Dominique Morisseau’s Paradise Blue opens at Penumbra Theater on February 13 and runs through March 9, 2025. Directed by Lou Bellamy, Paradise Blue brings you to the Paradise Club, home to a makeshift family of musicians living out their lives in a fastchanging section of Detroit whose Black community in a fight for its future.
A stranger arrives with cash and a secretive agenda, testing the friendships and the club itself.
A musical drama Paradise Blue captures people yearning to find their song in a community on the brink.
On February 20,
27, and March 6, audiences can stay after the play for a moderated conversation to learn more about the work and hear unexpected stories behind its creation.
Morisseau, a playwright and actress from Detroit, Michigan, has written more than nine plays, three of which are part of a cycle titled The Detroit Project.
She received a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the ‘Genius Grant’, in 2018. Morisseau was born and grew up in Detroit with her mother and father. Her mother’s family is from Mississippi and her father’s family is from Haiti.
She attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she received her BFA in Acting in 2000. She began her performance career as a spoken word artist, primarily in her hometown community of Harmonie Park in Detroit.
Morisseau began writing plays in college. She said that the lack of suitable roles at the University of Michigan drove her to write plays and create the roles she wanted to perform. She wrote The Blackness Blues: Time to Change the Tune, A Sister’s Story at this time.
After college, in 2012 and 2013, she received
a Playwrights of New York (PoNY) fellowship at the Lark Play Development Center. She has also worked as a Teaching Artist with City University of New York’s Creative Arts Team.
Morisseau has said that music plays a huge part in her work and often informs the work that she is writing. “It’s a resource and clue to my work, and music plays a unifier among cultural barriers,” she said.
Morisseau was on the list of Top 20 Most Produced Playwrights in America in 2015–16, with 10 productions of her plays nationwide. Morisseau is a story editor for the television series Shameless on Showtime and is
also credited as a co-producer. She wrote the book for the jukebox musicalAin’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of the Temptations, which is directed by Des McAnuff. The musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre in March 2019. It played pre-Broadway engagements at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre (2017), the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles (August to September 2018), and the Kennedy Center (July 2018).
In Morisseau’s Paradise Blue, former musician Blue decides to sell his beloved jazz club in order to live out his dreams. He is left with the moral dilemma of leaving his partner, Pumpkin, and his loyal jazz band behind. Morisseau developed this play first at Williamstown Theatre Festival, where it eventually had its world premiere in July 2015. Paradise Blue continued its development at the McCarter Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theater, and the Signature Theatre Company. For this play, Morisseau received the L. Arnold Weissberger Award in 2012.
Seitu K. Jones’ Channeling Black & Blues Exhibit, opens Feb. 17 at University of St. Thomas John P. Monahan
Gallery, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul. An opening reception is scheduled for 6pm Feb. 20.
Since the 1970s, Seitu K. Jones has traveled through West Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the United States learning and documenting boat building practices. For Jones, boats are powerful vessels for aesthetic experimentation, environmental activism, and public engagement.
Drawing on folk traditions closely tied with Blues music, Jones uses the practice of call and response to create works of art that are
sources of community pride. Whether muddy, stormy, or troubled waters, Jones deftly navigates rising tides and eroding shorelines, modeling respect and love for our natural resources.
Channeling Blacks & Blues features sculpture, paintings, photographs, drawings and archival objects that trace Jones’s decades-long study of Black boat culture, with a focus on the aesthetics of Blues that shape his practice.
Guest Curators: Ego Ahaiwe Sowinski and Alexandra Nicome
Image: Seitu K. Jones, She Can See Freedom (Tribute to Hughie Lee-Smith), 1985, acrylic on masonite
Source: Penumbra Theater and Wikipedia
Courtesy Penumbra Penumbra
By Calandra Revering, President and CEO
Black Chamber of Commerce
Candice
We write to you during a time of immense challenge and resolve. Across the nation, we are witnessing the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in companies and institutions— initiatives that many of us have fought tirelessly to establish. These setbacks are deeply disheartening, particularly as they risk reversing progress in addressing systemic inequities that disproportionately impact Black communities and Black-owned businesses.
However, we remain steadfast. Now, more than ever, we must draw on our collective strength, resilience, and commitment to justice. Our mission to empower and uplift Black
There’s an old saying that’s haunted Black communities for generations: “When America catches a cold, Black America catches pneumonia.” It’s a sobering truth that echoes through history, from the economic collapse of the Great Depression to the housing crisis of 2008. Each time, policies that destabilize the broader economy have devastated Black families in ways the nation rarely acknowledges. Now, President Trump’s latest announcement of sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China is threatening to repeat this pattern. And here in Minnesota, the fallout could be catastrophic.
Minnesota’s economy is deeply intertwined with trade, especially with Canada and Mexico. Last year alone, the state exported $7 billion in goods to Canada and $3.3 billion to Mexico. Thousands of jobs in our community depend on that flow of goods and services. Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico, along with 10% tariffs
businesses across Minnesota has never been more critical.
Since the murder of George Floyd, we have witnessed an unprecedented recognition of systemic racism and a surge of initiatives aimed at addressing inequities. While we honor the efforts and strides made during that time, we also remember that this work is far from finished. The renewed focus on equity that emerged in those moments must not be forgotten, and we must hold ourselves and others accountable to ensure the momentum continues.
The rollback of DEI is not just a moral setback—it is an economic one. Blackowned businesses contribute over $133.7 billion annually to the U.S. economy (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021), yet they receive less than 2% of corporate and government contracts (Brookings Institution, 2020). Research shows that companies with strong supplier diversity programs achieve a 133% greater return on procurement investments, generating an average of $3.6 million in returns for every $1
on Chinese goods and Canadian oil, will put that system under immense strain. Retaliation is inevitable. And when it comes, businesses that rely on exports will be forced to cut costs, and that usually means layoffs. We’ve seen this happen before. In times of economic uncertainty, Black workers are the first to feel the pain. “Last hired, first fired” isn’t just a saying, it’s a reality rooted in systemic discrimination. That reality was on full display during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Minnesota’s economy tightened in 2020, the Black unemployment rate, which had been showing signs of improvement, more than doubled, hovering between 9% and 10% for much of the year. This wasn’t just a COVID story, it was a continuation of a longstanding trend. Even before the pandemic, the unemployment rate for Black Minnesotans was consistently higher than the rate for white workers, often by a factor of two or more.
During COVID, as businesses shut down or scaled back, Black workers were more likely to lose their jobs and less likely to have the safety nets or savings to fall back on. This is the same risk we face today with Trump’s tariffs. When export-driven industries in Minnesota cut costs, the layoffs won’t be spread evenly. Black workers, especially those in manufacturing and
By Chuck Hobbs
truest meme that I’ve seen on social media in a while reads: “Christian Nationalism is White Supremacy in Bible Drag...”
