The 50th anniversary of the State of Black America report carries a question that this country has never fully answered:
Is the American Dream dead? They are not asking it to be provocative.
They are asking it because 250 years into this experiment, the question demands an honest answer.
Dive into the data, the analysis, and the voices of people who help answer this question here: State of Black America
The pan-african holiday Kwanzaa, observed annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, brings together family, community and culture. Created in the United States in 1966 and drawing on a variety of African traditions, it was intended to help unify African Americans from a wide array of religious and cultural backgrounds. The name "Kwanzaa" is derived from the Swahili phrase meaning "first fruits."
The 2026 Kwanzaa stamp — the 11th since 1997 in an ongoing series — brings a fresh approach. While many of the stamps have portrayed family, this is the first one to feature a father and daughter. In addition, the color scheme — lime green, pink and yellow — is an updated take on the customary black, red and green.
n the traditional side, the stamp artwork incorporates two of the seven Kwanzaa symbols: the gift (zawadi), held by the daughter, and the unity cup (kikombe cha umoja), held by the father.
Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with original artwork by Cannaday Chapman.
The Kwanzaa stamp will be issued as a Forever stamp and will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
Black beauty culturalist and media and technology executive Stephenetta (isis) Harmon founded National Black Beauty Week in 2022 to help change how the world sees, celebrates and experiences Black beauty. Held annually during the third full week of August, the initiative also encourages Black women to embrace their beauty while challenging perceptions through meaningful conversations and actionable game plans.
According to NielsenIQ, Black consumers drove U.S. spending on beauty by 9%, shelling out $16.2 billion in the past year. The number is even higher if you account for non-U.S. beauty and beauty-related purchases, from imported hair and hair tools to haircare, skincare, and more.
"Black buying power and influence remain at opposite ends of the spectrum from how we experience beauty and are valued in the beauty industry, whether as consumers, professionals or brand owners," said Harmon.
"Black consumers -- women, in particular -- drive markets and trends as loyal consumers who are willing to spend top dollar to feed their beauty fixes. Yet, we remain underserved and underrepresented, with persistent gaps in access to marketing, funding, resources, product choices, and services. National Black Beauty week provides a dedicated moment to examine that contradiction while celebrating the people reshaping what beauty looks like."
This year's theme, "The Promise of Black Beauty," comes at a moment when many of the beauty industry's promises around Black representation, investment and opportunity are being put to the test.
In the years following 2020, beauty companies pledged major dollars to Black founders, retailers committed shelf space to Black-owned brands, and grant and accelerator programs expanded. Campaigns became more representative, and companies promised greater opportunities for Black creatives and professionals.
"For a moment, it felt as though the industry had finally recognized what we had been saying for decades: Black beauty is not niche," said Harmon.
The moment was short-lived. Companies across industries have scaled back diversity initiatives and reconsidered commitments. Crunchbase data shows funding for Black beauty founders fell nearly 80%, from $73 million in 2022 to $16 million in 2024. Sadiaa's ongoing tracking of grant and accelerator opportunities for Black beauty entrepreneurs has also seen available opportunities shrink to less than half of previous levels.
But "The Promise of Black Beauty" is about more than whether the industry keeps its promises. It is also about the enduring promise of Black beauty -- its innovation, cultural influence, and economic power.
"The industry's attention may shift, but our influence doesn't disappear with a corporate initiative or a funding cycle," Harmon said. "Black communities have always created beauty movements, built businesses and shaped trends -- often long before the mainstream industry recognized their value. The question now is what happens to the promises that were made once the spotlight moves somewhere else."
Throughout the week, Sadiaa will publish interviews and conversations highlighting the broader ecosystem behind Black beauty, including founders, hairstylists, makeup artists, executives, educators, journalists, advocates, creatives and consumers whose contributions continue to shape beauty culture around the world. It will also create space for conversations about where Black beauty goes next.
