(BBR)  Bulleit Bourbon and Buffalo Trace are two popular bourbon brands that offer great value for money. After tasting both, here is my comparison review:

Bulleit Bourbon has a spicy aroma with notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel. The taste is bold and spicy with a hint of sweetness. The finish is long and dry with a lingering spiciness. Overall, Bulleit Bourbon is a great choice for those who prefer a spicier, bolder bourbon with a long finish.

Buffalo Trace, on the other hand, has a sweeter aroma with notes of honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. The taste is smooth and sweet with a hint of spice. The finish is medium in length with a pleasant sweetness that lingers. Overall, Buffalo Trace is a great choice for those who prefer a smoother, sweeter bourbon with a shorter finish.

In terms of price, both Bulleit Bourbon and Buffalo Trace are similarly priced, making them both great value for money. However, Bulleit Bourbon may be slightly more expensive in some regions.

Overall, both Bulleit Bourbon and Buffalo Trace are great bourbon choices that offer unique and distinct flavor profiles. It ultimately comes down to personal preference when choosing between the two, and both are worth trying to see which one suits your taste buds better.

Mayor Brandon Scott's Vision

(BBR)  Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland, has long been known as a hub for industry and commerce. However, in recent years, the city has struggled with crime and a declining population, leading to a less-than-ideal business climate. Enter Brandon Scott, Baltimore's young and dynamic mayor, who is leading efforts to revitalize the city and build it into a regional business powerhouse.

Scott, who was elected in November 2020 at the age of 36, has wasted no time in pursuing his ambitious agenda. He has already implemented a number of measures aimed at making Baltimore more attractive to businesses, including tax incentives for startups and small businesses, investments in infrastructure and transportation, and a focus on education and workforce development.

One of Scott's top priorities has been to increase economic development in the city. To achieve this, he has launched a number of initiatives aimed at attracting businesses to Baltimore and helping existing businesses grow. These include the Baltimore Together Economic Recovery Plan, which seeks to support small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Baltimore City Anchor Plan, which focuses on strengthening the city's major institutions to drive economic growth.

Scott has also been a strong advocate for investing in the city's transportation infrastructure. He has championed projects like the Red Line, a light rail system that would connect East and West Baltimore, and has pushed for improvements to the city's bus system. These efforts are aimed at making it easier for businesses to move goods and people in and out of Baltimore, and to create a more livable city for residents.

In addition to these economic and infrastructure initiatives, Scott has made education and workforce development a top priority. He has launched a number of programs aimed at providing training and job opportunities for Baltimore residents, including the YouthWorks summer jobs program and the Baltimore City Community College apprenticeship program. These efforts are aimed at creating a more skilled and productive workforce, which in turn will make Baltimore more attractive to businesses.

The results of Scott's efforts are already beginning to show. In 2021, Baltimore was ranked as the second-best city for startups in the United States by Inc. magazine, citing the city's low cost of living, strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, and supportive government policies. The city has also seen a surge in venture capital investment, with startups raising a record $545 million in 2021, up from just $20 million in 2015.

But Scott knows that there is still work to be done. Baltimore faces significant challenges, including a high crime rate and a struggling public school system. However, he is committed to addressing these issues head-on, and to building a brighter future for Baltimore and its residents.

In conclusion, Mayor Brandon Scott is leading the charge to build Baltimore into a regional business powerhouse. Through his ambitious economic, infrastructure, and workforce development initiatives, he is creating a more attractive and livable city for businesses and residents alike. While there is still much work to be done, Scott's vision for Baltimore is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when leaders prioritize economic growth and invest in their communities.

