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Brotherhood Sister Sol Raises Nearly $2 Million at Annual Gala, Honors Billy Porter and Ai-jen Poo
AMSTERDAM NEWS — For more than 25 years, Brotherhood Sister Sol has been at the forefront of social justice, educating, training, and organizing to challenge inequality and champion opportunity for all, with a focus on Black and Latinx youth. By training educators across the nation and around the world, and organizing a community of change agents, BroSis builds on its legacy of youth-led activism to realize a more just and equitable future.
The post Brotherhood Sister Sol Raises Nearly $2 Million at Annual Gala, Honors Billy Porter and Ai-jen Poo first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

By Cyril Josh Barker | AmNews Digital Editor
The Harlem-based youth development and social justice organization Brotherhood Sister Sol (BroSis) honored actor and singer Billy Porter and National Domestic Workers Alliance president Ai-jen Poo at its 2024 Voices gala on Thursday night, where the organization raised $1.9 million.
Returning for its 19th year, Voices is the organization’s annual benefit to celebrate its youth members and enrich programming. This year’s event took place at New York City’s Ziegfeld Ballroom, with actor and comedian Hasan Minhaj serving as host for the evening. Several BroSis students and alumni shared stories about their experience in the organization during the program.
Porter and Poo were recognized for their commitments to social justice work, Porter with the June Jordan Clarion Call Award and Poo with the Bayard Rustin Award for Social Justice.
“BroSis is a beacon for how a community can come together to work with marginalized youth,” said Porter. “Their commitment to providing support and amplifying voices aligns with my own mission of changing society for those who often go unheard. Together, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate world, where every individual can thrive and be celebrated for who they are.”
Award-winning actor, singer, and activist Porter was recognized for his achievements and fearless support in advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights. Poo, activist, National Domestic Workers Alliance president, and co-founder of Supermajority, was honored for her efforts in championing the rights of domestic workers and fairness for women in the workplace.
“The Brotherhood Sister Sol is an organization I have admired for my lifetime as an organizer,” said Poo. “It is the honor of a lifetime to be [recognized] by them. They offer a singular model of youth power building and a powerful antidote to the converting epidemics of poverty, mental health crisis, and racism plaguing too many of our communities. BroSis feeds the minds and spirits of young people—and changes lives and communities.”
Khary Lazarre-White, BroSis co-founder and executive director, told the AmNews it was appropriate to honor Porter and Poo for their contributions to civil rights, but also for breaking barriers in their work with inspiring young people. He said this year’s fundraiser was the largest BroSis has had, with more than 600 attendees.
“Brotherhood Sister Sol serves about 750 young people in Harlem and we [affect] millions of young people on the issues we organize around,” Lazarre-White said. “The percentage of high school graduation rate in BroSis is 99 percent. We’re so excited. The students go to so many wonderful schools and have so many great opportunities. We stay and support them through college to ensure that they graduate.”
For more than 25 years, BroSis has been at the forefront of social justice, educating, training, and organizing to challenge inequality and champion opportunity for all, with a focus on Black and Latinx youth. By training educators across the nation and around the world, and organizing a community of change agents, BroSis builds on its legacy of youth-led activism to realize a more just and equitable future.
In 2022, BroSis moved into its current home: a brand-new, 20,000-square-foot community center designed entirely for community and educational use.
The organization is gearing up for its Summer Leadership Program, which includes the International Study Program for 9th through 12th graders, where students explore the city through fun and educational activities and helps them gain skills for entering the workforce. BroSis also provides a Summer Day Camp where 7th and 8th graders participate in daily activities focused on team building, life skills, and leadership development.
This article originally appeared in the Amsterdam News.
The post Brotherhood Sister Sol Raises Nearly $2 Million at Annual Gala, Honors Billy Porter and Ai-jen Poo first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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LIVE NNPA 2025 National Legacy Awards Gala | Savannah
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Op-Ed: Why Black Fathers Like Me Must Speak Up About Autism
Being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism, changed everything. In the Black community, silence around disability comes at a cost. I’ve learned that fatherhood is leadership—and it’s time we speak up. Our kids need early support, inclusive policies, and visible, vocal fathers. Autism isn’t the tragedy—silence is.

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – As a Black father, I’ve worn many titles—provider, protector, community leader, mentor. But none has shaped me more than being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism.
When I first heard the word autism associated with my child, I’ll admit—I was overwhelmed. Like many parents, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. I was afraid of what the future might hold. But in the Black community, fear is often met with silence. And silence—especially around disability and mental health—has become a quiet barrier too many families struggle behind.
That’s why I’m speaking out—not just as a father, but as an advocate for our children, for public service education, and for civic engagement rooted in love and leadership.
Black children are too often diagnosed, later, misdiagnosed, or outright denied access to the early interventions they need. The reasons are layered—racial disparities in healthcare, cultural stigma, under-resourced schools, and unconscious bias in medical and educational systems. The results are heartbreaking. Our children fall through cracks that should never exist.
Even fewer people talk about the role of fathers—especially Black fathers—in this journey. Too often, we’re pushed to the margins of the conversation or expected to stay silent. That ends here.
I’ve sat in countless IEP meetings. I’ve researched therapies, pushed for inclusive classrooms, and sought out the support systems that weren’t readily available. I’ve wiped away tears and celebrated every breakthrough. And in each step, I’ve realized that parenthood is more than presence—it’s informed, engaged leadership. It’s showing up as our child’s strongest advocate.
