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We’re Back And This Time,We’re Not Whispering.

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America in Black and White returns September 7th with three powerful shows, one unapologetic mission, and a digital home built for you. There has never been a shortage of Black stories in America. What’s been scarce, painfully, frustratingly scarce, is the space to tell them honestly, in our own voices, on our own terms. For too long, Black American culture, history, and community have been filtered through someone else’s lens. Watered down. Repackaged. Misrepresented. Or worse, ignored altogether. The headlines talk about us. The panels debate us. But rarely do they sit down with us, dig in with us, laugh and grieve and push forward with us. That’s the gap. That’s always been the gap. And that’s exactly what America in Black and White was built to fill. We took some time. We regrouped, rebuilt, and came back with something stronger, sharper, and more intentional than ever before. On September 7, 2026, the relaunch is official. Three shows. One destination. An entire ecosystem built around the truth, told the way it deserves to be told. Welcome back. Or maybe, for the first time: welcome home. What Is America in Black and White? America in Black and White (AMIBW) is more than a show. It’s a multimedia storytelling brand rooted in the richness of Black American culture, the weight of Black American history, and the daily, living, breathing reality of Black American community. This is not commentary from a distance. This is conversation from the inside, with the people who are living it, shaping it, and pushing it forward. At AMIBW, we believe the truth is worth saying out loud. We believe culture is worth celebrating without apology. We believe that the stories that don’t make the evening news are often the most important ones to hear. Whether we’re unpacking a headline, lifting up a voice, revisiting a moment in history, or just talking about what’s really happening in our neighborhoods and our lives, you will always find honesty here. You will always find respect here. And you will always find a seat at the table. “This isn’t commentary from a distance. This is conversation from the inside and you’re always welcome here.” Three Shows. One Powerful Voice. The AMIBW relaunch isn’t just one show coming back, it’s an entire ecosystem of programming designed to meet you wherever you are in the conversation. Three distinct shows. Three distinct formats. One unified mission. Show Schedule Format America in Black and White (AMIBW) Monday, Wednesday & Friday Flagship — current events, culture, community Changing Trends and Times (CTT) Saturdays at 3 PM EST Deep-dive roundtables & trend analysis CK Stories from the Heart Sundays at 3 PM EST Personal narrative & human storytelling America in Black and White — Mon / Wed / Fri The flagship. The foundation. AMIBW airs three times a week and covers the full landscape — current events, culture, community conversations, and everything in between. This is where we take the news of the day and ask the questions other shows are afraid to ask. This is where Black America gets to speak first, not last. Expect honesty, depth, and the kind of energy that keeps you coming back Monday, Wednesday, and Friday without fail. Changing Trends and Times (CTT) — Saturdays at 3 PM EST Every Saturday, we go deeper. CTT is your long-form, roundtable destination — the show where we slow down and actually examine the forces shaping Black America right now. Economic shifts. Social movements. Cultural evolution. Generational change. We bring in sharp minds, real perspectives, and the kind of conversation that challenges you to think differently. Saturday afternoons just got a whole lot more interesting. CK Stories from the Heart — Sundays at 3 PM EST Sunday is for the soul. CK Stories from the Heart is the show that reminds you why storytelling matters in the first place. Personal. Human. Real. These are the stories that move you, the ones that make you nod, make you tear up, make you call somebody you haven’t talked to in a while. Hosted by CK himself, this show is where vulnerability meets strength, and where every story is told with the reverence it deserves. Start your week right. End your weekend with something that means something. “Three times a week, we take the news of the day and ask the questions other shows are afraid to ask.” Your New Digital Home The relaunch isn’t just about what’s on air, it’s about where you go between episodes. americainblackandwhite.us has been rebuilt as a full destination: a place to listen, watch, connect, engage, and belong. Think of it less like a website and more like a community hub that happens to live online. Visit the site: americainblackandwhite.us Everything you need — shows, membership, the Decast player, Spotify links, and the YouTube channel — all in one place. This is your home base. What’s Coming in October The September 7th relaunch is just the beginning. Starting in October, AMIBW introduces monthly theme programming, a curated, intentional way of going deeper into the conversations that matter most. Each month, all three shows will weave around a central theme, creating a connected, layered experience that builds across episodes and formats. We’re not ready to reveal the October theme just yet and honestly, the anticipation is part of the experience. What we can tell you is this: it will be timely, it will be necessary, and it will be exactly the kind of conversation that Black America has been waiting to have at scale. When the theme drops, you’ll understand immediately why we chose it. Mark your calendar. Follow the site. Stay close. “Starting in October, every episode, every show, every conversation becomes part of something bigger.” How to Be Part of It This isn’t a show you watch from the sidelines. AMIBW is a community and communities are built by the people who show up. Here’s how you can be part of it from day one: September 7, 2026. Mark it.

