In 2021, Oregon passed Senate Bill 744, eliminating the requirement for high school students to demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing, and math to graduate. Initially paused during the pandemic, this policy was extended in October 2023, when the Oregon State Board of Education voted to continue suspending the “Essential Skills” requirement through the 2027–2028 school year.
The current governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, is a Democrat. She took office in January 2023, succeeding Kate Brown, a Democrat and the governor who signed the original bill (Senate Bill 744) in 2021 that paused high school graduation’s math and reading proficiency requirements.
As Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives in 2021, Kotek voted in favor of SB 744. She argued that the “essential skills” requirement placed too much emphasis on standardized testing, which she believed detracted from instructional time. Kotek stated, “We don’t need to keep adding more standardized testing beyond necessary to monitor student progress. We need to let teachers teach – and our students will benefit from more instructional time.
This means that for nearly a decade, students in Oregon can receive a high school diploma without proving they can read, write, or do math at a high school level. The justification? “Equity.” The reality? Academic sabotage, particularly for Black students.
This is how some policymakers lower educational standards in the name of social justice
And they call this equity.
The claim is that standardized testing creates barriers for marginalized students — especially Black, Latino, and low-income kids. So rather than fix underperforming schools, train better teachers, or support struggling students, Oregon decided to lower the standard and call it fairness.
That’s not equity. That’s surrender. That’s giving up on the very children who need the most support.
This policy is not just misguided — it’s a total insult to Black people.
It sends the message that we’re not capable of meeting academic standards, so instead of fixing the system, they erase the benchmarks. That’s not liberation. That’s humiliation. It’s a slap in the face to every Black parent who pushes their children to strive, to excel, and to break cycles. It tells our kids, “We don’t expect much from you — so here’s a diploma anyway.”
This is how Democrats dumb down our children in the name of social justice — not by helping them succeed, but by pretending success doesn’t require skill.
They claim standardized tests and proficiency requirements are racist. But what’s truly racist is assuming that Black children can’t rise to the challenge. It’s racist to lower expectations for our kids while maintaining them for everyone else. This isn’t a policy of equity — it’s a quiet act of educational segregation.
Let’s break down who this benefits:
Not the Black student, who now enters college or the workforce completely unprepared.
Not the parent, who believes a diploma means their child is ready for life.
Not the community, which continues to be underserved and under-equipped.
The only winners here are failing school districts, lazy administrators, and policymakers who’d rather feel good than do good. They don’t have to raise standards, train teachers, or fix broken classrooms. They just pass kids along — and then pat themselves on the back for being “progressive.”
This is not progress. It’s policy malpractice.
There’s a quote that speaks directly to this moment: “Much of the social history of the Western world over the past three decades has been a history of replacing what worked with what sounded good.”
That’s exactly what Oregon has done. They replaced accountability with applause, and academic excellence with political optics. They’ve built a system where optics matter more than outcomes — and where Black students pay the price.
If we truly believed in Black excellence, we wouldn’t be lowering the bar. We’d be building bridges to help our children reach it.
That means better instruction, culturally competent curriculum, investment in literacy, math tutoring, mentorship, and real parental engagement — not policies that hide failure behind buzzwords like “equity.”
Because expecting Black children to read, write, and succeed is not racism — it’s respect. And anything less is institutional betrayal.
What Oregon has done isn’t education reform. It’s educational surrender. And we must not stay silent while they sell Black potential short in the name of political correctness.
If we don’t speak up now, we’re not just losing standards — we’re losing a generation.
In this week’s episode, our guests were Tauris Tech founder Tauris McBride and Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC)’s Co-Founder Marvin Church. We had a powerful conversation, diving into one of the most overlooked solutions to rebuilding the Black middle class: vocational education. While college has been pushed as the only path to success, trade skills and vocational careers are making a comeback, and Black America must be positioned to lead. From electricians and plumbers to tech-based certifications and green energy jobs, the trades offer real income, real independence, and real opportunity for economic mobility. It’s time to stop shaming blue-collar work and start investing in the future of hands-on professions. We’ll explore: Why traditional college isn’t the only option How vocational careers are reshaping wealth in America The role of community programs and policy in creating pipelines The urgent need to pivot our education focus for our youth 🎯 If we want to secure the future of Black families, we must rethink what success looks like and build new institutions that work for us.
Tauris Tech was founded in 2016 by Tauris McBride, to use new technology to improve employee training in skilled trades, and since then, we have provided online and hands-on training to thousands of individuals, as well as property management companies, building owners and developers, trade schools, unions and government agencies. Visit their website and follow on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram
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Mount Vernon, NY — Civil rights icons Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson allowed me to speak with them Sunday, April 13th, after a powerful Palm Sunday church service at Grace Baptist Church located at One Grace Plaza, 52 South Sixth Avenue in Mount Vernon. Parishioners, community members, and elected officials, including U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawn Patterson-Howard, gathered from all over to celebrate National Action Network (NAN) Board Chairman, Rev. Richardson’s 50 years of pastoral leadership.
“I was honored to be here for the 50th anniversary of Dr. Richardson, who’s an iconic figure in the Black church as well as in the nation,” Rev. Sharpton, who just finished preaching for Richardson’s 50th Anniversary, shared with Black Westchester. “To see the outpouring of love for him and the recognition of specific things he’s done is absolutely incredible.”
As Black communities face renewed threats to civil rights, both leaders stressed the urgency of remembering the past and reclaiming the tools that once changed the nation.
“I think that many of us were not schooled and bred in the struggle, and we take things for granted now,” Sharpton said. “We need to remind people of the things that we have gotten and we fought for.”
One such reminder is the power of economic pressure. “Chairman Richardson and I are meeting with Pepsi-Cola, and if they don’t do it right, we’re going to boycott,” Sharpton declared. “You cannot enjoy our consumer dollars and then say you’re with Trump in terms of cutting us out. We’re going back to what Adam Clayton Powell did in the thirties and what King did in the fifties. Economic Pressure.”