That’ll preach!
I admit that I scratch my head anytime I see Black Christians defending “Christian Nationalism” because I sense that they are confused as to the meaning.
Well, the Oxford Dictionary defines nationalism as: “…identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.”
When you add “Christian” to the above definition, it reads “Christian Nationalism is identification with one’s own (Christian) nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.”
Thus, those who believe in Christian Nationalism, a bipartisan notion but far more heavily concentrated among the MAGA right, believe that the United
million spent (Supply Chain Management Review, 2023; Forbes, 2024). These programs not only promote fairness but also drive business innovation, expand market reach, and enhance financial performance. When corporations eliminate supplier diversity initiatives, they are not just harming Black businesses, they are limiting their own growth potential. We acknowledge the unique challenges faced by Black business owners during this time. For those with retail products on store shelves, the uncertainty surrounding corporate DEI programs can feel like a direct threat to your hard-earned progress. For consultants, restaurant owners, and professional service providers, the shifting landscape may present additional hurdles to securing opportunities and growth.
To each of you, we say: you are not alone. The Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce stands with you, advocating for your success and fostering a community where your voices are heard and amplified. To our allies and
supporters, your role is vital. Here are the ways you can continue to champion Black businesses and uphold the principles of equity and justice: Buy Black: Commit to shopping at Black-owned businesses, dining at Blackowned restaurants, and hiring Black professionals for your projects and services. https://www.buyblack.org/ Advocate: Use your platforms to highlight the value of Black businesses in our economy and communities. Challenge policies and decisions that undermine equity.
Partner: Collaborate with Black entrepreneurs and organizations to create opportunities for innovation and growth.
Educate Yourself: Deepen your understanding of systemic racism and its impact on economic opportunities for Black communities. Knowledge fuels action.
Donate and Invest: Contribute to funds and initiatives that directly support Black businesses and entrepreneurs, starting with the Minnesota Black Chamber of
service roles, will be among the first to go. The progress made before the pandemic, when the Black unemployment rate in Minnesota had briefly dropped as low as 4.5%, could be undone yet again. But the harm doesn’t stop at job losses. These tariffs function as a massive hidden tax, one that will hit every household in the country but will hit low-income families the hardest. Experts estimate that the average U.S. household will face an $830 increase in costs this year alone. For Black families in Minnesota, who already spend a higher proportion of their income on essentials, that’s a devastating blow.
Food prices are expected to rise as tariffs drive up the cost of imported goods.
Appliances, electronics, and other household items will follow suit. And then there’s the cost of energy. Trump’s 10% tariff on Canadian oil will make gasoline and heating fuel more expensive at a time when many families are already struggling to keep up with rising utility bills. For Black Minnesotans living in older, less energy-efficient housing, this is more than an inconvenience, it’s a crisis.
By Simon Burris
Commerce. We also encourage you to partner with the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce as a sponsor, or member, or by attending one of our networking seminars. We are actively revising and expanding our programming, workshops, and initiatives to better serve our community, including the upcoming launch of the 10k Black Business Program. Fundamentally, we
Minnesota’s winters are brutal. Higher heating costs could force some families to make impossible choices: heat their homes or buy groceries, pay the rent or keep the lights on. And it’s not just about shortterm hardship. These price increases can have long-term effects, pushing families deeper into debt, threatening housing stability, and widening the racial wealth gap that has plagued this country for generations.
Trump’s tariffs aren’t just bad economics, they’re dangerous for communities that have been systematically excluded from economic protections for decades. Black farmers,, who already face steep barriers to accessing federal relief, are unlikely to see much of the financial support that larger, white-owned farms will get when the damage begins. Small Black-owned businesses, which have less access to credit and capital, will find it harder to survive rising costs and shrinking markets.
This is a story we know all too well. From the agricultural tariffs of the early
20th century to Trump’s 2018 trade war, protectionist policies have been framed as a way to “put America first.” But that phrase has rarely included Black America. Instead, we’re often left to bear the burden of economic decisions that protect the wealthy and powerful while offering little relief to those who need it most. Minnesota’s leaders should see this moment as a wake-up call. It’s not enough to react once the damage is done. We need policies that protect Black workers and families before the crisis hits. That means ensuring access to relief funds for small Black-owned businesses and farmers, pushing for targeted energy assistance programs, and advocating for long-term solutions to the racial wealth gap. Because when America catches a cold, Black America doesn’t just catch pneumonia - we’re often left fighting for survival in a system that was never designed to protect us. And unless we learn from history, this latest wave of tariffs will be no different.
States is a Christian nation.
Again, nothing could be further from the truth!
First, there’s this not so little law called the First Amendment of the Constitution, one that has an Establishment Clause which FORBIDS the establishment of a formal state religion!
Second, those socalled Founding Fathers who drafted that First Amendment, you know, the James Madison, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams types that are revered each Fourth of July, were STRONGLY against a state religion in America, as the author of the Declaration of Independence and Third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. Third, when it comes to Christianity, “many are called, but few are chosen.” Meaning, there’s no way in Hell—literally—that my Christian faith is the same as the “Christian” white men who lynched a 40-year old Black man in Nebraska.
Or, the “Christian” white men who lynched this mother and son over a bridge in Oklahoma.
Or, the “Christian” white men that killed hundreds of Blacks in Tulsa and destroyed multiple millions of dollars of Black property.
Or, the “Christian” white men that killed hundreds of Blacks in East St. Louis, Illinois. For these and myriad
other reasons, that’s why I will NEVER line up with evil folks just because they carry a Bible and invoke the name of Jesus Christ; many of the world’s worst miseries, from the Crusades to Black Slavery, from Native American genocide to the Holocaust, were committed by so-called “Christian” nationalists who share NOTHING in common with my Black Missionary Baptist and AME roots— even if we share citizenship in these United States! So remember, if you pay careful attention to what these so called Christian Nationalists are doing in the early days of the second Trump administration more than listen to what they are saying, you will realize that they’re committing unconstitutional acts and in the process, hurting people who are supposed to have the same rights under the law! Hobbservation Point is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Chuck Hobbs is a
Columnist
By Haley Taylor Schlitz, Esq.
In response to the federal government’s recent decision to increase U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities across the country, the City of Brooklyn Park reaffirms our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming community for all residents, regardless of immigration status.
Mayor Hollies Winston and the Brooklyn Park City Council are currently exploring potential actions the City might take to enhance the safety of vulnerable residents. They will discuss this topic at a City Council meeting on February 10, 2025.
