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Mental Health Stigma Still Affecting African Americans

The NNPA is taking a closer look at the stigma of mental illness in the African American community. This is the first in a series. Historically, seeking psychotherapy has been difficult for African Americans, said Dr. Viola Drancoli, a licensed

Spiritually Speaking… Did You Insult or Exalt God Today?

Have you succumbed to the notion yet that prayer will get you through it? The ‘it’ I’m referring to is EVERYTHING. If the truth be told and you’re like me, at times you’re not very enthusiastic about your faith. That

A Troubled Police Force and Hope for Change

For more than 50 years, the Baltimore Police Department has earned the reputation as a tough, bruising force that leveled most of its rough treatment and casual cruelty on Charm City’s Black residents. Blacks in their 60s and others in

Blacks Seven-Times More Likely than Whites to Be Wrongfully Convicted of Murder

Blacks are seven-times more likely than Whites to be wrongfully convicted of murder. Further, Black people are three times more likely than White people to be wrongfully convicted of sexual assault. This is all according to The Innocence Project, which

‘Black Snow’ from Sugarcane Harmful to Black, Poor Communities in Florida?

Thick black smoke plumes from sugarcane fields near Belle Glade, Fla., a predominantly Black community west of West Palm Beach and just south of Lake Okeechobee. Residents watch as red-orange flames engulf the sugarcane fields as the industry prepares for

Harris and Representative Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Fair Chance at Housing Act

On Wednesday, July 10, California Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced the introduction of their Fair Chance at Housing Act to remove barriers to obtaining federal housing assistance for individuals with criminal records and their

Hattiloo Theatre Panel Explore 400 Years of Africans in America

It was quite an extraordinary encounter: a Christian, a Muslim and a Spiritualist on a panel at the Hattiloo Theatre talking about their belief systems during a discussion framed against a backdrop of 400 years of Africans living in America.

Grant paves way to “Take ‘Em Down 901” one-act play

The real-life drama that culminated with the removal of Confederate-era statues from what had been two Memphis-owned parks will be the subject of a play being developed by Ekundayo Bandele, founder and CEO of the Hattiloo Theatre. With Bandele and

New Generation of Mobile Networks – Transformative 5G Technology Arrives

The next wave of technological evolution has arrived in the form of 5G, a new generation of mobile networks where at least four major telephone carriers in America – AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint – have put forth plans to

Star of “the Color Purple,” Desreta Jackson’s New Book “The Black Hair Conspiracy”

“The Black Hair Conspiracy” Receiving Rave Reviews and Has Been Accepted by The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library ONTARIO, Calif. — Desreta Jackson, iconic actress best-known for her starring role as “young Celie” in the Oscar-nominated film, “The Color Purple,” and

Senior Advocate Continues Legacy of Love and Service

It’s hard to surprise a woman like Ruth Tate, especially at the Ruth Tate Senior Center in South Memphis. For 35 years, she directed the activities, special events, bus excursions, and even a trip to Europe for senior participants. Tate

NNPA Publishers Honor Marjorie Parham, a Living Legend of the Black Press

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) honored Majorie B. Parham with the organization’s Legacy Award during its annual convention in Cincinnati on Friday, June 29. The NNPA is a trade association that represents African American-owned newspapers and media companies in

Citizens, Clergy, Elected Officials Rally After Groups Give No Confidence Vote

From Staff Reports in response to a press conference where Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall was given a vote of no confidence, the first African American woman to serve in that post received overwhelming support that included statements from

IN MEMORIAM: Cameron Boyce Remembered

The world is mourning the loss of Disneystar Cameron Boyce who passed away Saturday due to an ongoing medical condition. Boyce, 20, who starred in Disney’s Descendantsfranchise, was found unresponsive at his home and could not be revived by paramedics. Boyce grew up

Being Black and Republican in the Era of Real Challenges

It’s likely that identifying as a Republican today isn’t as easy as it once was, particularly with President Donald Trump’s policies that have included separating children from parents; the administration’s escalating racial rhetoric; and a special counsel report that strongly

Chicago Defender Newspaper Moves to Digital Only with its July 11 Edition

After 114 years of using ink on paper to deliver news that informs, educates and empowers the African American community throughout the Windy City, Real Times Media, parent company of the Chicago Defender, has announced that the Chicago Defender will

