Top headlines from this past week: Tom Brady, the Texas crash that killed 9, Zelenskyy addresses Congress, and more
AP, CNN
Updated
Here's a look at our top national news from the last week.
Tom Brady's back. NFL QB returns just six weeks after retiring.
Kevin and Donnie talk about the rumors that Tom Brady may not fully be retired and we may see him suit up for one more season.
Tom Brady’s retirement lasted 40 days.
Brady said Sunday he’s returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for his 23rd season in the NFL.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced his decision on Twitter and Instagram, saying he has “unfinished business.”
“These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” Brady wrote. “That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa.”
The career of Tom Brady, in photos
Michigan quarterbacks from left, Drew Henson, (7), Jason Kapsner, (13) and Tom Brady (10) pose during media day in Ann Arbor, Aug. 13, 1999. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
CARLOS OSORIO
FILE - In this Aug. 4, 2000, file photo, New England Patriots backup quarterback Tom Brady warms up on the sidelines before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Carlos Osorio
FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2002, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady smiles after the Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams 20-17 in NFL football's Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, File)
DOUG MILLS
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady talks with Terry Bradshaw, left, after being name MVP of the Super Bowl, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. The Patriots beat the St. Louis Rams 20-17. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
MICHAEL CONROY
FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2004, file photo, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
DAVE MARTIN
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, talks with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning after the Patriots 24-14 win during their AFC Championship game in Foxboro, Mass., in this Jan. 18, 2004 file photo. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
CHARLES KRUPA
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady laughs during media day at Reliant Stadium in Houston Tuesday Jan. 27, 2004. The Patriots and Carolina Panthers face off in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Sunday Feb. 1 (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
ERIC GAY
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady holds up the Super Bowl XXXIX after the Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in Jacksonville, Fla., on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
CARLOS OSORIO
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, center, and tight end Daniel Graham (82) congratulate cornerback Asante Samuel (22) after Samuels' fourth-quarter interception and touchdown off a pass by New York Jets quarterback Chad Pennington in an a AFC wild card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Elise Amendola
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, top center, is surrounded by the media as he takes their questions while standing in front of his locker at the football team's training facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday morning, Oct. 10, 2007. The 5-0 Patriots will play the 5-0 Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Oct. 14, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Stephan Savoia
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass to tigh end Benjamin Watson during the second half of a NFL divisional playoff football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Winslow Townson
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, speaks to a crowd of 15,000 fans during a send off rally at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008. At right is New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, and second right, team owner Robert Kraft. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
STEW MILNE
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates a touchdown by running back Laurence Maroney during the second quarter of the Super Bowl XLII football game against the New York Giants at University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Ross D. Franklin
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen arrive at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala, in New York on Monday, May 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
Peter Kramer
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass wide receiver Sam Aiken as running back Laurence Maroney (39) and Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer (76) block during the third quarter of their NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18, 2009. Brady was 29 of 34 for 380 yards and six touchdowns in less than three quarters of play as the Patriots defeated the Titans 59-0. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Stephan Savoia
New England Patriots' Tom Brady lifts his son Jack after NFL football training camp Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Michael Dwyer
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) flips over on his head after he was hit hard by San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Cam Thomas, not seen, in the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Charles Krupa
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady answers questions during Media Day for NFL football's Super Bowl XLVI Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
David J. Phillip
Fans hoping for an autograph hold out items next to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after the Patriots' joint NFL football practice with the New Orleans Saints in Foxborough, Mass., Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Stephan Savoia
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after the NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. The Patriots won 28-24. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
David J. Phillip
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady looks on as his son Benjamin hugs a Vince Lombardi Trophy during a parade in Boston, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, to honor the NFL football teams victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX in Glendale, Ariz. . (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Winslow Townson
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaves federal court Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, in New York. Brady left the courthouse after a full day of talks with a federal judge in his dispute with the NFL over a four-game suspension. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Frank Franklin II
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning speak to one another following the NFL football AFC Championship game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, in Denver. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 20-18 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
David Zalubowski
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady gestures during a promotional event Thursday, June 22, 2017, in Tokyo. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback is on a week long promotional tour of China and Japan for a sportswear maker. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Eugene Hoshiko
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates after completing a pass during a football clinic in Tokyo, Wednesday, June 21, 2017. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback was on a week long promotional tour of China and Japan for a sportswear maker. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Shizuo Kambayashi
New England Patriots' Tom Brady raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. The Patriots defeated the Falcons 34-28. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Darron Cummings
Tom Brady, left, and Gisele Bundchen attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination exhibition on Monday, May 7, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Charles Sykes
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady sits on the field after fumbling against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Eric Gay
New England Patriots' Tom Brady (12) embraces Patriots owner Robert Kraft after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Morry Gash
New England Patriots' Tom Brady rides a duck boat during the Patriots parade through downtown Boston, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, to celebrate their win over the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday's NFL Super Bowl 53 football game in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Michael Dwyer
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after defeating the Miami Dolphins 41-13 in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Charles Krupa
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Mark LoMoglio
FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) waves toward the fans as he leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Houston. Brady is retiring from the NFL after an unprecedented career in which he won seven Super Bowls and set numerous passing records, according to ESPN. ESPN reported Brady's retirement on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, citing unidentified sources. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson, File)
Matt Patterson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski, left, and quarterback Tom Brady celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs 31-9 to win the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts as he leaves the field after the team lost to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL divisional round playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Starbucks are among dozens of companies pulling back from Russia in response to its war in Ukraine. Here's a list of…
Liberal US cities change course, now clearing homeless camps
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Makeshift shelters abut busy roadways, tent cities line sidewalks, tarps cover broken-down cars, and sleeping bags are tucked in storefront doorways. The reality of the homelessness crisis in Oregon's largest city can't be denied.
"I would be an idiot to sit here and tell you that things are better today than they were five years ago with regard to homelessness," Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said recently. "People in this city aren't stupid. They can open their eyes."
As COVID-19 took root in the U.S., people on the street were largely left on their own — with many cities halting sweeps of homeless camps following guidance from federal health officials. The lack of remediation led to a situation that has spiraled out of control in many places, with frustrated residents calling for action as extreme forms of poverty play out on city streets.
Wheeler has now used emergency powers to ban camping along certain roadways and says homelessness is the "most important issue facing our community, bar none."
FILE - Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler poses for a photo, Aug. 5, 2019, in Portland, Ore.
AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer, File
FILE - Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, center, talks to supporters at an election night rally, Nov. 2, 2021, in Seattle as his wife, Joanne Harrell, right, looks on.
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File
Increasingly in liberal cities across the country — where people living in tents in public spaces have long been tolerated — leaders are removing encampments and pushing other strict measures to address homelessness that would have been unheard of a few years ago.
In Seattle, new Mayor Bruce Harrell ran on a platform that called for action on encampments, focusing on highly visible tent cities in his first few months in office. Across from City Hall, two blocks worth of tents and belongings were removed Wednesday. The clearing marked the end of a two and a half week standoff between the mayor and activists who occupied the camp, working in shifts to keep homeless people from being moved.
In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser launched a pilot program over the summer to permanently clear several homeless camps. In December, the initiative faced a critical test as lawmakers voted on a bill that would ban clearings until April. It failed 5-7.
In California, home to more than 160,000 homeless people, cities are reshaping how they address the crisis. The Los Angeles City Council used new laws to ban camping in 54 locations. LA Mayoral candidate Joe Buscaino has introduced plans for a ballot measure that would prohibit people from sleeping outdoors in public spaces if they have turned down offers of shelter.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed declared a state of emergency in December in the crime-heavy Tenderloin neighborhood, which has been ground zero for drug dealing, overdose deaths and homelessness. She said it's time to get aggressive and "less tolerant of all the bull—- that has destroyed our city."
Mark Bannister plays with his dog, Amelia, where he lives in a camp for people experiencing homelessness along the American River Parkway in Sacramento, Calif., on Feb. 24, 2022. Bannister said many people lacking housing do not want to go to shelters in Sacramento because pets are not allowed.
AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli
In Sacramento voters may decide on multiple proposed homeless-related ballot measures in November — including prohibiting people from storing "hazardous waste," such as needles and feces, on public and private property, and requiring the city to create thousands of shelter beds. City officials in the area are feeling increasing pressure to break liberal conventions, including from an conservation group that is demanding that 750 people camping along a 23-mile (37-kilometer) natural corridor of the American River Parkway be removed from the area.
Advocates for the homeless have denounced aggressive measures, saying the problem is being treated as a blight or a chance for cheap political gains, instead of a humanitarian crisis.
Donald H. Whitehead Jr., executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, said at least 65 U.S. cities are criminalizing or sweeping encampments. "Everywhere that there is a high population of homeless people, we started to see this as their response."
FILE - Frank, who is experiencing homelessness, sits in his tent in Portland, Ore., next to the Willamette River on June 5, 2021.
AP Photo/Paula Bronstein, File
Portland's homeless crisis has grown increasingly visible in recent years. During the area's 2019 point-in-time count — a yearly census of sorts — an estimated 4,015 people were experiencing homelessness, with half of them "unsheltered" or sleeping outside. Advocates say the numbers have likely significantly increased.
Last month Wheeler used his emergency powers to ban camping on the sides of "high-crash" roadways — which encompass about 8% of the total area of the city. The decision followed a report showing 19 of 27 pedestrians killed by cars in Portland last year were homeless. People in at least 10 encampments were given 72 hours to leave.
"It's been made very clear people are dying," Wheeler said. "So I approach this from a sense of urgency."
Wheeler's top adviser — Sam Adams, a former Portland mayor — has also outlined a controversial plan that would force up to 3,000 homeless people into massive temporary shelters staffed by Oregon National Guard members. Advocates say the move, which marks a major shift in tone and policy, would ultimately criminalize homelessness.
"I understand my suggestions are big ideas," Adams wrote. "Our work so far, mine included, has … failed to produce the sought-after results."
FILE - In this aerial photo taken with a drone, tents housing people experiencing homelessness are set up on a vacant parking lot in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 8, 2020.
AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer, File
Oregon's Democratic governor rejected the idea. But Adams says if liberal cities don't take drastic action, ballot measures that crack down on homelessness may emerge instead.
That's what happened in left-leaning Austin, Texas. Last year voters there reinstated a ban that penalizes those who camp downtown and near the University of Texas, in addition to making it a crime to ask for money in certain areas and times.
People who work with the homeless urge mayors to find long-term solutions — such as permanent housing and addressing root causes like addiction and affordability — instead of temporary ones they say will further traumatize and villainize a vulnerable population.
The pandemic has added complications, with homeless-related complaints skyrocketing in places like Portland, where the number of campsites removed each week plummeted from 50 to five after COVID-19 hit.
The situation has affected businesses and events, with employers routinely asking officials to do more. Some are looking to move, while others already have — notably Oregon's largest annual golf tournament, the LPGA Tour's Portland Classic, relocated from Portland last year due to safety concerns related to a nearby homeless encampment.
James Darwin "Dar" Crammond, director at the Oregon Water Science Center building downtown, told the City Council about his experience working in an area populated with encampments.
Crammond said four years ago the biggest security concerns were vandalism and occasional car break-ins. Now employees often are confronted by "unhinged" people and forced to sidestep discarded needles, he said.
Despite spending $300,000 on security and implementing a buddy system for workers to safely be outdoors, the division of the U.S. Geological Survey is looking to move.
"I don't blame the campers. There are a few other options for housing. There's a plague of meth and opiates and a world that offers them no hope and little assistance," Crammond said. "In my view, where the blame squarely lies is with the City of Portland."
FILE - New York Mayor Eric Adams rides the subway to City Hall on his first day in office in New York, Jan. 1, 2022.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File
In New York City, where a homeless man is accused of pushing a woman to her death in front of a subway in January, Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan to start barring people from sleeping on trains or riding the same lines all night.
Adams has likened homelessness to a "cancerous sore," lending to what advocates describe as a negative and inaccurate narrative that villainizes the population.
"Talk to someone on the street and literally just hear a little bit about their stories — I mean, honestly, homelessness can happen to any one of us," said Laura Recko, associate director of external communications for Central City Concern in Portland.
FILE - A man sleeps in a subway car in New York on Feb. 21, 2022.
AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File
And some question whether the tougher approach is legal — citing the 2018 federal court decision known as Martin v. City of Boise, Idaho, that said cities cannot make it illegal for people to sleep or rest outside without providing sufficient indoor alternatives.
Whitehead, of the National Coalition for the Homeless, thought the landmark ruling would force elected officials to start developing long-term fixes and creating enough shelter beds for emergency needs. Instead, some areas are ignoring the decision or finding ways around it, he said.
"If cities become as creative about solutions as they are about criminalization, then we could end homelessness tomorrow," he said.
***
Resources for homelessness in every state
Resources for homelessness in every state
The causes and conditions that lead to homelessness are varied and complex. Issues like domestic abuse, addiction, financial hardship, eviction, disabilities, and mental illness can contribute to or cause an often sudden change in living situations that can leave adults, children, families, or veterans without shelter, food, or medical care.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 567,715 people were homeless in 2019. Being that these are the most recent available numbers on a national level and that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the world’s population in 2020, those numbers could potentially be much higher in 2020 and 2021. Homeless individuals already suffer from chronic medical conditions at a rate much higher than housed individuals, and the pandemic has put the most vulnerable members of an already vulnerable population at greater risk.
Much of the funding for state programs comes from federal grants provided by the United States Office of Housing and Urban Development. Though federal funds are accessed for services other than those that provide shelter as their primary resource, many homeless shelters, food banks, and free or low-cost medical clinics remain functional through multiple funding and staffing streams, including the utilization of volunteer workers, private donations, and corporate partnerships. Medical services in particular receive little funding from federal sources.
Though there are ample phone numbers to call, from local 211 hotlines to national crisis centers, many homeless people experience challenges accessing resources, transitioning into programs—some of which have stringent protocols to maintain alcohol and drug abstinence—or participate in other treatment programs. Stacker compiled a list of resources in each state that help house and serve local homeless populations using a variety of government, private, charitable, nonprofit, and academic sources.
Click through to find out how your state is helping alleviate homelessness.
[Pictured: An aerial view of San Francisco's first temporary sanctioned tent encampment for the homeless on May 18, 2020.]
Calling 211 is the first step for many seeking assistance for basic housing, food, and health care needs in Alabama. Various local shelters and food assistance programs are available throughout the state, one being Homeless to Independence, which provides necessary supplies for homeless individuals and families.
California: California Department of Social Services
California offers numerous programs to help individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness. As of March 2020, there is a newly created program specifically to help those who have contracted or are at risk of contracting COVID-19.
Ruben A Martinez // Shutterstock
Colorado: Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Resources for housing, employment, and child care are available throughout Colorado. Whether they’re for families or single individuals, for the Native American population, or those with substance use issues, there are specific programs available to provide assistance.
Jen Phillips // Shutterstock
Connecticut: Connecticut State Housing and Homeless Services Unit
Dialing 211 can provide access to various services in Connecticut. The state provides programs for people in need of rental assistance, permanent housing, mental health treatment, and more.
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
Delaware: Delaware Division of State Services Center
Accessing local programs in Delaware involves utilizing a state-run network of service providers. Emergency housing, financial assistance, and support services can be accessed through the Delaware Division of State Services website.
Nagel Photography // Shutterstock
Florida: Florida Coalition to End Homelessness
Florida provides resources for the homeless through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Feeding America, and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Access to those programs, along with specific locations and contact numbers, can be found by contacting the Florida Coalition to End Homelessness.
KMH Photovideo // Shutterstock
Georgia: Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Georgia offers a network of local food banks and pantries that provide supplies and readymade meals. Accessing services starts with a call to 211. The United Way provides connections to services for individuals who are having difficulties meeting their basic needs.
The University of Hawai’i at Manoa has compiled a comprehensive list of resources for homeless people throughout the state. Among the available options are programs to help house those with mental health issues and free medical services for the uninsured.
cleanfotos // Shutterstock
Idaho: Idaho Housing and Finance Association
Homeless individuals in Idaho are able to access aid through federal programs. The average wait time for a response to a rental assistance application is 12-24 months. For financial education, legal support, immediate eviction mediation, and housing support, organizations like Jesse Tree may be able to help in a matter of days.
