#beth hughes

[thecollectibles]

Doggust 2023 by Beth Hughes

[ultrameganicolaokay]

Sesame Street #2 by Stephanie Williams, Beth Hughes and Michela Cacciatore. Cover by Hughes. Variant covers by (2) Erin Hunting and (3) Remy Daye. Out in September.

"Stroll along Sesame Street and join Bert, Ernie, and more of your favorite furry friends in this brand-new comic book series for readers of all ages! Flowers are blooming and the sun is shining on Sesame Street— it's Spring! In this brand-new comic, your favorite Sesame Street friends prepare for the annual community Swap Meet... but Ernie is having a hard time finding things to give away. Join him and his friends as they learn how great it feels to give to others and make room for new adventures!"

[evilhorse]

Sesame Street #2

[blackchildrensbooksandauthors]

🎉Book Birthday

I Love Me!

LaRonda Gardner Middlemiss  

Beth Hughes

Beaming Books 

I love me from my mouth and chin

all the way down to my knees and shins.

This affirming picture book features a diversity of races and ethnicities, physical features, body types, abilities and disabilities. I Love Me teaches all kids they have many, many reasons to love themselves.

Ages: 4 and up

Grades: Pre-K and up

Pages: 32

Available at👉🏿Amazon | IndieBound

Find more children’s and young adult books by Black authors here 

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[msjr0119]

Love, Fate, Destiny

Part 3- Come to Cordonia

Riley Brooks is a waitress in a ‘Dive bar” in New York. One Saturday night, her past comes back to haunt her as some unfamiliar punters enter her bar on a bachelor party- one of them being someone who she was once close to.

*CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY*

Tags- @annekebbphotography @burnsoslow @ladyangel70 @butindeed @bbrandy2002 @drakesensworld @kingliam2019 @bascmve01 @drakewalker04 @pedudley @captain-kingliamsqueen @duchessemersynwalker @insideamirage @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @kozabaji @texaskitten30 @ibldw-main @kimmiedoo5 @nikkis1983 @dangerouseggseagleartisan @gnatbrain @walker7519 @lodberg @cmestrella @hopefulmoonobject @addictedtodrakefanfic @angi15h @liamxs-world @rafasgirl23415

I personally think this chapter is crap- but gotta get through the crap to get to the good stuff 😁

******

“No, thank you. But I do have a proposition for you...”

Riley furrowed her brows at the Prince, providing a mystified expression at the question.

“What do you mean? A proposition?”

Confused at what this stranger would want, she really regretted asking that question- really she needed to put a halt to this conversation and get back to work. Liam softly smiled at the waitress, his baby blues began to sparkle more as he stared into hers. Hoping that she would agree to his plan- it would benefit everyone involved.

“So, as you’ve probably heard, I am the Crown Prince of my country. On our return, we are completing something known as a social season. It involves many noble women coming to my country and at the end of it, I will pick my Princess- the future Queen before my coronation. The women involved attend many events.......”

Riley switched off listening to Liam’s story about his social season. It didn’t interest her one bit, so she definitely needed to abruptly end this conversation now. She was unsure of what to think about Liam- sure he was handsome, but was he one of those people who were up their own arses due to their title? Unsure of what to think- she didn’t really have time to go through his fairytale life. It really would make her life look depressing.

“Liam, I hope you have a great social season -whatever you all do. But I have to get back to work. I hope you find your future Queen. See ya later.”

That will end the conversation surely, she thought. It was bad enough that she couldn’t remove Drake from her mind and now his best friend was once again sat in her bar.

“Riley, wait! Please...”

Riley turned around, Liam stood up and held her hands brushing his thumb over her knuckles. His eyes pleading with her to listen to him. Natural instinct led her to brush him away from her, but for politeness she kept a safe distance- needing to bid the man goodbye, once he coughed up his true intentions.

“Liam say what you need to say. I’m going to get sacked. I was already late.” Riley panicked as she saw her arsehole manager giving the two of them daggers. She needed this job. She couldn’t lose it no matter how much she hated it.

“I’m sorry. I want you to come to Cordonia. Be part of my social season- I know you and Drake have history. I’m not going to choose you- I already know who I am picking. I’m doing this for both you and Drake. The reasoning for you having to join my social season is because my father questions visitors who ‘outstay’ their brief visits. I hope you’ll consider. It was my fault that he left you all those years ago. I truly am sorry. I want to make amends. You will be part of Maxwell’s house- he and his brother will ‘sponsor’ you.”

“Thank you, but no thank you.” She replied abruptly. Feeling like she was committing an act of treason, would she be sent to his ‘dungeons’ like in the fairytales- for refusing the Prince?

