NASHVILLE, TN — In less than four months after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, New York City resident and Nashville-bred author Sekou Writes completed his first New York City Marathon, while raising money for two different nonprofits: Transformation Life Center (that transforms the lives of youth living in underserved communities) and Back On My Feet (a national organization that fights homelessness by teaching them how to run). On June 1, 2021, inspired by the Nashville Chapter of Black Men Run, Sekou began running one mile daily during his birthday month. By July 14, 2022, he had run for 409 consecutive days…
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By Brittany Brown MEMPHIS, TN — ‘The DA’s office does give a sense of hope like Memphis is moving in the right direction, and that’s what this year has been about: progress,” said one community organizer Shelby County’s first Democratic district attorney in decades, Steve Mulroy, just crossed the 100-day mark of being in office, following a campaign that promised to bring progress and change to the criminal justice system. On the campaign trail, Mulroy prioritized tackling violent crime and reforming the cash bail system, among other efforts to restore public trust in the criminal justice system. In the days after…
By TSU Staff Writer NASHVILLE, TN (TSU News Service) — With their first semester mastered, many first-time freshmen say coming to TSU was worth the effort while they are gearing up for the spring semester that will begin on Jan. 17. In fact, many who were asked to recount their first semester college experience, say not only are they returning for their second semester, but they also plan to stay and graduate. “My first-semester experience was everything I expected it to be since I dreamed of becoming a Tennessee State Tiger,” says Keyon’Dre Boyd, from Atlanta, a biology major who…
By DeAnna Taylor SHELBYVILLE, TN — Fawn Weaver and the Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey team continue to blaze trails in the spirits industry. Already solidifying itself as the most awarded bourbon and American whiskey three years running—2019, 2020, and 2021—the brand’s recently expanded 323-acre distillery recently accomplished another major feat. Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, TN, has officially grossed over $100 million in sales and welcomed more than 100,000 visitors since opening on Juneteenth 2021, making it the most successful Black-owned distillery in the world. The spirits company, founded in 2017, is already on track to double that by the…
WASHINGTON, DC — The Proclamation of Emancipation by the President of the United States, to take effect January 1st, 1863. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is recognizing the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. In honor of this important moment, the museum encourages visitors to reflect on the words featured in early copies of a handheld pamphlet of the Emancipation Proclamation, an original signed copy of President Abraham Lincoln’s Executive Order and an original handwritten signed copy of the 13th Amendment, all…
By Michelle WatsonJack Forrest Wes Moore, the incoming governor of Maryland, reflected Sunday on the historic nature of his election as the state’s first Black chief executive. “It is remarkable,” the Democrat said in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Dana Bash, who pointed out that Maryland will also have a Black attorney general, treasurer and state House speaker. “I’m proud of the history that I’m going to make in this race of being the state’s first Black governor.” “And also I’m proud of it because I know how complicated the racial history is in the state…
By Gerard O’Connell Tens of thousands of Romans, pilgrims and tourists filed past the body of Benedict XVI, the emeritus pope that was lying in state in St Peter’s Basilica Jan. 2. They came to pay their final respects to the eighth German pope who had led the Catholic Church from April 19, 2005 to Feb. 28, 2013. The body was brought from the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery—situated in the Vatican Gardens behind St. Peter’s where Benedict lived soon after his resignation — to the basilica at 7 a.m. this morning. It was placed on a catafalque in front of the…
By April Ryan As the new year nears, the health of the United States economy will continue to be top of mind in 2023, particularly for Black Americans. Just before November’s midterm elections, a national survey of Black voters conducted by theGrio/KFF found that Black voters named the state of the economy, and its impact on their pocketbooks, as their number one concern. Historically, Black people have always had a less share of America’s wealth, including homeownership, and a disproportionate share of unemployment and consumer debt. Those stark statistics are likely to remain in the foreseeable future. More broadly, inflation…
It can’t be emphasized enough: engaging in physical activity is the single most important thing you can do to maintain mobility and independence, no matter your age or your health status. It can help you control your weight. It’s the key to keeping your muscles and bones strong, your joints working properly, your heart healthy, and your metabolism revved. The more you move, the better your strength and balance will be, and the less likely you will be to fall or lose the ability to perform basic daily functions. And that’s on top of all the other health benefits of…
Dear Editor, The University of Toronto (U of T) declared that that it will not adopt the divisive International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s new definition of antisemitism now includes “Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel.” That is false and misleading! Reasons? * Israel doesn’t represent all Jews and not all Jews support Israel’s crimes against Palestinians. * It falsely conflates criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. * Many Jewish groups like Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), CODEPINK, and Jews for Justice for Palestinians (JfJfP) oppose Israel’s oppression of…