Latest news with #MyBrother'sKeeper
Chicago Tribune
31-07-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
IUN hosts childcare, early education roundtable discussion
For Karen Bishop Morris, it's important for all organizations to come together to make sure children feel supported educationally in Lake County. 'We are not in competition with any other organization,' said Bishop Morris, who is the chief development and communications officer for Edgewater Health. 'We want to find the best of the best and do what we can to … co-create, reinforce and execute the shared local action plan in our community.' Indiana University Northwest hosted a roundtable discussion on the state's childcare landscape, in partnership with the My Brother's Keeper Alliance and Edgewater Health. My Brother's Keeper was created by the Barack Obama Foundation to provide better opportunities for young men of color nationwide, according to its website. The Obama Foundation created My Brother's Keeper after the death of Trayvon Martin in February 2012. The group has locations nationwide that advocate for education and childcare, including one in Lake County. My Brother's Keeper has about 80 members involved in Lake County, Bishop Morris said, and about 25 young men benefit from the program, representing Andrean High School, Bishop Noll Institute, West Side Leadership Academy, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy and Merrillville High School. Ellen Szarleta, director of IUN's Center for Urban and Regional Excellence, said Wednesday that it was 'an honor' to host My Brother's Keeper for the roundtable discussion, and childcare is an important issue statewide. 'It's one that we can't tackle alone,' Szarleta said. 'Bringing all these forces together in one room is crucial, and this is what (My Brother's Keeper) is doing to continue this conversation around childcare in Indiana. As a university, we recognize the critical importance of collaboration, specifically with community leaders, policymakers and researchers.' According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, a recent CNBC study ranked Indiana almost at the bottom for quality of life, with the worst access to childcare nationally. During the 2025 Indiana legislative session, Senate Democrats wrote that they hoped to fully fund the Child Care Development Fund, a federal program that helps low-income families pay for child care, but by the end of session, the goal was not completed. Lake County's My Brother's Keeper chapter not only advocates for better childcare statewide but better early childhood education. Retired Pediatrician Dr. Steve Simpson hosted Wednesday's roundtable discussion, speaking about how childcare and preschool can help prepare children to enter school and be ready to learn. Simpson is also founder of the Gary Literacy Coalition and passionate about reading, he said. 'You want to try reading with your kids,' Simpson said. 'Reading good things with those kids is important.' Simpson believes it's important for parents to start prioritizing literacy at home before students start preschool or early education. Children learn habits from the environment they grow up in, Simpson said, and he encourages parents to display healthy habits at home. Local organizations need to help encourage parents as well, Simpson said, including by providing books, affordable programs and financial assistance. 'I think Lake County is suffering from a lack of opportunity, a lack of funding,' Simpson said. 'We're here today to pass on information to you, but you can stimulate others to join us, to participate in this process, so we get children educated earlier.' Former Gary Schools Corporation Superintendent Myrtle Campbell presented recommended next steps to better early childhood education in Lake County, including committing to early literacy, collaborating with the Head Start State Collaboration Office, building a strong early childhood education workforce, and expanding access to early childhood mental health consultants. 'We have a lot to work on,' Campbell said. 'We're trying to prepare our children for success. We know that we can do that from early childhood education — this just has to become a national conversation.'
Black America Web
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Michelle Obama To Interview Teyana Taylor At Film Fest
Source: Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson are heading to Martha's Vineyard. While it is a preferred summer vacation spot for the Obamas, she's heading there this time to record a live episode of her podcast, IMO With Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson. They'll be interviewing multihyphenate actress Teyana Taylor about her life and career during a live taping on August 9 at the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival ( MV AAFF) next month, according to Variety . Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, launched the podcast in March and have interviewed guests including Angie Martinez, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Issa Rae, Keke Palmer, Bruce Springsteen, Jay Shetty, and Damon and Marlon Wayans. Their most recent guest was Barack Obama, who discussed parenting and his work with the My Brother's Keeper mentoring initiative. The couple also used the time to poke fun at the rumors that they were divorcing or estranged. 'You took me back,' Barack joked. They also did the TikTok couple's challenge, answering questions about their relationship. 'IMO is a podcast that continues to shape culture with unfiltered perspectives and powerful storytelling,' a statement by MVAAFF founders Floyd and Stephanie Rance said. 'The live taping also marks a major moment in the festival's ongoing tradition of spotlighting Black excellence across media and the arts, with this year's summer theme of joy!' Taylor's new album Escape Room is coming on Aug. 22. She's already released its first single, 'Long Time,' in June. Her boyfriend, Rebel Ridge and Mufasa actor Aaron Pierre , makes a cameo. The Obamas first came to the festival in 2022 to support their Netflix doc Descendant . It was produced by their Higher Ground production company, which is also behind IMO. Other celebs expected at this year's festival include Debbie Allen, Spike Lee, Aldis Hodge, Devale Ellis, Tracee Ellis Ross, and ESPN host Ryan Clark. SEE ALSO Michelle Obama To Interview Teyana Taylor At Film Fest was originally published on