“Excuse me?” Liam was surprised- no one had ever rejected him before. Maybe it was due to his title, or maybe this girl had balls to stand up to what she believed in.

“Liam, I have a life here. I’ve survived 7 years without Drake Walker. I’m sure I can survive with only seeing him every so often. I’m not uprooting my life. I’m sorry Prince charming. Have a safe flight home. Excuse me.”

Liam’s mouth opened agape, not knowing why she wouldn’t go with them. Bastien advised him to leave the situation, whilst deep down inside having a little silent chuckle to himself.

“Sir, don’t force it. She’s obviously a smart woman.”

“Bast, she needs to come- for Drake. You know how down he’s been. It’s the first time he’s smiled since I don’t know when? I thought I could persuade her to come. I feel like I’ve let Drake down.”

Before leaving the bar, Liam ambled towards the brunette. Never in his life had he had to fight for something so hard. His best friend who had given up everything for him had met his true love again, through fate and it was destiny that they belonged to each other. Why couldn’t she see that? Feeling defeated, he believed that he had no chance in the matter against this stubborn American. But he needed to gift her the envelope he had been keeping close to him all morning.

“Here, Lady Riley -these are flight tickets if you ever change your mind. I’m sorry if you believed that I was presumptuous in hoping you would join us. Take care.”

Liam held her hand, softly kissing it. Riley watched as he and Bastien exited the bar. Opening the brown envelope, there was in fact the flight tickets but also a note attached to an old photo of Riley and Drake.

You need him and he needs you. This photo shows how much you care about each other. I would like to get to know you more- as a friend Riley. I do believe that you two belong together.

Here are our numbers if you need to contact us........

*****

Liam eventually arrived with Bastien at the airport 45minutes late, Maxwell immediately noticed his down heartened expression and believed he hadn’t managed to convince her.

“What time do you call this your royal highness?” Again, Drake was pissed off with the lack of the Prince’s communication. Surely at ‘Prince school’ that was one important factor that they were taught- especially if they were to run their kingdom.

“Sorry, Drake. We got held up.”

“Li, are you okay?”

“Yes. Sorry, I believe it’s back to reality now.”

Hoping that Drake would believe that he was feeling down- due to returning to the stress of being the Prince. These last few days Liam felt like he had that slight pinch of freedom- feeling like he could be his true self for once.

“Yeah, you’ll need luck with all those gorgeous women fighting over you.” Drake regretted saying this instantly. He knew Liam only wished for one lady’s attention. Mixed emotions roamed his mind regarding this woman. Would she make a good Queen? Possibly.

“Drake! You know who I’m picking. It’s pointless doing the whole thing.” Liam responded in a frustrated tone of voice. He was furious with Leo forcing this upon him due to his abdication. Too much responsibility for someone who was second in line. Liam wanted to marry for love not for political reasons. Seeing Drake and Riley together on that photo made him now believe in true love- and he was determined to get what he wanted, for him.

“Maybe. But if the Beaumont’s find a last minute suitor you may change your mind.” Drake believed that there were other options that his friend wasn’t willing to explore prior to committing to his final decision.

“Ah Drake, were not sponsoring anyone. Like Liam said it’s pointless when he’s already chosen. House Beaumont is fine. Well obviously not fine. But we don’t need to sponsor anyone.”

Liam looked sadly at Maxwell, he was dopey at times but he knew that the Prince hadn’t succeeded with his plan- Liam was thankful for Max interrupting. Understanding how hard it must have been for Maxwell to admit about their personal business made Liam grateful to call Maxwell Beaumont his friend. Maxwell didn’t want to inform Bertrand Beaumont that he had possibly found an ‘option’ to restore their reputation. Bertrand had interviewed many women to sponsor for the Prince’s hand- but none lived up to his expectations. Both Liam and Maxwell agreed that they wouldn’t inform Bertrand about Riley- they would ‘spring’ it up on him so he had no chance to back out. If the older Beaumont had no clue who Riley really was and she played the game- they were sure the Duke would be impressed with Maxwell for once and finally crack a smile.

****

Riley spent the whole of her shift in a daze- debating what to do. She didn’t know much about Cordonia, she didn’t know what to expect with the social season. Drake had just returned into her life unexpectedly, knowing she still loved him and that he still loved her made this life changing decision hard.

On her break, she sat perched next to the bar- on her phone researching this country she had been invited to visit. Drake had always been honest in the past- saying he was born and raised in a small country in the Mediterranean but he never elaborated on his true life. Riley always dreamt of travelling there- the way Drake used to talk about it, made it sound like a fairytale, now she realised that it was in fact just that. Typing in Cordonia, the common headlines about the royal family and the social season appeared. Riley found out about Liam’s older brothers abdication , some poor woman known as ‘Countess Madeleine’ being dumped by the former ‘playboy’ prince. Just then something caught her eye- an article from seven years ago, around the similar time that Drake had disappeared from New York.

