About
MomentumMomentum is a blog that captures and reflects the moment we find ourselves in, one where rampant anti-Black racism is leading to violence, trauma, protest, reflection, sorrow, and more. Momentum doesn’t look away when the news cycle shifts.
Note from the editor
This is a blog that captures and reflects the moment we find ourselves in, one where rampant anti-Black racism is leading to violence, trauma, protest, reflection, sorrow, and more. Momentum doesn’t look away when the news cycle shifts. Momentum doesn’t chase the news or report it out dispassionately. Momentum reflects the lived experiences of people right now, and ongoing, in America. About this month's header image: Thurgood Marshall sits on the steps of the Supreme Court with the children who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1958. Six of those children and two NAACP officials sit outside the Court in this 8/22/58 photo. The NAACP asked the Supreme Court to take action insuring the admission of Black children when the school opened in September 1958. Pictures, from left are : Melba Patillo, 16; Jefferson Thomas, 15; Gloria Ray, 15; Mrs. C. Bates, Pres. of NAACP in Little Rock; Thurgood Marshall, NAACP chief counsel; Carlotta Walls, 15; Minnie Jean Brown, 16; and Elizabeth Edkford, 16. Credit: Bettmann Collection/Getty Images 10:10 Credit: Bettmann Collection/Getty Images
Editors
Adrienne Gibbs
Director, Creator Growth @Medium. Editor of ZORA and MOMENTUM. Writer. Mother. Proud recipient of an official Beyoncé shout out.
Allison Wiltz
Womanist Scholar bylines @ Oprah Daily, Zora, GEN, Momentum, GEN, EIC Cultured, AfroSapiophile #WEOC Founder allisonthedailywriter.com ☕️ ko-fi.com/allyfromnola
Writers
Efe Scott-Emuakpor
Entrepreneur, Tech Nerd, Football Coach, Mentor, Deep Thinker. Live for today, tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
Keith Reed
Keith Reed is a writer, commentator & former ESPN the Magazine editor, whose work has appeared in the Boston Globe, Vibe, Essence, CNN, MSNBC and elsewhere.
Miyah Byrd
The Ethical Storyteller. Founder & Host of We Don’t Talk About That! Advocate. Policy Enthusiast.
Deborah Gruenfeld
Social psychologist, Joseph McDonald Professor at Stanford GSB, author of Acting with Power: Why We Are More Powerful Than We Believe (Crown Publishing Group).
Stephanie Georgopulos
former editor-in-chief of human parts. west coast good witch. student of people. find me: stephgeorgopulos.com
Dr. Tiffany Jana
Non-binary Top Writer in Diversity, Leadership, & Antiracism. Best-Selling Author, Pleasure Activist, B Corp Founder, TEDx, Inc.com Top 100 Speaker
Lauren Salles
Living, learning, and writing about it. Mental health, motherhood, mindfulness, spirituality, and feminism. Subscribe: https://livelearnlauren.substack.com/
Stephanie Leguichard
Writer, editor, leftist activist. Endlessly fascinated by the complexities of human minds and cultures. Completing my MA in Anthropology. sleguichard@gmail.com
Keith Nelson Jr
Writer by fate, journalist by passion. Bylines at: REVOLT, Grammys.com, Discogs, Vibe Magazine, Okayplayer, REVERB, LEVEL Mag https://linktr.ee/KeithNelsonJr
Jessica S. Henry
Criminal Justice Reform/Prof/Fmr public defender. Blog@ www.jessicahenryjustice.com. au:Smoke but No Fire: Convicting the Innocent of Crimes that Never Happened
Alicia Wallace
Women’s human rights defender, research consultant, gender expert, public educator, movement builder, writer. #Caribbean #Bahamas #Equality242 @_AliciaAudrey
Demetria Wambia
NYC-based Writer and Editor | National Writers Union Member | Girls Write Now Mentor Alum
Cyraina Johnson-Roullier
Cyraina Johnson-Roullier is an associate professor of English at the University of Notre Dame, author and essayist.
Jeanette C. Espinoza
Mom of 2 amazing humans | Author of 3 books, including Rock Your Crown - Amazon.com| Speaker | Activist | Creator of Jeanette’s Jewels www.jeanettecespinoza.com
Anthony Beckman
Dad, husband, thinker, writer, exerciser. “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” — Dumbledore
Natalie Griffith
Mindfulness My Way: Gratitude daily. Yoga occasionally. Don’t let the yoga fool you. Here I say what's on my mind and is too long for IG @oliviascomplex
Isaiah McCall
NYC Comedian and Journalist | Also on Substack: https://isaiahmccall.substack.com/ mccallisaiah@gmail.com
Ronda Racha Penrice
ATL-based Ronda Racha Penrice is a writer/cultural critic specializing in film/TV, lifestyle, and more. She is the author of Black American History For Dummies.
