CREWS brings residents, organizers, faith leaders and community partners together for service, recognition and a vision for transformation BLXCR Community Report “Something good can come out of Ward 8.” Those words captured the spirit of a tenant appreciation gathering at the Vista, where residents, seniors, children, organizers, volunteers and community partners came together with CREWS — Communities Respecting Everyone’s Will to Survive. Brother Edward Tate Addressing The C

BLXCR Community Tribute | August 16, 2026 Some stories are difficult to write because, somewhere along the journey, the people you are watching no longer feel like strangers. For those who followed Nathan and his mother, Sister Sherri, known across social media as Purple Gaia, that feeling became very real. She lovingly called her son “Nate Dawg.” Through videos, photographs, music, laughter, dance battles, difficult days and beautiful moments, they allowed people around the

A BLXCR Tribute There are champions remembered for the trophies they won, the medals they wore, and the opponents they defeated. Then there are those whose greatest victories cannot be placed inside a trophy case. Grandmaster Albert Cheeks was both. BLXCR extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends, students, and all those whose lives were touched by Grandmaster Albert Cheeks. His passing represents the loss of a respected martial artist, teacher, spiritual leader,

Sometimes changing your life means being willing to leave what is familiar and step into something completely different. For Sister AlQamar, that step took her thousands of miles from the United States to Tanzania, where what began as a major transition has now become home. After living there for two years, Sister Al Qamar describes the experience as spiritual, peaceful, and life-changing. But her story isn't about telling everybody in America to pack their bags and move to A

Brother Edward Tate on healing, unity, ownership, and the work required to rebuild our communities. A BLXCR Exclusive There are interviews where you learn about an organization, and then there are interviews where you begin to understand the heart of the person behind the work. Our conversation with Brother Edward Tate was one of those moments. For years, Brother Edward has poured his time, energy, and spirit into community service, including his work through Message in the

By BLXCR Staff Every community has people whose stories deserve to be heard—not because they lived perfect lives, but because they found the strength to rise after life knocked them down. Their experiences become more than personal memories; they become roadmaps for others who are still searching for hope. When Sister Petergay sat down with BLXCR, she did not come seeking sympathy or attempting to rewrite history. She came with a testimony. Throughout our conversation, she sp

A death in Mississippi has reopened painful memories—and renewed an important conversation about transparency, accountability, and public confidence. Every family deserves answers when a loved one dies under unexplained or troubling circumstances. For the family of 29-year-old Sister Tasia Fortune, that search for answers became part of their grief after she was found hanging from a tree behind a vacant home in Jackson, Mississippi. Authorities have confirmed that Sister Fort

Every generation reaches a moment when ordinary people begin asking extraordinary questions. Are our elected leaders truly serving the public, or have they become too dependent on the interests of those with the deepest pockets? Are our tax dollars improving our neighborhoods, schools, healthcare, and infrastructure, or are everyday Americans carrying more of the burden while receiving less in return? To many observers, the recent Democratic primary victory of Dr. Abdul El-Sa

Some stories deserve more attention because they remind us that faith, perseverance, and vision can overcome even the greatest obstacles. At BLXCR, we believe these are the stories that strengthen communities, inspire future generations, and restore hope where it is often in short supply. Sister Adenah Bayoh’s life is one of those stories. As a young child, Sister Bayoh fled the civil war in Liberia with her family in search of safety and a better future. Like so many immigra

Health Is Not an Expense—It's an Investment We live in a world where people will spend thousands of dollars on vehicles, vacations, electronics, and entertainment without hesitation. Yet when it comes to investing in their health, many people begin asking, "Is it worth it?" The truth is, there is no greater investment than the one you make in your own body. Every dream you have, every goal you pursue, and every person who depends on you relies on one thing—you being healthy e

One of the most common conversations we hear today is that the community needs to come together. We hear it from leaders, social media influencers, religious institutions, and everyday people who genuinely want to see positive change. While that statement carries truth, perhaps we've been starting the conversation in the wrong place. Before we ask an entire community to unite around economics, business, and ownership, maybe we should begin with something much smaller but far

By BLXCR Editorial Staff There are moments in history that deserve reflection long after the headlines fade. The COVID-19 pandemic is one of those moments. It altered the lives of billions of people around the world. Families mourned loved ones, businesses closed, schools were disrupted, and communities experienced uncertainty unlike anything seen in generations. During that time, Americans looked to elected officials, scientists, physicians, and public health agencies for gu

A Healthy Discussion About Education, Presentation and Institutional Pride Tuskegee University has sparked an important national conversation after updating its student dress code for the 2026–2027 academic year. Under the updated policy, bonnets, durags, bedroom slippers and excessively revealing clothing are prohibited in classrooms, dining facilities and certain official university spaces. University President Dr. Mark A. Brown said the changes are intended to help prepare

The answer to displacement is not simply resistance—it is ownership, organization, business development, and rebuilding. By BLXCR | One Village, One Fight There is an uncomfortable conversation that communities across America need to have. Gentrification may be the biggest gangster on the block. Not because every person moving into a changing neighborhood is an enemy, and certainly not because improving neighborhoods is wrong. The deeper issue is what happens when longtime re

A BLXCR Special Report There are some stories that require us to do more than simply report what happened. They require us to study. They require us to understand history. And most importantly, they require us to know the difference between asking responsible questions and creating conclusions before the evidence is complete. The death of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells is one of those stories. Brother Nolan was a young Black man, a promising athlete, a son and a loved one who

Black people in America are still dealing with trauma that has traveled through generations. From slavery to Jim Crow, segregation, racial violence, the disruption of Black families, economic hardship, and the continued struggles facing our communities, there were generations of Black people who experienced tremendous pain without ever having access to therapy, counseling, or even the opportunity to properly process what had happened to them. Pain that is never addressed does

Raising children is one of life’s greatest responsibilities, yet there is no instruction manual that perfectly prepares any parent for the journey. Every mother and father makes decisions based on love, experience, and the knowledge they have at the time. That is why parenting was never intended to be carried by one perspective alone. Healthy child development thrives when mothers and fathers each bring the unique gifts they were created to provide. Today, we want to focus o

Photos: www.blxproductions.com One of the greatest forms of freedom is learning to see yourself through your own eyes instead of through standards created by someone else. For generations, beauty has often been defined by cultures and industries that did not always celebrate the natural features of Black women. During slavery and long afterward, many harmful messages suggested that tightly coiled hair, darker skin, and African features were something to hide or “fix.” Those i

BLXCR Business & Economic Series There is a conversation our community must continue to have—not from a place of criticism, but from a place of possibility. Every year, we watch stadiums and arenas fill with tens of thousands of people. Artists like JAŸ-Z, Chris Brown, Usher, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and many others demonstrate the tremendous economic power of entertainment. Fans willingly spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on tickets, parking, food, merchandise, hot

There is a common saying: “God will never put more on your shoulders than you can bear.” For many people, those words provide comfort. But there is another reality we don’t discuss often enough. Sometimes the strongest people are carrying far more than anyone realizes. The dependable parent. The reliable friend. The leader everyone calls. The sibling who keeps the family together. The person who never seems to complain. When life falls apart, everyone knows exactly who to cal