By Jennifer Porter GoreWord in Black The state of South Carolina ranks among the highest in the nation for maternal mortality. And just like nationwide, the burden falls most heavily on Black women. But a recent gathering of healthcare leaders, birth workers and families in the state vowed not to take the situation lying down. […]
Author Archives: Word in Black
Posted inWord In Black
March Madness runs on Black athletes, but at what cost?
By Ashley Stewart, Ph.D.Word in Black Scan the NCAA’s Sweet 16 rosters and you’ll see what college basketball has always known: Black athletes built this tournament. Now imagine if their institutions invested in their minds the way they profit from their bodies. Each March, college basketball becomes a unifying cultural event unlike almost anything else […]
Posted inWord In Black
‘There is a cost to telling the truth.’ But Georgia Fort is undeterred
Independent journalist Georgia Fort reflects on her arrest while covering a protest and the growing threats to press freedom, particularly for Black reporters. Drawing strength from her faith, personal experiences and the legacy of the Black press, Fort remains committed to telling difficult truths despite risks, emphasizing the vital role Black media plays in holding America accountable.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: For Black women, the Oscars are about more than Best Picture
Dr. Regina Davis Moss is a narrative strategist, cultural leader and reproductive justice advocate whose research examines how stories shape public belief and influence policy as president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice. In this piece, she discusses the importance of Black women controlling how their stories are told.
Posted inWord In Black
Education is repair: Black history and America at 250
By Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter This summer, the United States will celebrate 250 years of independence. However, this is not the only anniversary to commemorate. February marks the 50th anniversary of Black History Month as it exists now, and 100 years of this recognition in some form. As we reflect on these milestones, the struggle […]
Posted inWord In Black
Anissa Durham, author of ‘On Borrowed Time’ series for Word in Black, wins NAACP Image Award
By Word in Black On the same night Michelle Obama and Kendrick Lamar were celebrated at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards, a reporter for Word In Black quietly made history of her own. On Feb. 23, Anissa Durham won the inaugural Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism award for “On Borrowed Time,” her nine-part investigation into […]
Posted inWord In Black
Racial healing starts with honest conversations
Honest conversations about race help young people affirm their identity and process racism without internalizing harm. Families, educators, and mental health experts say early, open dialogue builds resilience and supports long-term racial healing.
Posted inWord In Black
Racial healing in Black America: What the data tells us
A new Word In Black survey explores how Black Americans define racial healing and what stands in the way of achieving it, providing a data-driven account of the current state of racial healing in the US.
Posted inEducation
Black students are the fastest growing group of college applicants
Black students are the fastest-growing group of college applicants in the U.S., with applications rising 11 percent in fall 2025 compared to the previous year, according to the Common Application. This surge shows that, despite rising tuition and the Supreme Court ending affirmative action, Black students continue to pursue higher education at record rates, particularly in the Southwest and in states like Mississippi.
Posted inWord In Black
A year after the Eaton Fire, Black Altadena is fighting to stay
By Anissa DurhamWord in Black For decades, Altadena functioned as a rare constant in the Los Angeles area: a place where Black families owned homes and passed something on to their descendants. That all changed with the Eaton Fire. One year after the fire tore through Altadena and neighboring communities, destroying thousands of homes and […]
Posted inCommentary
In redistricting wars, Black and Brown voters stand to lose
By Shaylyn Cochran and Rob WeinerWord in Black The 2026 midterm will be a referendum on the direction of our country, but without the fair and complete participation of Black voters and communities of color, next fall’s election will not truly reflect the voice of the people. Unfortunately, in granting a stay in the Texas […]
Posted inFood
4 smart tips for budget-friendly holiday meals
Traditional Black holiday dishes carry memory, culture and meaning far beyond the dinner table. Rising grocery prices push families to find creative ways to honor tradition while stretching food budgets.