Sheika Reid: Community Support Leader

Developing Deeper Connections Between the Community and DC Government Sheika Reid, local Ward 1 native, grew up in Columbia Heights and was born to parents looking to uplift not only their family, but also their community. This fueled Reid’s determination to service the underserved and to do everything she could to shine a light on …

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Mental Health Awareness: How To Help Yourself & Others

September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month, which strives to bring more awareness and resources to those struggling with mental health. Individuals within the Black community are often most affected by mental illness, whether that be depression, anxiety, PTSD, or harmful thoughts. The prevalence mental illness can have on minorities because of social, environmental, …

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S-N-S Hobbies: Inspiration, Foundation, and Nostalgia 

Kojo Cross, owner of S-N-S Hobbies, does not just run a Black-owned toy store in Washington, D.C. He brings meaning to the words “inspiration, foundation and nostalgia.” Cross has utilized his childhood inspiration–watching his father’s entrepreneurship come to fruition–learning early on that what he liked mattered, and that he could pair that with something that …

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Shedrick Pelt: Documenting the Quintessence of Washington D.C.

Shedrick Pelt–40-year-old, photographer, publisher, graphic designer, and activist–uses his lens to capture historical moments showcasing Black pride, community support, and activism. Whether it be capturing local protests for affordable rent, celebratory events in the District, or attending fundraising events with climate activists to capture organized disruption, Pelt is there. Accountability and Commitment to Community  Pelt …

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Organizations Blossoming the Youth of D.C. and Baltimore

SMYAL: Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders For nearly 40 years, LGBTQ+ individuals living in Washington, D.C. and needing an environment reminiscent of having familial support depend on SMYAL–Supporting and Mentoring Youth Leaders and Advocates–an organization supplying children and young adults leadership development opportunities, after-school programs, and counseling services.  Hancie Stokes, the organization’s communications …

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A Push for Change: Why Sex Ed Needs a Revamp Across the U.S.

Sex Ed was that oh-so-awkward lesson during the winter months at your local high school that crammed a lifetime’s worth of information into two or three short days during physical education. Most of us have taken some form of a sex health class before in our lives, or at least a small unit of it …

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Through the Lens of Amber Logan, aka Stony

Black Joy, Black Pain, and the Remaining Elements of Chocolate City As we all know, gentrification brings gains and losses. The city may acquire new buildings but at the cost of losing historically relevant memorabilia. Whether it be community events like Moechella or a familiar corner store, these elements of the community stand to become …

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Grindstone Universal: Limitless Inspiration & Timeless Innovation

I met up with Grindstone in NW, at Meridian Hill Park on Saturday to get an understanding of the origins of Grindstone, the business and the man. When planning the meet up on the phone, I asked what his name was to formally introduce myself. He responded, “People know me as Grindstone.” This to me …

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