Rev. Richardson echoed the urgency: “That’s the last weapon we have. And it’s worked before, and I think it will challenge the Trump administration. He’s going to go down in history as the worst president we’ve ever had.”
Grace Baptist Church Pastor Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson and First Lady Inez N Richardson [Black Westchester]
Both leaders emphasized the necessity of reaching young people. This “generation will have less rights than our generation,” Sharpton warned, citing attacks on voting rights, affirmative action, and civil liberties. “We’re fighting for them to be able to have the rights we had and more.”
Richardson added, “They woke up with privilege, they have no idea what it took to get it. They have not appreciated what they received because it came so easily.”
As Richardson reflected on his own journey, he spoke of his alignment with Sharpton and the National Action Network: “I became a member, in search of finding a social justice expression for my own ministry.”
Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson didn’t hesitate to say, “I believe that Al Sharpton is the greatest civil rights leader of this time.”
I appreciate both men for allowing me to sit down and interview them.
In its haste to strike another blow at Donald Trump, Congress may have just kicked open a door it can’t close. Following Trump’s abrupt tariff reversal — and his “Buy Now” post on Truth Social — Rep. Adam Schiff has called for an official investigation into whether the former president engaged in market manipulation or insider trading.
Rep. Adam Schiff
At first glance, it sounds like a righteous pursuit of justice — a sitting president making a market-moving statement, seemingly timed with his financial interests. But let’s not be naïve. If this investigation gains traction, it won’t just expose Trump. It’ll expose Washington itself.
Because the truth is, insider trading in D.C. isn’t an anomaly — it’s a feature of the system.
For years, members of Congress have bought and sold stocks with remarkable timing. Pandemic lockdowns, military conflicts, regulatory crackdowns, and tech antitrust cases — all have mysteriously coincided with well-timed trades by lawmakers or their spouses. Pelosi. Loeffler. Burr. Feinstein. The list cuts across party lines.
What makes Trump different is his loud, brash style. He didn’t whisper his optimism in a private briefing — he posted it publicly on social media. And now, because he made money in plain sight, Congress wants to investigate. But the hypocrisy is staggering.
How many senators dumped stocks after classified briefings? How many sit on committees that directly impact the companies they invest in? How many have family members running hedge funds or private equity firms, profiting off policy they quietly push?
And maybe — maybe — this probe will finally force America to ask: How do so many members of Congress become multimillionaires on a $200,000 salary?
Rep. Nancy Pelosi
And let’s not forget Nancy Pelosi, whose name has become nearly synonymous with the very kind of ethical gray area this investigation threatens to expose. While Pelosi herself has denied wrongdoing, her husband — venture capitalist Paul Pelosi — has made millions from impeccably timed trades in companies directly impacted by legislation she was involved in. In July 2021, he purchased up to $5 million in call options for companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google, just weeks before the House Judiciary Committee advanced sweeping antitrust legislation targeting Big Tech — companies that ironically rallied after surviving regulatory threats. In July 2022, he bought shares in Nvidia, a major semiconductor company, shortly before the House voted on the CHIPS Act, which pumped $280 billion into the U.S. semiconductor industry. And back in 2008, the Pelosi family was granted early access to Visa’s IPO, while a bill aimed at capping credit card fees stalled in the House under her speakership. These trades may not be illegal under current law, but the pattern is clear — and deeply troubling. If Congress insists on investigating Trump for market manipulation, then it must also answer how so many lawmakers, Pelosi included, continue to build multimillion-dollar fortunes while earning just over $200,000 a year in public service.
This isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a systemic one. The second Congress opened a formal insider trading probe into a sitting president, giving the public a reason to demand a full accounting of their financial dealings. You can’t investigate Trump’s tweets without investigating Congressional briefings. You can’t scrutinize Trump’s trades without asking how Speaker Pelosi or Senator Schumer performed during those same market swings.
And they know it.
That’s what makes this such a dangerous move for Congress. It turns the spotlight back on themselves. It invites real accountability, not the performative kind, but the kind that exposes the swamp they’ve spent years trying to camouflage with empty ethics committees and toothless reform bills.
If Congress truly cared about insider trading, why wouldn’t they pass a clean, uncompromising ban on stock trading for sitting members? But they haven’t. Instead, they’ve found a convenient villain in Trump while protecting their wealth-building pipelines.
Let’s be clear: if Trump violated the law, he should be held accountable. But the standard must be universal, not selective. If the problem is political profiteering, the entire system must be held to the fire — not just one man.
So, by all means, investigate Trump. I would love to see it. It makes good theater and will give me something to write about. But don’t be surprised when the same spotlight reveals the rot in the rest of the room once the American people start asking who else knew—and when—the blaze may consume Congress, it thought it had aimed at someone else.
President Trump has ordered a highly controversial reshaping of the US Smithsonian Institution, claiming he will eliminate what his administration regards as “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology” from the world’s largest set of museums, educational and research entities grouped under one institutional umbrella.
On Thursday, March 27th, the president, who has sought to root out what he calls “wokeness” since returning to power in January, accused the Smithsonian of trying to rewrite history on issues of race and gender. In an executive order entitled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History”, he directed the removal of “improper, divisive or anti-American ideology” from its storied museums.
On Wednesday, April 9th, the Council of Presidents of the National Pan-Hellenic Council® (NPHC®), representing the nine historically Black Greek-lettered Organizations and more than 2.5 million members worldwide, issued a joint statement (see full statement below) strongly opposing any attempt to censor, distort, or dismantle the telling of America’s full and inclusive history. Efforts to withhold funding from the Smithsonian complex, especially the National Museum of African American History and Culture, threaten not only a vital educational resource but also the very integrity of our national narrative.
