By Michiko Clark 

Special to the 欧美AV

The forgotten story of a pioneering group of five Black ballerinas and their 50-year sisterhood, was a legacy erased from history 鈥� until now, thanks to author Karen Valby鈥檚 new book, 鈥淭he Swans of Harlem.鈥�

One of the five history-making Black ballerinas was Cincinnati native Marcia Sells.

At the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Lydia Abarca was a Black prima ballerina with a major international dance company 鈥� the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), a troupe of women and men who became each other鈥檚 chosen family. She was the first Black Company ballerina on the cover of Dance magazine, and an Essence cover star; she was cast in 鈥淭he Wiz鈥� and in a Bob Fosse production on Broadway. She performed in some of ballet鈥檚 most iconic works with other trailblazing ballerinas, including the young women who became her closest friends 鈥� founding Dance Theatre of Harlem members Gayle McKinney-Griffith and Sheila Rohan, as well as first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Lynn Sells of Cincinnati.

Marcia Lynn Sells began her life in the arts as a ballerina at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and, before that, in the Cincinnati Ballet. In 2021, she became the first chief diversity officer for the Metropolitan Opera. Previously, she held positions in the private and public sectors including Reuters America, the National Basketball Association, Columbia University School of Law, Harvard Law School, and the Brooklyn District Attorney鈥檚 Office. She is the daughter of the late Mamie Earl Sells, a popular Cincinnati 欧美AV columnist.

These Swans of Harlem performed for the Queen of England, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder, on the same bill as Josephine Baker, at the White House and beyond, but decades later, there was almost no record of their groundbreaking history to be found. Out of a sisterhood that had grown even deeper with the years, these Swans joined forces again 鈥� to share their story with the world.

Captivating, rich in vivid detail and character, and steeped in the glamour and grit of professional ballet, 鈥淭he Swans of Harlem鈥� is a riveting account of five extraordinarily accomplished women, a celebration of both their historic careers and the sustaining, grounding power of female friendship, and a window into the robust history of Black ballet, hidden for too long.

Marcia Sells said, 鈥淭his book came about when Karlya, Gayle, Lydia, Sheila and I started talking with each other during COVID to connect.聽 We felt it was important for us to come together and make sure we shared how we were doing in our lives after DTH but also to share our memories about our time in DTH.聽 We realized that these stories had not been heard and many in the world did not know about the Black Ballerinas and dancers of DTH all before Misty Copeland was even born.

鈥淚t was wonderful for me to see Dance Theatre of Harlem right here in Cincinnati when they were first going on tour.聽DTH appeared at the Corbett Theater and seeing Black dancers on stage, when I was at the time the only Black girl in the College Conservatory of Music preparatory program, was inspiring.聽 I then knew it was possible for me to become a professional ballet dancer.聽 I was so glad that my parents Mamie and Charles Sells invited Arthur Mitchell and Lorenzo James, who worked with DTH, to come back to our house for dinner at 134 Mary Lane.聽 It was there Arthur Mitchell told my parents I had talent.聽 It helped carry me through my years in Cincinnati Ballet, where I did become a member of the company, before leaving to join DTH in NYC.聽聽

鈥淚 think about all of this now as I come back to promote the book and even to celebrate Cincinnati Ballet’s 60th Anniversary on May 9, that it was that chance to see Dance Theatre of Harlem on the stage in Cincinnati led me to this moment with the amazing Black Ballerinas, my fellow Swans of DTH.聽

鈥淚 also think about a few other DTH dancers who were also Cincinnati Ballet dancers too, including the great Kevin Ward, who lead Dayton Contemporary Dance Company after the great Geraldine Blunden, who also brought a group of young dancers in 1970 to first DTH summer intensive which I also attended.聽There was also Earl Tucker who was briefly in Cincinnati Ballet and DTH.聽 There was the great James Truitte, who was a founding member of Alvin Ailey and tenured faculty at CCM in Dance Department, who set many Horton works on Cincinnati Ballet in 1970s and 80s, who also set the great Horton work “Beloved鈥� on Dance Theatre of Harlem in which fellow Swan Gayle McKinney Griffith was the lead with Roman Brooks and they appeared together in Dance in America film in 1977 on PBS.聽 聽

鈥淒ance Theatre of Harlem also were part of a major fundraiser for Seven Hills Neighborhood house in 1971 and then performed at Music Hall for sold out performances.聽 This was at the time that my dad was the Executive Director for Seven Hills.鈥澛犅�

The book is now on sale.

A book signing event is at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Norwood at 7 p.m. on May 10.

