COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

May 30 2025ENTERTAINMENT

Clarksdale Celebrates Its Own: The Sinners Festival

Clarksdale, Mississippi, a town of about 14, 000 people, mostly Black, finally got to see their story on the big screen. This happened thanks to the Sinners festival, a three-day event that brought the film Sinners to their hometown. The film, released in April, is about two brothers in the 1930s who return home to open a juke joint. It made over $200 million in the ...

reading time about 1 minute
May 30 2025ENTERTAINMENT

Malverne's Cinema: A Community's Fight to Revive Its Film Haven

The Malverne Cinema and Art Center, a beloved spot for movies, shut down last year after a disagreement between owners and the landlord. The closure left a void in the community, but hope is on the horizon. Nick Hudson, a local resident with a passion for film, saw an opportunity to breathe new life into the cinema. He runs a nonprofit focused on film and distributi...

reading time about 2 minutes
May 25 2025HEALTH

The Hidden Legacy of Childhood Trauma

The cycle of childhood trauma is a serious issue. It affects how a child's brain and body grow. This trauma can lead to long-term mental health problems and chronic diseases. It can also repeat itself in future generations. This is where the STANCE program comes in. It was created to break this cycle. The program focuses on helping young children and their families. ...

reading time about 1 minute
May 20 2025HEALTH

Genetic Research and Black Churches: A Powerful Alliance

The world of medicine is changing fast. Genetic and genomic research are at the heart of this change. They offer big hopes for tackling long-standing health issues in Black communities. These issues include cancer disparities and poor outcomes. However, there are big hurdles to overcome. Many in the Black community face barriers to joining these research efforts...

reading time about 2 minutes
May 20 2025BUSINESS

Lexington's Via Lago: A Beloved Eatery Calls It Quits

A well-known spot in Lexington is shutting down. Via Lago, a restaurant that has been a part of the community for 37 years, is closing its doors. The owner, Alan Jick, made the tough call not to renew the lease. Why? The restaurant's catering business never fully recovered from the pandemic's hit. This decision comes after decades of serving the Lexington community. ...

reading time about 1 minute
May 19 2025HEALTH

Black Women in England Need Better HIV Prevention

Black women in England face a tough challenge when it comes to HIV prevention. They are at a higher risk of getting HIV, but they often miss out on getting PrEP, a medicine that can stop HIV before it starts. This is a big problem because most studies and efforts have focused on men who have sex with men (MSM). Black women have been left out of the conversation, and ...

reading time about 3 minutes
May 18 2025HEALTH

Baton Rouge's Big Health Check-Up

Every year, folks in Baton Rouge get a unique chance to take care of their health without spending a dime. The Live Well Baton Rouge event is all about giving back to the community. It is a day filled with free health screenings, tasty food, and lively music. This year, it is happening on May 17th, from 9 am to 1 pm. The event is organized by the Mary Bird Perkins C...

reading time about 1 minute
May 17 2025HEALTH

Farmers Markets: The Missing Link for SNAP Families

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a lifeline for many families. Yet, SNAP recipients, especially those with kids, often struggle to eat enough fruits and veggies. Why? Because access to fresh, affordable produce can be tough. This is where farmers markets come in. They offer fresh, local produce, but SNAP families might not know about them or ho...

reading time about 1 minute
May 09 2025HEALTH

Avoiding the Dragon: A Look at Recent Restaurant Inspections

There is a Chinese eatery in Colorado Springs that has been struggling with health inspections. Dragon King, located at the intersection of Powers and Galley, has failed four times in a row. This is not a game, but a real-life situation that poses health risks to customers. The most recent inspection revealed several issues. An employee was seen handling cooked chic...

reading time about 2 minutes
Apr 23 2025EDUCATION

Rewarding Reads: How St. Cloud is Boosting Literacy with Baseball

The St. Cloud Rox Reading Program has hit a home run with participation in 2025. Since its launch in 2012, the program has grown to include over 20, 000 students from 59 elementary schools. This initiative is all about getting kids excited about reading outside of school hours. It isn't just about reading more. It's about fostering a genuine love for books. This effo...

reading time about 1 minute