Aggressive and Sustained Effort to Connect with People of Color and Young Voters

Building on the Success of 2018, Cycle of Engagement is the House Democrats’ Strategy to Earn Every Vote and Take Nothing for Granted from these key constituencies Today, DCCC Chairwoman Cheri Bustos formally announced the Cycle of Engagement – the largest early

Black Troops Fought Bravely at Normandy 75 Years Ago

Photo Caption: John Q. Jordan,New Journal and Guide Archives “Negro” troops in Southern France.Photo by John Q. Jordan/NJG Archives The United States, Great Britain, France and other allies recently observed the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing on five beaches along Southern

FILM REVIEW: Literary Icon Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am

She’s a literary icon whose accolades include a 1993 Nobel Prize in Literature. For the African American reader who has been glued to her books since 1970, starting with her poignant debut novel The Bluest Eye, this documentary is an

Hearing on Need for Diversity on Federal and Corporate Boards

WASHINGTON – At a full Committee hearing entitled, “Diversity in the Boardroom: Examining Proposals to Increase the Diversity of America’s Boards,” Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, gave the following opening statement: As Prepared for Delivery Today,

Patrick Gaspard to Receive Prestigious NAACP Spingarn Medal

BALTIMORE – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the nation’s foremost civil rights organization, has announced that Ambassador Patrick Gaspard will be awarded the prestigious Spingarn Medal during the NAACP’s 110th Annual Convention taking place in Detroit,

Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff: Wimbledon’s 15-Year-Old Tennis Prodigy Who Has Been ‘Raised for Greatness’

Most 15-year-olds are studying history at school. Cori Gauff, though, has made it. The American had already set a record by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the main draw of Wimbledon in the professional era, but on Monday the rising tennis

Phoenix’s Largest Black Business Marketplace Now Open Daily

Archwood Exchange joins forces with Afri-Soul Marketplace to showcase local entrepreneurs and revive Eastlake community legacy Phoenix, AZ — The Valley’s premier monthly Black-business bazaar is now open every day. The popular Archwood Exchange has found a home inside Afri-Soul Marketplace, located downtown

Chicago Teachers’ Fund Testifies Before U.S. House Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion

Testimony highlighted the approach Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF) has used to increase opportunities for diverse investment managers over the last 20 years Chicago, IL — The Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF/the Fund) Chief Investment Officer Angela Miller-May testified on behalf

Same Spirit. Same Mission. New Vision. Carter Richards Elected as the New Chair

That was the chant being sang by many people, as they attended the recent Annual Meeting of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), in support of the newly-elected chair of the NNPA, Ms. Karen Carter Richards, publisher of the Houston

Juvenile Court Judge Faces Jail Time After Sham Trial Exposes Racism, Cronyism and Corruption

Cincinnati, the third largest city in Ohio, sits on a hilly landscape along the Ohio River at the Kentucky border just opposite Covington and Newport. It’s ice cold temperatures during the winter is only surpassed by the cold-blooded racial history

Ebony, Jet Fire Remainder of Staff, May Close Its Doors for Good

It’s official, Ebony Magazine—along with its sister publication Jet Magazine—has potentially closed its doors for good. Former employees of the company took to Twitter last week using the hashtag #EbonyOwes to air out their frustrations with the company, as it

Women’s Suffrage Forged by Founding Sisters: Happy Birthday to Ida B.

Photo Caption: Gwen McKinney is President and Founder of McKinney & Associates Public Relations, for which she is responsible for translating the vision of “public relations with a conscience” into a sustained, bold and tested suite of communications services and

Black Lives Matter Co-Founder and Black Futures Lab Release Second Black Census Report

According to a new report produced in part by Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza, Black lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans may be more concerned with everyday economic issues like low wages, unaffordable health care, and access to housing. More respondents identified these

New Gilded Age – Democratic Candidates Are Sounding a Lot Like Teddy Roosevelt

There was a Republican on the Democratic Party debate stage – a Progressive Republican who sometimes liked to “speak softly, and carry a big stick.” Did you notice him? “When I say that I am for the square deal,” said the politician,

HBCUs Left Out of Federal Workforce Development Initiative

Last week, the US Department of Labor announced a $183 million initiative to pair community and four-year colleges with private corporations to better prepare the nation’s workforce. The partnerships will help educate and train future workers in healthcare, information technology, and manufacturing.