BLACK PEOPLE, BLACKLIVES, COMMUNITY, ECONOMICS, ENTERTAINMENT, FINANCE, HEALTH, JUSTICE, JUSTICE SYSTEM, MUSIC, NEWS, POLITICS, RACE, SPORTS

Before the Rainbow Flags: What We Don’t Know About LGBTQ+ History

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Let me ask you something. If I said “Stonewall,” what would you picture? If you’re like most Americans, you probably picture a bar. Maybe a crowd. Maybe a pride flag. You might know it happened in 1969 in New York City. You might know it was a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights. But here’s what most people don’t know and what we’re getting into on the new Changing Trends and Times LGBTQ+ America series launching August 29th. So let’s start with a few things that might genuinely surprise you. 1. The people who started the Stonewall rebellion were Black and brown trans women. The dominant image of the Stonewall uprising, if there even is a dominant image, tends to be white. But the people who were most visibly fighting back on the night of June 28, 1969, were trans women and gender-nonconforming people of color. Marsha P. Johnson, a Black trans woman from Elizabeth, New Jersey, is one of the most important figures of that night. She arrived in New York City with $15 and became one of the architects of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. You probably weren’t taught that in school. Neither was I. 2. The federal government actively fired people for being gay — for decades. Most people know about McCarthy and the Red Scare. Fewer people know about the Lavender Scare, the parallel campaign in the 1950s that purged thousands of gay and lesbian Americans from federal jobs. The logic? That being gay made you a “security risk.” This wasn’t fringe policy. It was official U.S. government doctrine. 3. Bayard Rustin organized the March on Washington — and was erased for being gay. Bayard Rustin was one of the most gifted organizers in American civil rights history. He planned the logistics of the 1963 March on Washington, one of the defining moments of the twentieth century. And then he was quietly pushed out of the spotlight because civil rights leadership feared that his identity as a gay Black man would be used against the movement. His contribution was real. His erasure was deliberate. 4. The AIDS crisis killed over 700,000 Americans — and the President didn’t speak publicly about it for years. The first AIDS cases were reported in 1981. President Reagan didn’t say the word publicly until 1987. More than 20,000 Americans had already died. The community had to build its own systems of care, hospices, support networks, mutual aid, because the government decided those dying weren’t worth a public response. 5. The legal victories of the 2010s are not permanently protected. Marriage equality. Workplace protections. These feel settled to a lot of people. They are not. Supreme Court justices have explicitly called for reconsidering those rulings. More than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across state legislatures since 2020. The fight is not over. It moved, it didn’t end. This is exactly why we’re launching Changing Trends an Times LGBTQ+ America on AMIBW Media. Because you can’t protect what you don’t know. You can’t honor what you’ve been taught to forget. And you can’t build a future without being honest about the past. Episode 1: The Historical Arc drops Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST. Watch it. Share it. Bring someone with you. Now, we want to hear from you: What piece of LGBTQ+ history surprised you most? What were you never taught? Tell us in the comments below. Please click the play button in the middle of the box Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 2pm EST:

BLACK PEOPLE, BLACKLIVES, COMMUNITY, ECONOMICS, ENTERTAINMENT, FINANCE, HEALTH, JUSTICE, MUSIC, NEWS, POLITICS, RACE, SPORTS

NEWSLETTER EDITION

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2025 Year‑End Reflections: A Season of Healing, Growth, and Community Power As we close out 2025, I want to take a moment to speak directly to the people who made this year unforgettable, you. This year was one of the most transformative seasons of my life. Season 3 of America in Black and White and the continued growth of Changing Trends and Times were not just professional milestones. They were lifelines. They were reminders that community is not something we talk about, it’s something we build together. And I want you to know how deeply grateful I am. To My Guests: You Carried Me This Year Every guest who joined me on the show brought something powerful, truth, vulnerability, humor, brilliance, and heart. You didn’t just show up for an interview. You showed up for me. Many of you may not know this, but 2024 was the year I lost my mother. Her passing left a space in my life that felt impossible to fill. But every conversation, every story, every moment of connection on the show helped me breathe again. You helped me heal in ways I didn’t expect. Your presence reminded me that even in grief, there is purpose.Even in loss, there is community.Even in pain, there is possibility. Thank you for being part of my healing. Season 3: A Testament to Our Collective Power This season wasn’t just successful, it was meaningful. We tackled real issues.We uplifted real voices.We created real impact. And none of it would have happened without you, the guests, the viewers, the supporters, the people who believe in the mission of telling our stories with honesty and dignity. You are the engine behind this machine.You are the heartbeat of this platform.Together, we are making a difference. Looking Ahead to 2026 I’m excited for what’s coming next. More conversations.More community.More truth.More growth. And yes, I’m working toward taking the show on the road. I want to meet you where you are. I want to bring these conversations into your cities, your communities, your spaces. Because this platform belongs to all of us. Let’s Build Together: SYTM Accounting & Consulting Inc. As we move into a new year, I also want to extend a personal invitation. Many of you know me as a host and storyteller, but I am also the founder of SYTM Accounting & Consulting Inc., where we support individuals and businesses with: If you need support in 2026, I would be honored to serve you.Let’s build your financial future with clarity, confidence, and care. Reach out anytime, let’s make it happen. Stay Connected With Me You can reach me through any of my platforms: Whether you’re a guest, a supporter, a listener, or a future client, you are part of this family. And together, we will continue to uplift our communities, tell our stories, and build something that lasts. Thank You Thank you for your time.Thank you for your trust.Thank you for your stories.Thank you for your love.Thank you for helping me turn a difficult year into a meaningful one. Here’s to 2026, a year of expansion, healing, and community power.

BLACK PEOPLE, BLACKLIVES, COMMUNITY, ECONOMICS, ENTERTAINMENT, FINANCE, HEALTH, JUSTICE, MUSIC, NEWS, POLITICS, RACE, SPORTS