Praise for a Most Anticipated Book of the Year from The Washington Post and Cosmopolitan

鈥淜aren Valby鈥檚 鈥楾he Swans of Harlem鈥� brings to life the stories of Black dancers whose contributions to the world of ballet were silenced, marginalized and otherwise erased. Karen introduces readers to important figures of our past, while inspiring us to courageously chase our dreams. This is the kind of history I wish I learned as a child dreaming of the stage!鈥� 鈥� Misty Copeland, New York Times-bestselling author of 鈥淏lack Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy.鈥�

鈥淭hese five original Dance Theatre of Harlem ballerinas fell in love with an art form that most of America believed was White and should remain so. Upon Arthur Mitchell鈥檚 founding of an all-Black company in 1969, they eagerly took their places at the barre and challenged themselves to the utmost. They triumphed.

鈥淭hey showed that Blacks could not only excel at classical ballet but could also shape the art in their own vibrant image. Karen Valby weaves their stories together as a choreographer would: the women form an ensemble, yet each gets her own riveting solo. It鈥檚 thrilling to watch as they join forces at last and claim their unique place in American ballet鈥檚 past, present and future.鈥� 鈥� Margo Jefferson, author of 鈥淐onstructing a Nervous System鈥�

鈥淯ntil Valby鈥檚 utterly absorbing, flawlessly-researched book, I never knew the story of the original Dance Theatre of Harlem ballerinas 鈥� and now, I demand that their lives be taught in schools!

鈥淰alby finally sheds light on these towering dance pioneers, all of whom triumphed as dancers in a world that didn鈥檛 believe Black people had a place in the classical art form. Vibrant, propulsive, and inspiring, 鈥淭he Swans of Harlem鈥� is a richly drawn portrait of five courageous women whose contributions have been silenced for too long!鈥� 鈥� Tia Williams, New York Times-bestselling author of 鈥淪even Days in June鈥�

鈥淰ibrant鈥 captivating corrective to an often-whitewashed history.鈥� 鈥� Publishers Weekly, starred review

鈥淎 skilled storyteller with an eye for significant details and thematic complexity鈥A] dynamic, tumultuous and inspiring journey of the five central ballerinas, the book is deeply researched and full of heart. A rich, detailed, and complex history of Harlem鈥檚 first prima ballerinas.鈥� 鈥� Kirkus

鈥淭here is joy in the way the women discuss their decades-long friendships and trailblazing performances in this book. Valby gives each dancer space for their stories to naturally flow, writing them as fully realized individuals with their own hopes and dreams鈥eartwarming.鈥� 鈥� Library Journal

鈥淔or those who love 鈥楬idden Figures鈥� and are interested in dance and culture鈥aptivating, rich in vivid detail and character, and steeped in the glamor and grit of professional ballet, 鈥楾he Swans of Harlem鈥� is a riveting account of five extraordinarily accomplished women, a celebration of their historic careers and a window into the robust history of Black ballet, hidden for too long.鈥� 鈥� Texas Lifestyle Magazine

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叠测听

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. 鈥� Western Hills High School alum DeShawn Parker has dedicated his life to horse racing. Parker has spent the last 35 yeas as a professional jockey.

“The thrill,” is what keeps drawing him back, Parker said.

“I just go out there and win as many races as I can,” Parker said.

Parker wins a lot of races. Parker is the 20th winningest jockey in professional horse racing history and the winningest Black jockey ever.

A legendary career, takes a legendary work ethic.聽

鈥淵ou definitely have to put in the time. Like today I got on six horses this morning. I鈥檒l go home for a little bit and turn around and ride this afternoon,鈥� Parker said.

鈥淗e is going to do whatever it takes to be successful. He tries hard, he works really hard,鈥� horse trainer George Leonard III said.

Parker had extra obstacles, especially as a young jockey.

鈥淧roblem because I was tall and Black鈥verybody that told me I couldn鈥檛 do it, I just tried to prove them wrong and do it better,鈥� Parker said.

In the late 1800s, Black jockeys dominated horse racing, then the early 1900s and the Jim Crow-era came along.

鈥淚t kind of phased out, because those guys started making a little more money, so the other guys wanted to take the fame and glory and all that stuff,鈥� Parker said.

Parker became an exception, growing up around the sport.

鈥淚 was raised in the jockeys room,鈥� Parker said, because of his dad, Daryl.

鈥淗e was the first African American, Black steward鈥� Before there was all African American riders, my dad was so known that probably five times a day someone would tell me something and talk about my dad,鈥� DeShawn said.

鈥淗is dad was a great guy. DeShawn is just a chip off the old block like his dad. His dad was the nicest guy, never knew a stranger,鈥� said Leonard, who was a friend of Daryl Parker’s.

