6 Things To Do In Galveston, Texas, The Home Of Juneteenth
Galveston, Texas, stands as the unique birthplace of Juneteenth, where on June 19, 1865, freedom reached the final enslaved individuals in the United States. The city commemorates that legacy through remembrance and dynamic community-driven events showcasing Black American resilience, culture, and advancement. Here are six Juneteenth events that showcase historical reenactments, educational exhibits, concerts, parades, and faith-based gatherings to embody freedom’s essence and provide residents and visitors with meaningful connections to the past while celebrating future possibilities.
Juneteenth Kickoff at Nia Cultural Center
The Nia Cultural Center hosts an evening event that officially begins Galveston’s Juneteenth week. Experience local culture and creativity by engaging with art displays and entertainment while enjoying food and photo booth activities. Community advocates will attend to deliver their personal insights and experiences.
Tom Bass Park Celebration
The City of Galveston and community organizers present the Tom Bass Park Celebration as a daytime event that honors the park’s cultural heritage and historical significance. The event presents storytelling sessions alongside musical performances and cultural tributes, creating an ideal setting for families and history enthusiasts to gather. The poignant theme of “A Reckoning: Reclaiming the Past…” establishes a reflective and uplifting atmosphere that encourages communal bonds and collective memory.
Cruise Festival At Port Of Galveston
The Cruise Festival at the Port of Galveston will deliver a family-oriented cruise-themed experience with island breezes and live music alongside local food offerings and maritime water settings. Sail date is June 14-21
Annual Parade & Picnic + Fireworks
Participate in a historic procession in Galveston, Texas, where abolition was first declared, as the Juneteenth Parade Committee and the City of Galveston organize an annual parade and picnic. The parade route extends from 26th to 41st Street before transitioning into a park picnic event and the city’s inaugural fireworks show at Menard Park. Complete the evening festivities beneath the celestial expanse.
“And Still We Rise…” Exhibit + Lectures
“And Still We Rise…” Exhibit and Lectures
The African American Heritage Committee of the Galveston Historical Foundation has arranged a series of lectures. An exhibit spanning one month presents weekly mini-lectures about the island’s history. What reasons compel a visit? To understand Juneteenth in Galveston and deeply engage with primary sources alongside personal narratives and live talks.
Annual Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast at Ashton Villa
Ashton Villa becomes the venue for the Annual Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast, which the Al Edwards Memorial Celebration organizers will host June 19. The early-morning prayer breakfast provides an exceptional chance to occupy the space where the state’s 1979 holiday bill received its first prayerful recognition. An atmosphere of emancipation while delivering a deep historical significance.
New York Theatre Educator Makes History At The Tony Awards
Gary Edwin Robinson has been teaching Boys and Girls Club students the art of theatre for over a decade.
Gary Edwin Robinson made history as the first New Yorker to win the 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award.
On June 8, the 78th Tony Awards aired live on Paramount+. Robinson, a Bed-Stuy theatre teacher for the Boys and Girls Club, made history, earning the award. The category is relatively new, having only been presented for its ninth year. Robinson’s speech was brief yet revealed much about the educator. Theatre has been his passion since he was a young performer.
“The first time I performed at Radio City Music Hall, I was 15 years old. I was singing with the all-city high school chorus when I returned to this great stage. I was singing choral backup for Miss Diana Lewis on her Take Me Higher tour.”
A teary-eyed Robinson spoke about his passion for teaching. He also spoke of his joy when his students begin to understand and connect with the art form. Additionally, he gave a shoutout to his former educator at Howard, who guided him into the art of education.
He recalled his professor’s words, “‘You are being trained to train people for careers in the theater. You got that specific yes it-factor in theater education.'”
He continued, “I love working with my students to help them find their theaterin themselves when they shout, ‘I got it,’ ‘I found it.’ That is what brings me the joy of teaching theater they are ready to see the many different pathways to a career in theater they’re open to all the possibilities i am honored to return to this great stage as the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Theater Education award.”
As an educator and creative, Robinson engages in all facets of the stage. He is a writer, producer, actor, and director. Speaking to The New York Post, Robinson discussed the application of theatre skills in real life. Although not all Boys and Girls Club attendees have dreams of gracing the stage, the skills they learn can be beneficial. He tells his potential athletes that the skill can be used to gain endorsements.
