Harvard's slavery research debacle, my WHCD event, Behind Kanye's comeback
Unfortunately, this newsletter did not win a Webby, but I am so appreciative of everyone who took time to support and vote! Thank you all so much.
What I’m Reading
Why are Harvard’s slavery researchers quitting or being fired?, The Guardian
Harvard University launched a $100 million project to examine the school’s long ties to slavery. However, key researchers and academics involved in the project are either quitting or being fired. They are alleging that the university is getting in the way of their research.
Atlanta’s ‘Cop City’ makes a Black neighborhood a testing lab for AI policing, Capital B News
Adam Mahoney and Madeline Thigpen reported on America’s most surveilled city—Atlanta—and how the city is destroying its forest to lay the foundation for an AI-fueled network of cameras.
In the parlors of Black bibliophiles: How Arturo Schomburg built a library and made history, Literary Hub
“In an era known as the “nadir” of American race relations because of escalating anti-black violence—and when few libraries or learned societies admitted Black readers—bibliophiles met the moment by turning their private parlors into public spaces,” historian Laura E. Helton writes.
It’s White House Correspondents’ Week here in DC, and the Washington Association of Black Journalists hosted a reception Wednesday honoring our members who work to cover the White House every day. Being able to host this event honoring Black journalists, during a week that traditionally is a very white affair, was amazing. The laughs, hugs, and “long-time-no-sees” made it all worth it.
The event was a reminder don’t have to wait for invites—we can create our own rooms. Thank you to Don Lemon and AP White House reporter Darlene Superville for delivering remarks, my WABJ executive board, the National Association of Broadcasters, Comcast, our volunteers, the caterers, bartenders, and everyone else who made the event happen. My hope is it will be even bigger next year, and we can invite more folks. And no, I will not be attending the dinner!
What’s In The News
Across America
California: The San Francisco Chronicle published an interactive examining how the city’s Black population changed, block by block, over 50 years…
Georgia: The Miss Spelman pageant has sparked debate after it announced co-campus homecoming queens, the first time it has done so...
Florida: Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has resigned ahead of an ethics investigation into her use of campaign funds…
Illinois: Chicago may be the worst big city for Black economic mobility…
Kansas: Gov. Laura Kelly recently signed a bill prohibiting DEI and Critical Race Theory-focused courses from being required across the state’s public colleges…
Louisiana: Adam Mahoney went to New Orleans to see the Angola Prison Rodeo, where it debuted in the Superdome…
Michigan: Catherine Coleman Flowers, a former high school teacher at my alma mater, has become one of the world’s leading environmental justice scholars…
Mississippi: Aallyah Wright went to Jonestown, an all-Black town that needs more community support to build housing and youth activities…
Nebraska: The first state-approved Black-founded school is opening in North Omaha…
New Jersey: Advocates say the state must invest more in mental health to help formerly incarcerated people successfully reenter society…
New York: At the Green Haven lockup, there’s a barber class that teaches men box braids, wet sets and other women’s styles…
North Carolina: Mohagany’s Mission in Durham aims to support formerly incarcerated transgender women reenter society...
Oregon: 0.1% of developers are Black women. Anyeley Hallová is building on a lot in North Portland...
Pennsylvania: Mural Arts Philadelphia unveiled the design of a new mural that honors Philly’s legends of Black dance.…
What’s Happening
Horrific: Shamar Elkin, shot and killed 8 children and wounded two women, including his wife Shaneiqua Pugh, in a domestic violence rampage in Shreveport, Louisiana… Related: Karen Attiah wrote about about Dr. Cerina Fairfax and Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer, both killed by men they married… Kahn Davison, whose father killed his mother and then himself when he was a baby, wrote about what he would tell Justin Fairfax’s children…
The Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit that monitors hate groups, has been indicted on federal fraud charges by the Justice Department. Former federal prosecutors see major legal flaws in the indictment…
Trump has been purging Black officials in independent agencies at a higher rate than anyone else, according to a new lawsuit…
An ex-cop whose family reported he wanted to harm Black people was arrested for threatening a mass shooting in New Orleans, authorities said…
Black farmers in the U.S. say they are losing their jobs to white South Africans. Watch above…
Gita Jackson penned an essay about “unc,” and how the internet hyper-accelerates cultural appropriation…
CNN’s Stephanie Elam is the latest in growing number of Black journalists who are leaving TV news, whether by choice or through layoffs…
Leon Smith, who helps his students find their inner strength, has been named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year…
The stories of Black patriots are coming into focus as America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary...
Arionne Nettles explored how the Black Chicago accent has retained its Southern roots…
A Emory University law student has been banned from campus after sending racist emails with white supremacist language and threats…
New York City Council member Chi Ossé was arrested during an anti-eviction protest in Brooklyn…
The role of Black people in the American Revolution is receiving greater attention as the country commemorates their contributions to America’s independence…
Three doctors just donated $2 million to their alma mater, Morehouse College and Spelman College...
Tamerra Buckhanan is 82 years old and just finished up the 130th Boston Marathon, completing her Six Star Marathon…
Entertainment News
Kanye’s comeback is being championed by Larry Jackson, a music executive who is used to dealing with controversial artists…
Less than 1 percent of pro golfers are Black, and only 8 Black women have reached the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Ray Lee wants to be 1st Black woman to win an LPGA major. Watch the interview by Carita Parks above…
Jesmyn Ward sat down with Southern Cultures to discuss the ‘importance of the Gothic in writing about the Black South and why writing helps her confront and understand Mississippi’s history of racism’…
Jay Bryant, the man charged in the killing of Jam Master Jay, is negotiating a plea deal…
Brennan DuBose is working to bring America’s first Black-owned film company back to life…
LeBron James is getting ready for his post-NBA media career, according to his partner…
Cultured Mag: “Keke Palmer has transcended the constraints of the child star and the comic relief with athletic agility. For her next chapter, the performer is setting the bar even higher”…
Otis Williams, the last surviving Temptation, reflected on the 1960s music industry in a new interview…
Nearly every Black comedian showed up to the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute Gala as Eddie Murphy received a lifetime achievement award…
A decade ago this week, Prince died from an accidental fentanyl overdose…
Obituaries
David Scott, a longtime Georgia politician and businessman, has died. He was 80…
Dr. Cledie Collins Taylor, a legendary Detroit artist and educator, has died. She was 100...
Kiara Brokenbrough, a woman who went viral for spending less than $50 on her wedding dress, has died. She was 32…
Don’t Miss
Can you beat my time on Black Crossword? 1 minute, 37 seconds…
Colorectal cancer patients are getting younger and younger, and Black Americans are more likely to be diagnosed too late…
The ESSENCE Film Festival is now accepting applications. Deadline is April 30…
Women Who Weld is holding a reduced-priced Week-Long Intensive Welding training for Detroit-area residents and are interested in pursuing a career in welding…