鈥淎 lot of time you find steward鈥檚 are tough on people; he was fair to everybody. Even if they were in trouble, he鈥檇 try to get them out of trouble,鈥� DeShawn said.

鈥淟ike a father figure, he was that warm type of guy, that you had to like him, even though you wanted to hate him, you had to like him because he is right,鈥� Leonard said.

Daryl died from cancer three years ago.

鈥淲hen I was going for the 6,000, I think I would have talked to my dad a lot more that week. Like I said I was on a bunch of favorites, and they were getting beat, they were getting beat bad, normally that鈥檚 the time I would call my dad and I would talk to him and he would just pick my head up,” DeShawn said.

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, on the horse聽For Mama, DeShawn got his 6,000th win. He said it was for his father.

鈥淚 knew my dad was riding with me, so it was the perfect thing,鈥� DeShawn said.

Only 21 jockeys in history have won 6,000 races. Only one of those jockeys is a Black man.

鈥淎 lot of people didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 win one race, growing up,鈥� DeShawn said.

鈥淓veryone keeps asking 鈥榳hen are you going to retire?鈥� and I say 鈥榓s soon as I stop winning races, I鈥檒l start thinking about it,” DeShawn said.

More than three decades of defying the odds, with no final stretch in sight.

Reposted with permission from WCPO 9 Cincinnati.

Editor鈥檚 Note: According to Wikipedia, Black jockeys were among the sport’s best, winning the biggest races and setting records that would stand for decades. Thirteen of the fifteen riders in the first Kentucky Derby were African American鈥攁nd 16 of the first 28 derbys were won by African American jockeys.

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By Barry C. Burden, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Once again, the U.S. is entering a presidential campaign with some voters . None of those candidates has a real shot at victory in November, but they might influence the race and politics beyond the election.

There was a time about a century ago when minor-party and independent candidates . While mostly limited to victories in state and local elections, they offered perspectives screened out by the Democrats and Republicans, on issues ranging from immigration to trade.

Occasionally, a promising presidential candidate will bring issues from outside the two-party system. Wealthy businessman on a message opposing free trade and federal budget deficits. allowed him to win electoral votes in five southern states in 1968. while railing against corporate power and corruption.

As a , I find these cases remarkable because the U.S. political system generally reinforces two-party dominance.

Scaring away minor parties

A says that a system where a single person who gets the most votes wins office 鈥� as is the case with most prominent elections in the U.S. 鈥� will tend to foster two big parties.

The effect of what鈥檚 known as 鈥淒uverger鈥檚 law鈥� often when the major-party race becomes competitive. Those minor-party supporters want to avoid spoiling the election by tilting it to the party they like least.

In addition, has discouraged local alternatives to the two major parties that pop up in more decentralized systems. It seems that the more political discourse is focused on national political issues rather than state and local concerns, the more that state parties come to resemble their national counterparts.

Making it hard to run

The Democrats and Republicans are not passive observers of Duverger鈥檚 law. The two major parties have largely run minor-party competitors out of business in intentional ways.

First, Democratic and Republican officeholders adopt laws making it more difficult for others to run. Creation of the secret ballot around the turn of the 19th century provided one such opportunity. In nearly every state, lawmakers adopted state-created ballots and then banned ,鈥� a once-widespread practice that allows multiple parties to nominate the same candidate.

Fusion would allow small parties to hitch a ride on big-name candidates without their supporters being concerned about 鈥渟poiling鈥� the election. For example, if the Libertarian Party also endorsed a Republican presidential candidate, voters inclined toward the Libertarians could vote for the candidate that both parties endorsed. This allowed voters to support their preferred parties without jeopardizing the GOP鈥檚 chances of defeating the Democratic nominee.

Legislators also implemented over the course of the 20th century. These laws prevent candidates who fail to win primaries from running in the general election, stopping a candidate initially inside a party from then running outside the two-party structure.

While major parties guaranteed themselves lines on the ballot by making sure state laws put their parties on ballots, minor-party and independent candidates must gather signatures on petitions to compete. Requiring more signatures tends to who appear on the ballot. Although lawsuits brought by candidates have led to some rules around petitioning to be struck down, it remains a significant hurdle in many states.

The major parties often marginalize minor parties by co-opting minor-party concerns into their platforms. Especially when a new party or independent candidate attracts support around a neglected issue, at least one of the major parties will try to weave it into their appeals.

In the New Deal era, Democrats after being challenged by the Populist Party, which had championed policies for labor unions and farmers. After seeing Perot draw so much support for his reform proposals in 1992, in the 1994 midterm elections by advocating for ideas Perot had advanced, such as a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution and congressional term limits.

