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

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

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

There comes a point when we, as a community, have to stop treating domestic violence as a private family matter and start recognizing it for what it is—a public safety issue. Every day, women across this country are living in fear, trying to survive relationships where love has been replaced with intimidation, manipulation, threats, and violence. One of the hardest realities to understand is why many women return to abusive partners after escaping. The answer is often far mor

"O soul that art at rest, return to thy Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing. So enter among My servants, and enter My Garden."— Holy Qur'an 89:27-30 There are moments in history that remind us that while great leaders often stand before the world, they rarely stand alone. Behind many of the men who carried enormous responsibilities for God and humanity stood women of remarkable faith, quiet strength, and unwavering commitment. Their sacrifices were seldom made from a podium, ye

There are moments when silence protects pain, and there are moments when truth has the power to save lives. Sister LaKisha Davis chose truth. Through one of the most personal and painful testimonies imaginable, she has transformed her trauma into a mission dedicated to helping survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence find healing, purpose, and freedom. A Life Shaped by Resilience LaKisha openly identifies herself as an advocate against sexual abuse and domestic violenc

What should have been a peaceful day of worship and reflection turned into heartbreak for the Muslim community at the Islamic Center of San Diego when violence erupted outside one of California’s largest mosques. The tragic events of May 18, 2026, left families mourning, communities traumatized, and the nation once again forced to confront the dangerous consequences of hatred and division. Yet even in the middle of fear and chaos, one man’s courage rose above the tragedy — Am

We had the distinct honor of sitting with Brother Michael Muhammad, and what unfolded was not just an interview—it was a full testimony of life, struggle, faith, discipline, and victory. His story is one that must be told in full, because within it are lessons not only for those battling addiction, but for anyone searching for purpose, structure, and a way forward. Brother Michael Muhammad was born and raised in the DMV area, and like many of our people, his early life was sh

There is something powerful about sitting with a man who has watched generations rise, struggle, and search for answers—and still carries the clarity to speak truth without hesitation. Brother James Shabazz, a lifelong student of the teachings of the Nation of Islam and a community organizer with over six decades of experience, offers not just reflection, but direction. His voice is not rooted in theory, but in lived reality—tenant organizing, small business advocacy, and boo

In this BLXCR editorial , we take a thoughtful look at a growing movement—people searching for a new place to call home. For many Black Americans, that search is leading them to Africa, not just out of curiosity, but out of a desire for peace, stability, and a different way of living. Africa, as they share, is beautiful, rich in culture, and full of opportunity. But like anywhere else in the world, it requires adjustment. It calls for humility, openness, and the willingness t

BLXCR Editorial: There are many voices today that speak negatively about the church, often questioning its role and relevance in the community. But the truth is simple: those who do little work in the community rarely see the good work being done within it. Real impact often happens quietly, through service, sacrifice, and spaces created for young people to grow. That is why we want to recognize the Outreach Christian Center Sports Arena and Banquet Hall in Clinton, Maryland

In this BLXCR Editorial Special, we take a closer look at Brother Charles Muhammad — “A Traveller.” Some may ask why the word is spelled with two L’s. For Brother Charles, the double L represents two lanes: the physical road we travel and the inner path of growth that shapes our purpose. It is a reminder that when we open our lanes, we open ourselves to opportunity. For anyone searching for a new direction, his journey reminds us that sometimes the road itself becomes the d

BLXCR Editorial — A Soldier for Justice, A Legacy Beyond Recognition BLXCR shares solemn news and sincere respect as we honor the life and work of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.—a soldier in many ways, who fought battles of conscience, policy, and persuasion to widen the meaning of equal rights in America, especially for the Black community. Reverend Jackson stood in seasons when Jim Crow racism was not a chapter in a textbook, but a daily reality that demanded courage to