By Ivan Sanchez Every June, Pride Month commemorates the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, celebrating the community’s diversity, resilience, and achievements. While this month honors many facets of LGBTQ+ history, the contributions of Black Americans have been particularly significant and deserve special recognition. The roots of Pride Month trace back to the Stonewall Riots of June 1969, a pivotal event in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Among the leading figures at Stonewall were Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two prominent activists of color. Johnson, a Black transgender woman, played a crucial role in the riots and subsequent activism,…
Author: Ivan Sanchez
By Ivan Sanchez Gladys Bentley, born August 12, 1907, in Philadelphia, was a pioneering African American blues singer, pianist, and entertainer. A trailblazer in the Harlem Renaissance, Bentley is celebrated for her unapologetic presence in the music scene and her bold defiance of gender norms and societal expectations. Bentley’s career took off in the 1920s and 1930s, a period marked by the flourishing of African American arts and culture in Harlem. She was known for her deep, powerful voice and her dynamic stage presence. Donning men’s clothing, Bentley performed with a commanding and charismatic energy that captivated audiences. Her signature…
By Ivan Sanchez NASHVILLE, TN — In a contentious session last Thursday, Senate Democrats found their efforts to advance a bipartisan border security bill thwarted, as nearly every Republican voted to filibuster it. This setback comes amidst a political landscape where border issues have become a centerpiece of Donald Trump’s campaign against President Joe Biden. The bipartisan border security bill’s failure, a bill in which Democrats gave Republicans almost everything they wanted with no pathway for Dreamers, or other sweeteners to make the bill more palatable for Senate Democrats, ended with a vote of 43-50. This fell short of…
By Ivan Sanchez The United Autoworkers (UAW) began a campaign to unionize the non-union plants in the South last year on the heels of their successful negotiations with the Big 3 Automakers in Detroit. The UAW has historically faced stiff opposition in the South, marking this as a unique moment in history for the labor movement. Just a month ago, Volkswagen workers in Tennessee voted nearly 3-to-1 in favor of joining the UAW, upending longstanding assumptions about the South. But the outcome in Alabama, where more than 5,000 workers are employed, was never going to be easy. Autoworkers at…
By Ivan Sanchez In the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, which effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, the reproductive rights landscape in the United States has shifted dramatically. A flurry of state-level initiatives aimed at either restricting or safeguarding abortion rights have emerged, reflecting the deeply polarized attitudes towards reproductive autonomy. Among the states making significant moves are Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and South Dakota. Colorado will vote on a Right to Abortion Initiative. This measure seeks to embed in the state constitution a fundamental right to abortion and permit the use of public funds…
By Ivan Sanchez In a significant ruling, the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) upheld the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) funding mechanism, affirming Congress’s authority to designate funding sources for federal agencies. This same week they also upheld Louisiana’s Second Majority-Black congressional district for this election cycle in an unsigned opinion. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau v. Community Financial Services Association of America, Ltd., centered on the Appropriations Clause of the Constitution, which grants Congress control over public spending. The clause stipulates that funds can only be drawn from the Treasury “in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.”…
By Ivan Sanchez In a groundbreaking effort to address the disparities in healthcare faced by Black women, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has launched the VOICES of Black Women study. Led by the Population Science team, this long-term initiative aims to enroll over 100,000 Black women across 20 states and Washington, D.C., with a focus on understanding and improving their overall health. Historically, Black women have been underrepresented in medical research, leading to gaps in knowledge about the unique health challenges they face. The VOICES study seeks to rectify this disparity by providing a platform for Black women to share…
NASHVILLE, TN — Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month is a time to honor the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander communities worldwide. In Middle Tennessee, API Middle Tennessee is spearheading the celebration with their 4th Annual Arts Festival, a vibrant gathering that promises to be a feast for the senses. Scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024, this event is set to be a highlight of the month-long festivities. API Middle Tennessee, a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2020, has quickly become a vital force in the community, working tirelessly to promote racial justice, uplift…
By Ivan Sanchez Marcos Berríos, a Tennessee-born Puerto Rican, is poised to make history as the second astronaut from the island territory, following in the footsteps of Joseph “Joe” Acabá. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced his selection as one of the 10 astronaut candidates for the year 2021. Berríos, who graduated from NASA’s Artemis program in March, represents a significant milestone for Puerto Rico and the Hispanic community at large, according to Professor Gerardo Morell, director of the NASA Puerto Rico Consortium. “To me, Marcos Berríos’ achievement has significance both locally and nationally for Hispanics,” Morell…
By Ivan Sanchez May is recognized as National Stroke Awareness Month, shedding light on the importance of understanding and preventing strokes, particularly among vulnerable populations. Stroke, often termed a brain attack, occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted or when a blood vessel bursts, leading to brain cell damage or death. As part of the observance, it’s crucial to address the disparities in stroke prevalence and outcomes among different demographic groups. African Americans face a disproportionately higher risk of strokes compared to their white counterparts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African…