JaDonna Harris, a colorectal cancer survivor from Washington, D.C., shares her personal story to raise awareness about the rising risk of colorectal cancer—especially among Black Americans—and stresses the importance of early screening. Diagnosed shortly after turning 40, Harris highlights how symptoms can be overlooked and urges people not to delay testing, noting that new, more accessible screening options can help save lives.
Tag: Black women
Posted inBUSINESS
Power, protection and peace of mind: Five legal insights every Black woman should know
Kisha A. Brown, Esq. is a civil rights attorney and founder of Justis Connection, the nation’s first Black attorney referral network. This week, in Honor of Women’s History Month, she discusses top five legal insights for Black women.
Posted inBUSINESS
How resilient Black women turn job loss into new ventures
In response to the mass layoffs of 2025, Black women are turning challenges into opportunity—launching businesses, building networks and pursuing entrepreneurship. With resilience, creativity and community support, they are forging paths to economic stability and success.
Posted inHealth
Alpha Eta Phi: The sorority changing life for women with multiple sclerosis
Four women living with multiple sclerosis (MS) found each other through a sorority for women with chronic illnesses — and realized there was no space built specifically for women with MS to connect, heal and thrive. So they created their own, founding Alpha Eta Phi in 2021 as the first and only non-collegiate sorority dedicated to women navigating life with the disease.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: What the NICU in Colombia taught me about Black fatherhood, preeclampsia and survival
In this deeply personal commentary, Jarvis Houston reflects on becoming a father under crisis when his son was born prematurely due to preeclampsia while the family was in Colombia. Through the experience of navigating a foreign health system, witnessing the fragility of life in the NICU, and advocating for his partner’s survival, Houston examines the realities of Black fatherhood, the dangers of maternal health inequities facing Black women, and the collective nature of survival, care and love.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Maternal care deserts are no accident—they are disinvestment zones harming Black mothers
Despite recent declines in overall U.S. maternal mortality, Black women continue to face rising and disproportionately high death rates due to systemic racism, chronic disease and inequitable access to care. The author argues that so-called “maternal care deserts” are intentionally under-resourced areas and should be reframed as “maternal care disinvestment zones” to highlight structural neglect and drive accountability.
Posted inCommentary
Democrat’s do-over with Black women
By Tamia Booker and Kevin Harris The 2024 election was a major disappointment for many Democrats, particularly Black women. And now that the party has decided to not release its “autopsy” analyzing our shortcomings from 2024, we will miss an opportunity to discuss our treatment of the first Black woman to lead a major party’s […]
Posted inNational News
November jobs report shows rising unemployment and worsening outlook for Black workers
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The rise in unemployment has been uneven, with Black workers experiencing some of the most severe impacts. Black men ages 20 and older saw their unemployment rate jump from 6.6 percent in September to 7.5 percent in November. Black women ages 20 and older recorded an unemployment rate of 7.1 percent in November, slightly lower than September’s 7.5 percent but still higher than any other racial or ethnic group.
Posted inHealth
Healthy moms, healthy babies: A look at preventing gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes affects five to nine percent of U.S. pregnancies, with Black women facing higher long-term diabetes risk. With lifestyle changes, monitoring, and medical guidance, the condition can be managed to support a healthy pregnancy and baby
Posted inHealth
A survivor’s message to women: ‘Don’t wait, get screened for breast cancer’
Breast cancer survival improves with early detection and consistent screenings. Valarie Traynham, a survivor, stresses the importance of being vigilant about symptoms and speaking up to ensure proper care.
Posted inCivil Rights
Legally Written: The missing voice in America’s access to justice PART 3
Access to justice for Black people: Kisha A. Brown explores the barriers, injustices, and the importance of justice as a birthright.
Posted inOpinion
Rest doesn’t mean sleep
By Dr. Ja’Lia Taylor and Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley The impact of the recent Nov. 4 election for Black women was profound. For a group that has taken loss after loss, from the Fearless Fund being sued for daring to invest in us to Dr. Claudine Gay being pushed to step down, to our sister Letitia […]