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PRESS ROOM: Marcus Byrd Wins 4th APGA Tour Event of Season with Strong Performance at Valhalla
NNPA NEWSWIRE — The 26-year-old from Temple Hill, Maryland (suburban Washington, D.C.) took control on the front nine with consecutive birdies on holes four through seven. He then birdied three of the first four holes on the back to give himself some breathing room. A double bogey on 17 reduced his margin to two strokes but he eagled 18 to punctuate the win and extend his lead in the Lexus Cup Point Standings.
The post PRESS ROOM: Marcus Byrd Wins 4th APGA Tour Event of Season with Strong Performance at Valhalla first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
Scores- https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/9402137369693417988
Louisville, KY. — Marcus Byrd captured his APGA Tour-record fourth tournament title in a single season Tuesday, firing a four-under par 67 to win APGA at Valhalla Golf Club and continue a year to remember.
His two-day performance of 67-67-134 was good for a three-stroke victory over Ryan Ellerbrock, who is in his first year on the APGA Tour. Quinn Riley of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Rovonta Young of Huntsville, Alabama, finished another stroke back in a tie for third place at 138.
The 26-year-old from Temple Hill, Maryland (suburban Washington, D.C.) took control on the front nine with consecutive birdies on holes four through seven. He then birdied three of the first four holes on the back to give himself some breathing room. A double bogey on 17 reduced his margin to two strokes but he eagled 18 to punctuate the win and extend his lead in the Lexus Cup Point Standings.
“First time I looked at the leaderboard was after that double bogey on 17,” said Byrd, whose high-quality play earned him four PGA TOUR starts via exemption earlier this year. “I knew I had to hit a good drive on 18 and I did.” His second shot on the 529-yard, par 5 hole was a four-iron from 226 and Byrd hit the green, leaving a 35-foot putt for eagle. “I was relaxed. It felt good when I stood over it and it was good to see it go in.”
- Byrd’s whirlwind 2023 season started with a win on national TV at the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Invitational at Torrey Pines in January. He then played the PGA TOUR’s Genesis Invitational and Honda Classic in February before winning APGA Florida in March. The PGA TOUR’S Wells Fargo Championship exemption came next in early May, followed by his win at APGA at TPC Deere Run later in the month. He returned to PGA TOUR competition at TPC Deere Run for the John Deere Classic in early July and now adds the APGA Tour Valhalla victory to his resume along with the first-place prize of $7,500 from the $25,000 purse.
- “The last six months have been incredible, but it’s been non-stop. I feel like I’ve gotten these opportunities and haven’t performed the way I wanted,” Byrd stated in reference to the four missed cuts on the PGA TOUR. “I took some time off after the John Deere Classic and it’s really helped with this win today. My goals now are Korn Ferry Tour Q-School in the fall and to win the APGA Tour Lexus Cup Point Standings.”
- His fourth APGA Tour victory in a single season exceeds the mark of former APGA Tour stars Willie Mack III and Tim O’Neal, each of whom had three-win seasons as the tour was growing in recent years. Mack is now a fulltime player on the Korn Ferry Tour and O’Neal has full status on PGA TOUR Champions. Both secured their slots with top-five performances at the respective Q-Schools this past fall.
Byrd will continue to pursue his APGA Tour Player of the Year goal when competition continues with the APGA Two-Man Classic at TPC Louisiana in New Orleans July 30-August 1. The APGA Ascension Classic in St. Louis follows on August 8-10 at Glen Echo Country Club. The regular season then culminates with the Mastercard APGA Tour Championship at TPC Sugarloaf in suburban Atlanta August 13-15.
The post PRESS ROOM: Marcus Byrd Wins 4th APGA Tour Event of Season with Strong Performance at Valhalla first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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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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