Category: feature stories
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The Long, Hot Summer Redux
The wave of protests rocking the United States is reminiscent of the “Long, Hot Summer” of 1967—the last time Black Americans decided enough was enough.
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How This Philly Resident’s Field Hockey And Lacrosse League is Expanding Horizons for Black Youth
Founder and CEO of Eyekonz Field Hockey and Lacrosse, Jazmine A. Smith is a mother, former athlete, coach and businesswoman dedicated to inspiring young Black and Latinx kids to be their very best. The program was created to serve the needs of inner-city girls and boys from kindergarten up to high school living in the greater Philadelphia…
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6 Black Surfers Throughout History That You Should Know About
Since the iconic Black surfer, Nick Gabaldón broke barriers surfing at Santa Monica Beach in the late 1940s, generations of Black surfers have followed his legacy into the ocean. The problem is that the world has yet to learn about their impact. Black men and women have left their mark on the surfing world by challenging preconceived…
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How The Black Surfers Collective Is Cultivating New Black Wave Riders
Like in many other predominantly white sports, Black people have been surfing for ages. Since the 1940s, there have been a number of Black surfers redefining the sport in the United States, carving out a space that was typically devoid of actual diversity. Though Black surfers are not as popular in America, the art of…
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The Impact Of Gentrification On Gullah-Geechee Culture In South Carolina
Gentrification is a dirty word tied to the increasing number of young, white adults moving into urban areas. They often push out older Black residents due to higher rent. However, gentrification isn’t limited to cities — it’s also rampant in the Gullah-Geechee Corridor, the coastal region of the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. One of the lasting…
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London Lamar, TN’s Youngest State Rep, Can’t Be Bothered By White Tears Or Respectability Politics
Last November’s midterm elections ushered in a wave of progressive, diverse politicians, including Tennessee Rep. London Lamar (D). After fighting a tough primary against seasoned Democratic candidates, she won her district outright due to the lack of Republican challengers. Inaugurated into office on Jan. 8, 2019, the 27-year-old became the youngest state representative to enter the Tennessee…
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How Two Siblings Used Their Mental Health Battles To Create A Resource For Teens In Need
Hannah Lucas, a 16-year-old high school student from Cummings, Georgia, has overcome a lot. At 15-years-old, she was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a chronic illness that causes one to faint. Her symptoms started between the ages of 12 and 13 “When I was in ninth grade, I started passing out. Basically, it…
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How FOSTA-SESTA Legislation Is Wreaking Havoc On The Lives Of Sex Workers
Ever since President Donald Trump signed bipartisan bills Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA) and Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) into law this past April, panic has set in among the sex work community. Often lumped together as FOSTA-SESTA, this legislation was introduced to Congress with an intent to end human trafficking.…
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Arrested Development’s Speech Thomas Shares His Hopes for Black People, Dishes on Band’s Latest Projects
The revolutionary hip-hop band Arrested Development broke down barriers 30 years ago by releasing positive albums dedicated to Black self-love, Afro-centric themes and the end to white supremacy across the diaspora. Co-founder and leader of the hit-making conscious rap group, Todd “Speech” Thomas, spoke to Atlanta Black Star about the group’s current projects and its upcoming…
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Dui Jarrod’s ‘Unholy War’ Showcases Great Performances and Unapologetic Blackness
A Man Named Yves Playwright Dui Jarrod’s “Unholy War” is an incredible melodrama exploring the psyche of an emotionally damaged man as he tries to marry the woman of his dreams. Yves– portrayed by Cario George— is a man who has been through a lot. As a young boy, he was abandoned by his mother…
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