TimesLIVE
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
From radio and TV to business: Zola Mhlongo's star continues to shine
South Africa's entertainment scene has no shortage of dynamic talent, but few embody versatility quite like Zola Mhlongo, a multidisciplinary media personality whose name is quickly becoming a staple across platforms. Hailing from KZN, Zola has seamlessly worn many hats — from actress to radio host, TV presenter to entrepreneur— all while staying rooted in authenticity and purpose. Her charismatic presence and magnetic performances have won over audiences nationwide. Her career kicked off on the airwaves at Gagasi FM, where her energy and voice first captured attention. That momentum catapulted her onto television screens as the host of the vibrant travel show ShayiRound on SABC 1, showcasing her adventurous spirit and on-screen charm. But Zola wasn't done: she recently stepped into the world of scripted drama, landing the role of Nkosazana in Mzansi Magic's hit telenovela My Brother's Keeper. The emotionally rich character has further cemented Zola as a serious acting talent capable of depth, nuance and authenticity. Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Zola said her journey in theatre began with productions such as the musical Big River. 'I fell in love with acting on stage, the ability to tell stories and step into other worlds — it's a beautiful kind of freedom.' This year Zola added yet another title to her growing list: co-host of Weekend Breakfast Sounds Good on Metro FM, alongside industry icon Somizi Mhlongo. The duo has been a hit with listeners, blending humour, insight and a fresh weekend vibe. Off the mic and away from the cameras, Zola is a passionate entrepreneur. She heads up Undefined Shapes, a brand rooted in body positivity and women's empowerment that challenges conventional beauty standards. Through this platform and her ongoing advocacy for mental health awareness, Zola continues to be a voice for transformation in media and South African society.
The South African
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder fights drug addiction
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele is back in his home country after playing in Portugal, Poland and Russia in the past 10 years. Born in Kwa Mashu, Durban, 28 years ago, Cele moved to Amakhosi in January to earn his first experience of professional football in Mzansi's Betway Premiership. The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder says that during December, he discovered his peers had become victims of drug abuse. Cele has since established a programme he calls 'My Brother's Keeper' to rescue addicts. 'Being away, I couldn't do much. Last December, while I was home, I realised I didn't like what was happening in my community,' Cele told FARPost . 'More and more boys were falling into drugs, and I'd look at some of them and say 'you played football and now you're doing drugs…' New Kaizer Chiefs player signs until 2028 'We started engaging with the gents and recorded some of the sessions. We didn't post. With time, ideas came on how we could send the message across to try and help the gents. I thought, let's sit and speak to each other. The project is about trying to help the community. The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder added: 'These are gents I grew up with, so it's natural conversations that we have. I appreciate their energy and how they opened up.' 'I am making it my mission to find someone who can come and help us. I have my own idea – maybe someone who has a farm, takes them to work, and they are placed in a rehabilitation facility. There are many things we can do. Those chats are important as a starting point,' Cele added. Kaizer Chiefs to say goodbye to these five players Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beloved 'Prison Break' Star Appears Totally Unrecognizable: 'Looks Like a Different Man'
After stumbling upon Dominic Purcell's Instagram feed, Prison Break fans surely found themselves doing a double-take. Recognized for his clean-shaven look, the British-Australian actor known for bringing to life Lincoln Burrows, looked totally unrecognizable in a style switch-up, sporting a bushy white beard. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 "He looks like a different man," one commented of the 55-year-old actor, before adding, "Still 🔥." "You look good really suits you," one complimented, as another noted that he resembled a jolly fictional character, stating, "OMG! Santa Claus is in the house 🎅 😂." Someone else doubled down, "For a second I didn't recognize you," with another comment reading, "Looking like a true Oklahoma ex-convict. Meant in the most complimentary way possible! You grow a mean beard, friend." There were also a handful of comments praising the series, as Purcell donned a "My Brother's Keeper" shirt, which paid tribute to the title of Season 1 Episode 16 that featured flashbacks of how the inmates arrived at Fox River Penitentiary. The transformation appears to be more recent, as the actor still appeared clean-shaven for his wedding to Trish Cyrus in 2023. However, recent posts on Instagram show him embracing the new look while seemingly living in Tennessee, surfing and boxing to stay in shape. And while there's no word on any Prison Break reboots as of late, he has two projects—Snatchback and Pendelum—in the works.
