African American-Led Alternative Newspaper, the “Baltimore Beat” Relaunches
The Baltimore Beat is an African American-led alternative newspaper that focuses on the community of Baltimore, Maryland. After closing in 2020, the newspaper relaunched as a nonprofit in August 2022. The relaunch was made possible by a $1 million gift from the Lillian Holofcener Charitable Foundation. . The Holofcener family sees the bold move as […]
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Increase Enrollment
During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous factors caused Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to experience a significant rise in student applications and enrollment nationwide. While enrollment rates rose at HBCUs, American colleges and universities overall suffered record-breaking enrollment declines. How, then, did HBCUs attract new students and increase their numbers? Here btw takes a closer […]
Colin Kaepernick and “Change the Game”
In 2016, football player Colin Kaepernick knelt on one knee during the National Anthem at a football game. He did this as a public reminder of the nation’s history of racism and a protest of police behavior towards African Americans. This began a national discussion about politics, sports, and symbolic protests. Some athletes supported and […]
Black History Month: Tulsa, Oklahoma and Black Wall Street
The Tulsa Race Massacre took place just over a hundred years ago. Hundreds of African Americans died, and an entire Oklahoma neighborhood was destroyed. Today, that same neighborhood faces another challenge to its success. Here, btw takes a closer look at the development–and redevelopment–of this historic neighborhood over time and the challenges it continues to […]
Black History Month: Remembering Sidney Poitier
Iconic actor Sidney Poitier passed away on January 6, 2022, at the age of 94. Poitier broke down barriers for actors of color by playing roles that, for the first time, didn’t demean or diminish people of color. Instead, Poitier played leading roles, portraying characters who were strong and brave and dignified. He was also […]
Black History Month: Harry T. Moore
When you think about leaders of the civil rights movement, the first names that come to mind may be Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, or John Lewis. But they didn’t fight that fight alone. This week, btw takes a look at another civil rights leader whose contributions are just as important. […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Pakistan Appoints First Female Supreme Court Justice Pakistan’s Supreme Court has seventeen members. And as of January 24, 2022, for the first time in history, one of them is a woman. Justice Ayesha Malik was sworn in last Monday in Islamabad. Justice Malik is 55 years old, a mother of three, and has been educated […]
Black History Month: Imani Perry’s “South to America”
During the racial and social protests of the past two years, many Americans have tried to learn more about the complicated social, racial, and economic systems that have shaped our nation’s history and present. A new book by Imani Perry examines the history of southern culture and history in the United States. It is called […]
Profiles in Black History: Jane Bolin
This week, btw continues to celebrate Black History Month by focusing on the lives and accomplishments of African Americans who may not have received as much recognition as they deserve. Jane Bolin was the first African American judge in the United States. Here, btw takes a closer look at her life and her many achievements. […]
Profiles in Black History: Robert Sengstacke Abbott
This week btw continues to celebrate Black History Month by focusing on the lives and accomplishments of Black Americans whom you may not have heard much about. Robert Sengstacke Abbott was a lawyer and one of the first African American millionaires, but his most significant contribution was founding the Chicago Defender, one of the most-read […]