the lighthouse

Kenneth B. Morris, Jr. is the great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass and the great-great-grandson of Booker T. Washington, two prominent figures in African American history. He co-founded the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI) to honor the legacy of his famous ancestors and continue their work in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery.

Charisma's Turn is a graphic novel written by Dr. Monique Couvson and illustrated by Amanda Jones. It tells the story of Charisma, a Black high school student who is struggling with mounting pressures from home and school.Charisma is a bright and talented student, but she feels like she is constantly being held back by the expectations of others.

The OBSV Group is thrilled to announce the launch of a new MasterClass featuring our very own Noam Chomsky! The renowned scholar and intellectual will connect his long-standing theories to the current issues we care most about. 

Horacio Sanchez, a leading expert on student behavior and the impact of poverty on education, recently delivered a keynote speech on the relationship between poverty and adolescent cognitive ability and mental health. In his presentation, Sanchez drew on his extensive research and experience to highlight the devastating effects that poverty can have on young people and the importance of addressing this issue.

Hip-hop is turning 50 this year! So, for Black History Month, MSNBC's Into America is presenting “Street Disciples: Politics, Power, and the Rise of Hip-Hop.” Host Trymaine Lee is looking back on the political conditions and policies that have inspired half a century of hip-hop and how over time, hip-hop began to shape America.‍ On part one & part two of Street Disciples, Trymaine is joined by our very own Dr. Tricia Rose.

To kick off the new year, our very own Dr. Tricia Rose was a featured guest on the HELGA/BAI Podcast hosted by Artist & Performer, Helga Davis. Helga is a show which draws the listeners into intimate conversations with artists, scholars and cultural change-makers, famous and lesser known, who join her to share the steps they’ve taken along their paths. These inspiring conversations expand our world and our imaginations as we explore what we think we know about each other.