Why $5,000 Won’t Fix a Broken Care System That Fails Mothers

A lawsuit claims Abundant Birth Project is discriminatory because it grants stipends to Black and Pacific Islander moms in San Francisco.

Is Helping Black Moms Out Financially Unconstitutional?

A lawsuit claims Abundant Birth Project is discriminatory because it grants stipends to Black and Pacific Islander moms in San Francisco.

Barbara Lee, trailblazing former US Congress member, elected Oakland mayor

Why Libraries Are Still a Lifeline for Black K-12 Students

Photo Credit: Klaus Vedfelt / gettyimages) As Black history and identity are erased from classrooms, libraries remain one of the last public spaces where Black kids can learn and read freely. By Quintessa Williams from Word in Black At their best, libraries do more than provide resources — they create belonging. As the nation celebrates National Library Week and…

How Decorating My First New York Apartment Became An Act Of Black Joy, Storytelling, And Liberation

From rejecting muted colors in favor of bold, expressive hues to curating books and art that honored my heritage, each design choice was an act of defiance. By Virginia Cumberbatch From Essence  Almost a year ago, I made the big move from my hometown of Austin, Texas, to Brooklyn, New York. Now, I’ve made the East…

HBCUs Boost Student Mental Health and Resilience

(gettyimages) A new report finds that Black students at predominantly Black schools have better wellbeing overall. By Jennifer Porter Gore from Word in Black   Despite consistently making do with fewer resources and far smaller endowments than their white peers, a new study finds students at historically Black colleges and universities have better overall mental health and show significantly…

Target Continues to Pay the Price for Breaking Promise to Black America

While Target remains silent on its declining traffic, the contrast with its competitors is glaring. Costco, which maintained its DEI commitments despite political attacks, saw a 5.2% year-over-year increase in foot traffic during the same week. By Stacy M. Brown From BlackPressUSA.com Target is losing more than its commitment to equity, it’s losing customers. For…

The Joys of Black Hair

(Credit: LaylaBird via Getty Images) Black hair has been a target of discrimination for centuries. But Black folks continue to reclaim their power by loving their hair. By Anissa Durham From Word In Black Nine letters. Two words. And a history like no other. Black hair is more than just strands of keratin. The afros, locs,…

How Decorating My First New York Apartment Became An Act Of Black Joy, Storytelling, And Liberation

From rejecting muted colors in favor of bold, expressive hues to curating books and art that honored my heritage, each design choice was an act of defiance. By Virginia Cumberbatch From Essence  Almost a year ago, I made the big move from my hometown of Austin, Texas, to Brooklyn, New York. Now, I’ve made the East…

In Trump’s War on Federal Workers, Black Families Pay the Price

(Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) Mass layoffs and the adjoining attack on DEI threaten to turn back some of the gains of a growing Black middle class. By Dedrick Asante-Muhammad and Tyler Mitchell From Word In Black Within weeks, the Trump administration has ousted dozens of career officials, undone decades of policy aimed at removing barriers for…