West African Hair Braiding Industry Is Being Destroyed by the Pandemic

As the COVID pandemic continues to harm businesses in New York City, West African hair braiders find other ways to survive.

West African Hair Braiding Industry Is Being Destroyed by the Pandemic

By Houreidja Tall, Documented NY Before the pandemic, West African hair braiding salons in Harlem were a one-stop shop for advice among hair braiders and clients. They were newsgathering posts and were spaces where people would stop by to sell jewelry, body lotions and snacks. Shops are spaces for camaraderie. “I come to 125th [street […]

Legalization of Marijuana in NY

Legalization of Marijuana in NY

It’s a historic day in New York. The Legalization of Marijuana in NY — which looks to fix the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences. Hopefully, marginalized communities that have suffered the most will be the first to reap the benefits. And, for the immigrant communities, we have suffered the most. Attorney […]

Child mental health: how acting out during COVID can be a coping mechanism, and what parents can do to help

Child mental health: how acting out during COVID can be a coping mechanism, and what parents can do to help

By Wendy Sims-Schouten, The Conversation Over the past decade resilience has become a societal buzzword, both a personality trait to foster and miracle drug that can heal all wounds and right all wrongs. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, it has been the lens through which children and young people’s ability to […]

Family and friends can be key to helping end domestic violence, study suggests

Family and friends can be key to helping end domestic violence, study suggests

By Krista M. Chronister, The Conversation The COVID-19 pandemic and strategies to prevent its spread, such as self-quarantine and travel restrictions, have isolated families and intensified conditions that place people at greater risk for domestic violence. Reports of domestic violence are increasing around the world. Domestic violence is harm inflicted by a romantic partner in […]

Are We Looking at the Fourth Covid-19 Surge, Already?

Are We Looking at the Fourth Covid-19 Surge, Already?

Empty New York City Subway Train Above Ground during the Covid-19 Pandemic – January 4 2021 (Shutterstock) The US is at a pivotal juncture in its fight against Covid-19. Though nearly 2.5 million Americans are being vaccinated every day, infection levels have now come to a plateau across the nation. And while some states have […]

She is the First Black Valedictorian at Her High School in 152 Years

She is the First Black Valedictorian at Her High School in 152 Years

Nationwide — Onovu Otitigbe-Dangerfield, a senior at Albany High School in upstate New York, has made history as the school’s first Black valedictorian since 1868. “I think that just being able to be valedictorian is an amazing accomplishment,” Onuvu told WNYT. “I’m very privileged to be in that position but to have some historical meaning behind it, […]

New York lawmakers want to give billions of dollars to undocumented, former inmates

New York lawmakers want to give billions of dollars to undocumented, former inmates

By Bill Mahoney, Politico ALBANY, N.Y. — State lawmakers in New York appear close to agreeing on a multibillion-dollar fund to provide unemployment benefits to undocumented immigrants and former prison inmates who have been excluded from federal aid packages since the start of the pandemic. Talks between legislators and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office have progressed […]

No, the Idea of CARICOM is not Dead

No, the Idea of CARICOM is not Dead

By Sir Ronald Sanders A commentary, published on March 8 by Camillo Gonsalves, a minister of the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, was headlined “Every Island for itself’. The first line was unequivocal in stating that “The idea of CARICOM died on December 16, 2020”. Camillo Gonsalves is a Caribbean man, and an integrationist. Only […]