Nationalized politics

Current times might seem ripe for an independent or minor-party candidate for president. The . There is widespread dissatisfaction with the two major parties and the to run for president.

There is little doubt that the Democrats and Republicans have become highly polarized on policy issues and their political styles. It is tempting to believe that polarization of the major parties opens more opportunities for less ideological parties to compete. This would mimic the late 19th century in the U.S., and minor parties were frequent competitors.

But because the costs of losing are greater.

The current era differs from the late 19th century because in earlier periods of U.S. history voter concerns were more parochial, media outlets were more locally oriented and parties were mostly state-based entities. That left a lot of room for third-party progressives in the upper Midwest and conservative Dixiecrats in the South to find support.

Lately, party politics has become nationalized, and national issues dominate even local politics. The across the country over the past century has led to greater . Nearly every political issue that arises coincides with the alignment between the major parties, rather than being taken up by a splinter group in a state or region.

Chicken and egg

There are substantial hurdles to minor-party success. On one hand, a campaign organized around a single individual such as Perot or Wallace can get hung up on the liabilities of that person, and the organization can evaporate when its leader leaves the scene.

On the other hand, a campaign organized around a larger movement or set of ideas can suffer from the lack of a compelling figure to lead it. The Green Party is reasonably well organized and often gets on the ballot, but it is missing an attention-grabbing leader. The group No Labels tried to gain ballot access for a bipartisan ticket in 2024 but failed because it .

Although a third party is not likely to have much electoral success anytime soon, they do enrich American politics.

The campaigns of in 1992 and in 2000 increased overall voter turnout. Injecting new ideas and forcing the major parties to incorporate a wider array of interests remain the most tangible results of minor-party and independent campaigns.

This article is republished from , a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: ,

Read more:

Barry C. Burden does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Photos by Michael Mitchell and 欧美AV Staff

This year’s Center for Closing the Health Gap’s Health Expo took place this past Saturday at Washington Park.

The event lasted from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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By Ethan Nichols

Allen Temple AME Church was established in 1824 by Rev. James King, who had been enslaved, and Rev. Phillip Brodie. Rev. Alphonse Allen Jr. now is the leader of this historic church. Allen Temple AME Church member and Attorney Paula Lampley, organized the honorary street naming with the Office of Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney. The ceremony was held April 18 on the corner of Reading Road and Seymour Avenue in Bond Hill.

In the early 19^th century, there were some African Americans in Cincinnati who worshiped at White Methodist Episcopal churches, but they often were mistreated. They knew what had happened in the 1790s in Philadelphia: Black worshippers at St. George鈥檚 Church in Philadelphia were made to sit in a segregated section of the church. One Sunday, Revs. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones and other Black members of St. George鈥檚 congregation were pulled up as they were kneeling in prayer at the altar with the White worshippers. In protest, Black members of the congregation walked out of the church.

Rev. Allen went on to establish the new African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in 1794. Like Revs. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones a few decades before, Revs. King and Brodie decided enough was enough, and so in 1824, they established the first organized Black congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains.

The church moved from Rev. King鈥檚 home to Rev. Brodie鈥檚 cellar, and then became known as the Little Red Church on the Green (North Street near New), Lime House (Seventh Street east of Broadway), The Old Bethel (Sixth Street east of Broadway), Allen Chapel (1856-1873), and today Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church. Allen Temple moved to Roselawn in 1979.

In 1998, under the leadership of Reverend Donald H. Jordan Sr., Allen Temple formed The Allen Temple Real Estate Foundation to acquire and operate the Swifton Commons Mall in Bond Hill which became known as Jordan鈥檚 Crossing, now known as Midpointe Crossing that is owned by The Port (development authority).

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RLH Pageants Unlimited once again showcased the epitome of Black beauty, intellect and talent, during the recent Miss Black Cincinnati and Miss Black Teen Cincinnati pageants leaving the Tri-State audience in awe as the contestants took the stage.

The event, orchestrated by the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company, produced and directed by Donald L. Sherman and staff, illuminated the stage with the brilliance of the contestants. A few hours later after much clapping, adulation and cheers a winner from each pageant received her crown and sash. 

Soon after the pageant, I had the honor of interviewing the current Miss Black Cincinnati, Ajiana Birchmore, and Miss Black Teen Cincinnati, Jai Walker Tate. Each is undeniably equipped, focused and poised to lead by example. 

Miss Ajiana Birchmore, 24, graduate student at the University of Cincinnati, shone bright as she claimed the prestigious title of Miss Black Cincinnati 2024. Her path to the crown was a shining example of unwavering dedication and exceptional abilities, a journey that can motivate and empower anyone. 