“I tell [athletes], ‘You’re going to be selected for a team and with sports figures, you have to do endorsements. That’s theater right there; you’ve got to sell the product, and that’s where the theater comes in, and that’s why you’re taking this class,” Robinson told the post.
Actively teaching for over a decade, Robinson’s students have gone on to act in productions and write for television.
Ice Cube Blasted TSA For Stealing iPad And Then It Was Swiftly ‘Recovered’
BIg3 founder never followed up on where the iPad was discovered
After accusing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of stealing his iPad, BIG3 Co-Founder O’Shea Jackson, better known as Ice Cube, immediately said the electronic unit had been “recovered.”
The situation occurred on June 13, when, according to the Amerikkka’s Most Wanted recording artist, they took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and made the accusation after departing a flight from United Airlines. In a post, he stated that his iPad was taken from United Flight 2615 at LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) or O’Hare International Airport (Chicago).
TSA stole my iPad out my bag tonight. United Flight 2615. Either LAX or O’Hara. I need my shit back ASAP or it’s a problem.
The N.W.A. co-founder then stood 10 toes down on the claim and accused one of the workers of leaving a TSA check bag slip in place of the perceived stolen Apple product, even lambasting TSA as “another dirty government agency” in a follow-up post.
Bitch just had the nerve to leave a TSA check bag slip where they it stolen from. Another dirty government agency. SMGDH https://t.co/N4LIGT8kSP
With no clue as to how this happened or any news of attempted recovery from the airline or the airport, less than an hour later, the Boyz N the Hood thespian then updated his nearly six million followers on X that the stolen item was, in fact, “recovered.”
Ice Cube did not discuss the iPad after posting that message, so it was unclear what happened or how and where it was recovered. There was no apology or statement regarding whether the iPad was, indeed, stolen, misplaced, or lost. To the entrepreneur’s credit, he left the messages up instead of deleting the tirade. Still, no acknowledgement of what transpired left followers clueless about what had taken place at the airport.
All posts after the stolen iPad accusation were related to BIG3 league action as the current season opened June 14 in the league’s first year of location-based franchises. The BIG3 has entered its eighth season.
Awkward To Authentic: Conference Networking Tips for Introverts
Networking is all about creating relationships.
Dear Fairygodmentor,
I have a few conferences coming up this summer. I know networking is crucial, but as an introvert, it feels overwhelming. What are some strategies I can use to connect authentically? – Quietly Ambitious
Dear Quietly Ambitious,
Ooh! I love a good conference! It’s learning, networking, and travel rolled all into one event. All of this conference love comes from an extrovert’s point of view. For introverts, networking at a conference may make you feel like you’re about to crash out.
It doesn’t have to be as bad as it may feel. It’s all about setting the right intentions and mentally preparing for the conference to take some of the overwhelm away.
• Reflect on your goals and intentions. When I attended my first BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit in 2020, I set several intentions. A.) To glean as much as I could to feed my mind, soul, and business; B.) Connect with as many key leaders of the conference and corporations because speaking and training are services I provide and it’s a key arm of building my business; and C.) Interview the CEO of BE so I could get some awesome advice to share with my clients one day.
Day one of the conference, I literally ran into Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE. I shared what I do for a living and asked him for one piece of advice for conference attendees. He said, “Have an on-purpose intention to going to the conference. You can’t just go to the conference to ‘network’, there has to be a goal.” What are your goals and intentions for going to this conference beyond meeting new people? These intentions will be your North Star to keep you on track as you experience this event.
• Identify networking opportunities, speakers, and sessions to attend.
• Prioritize your time to attend. Make the time—set aside time on your calendar to really take in this experience. This is an opportunity to really expand your network and learn from others across states and even countries, depending on what type of conference it is.
• Create the right learning environment. Just like you need the right space to work, you’ll need to do the same when attending a conference. Whether the conference is virtual or in person, it’s easy to want to Task Switch (checking your emails, not having your phone on silent mode, etc.) Make the area where you’re attending/learning one where you are free of distraction so you can soak up all of the conference goodness that’s about to take place.