Charles Knowles // Shutterstock
Illinois: Illinois Department of Human Services
Help is available in Illinois through its Department of Human Services. The state connects individuals with services to prevent homelessness, provide emergency COVID-19 housing, and protect homeless youth.
Diego Mariottini // Shutterstock
Indiana: Indiana Coalition for Homeless Intervention & Prevention
A comprehensive list of local services is provided in the Indiana Coalition for Homeless Intervention & Prevention’s Handbook of Help. Services for veterans, the Latinx community, LGBTQ individuals, and more are listed within.
Kentucky: Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky
Nearly all the residents of Kentucky, besides those in Jefferson and Fayette Counties, are able to apply for emergency shelter vouchers through the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky. The organization provides information to connect with legal and eviction prevention services.
Katherine Welles // Shutterstock
Louisiana: Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care
Federally funded agencies in Louisiana list ways to contact and connect with local resources in the state. Various municipalities provide localized services, some of which include emergency housing, street outreach teams, and services for victims of domestic violence.
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock
Maine: Maine State Housing Authority
The Maine State Housing Authority lists emergency shelters by county. Its Stability through Engagement (STEP) program provides short-term rental assistance to individuals in order to assist them in finding more stable, permanent housing.
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
Maryland: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Calling 211 in Maryland will help connect homeless individuals with needed resources throughout the state. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development website also lists contacts for veterans services, as well as a concise, printable street card to make services easier to access for homeless individuals in Baltimore.
Massachusetts: Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
Massachusetts provides an easily located and accessible directory of resources for individuals who are homeless and need support services. Numerous emergency and longer-term housing supports are available. Resources for the food-insecure are easily accessible and widely available throughout the state.
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
Michigan: Michigan State Housing Development Authority
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority provides assistance to “extremely low-income households” who meet all application requirements. Their 811 Project Rental Assistance program lists two locations that provide housing, making a total of 12 units available. More resources are available through localized community programs.
Grindstone Media Group // Shutterstock
Minnesota: Disability Hub MN
Services for homeless or disabled individuals are easily accessible in Minnesota through the Hub, a comprehensive database organized by the state. Resources are separated by county, and individuals seeking assistance can connect with support workers through online chats, by email, or by calling during business hours.
3841128876 // Shutterstock
Mississippi: Mississippi United to End Homelessness
Missouri offers housing programs that are grant-funded through federal programs. Emergency shelter service inquiries can be utilized by calling 211. Food services, as well as those for victims of domestic violence and for veterans, are also available.
According to The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, 7,169 individuals, including 1,285 youths without adult supervision, were homeless in Nevada in January 2019. The Nevada Homeless Alliance connects individuals needing support with providers. Services include emergency shelter and employment assistance.
Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock
New Hampshire: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
The state of New Hampshire provides information about local housing and assistance programs through a 211 hotline. There are six shelters providing specialized programs for youth, substance use treatment, pregnant women, and female ex-offenders.
Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
New Jersey: New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
New Jersey residents experiencing financial and housing issues during the pandemic can now utilize resources through a newly created COVID-19 Information Hub. Included are links to resources for cash assistance, housing, and medical care.
Organizations across New York provide legal, shelter, and food assistance for vulnerable state populations. The Coalition for the Homeless lists local and national hotlines for those needing immediate help and clearly states what services are necessary for homeless populations across the state in order to continue to meet the growing level of need. It also provides reports arguing for more support and funding for assistance programs.
TierneyMJ // Shutterstock
North Carolina: North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness
Rhode Island: Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless
A variety of services can be accessed through a list of contacts at the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. The coalition hotline provides assistance in multiple languages to meet the needs of a wider number of residents. The Rhode Island Food Bank has a map of resources, including local support organizations and food banks that supply meals and groceries.
Stephen B. Goodwin // Shutterstock
South Carolina: SCIWAY
Individuals in South Carolina who need to be connected with resources for food and housing can go to SCIWAY (short for South Carolina Information Highway and pronounced “skyway”) for a list of organizations and programs in each county. Lists of local churches and charity organizations are also provided.
South Dakota: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
South Dakota offers federal assistance to homeless individuals through programs funded by U.S. Housing and Urban Development office, as well as through local organizations. Hotlines are available for immediate needs, while local missions also provide services.
Sopotnicki // Shutterstock
Tennessee: Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
For housing assistance and additional services, individuals in Texas can call 211 or reach out to Texas Health and Human Services. Resources are provided for each local area and provide services for adults with mental illness and families in need. Both permanent housing programs and temporary shelters are available.
Washington: Washington State Department of Commerce
Contact information for programs to help with evictions and housing is available through the Washington State Department of Commerce. Calling 211 will help individuals find local services that can provide direct assistance.
Always Wanderlust // Shutterstock
Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Human Services
West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
A list of local shelters in West Virginia is provided by the Homeless Shelter Directory and broken up by town. Hotlines connecting with various support services are available through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. The state’s Bureau for Children and Families can connect individuals with medical, food, and clothing resources.
Real Window Creative // Shutterstock
Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Wyoming provides connections to all available support services through 211, both by phone and online. Also available online are maps of shelters, resources for financial help, and programs for veterans, families, and those with substance use challenges.
Police arrest man suspected of stalking, killing homeless in NYC, D.C.
Authorities are searching for the person suspected of shooting five homeless men in less than two weeks.
NEW YORK (AP) — Police said early Tuesday they've arrested a suspected gunman who has been stalking homeless men asleep on the streets of New York City and Washington D.C., killing at least two people and wounding three others in less than two weeks.
Law enforcement arrested the suspect in Washington, D.C., and he was being interviewed by police, the Metropolitan Police Department said on Twitter.
Police in the two cities earlier released multiple surveillance photographs, including a close-up snapshot clearly showing the man's face, and urged people who might know him to come forward.
These images taken from surveillance video and provided by the New York Police Department show a man suspected of shooting two homeless people on Saturday, March 12, 2022 in New York.
New York Police Department via AP
"Additional information will be forthcoming" the statement on Twitter said. "Thanks to the community for all your tips."
The mayors of New York City and Washington D.C. had appealed to the public for help Monday in the search for the gunman. Investigators acknowledged Monday, though, that they knew little about the suspected killer or his motive.
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, speaking together at a news conference Monday, had urged anyone living on the streets to go to city shelters where they might be safer.
"We know that our unsheltered residents already face a lot of daily dangers and it is unconscionable that anybody would target this vulnerable population," Bowser said.
By SARA CLINE, Associated Press/Report for America
Adams said New York City police and homeless outreach teams would focus on finding unhoused people in the subways and other locations to urge them to seek refuge at city-owned shelters.
In Washington, city outreach workers were passing out flyers among the homeless population, urging people to "be vigilant" and featuring multiple pictures of the suspect.
***
Resources for homelessness in every state
Resources for homelessness in every state
The causes and conditions that lead to homelessness are varied and complex. Issues like domestic abuse, addiction, financial hardship, eviction, disabilities, and mental illness can contribute to or cause an often sudden change in living situations that can leave adults, children, families, or veterans without shelter, food, or medical care.
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 567,715 people were homeless in 2019. Being that these are the most recent available numbers on a national level and that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the world’s population in 2020, those numbers could potentially be much higher in 2020 and 2021. Homeless individuals already suffer from chronic medical conditions at a rate much higher than housed individuals, and the pandemic has put the most vulnerable members of an already vulnerable population at greater risk.
Much of the funding for state programs comes from federal grants provided by the United States Office of Housing and Urban Development. Though federal funds are accessed for services other than those that provide shelter as their primary resource, many homeless shelters, food banks, and free or low-cost medical clinics remain functional through multiple funding and staffing streams, including the utilization of volunteer workers, private donations, and corporate partnerships. Medical services in particular receive little funding from federal sources.