Here’s a more detailed look at the NPHC’s stance:
Defense of the Smithsonian and its mission: The NPHC strongly defends the Smithsonian’s mission to preserve and present historical knowledge, particularly the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Opposition to censorship and defunding: The Council opposes any efforts to censor or defund the museum, viewing such actions as a threat to educational resources and the integrity of the national narrative.
Importance of the museum: The NPHC recognizes the museum’s role in uplifting communities, empowering individuals, and strengthening democracy by providing access to historical narratives.
Call for support: The NPHC calls on policymakers, educators, and citizens to reject narratives that seek to divide and instead support institutions that preserve history.
Advocacy for preservation and advancement: The NPHC will continue to advocate for the museum’s preservation and advancement, ensuring its continued ability to share the stories of African Americans.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture serves as a cornerstone in the preservation and celebration of African American history and culture. This history is American history. From slavery to civil rights to the cultural innovations that continue to shape the world, the museum ensures these stories are not forgotten, denied, or politicized. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to their lives, and how it has helped us shape this nation.
NPHC® also commends the outstanding leadership of Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III. As the founding director of the museum and the first African American Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Secretary Bunch has championed the power of historical truth to unite, educate, and heal. His dedication to scholarship, accessibility, and equity has elevated the Smithsonian’s mission and broadened its relevance to all Americans.
The NPHC® was founded on May 10, 1930, at Howard University in Washington, DC. The purpose of the NPHC® is to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. Thus, NPHC® promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils of the NPHC®, which collaboratively work together across the United States, and provides leadership training for its constituents. We believe that knowledge uplifts communities, empowers individuals, and strengthens democracy. Secretary Bunch continues in that tradition and reminds us that museums are not merely repositories of the past. They are tools for building a better future.
The NPHC® calls on policymakers, educators, and citizens across the country to reject false narratives that seek to divide us. We must support institutions that honor our collective past and protect our shared future. The National Museum of African American History and Culture plays a vital role in that mission, and we will continue to advocate for its preservation and advancement.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated® (NPHC®) is currently composed of the elected president of each member of the nine (9) International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.®, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta® Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. For more information, visit www.nphchq.com.
On April 10, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a budget resolution aligned with President Trump’s economic policy agenda. This budget, which had already passed in the Senate, sets the stage for the use of the reconciliation process — a legislative mechanism that allows tax and spending legislation to advance with a simple majority in the Senate. While the resolution itself is not law, it is a powerful signal of where fiscal policy is headed under the current administration.
The resolution avoids the political landmine of cutting into Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security, programs long considered untouchable by most Americans. In fact, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and other Republican leaders made a point of promising that these entitlement programs would remain intact. For millions of Black Americans who disproportionately rely on these programs—particularly seniors and low-income families—this assurance is significant.
What stands out even more are the proposed tax cuts that aim to ease the burden on working-class Americans. The budget framework includes plans to eliminate federal income taxes on tipped wages, overtime pay, and Social Security benefits. If enacted, these provisions would increase take-home pay for millions of workers, including a substantial portion of Black Americans employed in hospitality, service, and hourly wage sectors.
The move to untax Social Security benefits would also provide relief to retirees living on fixed incomes, a demographic in which Black elders are overrepresented. For younger workers and those juggling multiple jobs, removing the tax burden on overtime could provide much-needed economic breathing room.
These proposals, however, do not come without tradeoffs. The $1.5 trillion in projected spending cuts over the next decade are expected to target non-defense discretionary spending. That includes reductions in federal agency budgets, which may affect programs related to education, housing, and workforce development. While the budget spares entitlement programs, the reduction in broader federal support could indirectly harm communities that rely on these services, including many Black communities across the country.
The budget also includes increased funding for border enforcement and defense. While these measures are politically popular with the Republican base, some observers argue they divert attention and resources from domestic priorities like public health, education, and small business support.
For Black America, this budget represents both opportunity and risk. On one hand, it signals a shift away from the traditional austerity politics that have often targeted safety net programs. On the other, it fails to provide targeted investments in Black communities, and it risks undercutting the institutions and services those communities depend on.
There is also a broader political implication at play. The Trump administration appears to be crafting an economic narrative aimed at working-class Americans of all backgrounds. By pledging not to touch Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, while offering tax relief for wage earners, the administration is positioning itself to appeal to voters historically outside the Republican base.
For Black political leaders and community advocates, the task ahead is to ensure these reforms lead to real and equitable gains. That includes pressing for reinvestment in education, job training, and affordable housing, and demanding oversight to ensure that spending cuts do not quietly erode civil rights enforcement, public health, or economic mobility.
President Trump’s 2025 budget blueprint is not the sweeping dismantling of social programs that many critics anticipated. But it also stops short of the structural investments needed to close racial wealth gaps or expand Black economic power. The challenge now is to turn working-class tax relief into long-term opportunity and to make sure that no community is left behind in the name of fiscal reform.
The quiet crisis unfolding in our communities isn’t hidden—it’s ignored. Black masculinity, particularly in our youth, is being chipped away by systems that weren’t designed for them to thrive in. Instead of nurturing and elevating our boys, we’re watching them disengage from school, disappear from college campuses, and drift into isolation or incarceration. The erosion isn’t sudden—it’s slow, systematic, and painfully obvious to those of us who’ve spent decades on the front lines. And still, we let it happen.
After 33 years working in the correctional system and now as the publisher of a local newspaper, I’ve had the unique and often painful vantage point of watching this tragedy unfold in real time. What concerns me most isn’t just that it’s happening—but that so many of our leaders are staying silent while it does.
Our education system was never built with Black boys in mind. It rewards stillness, compliance, and verbal fluency—traits that many young boys, especially Black boys with natural energy, curiosity, and strength, are punished for rather than guided through. We’ve replaced hands-on learning and vocational training with standardized tests and rigid discipline, and the results are clear: disengagement, frustration, and dropout rates that keep the cycle turning.