"National Black Beauty Week is about recognizing Black beauty as culture, creativity, innovation and economic power. It's about challenging how Black beauty has historically been defined and valued, while celebrating the people who continue to redefine it," said Harmon. "Ultimately, we're working to change how the world sees, celebrates and experiences Black beauty. That starts with creating and taking up space."
Join the conversation at NationalBlackBeautyWeek.com.
The dream of a Heritage Center that showcases, celebrates, and educates about our local African American history has blossomed into reality. Community leaders, residents, historians, and supporters have come together, contributing their time, expertise, and passion to bring this vision to fruition. Their collective efforts have created a vibrant space for learning, reflection, and inspiration.
The Heritage Center will serve as a hub for cultural events, educational programs, historical research, and artistic expression. Through curated exhibits and interactive programming, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the stories, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped Frederick's African American community.
"This is more than a building—the Heritage Center is a living legacy," said Dr. Olivia White, President of the AARCH Society. "We have created a place where our community's history is honored, our youth are inspired, and our future is shaped by understanding and unity."
The Grand Opening festivities will feature ribbon cutting ceremony, guided tours, live performances, and a special dedication ceremony. All are welcome to join in celebrating this historic milestone that will enrich Frederick for generations to come.
For more information on AARCH, upcoming events, or ways to get involved, please visit our website aarchsociety.org.
The iconic franchise returns with Jesse Collins Entertainment spearheading production for the 2026 celebration!
For more than 80 years, EBONY has chronicled, celebrated, and elevated the people, stories and ideas defining Black life across generations. In 2026, that legacy continues with the return of the EBONY Power 100, EBONY's signature recognition of the leaders and visionaries whose work is shaping culture, driving progress, and expanding what is possible.
The 2026 EBONY Power 100 will spotlight a dynamic class of honorees across entertainment, business, sports, media, music, science, technology, community leadership, and the arts. Together, they represent the breadth of Black excellence today: creators building global movements, executives transforming industries, athletes redefining leadership, advocates strengthening communities, and innovators imagining the future.
This year's celebration marks a new chapter for the franchise, with Jesse Collins Entertainment joining EBONY as production partner. The Emmy-winning production company, known for producing some of television's most memorable live events, awards shows, and cultural moments, will help bring the 2026 EBONY Power 100 experience to life with a production designed to honor achievement, amplify legacy, and celebrate the next era of Black influence.
"EBONY Power 100 has always been more than a list; it is a cultural record of the people moving us forward," said Eden Bridgeman, EBONY CEO. "As EBONY continues to evolve, this franchise remains one of our most powerful platforms for recognizing the brilliance, leadership and creativity shaping our community and the world."
The EBONY Power 100 has long served as a definitive celebration of Black achievement, honoring individuals whose impact reaches across industries and generations. Past honorees include Academy Award-winning director Ryan Coogler, four-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson, award-winning screenwriter and producer Mara Brock Akil, and media personality Scott Evans, among many others.
"Jesse Collins Entertainment is honored to partner with EBONY on the 2026 Power 100," said Dionne Harmon, President. "EBONY has been central to how Black culture is documented and celebrated, and we look forward to helping create an unforgettable experience worthy of this extraordinary group of honorees."
The 2026 EBONY Power 100 will recognize leaders across the following categories:
Final honorees will be celebrated at the highly anticipated 2026 EBONY Power 100 ceremony in Los Angeles, produced in partnership with Jesse Collins Entertainment.
As the nation begins to celebrate its 250th anniversary of independence, a grassroots civil rights organization will have a public reading of a speech by a nineteenth century slavery abolitionist which offers a unique perspective on the 4th of July.
There will be community recitation of “What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July,” by Frederick Douglass. It will take place on Thursday evening, July 2, 2026, 6:00pm at Bethany Baptist Church, 275 West Market Street in Newark, New Jersey.
The program is sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress. It is free and open to the public.
“We are having this program because we felt it was important to hear the perspective of a Black abolitionist on celebrating the nation’s independence while millions of Black people were still enslaved within its borders,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.