Maia Niguel Hoskin, Ph.D.
Professor, Forbes Contributor, Race Scholar, Activist, Therapist, Keynote Speaker, Consultant, Wife, Mother, & Addict of Ice Cream &Cheese. www.drmaiahoskin.com
Shawn Smith
Shawn M. Smith, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Public Voices Fellow through the Op Ed Project
Adam Mahoney
Black Journalist (he/him) focused on Black life, police and prisons. Split living between 310 and 312. Words in the Guardian, BuzzFeed and many more.
Denise Clay
Independent political journalist, wordsmith, believer in media diversity, representing Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware…
Char Adams
Char Adams is the digital editor of SUM research at The Graduate Center, CUNY. She is a former reporter for PEOPLE Magazine. She is on Twitter: @CiCiAdams_
Jessica Wolfendale
Jessica Wolfendale is Professor of Philosophy at Marquette University. She has written extensively on terrorism, torture, war crimes, and political violence
David Laulainen
I write about how small achievable changes to everyday habits can have bigger global impact. Stories: medium.com/oh-brother / Poetry: medium.com/somnia
Nadine Drummond
Bacchanalist🧨, Journalist🥇, Filmmaker 🎬, aspiring vegan 🌱 with 👸🏾Feminist politics who praises Rastafari🔥 & studies no Evil💕.
Kenya Woodard
Freelance writer, editor, and PR practitioner. Avid traveler. Chocolate lover. Rocker of the blue and gold.
Elizabeth Wellington
Elizabeth Wellington is a writer at The Philadelphia Inquirer. She’s working on her first novel. Follow on Twitter @ewellingtonphl
Rebecca Stevens A.
I write about racism, but there are so many other things I would like to write about instead. Help me dismantle racism so that I can get to that.
Allison Wiltz
Womanist Scholar bylines @ Oprah Daily, Zora, GEN, Momentum, GEN, EIC Cultured, AfroSapiophile #WEOC Founder allisonthedailywriter.com ☕️ ko-fi.com/allyfromnola
iWriteTee
Writer, matriarch, educator & advocate with bylines in Zora, Momentum, An Injustice!, Illumination, Creators Hub, etc. Community Builder #FoodieFridays
Dayon Cotton
I write dope articles about social issues, life lessons, and living a better life, dayon1020@gmail.com, Follow My Twitter! @dayoncotton00, Active Duty US Navy
Rainier Harris
In The New York Times, Business Insider, GEN, Elemental, and more. 📧: rainierharris3@gmail.com
Nikhil Vootkur
Studying Race, Colonialism, and Diaspora @ Tufts University; Before that, did the whole boarding school thing
Petiri Ira
WEOC Member, Bylines in Screenshot Media, gal-dem, Malalafund, Momentum, ZORA, Cultured, AnInJustice, AfroSapiophile. Contact: petiriira@gmail.com
Keith Dias
Travel geek. Productivity nerd. Husband, father, son, brother, friend, joker. I once met Stevie Wonder. I’ve played competitive ball hockey for 30 years.
Johnny Silvercloud
20 yr U.S. Army vet turned analytical street photographer who talks about power, protest, and politics. Do not defend racism or sexism when I’m in the room.
David Dennis, Jr.
Level Sr. Writer covering Race, Culture, Politics, TV, Music. Previously: The Undefeated, The Atlantic, Washington Post. Forthcoming book: The Movement Made Us
ACRE: Action Center on Race and the Economy
The Action Center on Race & the Economy (ACRE) is a campaign hub for organizations working at the intersection of racial justice and Wall Street accountability.
Dynasti H. Harris
Committed to realizing racially-equity-centered workplaces for all BIPOC to experience and nothing less. www.dynastihunt.com IG: @dynastihunt
Col. (Ret.) Edna W. Cummings, U.S. Army
Army Veteran-Six Triple Eight Advocate and Documentary Producer: sharing stories about the only black WACS to serve in Europe during WWII
DarkSkyLady
Black/Puerto Rican creative non-binary. Spouts nonsense that occasionally makes sense. she/her/they/them
Treye Green
Treye Green is a culture writer and founder of the Black In Media community and newsletter. He’s a lover of double denim, R&B, and Janet Damita Jo Jackson.
