by Mary Spiller

March 1, 2025

Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, And More Reveal Hollywood’s Secrets In New Doc ‘Number One On The Call Sheet

'Number One On The Call Sheet' premieres March 28 on Apple TV.

Apple TV released a new trailer for an upcoming documentary featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest Black stars discussing the industry and their roles within it. “Number One on the Call Sheet,” featuring Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, and Jamie Foxx, among others, premieres March 28.

The Apple TV two-part documentary will spotlight Hollywood’s Black cinema stars and allow them to open up about their path to greatness.

“Number One on the Call Sheet” offers a raw and honest account of tackling the challenges they have faced in Hollywood.

“Number One on the Call Sheet” actually features two films. The first is “Black Leading Men in Hollywood,” directed by Academy Award-winner Reginald Hudlin, and the second is “Black Leading Women in Hollywood,” directed by Shola Lynch, an NAACP Image Award-winner.

Hudlin explained in a press release, “It doesn’t matter what business you’re in. Learning about their mindset, their grit, and their unique definitions of success will be inspirational to every viewer. I can’t wait for the world to see it.”

Both parts of the documentary aim to highlight the collective story of how Black actors have risen to the top in an industry with a history of marginalizing and undervaluing them.

The Apple TV show has an all-star lineup, listing names like Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, Viola Davis, Morris Chestnut, Michael B. Jordan, Taraji P. Henson, and Octavia Spencer to sit in honest interviews on their stardom.

“Number One on the Call Sheet” is produced by Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Datari Turner, and Dan Cogan. The two-part documentary will include content that spans generations of Black Hollywood juggernauts discussing the reality of navigating the industry and having historic milestones.

“‘Number One on the Call Sheet’ celebrates the grit, strength, and brilliance of those who came before us while uplifting the next generation,” Bassett said in a press release. “It’s an honor to pay homage to the legends and shine a light on the limitless possibilities ahead for Black and brown talent.”

“Number One on the Call Sheet” premieres March 28 on Apple TV.

Black Woman General, Military Healthcare, Telita Crosland,

by Mary Spiller

March 1, 2025

Black Woman General In Charge Of Military Healthcare, Telita Crosland, Abruptly Retires

Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland resigned after 32 years of service.

Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, the Black woman in charge of the Pentagon’s healthcare branch, has resigned. Following President Donald Trump’s administration firing a slew of top military officers last week, Crosland resigned from the Defense Health Agency (DHA) on Feb. 28.

Crosland oversaw the DHA, which provides accessible healthcare to nearly 10 million U.S. troops, retirees, and their families.

According to the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Stephen Ferrara, she has already been replaced.

Ferrara said that Crosland started her retirement of her own volition.

“I want to thank Crosland for her dedication to the nation, to the military health system, and to Army medicine for the past 32 years,” Ferrara said in a public statement.

“I am confident the DHA will continue to improve healthcare in support of our beneficiaries and rise to meet complex security challenges worldwide,” Ferrara concluded.

Crosland previously made history as the first Black woman to lead the Defense Health Agency, after a lifetime of military accreditation.

Crosland’s resignation comes at a tumultuous time in the Pentagon. Just last week, President Trump’s Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, fired several high-ranking military officials without reason, including the United State’s most senior military officer, Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown.

Brown is a Black officer who Hegseth previously discussed and criticized for his support of rapidly evolving diversity initiatives.

In addition to firing Gen. Brown, Jr. as Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hegseth fired Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the chief of naval operations, and Air Force Gen. James Slife, the vice chief of the Air Force. Before Crosland resigned, Hegseth said he was reportedly “requesting nominations” for the jobs of judge advocate general, or JAG, for the Army, Navy, and Air Force in the Pentagon but gave no explicit conduct citations as to why the firings took place.

by Mary Spiller

March 1, 2025

Family Of Man Fatally Shot By White Neighbor While ATV Riding Hires Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump

Ja'Keem Williams was shot and killed by Ralph Hensel for ATV riding in a neighborhood.

The family of Ja’Keem Williams, a Black man fatally shot while riding an ATV in a Winter Garden neighborhood in Flordia by 57-year-old Ralph Hensel, who is white, has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent them.

Crump stood by the Williams family in a press conference on Feb. 28 and called upon the public and authorities to act with “transparency” and “justice” as the case proceeded.