“We also believe that this activity will give us further insight into the state of race relations in the United States today,” Hamm said.
“We are calling this a community reading because the presentation will be a collective effort. We are inviting community leaders, activists and residents to each read portions of the speech,” he said.
Frederick Douglass is the most famous abolitionist of his era. He was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey. His recognized birthdate is February 14, 1818. He was born into slavery in Talbot County, Maryland. Douglass was self-emancipated and self-educated.
He escaped from slavery at age 20 and went on to join the abolitionist movement. He became an author, statesman, and one of the greatest orators of his time. Douglass was also the most photographed person of his century. He was about 77 years old when he died on February 20, 1895 in Washington, DC.
The speech was given at an event observing the 76th anniversary of U.S. independence on July 5, 1852 at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York. It was organized by the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. This was nine years before the start of the Civil War.
“The program is timely because it takes place after the Juneteenth holiday on June 19th, which celebrates emancipation, and before Independence Day on July 4th, which observes the country’s founding when Black people were enslaved,” Hamm said.
“When Frederick Douglass asked the question ‘what to the slave is the Fourth of July?’ in 1852, nearly four million of black people in this country were enslaved,” he said.
“So now, 174 years later we must ask the question what should this holiday mean to the descendants of those who were enslaved in this country on July 4,1776,” he said.
“In his answer to the question Douglass made a scathing criticism of slavery in the U.S. I am certain that if he could speak now he would be relentless in his critique of the ongoing racism, white supremacy, racial inequality, injustice, and oppression that exists in this country today,” Hamm said.
For more information contact the People’s Organization For Progress (POP) at 973 801-0001.
-END-
EBONY proudly announces the return of EBONY Power 100, the iconic annual celebration recognizing the individuals who are redefining what leadership, influence and excellence look like across the global Black community. Building on a legacy that spans more than eight decades, EBONY Power 100 continues to spotlight the trailblazers whose work is transforming culture, business, sports, media, politics, the arts and beyond.
Now entering a new chapter, EBONY Power 100 2026 invites the public to help identify the leaders, creators, executives, advocates and disruptors whose contributions are moving communities forward and shaping tomorrow's possibilities. Nominations are open now and will close on May 8, 2026.
"EBONY Power 100 is more than a celebration of achievement — it is a reflection of the vision, leadership and cultural impact shaping our future in real time," said Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, Chief Executive Officer of EBONY. "As we open nominations for 2026, we are proud to honor the innovators, changemakers and trailblazers whose influence is moving our communities, our culture and our legacy forward."
For generations, EBONY has chronicled the people and moments that define Black America and the broader diaspora. EBONY Power 100 continues that tradition by recognizing a dynamic cross-section of honorees whose leadership resonates across industries and generations. From established icons to emerging visionaries, this year's program will celebrate those whose work embodies innovation, purpose and cultural power.
The call for nominations is open to the public, encouraging communities, colleagues and supporters to submit the names of individuals whose influence deserves recognition on one of culture's most prestigious stages.
100 Black Men of America, Inc., the nation's premier African American mentoring and leadership development organization, is proud to announce its 39th Annual Conference, taking place June 4–8, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.
This year's theme, "Preparing Leaders to Impact Our Changing World," reflects the organization's continued commitment to mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment across communities of color. The multi-day conference will bring together 100 chapters, industry leaders, youth, corporate partners, elected officials, educators, and advocates from across the country.
"At a time when leadership is needed more than ever, this conference provides the inspiration, tools, and access to empower the next generation," said Milton H. Jones, Jr., Chairman of the Board, 100 Black Men of America, Inc. "Our conference isn't just a gathering — it's a launchpad for legacy-building and real-world change. We're convening a powerful mix of voices from across the country—mentors, youth, entrepreneurs, educators, health professionals, and corporate leaders—who are aligned in their commitment to shaping a better future. Whether you're here to grow, give back, or be inspired, this experience is designed to move us all forward."
