Category: Racial Justice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edna_Lewis

Edna Regina Lewis (April 13, 1916 – February 13, 2006)^[1] was a renowned American chef, teacher, and author who helped refine the American view of Southern cooking.^[2][3] She championed the use of fresh, in season ingredients and characterized Southern food as fried chicken (pan-, not deep-fried), pork, and fresh vegetables – most especially greens. She wrote and co-wrote four books which covered Southern cooking and life in a small community of freed slaves and their descendants, including The Taste of Country Cooking and In Pursuit of Flavor.^[4]

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/27/g-s1-118116/infinity-song-tiny-desk-concert

Infinity Song, a band of siblings, has been on the road to glory for many years. And I can’t think of a better proving ground for the Tiny Desk than busking on the streets and in the subways of New York City.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinity_Song

Infinity Song is an American soft rock band composed of siblings Abraham, Angel, Israel and Momo Boyd. Based in New York City, the group has released three albums under record label Roc Nation.^[1]

Historic Gains: Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ Representation Expands in Spring Election

Camden Hargrove: Menomonie Common Council – District 8

One of the younger candidates in this cycle, Camden Hargrove, a transgender man, represented a new generation of LGBTQ+ leadership bringing a grassroots, community-centered campaign to local politics in Dunn County.

Camden Hargrove

https://www.wisconsinnetwork.org/leadership-team

Organizing & Engagement Coordinator

Camden Hargrove coordinates grassroots organizing efforts and digital engagement to ensure every Wisconsin child has access to high-quality public education. Camden is a proud, Black Transman, husband, and father who is recognized for his expertise in the fight for equity and justice. Throughout his career, he has focused on improving the lives of marginalized groups of people through education, politics, policy, and community engagement and empowerment.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlemae_Hill_Rollins

Charlemae Hill Rollins (June 20, 1897 – February 3, 1979)^[1] was a pioneering librarian, writer, and storyteller in the area of African American literature. During her 31 years as head librarian of the children’s department at the Chicago Public Library as well as after her retirement, she instituted substantial reforms in children’s literature.

This season, Florida gymnastics clinched its 13th SEC Championship, and its first since 2023. Undoubtedly, the Gators have been a team to be reckoned with, going 20-2 and 6-2 in the SEC. But they had a not-so-secret weapon.

Senior Selena Harris-Miranda, a UCLA transfer, came to Florida before her junior year. Though she was already a decorated gymnast, no one could have expected what awaited her as a Gator. 

Harris-Miranda is an 18-time All-American, scoring 10.0s on vault, bars and beam. She leads the Gators with 14 event titles. 

She earned the nation-leading all-around score with a 39.85 total against No. 2 Louisiana State March 8. With that, she also earned national gymnast of the week honors and her fifth SEC gymnast of the week honor in her career.

https://www.tedmed.com/person/wanda-irving

Wanda Irving is a dedicated advocate for health equity, driven by the tragic loss of her daughter, Dr. Shalon Irving. Her mission is to create a healthcare system that includes and supports everyone, regardless of their background. For nearly three decades, Wanda worked in various sectors, including federal and local government, as well as in nonprofit and faith-based organizations. In these roles, she focused on developing effective leadership and building community engagement to solve complex social problems.

https://www.charleslangfordmusic.com

Charles Langford has been writing music since his teenage years. This Springfield, Massachusetts jazz man does it all…tenor, alto, soprano sax, clarinet and flute. Mr. Langford came to the Northeast United States after attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the New School for Social Research in New York City. He studied composition and teaching with Billy Harper, Donald Byrd, and Barry Harris, among others. Prior to that, Mr. Langford studied with Archie Shepp and Yusef Latef. Since then, Charles Langford has become one of the Boston area’s top A-list players, with artists ranging from The Toni Lynn Washington Blues Band to The Temptations and Mighty Sam McClain. He’s paid his dues and put in years with Melvin Sparks, Norman Connors, Solomon Burke, and Steve Turre.

The Jo Sallins Experience

The Jo Sallins Experience: A Soul-Funk-Jazz Odyssey Igniting Legends and Originals

The Jo Sallins Experience will deliver a high-energy set featuring one original composition, followed by dynamic renditions from the songbooks of Nina Simone, Erykah Badu, Hubert Laws, Marcus Miller, and Bill Withers.

Leading the ensemble is multi-instrumentalist Jo Sallins, whose 50+ year career spans international touring with the Blues Brothers’ Matt “Guitar” Murphy, collaborations with artists like Stanley Jordan and Marvin “Smitty” Smith, and innovative music education programs through La’ Jaz Productions.

https://www.binnews.com/content/2026-04-22-black-high-school-teacher-named-2026-national-teacher-of-the-year

A Black high school history teacher in Pennsylvania was named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year.

Leon Smith, 46, who has taught Advanced Placement classes in U.S. history and African American Studies at Haverford High School for 25 years, was awarded the distinction by the Council of Chief State School Officers on Tuesday (April 21), according to The Associated Press. 

Smith described himself as a “warm demander” who sets high expectations for his students while also surrounding them with love and support in an interview shared by the AP on Monday (April 20). “An adult can tell you that they see something in you that maybe you didn’t see in yourself,” he said. “I love to do that for students. When I see ambition, when I see talent, I let them know that so that they can hopefully pursue that goal and achieve their dreams.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Louise_Lucas

Lillie Louise Lucas (née Boone; born January 22, 1944) is an American politician serving as a Virginia state senator, representing the 18th District in the southeast region of the state since 1992.^[1] Democrats won a majority of seats in the 2019 Virginia Senate election, so Lucas succeeded Republican Stephen Newman as the Virginia Senate’s president pro tempore. She is the first woman and first African American to hold that office.^[2][3] She also chairs the Committee on Finance and Appropriations, the first African American in that role.^[4]