Crump said, “We’re asking for full transparency. We’re asking that the truth be told so that we can get justice. We want criminal culpability for this…[we can’t] call him [Hensel] a vigilante because Ja’Keem wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

Crump continued passionately, “This person [Hensel] who thought he had a right to impose his will on the people who lived adjacent to his apartment complex…Ja’Keem did not deserve to be taken from this earth like this.”

As reported by Fox35 Orlando, the Winter Garden Police Department arrested Hensel after he shot and killed Williams, 32. Williams was riding his ATV through the neighborhood at the time of the shooting, and police discovered Williams unresponsive at the Bay Pointe apartments on Feb. 20.

Hensel told authorities that he previously expressed frustration with ATV riders in the neighborhood and had even told law enforcement that if officers did not intervene, he would “take action himself.”

Hensel disclosed that he worked for the apartment complex leasing office. He’s currently facing a first-degree murder charge. According to Orange County court records, Hensel is being held without bond.

Crump referenced transparency in the case, as police have not yet revealed if Hensel specifically targeted Williams or any details surrounding Hensel’s defense. Williams’ family described Ja’Keem as a loving father to five children, sharing three with Briana Bermudez and acting as a father figure to Sierra Rose’s two children. He was described as “kindhearted and non-confrontational.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 1, 2025

Angie Stone, Music Icon Behind ‘Funk You Up’ and R&B Classics, Dies At 63 In Car Crash

Angie Stone’s legacy as a singer, songwriter, and cultural pioneer will continue to inspire for generations.

Angie Stone, a pioneering voice in hip-hop and R&B, has tragically died at 63 following a car crash in Montgomery, Alabama. She had performed in the city on Feb. 28.

Her representative, Deborah R. Champagne, confirmed the news, stating that Stone was killed early Saturday morning after leaving a performance. Few details are available, and Montgomery authorities have not yet released a statement about the incident.

Stone’s death sent shockwaves through the music industry. Known for her powerful voice and trailblazing career, she first gained fame as a member of The Sequence, the first all-female hip-hop group signed to Sugar Hill Records. The group’s 1979 hit “Funk You Up” became a cornerstone of hip-hop history, influencing artists across generations and being sampled by stars like Bruno Mars and Dr. Dre.

The talented singer’s solo career in the late 1990s marked another chapter of success. Her debut album, Black Diamond, went gold, and her follow-up hit, “Wish I Didn’t Miss You,” remains a fan favorite. She later transitioned into acting, appearing in films like The Hot Chick and Ride Along.

Her most recent work included the project “Our Problem,” on which she collaborated with artists such as Amanda Shires, Cyndi Lauper, and Morgane Stapleton.

On Feb.1, Stone took to Instagram to catch up with fans and to–ironically– pray for the people who had lost their lives in plane crashes at the top of the year.

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A post shared by Angie Stone (@theangiestone)

Stone is survived by her son, Michael, daughter, Diamond, and two grandchildren. Champagne described her death as a heartbreaking loss for her loved ones and the music community.

Angie Stone’s legacy as a singer, songwriter, and cultural pioneer will continue to inspire for generations.

First Black Superintendent, Virginia Military Institute

by Mary Spiller

March 1, 2025

First Black Superintendent At Virginia Military Institute Denied Contract Extension By Board

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins will be stepping down later this year.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins will be stepping down in June from his position as the first-ever Black superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute. The announcement comes after the school’s board voted against extending his contract on Feb. 28 in a 10-6 vote.

The VMI’s governor-appointed Board of Visitors declined to extend Wins’ contract in a closed-session meeting after discourse surged in the week before the decision.

Wins’ position caused conflict on the VMI campus, particularly surrounding the future for Black students in attendance.
Wins is a VMI graduate with 34 years of experience serving in the Army. He was hired as superintendent just four years ago amid a slew of allegations that VMI — the U.S.’ oldest state-supported military college — was suffering from widespread racism. During his time as superintendent, Wins launched diversity, equity, and inclusion improvement efforts and bolstered the school’s application rate, but internally faced backlash from more conservative alums, parents, students, and community members who argued that his DEI initiatives were racist against white students.

He was first appointed VMI’s superintendent in November 2020, just months after George Floyd’s killing. Then, the next year, results of a state-ordered investigation were released to the public, revealing that VMI suffered from a “racist and sexist culture.”