The 39th Annual Conference will feature:
The event is expected to welcome over 1,300 attendees, including members of the 100's Collegiate, Emerging 100, and youth mentees from across the 100 Black Men network. With both a local presence and national impact, the 100 is active in promoting equitable outcomes in education, business, and civic engagement. This year's conference will involve the New Orleans community by offering free eye exams and glasses for students attending Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and hosting a free Business Summit to support local entrepreneurs. This event is open to the public.
Media can obtain credentials and access the media kit by viewing the bottom section of this page. Interviews with the 100's executive board members and sponsor representatives can be scheduled. Visit 100blackmen.org for complete information.
The National Alliance for Black Business (NABB)®, co-founded by the National Business League (NBL)®, National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)®, and The World Conference of Mayors (WCM)®, proudly announces the official registration of two groundbreaking trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): National Alliance for Black Business (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 7616333) and NABB National Alliance for Black Business (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 7606600). These trademarks represent a monumental step in institutionalizing Black economic empowerment and creating a unified platform to advocate for Black businesses globally.
Historical Context and Legacy:
This milestone is a testament to over a century of advocacy for Black economic independence, tracing back to Booker T. Washington's founding of the National Business League in 1900. His vision of self-reliance and economic sovereignty for Black Americans is at the heart of NABB's mission to unify and empower Black businesses in today's global economic landscape.
Key Milestones and Leadership Insights:
Past 2024 Accomplishments Leading to the Trademark Approval:
The Road Ahead:
NABB will continue its momentum with the upcoming launch of the Black Business Enterprise (BBE) Certification and Scorecard Program, scheduled for the NBL's 125th Quasquicentennial National Black Business Conference in Atlanta in August 2025. This program will further solidify conference host NABB's role in promoting economic sovereignty and equitable resource distribution for Black businesses worldwide.
About the Co-Founders:
The FBI is investigating a series of racist text messages sent to Black Americans across the country. A state attorney general has suggested that foreign actors may be involved. NBC News' Zinhle Essamuah spoke with victims who described feeling "immediately disturbed, scared, and afraid" upon receiving the messages.
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, Black Health Matters (BHM), a leading health and wellness organization for African Americans, will host its hybrid Summit and Expo at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3400 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC, 28216 from (8:00am – 3:30pm, EST). BHM has teamed up with Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) to offer this free one-day health expo for the community. The BHM Fall 2024 Health Summit & Expo links leading medical experts, community health advocates and specialists in chronic illness and nutrition, offering stimulating and informative panel discussions and one on one consultations to the community. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be offered along with no-cost health screenings, fitness activities, cooking and nutrition demonstrations. Register for free at bhmfall2024summit.com.
"This will be the very first Black Health Matters Summit and Expo held in the Queen City," says Roslyn Young-Daniels, founder, and president of Black Health Matters, LLC. "Carolina is a global leader in medical and health research, making it an ideal location to elevate awareness and provide resources needed to advocate for better health outcomes for African Americans and their loved ones. We are deeply appreciative of our sponsors, including AstraZeneca, Sanofi-Regeneron, argenx, Biogen, Watchman/Boston Scientific, Kite Pharmaceuticals, Vertex, Novartis, and Eisai, along with a grant provided by Merck."
The Charlotte chapter of GirlTrek will host a fun walk immediately prior to the start of the Summit. Following the walk, opening remarks will be delivered by Roslyn Young-Daniels, at 8:45am ET. In-person and online attendees will additionally enjoy a low-impact exercise session led by fitness expert DaShaun Johnson.
Speaking to attendees during motivational event sessions throughout the day will be Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC); entrepreneur, educator, author and speaker Sonya Curry; Charlotte Mayor, Vi Alexander Lyles; New York Times best-selling author and attorney Bakari Sellers, actress, director and producer Terri J. Vaughn, and more. All speaker-led sessions will be livestreamed. More details about the speakers and the full agenda may be found by visiting www.BlackHealthMatters.com.