And the numbers don’t lie. The enrollment of Black male students in colleges has sharply declined. Between 2010 and 2022, Black male enrollment at colleges and universities nationwide dropped by approximately 22%. This trend is even more pronounced at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), where Black male enrollment declined by 25% during the same period. Today, Black men make up only 26% of HBCU students—down from 38% in 1976. This isn’t because Black boys are less intelligent. It’s because we are not training them correctly. We are not reaching them where they are, or equipping them in ways that affirm their identities and their value.
Black boys in America are disproportionately diagnosed with ADHD and other mental illnesses, often as a result of systemic bias rather than genuine clinical assessment. Behaviors rooted in trauma, cultural expression, or unmet developmental needs are frequently pathologized, leading to overdiagnosis of disorders like ADHD while underdiagnosing conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. This mislabeling has serious consequences: instead of receiving support, many Black boys are funneled into special education programs, subjected to punitive discipline, or criminalized at a young age. The lack of culturally competent mental health care, combined with stigma and inadequate access to resources, further isolates them from the help they need. To disrupt this cycle, it is critical to shift from a deficit-based approach to one centered on healing, support, and understanding the unique cultural and environmental realities Black boys face.
Meanwhile, corporate America has increasingly opened its doors to Black women, and that’s worth celebrating. But let’s not pretend that the same grace has been extended to Black men. Especially those who show up in their full, unapologetic masculinity. Too often, our young men are viewed as threats instead of assets, and too rarely are they mentored, invested in, or simply given space to grow.
What’s missing is visibility—real visibility. Our Black boys need to see Black men in front of classrooms, not just behind podiums or patrol cars. We need more Black male teachers, mentors, and community leaders who are not only present, but who are comfortable deploying their masculinity in a way that is confident, grounded, and unapologetic. These boys need to see fatherhood modeled. They need to see Black professionals who don’t shrink to fit into spaces that were never built for us—but who expand those spaces to fit the full spectrum of who we are.
I’ll never forget one young man who used to come through the jail often. One day, he told me, “You’re more of a father to me than anyone I’ve ever known in my community.” That broke something in me. It is a tragedy when a young Black man has to be incarcerated just to encounter a responsible, present Black male figure. We should not have to wear a badge or a uniform for our boys to feel seen.
To the Black women who continue to carry so much of this community on their backs—if you’re reading this, ask the question out loud: Where are the Black men in our school system? Because our children need them—not just the boys, but the girls, too. Positive Black male role models help shape the way our daughters learn to trust, relate, and see strength in protection and presence, not just performance.
And yet, as this crisis deepens, our local Black politicians and pastors—those who should be leading the charge—are more concerned with protecting their image in white spaces and political circles than telling the truth in Black ones. We continue to celebrate politicians presiding over systems that are failing our youth, as if visibility alone is victory. It’s not.
We don’t need more polished speeches. We need substance. We need our leaders to stop acting like this isn’t a problem. We need school board members to champion holistic education—not just college prep, but vocational training, emotional development, and culturally affirming support. We need public investments in mentorship, not just punitive programs dressed up as “reform.”
If you’re a Black man in this community, show up—at the school, at the rec center, in your neighborhood. Our boys and girls are watching, and they need to see what it looks like when we lead with presence, integrity, and love.
Black boys are not broken. But the systems around them are. And unless we find the courage to face that—and do something about it—we’ll keep losing generations of potential fathers, builders, thinkers, and leaders.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, KJV)
This scripture isn’t just poetic wisdom—it’s a call to action. When it comes to Black boys, we have too often confused punishment for training, survival for development, and fear for discipline. Training a child means knowing him, loving him, guiding him—not waiting for the world to harden him before we show up. If we get this part right, it changes everything.
The crisis is real—but we cannot allow this dysfunctional gender war to cloud the urgent need to save Black boys. Their future—and ours—depends on our ability to stay focused, unified, and unapologetically committed to their growth.
What the mainstream leaders won’t say: How global trade policy helped erase Black middle-class power!
For decades, Americans were told that globalization would lift all boats. That opening trade with China and playing by the World Trade Organization’s rules would benefit workers, increase access to cheap goods, and spur innovation. But for many working Americans—especially in Black communities—the results were far more destructive than advertised.
When Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports and challenged the foundations of global trade, it sent shockwaves through Washington. Critics called it reckless. Supporters called it patriotic. But buried beneath the political noise lies a deeper question: Was he right?
China’s entry into the WTO in 2001 fundamentally reshaped the global economy. American corporations rushed to outsource jobs, lured by cheap labor and weak environmental standards. The result? U.S. manufacturing collapsed, and with it, the economic foundation of many Black working-class communities.
Cities like Detroit, Gary, Birmingham, and Baltimore—once powered by Black labor in union jobs—saw factories close, wages stagnate, and wealth vanish. The U.S. lost millions of jobs. China’s GDP soared. And the WTO, designed to promote fair trade, did little to stop the bleeding.
Trump’s tariff policy was based on a simple idea: if you tax our goods, we’ll tax yours. His administration called it “reciprocal trade.” Critics called it a trade war. But the data reveals something important: for the first time in decades, China faced economic consequences for its practices—from forced technology transfers to currency manipulation and illegal subsidies.
The tariffs didn’t just target China. They challenged a broken system that had long prioritized multinational profits over local industry. Wall Street hated them. But for many forgotten towns and cities, they signaled a long-overdue reckoning.
Here’s where the conversation gets quiet: while Trump framed his tariffs around “the American worker,” Black America was rarely mentioned—by him or by our own Black leaders. And yet, Black communities were hit hardest by the very trade policies Trump was attacking.
