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Over the past five years, I've worked through things I've never imagined -- a global pandemic, civil uprisings, national and geopolitical tension, economic downturn, and a climate crisis to name a few. And through it all, one question kept me grounded -- "Why?" Why do I work? Why am I telling this story? Why does it matter? Why should I dig deeper?

When things get challenging, as they tend to do, remembering that shedding light on "why" makes the uncanny...feel resonant.

Scripps News •

Understanding Maternal Mortality Risks For Black Women

Go to college, start your career, get married, start a family: It’s the so-called American dream. For many women with this dream, having children is a milestone. But for others — the thought of giving birth is a nightmare. Especially for Black women. As maternal mortality soared 33% during the pandemic, the CDC finds Black women came closer to dying during childbirth than any other race.We visited the obstetrics and gynecology department at Northwestern Medicine in Illinois to uncover why pregna...
Scripps News •

Why Are Rap Lyrics Being Used In Court?

Music and Black Americans have a storied past. From hymns in the fields of the Antebellum South, to the soul of jazz and blues that echoed throughout music halls in those same states following the Civil War.  But the relationship between the larger society and these genres has been complicated.  And today, as hip hop assumes its position as a cultural phenomenon, artists, lawmakers and law enforcers are faced with yet another dilemma:  "ke many young men, Jayquan was an aspiring rapper," said Ne...
Scripps News •

Why is sugar so addictive?

A bite of sugar can bring a rush of positive sensations. Those feelings are sparked by a chemical called dopamine.The so-called "feel good hormone" thrives on a reward system in the brain, when someone eats sweets, has a cocktail or even wins a game — dopamine is released. But too much of a good thing, can be bad — and that includes sugar. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends eating no more than 12 teaspoons of added sugars a day.The average American consumes about 17...
WXMI •

Black History Month 2020: Black artist creates billboards across Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Each year, Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate those who are advocating for equality in communities and to honor their contributions to society.

After noticing some racial division among Grand Rapids residents, city native Adeshola Makinde is using art to inspire a new narrative.

"I kind of wanted to highlight black figures that I felt aren't highlighted in school, and during Black History Month in general. I feel like it's usually a more safe black figure,
Michigan State University Athletics •

Simone Vagnoni Feature: Spreading My Wings - Michigan State University Athletics

By Brandi Scarber, MSU Athletic Communications Student AssistantSimone Vagnoni, senior ball handler for Michigan State University's field hockey team, has stepped into a role in her last year as a Spartan that isn't very familiar to her. Coming out of her quiet and reserved shell has been inevitable over the past four years at MSU for Vagnoni. "Playing on this team has really pushed me to really get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to be uncomfortable", said Vagnoni. "I've learned to...
MSUToday •

Brandi Scarber: My journey through Europe

Brandi Scarber is a junior from Detroit majoring in journalism in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

When I heard that there would be an opportunity to study abroad in Paris and Rome and learn about sports journalism, I knew that I had to figure out a way to make myself part of the program.

This was a chance to study and learn about what I love in two of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it was the first ever program of its kind at MSU. There was no way I was going to le