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Happy (belated) Juneteenth, a talk with Wes Moore, Tyler Perry sued
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Happy (belated) Juneteenth, a talk with Wes Moore, Tyler Perry sued

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Phil Lewis
Jun 20, 2025
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What I’m Reading

The Juneteenth flag is seen waving in the wind during a flag raising ceremony in recognition and celebration of Juneteenth, Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Happy (belated) Juneteenth!

I hope everyone had a great Juneteenth! Even though the holiday was yesterday, there’s always more to read and learn about the celebration. Below are a few stories from Black reporters that you should read:

Despite corporate pullback, Black Americans keep Juneteenth traditions alive, Aallyah Wright for Capital B…

Juneteenth is the most widely known US emancipation celebration – but it’s not the only one, Adria R. Walker for The Guardian…

When Texas newspaper contributors used Jamaica to defend slavery in the US,

Nicole Carr
for
Fortify
...

Juneteenth renews call for reparations for African Americans, advocates say, Deborah Berry for USA TODAY…

My Juneteenth menu is a celebration of Black culture,

Megan Braden-Perry
for Epicurious…

A brief history of Juneteenth fashion,

Taylor Crumpton
for ESSENCE…

Related: I talked with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore about his decision to veto a reparations bill that would have created a commission to study the impacts of slavery, and what his plans are instead…

As news geared toward Black Americans shrinks, newsletters like this work to inform our community. If you think this work is important, please consider becoming a paid subscriber!


Black dads go public with support for their kids with autism — and each other, AP News

Kenya Hunter
, a public health reporter for the Associated Press, explored how Black fathers of children with autism are working to create their own platforms to be more visible in the national conversation about the disorder.


How the Peacock Chair Became a Hallmark of Black American Décor, The New York Times

For the New York Times, James Thomas explored how the peacock chair became a staple of Black décor. “I always dreamed of having a peacock chair just because it’s so ingrained in Black culture,” said Amanda Wicks, an Atlanta-based mother.


What’s Happening

Baby of Adriana Smith, a mother declared brain-dead, was delivered

Phil Lewis
·
Jun 17
Baby of Adriana Smith, a mother declared brain-dead, was delivered

A brain-dead Georgia woman who was kept on life support for months so her unborn child can be delivered — sparking a national debate about the state’s abortion laws — had a child by emergency Caesarean section on Friday.

Read full story

This week marked ten years since a white supremacist opened fire inside Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, killing nine Black worshippers. NPR traveled to South Carolina to speak with the church’s parishioners…

The NAACP announced it has chosen not to invite Trump to its annual convention, breaking a 116-year tradition…

For Capital B, Aallyah Wright spoke with residents on St. Helena Island who’ve been blocked from their ancestral cemetery by private landowners. Now they’re suing…

The NAACP is set to sue Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company for air pollution concerns in Black communities…

Trump has moved a bronze bust of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. out of the Oval Office…

Attorney Ben Crump announced a lawsuit against four companies accused of professional negligence that resulted in the deadly Sapelo Island dock collapse that killed seven people…

For POLITICO, Cheyanne Daniels talked with Black church leaders who are putting the pressure on companies who are rolling back their DEI initiatives...

Marva Johnson has been confirmed as Florida A&M University's 13th president despite the public outcry over her ties to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis…

Kenyatta Victoria
reported on the harmful impacts of the AI images of Black girls popping up everywhere…

Kai Frazier’s Metaverse learning experience now has its first student-created production — and it honors Birmingham’s youth during the Civil Rights Movement…

As Job Corps is phased out, historically Black colleges and universities nationwide are preparing to welcome the young adults who’ve relied on it…

Capital B’s Adam Mahoney spoke with Gail Etienne, one of the McDonogh Three who desegregated schools before Ruby Bridges…

The Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC celebrated the 125th anniversary of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with an immersive experience…


Entertainment News

Photo Credit: BET Awards/YouTube

Tyler Perry has been accused of sexual harassment and assault in a lawsuit brought by an actor who has worked on Perry’s shows. His lawyer described the allegations as a “shakedown”…

For GQ Magazine, Frazier Tharpe got Pusha T to explain why he dissed Travis Scott on Clipse's "So Be It"...

William E. Ketchum III
whipped up a comprehensive guide of the Wu-Tang Clan’s collective discography for Grammys.com…

Ananda Lewis' work on BET’s “Teen Summit” and MTV’s “TRL” inspired young audiences to engage with the news. For Bloomberg,

Candice Frederick
wrote about how today’s news environment is sorely missing someone like her…

Author Dana A. Williams explored Toni Morrison’s time in publishing in her new book, “Toni at Random”...

Howard University Women’s Track & Field delivered a historic performance at the 2025 NCAA championships…

Film critic

Odie Henderson
wrote a phenomenal piece celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1975 classic “Cooley High”…

From my colleague Njera Perkins: As Trump continues to target DEI initiatives, these industry vets are creating a safe space for Black filmmakers…

Former NFL star Antonio Brown is facing an attempted murder charge, but he’s been traveling in the Middle East…

Comedian Desi Banks is developing a half-hour sitcom project with BET Studios…

R. Kelly allegedly overdosed in prison last week and was rushed to the hospital, according to court documents. The filing claims prison staff gave the disgraced singer "an amount of medicine that could have killed him”...

Obituaries

Esaw Snipes-Garner, an activist and the widow of Eric Garner, has died. She was 58…

Charlie Burrell, a musician who became the first Black member of a major American symphony, has died. He was 104…

Dave Scott, the famed choreographer behind “You Got Served,” “Step Up 2” and more, has died. He was 52…

Beuford Smith, a photographer who captured full Black life in New York City, has died. He was 89…


Don’t Miss

Can you beat my time on Black Crossword? 1 minute, 48 seconds. I’m slacking…

NPR Music is hiring an executive director whose responsibilities include “implementing the overall strategy for NPR Music, including growing and innovating the Tiny Desk franchise”...

Speaking of Tiny Desk, make sure you catch the latest concerts: Cece Winans and Stanley Clarke…

Global Black Thought is accepting submissions for their special issue on the 90th anniversary of W.E.B. Du Bois’s “Black Reconstruction in America” until July 1…

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By Phil Lewis · Hundreds of paid subscribers
An award-winning newsletter that shares some of the most interesting and informative news stories about the Black experience in America. 2024 Webby Award honoree.
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Megan Braden-Perry
1h

Hi Phil! I never get on here, as I mostly post on my website and social media and only have this account to follow friends. So, I missed this. But thank you, sir! I am honored to be included in your roundup.

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