While the media obsesses over Wall Street and market volatility, what they fail to say is this: the stock market isn’t the economy — and it damn sure isn’t the Black economy. Less than 35% of Black Americans own stocks, compared to nearly 60% of white Americans. So when trade tensions rattle the markets, the pain felt in Black communities isn’t measured in falling portfolios — it’s measured in job losses, rent hikes, grocery bills, and small Black businesses closing their doors. Wall Street may dip, but Black Main Street takes the fall. And while billionaires worry about quarterly earnings, Black families are still waiting for the return of an economy that includes them all.
I live in Westchester County, New York, and according to the 1992 African American Advisory Board Report, the Black middle class was once anchored by the General Motors plant in Tarrytown. That factory didn’t just provide jobs—it built lives. It allowed Black families to buy homes, raise families, and send their children to college. It was a cornerstone of generational wealth in the region, one of the few footholds into the American Dream for Black working-class families.
But when that plant closed—the precursor of the broader outsourcing wave that followed China’s entry into the WTO—the consequences were devastating. Not just for those who lost jobs, but for entire communities. Today, young Black couples can no longer afford to buy homes in Westchester County. The same neighborhoods their parents helped build are now financially out of reach.
And yet, despite this economic trauma, Black political leaders have been largely absent from the national conversation about trade. Instead of addressing the root causes of Black economic decline, the focus remains on symbolic representation—not structural repair. While some Black leaders host wine-and-cheese panels about how much they despise Trump, they remain silent about the trade policies that gutted the Black working class. Some in the Black elite have enough presence for the media and social spaces—but not enough courage to speak for the millions of Black men who can’t find jobs, the many Black cities economically void of Black businesses, or the food lines and homeless shelters overflowing with our people. Meanwhile, young Black children are barely graduating, trapped in cycles of poverty, crime, and violence, with no vision for a future in a global economy that has long since written them off. And after all this, Black Leaders have the Unmitigated gall to act like Black people are winning!
The number of Black men enrolling in college has declined steadily since 2010, dropping by over 30% in just 14 years. This trend reflects deepening socioeconomic barriers, lack of targeted support, and a growing disillusionment with higher education as a path to upward mobility. At many HBCUs, enrollment rates for Black men are at their lowest levels since the 1970s. Without urgent investment in culturally relevant education and economic pathways, an entire generation risks being locked out of both opportunity and influence.
Factory and manual labor jobs were the backbone of the Black middle class. These jobs didn’t require degrees, but they paid well, offered union protection, and gave Black men the dignity of providing for their families. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average factory job today pays over $72,000 a year. The average Black man in America earns just $45,000. That gap is not just economic—it’s generational. It’s the difference between owning a home and renting forever. Between sending your kids to college or burying them before they graduate high school. When those jobs disappeared and nothing replaced them, Black communities were set adrift.
Without meaningful work, there can be no economic independence, no strong families, and no stable future. No jobs means no power—and no future. We are witnessing the long-term effects right now: broken homes, abandoned neighborhoods, rising violence, and a generation of young people with nowhere to go but the streets or a prison cell. If we don’t rebuild economic infrastructure that includes Black labor and Black ownership, the future will continue to collapse beneath our feet.
Trade policy has never been race-neutral. It has created winners and losers—and Black America has too often been among the latter.
Trump’s rhetoric may have been brash, but his challenge to the WTO and China’s economic grip was about something deeper: sovereignty. Who controls our economy? Who benefits from our trade deals? Who gets left behind?
If the global economic system is being rewritten—and it is—then Black America must do more than show up. We must be positioned to lead. Our so-called leaders with platforms need to move beyond emotional soundbites and stop fixating on how much they hate Trump. That kind of rhetoric may be cathartic, but it doesn’t build power or produce results. Trump is the president now—and likely will be for the next four years. Meanwhile, young Black people can’t afford to wait, hope, or vote their way into an economic miracle that hasn’t existed for the last 25 years, especially not from a Democratic Party that played a central role in shipping factories—and generational wealth—out of our communities. We can no longer settle for symbolic gestures or performative equity. We must demand real, material inclusion in the new economy—regardless of who occupies the White House. That means investment in clean tech manufacturing, vocational training, trade infrastructure, export policy, and an industrial strategy that puts Black labor and Black ownership at the center.
Trump may not have had Black communities in mind when he launched his trade war—but that doesn’t mean Black communities didn’t have a stake in the outcome. We do. We always have. And if we don’t start speaking with authority on trade, tariffs, and industrial strategy, we’ll continue to bear the consequences of decisions made without us.
Trade justice isn’t just a white working-class issue. It’s a Black survival issue. And it’s time we start treating it like one.
Albums from Miles Davis, Mary J. Blige, Elton John, and Minecraft enter the National Recording Registry
Mary J. Blige‘s 1994 album, My Life, is one of the 25 sounds selected by the National Recording Registry for preservation, coming in the top 10 of public nominations.
“My favorite lyric from the ‘My Life’ album is ‘Life can be only what you make of it,’” Mary told the Library of Congress. The line is from the soul-stirring title track, which samples Roy Ayers’ classic “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.”
On April 9, 2025, the Library of Congress announced that albums from Mary J. Blige, Miles Davis, Tracy Chapman, Elton John, and the cast of “Hamilton” are entering America’s audio canon, along with singles from Helen Reddy and Celine Dion and the music of Minecraft.
Blige’s deeply introspective 1994 album, “My Life,” will be inducted alongside the groundbreaking 1970 merger of jazz and rock “Bitches Brew,” John’s loaded-with-hits “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” from 1973, Chapman’s self-titled 1988 album that included “Fast Car,” “I’ve Got the Music in Me” by Thelma Houston & Pressure Cooker, and the 2015 original Broadway cast album of “Hamilton.”
The National Recording Registry, administered by the Library of Congress, recognizes and preserves sound recordings that are of “cultural, historical, or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.” The National Recording Registry helps ensure that these important sounds are preserved for future generations.
“These are the sounds of America – our wide-ranging history and culture. The National Recording Registry is our evolving nation’s playlist,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said in a statement. “The Library of Congress is proud and honored to select these audio treasures worthy of preservation, including iconic music across a variety of genres, field recordings, sports history and even the sounds of our daily lives with technology.”
