Rondo Events

There have been many efforts lately to conserve historic Black sites across the country and in a push to keep them going, a new initiative has been launched to diversify the architectural and preservation industry, the Washington Post reported.

A summer program—dubbed “Preservation in Practice”—was created as an avenue to empower students at historically Black colleges and universities to pursue careers in historic preservation, the news outlet writes. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Park Service and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. During the eight-week program, HBCU students travel to historic sites to learn lessons about architecture and have the opportunity to get hands-on with restoring certain structures. Six students from Morgan State University—who are all architecture majors—were a part of the program’s inaugural class. They’re being mentored by architectural professionals and have visited historic sites in Baltimore and Wyoming; including the Peale Center. [Read more]

BET is getting ready for its next era after the network officially says goodbye to its trailblazing CEO and Chairman Debra Lee. The veteran network executive has planned step down from leadership on Monday, Deadline reported.

Lee has had a long-running, successful run with Black Entertainment Television. She joined the network as its first vice president and general Counsel in 1986. She later was promoted to president and chief operating officer in 1996 before becoming chairman and chief executive officer in 2005. She oversaw the launch of the network’s website, BET.com, and developed BET Her, the first network for African-American women. She also acquired television rights to Black Girls Rock! and accomplished other victories during her 32-year-career, which has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. [Read more]

Two Howard University graduates have launched a venture that pays homage to Black history and culture. Two years after creating their own boutique hotel hospitality management company Homage, Marcus Carey and Damon Lawrence recently opened the doors to their New Orleans-based hotel that highlights Black trailblazers and historic moments that are embedded in fabric of African-American history, Howard University reported.

The hotel—dubbed The Moor—opened on July 1. It lives inside of a Spanish-colonial structure that was built 97 years ago. Both Carey and Lawrence wanted their establishment to capture the vibrant essence of NOLA while incorporating architectural elements that were inspired by North African Moors. The hotel features four suites with kitchenettes, bedrooms, and living spaces. When creating the hotel, the entrepreneurs wanted to cultivate a space where those who stay can learn about how African-Americans had an influence on the surrounding community. The entrepreneurs hope to increase Black representation in hospitality ownership. [Read more]