Rev. Vivian Baker Castain became the first woman to serve as pastor in the Second Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, despite initial opposition from her Baptist relatives, and has continued to serve the church in various ways, including as a mentor to other women in ministry.
Category: Culture
Posted inSpiritual
Sweet Hope: How the Pandemic Helped Two Baltimore Churches Find Unity
When Rev. Dr. Terry Thornton conceived the concept for his doctoral dissertation, “A Discovery of a Pastoral Leadership Succession Plan and Its Benefits for Sweet Hope Free Will Baptist Church,” he […]
Posted inWord In Black
Oak Bluffs: The Legacy of Black Martha’s Vineyard and Black Artists
Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, has been a sanctuary for Black, middle- to upper-income, educated professionals for generations, with many Black artists and creatives finding inspiration and refuge in the town.
Posted inCulture
5 Spaces for Writing the Story That Won’t Leave You Alone
Writing your story requires claiming space for yourself, whether it’s a room in your own home, a one-day retreat in your city, near water, a mountain hideaway, or a forest or woodland retreat, so that you can give yourself time to reflect and allow your story to take form.
Posted inMuseums
Museum Exhibit Reminds How Black Panthers Planted Seeds for Change
Former Black Panther Party members gathered at the California Museum to share reflections on the organization’s legacy and lasting impacts, while also encouraging continued activism and community service to honor the BPP’s legacy.
Posted inSports
Alycia Baumgardner Is Fighting for Something Bigger
Alycia Baumgardner, the undisputed super featherweight champion, is preparing for a historic all-women’s card at Madison Square Garden, where she will defend her titles and inspire millions worldwide.
Posted inOpinion
This July 4, the Ultimate Act of Patriotism Is Calling for Reparations Â
A new report by the New Jersey Reparations Council proposes a transformative framework for reparative justice in New Jersey, which could serve as a model for other states, to address the centuries-long impact of slavery and racist policies and practices.
Posted inContests
Can AI Learn What Black Beauty Really Looks Like?
Black Girls Code and The Doux are hosting the Black Beauty AI Challenge, a competition for girls and women aged 13-25 to create AI-generated videos that reflect their own definition of beauty, style, and culture.
Posted inSocial Justice
Alexander Gumby: A Gay Harlem Revolutionary
Alexander Gumby, a forgotten figure of the Negro Renaissance, was a gay intellectual who established the Gumby Book Studio in Harlem, where he hosted intellectual circles and was a fierce gay revolutionary, and his scrapbooks are now preserved in Butler Library’s rare book room.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Diddy Acquitted on Sex Trafficking and RICO Charges—Convicted on Two Counts Under the Mann Act
Sean “Diddy” Combs was acquitted of the most serious charges against him, but found guilty of violating the federal Mann Act, leaving him facing a potential 10-year sentence.