Baltimore (BBR) - I am writing a story about you guessed it - DIVAS!!
I am starting with some basics as I work on writing this story.
Why is it when a women speaks well, is confident, polite, has some education, likes nice, shiny things and stands up for herself people think she is arrogant, a B**** or Diva?
Recently, I looked up the word "Princess" and one of the given definitions of "Princess" is - A spoiled or arrogant young woman according to Oxford Dictionary.
When I looked up the word for Diva. One of the definitions for this word says - (A self-important person who is temperamental and difficult to please (typically used of a woman).
Sooooooo....
My question to everybody today is how come we live in a world that is always telling us that we can "Be all you can be", "A mind is a terrible thing to waste", L'Oreal (Because your worth it) and Nike "Just do it". That when you actually go to do these things noone is happy for you in the (Becoming somebody phase). When you have nothing, you are cool with everyone. When you have everything you are cool with everyone. But if you are someone stuck in the middle there seems to be hell to pay particularly if you a women and some feel you might really achieve your goal. (Both men and women).
Why do people have problems with people who like nice things and work really really hard for them. Why is it that current society doesn't feel like people are entitled to nice things. Why is it that if on any given day you decide to put on dress pants instead of the usual (Walmart look) you are now considered bouje'. Why if you fix your hair or do anything out of the ordinary there seems to be eyebrows raised on it. Has the world become so used to ordinary that if you do anything just a little bit out of the ordinary you are considered arrogant, bouje, (btw which means "trying to adhere to a lifestyle of luxury" trying is the keep word in this phrase) all of those adjectives! Dare you pull out spirituality or religion then you are really in for it!.
The Statue of Liberty is a women, the Legal Scale is designed with a woman to keep an even keel and balance. So when I hear phrases like ohh she is such a Diva, Okay Princess (Negative connotation). My mind wonders why all the words that should be a celebratory word for young girls and women all have a derivation that is defined as negative.
Fall, 2018 has been amazing in that I have come across and met some of the most profound, upbeat, true, inspirational and extraordinary people that I haven't come across in quite sometime. I don't know-maybe its the way the moon has lined up.
So here are my shout outs to my new inspirations whom (btw, some are women) and thank you because sometimes the road is hard. Other times my brothers and sisters of all races, genders, etc. help us keep the beat!. Wendy, Ricky, Daniel, Cinthia, Debbie, Maria, Renee, Monica, DJ Sean, Shoboy, Scott, Michael),Toni (Female), Marlo, Garcia , Stephen (Los Angeles), Lisa G, Amy Chalk Dada and all my angels. I love yall! Thank you for understanding, supporting, leading and lighting the way!!
The rest of yall gots work to do (me too!). Peace Out.
(btw the Peace sign was created with ideas from women, they say).

The writer of this Op-Ed is Janice McLean DeLoatch - an Author, WebTv Host,Serial Creative Networker and Advocate for Humanity.
Contact information: http://www.janice.media

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Americans have had many ages of identity politics

(BBR) Identity politics has been a part of American society for many years, and it has played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the country. From the struggles of the civil rights movement to the ongoing battles over LGBTQ+ rights and immigration, identity politics has been a driving force behind many of the key political debates and struggles of the past several decades.

At its core, identity politics is about recognizing and acknowledging the diverse and often intersecting identities of people in society, and advocating for policies and practices that support their rights and interests. This can take many different forms, from advocating for affirmative action and equal pay for women and minorities, to fighting for marriage equality and protections for undocumented immigrants.

Despite the many successes of identity politics over the years, it has also been a source of controversy and division. Some critics argue that it encourages a sense of tribalism and division, and that it can be used to justify discriminatory policies and practices. Others contend that it is a necessary tool for ensuring that all voices are heard, and that it is an essential component of a healthy and inclusive democracy.

Regardless of where one falls on this debate, it is clear that identity politics will continue to play an important role in American politics for the foreseeable future. As the country becomes increasingly diverse and as new groups continue to emerge and assert their identities and interests, identity politics will remain a key tool for achieving social justice and progress.

Ultimately, the success of identity politics will depend on the ability of advocates to effectively balance the competing interests and demands of different groups, and to work towards a shared vision of a more just and equitable society. While there will undoubtedly be challenges and setbacks along the way, the ongoing struggles for equality and justice demonstrate that identity politics is a powerful force for positive change in American society.

Reinventing America

I cover demographic, social and economic trends around the world.

Across from the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta, a mural on a recreation center depicts the civil rights leader.Becky Krystal / The Washington Post via Getty Images
By Joel Kotkin and Wendell Cox
The 2007 housing crisis was particularly tough on African-Americans, as well as Hispanics, extinguishing much of their already miniscule wealth. Industrial layoffs, particularly in the Midwest, made things worse.
However the rising economic tide of the past few years has started to lift more boats. The African-American unemployment rate fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government started keeping tabs in 1972. Although that’s 3.1 percentage points worse than whites, the gap is the slimmest on record. A tightening labor market since 2015 has also driven up wages of black workers, many of whom are employed in manufacturing and other historically middle and lower-wage service industries.
There's still much room for economic improvement for the nation's black community -- the income gap with whites remains considerably higher than it was in 2000, with the median black household earning 35.5% less -- but as we pay homage to Martin Luther King this week, the record low unemployment rate is a cause for celebration.