Though there are ample phone numbers to call, from local 211 hotlines to national crisis centers, many homeless people experience challenges accessing resources, transitioning into programs—some of which have stringent protocols to maintain alcohol and drug abstinence—or participate in other treatment programs. Stacker compiled a list of resources in each state that help house and serve local homeless populations using a variety of government, private, charitable, nonprofit, and academic sources.
Click through to find out how your state is helping alleviate homelessness.
[Pictured: An aerial view of San Francisco's first temporary sanctioned tent encampment for the homeless on May 18, 2020.]
Calling 211 is the first step for many seeking assistance for basic housing, food, and health care needs in Alabama. Various local shelters and food assistance programs are available throughout the state, one being Homeless to Independence, which provides necessary supplies for homeless individuals and families.
California: California Department of Social Services
California offers numerous programs to help individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness. As of March 2020, there is a newly created program specifically to help those who have contracted or are at risk of contracting COVID-19.
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Colorado: Colorado Coalition for the Homeless
Resources for housing, employment, and child care are available throughout Colorado. Whether they’re for families or single individuals, for the Native American population, or those with substance use issues, there are specific programs available to provide assistance.
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Connecticut: Connecticut State Housing and Homeless Services Unit
Dialing 211 can provide access to various services in Connecticut. The state provides programs for people in need of rental assistance, permanent housing, mental health treatment, and more.
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Delaware: Delaware Division of State Services Center
Accessing local programs in Delaware involves utilizing a state-run network of service providers. Emergency housing, financial assistance, and support services can be accessed through the Delaware Division of State Services website.
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Florida: Florida Coalition to End Homelessness
Florida provides resources for the homeless through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Feeding America, and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Access to those programs, along with specific locations and contact numbers, can be found by contacting the Florida Coalition to End Homelessness.
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Georgia: Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Georgia offers a network of local food banks and pantries that provide supplies and readymade meals. Accessing services starts with a call to 211. The United Way provides connections to services for individuals who are having difficulties meeting their basic needs.
The University of Hawai’i at Manoa has compiled a comprehensive list of resources for homeless people throughout the state. Among the available options are programs to help house those with mental health issues and free medical services for the uninsured.
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Idaho: Idaho Housing and Finance Association
Homeless individuals in Idaho are able to access aid through federal programs. The average wait time for a response to a rental assistance application is 12-24 months. For financial education, legal support, immediate eviction mediation, and housing support, organizations like Jesse Tree may be able to help in a matter of days.
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Illinois: Illinois Department of Human Services
Help is available in Illinois through its Department of Human Services. The state connects individuals with services to prevent homelessness, provide emergency COVID-19 housing, and protect homeless youth.
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Indiana: Indiana Coalition for Homeless Intervention & Prevention
A comprehensive list of local services is provided in the Indiana Coalition for Homeless Intervention & Prevention’s Handbook of Help. Services for veterans, the Latinx community, LGBTQ individuals, and more are listed within.
Kentucky: Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky
Nearly all the residents of Kentucky, besides those in Jefferson and Fayette Counties, are able to apply for emergency shelter vouchers through the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky. The organization provides information to connect with legal and eviction prevention services.
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Louisiana: Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care
Federally funded agencies in Louisiana list ways to contact and connect with local resources in the state. Various municipalities provide localized services, some of which include emergency housing, street outreach teams, and services for victims of domestic violence.
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Maine: Maine State Housing Authority
The Maine State Housing Authority lists emergency shelters by county. Its Stability through Engagement (STEP) program provides short-term rental assistance to individuals in order to assist them in finding more stable, permanent housing.
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Maryland: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Calling 211 in Maryland will help connect homeless individuals with needed resources throughout the state. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development website also lists contacts for veterans services, as well as a concise, printable street card to make services easier to access for homeless individuals in Baltimore.
Massachusetts: Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
Massachusetts provides an easily located and accessible directory of resources for individuals who are homeless and need support services. Numerous emergency and longer-term housing supports are available. Resources for the food-insecure are easily accessible and widely available throughout the state.
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Michigan: Michigan State Housing Development Authority
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority provides assistance to “extremely low-income households” who meet all application requirements. Their 811 Project Rental Assistance program lists two locations that provide housing, making a total of 12 units available. More resources are available through localized community programs.
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Minnesota: Disability Hub MN
Services for homeless or disabled individuals are easily accessible in Minnesota through the Hub, a comprehensive database organized by the state. Resources are separated by county, and individuals seeking assistance can connect with support workers through online chats, by email, or by calling during business hours.
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Mississippi: Mississippi United to End Homelessness
Missouri offers housing programs that are grant-funded through federal programs. Emergency shelter service inquiries can be utilized by calling 211. Food services, as well as those for victims of domestic violence and for veterans, are also available.
According to The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, 7,169 individuals, including 1,285 youths without adult supervision, were homeless in Nevada in January 2019. The Nevada Homeless Alliance connects individuals needing support with providers. Services include emergency shelter and employment assistance.
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New Hampshire: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
The state of New Hampshire provides information about local housing and assistance programs through a 211 hotline. There are six shelters providing specialized programs for youth, substance use treatment, pregnant women, and female ex-offenders.
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New Jersey: New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
New Jersey residents experiencing financial and housing issues during the pandemic can now utilize resources through a newly created COVID-19 Information Hub. Included are links to resources for cash assistance, housing, and medical care.
Organizations across New York provide legal, shelter, and food assistance for vulnerable state populations. The Coalition for the Homeless lists local and national hotlines for those needing immediate help and clearly states what services are necessary for homeless populations across the state in order to continue to meet the growing level of need. It also provides reports arguing for more support and funding for assistance programs.
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North Carolina: North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness
Rhode Island: Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless
A variety of services can be accessed through a list of contacts at the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. The coalition hotline provides assistance in multiple languages to meet the needs of a wider number of residents. The Rhode Island Food Bank has a map of resources, including local support organizations and food banks that supply meals and groceries.
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South Carolina: SCIWAY
Individuals in South Carolina who need to be connected with resources for food and housing can go to SCIWAY (short for South Carolina Information Highway and pronounced “skyway”) for a list of organizations and programs in each county. Lists of local churches and charity organizations are also provided.
South Dakota: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
South Dakota offers federal assistance to homeless individuals through programs funded by U.S. Housing and Urban Development office, as well as through local organizations. Hotlines are available for immediate needs, while local missions also provide services.
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Tennessee: Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
For housing assistance and additional services, individuals in Texas can call 211 or reach out to Texas Health and Human Services. Resources are provided for each local area and provide services for adults with mental illness and families in need. Both permanent housing programs and temporary shelters are available.
Washington: Washington State Department of Commerce
Contact information for programs to help with evictions and housing is available through the Washington State Department of Commerce. Calling 211 will help individuals find local services that can provide direct assistance.
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Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Human Services
West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
A list of local shelters in West Virginia is provided by the Homeless Shelter Directory and broken up by town. Hotlines connecting with various support services are available through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. The state’s Bureau for Children and Families can connect individuals with medical, food, and clothing resources.
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Wisconsin: Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
Wyoming provides connections to all available support services through 211, both by phone and online. Also available online are maps of shelters, resources for financial help, and programs for veterans, families, and those with substance use challenges.
Dolly Parton says no to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: ‘I must respectfully bow out’
Country legend Dolly Parton has withdrawn her nomination for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Country music legend Dolly Parton is appreciative of being nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but she has told the committee she does not deserve to be inducted.
In a tweet on Monday, Parton said she is removing herself from consideration into the illustrious hall of fame.
“Even though I am extremely flattered and grateful to be nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, I don’t feel I have earned that right,” she said in the tweet. “I really do not want votes to be split because of me, so I must respectfully bow out.”
This year’s nominees for the honor include Eminem, Dionne Warwick, Carly Simon, Judas Priest, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar and Lionel Richie.
Dolly Parton performs in concert on July 31, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn.
Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP
While the nominees aren’t solely in the rock ’n’ roll genre, Parton appears motivated to release an album in the category to help her case.
“I do hope that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will understand and be willing to consider me again — if I’m ever worthy,” she said. “This has, however, inspired me to put out a hopefully great rock ‘n’ roll album at some point in the future, which I have always wanted to do! My husband is a total rock ‘n’ roll freak, and has always encouraged me to do one.”
