In a development reshaping global conversations around race, religion and representation, newly elected Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955, has been confirmed to have African American ancestry through his maternal Louisiana Creole roots. This groundbreaking…
Why defunding NPR and PBS hurts every American
Public broadcasting is not just media — it’s a lifeline, especially for millions of Americans who are not wealthy, politically connected or part of elite circles. Right now, that lifeline is under threat. National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting…
The Latin American pontiff who changed the papal narrative
In the broad sweep of world history, some leaders come and go without leaving a lasting impact, while others mark their era indelibly. Pope Francis — born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the first Latin American pontiff…
Harvard vs. Trump, round 1
In a nation built on the power of ink, intellect and ideals, a silent war has erupted — not in the streets, not in the skies, but on the hallowed academic grounds of America’s most prestigious institution: Harvard University. The…
20 reasons a military parade for Trump’s birthday is a bad idea
A proposed military parade on June 14 tied to President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army has sparked real backlash. While Trump allies frame it as a patriotic celebration, critics from across the political…
A nation transformed in 70 days: The good, the bad and the retribution
Seventy days into President Donald J. Trump’s second administration, the United States already has seen sweeping changes to its domestic and foreign policy. With Project 2025, Agenda 47 and an aggressive Republican-led Congress, Trump has pushed forward a vision that…
The remarkable journey of George Foreman
George Edward Foreman’s life is a true American success story that spans from humble beginnings to global impact across sports, business and faith. Born on Jan. 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, Foreman grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward, an area…
The Boston Tea Party 2.0: Today’s 24-hour economic blackout
In an unprecedented demonstration of financial solidarity, millions of Americans, especially African Americans, are mobilizing for an economic blackout today in what has been dubbed “The Boston Tea Party 2.0.” This 24-hour economic shutdown aims to send a resounding message to…
A Declaration of Economic Independence
DEI, originally coined as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, has a new meaning for Black Americans in the second age of Trump called the Declaration of Economic Independence. In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, corporate America temporarily pledged billions…
Super Bowl halftime DEI show: The Greatest Protest on Turf
No matter how far we’ve come, the needle on social progress and race relations often feels stuck. The Super Bowl, America’s biggest stage, only amplifies this reality. Despite the grand spectacle, the message is clear: Black Americans are largely showcased…
I cannot stay silent about erasing the Tuskegee Airmen
As a historian, educator and scholar of the Tuskegee Airmen, I cannot stay silent about the removal of pivotal lessons on American history from U.S. military classrooms. The Trump-era Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy that led to this decision is…
Africa: The gold medal avoidance
The Olympic Games, often celebrated as the epitome of global unity and athletic excellence, have a darker legacy that is rarely discussed — a legacy that traces back to the 1904 St. Louis, Mo., Olympics, marred by overt racism, exploitation…