Assassination attack on the royal family update-

King Constantine, Queen Regina and Prince Liam were all targets three nights ago as Assassins attempted to bring down the Royal family. All members of the Royal family were swiftly removed from the scene and escorted to their safe house. The royal guards are still trying to track down if it is indeed linked to a previous attack that was led by the Sons of Earth.

Sir Drake Walker- Prince Liam’s childhood friend returned to Cordonia with the former crown prince Leo, to support the royal family. Sir Walkers father- Jackson Walker was the Kings royal guard before he tragically lost his life protecting the royal family.

His Father was the main royal guard? Why didn’t he tell me? Was this why he felt he had to return- to continue his father’s legacy?

******

Getting ready for a night out in the city with Lola, Beth and Daniel- she needed something to keep the whole situation out of her mind. Meeting her friends at the local club, her mind was distracted as she sat in the booth with Beth. Opening a new text message to text Liam and Maxwell, she kept writing a message and deleting it. Beth noticed her friend wasn’t being her usual self- she was gazing into her glass of wine- every so often swirling it. Usually Riley would be the life and soul of the party.

“Ri? What’s up? You haven’t put your phone down at all tonight.” Beth placed a comforting arm around Riley, she was concerned that about her friend.

“It’s Drake Walker.... he ... he’s been in New York.”

“Oh my gosh. What happened?” Beth never believed that she would hear that name again- her jaw was wide and agape- possibly stuck open due to shock. Years ago she felt sorry for him with the way her sister treat him like shit. When he began dating Riley his heart was fixed once more. The minute he left her friend alone, Beth contemplated berating him and murdering him. Her empathy towards him soon went out flying of the door.

“It’s a long story. But we slept together. And his friend has asked me to go over to their country. I don’t know what to do Beth?” Placing her head in her shaking hands- eyes formed dripping tears- her chin began to tremble. The strong walls she had previously built around her now broke instantly and very publicly.

“I’d say.. what the fuck are you still doing here? Go Riley!” Riley had been the best friend that anyone could have wished for. Beth understood Riley’s past, believed she deserved a bright future and accepted her just the way she was.

“You think?” Riley’s eyebrow arched up, shocked at her friends encouragement to desert her life in New York for love.

“I do. Go and get your man back!” Beth was going to insist that Riley went until she was blue in the face.

With this bit of encouragement she decided to text the men. Gulping the glass of wine in one go- she couldn’t back out now. Or Beth might actually force her on that plane herself.

[R] So what am I putting myself through if I come? I’ve done my research. It’s Riley by the way. 🙃

[M] Riley! Nice to hear from you. I’ll look after you. You’ll be part of my house. You will love it! You’ll be like our adopted sister- Team Beaumont! We will look after you.. I promise.. And what research? 🤔

[L] Have you reconsidered? As Maxwell said they will look after you. You just have to play a game. Behind closed doors you can spend time with Drake, we were planning on not telling him you were coming in case you didn’t come. The first event is a masquerade ball. Maxwell will meet you at the airport and escort you to his manor. We would be thrilled to welcome you to our country. ☺️

[R] I’m going to be safe right? It sounds like a movie with assassins. A Countess that was dumped. And Drake’s a Sir? 🤭

[M] Safe as houses right Li? And don’t call Drake, ‘Sir’ he hates it. 😆

[L] Of course. It’s all going to be over before you know it. Then you can decide where your heart lies Riley- whether it’s with Drake or in New York. Ah yes, you’ve read up on Madeleine- she’s an interesting character. My brother had a lucky escape. But don’t worry. I’ll protect you. 🥰

[R] Okay. I’ll pack when I get home. As long as you can promise that I won’t be in any danger being the ‘newbie’. And that I will be able to spend time with Drake. 👍🏼

[L] The press will hound you for being the newbie- I’m not going to lie. But with the Beaumont’s help you’ll learn how to handle them. Nothing will go wrong. We all need to work together to get through this sham social season. The sham being that I’ve already made my decision and that you are secretly with Drake. 🤫

[R] I hope so. Don’t make me regret coming! Maxwell I’ll text you flight details. See you both soon x 😘

[graphicpolicy]

Grover takes Center Stage with the all-new Sesame Street #1

Grover takes Center Stage with the all-new Sesame Street #1 #comics #comicbooks #sesamestreet

Grover takes Center Stage with the all-new Sesame Street #1

[graphicpolicy]

Head to Sesame Street with Oni Press in August

Head to Sesame Street with Oni Press in August #comics #comicbooks #sesamestreet

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[dippedanddripped]

Industry Voices: Sustainable, Resilient, Equitable: How Western Hemisphere Trade Policy Plays a Role

The United States hosted the Summit of the Americas for the first time in four years June 6–10 in Los Angeles with “Building a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future” as the focus. For the apparel and footwear industries, those words resonate loudly.