After being hired, Wins got to work, making the carousel a safer and more inclusive place for all students. However, his reforms hit a wall of pushback after a group of white alumni launched a political action committee called the Spirit of VMI in direct opposition to his inclusive agenda. The Spirit of VMI campaigned and raised money for more conservative candidates for state office to push back on Wins.

According to The Washington Post, Black cadets at VMI believe that Wins has made the campus safer and that his initiatives have improved some of the more difficult aspects of campus life.

Besides expanding DEI programs, Wins improved VMI’s national rankings and enrollment rates following the pandemic.

As the time to vote on Wins’ contract loomed earlier this month, in a letter to the clerks of the state’s General Assembly, U.S. Rep. Ben Cline (R-Virginia) alleged that state Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-Prince William) had allegedly tried to pressure the university board to renew Wins’s contract by reportedly threatening to withhold funding for a VMI leadership and ethics center.

Cline called for state politicians to investigate Foy’s alleged actions.

Foy has denied those claims but stated that she gave advice to John Adames, the president of the VMI board, after he contacted her and stated that his fellow board members were trying to get rid of Wins.

Foy said, “He informed me that he was a supporter of the superintendent, but the board did not want to continue on with the Black superintendent. I did say, ‘You’re putting everything for VMI at risk — the reputation, all that we’re fighting for. It’s racist what you’re doing and it’s not going to go over well.’”

The VMI has over 1,500 cadets in attendance, and only 7% of the student body is Black. The college did not allow admission to Black men until 1968 and excluded women until 1997.

by Daniel Johnson

March 1, 2025

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Trolls Racist Attacker With Witty Clapback After Receiving Offensive Message

'The years may change, but the racism stays the same," Scott replied.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has often found himself in the crosshairs of racists for daring to do his job while Black. After receiving a message invoking an age-old racist trope implying Black people are monkeys, Scott decided to poke fun at whoever sent him the message on social media.

According to The Root, a person attempted to troll Scott by sending a photo of the mayor wearing a large red clown nose, seemingly hoping to provoke an emotional reaction. However, when the troll failed to get the expected response, the messages quickly descended into incoherent racist language. Instead of engaging in the same negativity, Scott used the opportunity to educate the public about the ongoing and irrational nature of racism.

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A post shared by Mayor Brandon M. Scott (@mayorbmscott)

After Scott received the image of the clown nose, he responded with what looked like an automated response, “Hi, thanks for contacting us. We’ve received your message and appreciate you reaching out.”

The troll, frustrated by Scott’s calm response, then ironically accused him of being racist before sending an oversized image of a banana—invoking a long-standing racist trope dating back to the pseudoscientific racism of the 18th and 19th centuries that dehumanized Black people.

“Another F*****G RACIST PRICK HOPE TRUMP AUDITS YA NASTY ASS GO EAT A FKN BANI,” the troll wrote.

Scott took the opportunity to post his response to the interaction on his social media account, offering up his take on how absurd and pervasive racism is.

Scott posted the interaction to his Instagram account, along with a caption indicating that, much like in Trump’s first term in 2016, the president and his administration are emboldening racists to be more outspoken and brash about their hatred because they feel safe to do so.

“The years may change, but the racism stays the same. These folks are emboldened by this current federal administration. Although the internet is now the place they spew their vile hatred, their vocabulary clearly has not evolved much over the last 500 years. BTW, I eat two bananas a day to help keep my mind and body strong in the fight against racism, sexism, or any type of hatred,” Scott wrote in his caption.

The attacks are similar to the attacks and criticism Scott received in the wake of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge for the egregious crime of not wearing a suit to an appearance hours after the crash occurred.

“They don’t have the courage to say the N-word.” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott fires back at right-wing trolls who call him a “DEI mayor”. (Video: MSNBC) pic.twitter.com/Vp0L3JcC0c
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) March 28, 2024

The delusional right is trying to fit everything into their anti-DEI narrative. This totally senseless racist attack on Mayor Brandon Scott gives the game away. They’re essentially saying that anyone who is Black isn’t qualified for their role. It’s shameless white supremacy. https://t.co/fyzNHaD6JM
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) March 28, 2024

Scott was also mockingly referred to as a DEI mayor by racists, whom he noted in an interview with former MSNBC host Joy Reid lacked the temerity to call him the N-word.

