Latest news with #DarrellSmith
CBC
24-05-2025
- CBC
N.L. using artificial intelligence to track and tell stories of humpback whales
Newfoundland and Labrador's tourism department is having a whale of a time using artificial intelligence to help visitors learn more about the province's humpback whale population. Hello Humpback is a new website allowing users to upload their whale watching photos in order to help track humpback whales off the coast of Newfoundland. Artificial intelligence then compiles that information into a story. Darrell Smith, director of marketing for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, says no two whale tails are the same. "Whether it's the markings on the tail or the ridges and whatnot, every tail is kind of like a human fingerprint. So of course, every one of those is unique," Smith told CBC Radio's Newfoundland Morning. Once a photo is uploaded, Smith says Hello Humpback will search through a database from Happy Whale, a group that has tracked humpback whale migration for years, which users can then search through. "This is all done using image recognition software," Smith said. "Then it'll show you the whale that you have seen yourself and will say, 'OK, this guy's been in the Dominican Republic and was recently seen off North Point.'" It then uses AI to generate a story, details on sea conditions, and a specific gender for each whale according to the data Happy Whale has tracked. When users upload their pictures of whales, Hello Humpback's website says they are contributing to citizen science. "The AI model was actually built in our brand tone," Smith said. "Even though Happy Whale tracks the whales all around the world, this gives it a real unique Newfoundland and Labrador approach." Smith says they didn't hire local writers because AI can generate a whale's story much faster. "If somebody is out on the boat or on a hiking trail taking a picture, they can upload it and that [story] comes back at you right away," he said. According to Hello Humpback's website, Newfoundland and Labrador hosts the world's largest population of humpbacks every year and currently lists the story of some whales like Ryan and Michael, both last spotted in Newfoundland waters in 2022.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Coming together for Black History: Annual dinner has ‘wonderful' turnout, benefits local museum
Darrell Smith attributed the annual C.B. Nuckolls Community Center and Black History Museum Fundraising Dinner's success to community support. Smith, who co-founded the museum along with aunt Bernice Henry in 2023, said nearly 300 people attended Saturday's event at the Highlands Museum & Discover Center, exceeding his expectations. 'The turnout was wonderful,' Smith said, adding the Highlands was a fantastic host. 'With all the changing things going on (in America), I think Ashland has shown how much they want to stay together as a community,' Smith said. 'It's not just Black history, it's all of our history. Our community is staying together.' Smith said he enjoyed seeing a crowd that featured a variety of occupations and many different roles people fulfill in the area. 'The community has always supported the museum, and I'm grateful for it,' he said. Smith is meticulous when it comes to details. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling of the bright, open area on the fourth floor. Several exhibits — including Juneteenth, Booker T. Washington and sports — were on display. 'I upped my game in a sense,' Smith said with a laugh. Texas Roadhouse provided dinner and dessert. A few alcoholic drinks were included in the ticket price. The event featured a cash bar, too. Tanner Cantley with Abe One's DJ handled the music as people celebrated and danced. Mayor Chuck Charles presented the museum a proclamation for 'Black History Month in Ashland.' An 'overwhelming' silent auction included about 50 items, Smith said. First Presbyterian folks, Fairview High School students, an Ironton student and a home-schooled student volunteered at the event. 'Those kids showed up and busted their tails,' Smith said. 'I always want to get the young people involved.' Smith said one of Saturday's highlights was the Chautauqua portion. Angela Linthicum played the part of Mahalia Jackson, Kristen Martin was Harriet Tubman and Leah Branch served in the role of Madam C.J. Walker. 'It was absolutely beautiful; those three ladies did a beautiful job,' Smith said. A few familiar faces and Ashland natives — including Birdell Fish, Smith's aunt, and the family of the late Rev. Henry Mosley — came home for the dinner. 'It was such a good time,' Smith said. Smith had not tallied all the numbers yet, but he estimated the event raised about $20,000 for the C.B. Nuckolls Community Center and Black History Museum. Sponsors included the following: ACTC, Clark's Pump-n-Shop, Dr. Charles Rhodes and Mrs. Dorothy Rhodes, Dr. Michael Canty and Mrs. Connie Canty, Martin, Wheeler & Vincent PSC, Pathways, UK KDMC, Ashland For Change, Ashland Rotary, Christ Center Ministries, City of Ashland, Community Trust Bank, Frye & Troxler PSC, First Presbyterian Church, Kentucky Power, Marathon, Perkins Family DBA, Second Hand Rose, PNC Bank, Steen Funeral Home, Ashland Office Supply, The Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky, the Blake family, the Jackson family, The Heritage Art Gallery and the Mosley family.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
EDITORIAL: Working to preserve history for all
Feb. 12—Last week, staff from the C.B. Nuckolls Community Center & Black History Museum paid a visit to Ironton High School, where they gave a presentation to students on the subject of local Black history and their efforts to preserve it at their location in Ashland. Students not only heard about the collections contained in the museum, but also the personal stories of people such as its co-founder, Bernice Henry, who shared with them her experience going through school, starting in Ashland's Black school and then graduating after integration had taken place locally. Darrell Smith, the other co-founder of the museum, explained to them that he felt it was a needed institution for the area, as so much of that history is in danger of being lost as elders pass on. Stories such as Henry's illustrate that things such as integration are still, in terms of history, a fairly new phenomenon in the United States, having come about within the lifetimes of many who are still with us. It is easy for current generations to take for granted the hard-fought changes and progress that were made in the civil rights era and that is why it is important that resources such as the Nuckolls museum exist. And, in our current political climate, where, unfortunately, celebrations of diversity and initiatives promoting it are being curtailed or discouraged by certain officeholders, it is good to see that, locally, the civil rights era and the larger saga of Black history are being presented to students. It is only recently that a more inclusive, broader view of U.S. and local history has started to be promoted in the mainstream. We are glad to see that progress remains strong in our region's educational institutions.