President Trump has predictably taken credit for the good news, but kudos more likely should go to those states and metropolitan areas that have created the conditions for black progress.
The gains have not been evenly spread. To determine where African-Americans are faring the best economically, we evaluated America’s 53 largest metropolitan statistical areas based on three critical factors that we believe are indicators of middle-class success: the home ownership rate as of 2016; entrepreneurship, as measured by the self-employment rate in 2017; and 2016 median household income. In addition, we added a fourth category, demographic trends, measuring the change in the African-American population from 2010 to 2016 in these metro areas, to judge how the community is “voting with its feet.” Each factor was given equal weight.
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The South Also Rises

One of the great ironies of our time is that the best opportunities for African-Americans now lie in the South, from which so many fled throughout much of the 20th century. In the past few decades, many good jobs have moved South and blacks, like many whites and Hispanics, have followed.
The South dominated the previous version of this ranking, developed through the Center for Opportunity Urbanism, three years ago, and still does. All of the top 10 metro areas are in the South, led in a tie for the No. 1 spot by Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV and Atlanta, which was our previous leader.
Washington, with its ample supply of well-paid federal jobs, is the metro area where blacks have the highest median household income in the nation: $69,246. Amid rising home prices, the black home ownership rate has dipped to 48.3% from 49.2%, but that’s still fourth highest among the largest metro areas.
Atlanta, with its historically black universities and strong middle class, has long been described as the black capital of America, and its thriving entertainment scene has given rise to claims that it’s become a cultural capital as well. Entrepreneurship is strong, with some 20% of the metro area’s black working population self-employed, the highest proportion in the nation, and though median black household income is quite a bit lower than in the D.C. area at $48,161, costs are lower too. In-migration has slowed since the financial crisis, but the black population is still up 14.7% since 2010.
Atlanta and Washington are followed in our ranking by Austin, Texas, Baltimore and Raleigh, N.C., with the rest of the top 20 rounded out exclusively by Southern cities, except for Boston in 19th place.
Two key determinants seem to be driving these rankings: homeownership and self-employment, traditional benchmarks of entering the middle class. All of the top 10 boast homeownership rates that match or well exceed the black national average of 41 percent. (It should be noted that the national average is a full third lower than the national average for all ethnicities.)
These patterns hold up as well for income. Black incomes have been rising most rapidly since 2010 in largely fast-growing Sun Belt locales, as analyst and Forbes contributor Pete Saunders has found, such as Nashville, Raleigh and Austin. It appears as if the fastest income gains are generally being made in the places where other ethnic groups are advancing as well. After Washington, the metro areas where blacks have the highest annual household incomes are San Jose ($65,400), the capital of Silicon Valley, and No. 4 Baltimore ($53,200), which like Washington has a huge federal employment base.
Gallery: Where African-Americans Are Doing The Best Economically
The New Great Migration
Perhaps the most persuasive indicator of African-American trends lies in population growth. During the period of the Great Migration out of the south in the early 20th century, an estimated 6 million blacks headed north and west to cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and St. Louis. But now the tide is reversing, with the African-American population dropping in the latter three over the past six years, as well as in San Francisco and cities with fading industrial cores like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee.
In contrast the metro areas whose African-American populations have expanded the most since 2010 are the South and Sun Belt: Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, Phoenix.
In some cases it’s clear that blacks are leaving for better economic opportunities. In others, high housing prices may play a role: In Los Angeles and San Francisco the black homeownership rate is about 9 percentage points lower than the major metro average.
In San Francisco the black community seems headed toward irrelevance and extinction as tech workers have driven up home prices to unprecedented levels; the metropolitan area's African-American population has dropped 6.3% from 2010.
The situation is particularly dire in California where strict land-use and housing regulations have been associated with increases in home prices relative to income of 3.5 times the rest of the nation since 1995. In coastal California, African-Americans face prices from more than two to nine times their annual incomes than non-Hispanic whites. African-American homeownership rates in California are down 17% in the Golden State compared to a decline of 11% for Hispanics and 6% for non-Hispanic whites. Asian homeownership rates have stayed the same.
Blacks, like many other Americans, are likely to continue to move, as Pete Saunders notes, to cities that are both high growth and relatively low cost. In these cities, housing and land use policies generally allow the market to function, resulting in lower home prices and greater housing choice. Business investment and job creation are also strongly backed. Blacks, like others, are moving to these places for opportunity.
In many cases this means a reversal of the Great Migration and a return trip to parts of the country now far more accommodating to black aspirations than those places which once provided the greatest opportunities.
I cover demographic, social and economic trends around the world. I am the R.C. Hobbs Professor of Urban Studies at Chapman University in California, executive director of the Houston-based Center for Opportunity Urbanism and executive editor of newgeography.com. My most re.