Red, White but Rarely Blue – the Science of Fireworks Colors, Explained

In the earliest days of the United States, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail about the celebration of independence, “It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of

Mexican-Americans Confront Abuse, Racial Profiling, ICE Targeting and Civil Rights Violations

Officially, the Constitution of the United States gives everyone on U.S. soil equal protection under the law – regardless of nationality or legal status. But, as recent stories of the neglectful treatment of migrant children in government detention centers demonstrate, these civil rights are not always

#CloseTheCamps Rallies Planned Across the Country Amid Reports of Abuse in Detention Centers

MoveOn wrote that the three demands of Tuesday’s protests include cutting off all funding for the arrests and deportations of immigrants as well as closing the camps.

After Months of Delay, House Democrats Sue for Trump Tax Returns

House Democrats on Tuesday sued the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department over their refusal to release President Donald Trump’s personal and business tax returns.

Why Supreme Court Asked for Explanation of 2020 Census Question

The court’s decision, for the most part, does not state explicitly – which would be unprecedented – that it sought to protect its legitimacy.

Florida Makes the Restoration of Voting Rights Contingent on Criminal Debt Payments

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a measure approved by state lawmakers that makes the restoration of voting rights for people convicted of felonies contingent on having paid off all criminal debt associated with their conviction. A coalition of civil rights groups immediately filed

Leadership and Mentoring Summit to Help Black Males Find Colleges

Photo: Black male students that have been helped in previous years College Campus Tours, LLC has created an awesome generational changing program that will enhance the college graduation rates for many students. They will present, the inaugural Manifest Academy Leadership

369th Experience Band Ties HBCU Musicians to WWI Black History

In 1919 when the Treaty of Versailles ended WWI, two years after the U.S. entered the fight with France and Great Britain against Germany, 44 Blackcolleges existed. WWI 369 Infantry Regimental Band (Photo: Courtesy) Today, 100 years later, there are

Schools ‘Criminalize’ Black Girls, Jeopardizing Their Future Success

Recently, Our Weekly ran a story about a group of teen girls who were strip searched and chastised at a middle school on the East Coast. No apparent reason was given by the school’s administration, except that the girls –

NNPA Hosts ESSA National Black Parents Town Hall in Cincinnati

Photo Caption: Hosted by Radio One’s Lincoln Ware (third from left), the town hall’s panelists included (left to right): Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) Superintendent Laura Mitchell; NNPA National Chairman Dorothy R. Leavell; Lincoln Ware; NAACP Education Chair Treigg Turner; Cincinnati’s

Publisher of the Houston Forward Times, Elected as New NNPA National Chair

Karen Carter Richards, the publisher of the Houston Forward Times, has been elected to serve as the chair of the National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade organization that represents African American-owned newspapers and media companies throughout the country. Richards,

Sanders Delivers Keynote at Black Press Event, Labels Trump “Racist and Worst President in History”

One night after many pundits said he acquitted himself well in the debate in Miami between himself and other 2020 Democratic Presidential hopefuls, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders arrived in Cincinnati to deliver the keynote address at the National Newspaper Publishers

NHRMC Recognized for Treatment of Heart Attack Patients

Wilmington, NC – New Hanover Regional Medical Center EMS and AirLink/VitaLink Critical Care Transport have received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold Plus Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.

Hero Killed in Virginia Beach Mass Shooting Memorialized by Father

“Did you get two or three sermons today?” Mrs. Maxine Cox asked me at the front door as I was preparing to leave. I had just completed a 90-minute one-on-one interview with her husband of 53 and a half years

Democratic Debate Features Almost No Questions on the Black Agenda

The first presidential debate for the 2020 campaign in the race for the White House featured five moderators, ten candidates, two hours and only one question on the voting block that comprises the base vote for the Democratic party:

68-year-old swimmer competes in National Senior Olympics

Last week, 68-year-old Loretta Griffin became the first African-American Memphian to compete in the National Senior Olympics for swimming, coming full circle from her days of doing water aerobics at the Davis YMCA in Whitehaven. The New Tri-State Defender talked

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