Robbin Ahrold, chair of the National Recording Preservation Board, added, “This year’s National Recording Registry list is an honor roll of superb American popular music from the wide-ranging repertoire of our great nation, from Hawaii to Nashville, from iconic jazz tracks to smash Broadway musicals, from Latin superstars to global pop sensations – a parade of indelible recordings spanning more than a century.”
Full list of 2025 recordings selection for National Recording Registry
“Happy Trails” – Roy Rogers and Dale Evans (1952) (single)
Radio Broadcast of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series – Chuck Thompson (1960)
Harry Urata Field Recordings (1960-1980)
“Hello Dummy!”– Don Rickles (1968) (album)
“Chicago Transit Authority” – Chicago (1969) (album)
“Bitches Brew” – Miles Davis (1970) (album)
“Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’” – Charley Pride (1971) (single)
“I Am Woman” – Helen Reddy (1972) (single)
“El Rey” – Vicente Fernandez (1973) (single)
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” – Elton John (1973) (album)
“Before the Next Teardrop Falls” – Freddy Fender (1975) (single)
“I’ve Got the Music in Me” – Thelma Houston & Pressure Cooker (1975) (album)
“The Kӧln Concert” – Keith Jarrett (1975) (album)
“Fly Like an Eagle” – Steve Miller Band (1976) (album)
Nimrod Workman Collection (1973-1994)
“Tracy Chapman” – Tracy Chapman (1988) (album)
“My Life” – Mary J. Blige (1994) (album)
Microsoft Windows Reboot Chime – Brian Eno (1995)
“My Heart Will Go On” – Celine Dion (1997) (single)
“Our American Journey” – Chanticleer (2002) (album)
“Back to Black” – Amy Winehouse (2006) (album)
“Minecraft: Volume Alpha” – Daniel Rosenfeld (2011) (album)
“Hamilton” – Original Broadway Cast Album (2015) (album)
This latest achievement for MJB comes on the heels of the nine-time Grammy-winner being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in the Class of 2024, last October.
Calling the Yonkers-born singer, songwriter, rapper, Oscar-nominated actor, producer, and nine-time Grammy winner, Mary J. Blige, the voice of a generation means acknowledging a rarely recognized fact. Often called the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” and “Queen of R&B”, she’s sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. Blige’s 1992 debut album, What’s the 411?, went multi-platinum and helped establish the Hip-Hop Soul genre. She’s won nine Grammys and been nominated 37 times.
Beatboxing, a vocal percussion art rooted in hip-hop culture, emerges as an innovative therapeutic tool for speech impediments like stuttering and articulation disorders. This editorial explores its potential, blending historical context, neuroscience, and global initiatives to highlight its promise. Research shows beatboxing enhances articulation, fluency, and literacy by engaging brain regions like Broca’s area, while its playful nature boosts confidence and reduces isolation. Compared to traditional music therapies, its accessibility—requiring only the voice—stands out. Practical guidance for educators and future research directions are offered, underscoring beatboxing’s role as a culturally responsive, empowering intervention that redefines speech rehabilitation.
Context and Relevance
Speech impediments, such as stuttering or articulation disorders, impact millions worldwide, often carrying social, emotional, and academic consequences. Traditional speech therapy, though effective, can sometimes feel clinical or uninspiring, particularly for younger individuals or those from diverse cultural backgrounds. Beatboxing—a vocal percussion art form born from hip-hop culture that mimics drumbeats, rhythms, and sound effects—offers an innovative alternative. What started as a street performance practice has begun to reveal its potential as a therapeutic tool, blending creativity with rehabilitation. This topic merits attention from educators, clinicians, researchers, and music enthusiasts alike because it introduces a culturally responsive, engaging method to tackle speech challenges. By leveraging the universal appeal of rhythm and music, beatboxing could broaden access to intervention while empowering individuals through artistic expression. This editorial delves into the evidence supporting beatboxing’s promise, its neurological and educational foundations, global efforts already underway, and practical guidance for implementation, while also addressing limitations and future research directions.
Historical and Cultural Evolution of Beatboxing
Beatboxing’s journey from street corners to therapeutic settings is rooted in a rich cultural lineage that underscores its potential as a tool for speech rehabilitation. Emerging in the 1980s Bronx hip-hop scene, it built on African American oral traditions like scat singing and vocal mimicry, with pioneers like Doug E. Fresh and Biz Markie shaping its early form (Chang, 2005). This improvisational art—born from resourcefulness amid economic hardship—spread globally, adapting to local contexts from London to Tokyo. Its communal, expressive nature echoes healing practices in oral cultures, where rhythm and voice have long fostered connection and resilience (Hill, 2007). As a therapeutic intervention, beatboxing carries this legacy forward, offering a culturally grounded alternative to clinical methods. Its evolution from a survival skill to a global phenomenon highlights its adaptability, making it a natural fit for addressing speech impediments in diverse populations. This historical depth reveals beatboxing as more than a novelty—it’s a vocal tradition primed for therapeutic innovation.
Research Evidence: Studies and Findings
A growing body of research underscores beatboxing’s potential to enhance speech production and fluency, drawing insights from speech pathology, neuroscience, music education, and hip-hop studies. Early clinical observations and case studies provide compelling initial evidence. For instance, programs like BEAT Global’s BEAT Rockers initiative have documented improved vocal expressiveness among students with speech impediments, with speech-language pathologists at the Lavelle School for the Blind noting increased articulation and confidence in participants (Kim, 2019). Similarly, beatboxer Kaila Mullady (2021) reported a case of a non-verbal child with autism progressing to full sentences after incorporating beatboxing into therapy, suggesting that its rhythmic structure aids phoneme production.
