Breaking News! History in the Making

Illinois predominantly Black college closing after 157 years
The closure of Lincoln College leaves one small Illinois town wondering about the local economy and career and educational opportunities.

Judge finds Florida’s Republican-backed congressional map illegally harms Black voters
A voting redistricting map backed by Gov DeSantis has been struck down by a Circuit Court judge for denying Black Floridians voting rights.

Why Hate is Alive and Well: Silence, Suppression, and the Racial Reckoning in America that Never Was
Racism is embedded in the psyche of America despite claims to the contrary. If solving racism was this easy, America would have fixed itself a long time ago.

First Black female sheriff in Louisiana inaugurated
Susan Hutson made history twice in December when she became the first woman elected to serve as sheriff in New Orleans, and the first African American.

Tulsa race massacre reparations lawsuit survives motion to deny and will move forward, judge rules
Survivors and descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre are hopeful to have their chance to make the case for reparations after this ruling.

First Black woman nominated as Milwaukee’s assistant fire chief
After 19 years with Milwaukee’s Fire Department, Sharon Purifoy-Smoots will be Deputy Chief and highest-ranking black woman in state fire departments.

$500K allocated for restoration of Black cemetery in Florida
Florida’s “Abandoned African American Cemeteries” task force has uncovered several forgotten Black burial grounds, and $500K has been allocated for Groveland’s cemetery restoration.

Congressional Caucus on Black Innovation debuts on Capitol Hill
The new caucus, chaired by members of Congress Stacey Plaskett, Ritchie Torres, and Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, aims to close the economic gap for Black entrepreneurs in tech and innovation.

LeVar Burton to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2022 Emmys
Popular children’s TV host and literacy advocate LeVar Burton is one of several to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Emmys.

‘This report is unflinching’: Harvard University confronts its ties to slavery
Like many of the nation’s greatest institutions, Harvard has a history with slavery. A recent report reveals the depths of that connection.

White House Correspondents’ Association to honor pioneering Black women journalists Alice Dunnigan and Ethel Payne
The WHCA will present the “Dunnigan-Payne Prize” to the families of Dunnigan and Payne, pioneering Black women journalists, at this year’s White House Correspondents Dinner.

HBCUs Want Legalized Marijuana to Benefit More Black People
Several HBCUs have launched programs designed to help Black people participate in the growing cannabis industry, as they are the most likely to be arrested for possession of marijuana in the United States.

Alabama State strips name of Klan member from dorm, renames it for boycott leader
Jo Ann Robinson had worked to change the segregated bus system in Montgomery before the arrest of Rosa Parks, now this Alabama dorm named for a Klan member honors her instead.

Reggie Jackson: Why The Emmett Till Antilynching Act Is Mostly Just Another Empty Gesture
Many have celebrated the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, signed into law on March 29, 2022. I see no reason to celebrate a law that is one hundred years late and is not an anti-lynching bill, despite the name.

City of Nashville to make Juneteenth a paid holiday
Juneteenth has only been a federal holiday since 2021, and its status doesn’t impact many workers. But Nashville leaders plan to make it a paid city holiday.

Black history and humanity are focus of SoFi’s Kinsey art exhibit
The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection has landed in Los Angeles at SoFi stadium, where visitors can learn about black history.

Breaking Down Racial Barriers in Real Estate
Nonprofit organization Parity Homes puts black Baltimoreons in houses, but it’s an uphill battle due to redlining’s decades of devastating effects.

Why the Rate of Black Business Ownership Is Going Up
In Pittsburgh and around the country, black-owned businesses are on the rise, continuing a trend from before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden Administration Plans Support for Black Mothers
Expanded healthcare coverage, mental healthcare, and community-based doulas are part of President’s Biden’s plan to support blakc mothers.