By Pastor Larry Frazier According to the way God has created our brains, we can forgive even though we can’t forget. So what is wrong with saying, “I will forgive but I won’t forget?” Attitude is the answer. The awesome three-pound organ called the brain that God has given us is responsible for sensory information, […]
Posted inWealth
INFLATION 101
Listen to this articleBy Margaret Adams During the recent midterm elections, citizens heard a lot from politicians (especially Republicans) blaming inflation on the current Democratic administration. This blame was for the purpose of gaining votes. People are no doubt concerned about the rising prices of gasoline, food, housing, and other goods and services. The reason […]
Posted inWealth
Snap A Shot: What’s Your Financial Picture?
Listen to this articleGuest Writer Does the topic of money make your head dizzy? The easiest way to approach your money goals (hello New Year resolutions) is to start with organization. In the financial literacy space, we like to call this your “financial snapshot” or “financial picture.” Organizing your finances in this way proves to […]
Posted inHistory
King Holiday Marks 40 Years Since Passage
By Gregory T. Moore Forty years ago, the U.S. Congress passed a bill establishing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as the nation’s first federal holiday honoring an African American. The bill calling for a national holiday was introduced in the U.S. Congress just days after Dr. King’s assassination on April 4, 1968, by the late […]
Posted inNational
Announcing the First Black Media Initiative Bridge Project: Audience Revenue Cohort
Six Black-led newsrooms from across the U.S. have been selected to be part of the inaugural cohort of the Black Media Initiative Bridge Project: Audience Revenue. The six-month program provides technology and design support for Black publishers looking to launch an audience revenue campaign. The selected newsrooms are both traditional print media and digital-first organizations and […]
Posted inHealth
Clinical Trial Finds Supplements Don’t Lower Cholesterol
SPORT Trial presented during American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2022 Findings from a Cleveland Clinic trial show that six commonly used dietary supplements marketed for improving heart health did not lower “bad cholesterol” when compared to a low-dose cholesterol-lowering medication (also known as a statin) or placebo. The six supplements studied included fish oil, garlic, […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation
What to Do If Stopped by Police in Ohio
We all recognize the need for effective law enforcement, but we should also understand our own rights and responsibilities in our interactions with the police. Everyone, including minors, has the right to courteous and respectful police treatment. If your rights are violated, don’t try to deal with the situation at the scene. You can talk […]
Posted inNeighborhood Hero
Constance Hill-Johnson: A Servant Leader From Down the Way
Listen to this articleBy Sharon A. Lewis Each year minority people from all walks of life achieve “firsts” and there is no doubt it will continue into the future. The tenure of Constance Hill-Johnson, the first African American woman to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Cleveland Foundation, began in April […]
Posted inNeighborhood Hero
Cowboy The Backyard Music Man
Quest Writer Johnnie L. Mayhew has been deejaying music for more than twenty-three years. Known as Cowboy, The Backyard Music Man, he is a role model for his community. Mayhew’s influence on the youth is positive and constructive. His commitment to entertainment, community and food is real. “I spin R&B, Hip Hop, Blues, and Jazz, […]
Posted inWealth
Holiday Prep: Mindful Money Edition
Listen to this articleGuest Writer Oh, the holidays. A time when money & mental health are often stretched & fluctuate. What’s the best way to enjoy the holiday season? Holistically! Ask yourself these 3 proactive questions to make this holiday season the best one yet. The Big 3 Q: How does money make me feel? […]
Posted inFaith
Pray and Wait
by Larry Frazier We live in an instant world. You can easily have all the components of a meal, or a whole meal, in a packet. Just add water. The advancements in technology have made us impatient about waiting for the things we want. Advertising programs have not helped either. Have it your way; receive […]
Posted inMILES, Community
Seniors Are Still Shakin’ It Up!
Listen to this articleVideo By Sharla Harris On Tuesdays and Thursdays around noon, at Frederick Douglass Recreation Center, located at 15400 Miles Ave., a group of seniors get together to “Make their Moves.” Women and men of all ages, sizes, and styles move to “Pressure” by Ari Lennox, “Let’s Get Back On Track” by Johnnie […]
Posted inHistory
Historically Marginalized Communities Adopt Anti-Black Racism
AN EDITORIAL Anti-Black racism is engraved in most cultures around the world, but its systematic origins have been around since the inception of the United States. Recent related actions went under the radar because of the economic lynching of Kyrie Irving and Kawnye West, exposed the strategic and racist plans to remove the black community […]
Posted inTechnology
Has the Internet Made Life Better or Worse?
