Black Codes were laws passed in the southern United States after the Civil War. These laws aimed to restrict the freedom of African Americans and ensure their availability as a cheap labor force. Why were Black Codes created? To maintain white supremacy and control over newly freed slaves. These laws varied from state to state but generally included restrictions on property ownership, movement, and employment. They also imposed harsh penalties for minor offenses, often forcing African Americans into exploitative labor contracts. Understanding Black Codes helps us grasp the struggles faced during Reconstruction and the long road to civil rights. Let's dive into 20 facts that shed light on this dark chapter in American history.

20 Facts About Black Codes

OhioRepublican U.S. Sen. JD Vance’s journey from a troubled childhood in Appalachia to the halls of the U.S. Senate to being former PresidentDonald Trump’s running mate has been the subject of much ink, yet his contradictory stance onLGBTQ+ rights is coming under scrutiny.Vance’s memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, contains a revealing anecdote about his childhood belief that he was gay. Influenced by a preacher’s condemnation of homosexuality, young Vance feared he was destined for hell simply because he disliked girls and cherished his friendship with another boy.

How JD Vance went from thinking he was gay and changing his name twice to being an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist

Kentucky State

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Richmond, KY

Daily Times

The United States famously started the Civil War in April 1861. It started due to the Southern State succession from the Union. The first fight in the US Civil War was from the Southern Confederacy and its attack of Fort Sumpter in South Carolina.

The US Civil War Beginning in Kentucky

The US took home the most medals this year, with Black women competing individually responsible for 20% of women's wins. And yes...we are still counting Jordan Chiles' Bronze. American women won nearly 60% of Team USA’s medals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, and Black women helped lead the charge by a grand margin.

Nearly 40 Black Women Won Olympic Medals For The USA In 2024

North Carolina State

Winston-salem, NC

Town Talks

A North Carolina restaurant serves fried chicken in a “spicy, savory” sauce — and fans can’t get enough. So much so, the restaurant now ranks as the state’s No. 1 place to eat fried chicken.

Best fried chicken in North Carolina is at this restaurant, Yelp says. Why it’s No. 1

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Emily Standley Allard

If you’ve ever wondered why your partner or mate was so gosh darn easy to love, or on the flip side impossible to love at times, their sun sign could give you some important clues! I’ve definitely been in relationships that have tested my patience to the limits and other ones that have been a smooth sailing ride. The answers just may be in the stars! Read on to discover the zodiac signs according to Astrology.com that are the easiest to the hardest to love.

The Zodiac Signs Ranked Easiest to Hardest to Love

Chicago, IL

Washington, DC

Two-time Howard University grad Dr. Kenvi Phillips is the inaugural Director of the Barack Obama Presidential Library and will be in charge of all Library activities, administration and programs. An HBCU alum is leading the first digital presidential library. Two-time Howard University grad Dr. Kenvi Phillips is the inaugural Director...

This HBCU Alum Is Leading The First Digital Presidential Library

The beloved singer and actor's only child, David, born in 2009, is now a teenager, and Hudson couldn't be happier. We haven’t seen much of Jennifer Hudson’s son in the spotlight over the years outside of a few red-carpet appearances, but the singer now has a fifteen-year-old. The talk show host shared a rare photo of her teenager on Instagram, asking fans to wish him a happy 15th birthday.

Jennifer Hudson’s Son, David Turns 15! Where Does The Time Go?

Richmond, VA

War History Online

Treasure hunters have been obsessed with finding out what happened to the "lost" Confederate gold and money after the American Civil War.

A Train Left Virginia With Untold Amounts of Confederate Gold - It's Been Lost Since the Civil War

Houston, TX

Salon

A federal judge this week dismissed a majority of the claims in a Black Texas high school student's lawsuit against his school district, which accused officials there of racial and gender discrimination for punishing him over his refusal to change his hairstyle. Legal experts told Salon that while the axed racial discrimination claim didn't have strong legs, thanks in part to a controversial Supreme Court doctrine of "colorblindness," the suit's remaining sex discrimination allegation has the potential to have major reverberations.

