Lauren Scruggs wins silver medal in Fencing and makes history

Lauren Scruggs won a silver medal in Fencing after losing to fellow American Lee Kiefer in the Finals. Although she didn't bring home the gold, she made U.S.Fencing history. Scruggs became the first Black American woman to win an Olympic medal in individual competition, according to USA Fencing. She placed second in Women's Individual Foil.

“Fencing has largely, certainly been a non-Black sport,’’ Scruggs said. “So I hope to inspire young Black girls to get into fencing, so that they can have a place in the sport.

“I just hope that more people who look like me, girls that look like me, feel they have a place in the sport.’’

Silver for Lauren Scruggs! 🥈

The 21-year-old secures her first Olympic medal at the #ParisOlympics! pic.twitter.com/gR4r1Yau4Q

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 28, 2024

'#AutisticWhileBlack: Exploring Identity' Launches to Connect and Empower Black Autistic Adults

Autastic proudly announces the August 1st launch of “#AutisticWhileBlack: Exploring Identity”. Each 6-week virtual experience connects and empowers Black adults, filling the services gap after learning they’re autistic.

“There’s been absolutely nothing out there for the millions of adults learning they’re autistic in their twenties, thirties, fifties, and beyond. We’re overlooked in research, in services and support, in policy, everywhere. I’m working to change that, starting with the Black community,” says facilitator Diane J. Wright, the first Ford School Hawkins Family Disability Policy Fellow with the Center for Racial Justice at the University of Michigan and founder of Autastic.

Autastic provides resources and community to adult-identified autistic historically racialized and marginalized peoples (BIPOC). The “#AutisticWhileBlack: Exploring Identity” experience was developed in consultation with African American mental health professionals, community leaders, and input from Autastic’s communities of over 15,000 late-identified autistic adults.

The program is supported by funding from Jimmy Kimmel and Mark Rober’s 2021 “Color The Spectrum” fundraiser which raised over 3 million dollars in partnership with NEXT for AUTISM as well as support from The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN).

Key Highlights:

• Developed by and for Black autistic adults: Developed with lived experience at its core, this program is facilitated and produced exclusively by Black autistic adults.

• Culturally relevant resources: Offers rare resources and information specific to members of the African Diaspora.

• Peer access: Reducing isolation and stigma by facilitating connection with peers inside The Autastic Community – a unique, private social network exclusively for adult-identified autistic people and focusing on BIPOC.

• Fee-Free: Lowering barriers to resource and peer access, participation in “#AutisticWhileBlack: Exploring Identity” is offered at no cost. Program cycles will run until funding is depleted.

“#AutisticWhileBlack: Exploring Identity” offers structured activities and 90-minute live virtual group sessions as well as a private conversation space for socializing and working through course material. Participants gain resources, peer connections, and new perspectives on autistic life, along with an action plan for rebuilding neurodivergence-centered lives.

Program Information & Registration:

At Autastic.com: https://www.autastic.com/autisticwhileblack-exploring-identity/ and https://bit.ly/AWB_Exploring

Join the Conversation:

Follow @WeAreAutastic and the #AutisticWhileBlack hashtag on social media to stay updated on community events and share your own stories and experiences.

About Autastic:

Autastic exists to educate, empower, and provide community for late-identified autistic adults, specifically for autistic people of colour. Created #ByUsForUs, Autastic stands as a pillar for autistic adults seeking to navigate their world with confidence and pride. Please discover more about our vision and join us at https://www.autastic.com.

The Word Network to Air Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee's Memorial Service Live on Thursday, August 1st

The Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s celebration of life will be carried live on The Word Network on Thursday, August 1st at 12pm ET/11am CT. Jackson, who passed away last week, represented the 18th Congressional District in Texas.

The Word Network continues its tradition of airing memorial services of such prominent people as Aretha Franklin, Rosa Parks, and Whitney Houston. The Word Network is the leading cable channel for religion and gospel music. The Word Network can be seen on all cable systems in the United States, and internationally on all streaming platforms in over 200 countries.

Those wanting to air the service are asked to credit The Word Network. Coordinates are Galaxy 32 at 91.0 W, Transponder 19C, 4066.5 MHz Horizontal.

Rally for Sonya Massey held in New York City

Hundreds gathered in Washington Square Park in New York City to pay tribute to Sonya Massey, the 36-year-old mother of two, who was fatally shot earlier this month by a sheriff's deputy inside her own Illinois home.

Rev. Dr. Maisha Handy Named President of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago

In July 2024, the Board of Trustees of McCormick Theological Seminary named Rev. Dr. Maisha I. Handy the 12th president at one of the nation’s oldest and most influential seminaries rooted in the Presbyterian tradition.

A Chicago native, Dr. Handy is a recognized and accomplished theologian, administrator, and educator. She will assume her new position as McCormick’s first African American president and second female leader on September 3rd.

This appointment follows her 24-year career at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Ga., where she most recently served as Interim President and Professor of Religion and Education of the historic institution.

Dr. Handy steps in to lead McCormick into its third century committed to supporting and building upon a legacy of fostering a community of Christian leadership serving diverse ministries and congregations in this challenging and complex world.

"It is with joy and excitement that I join the McCormick community as its 12th president,” says Dr. Handy. “McCormick’s mission as a seminary committed to justice and social impact aligns with my sense of vocation and purpose as a leader. Working collaboratively with the board, faculty, staff, and students, we will walk together into the next phase of this great institution’s legacy in theological education.”

A progressive leader among American seminaries, Dr. Handy is well respected for her experience as an administrator, dean, and pastor. She is an ordained minister of word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA), and since 2013 has served as pastor at Rize Community Church, an inclusive Africentric Christian ministry located in the heart of Atlanta with an intergenerational congregation of believers from all walks of life. Her time in the pastorate at Rize has brought her recognition for her work guiding young adults.

Dr. Handy earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Lincoln University in 1989; received her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University in 1994, and her Ph.D. from Emory University in 2002 — the first African American woman to receive the degree from the department. Dr. Handy also spent a year as a teaching assistant to Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa in 1999.

In addition to her proven track record of more than two decades of experience in theological education, Dr. Handy is a collaborative leader and social justice-oriented community builder whose values and commitments align with those of McCormick. She inherits a financially strong and healthy seminary and a community that will embrace and support her to advance the institution’s mission and notable reputation for community collaboration.

Dr. Handy succeeds David H. Crawford, who retired on June 30, 2024, after serving as the seminary’s president since 2017. Mr. Crawford is credited with successfully leading McCormick through the pandemic and a transformational period in its history. His profound commitment to the future of the seminary helped to ensure McCormick’s historic legacy — and safeguard the vital work that we do so it may continue into the future.