The music industry is dominated by powerful women, whether that be the record-breaking albums coming from acts like Taylor Swift or glass-ceiling-shattering boardroom executives. Of course, the music industry was not always so welcoming to women recording artists. In the early 20th century, many women were barred from performing in certain venues. Others faced discrimination on the road, radio, and from record label executives and fellow male artists.
American music would not be as fruitful today without the pioneering work of women like Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin. Nina Simone and Marian Anderson used their voices not only to tantalize listeners, but to push for more equality during times when segregation was rampant throughout the country. These empowering voices from the past have resonated across generations to open up the doors for many of today’s top acts, many of whom in turn are pushing new boundaries for future generations of women in the music industry.
To celebrate these pioneers, Stacker used data from primary news sources to compile a list of 50 women who broke barriers in the music industry. Many of these names are well-known; but are you familiar with know about one of the first Indian singers who won over crowds in North America? What about the rock star who opened up doors for hip-hop icons? Or the pop star who became an owner of a professional football team?
All that information and more is in this comprehensive review of some of entertainment’s most powerful figures. This list is not just exclusive for singers, though, as we will clue you in on some of the emerging executives who are making waves in music and beyond. Click through to find out more about who’s responsible for bringing the hits to your Spotify playlists and iTunes libraries.
Ella Fitzgerald was known as “The First Lady of Song” for good reason. She won 13 Grammys, recorded more than 200 albums, and was a regular on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Tonight Show.” She also fought relentlessly against discrimination as a Black female artist during the Jim Crow era. Fitzgerald was the first Black woman to win a Grammy award.
Paul Natkin // Getty Images
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday became one of the first Black women to work with a white orchestra when she toured with Artie Shaw in the late 1930s. One of the most famous jazz vocalists in history, Holiday’s song "Strange Fruit," an anti-lynching poem written by Abel Meeropol, eventually earned recognition by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Donaldson Collection // Getty Images
Marian Anderson
While she was unable to sing in some of the country’s most revered halls, Marian Anderson still wowed crowds—and even Eleanor Roosevelt—with her powerful voice. Anderson eventually became the first Black performer to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. Anderson also became a regular performer at the White House, singing patriotic songs with gusto despite her own country’s discrimination against her.
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Lakshmi Shankar
Lakshmi Shankar was a popular Indian musician who was celebrated by fans in the West. She paved the way for artists like Krishna Bhatt and was a standout on the soundtrack for the film “Gandhi.” The sister-in-law of sitar player Ravi Shankar, she also became friends with and collaborated with George Harrison.
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Nina Simone
Nina Simone was known as the “High Priestess of Soul” for her melodic, poignant, and emotional music. Dedicated to her beliefs of justice and empowerment, Simone left the United States in the 1970s and sharply criticized the country from afar because of its racial injustices.
Aretha Franklin won a record eight consecutive Grammys for best R&B vocal performance from 1967-1974. The “Queen of Soul” was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and sang at historic events in U.S. history like the memorial for Martin Luther King Jr. and the 2009 inauguration for President Barack Obama. Franklin also topped Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
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Joan Baez
Joan Baez closed the first day of Woodstockin 1969 and almost instantly achieved a new level of fame with her standout performance. A decade earlier, at only 18, she had performed at the Newport Folk Festival. Throughout her career, Baez has been a champion for civil rights and humanitarian causes, and in 2015, Amnesty International awarded her its top honor—the Ambassador of Conscience Award—for her continuing leadership and efforts in this arena.
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Diana Ross
As the lead singer of The Supremes, Diana Ross shattered music records from 1965 to 1969. The Supremes are revered as one of the top girl groups of all time, with a dozen #1 hits. By 1970, Ross left the group to pursue a solo career. Her first two singles hit #1, and she went on to star in a number of films, including “Lady Sings the Blues,” which garnered her an Oscar nomination; “Mahogany”; and “The Wiz.” Ross was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful female artist of all time, and the book produced a special commemorative Diana Ross edition in 1993.
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Tina Turner
Tina Turner was the second artist on the cover of Rolling Stone, and the first female and Black artist to be on the cover of the famed magazine. She started her career in the late 1950s, and for nearly 20 years, she performed with her ex-husband Ike. After leaving him and pursuing a career on her own, it was the 1984 release of “Private Dancer” that put her back on track. Turner has been christened the "Queen of Rock" and was a major inspiration to artists like Beyoncé.
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Carole King
In the 1960s, Carole King wrote many hits for some of music’s top acts, setting a precedent for female songwriters. Five decades later, she won the Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song—the first woman to win the award. King’s standout career was later recapped in a smash Broadway play, “Beautiful.”
In 2017, NPR set out to name the top 150 albums made by women. At #1 on that list? Joni Mitchell’s 1971 classic, “Blue.” Called simple and radical, “Blue” was a rousing call for equality. Mitchell's influence on the music world—for male and female musicians alike—runs deep.
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Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin only lived to be 27, but made a mark on the music world like few other artists. Florence Welch, Pink, and Stevie Nicks are just some of the notable artists who’ve cited Joplin’s electric stage presence and emotional lyrics as inspirations. At her height, Joplin was called the first queen of rock 'n' roll.
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Patti Smith
Patti Smith became one of New York City punk rock’s founding figures with her debut album “Horses.” Throughout her career, Smith remained one of the foremost activist voices in music, and always seemed up for pushing against the grain. In 2017, Smith won the National Book Award for her memoir, “Just Kids.”
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Cher
Cher has seemingly done it all—in music, movies, and on TV—and has never been constrained to one label through an illustrious career. She’s been called the “Goddess of Pop” with her ability to churn out dance and radio-friendly hits since the 1960s. Lately, Cher has endeared herself to a new generation with her ability to connect through social media.
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Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is country music royalty, recognized as having the most hits on Billboard's Hot Country songs chart. Throughout her career, Parton has appealed to fan bases many country artists have trouble reaching; she also built one of music’s first empires, evidenced by the Dollywood theme park.
Martha Quinn and Nina Blackwood were two of MTV’s original “VJs” and helped revolutionize the industry by making music videos a new preferred choice of music consumption for much of the 1980s and 1990s. Their style and smarts helped make VJs stars in their own right, and Quinn and Blackwood helped set the standard for music TV personalities for decades to come.
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Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry was not only the lead singer of Blondie, a powerful force backed by male band members, but a bit of a hip-hop pioneer. On “Saturday Night Live,” she brought on Sha-Rock to perform, who is considered one of the first female emcees. Through much of the 1980s, Harry was one of music’s style icons.
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Madonna
Influenced by Debbie Harry, Madonna became the definitive pop icon of the 1980s. Thanks in large part to her regular airplay on MTV, Madonna became one of the biggest acts in the world, before becoming a star on the silver screen. Madonna has openly talked about religion, sex, feminism, and age, and remains one of the most popular artists in the world.
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Whitney Houston
With one of the most memorable voices in music history, Whitney Houston crafted pop hits, chart-topping ballads, and rousing renditions of the national anthem. Houston was the first recipient of BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Even after the death in 2012, Houston remains one of the most cited influences in modern pop and R&B.
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Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa were hip-hop pioneers, and the first female rap group to win a Grammy. Along with Spinderella, their DJ, Salt-N-Pepa showed women could find success in the machismo-fueled world of rap and stressed female empowerment. In the 1990s, the group was among music’s most vocal advocates for safe sex.
Emerging from the shadow of her brothers, Janet Jackson became an icon on her own with a tireless work ethic and a style of R&B that changed the industry. In 1996, Jackson signed a record-breaking contract worth $80 million, which reportedly moved her past her brother’s recording contract value. Throughout her vaunted career, Jackson has exuded sexuality, power, and independence, culminating with her 2019 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
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Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah was among the first women in hip-hop to win a Grammy—she won the same year Salt-N-Pepa won its first Grammy. Her powerful lyrics dove into topics like women’s rights and urban struggles, and Latifah seamlessly navigated between rap and R&B. In 2006, she became the first rapper to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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Selena
Selena was a top-selling artist, in-demand actress, and one of Tejano’s most famous celebrities ever. She secured record-breaking endorsement deals, won scores of awards, and was a noted philanthropist. Selena was murdered in 1995; in 1997, her story was told in a biographical movie starring Jennifer Lopez in a breakout role.
