By Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III This month, I’ll head down to rural Virginia to a small town called Kilmarnock in order to celebrate the life of my great uncle, Dwight O’Neal Caster. Preparing for his homegoing caused me to reflect on the significant time that I spent as a child in rural Virginia. I […]
Category: Opinion
Posted inOpinion, OPINION
Opinion: Tiger Woods didn’t just disappear–we just stopped looking at his pain
By Steven Ragsdale From Augusta to Baltimore, Tiger’s story reflects a familiar pattern—pain ignored, addiction misunderstood and lessons learned too late. Rory McIlroy’s Masters win gave golf the kind of storybook ending it has come to expect from its biggest stage. A boy who learned to play golf in the foothills of Ireland on a […]
Posted inOPINION
Cannabis, justice and religion: My journey to leading a dispensary
Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III is an author, nonprofit executive and now, CEO of Marula Wellness Dispensary. This week, he shares his inspiration for pursuing and opening his own marijuana dispensary.
Posted inCommentary
Overcoming the guilt of a medical diagnosis: My kidney disease journey
After being diagnosed with kidney failure at 31, Sharron Rouse navigated years of uncertainty, dialysis, and ultimately a life-saving transplant before discovering her condition was caused by APOL1-mediated kidney disease, a genetic risk linked to African ancestry. Her journey from confusion and guilt to clarity and advocacy underscores the importance of genetic testing, personalized care, and awareness—especially for communities at higher risk.
Posted inCommentary
Sarcoidosis revisited: What I’ve learned since ‘Sarcoidosis Doesn’t Have to Be a Death Sentence’
By Stacy Sneed Nearly a decade after first writing “Sarcoidosis Doesn’t Have to Be a Death Sentence,” I now understand that the truth is far more complex—but still rooted in hope. When I think about sarcoidosis in 2026, I realize how far we have come in awareness, knowledge and medical advancement. Technology has improved, and […]
Posted inOpinion
Investigating your family health history is an act of love
Stephanie Cochran, a cancer survivor and Lynch syndrome advocate, shares how investigating her own family health history led to an early diagnosis of endometrial cancer and revealed a hereditary condition that significantly increases cancer risk. She urges Black and Brown communities to document family medical histories, consider genetic testing for Lynch syndrome, and advocate for proactive, informed healthcare to help save lives across generations.
Posted inOpinion
The Community Trust Act: Due process should not depend on immigration status
The Community Trust Act in Maryland would require a judicial warrant for immigration detention, ensuring due process and protecting the rights of those accused of a crime.
Posted inOPINION
Commentary: Turning the page toward a healthier and more engaged DC
Jimmie Williams is CEO and president of the Washington Literacy Center and Adrian Jordan is a member of the board and works for Elevance Health. In this piece, they posit that improving adult literacy in Washington, D.C., is essential to strengthening public health, economic opportunity and civic participation, particularly as new challenges like ranked-choice voting emerge.
Posted inOpinion
When a scent becomes a sentence: The high price of low-level marijuana arrests
Miranda Jones (Sis. Miranda) is an English educator and co-founder of the grassroots organization Hate Out of Winston (HOOW). This week, she argues that one man’s experience reflects a broader fear: For many Black residents, even a parked car offers no protection from police scrutiny. She also reflects on the systemic imbalance in how marijuana possession arrests are applied as referenced in this artwork by Shepard Fairey in Los Angeles, Calif.
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 inOPINION
Joy-based budgeting is in: Tips for achieving your financial goals
By Janet Currie As many households continue to watch their budgets, “joy-based budgeting” has become a more positive and realistic way to manage their money. Instead of focusing only on cutting spending, this approach encourages people to spend intentionally on the things that matter most to them. Joy-based budgeting helps consumers prioritize purchases and experiences […]
Posted inOpinion
No Kings Day and Black participation
On March 28, 2026, millions of Americans will take part in the third major No Kings Day Protest against the presidency of Donald Trump, and voter participation in the upcoming elections is key to making a difference.