Prince Shakur
AUTHOR of WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO BE GOOD (Tin House Books, Oct ’22) | The Creative Hour Podcast | Twitter @prshakur | https://princeshakur.carrd.co/
Assad Abderemane
English graduate student and freelance writer based in France. Words at Level, Elemental, Gen, Human Parts, etc. Email: abderemane.m.assad@gmail.com
Quintessa
Freelance Writer & Journalist 📝📚| #WEOC | Blackivist| Editor for Cultured, WEOC, & AfroSapiophile. Bylines in Momentum & GEN Publications.
Arionne Nettles
Arionne Nettles is a lecturer at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, a Chicago-based journalist, and a special needs mama.
Stephanie Siek
Stephanie Siek is a writer and editor who loves cats, cookie dough and aborted alliteration.
Carolyn Desalu
Essayist + lifestyle writer. Bylines in Thrillist, Catapult, Essence, The Globe and Mail, Atlanta Journal-Constitution + more. Literary agents, holler.
David Stovall
David Stovall, Ph.D. is professor of Black Studies and Criminology, Law and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago
Garfield Hylton
Medium Creator Fellow. Award-winning TV news journalist. Freelance writer. Mad question asker.
L.A. Justice
Organizer & Activist | Theologian | Author | Educator | Previously a Biochemist | Member of #WEOC | Previous Top Writer in Racism and BlackLivesMatter
Jeffrey Kass
A Medium Top Writer on Racism, Diversity, Education and Parenting | Speaker and Trainer | Award-Winning Author | Latest Book: Black Batwoman V. White Jesus
Jeremy Helligar
Brother Son Husband Friend Loner Minimalist World Traveler. Author of “Is It True What They Say About Black Men?” and “Storms in Africa” https://rb.gy/3mthoj
Dani Alexis Ryskamp
As seen in The Atlantic that one time. Freelance writer, pageantry arts nerd, widow. Tweets @danialexis. See also http://danialexis.net
Sloane Miller
Licensed social worker, author, applied improvisation facilitator, copy editor. Insta: @sloanemillernyc
Devon Price
He/Him or It/Its. Social Psychologist & Author of LAZINESS DOES NOT EXIST and UNMASKING AUTISM. Links to buy: https://linktr.ee/drdevonprice
Nicole Meade Jensen
writer, mother, desert-dwelling urban professional with a bohemian heart and a rebellious streak. I travel the path with pluck, moxie, and a great big smile.
Elwood Watson, Ph.D.
Historian, Syndicated Columnist, Public Speaker, Social-Cultural Critic. Professor of Black Studies and Gender Studies, at East Tennessee State University.
Richard Thompson Ford
Professor. Lawyer. Dilettante mixologist. Amateur sartorialist. Watch geek. Author of Dress Codes: how the laws of fashion made history. www.dresscodes.org
Jayson Kristopher Jones
Storyteller. Social Worker. Ornery Brooklynite. Sarcasm is my love language. Forthcoming essay collection - "It's Been a Time." | jaysonkristopher.com
Arturo Dominguez
Freelance Advocacy Journalist: Politics, Race, Extremism, Disinformation | Editor: The Antagonist Magazine | Bylines: Latino Rebels, Momentum, GEN, more | #WEOC
Jasmine Chantel
A compulsive reader, wannabe writer, and generous gifter… of unsolicited opinions. Website: https://www.jaschantelwriter.com/
Sarah M
I mostly write about motherhood + racism. My writing has appeared in An Injustice! & Momentum. I’d write more often if my house were tidier. Maybe one day.
Vishavjit Singh
Illustrator, diversity speaker, performance artist & creator of Sikhtoons.com | Connect @sikhtoons / vsingh at sikhtoons dot com
G Correia
Taking up space and proud to be average | Writing about life and trying to make sense of it all | Editor of Freethinkr | Maker of Pancakes
Ralinda Watts
Author+Diversity Expert +Consultant+Creative +Podcaster at the intersection of Race, Identity, Culture, & Justice. Let’s be in conversation. #RalindaSpeaks
Bumpyjonas - he/him
Citizen of the World. Born on a basketball court reading poetry. Women are the light of the world. Step aside, brothers and support them
Marilyn Flores
Latina feminist from Massachusetts. Educator, bookworm, wannabe writer, dog mom, Tia, mentor. Believer in justice. Black Lives Matter.
MJ Adia
Black-Filipina. Lived in Peru for 5 years. LICSW, dancer, meditator. Writes about multiculturalism, cinema, race, social issues.
Tim Wise
Anti-racism educator and author of 9 books, including White Like Me and, most recently, Dispatches from the Race War (City Lights, December 2020)
River Irons
I grew up in a cult. I escaped. I still search for freedom from oppressive constructs. Digital Artist, Storyteller.