Experimental studies further bolster these claims. A 2021 pilot study by Duquesne University and Ariel University, supported by the JANX Foundation, explored beatboxing’s effects on adolescents with Down syndrome. After a 12-week program, participants demonstrated significant improvements in voice modulation and speech clarity, with articulation scores rising by 20% (BEAT Global, 2021). These results echo earlier findings on rhythmic auditory stimulation, which enhances motor planning for speech (Thaut, 2013). From a neuroscience perspective, beatboxing engages key brain regions like the motor cortex, Broca’s area (crucial for speech production), and the cerebellum (responsible for timing). Research by Patel (2011) on music and language processing indicates that rhythmic vocalization activates overlapping neural pathways, potentially reinforcing them in individuals with speech difficulties. fMRI studies of beatboxers reveal heightened basal ganglia activity—a region linked to fluency disorders like stuttering—hinting at neuroplasticity benefits (Loucks et al., 2017).
Music education and hip-hop scholarship also contribute valuable perspectives. Kruse (2016) argues that hip-hop pedagogies, including beatboxing, create culturally relevant learning environments that boost engagement, while Söderman and Folkestad (2004) found that hip-hop practices enhance oral skills among youth—a benefit extensible to therapy. The deliberate practice of vocal phonemes in beatboxing may also improve word comprehension and literacy, as manipulating sounds strengthens phonological awareness, a foundational skill for reading (Juslin & Laukka, 2003). Beatboxing’s focus on breath control, timing, and phonemic variation mirrors traditional speech therapy techniques, but its playful, creative nature heightens motivation, a consistent gain across studies. Together, this interdisciplinary evidence suggests beatboxing improves articulation, fluency, and vocal confidence, amplified by its accessibility and neurological reinforcement.
Psychological and Emotional Benefits
Beyond its mechanical benefits for speech, beatboxing offers profound psychological and emotional advantages that amplify its therapeutic impact. For individuals with speech impediments, the frustration of communication struggles often breeds anxiety and low self-esteem—barriers that traditional therapy may not fully address. Beatboxing, with its rhythmic playfulness, can alleviate these burdens. Research on music and emotion shows that rhythmic activities trigger dopamine release, reducing stress and enhancing mood (Koelsch, 2014). Participants in programs like BEAT Global frequently report feeling empowered, with one teen noting, “I didn’t just talk better—I felt cooler doing it” (BEAT Global, 2021). For those grappling with isolation or shyness, beatboxing can break through these obstacles by providing a bold, expressive outlet that transforms silence into sound, as it has for practitioners who found their voice through its practice. This boost in confidence can ease the social isolation tied to conditions like stuttering, while the group dynamic of beatboxing fosters connection, a key factor in emotional resilience. By engaging both mind and voice, beatboxing transforms speech practice into an act of self-expression, addressing the whole person rather than just their impairment.
Comparative Analysis with Other Music-Based Interventions
Beatboxing’s therapeutic promise gains clarity when viewed alongside established music-based interventions, revealing both its shared strengths and unique advantages. Within the broad music therapy spectrum—here referring to the diverse array of techniques that harness music’s elements like rhythm, melody, and harmony to support health and rehabilitation—methods like melodic intonation therapy (MIT) and rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) stand out. MIT, often used for aphasia, employs structured singing to rebuild speech pathways, while RAS, applied to motor speech disorders, uses rhythmic cues to enhance timing and coordination (Schlaug et al., 2010; Thaut, 2013). Beatboxing shares common ground with these approaches: like MIT, it leverages rhythm to bypass damaged speech circuits, and like RAS, it sharpens vocal precision through temporal patterns. Yet, beatboxing distinguishes itself with its sole reliance on the human voice—no instruments required—making it more accessible than therapies needing melodic tools or trained facilitators. Its roots in hip-hop also lend it a cultural vibrancy, particularly appealing to youth, in contrast to MIT’s more clinical framework. While MIT boasts robust evidence for stroke recovery, beatboxing’s flexibility and immediacy suggest untapped potential, though it lacks the same depth of controlled studies. This comparison positions beatboxing as a complementary, innovative option within the varied landscape of music-based therapeutic practices.
Global Programs and Influential Voices
Around the world, pioneering efforts are integrating beatboxing into speech intervention, often within hip-hop frameworks. BEAT Global, founded in 2009 in New York, exemplifies this trend through its BEAT Rockers program, which embeds beatboxing in education and therapy for youth with disabilities. Director Stephen Kim highlights its spontaneous appeal, noting that “kids can start doing it immediately—no modifications needed” (Kim, 2019). The initiative has expanded to libraries, hospitals, and refugee camps, showcasing its versatility. Similarly, in the UK, BREATHE Academy, supported by the Youth Music Trailblazer Fund, empowers young people aged 12-25 to explore identity through beatboxing, co-created with artist SK Shlomo to foster creativity and youth voice across 20 cities (Youth Music, n.d.). In the UK, practitioners like Kaila Mullady collaborate with speech therapists in London to support children with autism and stuttering, with therapists reporting accelerated progress when beatboxing complements articulation drills (Mullady, 2021). In South Africa, the Heal the Hood Project employs beatboxing within hip-hop workshops to empower youth, including those with speech challenges, aligning with research on culturally rooted interventions (Haupt, 2012).
Influential voices lend credibility to these efforts. Speech pathologist Dr. Myra McPherson advocates for beatboxing’s therapeutic inclusion, citing its alignment with motor speech principles (McPherson, 2020). Hip-hop scholar Dr. Tricia Rose, in her foundational work Black Noise (1994), frames the genre as a vehicle for transformative expression, a lens that supports beatboxing’s role in therapy. Beatboxing champion Kaila Mullady bridges practice and advocacy, asserting, “It’s a fun way to unlock the voice” (Mullady, 2021), uniting artistic and scientific dimensions.
