URL Weekly 03/15

Next-level reporting. Innovative Black & Brown publishers.

Friday, March 15, 2024

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Today is Friday, and we’re highlighting stories from across the URL Media network about a new media alliance curating works against colonial violence, celebrating Ramadan during a time of sorrow, and a Southern California city losing all three of its Black city council members.

I’ve written about the ongoing crisis in Haiti before, but in the last week the situation has gone from dire to catastrophic. In tomorrow’s newsletter, we’re breaking down how we got here. — Alicia Ramirez

Uplift. 🙌🏼 Respect. 💯 Love. 💛

📰 A new media alliance uplifts movement journalism: During the ongoing U.S.-backed Israeli siege and genocide in Gaza, media workers have come together to form Media Against Apartheid & Displacement, a media hub curating works against colonial violence. Scalawag has the story here.

💔 Native nonbinary student Nex Benedict died by suicide, medical examiner rules: The death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict, the nonbinary teen whose mother is a tribal citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, has been ruled a suicide according to a medical examiner's report. Native News Online has more here. 

🏫 Fla. universities eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion positions: As of March 1, the University of Florida has eliminated 13 full-time positions related to DEI, and the Miami-based Florida International University also eliminated its DEI program as a result of a new directive from the state Board of Governors. Prism has the story here.

More: NAACP urges Black student athletes to rethink attending Florida public universities over anti-DEI policies (🎧 WURD Radio)

📈 Poll says abortion is a growing election issue among Black women: Voters go to the ballot box for several reasons, but some voters head to the polls primarily for one issue. New polling suggests abortion is the latest single issue for many Black women voters this year. Black Girl Times has the story here.

Join us in celebrating the launch of URL Media’s new hub for independent journalism by Black and Brown publishers! Discover the stories and perspectives that matter. Check it out here.

🇨🇳 Chinese Americans and the shadow of surveillance: Chinese American immigrants, on both ends of the political spectrum, are being targeted by government agents in both China and the United States — a manifestation of strained relations between the two nations. Documented has the story here.

✊🏽 What’s changed in Minn.’s policing since George Floyd was murdered? Not enough, advocates say: The Minnesota Justice Coalition is urging Democrats to pass legislation this session that they say will increase police accountability in the state. The group says not enough progressive reforms are being pushed through this session even though Democrats have control of the Minnesota House, Senate, and governor’s office. Sahan Journal has the story here.

🗳️ This Calif. city is losing all three of its Black city council members: After last week’s primary election, the Southern California city of San Bernardino is without a single Black city council member for the first time in more than 50 years. Black Voice News has the story here.

🚔 Can there be new life for this old Detroit police station?: The Belle Isle Police Station has been vacant since 2014 when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources took over management of the island park, but the nonprofit Detroit Community Sailing Center is in the early stages of considering taking on the renovation project. Outlier Media has the story here.

☕️ This N.J. city only has one Starbucks, and it’s set to close: In a surprising turn of events, Trenton, New Jersey’s sole Starbucks establishment is slated to shut down permanently later this month. Locals, who have frequented the store since its opening in 2017, said they were shocked by the news. Trenton Journal has the story here.

🪞 Beyond skin deep: Exploring the complexities of beauty: The beauty landscape has undergone a seismic shift from societal perceptions to self-reflection in the age of social media and video calls. Dr. John Mesa, the “king of buccal fat removal,” joins Immigrantly to discuss the complex interplay of beauty, technology and societal norms. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here.

🎓 Omega Black College Tour celebrates its 38th year: The Xi Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., located in Harlem, New York, just finished its 38th annual Omega Black College Tour — taking high school scholars across the country to the nation’s leading HBCU campuses. Watch The Yard has the story here.

🥾 Diversifying the outdoors, one step at a time: The lack of diversity in the outdoors has led several Latinas to create spaces where they and other women of color can feel comfortable exploring nature, and these five Latinas are doing just that. Luz Media has the story here.

🕌 Ramadan 2024: Iftar and special celebrations: This year’s Ramadan begins under the shadow of tens of thousands of Palestinians who have been killed during Israeli attacks in Gaza. In this time of sorrow for so many, Epicenter-NYC has put together a list of local events intended to support, strengthen, and encourage those who are observing the religious holiday. Read more here.

More: The rich and wonderful traditions of Ramadan (URL Media)

🕊 Noted musician and producer Ernie Fields Jr. passes: Ernie Fields Jr., a Tulsa, Oklahoma native who toured with musicians like the Temptations, Sam Cooke, the Impressions, and Lionel Hampton, passed away at his Pasadena, California, home earlier this month. He was 89. The Oklahoma Eagle has the story here.

🤳🏽 Why this influencer takes breaks from social media: When the pandemic hit, Vanessa Sirias lost her news job and doubled down on creating her own content. Now, as a creator and influencer, she explains how her early foray into YouTube prepared her for the “TikTok Boom of 2020,” a subsequent job offer from BuzzFeed, and what to do when the algorithm steals the joy of performing and creating. 🎧 Listen to the full episode of Latina to Latina here.

🏅 Chinese American WWII veterans receive Congressional Gold Medal: Six Chinese American veterans who fought in World War II were honored with a Congressional Gold Medal at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans on Saturday. AsAmNews has the story here.

🎙 Twice as Good: Ramadan, Gaza and what now? 

In episode four of the “Twice as Good” podcast, URL Media co-founders Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita are joined by special guest Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, the founder and editor in chief of Muslim, an independent media platform dedicated to delivering Muslim news, stories and coverage. They talk about how Muslims around the world are experiencing the holy month of Ramadan amidst the war on Gaza. 🎧 Listen to the episode here.

Sara Lomax-Reese, CEO of WURD Radio, media entrepreneur for almost 30 years, served as Program Lead for the inaugural Facebook BIPOC Sustainability Accelerator and is a former John S. Knight Fellow.

S. Mitra Kalita, former SVP at CNN Digital, current CEO & Publisher at Kalita Mukul Creative Inc., which publishes Epicenter-NYC, The Unmuted and The Escape Home has worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The LA Times, and has launched brands like Mint and Quartz.

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