Ruby Maddox on Urban Sustainability

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Happy belated Earth day!  I was going through the “Talia Whyte Film Archives” on my computer, and found this footage I actually took last month because of I wanted to post this in honor International Women’s Day. 

Ruby Maddox-Fisher is the co-founder and past director of Gardening the Community (GtC), a youth-centered, community based, urban agriculture program in Springfield, MA. GtC grows organic frutis and vegetables on formerly abandoned lots while learning about and practicing agriculture, environmental stewardship and community development.   She talks about the impact her nonprofit has made in the community regarding environmental justice.

State funding slashes put METCO on shaky ground

By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity Inc., better known as METCO, is facing an uncertain future as the economic downturn continues to take its toll on programs and social services dependent on state funding.

Founded in 1966 to address what many called de facto segregation and inequality in Boston’s public education system, the program allows about 3,300 underprivileged students from Boston and Springfield to attend schools in suburban communities. Since its beginnings during the turbulent era of busing, METCO has remained a fixture in local public education.

Read the full article here.

‘FALL’ GUY:After retiring his most beloved character, best-selling scribe Walter Mosley is ready to roll with the new

By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

Acclaimed mystery writer Walter Mosley is best known for creating the character Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, a no-nonsense private detective that solved mysteries in post-World War II Los Angeles. Mosley introduced Rawlins in his 1990 debut novel, “Devil in a Blue Dress,” which was later adapted into a 1995 film starring Denzel Washington. Rawlins grew into a franchise that spawned 10 more books, propelling Mosley to international fame and earning recognition from the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus and President Bill Clinton.

But now, Mosley said, it’s time to retire Easy.

Read the full article here.

PBS series spotlights Native American past

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By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

A groundbreaking five-part series and multimedia project debuting this Monday on the PBS program “American Experience” aims to promote Native American history from its often-overlooked position and take an in-depth look at the lasting contributions of the “original Americans.”

 “We Shall Remain” includes five 90-minute documentaries spanning 300 years of American history from the Native American perspective, as well as public radio and online components designed to engage viewers from a grassroots level.

Read the full article here.

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