Category: Editorial
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This Video Made Me Think About My Dad
My Father Was Once Attacked by a Teenager My father was once attacked by a teenager. He was violently knocked to the ground by someone who blindsided him. The youth thought it’d be entertaining to knock my father to the…
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What Dee-1 Understands About Hip Hop That Others Don’t
What Dee-1 Understands About Hip Hop That Others Don’t If you’ve never engaged a group of young people you love in a conversation about something that should be perceived as art—and not their roadmap for life, credibility, and validation—you’d never…
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I hit 5,000+ steps today!
Hit 5,000 steps today and drop your achievement here — we’re cheering you on! Good evening WordPress family. I pray all is well with everyone🙏🏽 Since I’ve been posting my efforts of living a healthier lifestyle, by exercising and getting…
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The Evolution of A Mane
WHY AREN’T YOU DEAD? THE EVOLUTION OF GUCCI MANE, MENTAL HEALTH, AND HIP HOP’S REFUSAL TO LET MEN GROW EDITOR’S NOTE This editorial discusses mental health, incarceration, addiction, and allegations contained in a pending federal criminal case. References to the…
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The Rise of GhettoBaby QP: A Star Is Born
I’ve been blessed to teach some unforgettable and extraordinary young people. Years ago, I had the privilege of teaching an all-boys class at Furman L. Templeton Elementary School in West Baltimore. When I recollect, I often say those young men…
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Dreamers Are Drawn to Other Dreamers: A Conversation with Artist and Entrepreneur Kweli Bomaye
The Academy of Finance was a four-year program for high school students that prepared us for careers in the financial services industry. The former CEO and Chairman of Citigroup was the architect of the program. It was housed on the…
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If An Alien Landed on Earth, What Hip Hop Song Would You Play?
If An Alien Landed on Earth, What Hip Hop Song Would You Play? Me, my wife and oldest daughter were comfortably seated on the couch watching YouTube. It was Father’s Day. We were just hanging. We share a love for…
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Squirrel Wyde Is Still Picking Us Up
Once there was a time in Baltimore radio that thee voice was Squirrel Wyde. “Aye Squirrel, come pick me up” wasn’t just a catchphrase. It was a double entendre of sorts. For decades Squirrel Wyde picked us up from around…
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If I Waited Until I…
If I waited until I… •was debt free•got myself together•figured it all out•found the “right” person to love me•had the money to•defeated my vices•was given permission•had a team to help me I wouldn’t… I’d never do anything. My dreams would…
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It’s Only 5 Years
It’s Only 5 Years “It’s only 5 years. I can do that.” Me and his assigned One on One Aide were astonished by the words uttered out the mouth of this student. And simultaneously we said, “only five years”! This…
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How I Ended Up Here
This wasn’t on my proverbial “BINGO” card. But by the grace of GOD, I’m glad it’s happening to me. After leaving my full-time position as a Special Educator, I began working as a PRP Counselor. One afternoon, after navigating rush-hour…
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When the Playground Becomes a Crime Scene
The first thing I saw this morning was FOI Captain Andrew Muhammad from Muhammad Mosque Number Six in Baltimore City. It was a social media post of he and several other Black male leaders pleading with our city. In response…
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Black & Ugly As Ever. However…
One More Chance (Remix): A Perfectly Crafted Hip Hop Record Editor’s Note:With The New York Times Magazine recently naming Jay-Z among the 30 greatest living songwriters—and Jay himself acknowledging the brilliance of The Notorious B.I.G.—I felt it was only right…
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Staying True to Yourself in a Reactive World
Don’t Let Other People Block Your Blessings The discipline of staying the course in a reactive world As I was driving yesterday, I found myself doing what I often do—having a conversation with myself. For reasons only God understands, my…
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Baltimore Is Built for This
Baltimore Is Built for This My hometown is a battle-tested city. It’s a “man’s man town.” A place where men respect men. So it’s an inevitable place where the most primal of sports would be showcased. A sport that pits…