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Michele Anthony
Michele Anthony was one of the leading female executives who openly called out the Grammys for being “out of touch.” The Recording Academy’s board of trustees was criticized for a lack of inclusion and transparency, and in a letter, the leaders urged for new leadership on the board. Anthony is the executive vice president of Universal Music Group, and previously founded a firm that managed Pearl Jam, Ozzy Osbourne, and Prince.
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Björk
Originating from Iceland, Björk broke into the American mainstream with an uncanny ability to make experimental music resonate with pop audiences. In 2000, Björk won a best actress award at Cannes for her appearance in “Dancing in the Dark,” further solidifying the fact that female pop stars could excel in Hollywood. Björk’s musical style is ever-evolving, disavowing popular praise for artistic freedom.
Mariah Carey was the youngest musician to receive nominations in each of the big four Grammy categories—Record, Album, and Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. With her amazing voice, Carey is the first artist to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in four different decades. She’s also the first artist to have her first five singles reach #1 on the Billboard charts.
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Sophia Chang
Sophia Chang is known as the “baddest b*tch in the room” and is co-signed by some of hip-hop’s biggest acts. Throughout her career, Chang has managed members of the Wu-Tang Clan—a group that redefined the power of hip-hop collectives—and been an outspoken proponent of diversity and inclusivity. Chang's memoir details her barrier-breaking career.
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Lil Kim/Foxy Brown
In the late 1990s, Lil Kim and Foxy Brown redefined the image of a female rapper. In a genre where male artists constantly were degrading women and bragging about sexual prowess, Lil Kim and Foxy Brown turned the tables and put women on top of the power dynamic in their music. They’ve influenced scores of artists including Cardi B and Nicki Minaj.
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Angie Martinez
As hip-hop became more accepted in the mainstream, getting played on New York City radio station Hot 97 was considered the pinnacle of making it. Angie Martinez, working on airwaves dominated by men, became a breakthrough voice and helped elevate some of the biggest artists in hip-hop history, including Jay Z. Still going strong, Martinez has been called “The Voice of New York.”
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Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill was the first woman to win five Grammys at one awards ceremony for her standout album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Throughout her career, Hill has remained confident and inspirational while battling against unfair portrayals that have ruined the reputations of other artists of color. On NPR’s list of 150 albums made by women, Hill came in at #2.
Missy Elliott began her career as an R&B singer, became a producer, then broke out as a solo star in the late 1990s. Not bound by one title, she became the top-selling female rapper of all time. In addition, Elliott has been a tireless advocate for sex and body positivity.
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Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple, who released what many critics consider the best album of 2020, burst onto the music scene in the late 1990s as an anti-pop star, and famously criticized materialism and cited Maya Angelou as an inspiration in a speech at the MTV Video Music Awards. Apple doesn’t rely on yearly releases or big-budget music videos, just raw honesty that wins her an ever-increasing legion of fans. She recently described how the #MeToo movement helped her get sober.
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Spice Girls
Beginning in 1996, the Spice Girls made sure the world knew the meaning of “girl power.” Boosted by the upbeat hit single “Wannabe,” the Spice Girls invaded America and took over radio, TV, and movies. Some have called today’s young female leaders the “Spice Girls generation.”
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Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez’s breakthrough came portraying another music icon, Selena, and one day another emerging star will likely portray “JLo” on the big screen. In her worthy-of-a-movie career, Lopez conquered dance, pop music, movies, and even broke into the world of sports as an owner of the Miami Dolphins.
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Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe has achieved fame and success on her terms. NPR called her “a veritable influencer of all things cool,” noting her as the heir to Prince’s lineage. Monáe has also prioritized uplifting young people of color.
When country music made a big crossover into pop music in the 1990s, Shania Twain led the charge with hits like "That Don't Impress Me Much” and "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" Twain’s success set the stage for future acts like Taylor Swift, and her videos flipped the usual script of male rock stars backed by female dancers, centering on powerful female voices in front of male backers.
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Lady Gaga
In 2008, Lady Gaga redefined pop music with her artistic, dance-ready club anthems. Gaga became arguably the world’s biggest pop star as she continually evolved, and then did a 180 and proved she was equally talented on film. Her performance in “A Star is Born” wowed critics, and she challenged the norm of fashion and “looks” of a movie star—she deliberately chose not to wear makeup in the film.
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Ty Stiklorius
As John Legend’s manager, Ty Stiklorius created a female-backed management firm that is a leader in film and music. Stiklorius is also driving initiatives for quality education and criminal justice reform. She specifically targets change-making artists with ambitious social impact goals.
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Taylor Swift
With an army of Swifties behind her, Taylor Swift is more than just a global pop icon. She’s matured into an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, social justice issues, and voting. Musically, she took a bold stand when her masters were sold, calling out the hypocrisy of artists’ not being able to own their own work, and planned to re-record her early songs to regain control of her narrative.
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Adele
When Adele dropped her video for “Hello” in 2015, she amassed over 27 million views in one day, a new YouTube record. The song also went on to set first-week download records, and her album “25” was the fastest-selling album in America, moving over 2.4 million units. Adele also became the first woman to have three top 10 singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart at the same time.
Lizzo began her career as a flautist and transformed into one of pop music’s most respected figures with a DIY attitude and open honesty. Lizzo was named The Advocate’s 2020 Women of the Year for her work in promoting Black and LGBTQ+ artists.
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Beyoncé
Beyoncé is more than just one of the most famous people in the world: She’s redefined music success and become an inspiration for women around the globe. Beyoncé’s 2016 album “Lemonade” was her record sixth album to debut atop the Billboard charts. At 33, Beyoncé became the youngest artist to win 20 Grammys.
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Desiree Perez
Desiree Perez is one of the driving forces in hip-hop music as the chief executive officer of Roc Nation. Perez has been one of Jay-Z's closest confidantes over the past two decades and has brokered big deals for Beyoncé and Rihanna. In 2019, Pere was named Billboard’s Executive of the Year.
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Jessica Hooper
In 2015, Jessica Hooper published “The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic,” which provided a unique look inside of the most powerful minds in music journalism. Hooper has covered music over many decades for publications like The Village Voice, MTV, and Pitchfork. Her writing paved the way for other seminal music books like Lizzie Goodman’s “Meet Me in the Bathroom.”
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Lorde
Lorde’s 2014 album “Pure Heroine” became the first debut by a female artist in six years to top 1 million in U.S. sales. Lorde’s mature style and songwriting changed perceptions of teen artists, further proving pop music has evolved way beyond bubblegum.
In the early 2000s, this band took a bold stand at the risk of alienating a chunk of its fan base by criticizing President George W. Bush and American military actions in the Middle East. The Chicks continue to show they’re not afraid to wade into political waters; in 2020, the band removed the word “Dixie” from its name because of connotations to slavery.
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Michelle An
Michelle An is the creative force behind the visuals for acts like Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, and Selena Gomez. Now the executive vice president, head of visual creative at Interscope Geffen A&M, An began her career in advertising. An has twice been named to Billboard’s Women In Music list, and her artists’ music videos regularly produce over 1 billion monthly views online.
Postmodern Studio // Shutterstock
Cindy Charles
As principal of music partnerships and operations at Twitch, Cindy Charles works with artists and producers to create music opportunities on the popular gaming platform. In 2019, Marshmello’s Fortnite concert was one of the biggest music events of the year. Charles is also the co-founder of Women in Digital Media.
Ink Drop // Shutterstock
Annie Lee
In March 2019, Annie Lee was named the chief financial officer of Interscope Geffen A&M. Lee, who joined Interscope in 2006, is the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, and has been a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion at her company. She also is a mentor for emerging music industry executives.
Nejron Photo // Shutterstock
Blackpink
Following in the footsteps of Girls Generation and Wonder Girls, Blackpink has achieved worldwide success, unlike any female K-pop act before it. The group's single for “How You Like That” set YouTube records, including “Most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours.” Blackpink is also the first female Korean group to be certified by the Recording Industry Association of America and has been cited by Bloomberg as the current biggest band in the world.