“Our concern is the
business of the
for the things
asked for
Former Georgia Representative Julian Bond and Black Panther leader Eldridge Cleaver once said that when Rosa Parks chose to stay seated on that bus in Montgomery, Alabama, somewhere in the universe, a gear in the machinery shifted, and everything changed.
A gearshifting moment.
In the history of this country, in the ongoing fight against racial oppression, against a white supremacist narrative, and against the racial apartheid laws that were passed and upheld, there have always been gear-shifting moments when individual people have taken a stand. It happened in 1850, when Harriet Araminta Tubman, a year after her selfemancipation, chose to go back to Baltimore, Maryland, to help
lead her niece and her niece’s two children to freedom. A gear shifted. It happened in 1770, when Crispus Attucks, a Black and Indigenous sailor and whaler, chose to get involved with the growing kerfuffle in Boston. In 1864, when the 22nd Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Colored Troops marched from Camp William Penn through the streets of Philadelphia on their way to fight, gear shifted. When Mamie Till told them in 1955 to leave her son’s casket open so that the world could see what those white men had done to her son, a gear in the machinery of the universe shifted, it happened again in 1966 with Kwame Ture and Mukasa Dada’s declaration of Black Power after the “March Against Fear.” In 2014, after police officers killed unarmed Eric Garner in New York and unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Black people came together under the banner and hashtag of Black
Lives Matter to march, protest, and demand change. Gears shift when we choose to fight, when we choose to stand up, and when we refuse to back down. The moral arc of the universe does not bend on its own toward justice, it bends because we push it and because we are willing to continue to do it until change does happen. In 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson—the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the son of formerly enslaved parents, a former sharecropper and miner, and the second Black person to receive a Ph.D. in History from Harvard University—sent out a press release announcing the first Negro History Week, a gear shifted. He chose February because the Black community was already celebrating the historic achievements on the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (2/12) and Frederick Douglass
(2/14). Dr. Woodson did not wait for the celebration of our history to be proclaimed, he proclaimed it. He did not wait for someone to permit him to celebrate what we had contributed to this country, he celebrated it. Dr. Woodson understood that Black parents had been teaching their children our history since we arrived in this country. Our stories and achievements had been carried by the wind and buried in the soil. It had been whispered as bedtime stories, spoken from the pulpits on Sunday mornings, and woven throughout our songs and poems of resistance and survival. America did not have to tell us who we were to this country; we told them. America did not have to tell us that we built this country, our fingerprints are etched into the stone. America does not have to proclaim Black History Month, we proclaim
President Donald Trump has once again elevated a known white nationalist to a key government position, appointing Darren Beattie as the acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. Beattie, who has a long record of racist, misogynistic, and extremist rhetoric, will now be responsible for shaping U.S. messaging abroad, including on issues of counterterrorism and violent extremism. For African Americans and other marginalized communities, Beattie’s appointment is yet another clear signal that this administration prioritizes individuals who openly promote white supremacy and hostility toward diversity. This pattern has been a hallmark of Trump’s administration, where figures with histories of racism, bigotry, and extremism have been strategically placed in powerful positions. Beattie, a former speechwriter for Trump, was dismissed from the White House in 2018 after
reports surfaced of his ties to white nationalist groups. Since then, he has built a platform to amplify extremist ideology, founding the right-wing media outlet Revolver News, which
has spread disinformation, particularly regarding the January 6 attack. Beattie has repeatedly promoted baseless conspiracies, including the
“We are dealing with a vicious adversary,” according to Rev. Al Sharpton, the head of the National Action Network speaking of President Donald Trump and his hate diatribe Thursday morning. President Trump blamed DEI, the Obama and Biden administrations along with former Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg for the deadly midair crash over the Potomac last night. 67 people died after an accident between an American Airline Plane and an Army Helicopter. When asked why President Trump thought diversity had something to do with the crash, he said,” I have common sense and most people don’t.” Reverend Al, who is investigating the impact of the Trump anti-DEI efforts in retail believes Trump is “obsessed with race” and he is a “raw, insensitive, uncaring man.” Former Secretary
Buttigieg immediately went to social media making a statement saying, Trump should be leading, not lying.” Buttigieg also fact-checked Trump saying we grew Air Traffic Control and had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch.” Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) / X During Trump’s rant on DEI at the White House briefing room podium, he asserted, “the FAA’s diversity push includes a focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. That is amazing. And then it says, the FAA says, people with severe disabilities, the most underrepresented segment of the workforce, and they want them in, and they want them. They can be air traffic controllers. I don’t think so.” Trump went on to say the prior administrations felt those departments were “too white.” According to reports
James Scott, Director of the Capri in North Minneapolis, has taken on a new position as Director of Operations at the Guthrie Theater. For the past 10 years
Scott was an integral and important part of the Capri and PCYC, the non-profit organization that owns and operates the Capri. He led the successful construction, launch, and on-going operations of the expanded, renovated Capri, which re-opened in October of 2021.
Scott continued focus on and enhanced the
Capri’s commitment to service to Minneapolis’ Northside community by strengthening the Capri’s stature as an economic
By Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead
By Stacy M. Brown
By April Ryan
Capri
James Scott
Darren Beattie
Mayor Hollies Winston
Black History Month
By Lonnie Bunch,
No one has played a greater role in helping all Americans know the black past than Carter G. Woodson, the individual who created Negro History Week in Washington, D.C., in February 1926. Woodson was the second black American to receive a PhD in history from Harvard—following W.E.B. Du Bois by a few years. To Woodson, the black experience was too important simply to be left to a small group of academics. Woodson believed that his role was to use black history and culture as a weapon in the struggle for racial uplift. By 1916, Woodson had moved to DC and established the “Association for the Study of Negro Life and Culture,” an organization whose goal was to make black history accessible to a wider audience. Woodson was a strange and driven man whose only passion was history, and he expected everyone to share his passion.
This impatience led Woodson to create Negro History Week in 1926, to ensure that school children be exposed to black history. Woodson chose the second week of February in order to celebrate the birthday of Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. It is important to realize that Negro History Week was not born in a vacuum. The 1920s saw the rise in interest in African American culture that was represented by the Harlem Renaissance where writers like Langston Hughes, Georgia Douglass Johnson, Claude McKay—wrote about the joys and sorrows of blackness, and musicians like Louie Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Jimmy Lunceford captured the new rhythms of the cities created in part by the thousands of southern blacks who migrated to urban centers like Chicago. And artists like Aaron Douglass, Richmond Barthé, and Lois Jones created images that celebrated blackness and provided more positive images of the African American experience.
Woodson hoped to build upon this creativity and further stimulate interest through Negro History Week.