Student and Community Voices
The true measure of beatboxing’s impact lies in the voices of those it touches—students, families, and communities who experience its effects firsthand. A 14-year-old participant in BEAT Global’s program shared, “I used to hate talking, but now I can’t wait to show off my beats” (BEAT Global, 2021). Parents echo this sentiment, with one noting, “My daughter’s stutter faded when she started beatboxing—it’s like she found her rhythm” (Mullady, 2021). Community leaders in South Africa’s Heal the Hood Project praise its cultural fit, with facilitator Thandiwe Mkhize calling it “a language our kids already speak” (Haupt, 2012). These perspectives reveal beatboxing as more than a technique—it’s a source of pride and belonging. Through the amplification of these stories, we see how it transforms not just speech, but lives, grounding the research in human experience.
Economic and Accessibility Considerations
Beatboxing’s simplicity—requiring only the human voice—makes it a cost-effective, scalable option for speech intervention, particularly in resource-scarce settings. Traditional therapy often demands certified clinicians, specialized equipment, and consistent sessions, costs that exclude many, especially in underserved communities where speech-language services reach only 20% of those in need (ASHA, 2020). Beatboxing sidesteps these barriers: a teacher or peer can lead sessions with minimal training, and no materials are needed beyond a willingness to try. Programs like South Africa’s Heal the Hood Project demonstrate its viability in low-income areas, empowering local facilitators to adapt it freely (Haupt, 2012). Yet challenges remain—training quality varies, and cultural resistance to hip-hop may limit uptake in conservative regions. Still, its potential to bridge access gaps positions beatboxing as a democratizing force, offering an equitable alternative where conventional therapy falls short.
Helping Educators and Interventionists Get Started
Launching a beatboxing initiative is both feasible and rewarding for educators and therapists willing to embrace its potential. A practical framework can guide this process: start with foundational training in core techniques, progress to tailored speech exercises, and conclude with performance-based evaluation, all while embedding hip-hop’s cultural context to maximize engagement. Begin with basic training in beatboxing techniques, such as the kick drum ([b]), hi-hat ([t]), and snare ([k]), accessible through online tutorials or workshops from groups like BEAT Global. Integrate these skills into existing speech goals—for example, practicing bilabial sounds ([b], [p]) through rhythmic patterns, starting with simple sequences like “b-t-k” before progressing to freestyle. Framing the program within hip-hop culture, as Kruse (2016) suggests, can enhance engagement, especially for participants from marginalized communities. Collaborating with local beatboxers or music educators ensures authenticity and expertise, while pre- and post-intervention metrics—like articulation tests or fluency counts—allow for progress tracking and adaptation. This approach combines clinical rigor with creative appeal, making it a practical starting point.
Technological Integration and Innovation
Technology could propel beatboxing’s therapeutic reach into new frontiers, blending tradition with innovation. Apps like Beatbox Academy already offer tutorials, while wearable devices tracking vocal pitch and rhythm—similar to those used in music therapy—could provide real-time feedback (Magee, 2014). Imagine an AI tool analyzing a child’s beatboxing to pinpoint articulation gains, or teletherapy platforms bringing sessions to remote areas. Pilot studies pairing beatboxing with virtual reality could immerse participants in rhythmic challenges, enhancing engagement. These tools, while nascent, align with trends in music therapy’s digital evolution, promising precision and scalability. As technology advances, it could amplify beatboxing’s accessibility, making it a cutting-edge option for speech intervention worldwide.
Limitations and Future Research
Despite its promise, beatboxing’s therapeutic use has limitations that warrant caution. Current research, while encouraging, lacks large-scale, randomized controlled trials, limiting its generalizability. Outcomes may vary depending on instructor skill and participant engagement, and not all speech impediments—such as severe apraxia—may respond equally. Cultural perceptions of hip-hop as “anti-educational” could also impede adoption in some contexts (Söderman & Folkestad, 2004). Future research should pursue longitudinal studies to assess sustained effects, compare beatboxing to traditional therapy, and explore its efficacy across diverse populations, including different ages and impairment types. Neuroscience could further illuminate its impact by mapping specific speech-related neural circuits, deepening our understanding of its mechanisms.
Conclusion
Beatboxing emerges as a powerful convergence of art, science, and education, offering a dynamic tool to address speech impediments. Supported by mounting evidence and global initiatives, it bridges clinical needs with creative expression, resonating across cultures. Rooted in a legacy of vocal resilience, beatboxing not only heals voices but reclaims a cultural tradition for modern therapy. Educators and interventionists stand poised to pioneer this approach, though its success hinges on rigorous research and cultural sensitivity. As hip-hop evolves, beatboxing may well redefine how we heal voices—one rhythm at a time.
About The Authors:
Dr. José Valentino Ruiz is an internationally acclaimed performing artist, composer, scholar, and entrepreneur, recognized as the 2024 Global Genius® Grand Prize Winner, a ten-time Global Genius® Award Winner, four-time Latin GRAMMY® Award Winner, four-time Latin GRAMMY® Nominee, EMMY® Award Winner, 55-time DownBeat® Music Award Winner (record holder), and 33-time Global Music® Award Winner (record holder). His career spans over 1,400 performances on six continents, including two headlining concerts at Carnegie Hall. Valentino has produced more than 150 albums, composed music for ten documentaries, authored over 120 peer-reviewed scholarly publications, and provided over 110 keynote addresses and workshops globally. José Valentino is also recognized for raising millions of dollars to support nonprofit arts entrepreneurship education initiatives and has founded multiple influential professional development conferences, including the Music Business & Entrepreneurship Summit, International Jazz & Entrepreneurship Camp, and Global Music Entrepreneurship & Production Summit.
Andrew Wang received his undergraduate degree at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. He also has his master’s in music education from Kent State University. Andrew works as the Music Education expert for Hip Hop In The 914. Andrew has presented around the country from University of Miami to Howard University in Washington, DC, and internationally through virtual presentations in Dublin and Germany. Andrew believes good teaching happens when the student feels successful.
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