The music industry is dominated by powerful women, whether that be the record-breaking albums coming from acts like Taylor Swift or glass-ceiling-shattering boardroom executives. Of course, the music industry was not always so welcoming to women recording artists. In the early 20th century, many women were barred from performing in certain venues. Others faced discrimination on the road, radio, and from record label executives and fellow male artists.
American music would not be as fruitful today without the pioneering work of women like Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin. Nina Simone and Marian Anderson used their voices not only to tantalize listeners but to push for more equality during times when segregation was rampant throughout the country. These empowering voices from the past have resonated across generations to open the doors for today’s top acts, many of whom in turn are pushing new boundaries for future generations of women in the music industry.
To celebrate these pioneers, Stacker used data from primary news sources to compile a list of 50 women who broke barriers in the music industry. Many of these names are well-known; but are you familiar with one of the first Indian singers who won over crowds in North America? What about the rock star who opened up doors for hip-hop icons? Or the pop star who became an owner of a professional football team?
All that information and more is in this comprehensive review of some of entertainment’s most powerful figures. This list is not just exclusive for singers, though; we will clue you in on some of the emerging executives who are making waves in music and beyond. Continue reading to find out more about who’s responsible for bringing the hits to your Spotify playlists and iTunes libraries.
Ella Fitzgerald was known as “The First Lady of Song” for good reason. She won 13 Grammys, recorded more than 200 albums, and was a regular on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Tonight Show.” She also fought relentlessly against discrimination as a Black female artist during the Jim Crow era. Fitzgerald was the first Black woman to win a Grammy award.
Paul Natkin // Getty Images
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday became one of the first Black women to work with a white orchestra when she toured with Artie Shaw in the late 1930s. One of the most famous jazz vocalists in history, Holiday’s song “Strange Fruit,” an anti-lynching poem written by Abel Meeropol, eventually earned recognition by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Donaldson Collection // Getty Images
Marian Anderson
While she was unable to sing in some of the country’s most revered halls, Marian Anderson still wowed crowds—and even Eleanor Roosevelt—with her powerful voice. Anderson eventually became the first Black performer to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. Anderson also became a regular performer at the White House, singing patriotic songs with gusto despite her own country’s discrimination against her.
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Lakshmi Shankar
Lakshmi Shankar was a popular Indian musician who was celebrated by fans in the West. She paved the way for artists like Krishna Bhatt and was a standout on the soundtrack for the film “Gandhi.” The sister-in-law of sitar player Ravi Shankar, she also became friends with and collaborated with George Harrison.
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Nina Simone
Nina Simone was known as the “High Priestess of Soul” for her melodic, poignant, and emotional music. Dedicated to her beliefs of justice and empowerment, Simone left the United States in the 1970s and sharply criticized the country from afar because of its racial injustices.
Aretha Franklin won a record eight consecutive Grammys for best R&B vocal performance from 1967 to 1974. The “Queen of Soul” was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and sang at historic events in U.S. history like the memorial for Martin Luther King Jr. and the 2009 inauguration of President Barack Obama. Franklin also topped Rolling Stone’s list of 100 greatest singers of all time.
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Joan Baez
Joan Baez closed the first day of Woodstockin 1969 and almost instantly achieved a new level of fame with her standout performance. A decade earlier, at only 18, she had performed at the Newport Folk Festival. Throughout her career, Baez has been a champion for civil rights and humanitarian causes, and in 2015, Amnesty International awarded her its top honor—the Ambassador of Conscience Award—for her continuing leadership and efforts in this arena.
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Diana Ross
As the lead singer of The Supremes, Diana Ross shattered music records from 1965 to 1969. The Supremes are revered as one of the top girl groups of all time, with a dozen #1 hits. By 1970, Ross left the group to pursue a solo career. Her first two singles hit #1, and she went on to star in a number of films, including “Lady Sings the Blues,” which garnered her an Oscar nomination; “Mahogany”; and “The Wiz.” Ross was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful female artist of all time, and the book produced a special commemorative Diana Ross edition in 1993.
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Tina Turner
Tina Turner was the second artist on the cover of Rolling Stone, and the first female and Black artist to be on the cover of the famed magazine. She started her career in the late 1950s, and for nearly 20 years, she performed with her ex-husband Ike. After leaving him and pursuing a career on her own, it was the 1984 release of “Private Dancer” that put her back on track. Turner has been christened the "Queen of Rock" and was a major inspiration to artists like Beyoncé.
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Carole King
In the 1960s, Carole King wrote many hits for some of music’s top acts, setting a precedent for female songwriters. Five decades later, she won the Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song—the first woman to win the award. King’s standout career was later recapped in a smash Broadway play, “Beautiful.”
In 2017, NPR set out to name the top 150 albums made by women. At #1 on that list? Joni Mitchell’s 1971 classic, “Blue.” Called simple and radical, “Blue” was a rousing call for equality. Mitchell’s influence on the music world—for male and female musicians alike—runs deep.
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Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin only lived to be 27 but made a mark on the music world like few other artists. Florence Welch, Pink, and Stevie Nicks are just some of the notable artists who’ve cited Joplin’s electric stage presence and emotional lyrics as inspirations. At her height, Joplin was called the first queen of rock ‘n’ roll.
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Patti Smith
Patti Smith became one of New York City punk rock’s founding figures with her debut album “Horses.” Throughout her career, Smith remained one of the foremost activist voices in music, and always seemed up for pushing against the grain. In 2017, Smith won the National Book Award for her memoir, “Just Kids.”
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Cher
Cher has seemingly done it all—in music, movies, and on TV—and has never been constrained to one label through an illustrious career. She’s been called the “Goddess of Pop” with her ability to churn out dance and radio-friendly hits since the 1960s. Cher endeared herself to a new generation with her ability to connect through social media.
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Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is country music royalty, recognized as having the most hits on Billboard’s Hot Country songs chart. Throughout her career, Parton appealed to fan bases many country artists have trouble reaching; she also built one of music’s first empires, evidenced by the Dollywood theme park.
Martha Quinn and Nina Blackwood were two of MTV’s original VJs and helped revolutionize the industry by making music videos a new preferred choice of music consumption for much of the 1980s and 1990s. Their style and smarts helped make VJs stars in their own right, and Quinn and Blackwood helped set the standard for music TV personalities for decades to come.
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Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry was not only the lead singer of Blondie, a powerful force backed by male band members, but a bit of a hip-hop pioneer. On “Saturday Night Live,” she brought on Sha-Rock to perform, who is considered one of the first female emcees. Through much of the 1980s, Harry was one of music’s style icons.
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Madonna
Influenced by Debbie Harry, Madonna became the definitive pop icon of the 1980s. Thanks in large part to her regular airplay on MTV, Madonna became one of the biggest acts in the world, before becoming a star on the silver screen. Madonna has openly talked about religion, sex, feminism, and age, and remains one of the most popular artists in the world.
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Whitney Houston
With one of the most memorable voices in music history, Whitney Houston crafted pop hits, chart-topping ballads, and rousing renditions of the national anthem. Houston was the first recipient of BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Even after the death in 2012, Houston remains one of the most cited influences in modern pop and R&B.
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Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa were hip-hop pioneers, and the first female rap group to win a Grammy. Along with Spinderella, their DJ, Salt-N-Pepa showed women could find success in the machismo-fueled world of rap and stressed female empowerment. In the 1990s, the group was among music’s most vocal advocates for safe sex.
Emerging from the shadow of her brothers, Janet Jackson became an icon on her own with a tireless work ethic and a style of R&B that changed the industry. In 1996, Jackson signed a record-breaking contract worth $80 million, which reportedly moved her past her Michael’s recording contract value. Throughout her vaunted career, Jackson has exuded sexuality, power, and independence, culminating with her 2019 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
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Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah was among the first women in hip-hop to win a Grammy—she won the same year Salt-N-Pepa won its first Grammy. Her powerful lyrics dove into topics like women’s rights and urban struggles, and Latifah seamlessly navigated between rap and R&B. In 2006, she became the first rapper to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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Selena
Selena was a top-selling artist, in-demand actress, and one of Tejano’s most famous celebrities ever. She secured record-breaking endorsement deals, won scores of awards, and was a noted philanthropist. Selena was murdered in 1995; in 1997, her story was told in a biographical movie starring Jennifer Lopez in a breakout role.