2025 Reflections: A Year of Growth, Gratitude, and Unbreakable Community

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As I look back on 2025, I’m overwhelmed, not by the challenges, but by the grace, the connection, and the extraordinary people who walked with me through this season. This year was more than another chapter of America in Black and White and Changing Trends and Times. It was a year of healing, rebuilding, and rediscovering purpose. And that’s because of you, my guests, my supporters, my community, my family. Season 3: A Year That Changed Me Season 3 wasn’t just successful, it was transformational. Every guest who sat across from me brought wisdom, vulnerability, humor, and truth. You didn’t just show up for the show; you showed up for me. You helped shape conversations that mattered, conversations that pushed culture forward, conversations that reminded us why storytelling is a form of activism. You brought your brilliance.You brought your courage.You brought your heart. And because of that, Season 3 became one of the most meaningful seasons we’ve ever produced. Your Presence Helped Me Heal This year also carried a deep personal weight, the passing of my mother. Losing her was one of the hardest experiences of my life. But what many of you may not know is how much your presence helped me cope. Your interviews, your laughter, your insights, your energy, they gave me something to look forward to. They gave me purpose on days when grief felt heavy. You helped me keep going. You helped me feel connected. You helped me heal. For that, I will always be grateful. Looking Ahead to 2026 I’m excited for what’s coming next. More conversations.More community.More truth.More impact. And yes, I’m looking forward to taking the show on the road. I want to meet you where you are. I want to bring these conversations into your cities, your communities, your spaces. Because this platform is not just mine, it’s ours. You Are the Engine of This Machine Let me be clear: You are the reason this works.Your stories.Your engagement.Your willingness to show up.Your belief in the mission. Together, we are building something powerful, a movement rooted in truth, empowerment, and community uplift. SYTM Accounting & Consulting Inc: Let’s Build Together As we move into 2026, I want to extend a personal invitation. Many of you know me as a host, a storyteller, a community advocate, but I am also the founder of SYTM Accounting & Consulting Inc., where we support individuals and businesses with: I would be honored to serve you, your families, and your businesses in the coming year. You’ve supported me, now let me support you. If you need services, or simply want to explore how we can work together, reach out. Let’s make it happen. Stay Connected You can contact me anytime through my websites or social platforms: Thank You Thank you for your time.Thank you for your trust.Thank you for your stories.Thank you for your love.Thank you for helping me turn grief into purpose and purpose into impact. Here’s to 2026, a year of growth, expansion, and community power.

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“Loving a Liar”: When Hiding Becomes a Survival Skill

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We don’t talk enough about what it means to love someone who is lying, not because they’re malicious, but because they’re terrified. Terrified of being rejected.Terrified of losing family, career, community, or safety.Terrified of being fully seen. In Dee Carr’s short “Loving a Liar,” we’re invited to look beyond the surface of deception and into the emotional architecture behind it. And when we connect this to the LGBTQ community, the conversation becomes even more urgent. Because the truth is this: Some people aren’t lying to deceive you. They’re lying to survive you. The Code-Switching Closet For many LGBTQ people, athletes, politicians, entertainers, clergy, business owners, and everyday folks, life becomes a constant performance. A carefully curated version of themselves is presented to the world, while their true identity stays tucked away, waiting for a safer moment that may never come. This isn’t just “being private.”This is code-switching as self‑protection. It’s the athlete who dates publicly but loves privately.The pastor who preaches authenticity but fears living his own.The business owner who avoids pronouns in every conversation.The entertainer who smiles on stage but cries in the dressing room.The everyday person who edits their life to fit someone else’s comfort. And the people who love them?They often end up loving a version of someone that isn’t fully real, not because that person is dishonest, but because the world has taught them that honesty is dangerous. The Emotional Cost Loving someone who is hiding can feel like loving a ghost, present, but not fully here. But imagine the cost on the other side: This isn’t lying for manipulation.This is lying for survival. And survival shouldn’t have to look like this. What Does Love Look Like Here? Love, in this context, becomes a bridge, not a demand. It asks: Love doesn’t force someone out of hiding.Love creates a world where hiding is no longer necessary. Let’s Talk About It This is where you come in. Have you ever loved someone who was afraid to be themselves?Have you ever BEEN that person?What does safety look like for you?What does honesty cost in your world? Drop your thoughts in the comments, your voice might be the one someone else needs to hear. And if conversations like this matter to you, hit subscribe so you don’t miss the next post in this series inspired by Dee Carr’s powerful shorts.