Q: Ajiana, you have a career as an admissions counselor, and you are a graduate student. Why a pageant at this stage of your life, and how did you manage your schedule? 

A: A few amazing women in my life competed in either Miss Black Cincinnati or Miss Black Teen Cincinnati. They each spoke very highly of their experience. Additionally, I could not pass up the opportunity to be part of this organization and to be a role model for young girls. My calendar is my best friend. I scheduled everything in my life, which gave me time to attend rehearsals without stress. 

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of the pageant, and how did you overcome the hurdle? 

A: The impromptu question, I was very nervous, not knowing what I would be asked, and having to formulate an answer on the spot was so nerve-racking. I read up on current events, practiced answering different kinds of questions, and I had a list of potential answers I could apply to many questions. 

Q: Ajiana, what moments stand out to you? 

A: This was such an amazing experience, and I am so glad I applied. The moments that stand out to me the most are the ones I spent with my fellow contestants. I found myself looking forward to rehearsals, mostly because I knew I would see them. They are all such amazing young women, and going through the process with them was so fulfilling that I wouldn鈥檛 have wanted to do it with anyone else. 

As Miss Black Cincinnati 2024, Birchmore doesn鈥檛 just wear a crown; she carries a commitment. Her dedication to uplift and empower her community, especially in higher education, is a beacon of hope. Her reign will be a source of pride, inspiring young women to embrace their authenticity and pursue their passions without fear. She imparts invaluable advice to aspiring contestants: 

鈥淪eize the opportunity, step outside your comfort zone and embrace the journey wholeheartedly.鈥� For her, the pageant was not just a competition but a transformative experience that enriched her life in countless ways. 

Jai Walker Tate, 15, High School student Connections Academy 

Q: What inspired you to enter this prestigious pageant at a young age? 

A: I always loved the thought of participating in a pageant, but I didn鈥檛 want to risk stepping outside of my comfort zone. When I was presented with the opportunity to enter, I realized that my comfort zone would get me nowhere. So, I left my fears behind and took a chance on myself. 

Q: Which approach did you take to prepare for the competition? 

A: This is my first pageant, but luckily my mother did extensive research and spoke to previous pageant participants. As an author, I was thrilled to have the opportunity in the talent category to highlight my love for scriptwriting with the comedic monologue I wrote. 

Q: How did you manage your time effectively as a high school student? 

A: The beauty of Ohio Connections Academy is that the curriculum is challenging, scheduling is flexible, and the teachers are incredibly supportive. 

Q: Reflecting on your experience competing in the Miss Black Teen Cincinnati pageant, what were some memorable moments for you? 

A: I鈥檒l have to say the fun I had with my pageant sisters during technical rehearsal, the care given by the pageant alumni on competition day, and, last but not least, hearing myself announced as the new Miss Black Teen Cincinnati. 

Q: How did you enjoy the overall competition experience? 

A: It was a challenging and rewarding experience.” 

Q: You won the sash and crown. Please share your goals and aspirations during your reign. 

A: It is an honor to wear the crown, and during my reign, I will dedicate myself to my platform, literacy. Through events, workshops, and collaborations, my mission is to promote a culture of life-long learning while upholding the values Mr. Robert L. Humphries set forth. 

Q: What impact do you hope to leave as a legacy once your reign as Miss Black Teen Cincinnati concludes? 

A: I want to be impactful in a way that inspires young and old to pursue their dreams fearlessly. 

Robert Humphries’s words will always ring true: 鈥淭here can only be one contestant crowned Miss Black Cincinnati/Miss Black Teen Cincinnati but to me, my staff, your parents, relatives and friends, you all are winners in the 鈥楥ontest of Life.鈥欌�� 

All MBC and MBTC contestants are now and forever a part of a legacy and a family of beautiful, brilliant and talented young ladies and women under the organization of RLH Pageants Unlimited Alumnae.聽More than 30 alumnae dating back to the first pageant in 1980 took the stage. If you are an alumnae, call 513 368-8108.聽

Event hosts included Courtis Fuller, Jan Michele-Lemon Kearney, Dr. Shelly Hamler, P. Ann Everson Price and Bomani Tyehimba. The judges were LaVieena Campbell, Jermaine Hill, Meichelle Gaines Gibson, Tish Norman, Iris Showes-Roley, Wanda Wallace and Lincoln Ware. Title sponsors were Closing the Health Gap, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, All-In Coalition, LifeCenter ‘Donate Life,’ GCNK African American Chamber, First Financial, Tru Partner Credit Union and 欧美AV as media sponsor.聽

The escorts were Alpha Phi Alpha Esquires Aaron Bees, Caleb Griffin, Jermaine Dudley and Eddie Perry Jr. 