In addition to the informational sessions, throughout the day, in-person attendees will have access to no-cost medical screenings, health education materials, and prizes, beginning at 9:00am ET. Free breakfast and lunch will also be available. The day's events are scheduled to conclude at 3:30pm ET.
Black Health Matters, now in its 12th year, convenes health and research professionals, national personalities, local community leaders, and fitness and nutrition experts to deliver health information of particular interest to African Americans. The November event in Charlotte is the fourth BHM event in 2024. Participation in the Black Health Matters Fall 2024 Health Summit & Expo is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required, and early registration is encouraged. To attend in person, or to view the livestream of the event online, please visit: www.BlackHealthMatters.com, for more details.
Additional community partners for the Fall 2024 Black Health Matters Health Summit & Expo in Charlotte, include several organizations who will provide free health screenings, including Allergy & Asthma Network; Atrium Health; Piedmont Black Nurses Association; RAO Community Health; and the Iota Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. More than 25 other local community partners will also be on-site, including several local chapters of Greek organizations.
NBA great Lebron James made a posted a video on social media endorsing Kamala Harris. Watch that video below:
What are we even talking about here?? When I think about my kids and my family and how they will grow up, the choice is clear to me. VOTE KAMALA HARRIS!!! pic.twitter.com/tYYlTmQS6e
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 31, 2024
Milwaukee police need help locating a missing 19-year-old woman.
Montaja Jefferson was last seen walking just after midnight on Wednesday near 24th Street and Capitol Drive in Milwaukee.
Police say she is around 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 110 lbs.
She was last seen wearing a hospital gown, orange jogging pants, a pink bonnet, and rainbow-colored Croc sandals.
Anyone with information is asked to call MPD. The department can be reached at 414-935-7360.
NBCUniversal officially launched their new content collection ExcellencE! on Peacock in partnership with mission-driven media company, Group Black.
ExcellencE! serves as a new destination for the platform's content that resonates with NBCUniversal's cross-cultural audiences and helps advertisers connect with them.
Starting today, Peacock subscribers can visit the ExcellencE! destination to view thousands of hours of diverse-led, inclusive programming such as "Bel-Air," "Martin," and "The Real Housewives of Atlanta," with additional original content to be added in 2025.
This launch is part of NBCUniversal and Group Black's expanded partnership, which originated from Peacock's Black Excellence 365 program in 2023. Over 30 brands joined to support Black-led and diverse content all year-round.
"NBCUniversal's deep library of inclusive programming is the perfect launching pad for the new ExcellencE! collection on Peacock. Together with Group Black, we are bringing thousands of hours of diverse-led content to a curated destination, enabling our audiences to better explore cultural conversations through storytelling. " - Val Boreland, Executive Vice President, Content Acquisitions, NBCUniversal Entertainment
"ExcellencE! on Peacock will champion authentic voices and stories that reflect audiences' experiences everywhere," said Cavel Khan, Chief Growth Officer of Group Black. "This collection embodies what EXCELLENCE stands for – a platform where multicultural perspectives can thrive."
For more information about ExcellencE! and its available content, visit https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/excellence.
Environmental Racism, Fueling Toxic Exposure and Increasing the Burden of Disease Among Michigan's Communities of Color By Jonathan Sharp
Due to past racial segregation, the inaccessibility of affordable land, and lack of political power to fight corporations, many communities of color are stuck living near pollution hotspots such as landfills, industrial facilities, airports, truck routes, incinerators, and military bases. This is a phenomenon known as environmental racism and affects numerous Black and Hispanic people across the country. As a result of residing close to sources of toxic exposure, these vulnerable communities have a significantly greater burden of disease than the general population. For instance, Black individuals have the highest mortality rate of any racial and ethnic group for all cancers, whereas cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanic people, accounting for 20% of deaths. While there are other factors contributing to these unsettling statistics, environmental racism also plays a role.
