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When the University of Maryland would not admit Black students, Frances Murphy "Toni" Draper's grandfather brokered a deal with the then-governor of the state to fully fund Black students' higher education, out of state. Draper, publisher of The AFRO (a Word In Black partner), details, through an interview her mother, Frances L. Murphy II, gave to the Washington Press Club Foundation, how when faced with discriminatory, racist practices, her grandfather, like many Black people, found ways to circumvent, overcome and ultimately triumph.

Word In Black's Maya Pottiger delves into data from a new study on policing in schools by the Center for Public Integrity that shows Black, brown, indigenous and students with disabilities are criminalized at higher rates than their white counterparts. ReShonda Tate, managing editor of the Houston Defender, gives her takes on the new Texas abortion law, why she thinks the state's governor is "crazy," and Facebook's AI race problem. The Smithsonian will display a historical marker that recalls the murder of Emmett Till. One troublesome environmental byproduct of the COVID-19 pandemic is the wholesale public discarding of masks. And finally, celebrities and fans remember Michael K. Williams, who was found dead Monday in his Brooklyn Home. Tell God: "Omar coming!"

Word In Black creates, promotes and publishes news that is relevant to African American and Black communities throughout the nation, so that they can make informed decisions about their lives.

Nick Charles
Managing Director

Believe it or not: Maryland paid for Black students to study out of state

"Before I came out of high school, Parren Mitchell, who later became a congressman, applied for the University of Maryland, and they refused to admit him. So, my dad (Dr. Carl Murphy) said to the governor, 'If you’re not going to let them go to the University of Maryland, then Maryland citizens ought to pay for them to go someplace else.' “Okay,” the governor said, “I’ll give you so much money and you will be chairman of a scholarship commission.”

Black, Brown, Indigenous and students with disabilities are criminalized at higher rates

In 46 states, Black students were referred to law enforcement at higher rates than the national total rate of referrals: “What they do do is increase the likelihood that Black and brown children are going to be involved in the legal system early and often.”

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate tackles war on women, Gov. Crazy and Facebook

Hear directly from Defender Network managing editor, ReShonda Tate, about buzz worthy topics.

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Smithsonian to display Emmett Till historical marker

National Museum of American History addresses anti-Black violence through defaced sign.

Discarded masks: A trashy, environmental nuisance

The more people wear masks, the more common it is to see them discarded throughout the campus and in the streets.

Celebrities, fans remember actor Michael K. Williams

The 54-year old was discovered unresponsive in his Brooklyn penthouse on Monday, Sept. 6.

More from and about our publishers

At the risk of overly tooting our own horn, here is an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article on Word In Black's collaborative, and another from Editor & Publisher.
Even as we still struggle to confront the Delta variant of Coronavirus, a new strain may be on the horizon.
With California's recall vote set for Tuesday, Sept. 14, it's timely and important to again read Donald M. Suggs' take on what it means for Black America.
Black entrepreneurs are up in arms that a white firm was awarded the contract to renovate Black Lives Matter Plaza.

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