Campbell announces run for attorney general seat
members cycle through the criminal justice system. She ticked off her accomplishments, including becoming the first Black woman to serve as president of the City Council and serving as legal counsel to Gov. Deval Patrick..

Wu launches Black Male initiative
Wu said its specific goals will be determined by the Black men of Boston — the new office will oversee the Black Men and Boys Commission signed into law under Mayor Kim Janey. The commission, which has remained unstaffed and in a sort of limbo during the change of mayors, will now be open for applications.

BPS intervention in 3 high schools
While state officials rely heavily on scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test in their ratings of schools’ efficacy, however, some say schools like Charlestown High underscore the limits of the state’s rating system,...

Councilors call for reparations commission
During last week’s City Council meeting, Councilor Julia Mejia introduced an ordinance calling for the creation of a commission to look into reparations for Black Bostonians facing repercussions of the city’s involvement with slavery, redlining and other forms of discrimination.

Arroyo launches campaign for Suffolk D.A.
“Former District Attorney Rachael Rollins led the way by bringing much needed reforms to this office,” Arroyo said. “We cannot afford to go backwards or stagnate. We must continue her reforms which have been proven to work and we must continue to move Suffolk County forward on criminal justice reform.

Black history: The not-so-distant past
Carter G. Woodson, a Black historian, established the concept of Black History Month in 1926. It was originally “Black History Week,” but it was later expanded to the whole month of February. Now, 94 years after Woodson’s idea took hold, it is good to consider its development.

In defense of Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is by no means antisemitic, but as a Black American she prefers not to consider the Holocaust as “... about race.” According to a reported statement, she said “The minute you turn it into race, it goes down this alley. Let’s think about it for what it is.

.

Why I will not watch the Superbowl
I will not watch the Superbowl. Let me first back up. I am the consummate NFL junkie. I have watched all or part of nearly every NFL Monday Night game since its start in 1970. I have watched more Sunday night, Thursday night, and Saturday NFL games than many coaches.

This Black History Month, don’t ban our history — teach it
The late Congressman John Lewis, who marched with King in Selma, will be remembered as a patriot who fought for voting rights. But it took decades of Black voter disenfranchisement and violent attacks on activists — including Lewis himself — before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed.

IN THE NEWS
Reach Out and Read, a leading national organization that embeds literacy promotion into pediatric care, is pleased to announce Marty Martinez as Chief Executive Officer. Appointed by the Reach Out and Read Board of Directors, Martinez will succeed Brian Gallagher on February 14, 2022.

OBITUARY
LEWIS, Delores S., 75 of Boston, January 22, 2022. Delores, affectionately known as “Lois”, is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Murphy A. Lewis and her son Barry M. Smith.

Rental shortage and mortgage denials block homeownership
Regardless of locale, profession, or income, every family needs and deserves a home. But for many — especially Black Americans and other people of color — finding and maintaining affordable housing is increasingly difficult.

Tet celebration
PHOTO: JOHN WILCOX, MAYOR’S OFFICE Mayor Michelle Wu attends Tet in Boston, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival at the Flynn Cruiseport..

‘Black Health and Wellness’
The COVID-19 pandemic has once again showcased the disparity in health care for Black people and other minorities. In most instances, the problem dates back to prejudices and practices from decades ago, even centuries.

Unsung women of the civil rights movement
Only more recently have women like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Rosa Parks begun to share the spotlight more equally. But that still leaves scores of unsung female heroes who played a significant role in the movement for racial equality. Here’s a look back a few of them:.

Meta Warrick Fuller: noted early 20th-century sculptor and painter
She also wrote poetry and was a multitalented theater designer, director and playwright. Born Meta Vaux Warrick on June 9, 1877, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of beautician Emma (Jones) Warrick and William H. Warrick, a barber and caterer.

Love to love Donna Summer
Boston’s beloved disco daughter Donna Summer is soon to be honored on the Broadway in Boston stage in “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.” Playing at the Emerson Colonial Theatre Feb. 22–March 6, the musical begins with Summer’s origins here in Boston and uses her greatest hits to tell her empowering life story.

‘People, Places & Things’
Duncan Macmillan’s powerful show about addiction, “People, Places & Things,” opens Feb. 11 at Speakeasy Stage. The play follows the journey of a young actress grappling with addiction in a recovery program.

‘The Gospel according to Nikki Giovanni’
Nikki Giovanni, one of the great poets of the Black Arts movement in the late 1960s, and Javon Jackson, saxophonist and composer, have paired up to release “The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni” on Feb. 18. It is a first-time collaboration between the two internationally recognized artists and draws upon their literary and musical talents.