Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones fights to ensure Black students in Iowa have access to books that tell their stories, as conservative activists push book bans.

When it comes to language, Black folks are no strangers to code-switching. Now, the conversation around the way we speak has sparked a growing movement in California that wants to change the narrative about Black English and its place in the classroom. Educators and advocates are pushing to recognize Black English as more than slang or improper speech, but instead as a tool to strengthen early literacy.

The Smithsonian Institution offers over 21 museums, many located in the nation's capital, and most are free. Collections include the National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Postal Museum, and Anacostia Community Museum. The National Museum of African Art features exhibits exploring art through diverse lenses, while the National Air and Space Museum celebrates human flight achievements and stories of pioneering Black aviators. The National Portrait Gallery holds over 26,000 portraits including presidents and civil rights icons. Visitors can explore contemporary art at the Hirshhorn Museum, entertainment history at the American History Museum, and natural wonders at the Natural History Museum featuring the Hope Diamond.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, confronting American history requires remembering the enslaved Black Americans who physically and economically built this nation. While plantation tours can be powerful tools for understanding the horrifying realities of slavery, not all historic sites treat the past with the same honesty. Tracking visitor reviews, online ratings, community word-of-mouth analyzed which locations offer an unvarnished look at Black American history and which ones still gloss over slavery to sell a romanticized fantasy of the antebellum South.

Chris Brown awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in Visual & Performing Arts from Harvest Christian University - a historic milestone that has the internet buzzing with memes.