas nearby. The ocean waters are clear but chilly, best for surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the area’s freshwater canals.

“The most affordable beach homes are in Greyland and Westport,” says local broker Harley Greninger of Premier Realty Grays Harbor. “You’re looking at about $150,000 to $200,000 for a single-family home.” For that price, a home may not be on the sand, but it’ll be close.

The area is full of two- and three-bedroom 1940s Cape Codders and bungalows. Most are occupied by year-round residents.

Ocean Shores, WA, on the north side, is just the opposite: Most of the homes there are owned by folks who live in Seattle and Tacoma, WA, and even Vancouver, Canada, who come in for long weekends or vacations. Buyers can get deals on condos for around the same price as a free-standing house in Westport. And the resort town offers a wide range of restaurants, breweries, and family-friendly activities like entertainment parks or horseback rides on the sand.

“Affordability is the first reason people buy here,” says Greninger. “But the ocean beaches are the nicest in the state.”

3. Atlantic City, NJ

Median list price: $241,655

Atlantic City, NJ

Vladone/iStock

Long known for shuttered casinos, high unemployment, and broken dreams, Atlantic City has been making a comeback lately. These days it’s more known for something else: killer real estate deals near some of the northeast’s widest, sandiest beaches.

Devastated by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the boardwalk has been mostly restored to its former glory, and there are even new casinos opening on the strip.

Proximity is key here: It’s just an hour and a half from Philadelphia and two-and-a-half hours from New York City. So it’s closer than the Hamptons during traffic, and just a fraction of the price. It’s possible to feel the breeze coming off the ocean in your one-bedroom condo in a midcentury, beachfront building with a pool for under $100,000. A 1,395-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit in an oceanfront luxury high-rise with direct access to the boardwalk and beach can be found in the mid-$200,000s.

4. Myrtle Beach, SC

Median list price: $245,233

Myrtle Beach, SC

DenisTangneyJr/iStock

Retirees have been descending on Myrtle Beach’s 60-mile stretch of continuous sand like seagulls on sandwiches. The coastal city is the fastest-growing metro in the entire United States—and that’s probably because you can buy a home for less than the cost of a decent Italian sports car.

The city boasts more than 3,000 listings under $200,000, the bulk of which are townhomes and condos that are popular among second-home buyers. Many of those out-of-towners rent out their oceanfront high-rise “condotels”—condos in a building that operates like a hotel.

“You can rent it or use it yourself, as you choose,” says local real estate broker Radha Herring of the Watermark Real Estate Group. “So you can actually enjoy your investment.”

The median price for these hotel-like condos is a cool $140,000. But buyers who don’t want to hear their neighbors blasting cable news through the walls can find three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes with fenced backyards in Surfside Beach, SC, for $190,000 to $200,000. They’re within walking—or golf cart—distance of the shore.

Just be wary of pickpockets, or worse: Myrtle Beach has a higher-than-average crime rate, according to NeighborhoodScout.

5. Palm Bay, FL

Median list price: $269,393

Palm Bay, FL

realtor.com

Melbourne Beach is where many already chill Floridians go when they want to really relax or maybe catch a wave. It’s one of the southernmost surf beaches in the state. The vibe is a seductive blend of Old Florida and California surfer cool.

Up and down the barrier island that protects the mainland from the Atlantic Ocean, in towns such as Melbourne Beach and Indialantic, FL, homeowners can watch the swells from bed in their oceanfront condos. Bargain alert: Two-bedroom units start under $200,000.

And, if you’re willing to cross over to the mainland, you can score a single-family home just a short walk from the Intracoastal Waterway, a 3,000-mile-long waterway, and a 15-minute drive from the sand starting around the same entry-level price.

