By Aziah SiidWord In Black In the spring of 2018, Los Angeles two mothers, Kawanna Brown and Lisa Johnson, sparked a transformative movement. Frustrated by the racial isolation their children faced in private schools, they dreamed of a community where Black private school kids could connect and families could support each other. Johnson, having experienced […]
Author Archives: Word in Black
5 HBCUs Leading the Charge in Creating Black Excellence
by Aziah Siid February 2, 2024 They’ve shaped generations of Black professionals. Now HBCUs are working to educate students K-12, particularly in STEM fields. What do Martin Luther King Jr., Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Vice President Kamala Harris have in common? They’re all graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The schools saw a surge […]
Lincoln alumni call for president’s ouster after suicide of Vice President Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey
By Holly Edgell The Midwest Newsroom Antonio Lewis was surprised to see an email from Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey in his inbox on the morning of Jan. 8. Lewis, president of the Atlanta chapter of the Lincoln University Alumni Association, had never met Candia-Bailey, but knew she was the university’s vice president for student affairs and an […]
CNN’s Sara Sidner sheds light on breast cancer disparities
The co-anchor of CNN News Central announced her stage 3 diagnosis on-air, emphasizing how the disease impacts Black women. By Alexa SpencerWord In Black CNN anchor Sara Sidner announced on Jan. 8 that she is undergoing treatment for stage 3 breast cancer. During an emotional segment on CNN News Central, she told viewers she is […]
2023 year in review: the best and worst of times
Some of the biggest stories for Black people in the past year include issues much closer to home and our daily lives Retrospectives of the preceding year are not simply a recap. They are, in many ways, a forecast for what’s to come. If we don’t take the time to reflect on what’s gone before, […]
The State of Black homeownership is difficult but promising
Black homeowners and prospective buyers faced serious headwinds in 2023, but 2024 and beyond could provide hope. By Bria OversWord in Black “Challenging.” That is how Courtney Johnson Rose describes the state of housing in Black America in 2023. Rose is the president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), a minority professional […]
Why Black Christmas means resistance
Since the 1800s, Black folks have used Christmas to resist racial violence and oppression. Here are some social justice organizations to support this holiday season. By Nadira JamersonWord in Black For many of us, Christmas is a time to exchange gifts, indulge in slices of sweet potato pie, and binge-watch movies like “This Christmas” and […]
Paving the path to justice: Harnessing data for community empowerment
By Tonya Calhoun The power of a “people-first” approach drives authentic community engagement while citing statistical data as a key pillar in addressing climate. Milwaukee is witnessing a transformation — a journey fueled by data, collaboration, and a fervent commitment to justice. Playing a crucial role in this endeavor is Data You Can Use, a […]
Opinion: Angela Alsobrooks – A Senate bid and Black Power springboard
By Roger House, Word in Black The campaign of Maryland’s Angela Alsobrooks for the U.S. Senate may be the most consequential election facing Black Democrats in 2024. That’s because her candidacy can serve as a springboard to a more inclusive Senate chamber and to the consolidation of Black political power in a Southern state. Alsobrooks […]
Meet Grant Warner, the leader helping train future Black business owners
By Bria Overs, Word in Black Black people have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no lack of desire or motivation that stops them from pursuing the path. According to the most recent official numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, there are nearly 3.6 million Black-owned businesses. An estimated 1.3 million people are employed by […]
Five books by Black women to put on your gift list
By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier, Word In Black The holiday season is officially here, which means it’s time to make gift lists and start shopping for friends and family. But listen, do folks really need another scented candle, pair of socks, or pricey electronic gadget? Perhaps it’s time to consider a more radical act of giving: books […]
Making teaching sustainable for more Black men like me
#education By Cedric Jones, Word In Black I remember sitting in a small classroom in Barrows Hall at U.C. Berkeley when I learned of my acceptance into Teach For America, a national education nonprofit that supports public school systems by sourcing talent to lead as anti-racist educators within the classroom. Then — as is the […]

