BLK News - Breaking News and Culture

A decade ago, Black Maternal Health Week was a declaration. In 2026, it is an infrastructure. What began as a campaign to name and confront the crisis of Black maternal mortality has grown into a nationwide network of birth workers, organizers, advocates, and community members who have stopped waiting for broken systems to fix themselves — and started building their own. The 10th annual Black Maternal Health Week, themed “Rooted in Justice and Joy,” officially opened following a community walk in Atlanta on April 11, where families, birth workers, and advocates gathered for what has become an annual rallying kickoff. From that opening walk, the energy spread across the country — city by city, block by block — through a week of events that looked less like awareness campaigns and more like community architecture. A Movement That Grew Its Own Roots When Black Mamas Matter Alliance launched Black Maternal Health Week in 2017, it entered a public conversation that had largely failed to center Black women. Maternal mortality rates for Black women in the United States remain disproportionately high compared to white women — a disparity driven not by biology, but by systemic failures in access, treatment, and trust. The

The American Educational Research Association has announced its 2026 award recipients — and six Black scholars are among the honorees, recognized for work that is directly shaping how this country understands education, race, and student achievement at every level of schooling. The American Educational Research Association announced the winners of its 2026 awards for excellence in education research. “We are honored to recognize the recipients of the 2026 awards, an outstanding and inspiring group of education researchers and leaders,” said AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous. “Their contributions continue to advance education research and positively impact countless students, educators, and the environments in which they live, learn, and work.” The 2026 AERA Annual Meeting theme — “Unforgetting Histories and Imagining Futures: Constructing a New Vision for Education Research” — is “an invitation to collectively reflect on how to leverage our disciplinary and methodological diversity in service of unforgetting histories.” The honorees will be recognized at the Awards Ceremony Luncheon at the 2026 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles on April 9. The six Black scholars recognized this cycle represent institutions across the country — the University of Pennsylvania, Florida State University, Vanderbilt University, Ohio State University, and the University of Illinois at

Misty Copeland is not slowing down. After finishing her career as the first Black principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in October 2025, she is focusing on work that helps others. Her recent appearance at the 2026 Oscars showed that she still has a powerful place in the world of dance. She is now using her fame to make ballet more inclusive and to start new projects in film and education. This new chapter is not just about her own dancing, but about making sure the next generation of artists has a clear path to follow. A Historic Return at the 2026 Oscars On March 15, 2026, many people were surprised to see Misty Copeland on stage during the Academy Awards. She performed during a live version of the song “I Lied to You” from the film Sinners. This was a significant moment because she had hip replacement surgery only three months earlier, in December 2025. She wore a special costume for the performance. It was a Firebird outfit from a 1982 production by the Dance Theater of Harlem. The costume included a Sankofa emblem, which is a symbol from Ghana that means “go back and get it.” This

Braiding and protective styles are more than grooming choices. For many Black women, they serve as structured routines that support both hair health and emotional well-being. These styles include box braids, twists, cornrows, and locs. Each method involves securing the hair in a way that reduces breakage and limits exposure to heat or friction. The process of braiding often takes time and care. Whether done at home or in a salon, it can involve hours of focused attention. This time is not only about styling but also about reflection, rest, and connection. Some women use this period to listen to music, talk with loved ones, or simply sit quietly. Protective styles also offer flexibility. They allow for low-maintenance care while preserving length and texture. For those managing busy schedules, these styles can reduce daily stress around grooming. They also provide a way to experiment with color, shape, and accessories without altering the natural hair. Beyond function, braiding carries cultural meaning. It reflects traditions passed through generations and honors techniques developed long before modern hair tools. Choosing a braid pattern or adding beads and shells can be a way to express personal history or celebrate heritage. This cultural significance is shared