• Stay Connected: Use the tools provided. Most conferences these days have chat tools and other apps where you can connect with other attendees, get copies of presentations (so you don’t have to overwhelm yourself taking notes), ask questions of the speakers, and even share some best practices with other attendees. There is so much magic to staying connected. Some conference sponsors may add flash events/surprise panel events, etc. Stay tuned in. I’m a sucker for contests. One conference I attended had a ”Most Tweets” contest- I won a round-trip ticket to anywhere in the continental U.S.! Download any related apps before the event. This will help you stay engaged in all the activities. If you’re very active on social media, use those conference hashtags. I was retweeted by several speakers I admired and was able to connect with them afterward. The relationships that I’ve forged during conferences have proven to be very fruitful through the years.
• Strategize a SMART action plan to get the most out of the conference. Remember, the key is to get the most out of this experience. An example of creating a SMART action plan for networking at a conference could look like this:
Build 10 meaningful professional connections at [Conference Name] within two days to expand my visibility and foster potential collaborations.
• Specific: Identify and connect with at least 10 professionals aligned with my industry, values, or future goals (e.g., speakers, execs, potential collaborators)
• Measurable: Exchange business info and/or connect on LinkedIn with 10 people.
• Attainable: Attend at least two networking events or breakout sessions per day.
• Realistic: Set aside dedicated time between sessions for informal networking (e.g., lunch, hallway chats, waiting in line).
• Time-Bound: Schedule follow-up emails/calls within five business days post-event. (Pro Tip: I personally don’t like to leave that new connection until a virtual coffee or connection is made in the moment of meeting them, so I don’t lose momentum.)
• Execute on your action plan to drive your career. It can feel overwhelming that everything may be happening at the same time.
Also, be sure to—
• Make the schedule work for you. There will be replays and recordings of other panels and sessions. You don’t need to be in all places at the same time.
• If you’re lucky to have a co-worker that you trust attend with you, be accountability buddies for each other.
• Create Introduction and Contact Me templates. When I attend conferences, I love to take tons of notes. There’s also a lot of connecting on social media and texting. Create introduction templates and KIT (keep in touch) templates with your contact information and any social media handles so you can cut and paste and keep it moving. I’m all about efficiency when you’re making things happen—virtually and in-person. (Pro Tip: When you’re adding a new contact, make note of where you met, what session, etc., and any funny/memorable moment you shared. This will help when following up and when you get a text from this person in the future.)
Joyel Crawford is an award-winning career and leadership development professional and founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies, a consultancy that empowers results-driven leaders through coaching, training, and facilitation. She’s the best-selling author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career.
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Black Educators Warn Students Will Suffer Most If Trump Dismantles Department of Education
Donald Trump's multiple threats to eliminate the Department of Education concerns teachers in states with a well-documented history of inequitable funding and racial disparity.
Donald Trump’s repeated threats to dismantle the Department of Education are sparking concern among educators—particularly in states like Mississippi, where longstanding issues of unequal funding and racial disparities persist. Some Black teachers in the state recently told the Pulitzer Center they’re feeling added pressure as a result.
Erica Jones, the executive director of the Mississippi Association of Teachers, described the myriad pressures and the weight of being a Black teacher in that state.
“I had the best classroom data and great relationships with my students,” said Jones, who is Black. “Yet a Black parent still asked for their child to be moved to a white teacher’s classroom. It made me question—was it just my skin color?”
Jones continued, “Black teachers understand their job doesn’t stop when the bell rings. We carry the weight of uplifting Black children in a system built to push them down.”
Several studies support Jones’ remarks. Research has examined how the school-to-prison pipeline disproportionately affects Black students, contributing to higher rates of disciplinary action and contact with the criminal justice system. Additionally, a study published in the Economics of Education Review found that Black teachers tend to have higher expectations for Black students compared to white teachers, highlighting potential disparities in how student potential is perceived across racial lines.
Other teachers, like a 35-year-old Mississippi Delta educator, who remained anonymous because of concerns over potential retaliation, described a school administrator she worked under who handicapped the abilities of their faculty because of intense micromanagement.
“She controlled everything—schedules, lesson plans, even how long kids could go to the restroom,” she said. “There was no room to teach. Just surveillance and stress.”
Eventually, after the environment began to take a toll on her health, she, along with other educators, decided to leave the school for their own benefit.
According to Grace Breazeale, the director of research and K-12 policy at Mississippi First, a nonprofit public policy organization, eliminating the Department of Education would mean that the education system in America would function without a critical set of guardrails which are required to make sure every child has access to a quality education.