Scott also responded to the social media trolls by turning their taunt into a campaign, flipping their DEI pejorative into “definitely earned it” and “duly elected incumbent,” indicating a penchant for wry, witty comebacks and gracious clapbacks.

by Mary Spiller

March 1, 2025

Alicia Keys Gets Her Own Barbie As Mattel Celebrates Women In Music

The special edition doll is up for auction.

Barbie has just revealed its 2025 “Career of the Year: Women in Music” collection, honoring multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys. In celebration of the Barbie movie’s one-year anniversary, which earned three Grammys and 11 nominations for its soundtrack album, this special edition doll is up for auction through March 2.

Mattel, the toy company behind Barbie, stated in a press release, “The 2025 Barbie Women in Music: Career of the Year set features two distinct industry roles—Musical Artist and Tour Manager—designed to inspire the next generation to explore careers in music, both on stage and behind the scenes.”

With the new Career of the Year line, Barbie will highlight the role of a singer with Keys and tour manager — focusing on a position where women of color are often underrepresented and marginalized.

The Barbie line features both Keys and her recording engineer, Ann Mincieli.

According to Billboard, Mincieli has won four Grammys as a producer in the industry and is best known for her work engineering some of Key’s most successful studio albums and songs, including “The Diary of Alicia Keys” and “Girl On Fire.”

Their two unique Barbie dolls show them wearing a “She is the Music” T-shirt, and Keys is decked out in a matching denim fit.

Mattel’s new release intends to celebrate the “Girl On Fire” singer and her producer in an iconic duo set highlighting women in the music industry.

The company stated, “Only 22% of artists across music charts are female; the Barbie Musical Artist doll celebrates the women leaving their hearts on the stage by performing and singing their own music across genres.”

The tour manager doll represents the only 31% of tour managers worldwide who are women.

The Keys and Mincieli Barbie dolls are one-of-a-kind and will be auctioned through Bidding for Good. All of the proceeds will go toward the She Is The Music initiative.

The Keys Barbie doll is one in a recent line that Mattel has been dropping in the Women in Music set, and the rest of the pieces are available for purchase now.

Tank’s Role In Broadway Musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Is A ‘Dream Come True’

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 1, 2025

Tank’s Role In Broadway Musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Is A ‘Dream Come True’

Tank is the latest addition to Alicia Keys' *Hell's Kitchen*, but his run will be for a limited time only.

Tank is bringing his acclaimed musical talents to Alicia Keys’ Grammy and Tony Award-winning Hell’s Kitchen for a limited 12-week run in the role of Davis.

The five-time Grammy nominee will take over the role from Brandon Victor Dixon, who originated the character and earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance. Dixon will give his final performance on March 9.

“Stepping onto the Broadway stage is a dream come true,” Tank said in a statement. “Music and acting have always been a part of my journey, and now, I get to bring them together in a whole new way. The energy of live theater is unmatched, and I’m honored to join this incredible cast and be part of telling this powerful story through Alicia Keys’ music. This transition is both thrilling and humbling, and I can’t wait to give audiences everything I’ve got!”

Keys is one of many artists who have worked with Tank throughout his 25-year career. His catalog features some of R&B’s biggest hits, including five No. 1 singles: “Can’t Let It Show,” “I Deserve,” “Slow,” “See Through Love,” and “Before We Get Started.”

As a songwriter and producer, Tank has collaborated with industry giants such as Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Aaliyah, Fantasia, Jamie Foxx, and Jennifer Hudson. On the acting side, Tank has held roles in Lifetime’s “Seven Deadly Sins: Lust,” HBO’s Togetherness,” VH-1’s “Hit The Floor,” and BET’s “The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story,” among others.

Keys has expressed her excitement about Tank joining her award-winning musical, even if just for a limited time.

“From songwriting to producing to performing, Tank brings so many talents to the table as a multi-faceted artist,” she said. “We are thrilled he has chosen to make his Broadway debut at HELL’S KITCHEN and we can’t wait to show audiences the power and vulnerability he brings to the role of “Davis.’”