Woodson had two goals. One was to use history to prove to white America that blacks had played important roles in the creation of America and thereby deserve to be treated equally as citizens. In essence, Woodson— by celebrating heroic black figures—be they inventors, entertainers, or soldiers— hoped to prove our worth, and by proving our worth—he believed that equality would soon follow. His other goal was to increase the visibility of black life and history, at a time when few newspapers, books, and universities took notice of the black community, except to dwell upon the negative. Ultimately Woodson believed Negro History Week—which became Black History Month in 1976—would be a vehicle for racial transformation forever. The question that faces us today is whether or not Black History Month is still relevant? Is it still a vehicle for change? Or has it simply become one more school assignment that has limited meaning for children. Has Black History Month become a time when television and the media stack their black material? Or is it a useful concept whose goals have been achieved?
After all, few—except the most ardent rednecks - could deny the presence and importance of African Americans to American society or as my then-14 year old daughter Sarah put it, “I see Colin Powell everyday on TV, all my friends—black and white—are immersed in black culture through music and television. And America has changed dramatically since 1926—Is not it time to retire Black History Month as we have eliminated white and colored signs on drinking fountains?” I will spare you the three hour lesson I gave her.
celebrate. In Scandinavia — there are monuments to the Vikings as a symbol of freedom and the spirit of exploration. In Germany during the 1930s and 1940s, the Nazis celebrated their supposed Aryan supremacy through monument and song. While America traditionally revels in either Civil War battles or founding fathers. Yet I would suggest that we learn even more about a country by what it chooses to forget — its mistakes, its disappointments, and its embarrassments. In some ways, African American History month is a clarion call to remember. Yet it is a call that is often unheeded.
Let’s take the example of one of the great unmentionable in American history — slavery. For nearly 250 years slavery not only existed but it was one of the dominant forces in American life. Political clout and economic fortune depended on the labor of slaves. And the presence of this peculiar institution generated an array of books, publications, and stories that demonstrate how deeply it touched America. And while we can discuss basic information such as the fact that in 1860 — 4 million blacks were enslaved, and that a prime field hand cost $1,000, while a female, with her childbearing capability, brought $1,500, we find few moments to discuss the impact, legacy, and contemporary meaning of slavery.
The Challenge of Preserving a People’s Culture
I would like to suggest that despite the profound change in race relations that has occurred in our lives, Carter G. Woodson’s vision for black history as a means of transformation and change is still quite relevant and quite useful. African American history month, with a bit of tweaking, is still a beacon of change and hope that is still surely needed in this world. The chains of slavery are gone— but we are all not yet free. The great diversity within the black community needs the glue of the African American past to remind us of not just how far we have traveled but lo, how far there is to go.
While there are many reasons and examples that I could point towards, let me raise five concerns or challenges that African Americans — in fact — all Americans — face that black history can help address: The Challenge of Forgetting You can tell a great deal about a country and a people by what they deem important enough to remember, to create moments for — what they put in their museum and what they
In 1988, the Smithsonian Institution, about to open an exhibition that included slavery, decided to survey 10,000 Americans. The results were fascinating — 92% of white respondents felt slavery had little meaning to them — these respondents often said “my family did not arrive until after the end of slavery.” Even more disturbing was the fact that 79% of African Americans expressed no interest or some embarrassment about slavery. It is my hope that with greater focus and collaboration Black History Month can stimulate discussion about a subject that both divides and embarrasses. As a historian, I have always felt that slavery is an African American success story because we found ways to survive, to preserve our culture and our families. Slavery is also ripe with heroes, such as slaves who ran away or rebelled, like Harriet Tubman or Denmark Vessey, but equally important are the forgotten slave fathers and mothers who raised families and kept a people alive. I am not embarrassed by my slave ancestors; I am in awe of their strength and their humanity. I would love to see the African American community rethink its connection to our slave past. I also think of something told to me by a Mr. Johnson, who was a former sharecropper I interviewed in Georgetown, SC: Though the slaves were bought, they were also brave. Though they were sold, they were also strong.
While the African American community is no longer invisible, I am unsure that as a community we are taking the appropriate steps to ensure the preservation of African American cultural patrimony in appropriate institutions. Whether we like it or not, museums, archives, and libraries not only preserves culture they legitimize it. Therefore, it is incumbent of African Americans to work with cultural institutions to preserve their family photography, documents, and objects. While African Americans have few traditions of giving material to museums, it is crucial that more of the black past make it into American cultural repositories. A good example is the Smithsonian, when the National Museum of American History wanted to mount an exhibition on slavery, it found it did not have any objects that described slavery. That is partially a response to a lack of giving by the African American Community. This lack of involvement also affects the preservation of black historic sites. Though there has been more attention paid to these sites, too much of our history has been paved over, gone through urban renewal, gentrified, or unidentified, or un-acknowledged. Hopefully a renewed Black History Month can focus attention on the importance of preserving African American culture. There is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history. And there is no higher cause than honoring our struggle and ancestors by remembering.
The Challenge of Maintaining a Community As the African American Community diversifies and splinters, it is crucial to find mechanisms and opportunities to maintain our sense of community. As some families lose the connection with their southern roots, it is imperative that we understand our common heritage and history. The communal nature of black life has provided substance, guidance, and comfort for generations. And though our communities are quite diverse, it is our common
heritage that continues to hold us together.
The Power of Inspiration One thing has not changed. That is the need to draw inspiration and guidance from the past. And through that inspiration, people will find tools and paths that will help them live their lives. Who could not help but be inspired by Martin Luther King’s oratory, commitment to racial justice, and his ultimate sacrifice. Or by the arguments of William and Ellen Craft or Henry “Box” Brown who used great guile to escape from slavery. Who could not draw substance from the creativity of Madame CJ Walker or the audacity and courage of prize fighter Jack Johnson. Or who could not continue to struggle after listening to the mother of Emmitt Till share her story of sadness and perseverance. I know that when life is tough, I take solace in the poetry of Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, or Gwendolyn Brooks. And I find comfort in the rhythms of Louie Armstrong, Sam Cooke or Dinah Washington. And I draw inspiration from the anonymous slave who persevered so that the culture could continue. Let me conclude by re-emphasizing that Black History Month continues to serve us well. In part because Woodson’s creation is as much about today as it is about the past. Experiencing Black History Month every year reminds us that history is not dead or distant from our lives. Rather, I see the African American past in the way my daughter’s laugh reminds me of my grandmother. I experience the African American past when I think of my grandfather choosing to leave the South rather than continue to experience share cropping and segregation. Or when I remember sitting in the back yard listening to old men tell stories. Ultimately, African American History — and its celebration throughout February — is just as vibrant today as it was when Woodson created it 85 years ago.