Through my advocacy, I’ve worked with other families here in Prince George’s County to build community, share knowledge, and empower fathers. But we need more. We need a cultural shift—one that recognizes neurodiversity, reduces stigma, and promotes civic participation among parents and caregivers. We need to normalize vulnerability in Black men and redefine strength as being fully present for our children.
And we need policy.
- Paid family leave.
- Inclusive classrooms.
- Early intervention access.
- Increased funding for special education—especially in underserved communities where disparities are most pronouncedl.
These aren’t just family issues. They are issues of public leadership. They are the foundations of building future leaders through involvement, advocacy, and education.
Our children deserve more than awareness—they deserve action. And our fathers deserve to be seen, heard, and supported—not shamed or silenced.
Autism is not a tragedy. Silence is.
Let’s talk. Let’s act. Let’s lead.
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The Sacramento Observer and Savannah Tribune Win Big at 2025 NNPA Messenger Awards
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
SAVANNAH, Ga.—The Sacramento Observer and The Savannah Tribune stood out as the top honorees at the 2025 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Fund’s Messenger Awards, held during the Black Press of America’s annual convention at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District Hotel.
The convention, themed “The Black Press: Engaging Black America—Empowerment, Justice and Prosperity,” marked the 198th year of the Black Press of America, which today comprises more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies committed to covering the stories and issues that shape Black communities nationwide.
The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns. The publication also placed among the top three in several additional categories, including Environment, Social Criminal Justice, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle, underscoring its consistent strength in both editorial content and audience engagement.
While the Observer dominated the content awards, The Savannah Tribune was honored for its leadership and community impact. Publisher Shirley Ann Barber James received the Publisher of the Year Award, recognizing her decades of dedication to preserving and strengthening the Tribune’s voice. Accepting the award, James thanked her family, staff, and Savannah’s civic organizations for supporting the paper’s mission and expanding its reach.
Other publications also earned multiple honors. The Houston Defender captured first-place awards in Health Reporting, Environment Reporting, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle. The St. Louis American earned first place in the categories of Special Editions, Original Advertising Campaigns, Broadsheet Layout and Design, and Video Campaigns. The Afro-American Newspaper of Baltimore and the Chicago Defender also collected several top finishes.
All winners by category included:
Health Reporting – Emory O. Jackson Award
1st Place: Houston Defender
2nd Place: Birmingham Times
3rd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore
Education Reporting – Frank L. Stanley Award
1st Place: The Sacramento Observer
2nd Place: Washington Informer
3rd Place: Savannah Tribune
Social Criminal Justice – Ida B. Wells Award
1st Place: Chicago Defender
2nd Place: Dallas Weekly
3rd Place: The Sacramento Observer
Environment – Wilbert L. Holloway Award
1st Place: Houston Defender
2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer
3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News
Faith & Religion
1st Place: L.A. Sentinel
2nd Place: Baltimore Times
3rd Place: Final Call
Business Reporting
1st Place: The Sacramento Observer
2nd Place: Chicago Defender
3rd Place: Houston Defender
Editorial Opinion – Robert S. Abbott Award
1st Place: Forward Times
2nd Place: Washington Informer
3rd Place: Texas Metro News
Original Photography
1st Place: The Sacramento Observer
2nd Place: Houston Defender
3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News
Entertainment Coverage – Armstrong Ellington Award
1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore
2nd Place: Washington Informer
3rd Place: Atlanta Voice
Sports – Don King Award
1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore
2nd Place: St. Louis American
3rd Place: Atlanta Voice
Youth and Children Coverage
1st Place: The Sacramento Observer
2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune
3rd Place: Savannah Tribune
Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle – Ada S. Franklin Award
1st Place: Houston Defender
2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer
3rd Place: Atlanta Voice
Special Editions – Leon H. Washington Award
1st Place: St. Louis American
2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune
3rd Place: Washington Informer
Original Advertising Campaign – E. Washington Rhodes Award
1st Place: St. Louis American
2nd Place: New Pittsburgh Courier
3rd Place: Seattle Medium
Layout & Design (Tabloid) – Robert L. Vann Award
1st Place: Washington Informer
2nd Place: Texas Metro News
3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News
Layout & Design (Broadsheet) – Robert L. Vann Award
1st Place: St. Louis American
2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune
3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle
Website Excellence – A. Philip Randolph Award
1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier
2nd Place: Michigan Chronicle
3rd Place: St. Louis American
Facebook Campaign
1st Place: The Sacramento Observer
2nd Place: Forward Times
3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle
Instagram Campaign
1st Place: Texas Metro News
2nd Place: Chicago Defender
3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle
Video Campaign
1st Place: St. Louis American
2nd Place: Houston Defender
3rd Place: L.A. Sentinel
Community Service – Karl Murphy Award
1st Place: Baltimore Times
2nd Place: L.A. Sentinel
3rd Place: Texas Metro News
Community Engagement – W.A. Scott II Award
1st Place: Dallas Weekly
2nd Place: Houston Defender
3rd Place: Philadelphia Tribune
Newspaper Excellence – John H. Sengstacke Award
1st Place: Philadelphia Tribune
2nd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore
3rd Place: Atlanta Voice
Newsletter Excellence
1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier
2nd Place: Savannah Tribune
3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle
“This is an opportunity to showcase the amazing publications, publishers, and journalists, and their staff who keep the Black press alive,” NNPA Fund Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards stated.
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