As ICE raids escalate in Minneapolis, faith leaders and lay communities are turning churches, streets, and teaching spaces into sanctuaries—offering food, trauma care, and resistance grounded in Dr. King’s vision of the beloved community.
Category: Word In Black
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 inEducation
3 education fights that aren’t going away in 2026
Battles over the Department of Education, immigration and artificial intelligence in the classroom aren’t going away in 2026.
Posted inWord In Black
Amid backsliding, a Michigan group keeps MLK’s fire burning
As the nation marks 40 years of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday, the King Commission of Mid-Michigan—one of the oldest organizations devoted to King’s legacy—continues to adapt amid civil rights backsliding. With fewer living veterans of the movement, the Commission is shifting its focus toward educating and empowering younger generations, using its nationally prominent King Luncheon and year-round programming to keep Dr. King’s vision of justice and collective action alive.
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 inOpinion
This is the America Black people have always known
The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by federal agents in Minneapolis underscores what Black Americans have long known: state violence rooted in White supremacy is not an aberration but a defining feature of American power. As outrage grows, the piece argues that moral clarity, collective care, and refusal to accept cruelty as inevitable are essential responses to a system that only feels shocking when it harms those previously shielded by privilege.
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 inWord In Black
Richard Smallwood: ‘I’m looking forward to singing with you in heaven’
The death of Richard Smallwood, the legendary gospel composer and musician whose work reshaped Black church worship, on Dec. 30 at age 77, has prompted tributes across congregations and the music world. Best known for “Total Praise” and other modern hymns, Smallwood blended classical training with gospel tradition, leaving a lasting spiritual and musical legacy that continues to resonate across denominations and generations.
Posted inSports
Skater Emmanuel Savary sharpens routines for the 2026 U.S. Championships
Figure skater Emmanuel Savary is preparing for what may be his final appearance at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, set to begin Jan. 7, as the event plays a key role in selecting the U.S. Olympic team for 2026. After overcoming an ankle injury, Savary has regained confidence through competitive success, show skating with Ice Theatre of New York, and self-choreographed programs, while balancing his athletic career with coaching and his studies in astrophysics.
Posted inWord In Black
7 Christmas carols with a touch of soul
Black composers and arrangers shape the Christmas repertoire, adding spirituals and gospel songs that endure across generations.
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.
Posted inMental Health
How to support college students this holiday season
By Fajr Eutsey College is a time of significant transitions. Students are stepping out of their comfort zones, making hard decisions and learning to balance independence with responsibility. That growth can be exhilarating, but it can also be overwhelming. The holiday season, with its mix of family expectations, financial pressures and cultural traditions, often magnifies […]