Scurlock Studio Records,
Archives Center, National Museum of
Dr. Carter G. Woodson
it. We live in the legacy of Dr. Woodson, and as we have done for 98 years, we will celebrate who we are and all that we have accomplished. We stand at the intersection of the past and the future; what we do at this moment will determine how the next gear shifts. The 2025 Black History Month theme is African Americans and Labor, which focuses on
the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people and the transformational work that we have done throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora. We are celebrating our visible labor— from the work we did back then to build the White House to the work we do right now to hold the White House accountable, from repairing the roads to teaching in our schools, from stocking shelves to packing and unloading trucks; from working
is a safe and welcoming place for you, we will always value the contributions you have made to our city,” said Mayor Hollies Winston. “I want every resident to know that whether you’re undocumented, a U.S. Citizen, a green card
in the federal government to our ongoing labor in the state and local offices—and, our invisible labor—from raising and teaching our children to caring for our aging family members, from finding ways to practice revolutionary selfcare to finding ways to hope beyond hope in a country that frequently targets and terrorizes Black people. We bear witness to what it means to work hard every day and to get sick and tired of working so hard.
As the president of ASALH, one of the many legacy keepers of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, I am excited
holder, or if you’re here on a visa – we value you and are here for you.”
Furthermore, Brooklyn Park law enforcement remains focused on community safety, not federal immigration enforcement. “It is incredibly
to proclaim and uplift the start of Black History Month 2025. I believe that ASALH is a lighthouse that you do not notice until you need it. When boats are caught in a storm or fog, they look for the lighthouse to help guide them safely back to the shore. We have been standing as a lighthouse proudly proclaiming the importance of Black History and helping people to understand that it is only through studying the quilted narrative of our historical journey that one can see the silences, blind spots, hypocrisies, and distortions of American history. We do
important to me that our residents understand that they can call for help without worrying about their immigration status,” said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley. “I want residents to be confident
not celebrate because we are given permission, we celebrate because we are the permission givers. We do not wait for Black History Month to be proclaimed, we proclaim it. We do not wait to be seen, we see ourselves. We do not have to be told the story of America because we are writing it, we are telling it, we are owning it, and we are pointing the way to it. We invite you to join us as we once again celebrate and center the incredible contributions that Black people have made to this beautiful and imperfect nation. Dr. Karsonya (Kaye) Wise Whitehead is the 30th
that our officers are focused on the best outcomes for them and their families.” Learn more about how the Brooklyn Park Police Department engages in immigration issues in the City’s Immigration FAQ document.
person and the eighth woman to serve as the national president of ASALH. She is a professor of Communication and African and African American Studies at Loyola University Maryland and the host of the awardwinning radio show “Today with Dr. Kaye” on WEAA, 88.9 FM. She is the author of the recently released “my mother’s tomorrow: dispatches from Baltimore’s Black Butterfly” and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She lives in Baltimore with her family.
Brooklyn Park officials are working with local organizations, legal
false claim that federal agencies orchestrated the insurrection, calling it a “Fedsurrection.”
Beattie’s record of explicit racism and misogyny is well-documented. In one tweet last year, he declared, “Competent white men must be in charge if you want things to work. Unfortunately, our entire national ideology is predicated on coddling the feelings of women and minorities and
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From 3 catalyst, and by creating and presenting powerful arts and educational experiences for youth, families, artists, clients, and visitors coming to North Minneapolis.
demoralizing competent white men.” He praised Dr. James Watson; the disgraced scientist who claimed Black people were genetically inferior to white people. Beattie has also taken direct aim at Black lawmakers and policy leaders, demanding that they “learn their place” and “take a knee to MAGA.” In a series of deleted tweets following the January 6 attack, he called for Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to kneel before MAGA supporters, while also targeting Black figures such as Senator Tim Scott, historian Ibram X. Kendi, and Kay Cole James of the Heritage Foundation
with the same racist command. His attacks extend to gender. In 2020, he criticized pop star Taylor Swift for opposing a Tennessee Capitol monument honoring Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest. He compared Swift’s advocacy to performing sexual favors for music producers, writing, “That celebrities are required to debase themselves with such statements is, in some ways, even more humiliating than the physical favors they are required to perform for their producers.” His statements on foreign policy have also raised concerns. In July 2024,
Beattie dismissed concerns over a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, writing that it “might mean fewer drag queen parades in Taiwan, but otherwise not the end of the world,” while suggesting the U.S. should negotiate “massive concessions from China on Africa and Antarctica.” In September 2024, he implied that the U.S. intelligence community was more likely to be behind assassination attempts on Trump’s life than Iran. His disdain for U.S. diplomatic institutions was evident in his 2021 remark, “Imagine having respect for the State Department.”
Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett railed against Trump, Beattie, and the administration’s opposition to diversity. “The only people that are crying are the mediocre white boys that have been beaten out by people that historically have had to work so much harder,” Crockett said. She addressed Beattie’s complaints about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, saying, “If you are competent, you are not concerned.” Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy also blasted Beattie’s appointment.
“It seems to be standard that the qualification to serve in the Trump administration
is affection for racist and misogynist philosophy,” Murphy asserted. Timothy Welbeck, director of Temple University’s Center for AntiRacism, stated, “The United States cannot say that it’s fully been a meritocracy when we have 249 years of slavery, 90 years of racialized segregation, and barred women from entering into the workforce in meaningful ways for much of our nation’s history.” Murphy added, “There seems to be people like him being peppered throughout Trump’s government.”
FAA staffing has been an issue since Inauguration Day January 20, 2025. Also, Elon Musk, the head of the White House Office of Government Efficiency is reported to have asked the head of the FAA to resign. Musk FAA Ax Former Black Obama Administration Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx exclusively told this reporter after the Trump statements,” I would caution against any definitive conclusions until that work [investigation] is done by trained, experienced professionals.” Foxx, who also worked as a transportation consultant in the Biden administration admonished the Trump address saying, “There is no sugar-coating the tragic midair collision that occurred last night. In my experience, safety has always been the number one focus of the Federal Aviation Administration.” Foxx says there is a safety mission to be completed after this tragedy. “There is a well-practiced root cause process that has been taken in the past. It should be used now with competent professionals. A comprehensive, fact-based investigation will answer the many questions we all have. It would also help guard against future accidents of this type,” according to the transportation expert. Before the completed investigation officially began, President Trump laid the blame for the accident on the Army helicopter. He felt it should have been flying at a different altitude, higher or lower, than the jet. When it comes to the president’s corrosive comments, reaction has been swift from the civil rights community. In a statement from the President and CEO
Scott
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“The Capri has served the artistic and civic needs of North Minneapolis for 98 years. I’ve been so honored to be a part of its amazing history for the last 10 – and look forward to all that the future holds for PCYC and the Capri,” said Scott.
of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Derrick Johnson, “The NAACP is disgusted by this display of unpresidential, divisive behavior.” Johnson told this reporter in a text message,
“The President has made his decision to put politics over people abundantly clear as he uses the highest office in the land to sow hatred rooted in falsehoods instead of providing us with the leadership
we need and deserve.” As Trump worked to distract with his words on DEI, the questions still abound as to what caused the deadly plane crash. Former Sec. Foxx, immediately following the fatal
crash last night said. “My worst fear is that something happened with the avionics. I hope and expect that this is not the case.