The United States hosted the Summit of the Americas for the first time in four years June 6–10 in Los Angeles with “Building a Sustainable, Resilient and Equitable Future” as the focus. For the apparel and footwear industries, those words resonate loudly.

AAFA galvanizes the industry to build upon strong supply-chain and sourcing commitments, including the highest ethical and responsible standards. And our industry’s resilience is constantly tested, most recently by the pandemic. Our industry sets worker protections, worker safety and worker well-being in the region and globally to the highest of standards.

As the agenda for the Summit was being shaped, it became clear that a key ingredient was missing—trade. Without trade, how can we achieve these goals? Trade is the tool that will incentivize the shift of supply chains from Asia to the Western Hemisphere, create well-paying apparel jobs in Central America to address the root causes of migration, and grow textile and apparel trade between the United States and Central America.

In some instances, the trade agreements the U.S. has in the region lack the incentives needed to encourage expanded sourcing and production within the Western Hemisphere. For instance, the lack of a sufficient variety of fibers, yarns and fabrics in the U.S. and Central America means the Central American–Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) is not meeting its potential.

A recent economic study, Close Knit: Migration and Apparel Production in Central America, conducted by Raymond Robertson at the Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics and Public Policy at Texas A&M University, found the United States can address the root causes of instability in Central America by creating jobs, reducing poverty and contributing to economic growth through international trade. Mr. Robertson estimates that at least a hundred thousand more jobs will be created in the region if there were access to more yarns and fibers to increase apparel production.

To help jumpstart growth and investment in the region, specific fibers, yarns and fabrics can be designated in short supply now within the current text of the trade agreement. Such a bold move would not only protect the existing U.S. trade and investment in the region but also establish a clear demand signal to attract new textile investment to the United States and Central America.

Another policy that already exists in CAFTA-DR as well as in other U.S. trade preference programs like Haiti HOPE/HELP is cumulation. The cumulation provision already allows certain materials from Mexico to be used in woven apparel produced in CAFTA-DR countries to receive the duty-free benefit. By linking all U.S. trade agreements, Trade and Investment Framework Agreements, and trade preference programs together, more-robust cumulation would create a virtuous web among U.S. trading partners without allowing textile and apparel products using inputs from Asia to receive the benefits of the CAFTA-DR agreement.

The Summit was a great day of unity for the industry. On June 7, three key industry commitments were announced:

• Gap Inc. plans to increase its sourcing in Central America by approximately $50 million per year for a total growth commitment of $150 million by 2025 as part of its strategy to increase supply-chain resilience by nearshoring more production to the Western Hemisphere.

• SanMar will increase its purchases of products manufactured in northern Central America by $500 million by 2025. The increased capacity required for this growth will lead to the creation of 4,000 additional full-time jobs at Elcatex, a Honduras-based apparel manufacturer owned in part by SanMar.

• Unifi is making significant investments in the footprint capacity and innovation of its El Salvador operation and has committed to investing $15 million over the next five years to expand capacity, improve efficiency and reduce energy use. The investment includes new innovative texturing technology that will increase the company’s polyester-yarn production in El Salvador by 40 percent and support continuous training and job growth in the region.

On June 8, President Biden announced “the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, a historic new agreement to drive our hemisphere’s economic recovery and growth and deliver for our working people.” This new partnership is an opportunity for the U.S. apparel industry to drive several policy solutions that correlate with the policy objectives of the Biden Administration, the U.S. Congress, the domestic textile industry and our partners throughout the region including bringing supply chains closer, curbing migration by creating meaningful employment and providing a demand signal to generate long-term, sustainable investments.

By tapping into policies like short supply and cumulation, our trade agreements can better function as tools to grow investment, trade and jobs in the Americas. U.S. apparel companies are eager to work on the many announcements from the Summit of the Americas that lead to a sustainable, resilient and equitable future.

Beth Hughes is vice president, trade and customs policy at the American Apparel & Footwear Association, where she oversees AAFA’s Trade Policy Committee and AAFA’s Customs Group. She is also the chief spokesperson for the Coalition for Economic Partnership in the Americas (CEPA), which was launched in November 2021.