The Cincinnati Public Library System has archived the history of both pageants in its time capsule. 

Please support the tangible future of the legacy of the pageants also seeking 2025 contestants. Donate to the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company at . 

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Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, The Community Builders, and the many project partners on April 23 at Avondale Town Center at the northwest corner of Reading Road and Forest Avenue, celebrated the culmination of the transformative $46 million, 11-acre, mixed-use development residential and commercial construction project that has revitalized the historic Avondale neighborhood. 聽聽

Mayor Aftab Pureval, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, The Community Builders, and community members discussed the economic, workforce, and quality of life impact the project has had in Avondale and provided an update on the businesses scheduled to open in 2024.聽

The celebration allowed attendees to tour the facilities, meet with the project’s leaders and community members, and witness firsthand the impact of this significant community investment. Guests also enjoyed tastings from town center eateries such Zola鈥檚 Place and delicious parfaits at Saturday Morning Vibes, received gift vouchers via a generous donation from Children鈥檚 Cincinnati to spend at ATC, to shop at the town center businesses, and were able to tour the diverse range of companies and retailers within the new development.聽

The project encompasses 319 mixed-income apartments and 78,000 square feet of commercial and retail space across three buildings, creating many new jobs and hosting various services and shops, including a grocery store, health services, fashion boutiques, a pharmacy, and restaurant and more. Notably, this project includes the first laundromat in the community and a relocated federally qualified health center.聽

The Community Builders鈥� mission is to build and sustain strong communities across 15 states where all people can thrive. Its mission-driven businesses work with partners to develop, finance, and operate residential communities, neighborhood amenities, and opportunity programs for families, seniors, and adults with disabilities.聽聽

Bart Mitchell, CEO and president of TC, said, 鈥淎TC is the capstone of more than a decade of investment by TCB in the Avondale community. The vibrant Town Center brings new retail, health care, and dining experiences. These new businesses have created as oasis is what was for too long a desert. ATC provides what we all enjoy is our neighborhoods, a pharmacy, a restaurant, a breakfast bar, a health center, and retail shops.鈥欌��

He noted that many of these businesses are led by local Black and women entrepreneurs, bringing needed services to Avondale, while building their own wealth. 聽

鈥淏lack and women-led businesses also played a powerful role in building ATC. In fact, $26 million in development contracts were awarded to minority and women business enterprises. Through these businesses, new jobs have been generated for residents of this community,鈥� he added.

Community Life supports residents through coaching and access to resources, which is made easier now with these local businesses providing access to health care, fresh food and quality early education, Mitchell said. 鈥淎TC is setting a new standard for quality, inclusion, economic opportunity and community engagement for revitalizing neighborhoods. Together, we are making Avondale a better place to live, work and play.鈥�

As well as the residents of Avondale, Mitchell recognized the many funders and partners making ATC possible. They are City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children鈥檚 Hospital, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Low Income Investment Fund (LISC), Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Cincinnati Development Fund, Uptown Consortium, United Way, Unnewehr and Edelweiss Foundations, United Dairy Famers, Interact for Health, Fifth Third Bank, HomeBase, Reinvestment Fund, New Hope Community Capital, BUILD Health, Avondale Community Council and Avondale Development Corporation.聽

鈥淭his is the change the residents here wanted to see,鈥� said Mayor Aftab Pureval. Monica Mitchell, of Children鈥檚 Hospital, added that we are here to celebrate the strong businesses that have located in the center, and the center provides a gathering place for the community and events.

However, both City Councilmember and resident Reggie Harris, as well as Avondale Community Council President Sandra Jones Mitchell emphasized the success of the center and its businesses is dependent on the support residents give them.

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The much-ballyhooed NFL draft has come and gone. All 32 NFL teams selected amateurs they hope will help their teams and become the next stars of the NFL. The Cincinnati Bengals were one of those teams. It鈥檚 hopeless to give the Bengal draft an A+ or an F. Only time will tell if the needs filled by the players selected will pan out.

The offensive line has been a big topic for the Bengals over the past three seasons. This team managed to get to the Super Bowl in 2021 鈥渋n spite of鈥� its offensive line. That Bengal offensive line may have been the worst line ever to start a Super Bowl. Not one of those players will be starters for the 2024 Bengals.聽聽

Cincinnati zeroed in on Amarius Mims of Georgia as its top pick. Mims size fits right in the NFL. At 6-7 340 pounds, he will be able to hold his own with any defensive lineman. Experience is a different story. Much has been made of Mims only starting eight games at Georgia.聽 The former Georgia tackle also has an injury history that might be concerning to the men in stripes. Nevertheless, Bengal coach Zac Taylor had only great things to say about his top pick. 鈥淲e鈥檙e happy with our selection and feel he can contribute right away,鈥� said Taylor.

