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Burnt Sienna, A Creative Passion & The Identity of An Artist: Charisa Dene Jacobs

OKLAHOMA EAGLE — In Charisa Dene Jacobs’ “Heritage,” “Beloved,” and “Sanctuary” collections, the underlying and grounding effect of burnt sienna is one aspect of the Tulsa, Oklahoma artist’s identity. Her bold brushwork, apparent connection to subjects and expressive application of color equally inform her mark.
The post Burnt Sienna, A Creative Passion & The Identity of An Artist: Charisa Dene Jacobs first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

June 18, 2024

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By Ross D. Johnson | Oklahoma Eagle

Identity, through art, is seldom accomplished with intent.

Applied brushwork, the effect of technique, scale, pigment, and preferred subjects may engender a sentiment or feeling from the observer, yes, but an artist’s identity is slower to evolve.

The Messengers, 2020 | Oil on Canvas | 48 x 48 inches. Photo Charisa Dene Jacobs

An artist, sadly, may enjoy a life of profound creativity, pleasures, trials, and celebrations, yet be denied a broadly recognized identity.

In Charisa Dene Jacobs’ “Heritage,” “Beloved,” and “Sanctuary” collections, the underlying and grounding effect of burnt sienna is one aspect of the Tulsa, Oklahoma artist’s identity. Her bold brushwork, apparent connection to subjects and expressive application of color equally inform her mark.

Jacobs’ identity isn’t simply a mark of consistency or recognition. Each work and series, shared Jacobs, is “my own personal journey of identity. A diary of…. how I am navigating through life.”

Madame x Josephine

Josephine Baker, 2020 | Oil On Canvas | 48 x 36 inches. By Charisa Dene Jacobs

“An expression of the romantic,” as described by Jacobs, “Madame x Josephine” (2020) is the result of what occurs when you “make it your own.”

Inspired by the works of John Singer Sargent and vintage photographs of Black Americans, Jacobs has created twelve works for the collection. Charisa’s “Madame X” appears to have evolved the late 19th century signature work of Sargent, producing a contemporary subject, Madame Pierre Gautreau. Absent is the pale-skinned, powdered visage of the Parisian socialite, reimagined is a work that continues to draw attention to Gautreau’s hourglass figure and free spirit.

“Josephine Baker” and “Josephine Baker II” (2020), the eponymously titled works of the collection, are striking representations of the iconic American-born French dancer, singer and actress who was the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture. Baker’s countenance, in both works, is a key focal point, possessing a depth of passion, challenge and triumph.

Josephine Baker II, 2020 | Oil On Canvas | 48 x 36 inches. By Charisa Dene Jacobs

“Black Man in Suit,” Jacobs’ work dedicated to her father, Claude Jerome Jacobs Jr., and the beloved Sidney Poitier, reflects the artist’s personification of being a “classy man.” Meaningful beyond cliché, “a classy man,” as depicted through Poitier’s roles, and certainly Jacobs Jr. life, was and is committed to encouraging the best of humanity, an enduring and selfless pursuit of justice and being unshaken by the challenges related these pursuits.

Black Man in Suit, 2020 | Oil On Canvas | 48 x 36 inches. By Charisa Dene Jacobs

In a wool and patterned waistcoat, breaking beneath a burnt sienna tie, framed by a neutral-colored jacket of the era, Jacobs’ “Black Man In Suit” is an iconic figure admired by all.

The Black American Cowboy

After a Day’s Work, The Black American Cowboy, 2022 | Oil On Canvas | 60 X 48. By Charisa Dene Jacobs

The Maverick , 2022 | 48 X 36 | Oil On Canvas. By Charisa Dene Jacobs

William (Humpty) Whayne Jr. (2022) Tie-Down Calf Roper from Oklahoma | Oil on Canvas. By Charisa Dene Jacobs

“There are certain things that I must do, Black American Cowboy” is one such collection, shared Charisa, who embraces the power of identity and its ability to positively shape the perceptions of all people.

The “Black American Cowboy”, a collection of history-inspired works exhibited in the Vast Bank N. Elgin Avenue office lobby in April 2024, frames each subject with Jacobs’ signature burnt sienna brushwork. Placed upon the warm palette of Oklahoma’s midday skies and grasslands each Black American Cowboy is a source of story and personal narrative. Each subject of great physical structure.

“After a Day’s Work” (2022) and “The Maverick” (2022) reflect Jacobs’ application of color with a perceived intent to ground subjects, center the men of her work, and often appear to be marks of their spirit or passion. Accented by tints and shades denim or canvas blue, and a red hue of puce, Black American Cowboys appear as both icons and common upon canvases.

Jacobs offers viewers context about the collection, sharing that “research shows that 25 to 30 percent of American Cowboys were Black American,” insight fully substantiated by historians like Kenneth Porter.

William (Humpty) Whayne Jr., a subject of Jacobs’ “The Black American Cowboy” collection, is a North Tulsa professional rodeo competitor who she describes as adding “an authentic masculine beauty” to her work. Whayne Jr.’s inclusion in the collection, cast before a background of an early Oklahoma sky above his family’s roping arena, reflects a sincere effort to offer viewers a greater sense of the past, present and future of “The Black American Cowboy.”

The Beloved Collection

Beloved (Sanctuary), 2021 | 60 x 48 inches | Oil On Canvas. By Charisa Dene Jacobs

The Bride Oil on Canvas 60X48. By Charisa Dene Jacobs

“A casting away of the stigma of shame often attached to the female nude form and celebrating her as a holy creation” is the stated foundation of Jacobs’ “Beloved” collection. The artist’s work is a welcomed symphony of mood and palette, framed in hues of green and red, centered by subjects unbound, free from stereotype, public perception and forced role.

“Sanctuary,” speculatively, because of the linear perspective effected by the tapered cloud background, the throw that rests beneath her which drapes out of frame and the negative space created between the arm of the couch and the pillows that adorn it, underscore a subject that appears simply beloved.

Jacobs’ work, throughout the collection, is stunning. The signature application of burnt sienna is present, yes, but far less conspicuous, a compliment to her ability to draw viewer’s attention to subjects.

We know now…

Charisa Dene Jacobs’ work, so closely aligned with her life’s journey, passions upon canvas, challenges, accomplishments and shared discoveries are framed by an identity… A familiarity born of brushwork, hue, tone and shade.

The casual art observer, a place that most occupy, may be assured that the relationship between burnt sienna and Jacobs is one of identity.

The casual art observer may be assured an identity of bold statements, profound beauty and heritage.

An identity of sincere passion and creativity.

An identity worthy of embrace.

Burnt sienna.

The post Burnt Sienna, A Creative Passion & The Identity of An Artist: Charisa Dene Jacobs first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

1 week ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

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Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

1 week ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

1 week ago

February 27, 2026

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Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,