“If the Department of Education were to be eliminated, it would significantly change the landscape of public education, especially in states like Mississippi. Federal oversight plays an important role in ensuring states meet baseline standards, particularly when it comes to distributing Title I funding fairly and enforcing civil rights laws. In a state with a long history of inequity, we need both resources and guardrails, which the USDOE helps provide.,” Breazeale told the Pulitzer Center.
In addition, as ProPublica reported in May, since the Department of Education has slashed its workforce and closed civil rights offices, investigating actual discrimination in schools has been rendered impossible, while the department’s main civil rights office is engaged in ridding schools of diversity efforts, citing anti-discrimination edicts in the process.
Within the context of the education system, an anti-diversity policy also means that disabled students, students with special needs, or students who need individualized support will be abandoned, just as they are currently being left behind by the State of Mississippi’s education system.
“I wouldn’t have made it through school without the Department of Education. People think this won’t affect them, but it will—especially kids with IEPs [Individualized Education Programs for students with special needs], free lunch programs, and Title I funding,” said Montrell Allen, a first-grade teacher in Natchez. “It’s crushing. We’re already struggling to stay afloat, and now they’re threatening to pull the lifeboat away.”
Howard University Hospital Honors Survivors, Emphasizes Trauma Care Beyond The ER
Howard University hosted its 5th Annual Victors Over Violence Award Ceremony at Howard University Hospital.
On May 30, Howard University hosted its 5th Annual Victors Over Violence Award Ceremony at Howard University Hospital, an event that honors survivors of traumatic violence as well as the healthcare teams that support them.
Howard University’s hospital has been designated a Level I Trauma Center and treats approximately 40,000 patients a year through its emergency department. It also holds space for trauma surgeons, nurses, mental health advocates, and a violence intervention and prevention unit that provides wraparound care extending from the community to the hospital’s intensive care unit.
Howard University’s Hospital Trauma Services’ Annual Victors Over Violence Award Ceremony offers a space for reflection, recognition, and healing for the community.
Among those honored this year was Derrick Scott, who has spent years recovering from the emotional and physical… pic.twitter.com/SOglpe0pzf
According to a press release from Howard University, some of the scars survivors carry don’t ever heal. “The pain doesn’t leave—you just learn to live with it,” honoree Derrick Scott said in the ceremony. “I lost my best friend. Every day I carry that pain. But I’m still here. And I’m still fighting.”
Kenyatta Hazlewood, BSN, MPH, RN, and the operational officer of the Trauma Program who hosted the ceremony, said in the press release that Scott’s story is central to why the hospital is committed to honoring all of the victims of traumatic violence, including, but not limited to, gun violence.
“The first goal is always to save a life,” said Dr. Alexander Evans. “But what comes after—the emotional, psychological, and spiritual healing—that’s where the real recovery begins. Every patient carries their injury differently. Some need surgeries. Some need silence. All of them need support.”
Scott opened up about the wounds that those who live carry inside of them.
“Not everybody walks away from it,” Scott said. “I lost my friend that night. I think about it every day. Some of us are still in it. Some of us are trying to run from it. But the best way through is to face it, to talk about it, and to find people who won’t let you give up.”
According to Dr. Roger A. Mitchell, the president of Howard University Hospital, Scott’s story emphasizes the need for traumatic violence to be seen and treated as a public health crisis.
“When we talk about trauma, we’re not just talking about gunshot wounds or car accidents—we’re talking about the chronic, layered impact of violence on entire communities. That means showing up for survivors not only when they arrive in crisis, but long after they’ve been discharged.”
He concluded, “Healing doesn’t happen in a single surgery. It’s a process, and it requires community. Events like this luncheon remind us that the people we care for are more than cases. When you see someone like Derrick come back stronger, it’s a reminder of the impact we can have when trauma care is continuous, compassionate, and community-based.”
Gratitude Can Take You Far In-and-Out Of The Office
There is one trick that can help struggling employees push through difficult days and its completely free: gratitude.
Achieving the right work-life balance is not always easy. As employees attempt to get through meetings, special projects, and regular job tasks, many carry the weight of stress. One trick that can help struggling individuals and employees push through is gratitude.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “Eighty percent of U.S. workers have reported experiencing workplace stress, and more than 50% believe their stress related to work impacts their life at home.”
The Associated Press spoke with several professionals about their efforts to maintain gratitude at the forefront, which helps them push through challenging situations and long days.
