The number 7 often represents completion – and in that vain I’m writing to let the Better to Speak community know that after much reflection and consideration, I have decided that Better to Speak’s seventh year of operations will be its last.

When I studied victimology, they didn’t tell us how victimization changes for Black victims – namely, for Black women. They also did not tell us just how difficult it was to not only be believed as a Black woman, but also that there was a higher likelihood of victimization as a Black woman. It is almost as if there are not enough statistics, not enough research, not enough attention paid to Black women.

Black pop culture has always had its inner secrets, invisible writings on the walls and hushed truths. But 2023 brought forth a true crack in the dam that left the Black community drowning in discourse, dissolution and, dare I say, desolation.

Many state legislatures make it intentionally difficult for college students to vote by gerrymandering their districts, creating polling places miles away from campus that can disincentivize casting a ballot.

This article is republished as a part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.

The recognition month invites us to embrace achievements, build understanding and awareness, and celebrate the rich history of the past, present and future generations of Black Women and all women across the African/Black Diaspora.

Our main takeaways from the conference speak to the power of confidence, community and commitment for athletes envisioning a life of success beyond sports. Keep reading to hear more of what we learned.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, which federally protected the right to an abortion – as well as other health privacy and reproductive health care concerns – since 1974. Here’s how you can learn more + take action in support of abortion and reproductive rights.