But then, how can two systems fail? That leads to some even more grave concerns about interference with the systems. There are many other potential causes.” DEI
But most aircraft these days run in a form of GPS. Could a warning system have failed?
Beattie
3 myths about rural education that are holding students back
By Sheneka Williams Professor and Department Chair of Educational Administration,
Michigan State University, Darren Dubose PhD Student in Education Administration, Michigan State University and Kimberly Clarida Postdoctoral Researcher in Educational Administration, Michigan State University
Much has been written about the potential consequences of getting rid of the Department of Education, one of President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign promises.
Little of the discussion that we’ve seen has focused on the impact on rural schools, which often depend more than urban ones on federal funding.
In fact, rural education often can seem like an afterthought to policymakers and scholars, who tend to design reforms aimed at urban and suburban areas, even though 20% of the nation’s students are educated in rural schools.
This lack of rural research and focus has perpetuated many myths and misconceptions about rural education that overlook the strengths and opportunities for students who attend rural schools.
As scholars who study rural education, we compiled a list of three facts about rural education accompanied by the myths that would help policymakers better design programs to support rural students.
Rural communities are becoming more diverse
U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), a member of the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Banking Committee, last week called for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to appear before both Committees and answer critical questions about the risk posed by Elon Musk’s recent illegal infiltration of the U.S. Treasury’s sensitive payments system. Smith joined every Senate Democrat on both committees in demanding Chair Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) immediately hold this hearing and give lawmakers and the American people answers.
“Elon Musk, an
There’s a myth that rural communities are overwhelmingly white. While it’s true that most rural counties are majority white, these communities are becoming increasingly diverse.
The share of people of color in rural communities climbed from 20% in 2010 to 24% in 2020, according to U.S. Census data. In addition, people of color make up a majority of residents in 10% of rural counties.
This is because while white people are leaving, people of color are moving in. From 2010 to 2020, over 2 million white people left rural communities, while more than 2 million people of color took their place. The number of rural people who identified as multiracial doubled to nearly 4 million over the same period, and all rural communities except those in Arizona saw an increase in their Latino population.
While the Black population in rural America shrank somewhat during the 2010s, it remains the case that the largest concentration of Black people outside of cities is in the rural South. In fact, 81% of Black people who don’t live in cities live in the South, a legacy of slavery and how generations of Africans were forcefully taken to work the land as free labor.
Without truly understanding who resides in these communities, educators and policymakers cannot adequately address students’ needs. Failure to do so widens opportunity gaps for rural students, particularly those who reside in the South.
Rural educators know how to succeed
Another myth is that rural communities lack the knowledge or resources to succeed in educating their youth.
As such, policymakers often fail to include rural communities’ cultural capital
unelected billionaire whose companies have billions of dollars in federal contracts, has gained access to the U.S. government’s purse strings. He and his team, some of whom are barely out of college and have no experience in government, have breached the payment system responsible for trillions of dollars in Americans’ Social Security, Medicare benefits, tax refunds, and payments to millions of federal employees and contractors. The White House cannot even confirm Musk has a security clearance, yet he may have access to millions of Americans’ personal
when they develop textbooks, teacher training plans and education policies. By cultural capital, we mean the knowledge, skills, education and advantages that people inherit and use to achieve success in society.
One glaring example is that rural communities are rarely represented in teaching materials and curricula, which frequently ignore their local knowledge, traditions and values. This creates a gap in students’ ability to see themselves in jobs and positions outside of their personal contexts. And it hampers teachers’ ability to leverage student strengths when teachers are unprepared to connect with their backgrounds.
State and federal education funding is another example of rural students’ cultural capital being overlooked. Too often, funding policies penalize rural schools for their smaller sizes by supporting the closure and consolidation of schools and overlooking their need for more money to account for lower revenue from local and property taxes. This results in a disruption of rural communities’ strong social cohesion and abandoned buildings that reduce economic opportunities.
Community initiatives and local programs provide important resources that larger urban districts might take for granted.
A new grant initiative at Michigan State University that all three of us are involved with aims to help change this. Focused on helping teachers better engage high school physics and chemistry students, the program is collaborating with two historically Black colleges and univerities in the rural South to provide rural students with access to more advanced science courses. By working with Alabama A&M University and Winston-Salem State University, it helps ensure
local communities’ cultural capital are part of the program. It also seeks to pull together community partnerships to advance science access and learning in the South. By redesigning policies to take advantage of rural cultural capital, communities and policymakers could unlock untapped potential within rural schools and enhance educational outcomes for all students regardless of where they live. We believe such policies could foster stronger connections between rural K-12 public schools and their surrounding communities, creating more relevant and engaging learning experiences for students.
Rural students are high achievers A third myth is that rural students underachieve. As a result, their academic success is too often overlooked by researchers and educators. In reality, students in rural areas meet the same measures of success as in urban ones – especially in the early
years. For example, math and reading scores are higher in rural than nonrural schools before the third grade, according to the Center for School and Student Progress. After that, the higher scores begin to fade due to summer learning loss. After schools close over the summer, rural students are generally left with few formal summer learning opportunities, compared with those in more urban areas. There is a strong need for more state and federal money to increase access to summer learning opportunities.
Despite this widespread learning loss, graduation rates among rural students are higher than those of nonrural students.
But once again, policymakers fail these students, who have college-going rates that are lower than in urban areas.
Some of the most common factors contributing to this trend include limited access to transportation, the distance between students’ hometowns and colleges and universities, and lower awareness of
information. We need answers now. This power grab cannot stand, and this shouldn’t be partisan. Republicans should share our outrage, and if they do, they’ll heed our calls and haul in Scott Bessent to answer our questions,” said Senator Smith.
Smith’s letter requested “that the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs immediately hold hearings to examine reports that officials associated with Elon Musk and the so-called U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (“DOGE”) have gained access to systems that control payments to millions of American citizens, including Social Security, Medicare, tax refunds, and payments to small businesses.1 It is critical that the Senate understands this threat to the stability of a payment system that millions of Americans rely upon and that is critical to America’s global financial standing.”
