H.J. Russell Company and family: Key players in Atlanta’s grand plan
What do the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Georgia Dome, Turner Field, Phillips Arena, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. and the downtown Atlanta skyline have in common? They all, in one way or another, bare the DNA of Atlanta entrepreneur extraordinaire Herman J. Russell. Many of the structures referenced - along with scores of other highly crafted developments around the country - originated in a less elaborate but equally important building at 504
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch named executive vice-chair of Cook County Democratic Party
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has been named Executive Vice-Chair of the Cook County Democratic Party, further strengthening his leadership role within one of the nation’s most influential Democratic organizations. Speaker Welch, who also serves as Committeeman for Proviso Township, has been a leading voice in advancing policies that promote equity, economic opportunity, and strong communities across Illinois. His appointment as Executive Vice-Chair (suburbs) reflects his longstanding commitment to Democratic values and his ability to unite leaders across Cook County. “I am honored to serve as Executive Vice-Chair
Retiring ESPN Exec. David Roberts Reflects on 50-Year Career, Detroit Roots, and the Importance of Opening Doors
After having spent the past 22 years of his career at ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, the Southwestern High School and Wayne State University alum is retiring at the end of August 2026. The rhythm of Detroit has always sounded a little like a game clock. It never quite stops and it always demands something from whomever is bold enough to step onto its floor. For David Roberts, a kid growing up on the city’s southwest side, that rhythm stretched across five decades – a 50-year career that
Julie Zeigler becomes first Black Commissioner of Crescent Township, PA
Dr. Julie Zeigler is the first Black Commissioner in Crescent Township history By day, Dr. Julie Zeigler is the Chief Financial Officer for Tadiso Inc., one of the state’s largest medication-assisted treatment facilities. But she’s also one of five Commissioners for Crescent Township. Crescent Township, it’s located near Moon Township and Sewickley in Allegheny County. She loves living there. And she enjoys her role as Commissioner, a role she’s had since January 2026. But what few people know is that Dr. Zeigler is the first Black Commissioner to ever serve in
First Independence Bank taps Caroline Chambers to lead new community investment foundation
A bank with a long history of serving communities too often locked out of mainstream financial opportunity is preparing to widen that work through a new foundation, and it is placing that effort in the hands of a leader whose career has centered philanthropy, inclusion, and community partnership. First Independence Bank announced the appointment of Caroline Chambers as Director of Community Investments, a new leadership role that puts her at the center of building the bank’s charitable foundation. That foundation, expected to officially launch later this year, is
5 Black poets for students to study and know
This post was originally published on Word In Black. BY Alvin Buyinza It’s often called the voice of the human soul. It was a means of rebellion for Phyllis Wheatley, Langston Hughes, and Nikki Giovanni. And it’s the bedrock of rap music, often called “the CNN of the street.” Poetry, the art form in question, is embedded in the Black experience, a form of resistance and truth as well as beauty and resilience. Yet people often see poetry as inaccessible — reserved for eggheads, elites and reluctant K-12
Empowering Future Generations Through Racial Justice Leadership
By Sherri Kolade Photo by P. A. Greene Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead’s upbringing in two worlds—Washington, DC’s chocolate city and South Carolina’s quiet dirt roads—shaped her story of race and identity. Summers spent on her grandparents’ farm in Lexington, South Carolina revealed the racial dynamics of the South, while WDC nurtured her intellectual growth and pride in her Black heritage. After earning a history degree from HBCU Lincoln University, Whitehead studied at the University of Notre Dame, focusing on peace studies, social justice, and human rights. She returned to
More Than Words: How Alison Bibb-Carson Built a Career That Connects
BY RHONDA CROWDER, PHOTO BY L EWI S B U R R E L L Raised by a renowned TV journalist father and a mother who made her career as a reading specialist and educator, it’s only natural Alison Bibb-Carson would develop a knack for communication arts, particularly writing and speaking well. And although many expected her to follow in her dad’s TV news footsteps, she set out to chart her own course. “Writing has always been my bread and butter, probably since high school when I realized [that]
Dr. Demarus Crawford White | From Burden to Breakthrough
Dr. Demarus Crawford White is guided by a simple conviction: opportunity should never be determined by circumstance. When she joined Npower Ohio, she found not just a leadership role but a mission to expand access to education and career pathways for people often overlooked in the technology sector. As executive director of the technology training nonprofit, she has emerged as one of Ohio’s most vocal champions for equity, workforce readiness, and the belief that success is attainable when people are given the tools to pursue it. “Npower is a