Around The City

DC Justice Lab logo: Afro, stars, space.

DC Justice Lab: Fighting to Evolve the District’s Criminal Justice System

Issues like solitary confinement and record expungement have long plagued the African-American community. The roots of these issues run deeper than just affecting the individuals taking on these burdens. The roots trickle down to their mothers, fathers, children, and in some cases their entire family. Luckily, a local organization–DC Justice Lab–works to research, organize, and […]

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Three students in lab coats conduct science experiment.

Achieving Academic Equity and Excellence for Black and Brown Boys

The crisis with our Black and Brown boys continues to exist. Their life trajectories are crippled by intergenerational trauma caused by implicit bias and systemic racism. Black and Brown boys are disproportionately affected by implicit bias, systemic racism, and a lack of trauma-informed community support systems. They experience trauma at a much higher rate than

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S-N-S Hobbies store sign.

S-N-S Hobbies: Inspiration, Foundation, and Nostalgia 

Kojo Cross, owner of S-N-S Hobbies, does not just run a Black-owned toy store in Washington, D.C. He brings meaning to the words “inspiration, foundation and nostalgia.” Cross has utilized his childhood inspiration–watching his father’s entrepreneurship come to fruition–learning early on that what he liked mattered, and that he could pair that with something that

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Smiling boy with backpack outside school.

Organizations Blossoming the Youth of D.C. and Baltimore

SMYAL: Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders For nearly 40 years, LGBTQ+ individuals living in Washington, D.C. and needing an environment reminiscent of having familial support depend on SMYAL–Supporting and Mentoring Youth Leaders and Advocates–an organization supplying children and young adults leadership development opportunities, after-school programs, and counseling services.  Hancie Stokes, the organization’s communications

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Harvard University banner with crest.

Affirmative Action: Reactions from DMV Students and Faculty

The school year ended on a horrible note in late June. The Supreme Court made a historic decision to strike down affirmative action in higher education in Students for Fair Admissions vs Harvard. They declared that race and cultural background should not be a factor during the admissions process. The decision caused students and faculty

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Herbal tea with flowers and spices.

Ma’at Sunz: A Local Health and Wellness Company

Healthy living and healthy eating have always been trending topics in society. Despite this, eating what “tastes good” and doing what “feels good” have still been hard habits for many to break. According to a 2020 Center for American Progress, report, 13.8 percent of African Americans reported having fair or poor health compared with 8.3

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Here's an alt tag for the image: KKU: Kemi Kulture Units logo

Toasting a Top-Notch Talent with Tunnel Vision

Let’s get lost in thought.  Your job is hosting a black-tie gala at an exclusive hotel.  Celebrating the company’s successes with the coworkers that feels the most like family is highly important to you. Still, heavy reliance on a beauty troupe to make you feel the most beautiful you’ve ever been is just as vital. 

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Juneteenth: Breaking every chain since 1865

My First Ever Juneteenth Event: Celebrate Juneteenth Festival

Juneteenth marks the day when Black Texans celebrated the emancipation of slavery. The celebration has spread throughout the country, and every year, there are events such as festivals, concerts, and parades to celebrate the liberation of Black Americans. In 2021, President Biden–inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020–commemorated Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

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