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VIDEO: Texas-Based Frog Tutoring Offers Free Services As Schools Ordered Closed
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Roland Omene, the president and CEO of the Fort Worth, Texas-based Frog Tutoring, said his company is offering two months of free online tutoring to help students and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with NNPA Newswire that was broadcast live over Facebook, Omene said more than 100 tutors have agreed to volunteer their services twice a week until the end of May.
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has debuted a new feature for our subscribers and visitors to BlackPressUSA.com. We will regularly conduct live interviews on Facebook.com/blackpressusa and BlackPressUSA.com.
We will feature interviews with those who are making an impact in communities around the country. The first livestream, conducted on Monday, April 6, was a reminder that education is still essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Editor’s Note: The discussion starts at the 1:40 mark on the video.)
Roland Omene, the president and CEO of the Fort Worth, Texas-based Frog Tutoring, said his company is offering two months of free online tutoring to help students and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with NNPA Newswire that was broadcast live over Facebook, Omene said more than 100 tutors have agreed to volunteer their services twice a week until the end of May.
The live stream also included James Washington, the publisher of the Dallas Weekly, a member publisher of the Black Press of America.
“I reached out to tutors to see if they would be willing to volunteer their time to teach classes online pro bono,” Omene stated.
“I was stunned that over 100 of our instructors answered the call and have committed to teaching over 280 free and live online courses for students in K-12 affected by COVID-19.”
Omene has helmed Frog Tutoring since 2009 but stated that this was the first time that he’d reached out to the Black Press of America.
The overwhelming majority of his students are white, and the vast amount can easily afford the standard $50 per hour tutoring rate, he stated.
“Not everyone can afford to spend $200 per week on tutoring. It’s not something that you do once or twice, it’s continuous,” he stated.
However, anyone can register for the free service, Omene added.
“When I got the information from Omene, it triggered something in me,” Washington interjected.
“When I looked at this, I viewed it from a technologically initiative within our community that people didn’t know existed.”
Washington continued:
“This [demand for tutoring] is not going away. When everything passes, businesses are going to go back to the usual, but teachers are learning a skill that maybe they didn’t have. There’s this resource called the Black Press.
“This is a global outfit that we’re talking about. This is not necessarily a thing I look at that only poor parents need. There are school systems that probably would love to have something like this to take some of the load off of teachers.
“Once back to normal, teachers are going back to the classrooms. Online teaching will go back to classroom with them. That’s a slow-moving aircraft that’s hard to turn.”
Omene concurred with Washington’s assessment, adding that he would certainly recognize the importance of the Black Press going forward.
There’s no commitment to enroll, and all are welcome, Omene said.
“If they see value in this for the next eight weeks and in the future, if there’s a need, we are hoping they come back to us. The goal is to launch on April 13.”
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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me
NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.
A Familiar Disappointment
I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.
In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.
The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough
On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?
Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.
One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.
A Call for Action Beyond Words
White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.
If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.
The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.
“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”
To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.
Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.
“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”
For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org
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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
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