“The Treasury Department’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service’s payment systems control the flow of more than $6 trillion in annual payments to households, businesses and other entities nationwide. These payment systems cover 87% of all federal payments and process more than a billion payments annually and are responsible for the distribution of Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax refunds, payments to federal employees and contractors, including competitors of Musk-owned companies, and thousands of other functions.
“Putting this system in the hands of unaccountable political actors raises significant economic and national security risks. Information in these systems is critical to the Department’s management of the national debt. The takeover by Mr. Musk and his associates was
financial aid opportunities. In addition, students in the rural South have less access than other students to advanced science courses like physics and chemistry, which can block postsecondary opportunities. We believe debunking these and other myths and recognizing the diverse strengths of rural communities would help ensure that all students across the nation, including those in rural areas, can attain long-term educational and economic success.
Sheneka Williams receives funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Darren Dubose and Kimberly Clarida do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
achieved by engineering the ouster of a key official responsible for managing the extraordinary measures the Department has been taking to avoid a default. A misstep with these payment systems could lead to a technical default with a wide range of devastating consequences, from seniors missing Social Security payments to a global financial meltdown that costs trillions of dollars and millions of jobs.”
“Furthermore, granting access to Mr. Musk and his team - who may not have appropriate security clearances - access to this system risks exposing the sensitive tax and financial information of nearly every American. The Treasury payment system “includes sensitive personal information about the millions of Americans who receive Social Security checks, tax refunds and other unfettered access to such data, what they could do with it once inside the system, and what protections are in place to ensure the Department has been complying with its legal obligations under the Privacy Act, 26 U.S.C. 6103, as well as other statutes and Treasury regulations and policies that protect such sensitive information about millions of Americans.”
“Finally, we are deeply concerned that following the federal grant and loan freeze earlier this week, as well as Musk’s own comments on social media, officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments authorized by law, and to circumvent the court orders prohibiting that freeze from going into effect. We ask that the Finance Committee and Banking Committee swiftly schedule hearings to allow Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to answer critical questions about the risks posed by Musk and DOGE’s access to the Bureau of Fiscal Service’s payment systems.”
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Students in rural areas achieve just as much as their peers elsewhere.
U.S. Senator Tina Smith
Jeremy Swayman stops 35 shots as the Bruins shut out the Wild 3-0
By Doug Alden Associated Press
Charlie McAvoy got his 299th career point with a goal in the second period and Jeremy Swayman stopped 35 shots for his third shutout of the season as the Boston Bruins beat the Minnesota Wild 3-0 on Tuesday night.
Trent Frederic scored and Morgan Geekie added an empty-net goal in the final minute for the Bruins.
Marc-Andre Fleury had 32 saves for the Wild, who swept the Bruins in both meetings last season but could not get anything past Swayman on Tuesday. Minnesota was shut out for the second straight game.
Boston forward Mark Kastelic was activated from injured reserve and returned to the lineup for the first time since Jan. 20.
Minnesota defenseman Jonas Brodin returned after missing 12 games with a lower-body injury and forward Marcus Johansson was back after missing eight games with a concussion.
Takeaways
The Wild, who entered the game with an NHL-best 20 road wins, lost their second straight after winning the first three of a five-game road trip.
The Bruins won their second straight and for the third time in five games with just two to go before the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
Key moment Swayman went from post-to-post in time to make a big glove save on Matt Boldy’s slap shot from the point 1:10 after Frederic’s goal put Boston up 2-0.
Key stat Swayman, who was 0-2 in two career starts against Minnesota, stopped 14 shots in the second and 14 more in the third, holding on for his 15th career shutout.
Up Next
The Wild head home to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, and the Bruins hit the road for a game Wednesday night at the New York Rangers.
AP NHL: https:// apnews.com/hub/nhl
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) jumps out of the path of the puck against Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Boston.
Champion for Change
SHIRLEY CHISHOLM
CHAMPION OF CHANGE
By Dr. Tonya Allen
As we celebrate Black History Month, always remember the crucial role Black women have played in our history, in every facet of it, that we continue to teach our young people about our sistahs and the lives they have impacted, both then and now. One such sistah is the subject of Dr. Tonya Allen’s children’s book
Shirley Chisholm: Champion for Change.
Inspired by the legacy and history of this amazing and trailblazing woman, Allen takes us on a journey through the life of Shirley Chisholm, from her birth in 1924 in New York to Barbadan immigrants, to her career as an educator and later a consultant with New York
Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) announced it will receive the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants for Arts Projects award of $40,000. This grant will support CTC’s production of the new musical Milo Imagines the World. The grant to CTC is one of 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards nationwide totaling more than $31.8 million for fiscal year 2025.
“The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the
realm, where she became the second African American to have a seat in the New York State Legislature.
Children’s Theatre,” said CTC
e
fforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country’s vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including Milo Imagines the World.”
“We are delighted to have the support of the NEA for our new musical Milo Imagines the World, a joint commission in partnership with the Rose Theatre in Omaha, and Chicago
Chisholm had a bigger vision for bringing about that change, and on the ticket of “Unbought and Unbossed,” she became the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, supporting the Equal Rights Amendment and becoming a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women’s Political Caucus, determined to make lives better for children and families.
We all know former Vice President Kamala Harris and her bid for the office of President of the United States. She had a forerunner in Shirley Chisholm, who was the first Black woman to run for the office in 1972. Though she did not win the Democratic Party nomination, her legacy as a fighter for justice and breaking barriers paved the way for those who followed, such as Carol Moseley Braun, Barbara Lee, and Kamala Harris. Throughout her life, she remained, in her words, “a catalyst for change.”
I appreciate Dr. Allen for including different fun and inspirational facts about Chisholm, her home, and events in history that impacted her. The glossary and questions she
Artistic Director Rick Dildine. Running throughMarch 9, at CTC’s UnitedHealth Group Stage, Milo Imagines the World, by Terry Guest, features lyrics by Christian Albright, music by Christian Magby and is based on the book by Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson. Music direction is by Sanford Moore, and choreography is by Breon Arzell On a crowded
included are both informative and invoke thought. Here are three of Chisholm’s quotes that stood out for me:
“Tremendous amounts of talents are lost to our society because that talent wears a skirt.”
“We must reject not only the stereotypes that others hold of us, but the stereotypes that we hold of ourselves.”
“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a
subway, Milo passes the time imagining the lives of the other passengers. The musical journey features dynamic new songs ranging from hip hop and pop to country. From stop to stop, Milo begins to understand that first impressions aren’t always accurate, that his older sister Adrienne isn’t always annoying, and that real life can sometimes be even more incredible than an imaginary one.