6. Port St. Lucie, FL

Median list price: $279,696

Port St. Lucie, FL

Lee Ruple / EyeEm/Getty Images

Set on a serene slice of the Atlantic Coast, about halfway between Miami and Orlando, Port St. Lucie is a quiet and affordable city on Florida’s laid-back Treasure Coast. The median list price in the city is $205,000, making it a top choice for retirees. About a fifth of its population is over the age of 65, according to the U.S. Census, drawn by the lack of a statewide income tax along with the sun, sand, and cheap housing.

Beyond the gorgeous Savannah Preserve State Park, which marks the end of the city, you’ll find Hutchinson Island. In the lovely Jensen Beach area of this barrier island, buyers can find large one- and two-bedroom, beachfront condos starting in the mid-$200,000s. And when they’re not baking in the sun, they can shop at quirky, local businesses such as the Then & Now Gallery, or take the kiddies to the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast. Fun!

7. Virginia Beach, VA

Median list price: $284,873

Virginia Beach, VA

Imagesbybarbara/iStock

Virginia Beach is a sprawling city where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, just about two hours southeast of Richmond, VA. The region has a rich maritime and military history, burgeoning culinary scene, and more activities to keep families entertained than most will ever need, from kayaking with dolphins to wild horse tours.

While beachfront homes in Virginia Beach tend to cost upward of $500,000, it is possible to find oceanfront condos on the outskirts and in neighboring towns starting in the low $200,000s.

Many second-home buyers head to Sandbridge, a northern Virginia Beach community where the single-family homes are up on stilts and condos are available under $300,000. But bargain hunters typically go farther out to Norfolk, VA, about 20 minutes west on the Chesapeake Bay, says local real estate agent Doug Derring of Chantel Ray Real Estate. His clients, who tend to be older families or soon-to-be retirees, can find small condos on the water for under $200,000 in the area.

8. Salisbury, MD

Median list price: $314,396

Condo building in Ocean City, MD

realtor.com

Maryland’s bucolic eastern shore is known for its historic towns, crab shacks, and natural beauty, including its beaches. The area is a haven for boaters, anglers, swimmers, and sunbathers. And Ocean City, MD, part of the Salisbury metro, is the epicenter of the summertime action—and a new entry to our list of best beach towns.

Set on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay, it’s where city slickers from Baltimore and Washington, DC, want to cool off when the swamp starts to really steam up.

With a median list price of about $285,000 in Ocean City, second-home seekers who want to stroll its miles-long sandy beach and shop-lined boardwalk can get into a two-bedroom, two-bath condo overlooking the ocean for around $250,000. Investors can also purchase these properties to rent out to vacationers. Those on a tighter budget can still find condos a farther walk from the sand starting in the mid-$100,000s.

9. Morehead City, NC

Median list price: $327,589

Waterfront home in Morehead City, NC

realtor.com

Another newcomer to our annual ranking, Morehead City and its surrounding towns are a playground for maritime enthusiasts. The area offers every type of water sport imaginable, in both the Atlantic and the Bogue Sound. The mainland city is protected by a barrier island, Bogue Banks, boasting jaw-dropping beaches with soft sand and plenty of room to spread out for some life-affirming days (and nights) by the shore.

In Bogue Banks communities like Atlantic Beach, buyers can pick up older two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos and townhomes with water views right near the beach starting under $200,000. However, if having a dock for your boat is a priority—and you have the dough—Morehead City and the surrounding communities offer waterfront condos and houses right on the sound. You’ll need to throw down around $350,000.

10. Portland, ME

Median list price: $357,682

Portland, ME

DenisTangneyJr/iStock

No, downtown Portland is hardly what one would call a beach town. The tourist fave is a vibrant, historic port city that sits right on the Atlantic with a great restaurant, bar, and cultural scene. Residents who want to spend more time on the water often go to South Portland for its small beach and easy access to kayaking and paddleboarding.

But the metro’s real beach town is Scarborough, ME, about 20 minutes south of downtown. It’s a classic New England beach scene, with summer vacationers kayaking through coastal marshes, hiking or biking on local nature trails, and baking on wide, almost painfully picturesque sandy beaches.

