Community - Page 14

Richland County Faces Teen Gun Violence Crisis, Families Speak

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By Christina Maxouris Saleemah Graham-Fleming had been told she wouldn’t be able to have children. That’s why she always called Sanaa Amenhotep, the oldest of her three daughters, a miracle. The two loved each other fiercely: they had frequent “cuddle time” sessions and dedicated Friday girls’ nights. The teen would often join her mom for errands, riding in the passenger seat and snapping photos for her social media accounts, which she always kept up to date. On April 5, Sanaa stepped out with her younger sister to take some pictures near their Columbia apartment, but she never came home, her

Toledo African American Festival Returns with Local Stars

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By Madison Hahamy Homegrown talent is a highlight of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union’s African American Festival, which is back after a pandemic cancellation for its 16th year on Friday and Saturday. The festival includes a prayer breakfast, parade, and performances, most notably by singers Lyfe Jennings and Shirley Murdock, both native Toledoans who have not returned to the city in more than a year. Suzette Cowell, CEO of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, said that the local ties that can be found throughout the two-day festival are intentional and ensure that the festival has “a hometown feeling.”

Black Americans’ Struggle for Equity Persists Despite Gains

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 by Richard J. Reddick More than a year after the pivotal moment where millions of Americans witnessed the murder of George Floyd at the hands of those charged with the responsibility to serve and protect — and about two weeks after the salutary news that his killer would pay with a 22.5 year prison sentence — it seems like a good moment to assess what progress, if any, has been made in the social and professional advancement of Black Americans. Unfortunately (but not perhaps unsurprisingly) there are lately troubling new examples that that progress is haltingly slow. Three news-making events

Frederick Douglass Park marks 100 years with celebrations

By Aleah Hordges Indy Parks and Recreation is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Frederick Douglass Park beginning Wednesday morning and throughout the week. The centennial celebration is presented by Citizens Energy Group. Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, U.S. Congressman Andre Carson, representatives from the Indianapolis Parks Alliance and many others will commemorate Frederick Douglass Park on Wednesday at 10 a.m. The park was founded on July 7, 1921 and has been a safe haven for families in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. There will be food pantries, fitness classes, a pool party and sports clinics in celebration of its milestone. Details will also

Shirley Raines Brings Hope to Skid Row’s Homeless

By Allie Torgan Before the Covid-19 health and economic crisis, the nation’s homeless population was already on the rise. Now, more than a year after the last official population count, many of those working with homeless communities believe numbers are much higher. “I would estimate we’ve got about 8,000 people who are sleeping out on the streets or in some of the shelters,” said Shirley Raines, whose non-profit serves the homeless community on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. By the last official count in early 2020, more than 4,500 individuals resided in the roughly 50-block area. “There are more women

Anonymous Donor Funds College for Black Athletes With All As

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By Alaa Elassar Black athletes at a high school in Georgia received the gift of a lifetime when an anonymous donor offered to pay their college tuition if they made straight As. The donor, a community member who didn’t want his identity revealed, was inspired to make change after realizing the lack of diversity in Centennial High School’s athlete scholarship. He reached out to the school’s athletic department with a concern about their program, which required student athletes to have a cumulative grade point average above 90. “When we tweeted out a photo of these scholar athletes after one of

Student Donates Scholarship Savings to Help Peers

By Amanda Jackson Joshua Nelson landed a full-ride scholarship to Southeast Missouri State University. Now the Missouri native wants to pay it forward by donating his college savings to another high school senior. Nelson, a senior at St. Charles West High School, was one of only five students selected for the prestigious President’s Scholarship at the university. A total of 288 people applied, according to the City of St Charles School District. This scholarship, valued at $43,000, will cover tuition and boarding for four years as long as Nelson meets the annual renewal criteria, according to the university. And now

WriteGirl Empowers Teens Through Creativity and Mentorship

By Allie Torgan For young people who are experiencing social isolation and loss during the pandemic, the mental health effects have been taxing. Research shows that depression and anxiety are prevalent among children and adolescents due to Covid-19. Keren Taylor, who started WriteGirl, a creative writing and mentoring program for teenagers in Los Angeles, has seen it firsthand. “What we see is that young people have been slipping away. Many of them are not showing up at school, online,” said Taylor, a 2014 CNN Hero. When the pandemic hit, Taylor’s team moved all of their programs online in order to

Black Police Officers Navigate Racism and Drive Reform

By Alicia Lee Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn knows he plays a key role in changing the culture of policing and how communities perceive officers. It’s a tough position to be in for a Black man in 2021. He’s endured being called an “Uncle Tom” and “a sellout.” In 2017, Hahn became the first African American police chief in the Sacramento Police Department. While he understands the frustrations of the Black community, the name-calling is hard to hear. “I think that’s probably the hardest thing to have your own community, something that you’ve been part of since the day you

Twins Earn $1.5M Scholarships, Accepted to 15 Colleges

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By Lora Lavigne Raleigh, North Carolina (WRAL) — A pair of 17-year-old twins from Enloe Magnet High School are making quite a name for themselves. Not only did the siblings earn more than one million dollars in scholarships, they were accepted into 15 college institutions. Despite the challenges of an unprecedented school year, twins Reagan and Ricardo Razon are preparing to close their high school chapter on June 12 – and have multiple big opportunities on their horizon. Ever since they could learn to read and write, the sky was the limit, according to the twins. Now, the teenage twins

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