by Leslie Fields-Cruz Back in 2020, I wrote a Dispatch titled, “Eradicating Racism Requires a Full Commitment; It’s Not Just ‘A Thing.’” My post thanked those who’d pledged their support and solidarity for the #Black Lives Matter movement and organizations like BPM. It also reminded readers that the struggle to…

Leslie Fields-Cruz Next week, the United States Congressional Black Caucus will hold its annual legislative conference. The convening provides a platform for Black lawmakers, thinkers and influencers to come together and discuss the issues that matter most to Black communities. It provides attendees a unique opportunity to hear from experts…

by Leslie Fields-Cruz Black. African American. Afro-American. Black Diaspora. Africa. Negro. Colored. Nigger. Nigga. Race. Racism. Oppression. Revolution. Evolution. History. Discrimination. Segregation. Integration. Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Police Brutality. Injustice. Justice. Political. Sex. Sexuality. Gender. Homophobia. Homophobic. Celebration. Family. Pronouns. Economic. Disparity. Agenda. HBCU. Greek. Immigration. Migration. Lynching. Massacre. Incarceration. Freedom…

by Denise Greene The submission portal for this year’s Open Call for climate stories opens Friday, Sept.1. If you’re a newcomer to our Open Call and want to learn about how the process works, everything you need to know is currently on our website. Still have questions after reviewing that…

by Leslie Fields-Cruz Last week, as the island of Maui was ablaze, I thought of my dear friend Leanne Kaʻiulani Ferrer. From 2013 until her death in August of 2021, she was my counterpart at Pacific Islanders in Communications where she spent the final decade of her life creating opportunities…

by Leslie Fields-Cruz Last week, several of my co-workers and I attended this year’s BlackStar Film Festival. I hadn’t been since before the pandemic, so it was lovely to be in-person at that event with people I haven’t been able to fellowship with in years. It also was exciting to…

by Leslie Fields-Cruz I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but in the New York metro area the proverbial “dog days “of summer have arrived. This is the type of weather air conditioning was made for and, honestly, unless I can play at the beach or hang out…

by Leslie Fields-Cruz “Until that year, day, hour, arrive, With head, and heart, and hand I’ll strive, To break the rod, and rend the gyve, The spoiler of his prey deprive — So witness Heaven! And never from my chosen post, Whate’er the peril or the cost, Be driven.” —…

By Leslie Fields-Cruz “We need to know our history, we need to know what’s gone on before us, we need to be guided by that as we move into the future. And that’s not just for our younger people, but our older people as well.” — Mable Haddock, as quoted…