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Seventh HIV Remission Sparks Hope, and Raises Questions About U.S. LeadershipOriginal reporting by Michelle Starr, Nature

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A German man known as “Berlin 2 (B2)” has remained in remission from HIV for six years after a stem cell transplant to treat leukemia. This marks the seventh known case of long-term HIV remission worldwide. Unlike earlier cases, B2’s donor carried only one copy of the CCR5 Δ32 mutation, previously thought insufficient for durable resistance. His remission challenges assumptions and opens new pathways for understanding how HIV reservoirs can be eliminated. Globally, 40.8 million people were living with HIV in 2024, with 1.3 million new infections and 630,000 AIDS-related deaths. In the U.S., 39,201 new diagnoses were reported in 2023, disproportionately impacting Black and Latino communities, especially in the South. These breakthroughs abroad raise urgent questions: For those living with HIV/AIDS, these questions are not abstract, they are about survival. If you are reading this and living with HIV, ask your doctor about the current status of cure research. Demand transparency. Stem cell transplants are not scalable cures, but they prove that reservoir reduction, graft-versus-reservoir responses, and partial CCR5 protection can lead to remission. The challenge now is whether America will invest in replicating these mechanisms through gene editing and pharmaceutical innovation or continue to let others lead while its citizens wait.

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World AIDS Day is more than a commemoration, it is a call to action, reflection, and hope. Observed every year on December 1, it reminds us of the lives lost, the progress made, and the work still ahead in ending HIV/AIDS.

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The Meaning of World AIDS Day World AIDS Day was first established in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS, making it the first-ever global health day Wikipedia Britannica. Its purpose is to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, show solidarity with people living with HIV, and honor the millions who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. The red ribbon, adopted in 1991, remains the universal symbol of support and remembrance Britannica. Each year, the day carries a theme. In 2025, the theme is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response” — a reminder that funding cuts, stigma, and inequality threaten decades of progress Moneycontrol. Historical Context and Data Strides in Treatment and Prevention The fight against HIV/AIDS has seen remarkable progress: The Future Outlook While progress is undeniable, challenges remain: Closing Reflection World AIDS Day is not just about remembrance, it is about renewed commitment. We have turned HIV from a death sentence into a chronic condition, but stigma, inequity, and funding gaps still stand in the way of ending the epidemic. The future depends on global solidarity, scientific innovation, and community-led action. Ending AIDS is possible but only if we choose compassion, equity, and sustained investment. Sources: Wikipedia Britannica Business Standard Las Vegas Sun Smithsonian Magazine AIDS.ORG UNAIDS Moneycontrol

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Jellybean Johnson, a Pioneer of the Minneapolis Sound, Remembered

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Garry George “Jellybean” Johnson, legendary drummer, guitarist, producer, and founding member of The Time, has passed away at the age of 69, just two days after celebrating his birthday. His sudden death marks the loss of one of the architects of the Minneapolis Sound, a genre-defining fusion of funk, rock, R&B, and new wave that continues to influence music today Rolling Stone FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Wikipedia Bring Me The News. Honoring His Legacy Jellybean Johnson was born in Chicago in 1956 and moved to Minneapolis at age 13. It was there that he befriended future icons like Prince, Morris Day, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis, forming the creative nucleus that would shape an entire era of music Rolling Stone FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. Visual Timeline of His Career Here’s a timeline chart capturing his milestones from 1976 to 2025: Preserving the Minneapolis Sound Johnson’s vision extended beyond performance. In 2021, he co-founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum, dedicated to preserving the history and cultural impact of the genre he helped pioneer Bring Me The News. His final reflections on legacy emphasized community, mentorship, and ensuring future generations had access to creative spaces like those that shaped him North News Bring Me The News. Tributes Musicians and fans alike have poured out tributes. Morris Day called him “more like a brother than a bandmate,” while Sheila E. remembered him as “a kind human being, extremely talented and funny.” Susannah Melvoin described him as “the master of loving you like no brother could” Rolling Stone Yahoo International Business Times UK. Closing Thoughts Jellybean Johnson’s artistry was not confined to the stage—it was embedded in the DNA of modern pop and R&B. His drumming, guitar work, and production shaped hits across decades, while his mentorship and museum project ensured the Minneapolis Sound will live on. Credit: This blog post is based on reporting by Daniel Bird and expanded with details from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Fox9, and other sources Rolling Stone FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul Yahoo Billboard Wikipedia Bring Me The News Discogs.

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