By Bria Overs, Word In Black Working for a lifetime is rarely any person’s dream. As people get closer to age 65, they start putting together their plans for living out the rest of their lives in a well-deserved retirement. However, too many Americans lack the “longevity literacy” to prepare for retirement properly. In a […]
Author Archives: Word in Black
Posted inWord In Black
How unions put more money in the hands of Black folks
By Bria Overs, Word In Black Before “Hot Strike Summer,” there was the “Union Boom.” Workers at Amazon, Trader Joe’s, REI, Starbucks and other corporations banded with their fellow workers to improve working conditions. This drive, led by the workers, is shaking up workplaces and industries nationwide — a welcomed reversal to the decades-long decline […]
Posted inCommentary
Batteries and Black workers: The stakes of the UAW strike
By Willy Blackmore (WordinBlack) – For the first time ever, the United Auto Workers is striking against all of the Big Three automakers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which manufactures Chrysler, Dodge and Ram, among other brands. The strike is unlike others in the past for a number of other reasons too. Rather than shutting […]
Posted inWord In Black
Changing trajectories: how financial planning puts Black folks on track
By Bria Overs, Word in Black It’s hard to know where to turn when seeking guidance on budgets, investments, purchasing a home, or even starting a business. The internet is a great and vast resource, but it has one major flaw — it’s unable to get a complete view of your finances. Passing down financial […]
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Bringing staying power to the Black women-owned business boom
By Bria Overs, Word in Black There’s an underappreciated power in Black businesses. A power that goes beyond their ability to boost the United States economy. From cultural-changing fashion brands to construction companies to hair salons, Black-owned businesses have a profound impact on the Black community. The heart of that impact? The ability to generate […]
Posted inEducation
Should You Delay Your Child Starting Kindergarten?
Delaying the start of kindergarten has proven short-term benefits. But is it harmful in the long run? by Maya Pottiger. August 29, 2023 As the 2023-2024 school year starts across the country, not all kindergarten-aged children will be starting their academic careers. This is due to academic redshirting. Redshirting is a common practice in college sports, […]
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The Best Things to Happen to Black People in 2023 (So Far)
We’re celebrating all of the good news happening and the inspiring Black folk creating positive change in our communities. by Word In Black 2022 was a *wild* year. Book bans swept the country, the U.S. The Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, and 10 Black people were tragically gunned down in a grocery store in […]
Posted inEducation
Why This Teacher Spent $4,200 on Classroom Supplies
From pencils and notebooks to tables and chairs, low-paid teachers are shelling out big bucks for necessities their schools won’t provide. by Maya Pottiger August 21, 2023Word In Blackmaya.pottiger@localmedia.org When she graduated from college, Kayla Gamble had a typical request: Money. But Gamble, who had just earned her teaching degree, wasn’t putting the money toward […]
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Stop saying ‘I am not my ancestors’
By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier, Word in Black The memes, the reenactments, the folding chair earrings! In the aftermath of the ‘Alabama Brawl,’ Black America has had a lighthearted few days. Folks have been playing the Crime Mob classic “Knuck If You Buck,” making fun of Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town,” finding out that […]
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The U.S. suicide crisis: A deep dive into disparities within the Black community
By Ebony JJ Cury / Michigan Chronicle, Word in Black The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Aug. 10 that 49,449 Americans died by suicide in 2022. The figure represents a 2.6% increase from the 48,183 suicides recorded in 2021, marking the highest tally ever documented, based on the CDC’s preliminary data. […]
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Henrietta Lacks: Family announces 2nd lawsuit
By Alexa Spencer, Word in Black Just one week after the family of Henrietta Lacks reached an historic settlement with a biotech company over its use of Lacks’ cells in their products, the estate is suing a second company for unjustly profiting from her genes. The lawsuit, filed on Aug. 10 in the United States […]
Posted inHealth
The power of safe reporting on mental health
By Anissa Durham, Word in Black Whether you’ve ever experienced suicidal ideations or talked about it — Black folks are suffering in silence. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Feelings of sadness and hopelessness are common in the Black community. Some people may experience suicidal ideation, which means wanting to take your own […]