While the offense got a much-needed lift on the line, the defense did. Last season, stopping the run was not one of the Bengals strong suits. Enter Kris Jenkins. Jenkins was a starting defensive tackle for the National Champion Michigan Wolverines. Jenkins was a constant disruption for the Wolverine defensive line. Jenkins also proved he could pressure the quarterback in his college days. His sack total last season may have only been 2 陆, but Jenkins constant pressure forced many interceptions of opponents.

Rounds 3 and 4 for Cincy focused on offensive.聽 Tyler Boyd likely has caught his last pass for the Bengals. A possible replacement for Boyd could be the speedy Jermaine Burton out of Alabama. Burton constantly gave defensive backfields fits at Bama with his blazing speed and ability to get behind defenders.聽聽聽

While Burton could be an asset at wide receiver, Eric All could be the long-term solution at tight end that the Bengals have been searching for. All is a local product out of Fairfield. The 6-4, 252 pound All went to Michigan before making the transfer to Iowa. All suffered a knee injury ending his season. 鈥淲e feel good about where he is in his recovery,鈥� said Bengal coach Zac Taylor.

Rounds 5 through 7 saw the Bengals pick a cornerback, tight end, safety, and center. You never know what player will shine when he鈥檚 given the chance. A top pick is not a guarantee of success, nor is a bottom pick assured failure. Brock Purdy was the last man taken in the 2022 draft. He ultimately became the starting quarterback for San Francisco.

Time will tell the busts from the folk heroes.

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The twice-impeached and four-times indicted former President Donald Trump faced a modicum of legal repercussions Tuesday as a judge held him in criminal contempt for violating a gag order through posts on his social media platform, Truth Social.

New York County Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan delivered the ruling, citing nine instances where Trump鈥檚 posts attacked jurors and witnesses, breaching the court鈥檚 order. Each violation incurred a $1,000 fine, with Merchan warning of possible incarceration for further transgressions.

The gag order, in effect since April 1, prohibits Trump from making public statements about witnesses or prospective jurors involved in the investigation or the criminal proceeding.

Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney鈥檚 Office accused Trump of flouting the order at least ten times since its implementation. Among the cited posts were attacks targeting expected witnesses Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, whom the former president allegedly engaged in an extramarital affair.

Prosecutors requested Trump remove the offending posts and asked the judge to warn him about potential jail time for future violations.

During an April 23 hearing, prosecutor Chris Conroy suggested Trump might be seeking incarceration for political purposes. Trump鈥檚 legal team countered that he had not willfully violated the order but was reacting to political attacks.

When the judge pressed Trump鈥檚 attorney, he found it difficult to give examples of the alleged attacks Trump was retaliating against.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to reimbursing Cohen for the hush money payment to Daniels during the 2016 campaign.

If convicted, Trump could face up to four years in prison. However, outside the courtroom, he continued engaging in political discourse, discussing his recent Time Magazine interview, and criticizing ongoing protests on college campuses.

In the interview, Trump outlined his agenda if re-elected, criticized pro-Palestinian protests on campuses, and expressed concerns about potential election-related violence.

鈥淭his whole country is up in arms breaking into colleges 鈥� they took over a building,鈥� he said, referring to a recent occupation of a building at Columbia University by pro-Palestinian students.

Trump, who has spearheaded a significant resurgence of race-related issues in America, also suggested there is an 鈥渁nti-white feeling鈥� in the country and hinted at potential violence surrounding the election.

鈥淚f we don鈥檛 win, you know, it depends,鈥� he said when asked whether he鈥檇 encourage violence from his supporters. 鈥淚t always depends on the fairness of the election.鈥�

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By Nora McDonald, George Mason University

Social media apps regularly present teens with algorithmically selected content often described as 鈥渇or you,鈥� suggesting, by implication, that the curated content is not just 鈥渇or you鈥� but also 鈥渁bout you鈥� 鈥� a mirror reflecting important signals about the person you are.

All users of social media are exposed to these signals, but researchers understand that teens are at in the formation of personal identity. Scholars have begun to demonstrate that technology is having , not merely in the way it influences cultural outlook, behavior and privacy, but also in the way it can shape personality among those brought up on social media.

The prevalence of the 鈥渇or you鈥� message raises important questions about the impact of these algorithms on how teens perceive themselves and see the world, and the subtle erosion of their privacy, which they accept in exchange for this view.