City’s Bureau of Child Welfare. Her desire to do more to serve her community and bring about change led her to the political
By Stacy M. Brown
Newswire Senior
The American Heart Association’s 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update uncovers glaring racial and gender disparities in cardiovascular health, illustrating the profound toll heart disease takes on marginalized populations. According to the report, non-Hispanic Black adults experience an age-adjusted mortality rate of 379.7 per 100,000 due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), compared to just 104.9 per 100,000 among non-Hispanic Asian females. Researchers asserted that such inequities reflect the disproportionate burden underrepresented communities bear in accessing equitable healthcare and prevention.
Women also face significant challenges in cardiovascular health, particularly during and after pregnancy. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy doubled from 2007 to 2019, with preeclampsia and gestational
Insight 2 Health
hypertension contributing to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Black women are disproportionately affected, experiencing higher rates of these conditions, which often lead to long-term cardiovascular complications. Additionally, gestational diabetes increased by 38% between 2016 and 2021, with older mothers facing nearly six times the risk compared to younger mothers. The study’s authors also found that poor sleep quality further compounds the risks, particularly for women, who are up to 2.3 times more likely to report insomnia symptoms than men. According to the report, poor sleep is strongly linked to an increased risk of stroke and other cardiovascular events.
According to the study, social determinants of health, such as poverty, education, and geographic location, also exacerbate these disparities. Individuals in rural areas or neighborhoods with fewer healthcare resources face limited access to screenings, healthy food options, and consistent medical care. For instance, peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients living in zip codes with a median household income of less than
$40,000 are at a significantly higher risk of undergoing amputations. The report also noted that racial inequities extend to emergency care. Black individuals experiencing out-ofhospital cardiac arrests are 27% less likely to receive bystander CPR at home and 37% less likely in public locations than White individuals. These disparities persist even when income levels are accounted for.
“We have the tools to address these inequities, but they require a commitment to prioritizing the health of
all communities,” stated Dr. Seth Martin, who chaired the report. Officials said the AHA’s “Life’s Essential 8” framework is a guideline for improving cardiovascular health. This model includes recommendations for healthier diets, consistent physical activity, and better cholesterol and glucose management. However, the report indicates that over 80% of U.S. adults fail to meet these criteria. Average diet quality scores are just 59 out of 100, and disparities are evident across race, income, and
education levels. Researchers insisted that improving these metrics could reduce major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes. Community health initiatives play a critical role in addressing these disparities. Expanding access to nutritious food, exercise facilities, and education can help reduce risk factors. For example, studies have shown that reallocating just seven minutes of sedentary behavior daily to moderate or vigorous physical activity can significantly improve cardiometabolic health, including reductions in body mass index (BMI) and blood sugar levels. Another critical area of focus is maternal health. Programs that emphasize early intervention and monitoring for pregnant women— especially those at high risk— can reduce complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Lifestyle interventions, including weight management and exercise, have been shown to cut the risk of hypertensive pregnancy disorders nearly in half. Dr. Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, a contributor to the report, added that systemic solutions
are essential to addressing these disparities. “When we examine cardiovascular health, it’s clear that social determinants and structural inequities remain significant barriers. Improving health equity means removing these barriers,” she said. Additionally, the report spelled out the economic burden of cardiovascular disease, which totaled $417.9 billion in 2021 alone. Prescription medications and office visits represent the largest cost drivers, but inequities in care access often lead to more severe and costly outcomes for marginalized groups. The report concluded that addressing the various issues would require a collective effort from policymakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders. Expanding Medicaid, funding local health initiatives, and ensuring equitable resource distribution are steps that can help bridge these gaps. “Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally,” said Dr. Mitchell Elkind, another key contributor to the report. “Progress is possible, but it demands both innovation in healthcare and a commitment to equity.”
Cancer’s shifting threat: Key findings from the 2025 ACS report
By Tacuma Roeback Managing Editor Chicago Defender
This isn’t breaking news, but cancer remains a scourge in this country. The latest report from the American Cancer Society delivers some sobering truths but also offers some findings that signal hopeful progress.
ACS officials met with the media earlier this week to unveil the annual Cancer Statistics 2025 report, revealing the challenges ahead and the
strides made in the fight against this disease.
The Fight Against Cancer: Gains and New Battles Cancer mortality has dropped by an impressive 34% since 1991, saving an estimated 4.5 million lives. Yet, the report highlighted a troubling rise in cancer diagnoses among women and younger adults. Women and Cancer: Women under 65 now face a higher likelihood of cancer than men in the same age group. Among women under 50, the
gap is stark—82% higher than men, compared to 51% in 2002.
Pancreatic Cancer’s Grim Reality: Pancreatic cancer continues to rise. It’s now the third leading cause of cancer death, with survival rates stubbornly stuck at just 8%.
“Continued reductions in cancer mortality because of drops in smoking, better treatment, and earlier detection is certainly great news,” said Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report.
“However, this progress is tempered by rising incidence in young and middle-aged women, who are often the family caregivers, and a shifting cancer burden from men to women, harkening back to the early 1900s when cancer was more common in women.”
Clear Trends, Tough Realities
Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, outlined critical trends that demand action: Lung Cancer and Gender: Women under 65 now have higher lung cancer rates than men, a shift tied to smoking habits and the rise of nonsmoking-related lung cancer. Age and Diagnosis: Though age remains the most significant risk factor, diagnoses among those over 65 are decreasing. Meanwhile, cancer is rising in adults aged 50-64 and those under 50.
Unequal Burdens
The battle against cancer is far from equitable:
Racial Disparities: Black Americans face double the death rate of white Americans for prostate, stomach, and uterine cancers. For breast cancer, Black women are more likely to die despite lower incidence.
“Cancer care disparities remain a glaring problem,” said Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, ACS’s senior vice president of health equity science. “Ending these inequalities is critical to saving lives.”
A Path Forward
The ACS calls for individual and systemic action:
Know your family history to guide screenings.
Maintain a healthy diet and stay active.
Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol consumption.
Get vaccinated, especially against HPV.
At the same time, the ACS urges greater investment in equitable screening programs and research.
“This report underscores the need to increase investment in both cancer treatment and care, including equitable screening programs, especially for underserved groups of patients and survivors. Screening programs are a critical component of early detection, and expanding access to these services will save countless lives,” said Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, interim chief executive officer of the
American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN).
Call to Action Cancer will touch over 2 million lives in 2025, with more than 618,000 deaths projected and remains the second leading cause of death in America.
The overall message from the briefing is that more work needs to be done.
“As the largest nongovernment, non-profit funding source of cancer research in the U.S., we are currently financing more than $450 million in grants to scientists,” Dr. Frederick said.
“Our goal is to find answers that help save lives.” These important findings are published today in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, alongside its consumer-friendly companion, Cancer Facts & Figures 2025, available on cancer.org.
