By Brittany Willis It took me seven years of teaching before I had the opportunity to work in a school where the student and staff population were both majority Black. I don’t mean “majority” as in just over half—no, literally everybody was Black except two white staff members and three Latinx children who were siblings. […]
It’s that time of the year again. The National Book Foundation has announced an official longlist for its annual awards ceremony, which are being held this year on November 14th in New York City. Finalists will be announced on October 10th.
by Maximillian Matthews After arriving on the campus of Elon University in the fall of 2005, I instantly sought out the Black community in an effort to not feel isolated and misunderstood. I knew I would need Black folks in order to thrive at predominantly white institution. My need for kinship led me to Alpha […]
My fiance and I are at the point in our engagement where we are pouring over every decision we might possibly ever make together to ensure we are on the same page. I actually don’t know if it’s really just a singular point, or if continual desperate preparation for all imaginable disasters simply defines what […]
In Brownsville, Texas, an old Walmart sits along the Mexican border. Today, it has been transformed into a safe haven, a lively city, and a home called “Casa Padre” for over 1,400 immigrant children.
Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o is writing a children’s book about a 5-year-old Kenyan girl’s journey to accepting and loving her dark-skinned complexion. Sulwe, the titular protagonist in Nyong’o’s story, is the darkest person in her family and is obsessed with lightening her skin before going on a fantastical journey that leads her to appreciate her […]
By Jessica Dulaney All my life I have believed in the magic of literature, but only a few years ago did I witness one of its most incredible tricks – to help me see myself. I am a Black girl who spent a childhood with little access to literature by or about Black girls. I […]
As Americans continue grappling with rampant sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual abuse of vulnerable populations by people with situational dominance, another reminder to protect children from adult monsters came late last week. A jury convicted 38-year-old Jelani Maraj of endangering the welfare of a child and predatory sexual assault on a child younger than […]
by Arnetta Randall Recently, I watched a live stream of a conversation between the Former First Lady, Michelle Obama and the First Lady of television, Shonda Rhimes. I found it simply amazing. One of the moments that resonated with me the most was when Michelle spoke about how her parents listened to her as a […]
by Kirsten Howard This essay contains discussion and descriptions of domestic violence Twitter was a frenzy a couple of days ago when one of rap’s favorite mumble rappers tweeted a threat to his ex fiancé. When Jerrika Karlae declared herself to be “on the market,” Young Thug responded with a threat against her life.
By George M. Johnson It was a Sunday night like many others, me sitting at Starbucks finishing up some writing due first thing Monday morning, when a text from my mother came through to our family group chat. It was a picture of me as a young boy, playing Cops and Robbers with my little […]
**Trigger warning: this article makes mention of death by suicide** Gabriel Taye, 8, hanged himself in his home after being bullied by students. His parents are now suing the Cincinnati school district for not acting on the bullying that led to his suicide. Security footage shows Gabriel falling unconscious in a school bathroom after talking […]