Teens like their algorithmic reflection

Inspired by these questions, my colleagues and of Drexel University and asked: How are teens navigating this algorithmically generated milieu, and how do they recognize themselves in the mirror it presents?

In our qualitative interview study of teens 13-17, we found that personalized algorithmic content does seem to present what teens , and that they very much like the experience of seeing that social media reflection.

Teens we spoke with say they prefer a social media completely customized for them, depicting what they agree with, what they want to see and, thus, who they are.

If I look up something that is important to me that will show up as one of the top posts [and] it鈥檒l show, like, people [like me] that are having a nice discussion.

It turns out that the teens we interviewed believe social media algorithms like TikTok鈥檚 have gotten so good that they see the reflections of themselves in social media as quite accurate. So much so that teens are quick to attribute content inconsistencies with their self-image as anomalies 鈥� for instance, the result of inadvertent engagement with past content, or just a glitch.

At some point I saw something about that show, maybe on TikTok, and I interacted with it without actually realizing.

When personalized content is not agreeable or consistent with their self-image, the teens we interviewed say they scroll past it, hoping never to see it again. Even when these perceived anomalies take the form of extreme hypermasculine or 鈥渘asty鈥� content, teens do not attribute this to anything about themselves specifically, nor do they claim to look for an explanation in their own behaviors. According to teens in our interviews, the social media mirror does not make them more self-reflective or challenge their sense of self.

One thing that surprised us was that while teens were aware that what they see in their 鈥渇or you鈥� feed is the product of their scrolling habits on social media platforms, they are largely unaware or unconcerned that that data captured across apps contributes to this self-image. Regardless, they don鈥檛 see their 鈥渇or you鈥� feed as a challenge to their sense of self, much less a risk to their self-identity 鈥� nor, for that matter, any basis for concern at all.

Shaping identity

Research on identity has come a long way since sociologist Erving Goffman proposed the 鈥溾�� in 1959. He posited that people manage their identities through social performance to maintain equilibrium between who they think they are and how others perceive them.

When Goffman first proposed his theory, there was no social media interface available to hold up a handy mirror of the self as experienced by others. People were obligated to create their own mosaic image, derived from multiple sources, encounters and impressions. In recent years, social media recommender algorithms have inserted themselves into what is now a three-way negotiation among self, public and social media algorithm.

鈥淔or you鈥� offerings create a private-public space through which teens can access what they feel is a largely accurate test of their self-image. At the same time, they say they can easily ignore it if it seems to disagree with that self-image.

The pact teens make with social media, exchanging personal data and relinquishing privacy to secure access to that algorithmic mirror, feels to them like a good bargain. They represent themselves as confidently able to tune out or scroll past recommended content that seems to contradict their sense of self, .

They have, in fact, proven themselves highly vulnerable to based on social media algorithms explicitly designed to create and reward hypersensitivities, fixations and dysmorphia 鈥� a mental health disorder where people fixate on their appearance.

Given what researchers know about the and that stage of social development 鈥� and given what can reasonably be surmised about the malleability of self-image based on social feedback 鈥� teens are wrong to believe that they can scroll past the self-identity risks of algorithms.

Interventions

Part of the remedy could be to using artificial intelligence to detect unsafe interactions while also protecting privacy. Another approach is to help teens reflect on these 鈥渄ata doubles鈥� that they have constructed.

My colleagues and I are now exploring more deeply how teens experience algorithmic content and what types of interventions can help them reflect on it. We encourage researchers in our field to design ways to challenge the accuracy of algorithms and expose them as reflecting behavior and not being. Another part of the remedy may involve arming teens with tools to restrict access to their data, including limiting cookies, having different search profiles and turning off location when using certain apps.

We believe that these are all steps that are likely to reduce the accuracy of algorithms, creating much-needed friction between algorithm and self, even if teens are not necessarily happy with the results.

Getting the kids involved

Recently, my colleagues and I conducted a with young people from , a global organization of high school and college students advocating for safe and equitable AI. The aim was to better understand how they are thinking about their lives under algorithms and AI. Gen Zers say they are concerned but also eager to be involved in shaping their future, including mitigating algorithm harms. Part of our workshop goal was to call attention to and foster the need for teen-driven investigations of algorithms and their effects.

What researchers are also confronting is that we don鈥檛 actually know what it means to constantly negotiate identity with an algorithm. Many of us who study teens are too old to have grown up in an algorithmically moderated world. For the teens we study, there is no 鈥�.鈥�

I believe that it鈥檚 perilous to ignore what algorithms are doing. The future for teens can be one in which society acknowledges the unique relationship between teens and social media. This means involving them in the solutions, while still providing guidance.

This article is republished from , a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: ,

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Nora McDonald does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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