Hell’s Kitchen is a jukebox musical featuring the music and lyrics of Alicia Keys and centered around a semi-autobiographical story inspired by her upbringing in 1990s Manhattan. Since its debut, the musical has earned widespread acclaim, receiving 13 Tony nominations and winning two awards last year.

by Ahsan Washington

March 1, 2025

20 Black Women Who Go Down In Women’s History

Women’s History Month is upon us

Celebrating women’s history first came into effect with humble beginnings as one week in March 1978. The week has since evolved and, in 1987, became a monthlong, nationally recognized celebration in the United States that champions gender equality and the achievements of women throughout history. To kick off Women’s History Month, BLACK ENTERPRISE is spotlighting 20 influential Black women and acknowledging their extraordinary journey and the barriers they’ve broken along the way. These women have left their mark in a host of areas, from business and politics to the arts and activism. Their legacies have shaped society and inspired progress.

Source: (Public Domain) Harriet Tubman March 1833 – March 10, 1913 Dorchester, Maryland Harriet Tubman made history as an abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad, leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom while also serving as a spy during the Civil War. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/harriet-tubman

Source: (Public Domain) Charlotte E. Ray January 13, 1850 – January 4, 1911 New York, New York Charlotte E. Ray made history as the first African American woman to earn a law degree and practice in the United States, graduating from Howard University Law School in 1872. oag.dc.gov/blog/black-history-month-celebrating-charlotte-e-ray

Source: (Public Domain) Madam C.J. Walker December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919 Delta, Louisiana Madam C.J. Walker made history as the first self-made African American female millionaire by developing a successful line of hair care products tailored for Black women, revolutionizing the beauty industry. Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.) (photographers).

Source: (Public Domain) Mary Mcleod Bethune July 10,1875 – May 18, 1955 Maysville, South Carolina Mary McLeod Bethune made history as an influential educator and civil rights leader, founding a school that became Bethune-Cookman University and advising President Franklin D. Roosevelt. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-mcleod-bethune

Bessie Coleman — Source: **(Photo via public domain)**

Source: (Public Domain) Hattie Mcdaniel June 10, 1893 – October 26, 1953 Wichita, Kansas Hattie McDaniel made history as the first African American woman to win an Academy Award, receiving the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Gone with the Wind in 1940. https://hattiemcdaniel.com/about-hattie/

Source: (Photo credit: copyright John Mathew Smith 2001Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com) Gwendolyn Brooks June 7, 1917 – December 3, 2000 Topeka Kansas Gwendolyn Brooks made history as the first African American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1950, recognized for her impactful work in literature. https://www.brookscollegeprep.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=4299378&type=d&pREC_ID=2527668

Source: (Photo credit: Adam Cuerden, Wikimedia Commons) Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) Brooklyn, New York Shirley Chisholm made history in 1968 when she became the first black woman to be elected to congress serving New York 12th district for 7 terms. https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/individuals/shirley-chisholm

Source: (Photo credit: Gotfryd Bernard, Wikimedia Commons) Toni Morrison February 18,1931 – August 5, 2019 Lorain, Ohio Toni Morrison broke new ground in 1993 as the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, celebrated for her powerful exploration of Black life and identity. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/literature/1993/summary/

Source: (copyright John Mathew Smith 2001, Wikimedia Commons) Wangari Maathai April 1, 1940 – September 25, 2011 Ihithe, Kenya Wangari Maathai made history as the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her environmental activism and work in promoting sustainable development and women’s rights. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2004/maathai/facts/

Source: (Photo credit: Oregon State University) Angela Davis January 26, 1944 Birmingham, Alabama Angela Davis became a groundbreaking figure as an activist and scholar, advocating for racial justice and prison reform, and symbolizing resistance after her arrest and acquittal in the 1970s. wams.nyhistory.org/growth-and-turmoil/feminism-and-the-backlash/angela-davis/

Source: (Photo credit: Christopher Peterson, Wikimedia Common) Beverly Johnson October 13, 1952 Buffalo, New York Beverly Johnson made history as the first African American woman to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine in 1974, breaking barriers in the fashion industry.

