By Naba’a Richard Muhammad (CHICAGO – September 9, 2024) – In the old 1990s Nike commercials, Mars Blackmon, played by Spike Lee, asks basketball great Michael Jordan, “Is it the shoes?” In a much more serious, disturbing incident, Tyreek Hill, star wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, was taken down, handcuffed, kneed in the back, and manhandled by Miami Dade police not far from the stadium where he plays. I can guarantee you it wasn’t the shoes that got the attention of officers in a potentially deadly encounter. It was the car, the constant criminalization of Black men, and a…

(BALTIMORE – July 18, 2024) – In an age where technology evolves at lightning speed, preparing our youth for the demands of tomorrow has never been more critical. The initiatives spearheaded by Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen to support “STEM City Baltimore” at the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center are not just commendable—they are revolutionary. As we look to the future, artificial intelligence (AI) and Metaverse technologies will clearly dominate the landscape of innovation and employment. However, our educational systems have lagged in integrating these critical fields into the K-12 curriculum. This gap presents a missed opportunity to equip…

(WASHINGTON, DC – July 16, 2024) – Can you imagine what would have happened to a Black man who showed up at a Donald Trump rally acting “suspiciously” around the metal detectors?  It is no secret to any conscious American why the 20-year-old shooter of former President Trump was not stopped. However, police and security deemed him to be acting “suspiciously” around the metal detectors at the entrance of the July 13 Trump event in Butler, Pennsylvania. There is a reason that the 20-year-old Crooks was reportedly not interrogated for identification. He was not chased, not followed, not heavily surveilled…

In Memory of our Fallen Brother (BALTIMORE – 2011) – In the wee hours of Saturday, May 29, 2010, Michael Vernon Dobson, Sr. traded his earthly battle with cancer for an eternal peace with God. I have chosen to remember and honor my good friend and brother with the following words that are born from discussions in which we would become engaged. Hard to believe it’s been a year already. I was almost a teenager before I realized who Mike was, and with fourteen years between his birth and mine, it would be hard to expect much more. Over the…

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 28, 2024) – As the 2024 presidential race heats up, it’s clear that the Democratic Party faces a unique challenge. The recent CNN debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump highlighted Biden’s growing age-related concerns, and many within the party are questioning whether he is the right candidate to secure a victory in the upcoming election. In this critical moment, the Democratic Party needs a fresh, dynamic, and unifying figure who can galvanize voters and present a hopeful vision for the future. That person is Michelle Obama. A Proven Leader with a Vision…

(CHICAGO – June 28, 2024) – “I’ve only been called the N-word to my face by a white man once in my life, and it was on the campus of Duke University while I was doing work with the basketball team. Today, he was named the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. What a world.” With that tweet on June 25, Halleemah Nash, a Duke alum, author, speaker, and founder of startup Rosecrans Ventures, put the spotlight squarely on JJ Redick, the underqualified, never-coached-anywhere new head coach of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers. Her tweet got over 30.2…

(PHILADELPHIA – June 23, 2024) – Are you one of the more than 100 million Americans who live somewhere that was (or still is) under a heat advisory? As I write these words, the mercury is soaring. The world is reeling from the deadly impact of extreme heat and weather events. This is climate change in action. We are living it. And the thermometer-busting temperatures are just the tip of the (melting) iceberg. Jocelyn Richards of Manassas, Virginia, is staying in Maine to escape the summer heat in the South. She suffers from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) from past exposure to mold. Heat…

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (BALTIMORE – June 13, 2024) – In the economically depressed area of Sandtown-Winchester in Baltimore City, a troubling trend has emerged: outsiders arriving with ill intentions. These individuals, often masquerading as benefactors or concerned citizens, leverage the community’s challenges for personal gain. Rather than offering genuine assistance, they criticize local residents and grassroots organizations, seeking to profit from the very blight, miseducation, and hardship they claim to address.…

(NEW YORK – June 11, 2024) – In the ever-evolving landscape of the accounting profession, the resistance to change, particularly in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), has become increasingly indefensible. Despite clear and compelling evidence that diverse teams drive better performance, innovation, and decision-making, many within the profession cling to outdated norms and practices. This sad and stubborn resistance is detrimental to the long-term relevance of our industry and the individuals who continue to feel marginalized and undervalued. The time for mere discussions and half-hearted initiatives has long passed. It’s time for decisive action and an unwavering commitment to fostering…

(BALTIMORE – June 11, 2024) – This past Saturday, Baltimore Unity Hall was the vibrant epicenter of change as over 200 community members from neighborhoods stretching from Mt. Royal to Walbrook Junction gathered for the second West North Avenue Development Authority planning meeting. This remarkable turnout is unprecedented, signaling a unified vision and shared hope for the future of West North Avenue. In a powerful move that underscores the importance of this initiative, Governor Wes Moore has allocated $28 million to this effort, facilitated by State Senator Antonio Hayes. This substantial investment is a testament to the potential seen in West…