Organizational development consultant Alison C. Jones said, “When you practice gratitude, you train your brain to always look for the positive in anything. It just completely shifts everything you’re going through.”
Jones’s method of gratitude is used in the morning to ensure her workday is tolerable. Still, for those without personal gratefulness practices, employers can help foster an environment filled with gratitude.
The O.C. Tanner Institute specializes in mindfulness and helps companies find ways to show appreciation to their employees.
“Recognition impacts so many facets of the employee experience. And when you do it well, it connects people back to a deep sense of purpose and meaning,” said Meghan Stettler, a director at O.C. Tanner.
Ways to Foster Personal Gratitude
Listening to gratitude playlists
Share daily things you’re grateful for with a “gratitude” buddy
Write in a daily gratefulness journal
Ways to Foster Office Gratitude
Sending thank-you notes to employees
Offering lunch, breakfast, or snack bars
Shutting down the office early
Host mindfulness or yoga lessons in the office
Organize monthly praise reports with employees
Create a work or Slack channel where employees can list successes for the week.
Releasing stress can help lower blood pressure, increase productivity levels, and improve overall health. Whether your release method is mindfulness, meditation, or gratitude, the benefits are immeasurable.
Detroit Tigers Host ‘Black In Baseball Weekend,’ Honor The Negro Leagues
The Detroit Tigers recently played their 29th annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game, honoring Detroit legends like Norman "Turkey" Stearnes.
The Detroit Tigers held its 29th annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game, paying homage to Detroit icons like Norman “Turkey” Stearnes on Saturday, June 14.
According to WWJ Newsradio 950, the Tigers gave away Detroit Stars jerseys to the first 15,000 fans who entered Comerica Park and conducted a Q&A session with former Negro Leagues players including Minnie Forbes, Johnny Walker, Ron Teasley, and Pedro Sierra ahead of the game. There was also a curated mini concourse museum under the ballpark’s Comerica Landing section and assorted photo ops around the ballpark.
Kaleb Johnson and Kyle Terry, MVP’s of the Black Baseball Motor City Classic, threw and caught the first pitch at today’s game! pic.twitter.com/BhkdO343QJ
— Detroit Tigers Community Impact (@TigersCommunity) June 15, 2025
According to WXYZ, the late Stearnes’ daughters, Joyce Stearnes Thompson and Rosilyn Stearnes-Brown, sang the national anthem on June 13, and the Black National Anthem on June 14.
On June 15, which closes the Tigers’ Black in Baseball Weekend, the first pitch will be thrown out by Kyle Terry and Kaleb Johnson, the MVPs of the Black Baseball Motor City Classic.
On Juneteenth, which closes the Tigers’ homestand, Angela Davis, president of Detroit’s NAACP branch, will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” while Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Saxophonist Daryl Beebe will perform the national anthem.
Major League Baseball has been recognizing the Negro Leagues in recent years, epitomized by the inclusion of Negro Leagues statistics into the record books during the 2024 season and the inclusion of the Negro Leagues into the storylines of MLB The Show, the popular video game.
Bob Kendrick, president of Kansas City’s National Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, a central figure in the Storylines mode, told the Today Show that for him, the central question the Negro Leagues asked, in contrast to MLB’s apartheid system was, “Can you play?”
In 2024, Kendrick reflected on the positive effect that the museum’s feature in the video game mode has had in an interview with Paste Magazine.
“All last year, people were coming because they saw the museum in the video game. That was, to me, one of the ways in which you can already begin to measure the impact that this game has had. The month of February was made free of charge by our friends over at the Kansas City Royals, just as it has been the previous two years, and we saw record attendance this year. Over 16,000 people in the month of February, which is approaching June, July kind of numbers when we’re in our peak visitation season. That was tremendous to see,” Kendrick said.
He continued, “I’ve brought it to you where you can engage with it, and now you wanna learn more, and to me that’s what makes this game have such a meaningful impact. Through this video game, we have introduced the Negro Leagues to millions of young people and young adults who likely would have never known about the history of the Negro Leagues, or even for that matter maybe not even cared about the history of the Negro Leagues until they got it in this video game. That is more young people, young adults who have been connected to this game than has walked through these turnstiles over the 30 plus years that this museum has been in operations. That’s the impact.”
BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, A Low-Key Superstar, Leads College Basketball In NIL Valuation
The expectations for Dybantsa's freshman season are sky-high.
AJ Dybantsa, the country’s number-one high school player in the country and arguably the biggest college basketball signing in Brigham Young University’s history, leads all of college basketball in NIL valuation: an estimated $4.1 million value, according to Athlon Sports.
The 6’9 Dybantsa is reportedly the first male basketball athlete to be sponsored by Red Bull and is signed by Nike in a multi-million dollar deal. He has denied rumors of a $7 million contract with BYU.
BYU is now projected to contend with the defending conference champions, the University of Houston, for the Big 12 title. Regardless of how BYU’s season goes, Dybantsa has already indicated that he will declare for the NBA draft at the end of his freshman year.
“He’s what the NBA is looking for. Wings with legitimate size that understand the game can create offense and then, in theory, can guard multiple guys,” an NBA front office executive told The Athletic.
Dybantsa seemed unconcerned with the exact value of his deals in January when he told the outlet that his deals more or less were executed by his father.
“People just gonna talk, but I (didn’t) even know how much I’m getting. They just tell my dad all of that. I’m trying to make it to the NBA, so wherever they can get me the fastest there with the best development, there’s a whole lot of pillars that come with it. Money’s going to come if I do the work, so I’m not worried about the money in a year,” Dybantsa said.
An example of his aversion to chasing a bag just to chase a bag is his NIL deal with the prep academy Utah Prep, where he signed a $600,000 deal to finish his high school career. He had a more lucrative offer from Florida’s more prestigious Montverde Academy.
“Montverde, we can use them as an example, I’m trying to show people you don’t have to go to a school like that to accomplish certain things,” Dybantsa said. “They’re a great school, and they’ve got the most league guys from high school. So, there’s no knock going there. But you don’t have to go to a school like that.
“You don’t want to just sign with somebody,” he added. “You want to be partners with them. There’s a lot more to an offer than just money. People only see the money part of it, but it’s not just about money. I’m not gonna change. They might. There are some people I know that become famous and change their whole personality. They want to have this lavish lifestyle, but I just stick to who I am, and I think people mess with that.”
These Black Fathers Are Shifting The Narrative On Autism
New organizations are putting Black fathers and their children at the forefront of the autism conversation.
Black fathers of children with autism are creating a space for these conversations as committed parents. They are encouraging the hesitant to speak up about their emotions, fears, and hopes for their children beyond the diagnosis.
Tyrone Green, a Black father to a 3-year-old boy living with autism, did not know where to turn when he learned of his son’s diagnosis. He felt loneliness regarding his aspirations for his son, and how his new reality could change these dreams.
“(M)y wife couldn’t understand what I was going through as a Black father, all these hopes and dreams I had for my kid,” explained Green to the Associated Press. “She didn’t feel the same way.”
Instead of staying in this state of hopelessness, the Michigan resident found a community that understood his plight. He joined a Black fathers’ support group in 2021, creating a podcast two years later that speaks on Black fatherhood and autism. Called AutisHIM, the show centers on the all-encompassing reality on raising children with the developmental condition.
Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect people’s social skills, communication, and learning capabilities. As autism exists on a spectrum, it can vary greatly.
Studies have detailed that autism prevalence is higher among Black children than their white counterparts, as confirmed by Autism Speaks. However, systemic biases have led to delayed diagnoses, furthering complicating the journeys of Black children who have the condition.
While political leaders like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy have disregarded autism as a “tragedy,” Black fathers are aiming to change the narratives on their children. One professor emphasized the importance of Black dads staying engaged in these health conversations, while understanding that people with the disorder can still live full lives.
“The challenge is convincing people to (talk openly and honestly), because the practice of doing that is rare, not just among Black men, but people in general,” shared Michael Hannon, a counseling professor at Montclair (NJ) State University who studies the social and emotional aspects of autism on Black fatherhood.
Other organizations have expanded their messaging to bring more Black fathers of autistic children into the community. Dr. Berry Pierre, co-founder of Autism in Black with his wife, Maria Davis-Pierre, wants to promote how engaged Black fathers are in their children’s education and futures.
“The dads are there, but we know the general public doesn’t realize that yet,” shared Pierre. “So we try to serve as this engine to shine a light on what’s really happening. The dads are there, they’re attentive. And even with this diagnosis, they’re going even harder.”
