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At NABJ meeting, role of black press debated

By Talia Whyte

Bay State Banner

TAMPA, Fla. — Since the 1827 founding of Freedom’s Journal, the nation’s first black-owned newspaper, the black press has historically served as the voice of the African American community.

Over the last few decades, however, a series of developments — from integration in the 1960s to the increase in the number of black journalists working in mainstream media, culminating with President Barack Obama’s ascension to the White House — have led many to question the viability and relevance of black media outlets.

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Good News program opens doors for Hub students

writeboston

Good News program coordinator Nicole Daley (standing) gives writing advice to Francesca Durocher (left) and Ieysha Smith (right) on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, at Mildred Avenue Community Center in Mattapan. Photo By Talia Whyte

By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

With print newspapers continuing to fall by the wayside, one group of young Bostonians still sees the importance of getting out the written word to the masses.

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) teamed up last year with WriteBoston, a citywide initiative to improve writing proficiency among city youth on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests, to begin publishing Good News, a newspaper written by and for Boston teens about their lives.

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Black blog forum explores Web as social change agent

Photo by Talia Whyte

Photo by Talia Whyte

By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

CHICAGO — Billed as perhaps the largest gathering of African American bloggers and Web users since the election of Barack Obama, last weekend’s second annual Blogging While Brown conference showcased enthusiasm for the potential of social media tools to spur change, bolster entrepreneurship and give unique voices an opportunity to be heard.

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Black gay couples in Mass. mark marriage anniversary

Cambridge Mayor E Denise Simmons, who is also a justice of the peace, shows pictures of both gay and straight couples she has married.  Photo by Talia Whyte

Cambridge Mayor E. Denise Simmons, who is also a justice of the peace, shows photos of both gay and straight couples she has married. Photo by Talia Whyte

By Talia Whyte

The Bay State Banner

Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples across Massachusetts are celebrating their fifth wedding anniversaries this week and, while same-sex marriage remains a contentious issue, the state’s black gay community wants opponents to know that the lingering anger and confusion toward their unions are much ado about nothing.

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