Legal experts say a fight over a Black teen's dreadlocks shows how the law still enables racism

Jackson, MS

The partnership will provide funding, educational opportunities and workforce development for HBCUs. Black communities have long been victims of environmental racism, from the contaminated water crises in Flint, Newark and Jackson, to the noxious fumes from truck depots and factories disproportionately located in our neighborhoods, leading to high asthma rates. So the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new partnership with HBCUs is being touted as an important one, according to Insight into Diversity magazine.

Environmental Protection Agency Launches Historic Partnership With HBCUs

Standout style moments shone both on and off the court. From the opening ceremony to the closing, athletes, spectators, and celebrities have been showcasing their Paris Olympics style. The games have historically served as one of the biggest stages in both fashion and sports. From the intricate uniforms to the spectator style showing their support for their home country, it is interesting to see the different style choices for those present.

Here's Who Was Best Dressed During The 2024 Paris Olympics

Michigan State

Flint, MI

American Songwriter

Jelly Roll has definitely come up in the world. He’s quickly gone from former convict to country music darling. It all comes down to being honest about his past through his music and present choices. Now, a sheriff in Michigan is rewarding him for his journey by officially swearing him in as a deputy sheriff.

Country Star Jelly Roll Officially Sworn in as Deputy Sheriff in Michigan

Herbie J Pilato

Kate Jackson began her acting career as a silent ghost on TV's classic 1960s gothic daytime drama Dark Shadows but remains alive and well years after two horrific battles with breast cancer. Jackson went on to small screen prime-time stardom on police/detective/crime drama/comedies like The Rookies, Charlie's Angels, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, and more. This is her triumphant story.

'Charlie's Angels' Star Kate Jackson Has Courageously Battled and Conquered Cancer Several Times

South Carolina State

Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

Sacramento, CA

Joseph Pitts who worked for the airline for nearly two years is suing Southwest Airlines for racial discrimination and harassment, wrongful firing and retaliation. When Joseph Pitts, 53, was hired as a ramp agent by Southwest Airlines in early 2022 he saw it as a way to support his wife and two children. What he didn’t expect was the rampant use of the N-word and other discriminatory behavior he encountered there, reports the Sacramento Bee.

Former Southwest Employee Sues The Airline For Racial Discrimination

Bütün Body is aiming to bring functionality to fragrance with a full range of sanitizing yet moisturizing products. The COVID-19 pandemic gave us new awareness of the sanctity of cleanliness. Hand sanitizer became the hero product of the world, and many of us swapped our staple hand creams for the antiseptic instead.

This WOC-Owned Sanitizing Body Care Brand Is Aiming To Bring New Meaning To Clean Beauty

From Steph and Ayesha to Simone and Jonathan and even notoriously low-key couples like Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai, everybody popped out in Paris. Is anyone else already going through TV withdrawals now that the Olympic Games are over? What’s a girl to watch!? The two weeks that came and seemingly went by in a flash brought us a number of incredible athletic feats, Black Girl Magic moments, eye candy, and plenty of opportunities to watch American athletes stand atop the podium. That includes the likes of Shacarri Richardson, Gabby Thomas, Noah Lyles, LeBron James and the U.S. Men’s National Team and A’ja Wilson and the Women’s National Team and more.

11 Of Our Favorite Olympic Couples From The Paris Games

J. Souza

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, a $1.35 billion behemoth of the sea, has recently been introduced to the world since its maiden voyage on July 19th. The ship, boasting nearly 5,700 passengers and a crew of over 2,200, offers an array of amenities designed to cater to multi-generational families on shorter 3- and 4-day itineraries.

Cruise Passengers Not Happy About Feature on World's Newest Mega Ship

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

NewsBreak

3 Times Black Political Figures Used Beauty To Make A Powerful Statement

From bare arms to picked out afros, here are a few times inspiring Black political figures have made powerful beauty statements. Black women have never had...

3 Times Black Political Figures Used Beauty To Make A Powerful Statement

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