Listen to this articleBy Kayla Blake and Jeremiah Al-Jeleel Technology and the internet have helped our society in unimaginable ways. Innovation has made life exponentially easier for us. For example, we now have information at our fingertips and can learn virtually anything a lot easier. However, as with everything else in life, the internet can have […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, TCO Kids Korner
TCO Kids Korner
By Trish Johnson Research has shown that exposure to the arts can help young people develop many positive skills such as persistence, collaboration, creative thinking, motivation, and problem-solving. The Cleveland Observer’s bi-monthly Kid’s Korner features drawings, paintings, and poetry created by our young citizens to support and recognize the talent and creativity in our community. We are very […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation
Protection Orders Keep Domestic Violence Survivors Safe
By Tonya Sams Survivors of domestic violence may need to take extra precautions after leaving their abusers. Filing a civil protection order (CPO) is one way that they can protect themselves. A CPO can be filed with the Domestic Relations Court or Common Pleas Court. Victims can do this on their own (called pro se) […]
Posted inFaith, Politics
Voting: It’s About Freedom!
An editorial by Larry Frazier Some people take freedom for granted because on the surface they have never been denied anything in life. They live their lives from day to day with no thought of American history, much less African-American history. But “freedom” is defined as: not being forcibly bound or confined by anyone or […]
Posted inEducation
Why Go To School?
By Margaret Adams Labor Day is over and students from pre-K through college are back in school. But why do we send our children to school? Is it because it’s the law? (YES!) We have heard and been told for years that if you go to school, it helps you get a job and if […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation, Living
How to Avoid the Child Welfare System
Listen to this articleBy Sheila Ferguson Currently, more than 2000 children are in the custody of the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) through no fault of their own (cuyahogacounty.us). According to their website, “DCFS works to assure children at risk of abuse and neglect are protected and nurtured within a family and with […]
Posted inHealth
What Are You Drinking?
By Margaret Adams Drinking fluids is second nature to human beings because we must stay hydrated to live. During the early years of humanity, water was the fluid of necessity. As we have become modern, we have so many fluids to choose from—but are these choices good for us? We can choose to drink soda […]
Posted inLaw/Legislation
Ohio’s New Gun Law: Is The Problem The Solution?
By B.A. Calhoun In the wake of the Uvalde, Texas shooting at Robb Elementary School, the conversation surrounding gun reform and gun laws in political circles has so intensified that we are now seeing nearly immediate changes across the nation as well as in Cleveland’s own state of Ohio. Following the tragic slayings of 19 […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment, TCO Kids Korner
TCO Kids Korner
By Trish Johnson We are very excited about the response to our column, and we also have some great news to share: one of the drawings by young artist William H., Jr. has been sold to one of our wonderful readers. Thank you, and congratulations William! Research has shown that exposure to the arts can […]
Posted inEducation
Is the School to Prison Pipeline Real?
Listen to this articleBy Kayla Blake According to the American University’s School of Education, the School-to-Prison Pipeline (SPP) refers to the “practices and policies that disproportionately place students of color into the criminal justice system” (2021). It is known for placing black and brown kids, especially boys, in jails and juvenile detention centers more than […]
Posted inHealth
Noise Pollution
By Sheila Ferguson Today the World Health Organization (WHO) calls noise pollution an immediate health crisis. We often think of issues of optimal nutrition and exercise as the primary keys to staying healthy. However, we all must be on guard for continuous exposure to loud noises and disturbing sounds. You could be risking your health […]
Posted inHealth
Nursing Home Myths and Facts
By Margaret Adams We have all heard people and family members say that they would never put their loved ones in a nursing home. With the recent closure of Eliza Bryant Nursing Home, a historic Black-owned facility, I was wondering why people have this sentiment. In many cultures, caring for one’s elders is expected behavior. […]