The form of segregation that haunts communities to this day was known as redlining and it was historically used as a tool of discrimination and oppression which prevented communities from enjoying equitable access to housing, healthcare, educational, and employment opportunities. Redlining is so deeply entrenched; its effects of systematic discrimination continue after 94 years in the form of health disparities and wealth inequalities. The term originated from the practice of banks who used red lines to separate neighborhoods that were deemed ‘too risky’ for investment. Without access to mortgage financing, Black and Hispanic families were forced to live in areas with limited resources and poor infrastructure, leading to a greater concentration of minorities in less desirable areas. The state-sponsored Home Owners’ Loan Corporation first organized and institutionalized this practice by using four color-codes who allegedly reflected the worthiness of locals, based on arbitrary and unjust factors. As part of this common pattern in the U.S., the communities of color in New Jersey were forced to live near sources of pollution such as industrial sites, military facilities,and other unfavorable areas such as airports and highways. This practice has caused disproportionate exposure of Black and Hispanic communities to environmental hazards, with effects that persist to the present day.
Drinking Water Contaminated with "Forever Chemicals" Increases Cancer Risk in Communities of Color Residing Near Military Bases
Also known as PFAS or "forever chemicals" because of their ability to persist in the environment and the human body for a long time, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances are now present in the bloodstream of up to 97% of Americans. They have become ubiquitous due to their many uses, and on military facilities, these harmful substances are released by firefighters using AFFF, a fire suppressant containing PFAS in a concentration between 50% and 98%. Since "forever chemicals" are possible human carcinogens, exposure can be responsible for potentially fatal illnesses, such as kidney, testicular, and prostate cancer.
A recent study by Harvard University found that PFAS detection was positively associated with the number of these chemicals' sources and proportions of residents of color who are served by a water system. Each industrial facility, airport, and military fire training area in a community water system's watershed was linked to a 10% to 108% increase in PFOA and a 20% to 34% increase in PFOS in drinking water. As two of the most dangerous substances from the "forever chemicals" class, PFOA and PFOS are also some of the most studied agents. However, PFAS refer to nearly 15,000 different substances.
New Jersey is part of EPA’s Superfund mission to clean the nation’s most contaminated land. The state is home to a staggering 115 Superfund sites and a few examples can give you an idea about the scale of the contamination. With 264,000 parts per trillion, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst exceeds the ‘safe’ exposure limit of PFAS by a whopping 66,000 times. Located in Egg Harbor Township and serving central and southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, Atlantic City International Airport has recorded a level of 87,250 ppt, which is 21,800 times over the limit. Another PFAS hotspot is The Naval Warfare Center Trenton, located in Ewing Township. The site has recorded a level of 27,800, which is lower than the others but still holds significant health risks due to its proximity to the surrounding communities and high toxicity of PFAS even at low levels.
There is a historically strong demographic presence of Hispanics and people of color around the PFAS hotspots. In the communities surrounding Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Atlantic City International Airport, and The Naval Warfare Center Trenton, Hispanic and Black people make up 56.80%, 24.20%, and 37.80% of the total population. Located to the southeast of Atlantic City, Pleasantville represents an example of the demographic reality, with Black and Hispanics comprising 50% of its population. Due to historical and environmental factors, PFAS will only worsen the communities’ decades-long health challenges, considering their susceptibility to the highly toxic PFAS.
Achieving Environmental Justice – An Uphill Battle for Communities of Color
Undoubtedly, combating environmental injustice is going to be a very challenging endeavor for Black and Hispanic communities. The status quo is unnerving, as it is actually cheaper for a corporation to pollute communities of color than white communities. Although corporations will receive a fine if they violate environmental laws, the fines tend to be lower in communities of color, particularly Black and low-income communities. Nevertheless, using a combination of grassroots activism and collaboration with private law firms might turn out to be effective in deterring corporations and government entities from polluting communities of color.
About the Author
Jonathan Sharp is Chief Financial Officer at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, the law firm assists individuals and communities affected by toxic exposure. Jonathan Sharp is responsible for the management of firm assets, case evaluation, and financial analysis.
