By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — B Natural is a local, family-owned and -operated health and beauty startup company created by Ralinda Brooks. Brooks, along with her children Aaron, Ashley, and Ariana and husband, Anthony, are the faces behind B Natural, working together in every capacity of the operation. Brooks, a chemist with over 25 years of product development and manufacturing experience, got the inspiration to start the business around 2010 after doing science projects with her children. “As consumers, they were under the [impression] that everything just came from a store,” Brooks said of her children. Taking that time…
Author: Ashley Benkarski
On board the Trump Train? You should know the destination. By Ashley Benkarski “It could happen here.” You’ve probably heard the saying many times and the impact may have lost its meaning. But that doesn’t make it any less true. Trump’s speech at the America First Agenda Summit in Washington, D.C. should be sounding the alarms of every freedom-loving person’s conscience within our nation’s borders. Just 30 minutes into this hour-plus long diatribe, Trump called for the extrajudicial killing of “drug dealers,” once again suggested sending the National Guard into any state or city without a governor’s approval and advocated for…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN —Heru the Happy Dragon, by Fred ‘Doc’ Beasley, is “a love letter to Black and Brown children, and the original and indigenous children of the diaspora, letting them know that their health, their creativity and their imagination is paramount,” the author said. “As a father of four children myself, learning things that pained me in [my children’s] early processes was that there weren’t too many characters they could look to in the media that reinforced who they were, for them to have pride in themselves. I saw that void there. Also as someone who’s been…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — Bishop George Adebanjo is celebrating 36 wonderful years of pastoral service with The Living Word International Church on July 31. Expressing excitement over this new milestone, Bishop Adebanjo said, “It feels great. I am honored to have served this great church for 36 years.” The Bishop’s anniversary event will include speakers, a guest choir and Living Word’s choir. “I’m looking forward to the Word of God and all the friends who’ll be coming to celebrate with us,” he said. Under Bishop Adebanjo and First Lady Dr. Jennifer Adebanjo, the Church has expanded to three…
NASHVILLE, TN — A new film based around the life and career of Elvis Presley is set to premiere in theaters this Friday, and Nashville’s own Shonka Dukureh will grace the screen as Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, who first recorded “Hound Dog.” A Fisk graduate and longtime local artist, Dukureh’s powerful voice is one of a handful of talented artists tapped to play some of the most famous names in music history. This is Dukureh’s first foray in the film industry, though she’s no stranger to performing. “I was humming music before I was forming words,” she said. She…
By Ashley Benkarski WASHINGTON CO., TN — The Ford family legacy is one for the history books, and that’s not hyperbole. Larkin Ford labored as a slave on the farm owned by Loyd Ford Sr., a Revolutionary War veteran, and when the latter passed away he left his 112-acre property to the former in his will when he died in 1843 at age 96. “Whether or not they were his offspring (eventually a major court issue) Ford’s slaves were closer to him than were his seven legitimate sons—none of whom, as adults, chose to remain on the family farm and…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — The R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation (RHB) is going strong 125 years after its inception. Dr. LaDonna Boyd, EdD, has been leading the historic R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation since 2017. Focused on nurturing faith and responsible for uplifting Black voices, RHB has been a pivotal force across mediums. Like her ancestors, Dr. Boyd possesses the knowledge and boldness needed to navigate the company’s continued success in an oversaturated and evolving media industry; through growth and innovation, Dr. Boyd has led her family’s company through challenges and success alike while maintaining the integrity of the Boyd…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — William D. Mason, Jr., president of The Middle Tennessee Chapter of the National Action Network (MTNAN) spoke about his Chapter’s mission, issues affecting the region and what they can do to inform, unite and empower residents. “The worst thing a person can feel is voiceless,” he said. That’s where his organization steps in. For example, Middle Tennesseans are being forced out of their homes and sometimes the state due to predatory real estate investment practices like gouging prices in a sellers’ market. “This is hurting families, “ Pres. Mason said. “Our organization will help…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — 100 years after her death, the life and accomplishments of Dr. Josie English Wells will be cemented with a historical marker in her honor. The unveiling took place last Friday in front of the former George W. Hubbard Hospital, with a reception following in the nearby Hulda Lyttle Hall Parlor and Meeting Space. Sandra Parham, Executive Director of Meharry Medical College Library & Archives, with the assistance of Meharry Medical College CEO and President Dr. James E. K. Hildreth, submitted the application for Dr. Wells’s marker to the Metropolitan Historical Commission of Nashville and…
By Ashley Benkarski NASHVILLE, TN — These days, it seems hard times are getting harder. That’s why Dr. Jacqueline Butler-Mitchell found herself praying to God to help her be a conduit of good in the community this weekend. With gas prices soaring and inflation bearing down upon consumers she knew she could help meet a need for some in the community, so she prayed about how she’d proceed. She got her answer and purchased $6000 total in gift cards from the Kroger located on 8th and Monroe in downtown North Nashville. Though she’d budgeted a few hours into her Saturday…