The median list price of $410,000 is a bit higher than the Portland metro overall. But those seeking a place that can bring in some short-term rental cash can get into an older three-bedroom, two-bathroom Cape Cod or Colonial starting in the high $300,000-range, says local real estate broker Jeremy Lock of Portside Real Estate Group.

And fear not—there are still opportunities for ballers to drop a cool $1.2 million for a five-bedroom, two-bathroom home on the shore. Many believe they’re still a bargain.

“When I moved from San Diego, I was not expecting to find beaches of this caliber,” Lock says.

The post Catch a Wave! America’s Most Affordable Beach Towns, 2019 Edition appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

from https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/americas-most-affordable-beach-towns-2019-edition/

[2plan22]

RT @NAACP: Congratulations to Karen Boykin-Towns, newly elected Vice Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors. Read her bio: https://t.co/4ysobkPa33 2PLAN22 http://twitter.com/2PLAN22/status/965035087501946881

Congratulations to Karen Boykin-Towns, newly elected Vice Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors. Read her bio: https://t.co/4ysobkPa33

— NAACP (@NAACP) February 18, 2018

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Pfizer vet Karen Boykin-Towns joins Sard Verbinnen

http://dlvr.it/RCmX8B

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Regrann from @rbboyce2 - National Vice Chair of the #NAACP Karen Boykin-Towns, and member of #zetaphibeta shares sisterly love with friends and Sister Greeks at #109thNAACP #nationalconvention “Loving my sisters in @NAACP who are also my sisters in Greekdom!” #alphakappaalpha #deltasigmatheta #zetaphibeta Reposting by friend of #sigmagammarho (at Lineup)

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NAACP Announces New Air Date for the 52nd NAACP Image Awards

    The following is a joint statement from Karen Boykin-Towns, Vice-Chair of the NAACP National Board of Directors and Chairman of the NAACP Image Awards Committee; Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, BET; Executive Producers Reggie Hudlin and Phil Gurin; Co-Executive Producer Byron Phillips; and Producer Robin Reinhardt.

       “After careful consideration and guidance from health experts and state and local government, we have decided to reschedule the 52nd NAACP Image Awards to March 27, 2021. As COVID-19 continues to ravage our country, particularly the African-American community, it is our utmost priority to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our staff, production teams, nominees, and all talent involved in this year’s awards ceremony. We look forward to uplifting and celebrating our rich culture and the outstanding achievements of our nominees when it is safe to do so and we appreciate everyone’s understanding during these unprecedented times.” 

     Recognized as the nation’s preeminent multicultural awards show from an African-American perspective, the NAACP Image Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts and those who promote social justice through their creative work.

     Nominees in the categories of television and streaming, music, literature, film, and activism, will be announced on Wednesday, February 3rd. Nominating committee voting will now close on Wednesday, January 20th.  

      The 52nd NAACP Image Awards is produced by Hudlin Entertainment and The Gurin Company. Executive Producers Reggie Hudlin and Phil Gurin, Co-Executive Producer Byron Phillips, and Producer Robin Reinhardt.

     For all information and latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net.

      Instagram: @naacpimageawards |Twitter: @naacpimageaward | Facebook: /naacpimageaward

                                                                                                                      # # #

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A corporate powerhouse and veteran of Fortune 500 companies like Pfizer, the NAACP Vice Chairman — Karen Boykin-Towns has learned to be bold and speak up for change and empowers others to do the same. “Using your voice doesn’t have to be speaking to tens of thousands of folks. It’s about figuring out what’s authentic, and putting that out there,” says Boykin-Towns.

Read more about it here.

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A corporate powerhouse and veteran of Fortune 500 companies like Pfizer, the NAACP Vice Chairman — Karen Boykin-Towns has learned to be bold and speak up for change and empowers others to do the same. “Using your voice doesn’t have to be speaking to tens of thousands of folks. It’s about figuring out what’s authentic, and putting that out there,” says Boykin-Towns. Read more about it here.