FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Sanford native, Jessica B. Smith, used her love for writing to create a script for her first movie, “Elle Rose,” a romantic comedy inspired by the ones she loved growing up. Smith, a Lee Senior graduate, will release her first movie which she wrote, directed and...
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged worshipers at three churches serving largely Black congregations to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are able. “We now have a vaccine that will save lives, but it will only save lives if we take it," the Democratic governor said...
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — In the summer of 1979, Stevie Wonder called Coretta Scott King to tell her about a dream he had. “I said to her, you know, ‘I had a dream about this song. And I imagined in this dream I was doing this song. We were marching, too, with petition signs to make for Dr....
As a student in college and seminary, then as a pastor in Texas, Dwight McKissic has been affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention for more than 45 years. Now he’s pondering whether he and his congregation should break away. “It would feel like a divorce,” McKissic said....
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Christopher Williams works daily to carry on the legacy of civil rights leader James Farmer. The legacy is in his job description—assistant director of the University of Mary Washington’s James Farmer Multicultural Center. It informs the work he does at the center...
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) — Martin Lee Anderson would’ve been 30 years old on Friday, but his life was cut short just before his 15th birthday. Anderson shares not only the same first name as Martin Luther King Jr., they also share the same Jan. 15 birthday. In fact, he’s named after the revered...
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — While the world hunkered down at home in April from the COVID-19 pandemic, Chapel Hill Poet Laureate CJ Suitt relished the time to create. He completed a month-long series of self-portraits and poems. He reflected on his art, and when the Black Lives Matter protests erupted in May...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — In the last moments of her speech presented to a very limited crowd due to the pandemic, former South Carolina and current WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson became very emotional just outside the Colonial Life Arena where she had provided the bulk of her amazing play. Wilson,...
VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles County sheriff’s department has said three teens, who are Black, were wrongly detained at a Target store in Westlake Village during a grand theft investigation last week. The teens — a 17-year-old and two 16-year-olds — from Thousand Oaks were...
ATLANTA (AP) — As his adopted hometown mourned Hank Aaron's death, some fans called on the Atlanta Braves to change their name to the Hammers in his honor. “Hammerin' Hank” died Friday at age 86, drawing praise from all segments of society — including the current and former presidents...