Source: (Lonnie Tague for the Department of Justice) Loretta Lynch May 21, 1959 Greensboro, North Carolina Loretta Lynch gained recognition as the first African American woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General, advocating for civil rights, criminal justice reform, and combating corruption and discrimination. http://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/loretta-lynch/

Oprah Winfrey, The Color Purple, cameo, employees — Source: (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) Oprah Winfrey January 29, 1954 Kosciusko, Mississippi Oprah made history as the first Black woman to own her own production company. revolutionizing the media industry with her talk show, philanthropy, and business ventures. https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/oprah-winfrey/

Source: REF: JSC 247-37-003 ONBOARD PHOTO STS-47 ONBOARD PHOTO VIEW. ASTRONAUT MAE JEMISON, MISSION SPECIALIST WORKING IN SL-J MODULE. Mae Jemison October 17, 1956 Decatur, Alabama Mae Jemison made history as the first African American woman to travel in space, breaking barriers in science and inspiring generations of women and minorities in STEM fields. https://www.perotmuseum.org/events/children-and-families/stemleaders/mae-jemison/

Martha's vineyard film festival, Michelle Obama — Source: Photo by Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images) Michelle Obama January 17, 1964 Chicago, Illinois History was made in 2009 as Michelle Obama became the first African American First Lady of The United States of America beside the 44th president Barack Obama. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/first-lady-michelle-obama Michelle Obama January 17, 1964 Chicago, Illinois History was made in 2009 as Michelle Obama became the first African American First Lady of The United States of America beside the 44th president Barack Obama. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/first-lady-michelle-obama

Kamala Harris,NAACP — Source: **(Photo: Public Domain)**

Tarana Burke, me.too, civil rights — Source: Photo credit: Jon Tadiello, Wikimedia Commons Tarana Burke September 12, 1973 The Bronx, New York Tarana Burke became a pioneering figure by founding the meToo. movement, raising awareness of sexual harassment and assault and empowering survivors globally. https://metoomvmt.org/get-to-know-us/tarana-burke-founder/

Source: (Photo credit-Gilda N. Squire, Wikimedia Commons) Misty Copeland September 10, 1982 Kansas City, Missouri Misty Copeland became a trailblazer as the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, breaking racial barriers in classical ballet. https://mistycopeland.com/about-2/

Simone Biles, harpr's Bazaar — Source: Photo by (Alliance for Women in Media Foundation/Getty Images for Alliance for Women in Media Foundation) Simone Biles March 14, 1997 Columbus, Ohio Simone Biles set a record as the most decorated gymnast of all time, earning numerous Olympic and World Championship medals and revolutionizing the sport with her remarkable skills.

by Kandiss Edwards

March 1, 2025

Illiterate Connecticut College Freshman Sues Hartford Board Of Education

Aleysha Ortiz moved to the mainland United States when was 5 years old.

A college freshman in Connecticut is suing the Hartford Board of Education and the City of Hartford after receiving a high school diploma without being able to read or write.

Aleysha Ortiz, who attends the University of Connecticut, is struggling to keep up with her peers. Born in Puerto Rico, Ortiz moved to the mainland United States at age 5. English is not her first language.

“I didn’t know English very well. I didn’t know the rules of the schools. There were a lot of things they would tell me, and I let myself go by what the teachers would tell me because I didn’t understand anything,” the 19-year-old said.

As Ortiz advanced through grade levels, she claims she did not receive proper information or evaluation to help her succeed. She said she relied on text-to-speech apps to communicate and learn, leaving her underserved and undiagnosed.

“I’m a very passionate person, and I like to learn,” Ortiz said. “People took that opportunity from me, and now I’m in college, and I want to take advantage of that because this is my education.”

In May 2024, before graduation, Ortiz spoke at a city council meeting, revealing the conditions in which she learned and disclosing her illiteracy. Officials then stepped in to find resources for her.

Testing later revealed she has dyslexia and struggles with phonics, fluency, and reading comprehension.

According to the National Literacy Institute, 21% of adults in the U.S. are functionally illiterate, and 34% of them were born outside the country.

Since Ortiz was born outside of the United States and her first language is not English, her designation should have been “Multi-Language Learner.” The designation is supposed to set up checks and balances to help students overcome the language barrier.

The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System defines a multilingual learner as a student “whose dominant language is other than English, and whose proficiency in English is not sufficient to assure ‘equal educational opportunity’ in the regular school program.” These students require additional support to fully participate in English-language instruction.

Ortiz’s experience suggests she did not receive that support. It is unclear whether she will continue in higher education, as her lack of basic K-12 fundamentals presents a significant barrier to success.