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Michele Anthony
Michele Anthony was one of the leading female executives who openly called out the Grammys for being “out of touch.” The Recording Academy’s board of trustees was criticized for a lack of inclusion and transparency, and in a letter, the leaders urged for new leadership on the board. Anthony is the executive vice president of Universal Music Group, and previously founded a firm that managed Pearl Jam, Ozzy Osbourne, and Prince.
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Björk
Originating from Iceland, Björk broke into the American mainstream with an uncanny ability to make experimental music resonate with pop audiences. In 2000, Björk won a Best Actress award at Cannes for her appearance in “Dancing in the Dark,” further solidifying the fact that female pop stars could excel in Hollywood. Björk’s musical style is ever-evolving, disavowing popular praise for artistic freedom.
Mariah Carey was the youngest musician to receive nominations in each of the big four Grammy categories—Record, Album, and Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. With her amazing voice, Carey is the first artist to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in four different decades. She’s also the first artist to have her first five singles reach #1 on the Billboard charts.
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Sophia Chang
Sophia Chang is known as the “baddest b*tch in the room” and is co-signed by some of hip-hop’s biggest acts. Throughout her career, Chang has managed members of the Wu-Tang Clan—a group that redefined the power of hip-hop collectives—and been an outspoken proponent of diversity and inclusivity. Chang’s memoir details her barrier-breaking career.
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Lil Kim/Foxy Brown
In the late 1990s, Lil Kim and Foxy Brown redefined the image of a female rapper. In a genre where male artists constantly were degrading women and bragging about sexual prowess, Lil Kim and Foxy Brown turned the tables and put women on top of the power dynamic in their music. They’ve influenced scores of artists including Cardi B and Nicki Minaj.
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Angie Martinez
As hip-hop became more accepted in the mainstream, getting played on New York City radio station Hot 97 was considered the pinnacle of making it. Angie Martinez, working on airwaves dominated by men, became a breakthrough voice and helped elevate some of the biggest artists in hip-hop history, including Jay Z. Martinez has been called “The Voice of New York.”
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Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill was the first woman to win five Grammys at one awards ceremony for her standout album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Throughout her career, Hill has remained confident and inspirational while battling against unfair portrayals that have ruined the reputations of other artists of color. On NPR’s list of 150 albums made by women, Hill came in at #2.
Missy Elliott began her career as an R&B singer, became a producer, then broke out as a solo star in the late 1990s. Not bound by one title, she became the top-selling female rapper of all time. In addition, Elliott has been a tireless advocate for sex and body positivity.
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Fiona Apple
Fiona Apple, who released what many critics consider the best album of 2020, burst onto the music scene in the late 1990s as an anti-pop star, and famously criticized materialism and cited Maya Angelou as an inspiration in a speech at the MTV Video Music Awards. Apple doesn’t rely on yearly releases or big-budget music videos, just raw honesty that wins her an ever-increasing legion of fans.
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Spice Girls
Beginning in 1996, the Spice Girls made sure the world knew the meaning of “girl power.” Boosted by the upbeat hit single “Wannabe,” the Spice Girls invaded America and took over radio, TV, and movies. Some have called today’s young female leaders the “Spice Girls generation.”
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Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez’s breakthrough came portraying another music icon, Selena, and one day another emerging star will likely portray “JLo” on the big screen. In her worthy-of-a-movie career, Lopez conquered dance, pop music, movies, and even broke into the world of sports as an owner of the Miami Dolphins.
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Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe has achieved fame and success on her terms. NPR called her “a veritable influencer of all things cool,” noting her as the heir to Prince’s lineage. Monáe has also prioritized uplifting young people of color.
When country music made a big crossover into pop music in the 1990s, Shania Twain led the charge with hits like “That Don't Impress Me Much” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” Twain’s success set the stage for future acts like Taylor Swift, and her videos flipped the usual script of male rock stars backed by female dancers, centering on powerful female voices in front of male backers.
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Lady Gaga
In 2008, Lady Gaga redefined pop music with her artistic, dance-ready club anthems. Gaga became arguably the world’s biggest pop star as she continually evolved, and then did a 180 and proved she was equally talented on film. Her performance in “A Star is Born” wowed critics, and she challenged the norm of fashion and “looks” of a movie star—she deliberately chose not to wear makeup in the film.
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Ty Stiklorius
As John Legend’s manager, Ty Stiklorius created a female-backed management firm that is a leader in film and music. Stiklorius is also driving initiatives for quality education and criminal justice reform. She specifically targets change-making artists with ambitious social impact goals.
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Taylor Swift
With an army of Swifties behind her, Taylor Swift is more than just a global pop icon. She’s matured into an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, social justice issues, and voting. Musically, she took a bold stand when her masters were sold, calling out the hypocrisy of artists’ not being able to own their own work, and planned to re-record her early songs to regain control of her narrative.
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Adele
When Adele dropped her video for “Hello” in 2015, she amassed over 27 million views in one day, a new YouTube record. The song also went on to set first-week download records, and her album “25” was the fastest-selling album in America, moving over 2.4 million units. Adele also became the first woman to have three top 10 singles on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart at the same time.
Lizzo began her career as a flautist and transformed into one of pop music’s most respected figures with a DIY attitude and open honesty. Lizzo was named one of The Advocate’s 2020 Women of the Year for her work in promoting Black and LGBTQ+ artists.
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Beyoncé
Beyoncé is more than just one of the most famous people in the world: She’s redefined music success and become an inspiration for women around the globe. Beyoncé’s 2016 album “Lemonade” was her record sixth album to debut atop the Billboard charts. At 33, Beyoncé became the youngest artist to win 20 Grammys.
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Desiree Perez
Desiree Perez is one of the driving forces in hip-hop music as one of the founders and CEO of Roc Nation. Perez has been one of Jay-Z’s closest confidantes over the past two decades and has brokered big deals for Beyoncé and Rihanna. In 2019, Pere was named Billboard’s Executive of the Year.
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Jessica Hooper
In 2015, Jessica Hooper published “The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic,” which provided a unique look inside of the most powerful minds in music journalism. Hooper has covered music over many decades for publications like The Village Voice, MTV, and Pitchfork. Her writing paved the way for other seminal music books like Lizzie Goodman’s “Meet Me in the Bathroom.”
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Lorde
Lorde’s 2014 album “Pure Heroine” became the first debut by a female artist in six years to top 1 million in U.S. sales. Lorde’s mature style and songwriting changed perceptions of teen artists, further proving pop music has evolved way beyond bubblegum.
In the early 2000s, this band took a bold stand at the risk of alienating a chunk of its fan base by criticizing President George W. Bush and American military actions in the Middle East. The Chicks continue to show they’re not afraid to wade into political waters; in 2020, the band removed the word “Dixie” from its name because of connotations to slavery.
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Michelle An
Michelle An is the creative force behind the visuals for acts like Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, and Selena Gomez. Now the executive vice president, head of visual creative at Interscope Geffen A&M, An began her career in advertising. An has twice been named to Billboard’s Women In Music list, and her artists’ music videos regularly produce over 1 billion monthly views online.
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Cindy Charles
As head of music licensing and label relations at Twitch, Cindy Charles works with artists and producers to create music opportunities on the popular gaming platform. In 2019, Marshmello’s Fortnite concert was one of the biggest music events of the year. Charles is also the co-founder of Women in Digital Media.
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Annie Lee
In March 2019, Annie Lee was named the chief financial officer of Interscope Geffen A&M. Lee, who joined Interscope in 2006, is the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, and has been a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion at her company. She also is a mentor for emerging music industry executives.
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Blackpink
Following in the footsteps of Girls Generation and Wonder Girls, Blackpink has achieved worldwide success, unlike any female K-pop act before it. The group’s single for “How You Like That” set YouTube records, including “Most viewed YouTube video in 24 hours.” Blackpink was also the first female Korean group to be certified by the Recording Industry Association of America.