YR Media
YR Media, formerly Youth Radio, is a dynamic national network of young journalists, artists and innovators. We create content that matters.
Alisha L. Gordon
Writer | Reverend | Trap Music Enthusiast | ED of The Current Project | Social Justice Rabble-Rouser | ATL→NYC | NYTBS? http://thecurrentproject.org
Bonsu Thompson
Bonsu Thompson is a writer, producer, Brooklynite and 2019 Sundance Screenwriters Lab fellow.
Janice R Littlejohn
Career journalist. Writing things I’m passionate about incl. sharing Black women’s stories — and my own. Connect with me at janicelittlejohn.com
Kerala Taylor
Award-winning writer. Stories about the world we’ve lost & the world we’ve never had. Standing at the intersection of motherhood, work, race, & climate change.
Michael Arceneaux
New York Times bestselling author of “I Can’t Date Jesus” and “I Don’t Want To Die Poor.” Houstonian.
Guy Nave
I LOVE challenging engagement! Join me & 1000s of Medium members being transformed by powerful exchanges of ideas. (https://guy-nave.medium.com/membership)
Julio Vincent Gambuto
Author of “Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting” // Book debut from Avid Reader Press 2023 // www.juliovincent.com
NYC-DSA Racial Justice Working Group
Racial Justice Working Group is part of the NYC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. Follow us as we #DefundNYPD and refund the people.
Bridgette L. Hylton
She/her. I write stuff. Published in Human Parts, Zora, AnInjustice!. #BLM http://www.Instagram.com/BridgetteWrites https://www.facebook.com/BridgetteHWrites
Laura M. Quainoo
I write about race, CHOSSA (Children of Stolen & Sold Africans…ie Black people), embracing Africa as our ancestral homeland & other stuff as my Spirit moves me.
Adebayo Adeniran
A lifelong bibliophile, who seeks to unleash his energy on as many subjects as possible
Dr. Nicki Washington
CS Ph.D., professor, and author of “Unapologetically Dope.” Advocate of HBCUs, identity, and cultural competence in CS. www.nickiwashington.com
Whitney Alese
Whitney Alese is a writer & podcaster, featured in WIRED Magazine (Sept 2020) & I-D Magazine (Dec. 2021), and NBC (Jan 2023). She is based in Philadelphia.
E. Black
Top writer in Feminism. Freelance writer, translator and bakery owner. American in Seoul. http://www.followtherivernorth.substack.com
rachel krantz
Award-winning journalist & author of reported memoir OPEN, Host of HELP EXISTING podcast, Twitter & IG @rachelkrantz. www.racheljkrantz.com
Evelyn Martinez
Eviemwrites on Tiktok. Former blackjack dealer. Reader beware — you’re in for a scare!-R.L. Stine.
Chris Gamble, LPC
A counselor offering observations, gripes, and hopes about (most) things mental health and identity.
Stephanie Chrismon
Big Aries Energy. Writer. Political Scientist. Afrofuturist Author. Fascinated by all things pop culture and Social Justice.
Elizabeth Silleck La Rue
Justice-seeking ocean-loving writer and consultant. https://medium.com/@SilleckConsultingServicesLLC/membership
Myron Clifton
Author, Voice Memos Podcast, Dear Dean EMagazine owner, Blogger at Medium. Myron Clifton on Spoutible. Check out my books at link below. 👨🏾💻👨🏾💻
Garrick McFadden
I am a civil-rights attorney. I write about #whiteness, #racism, #hiphop, policing & politics.
Jamie Cohen
Digital culture expert and meme scholar. Cultural and Media Studies PhD. Internet studies educator: social good, civic engagement and digital literacies
Monica Edwards, PhD
I am a Sociology teacher at a Community College, writing these posts for my students, for my sanity, for anyone willing to think towards something better.
Savala Nolan
uc berkeley law professor and essayist @ vogue, time, harper’s, NYT, NPR, and more | Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins | she/her | IG @notquitebeyonce
James Kwak
Books: Take Back Our Party, Economism, White House Burning, 13 Bankers. Chair, @southerncenter. Co-founder, @Guidewire_PandC. Freelance cellist.
GFC: Grown Folk Conversations
We observe life through the lens of experience and intersectionality. We reflect, share, and welcome dialogue. Let the laughter, learning & healing begin!
Wajahat Ali
Author of GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM…; The Daily Beast Columnist; Senior Fellow Western States Center; wajahatmali@protonmail.com
Blackthelma
I'm a Black transwoman commenting on the myriad complexes of the realities and mysteries of life Culture, sex, and more. Thelmasthoughts.org for more content.
Barney Abramson
Barney Abramson is an award-winning creative leader, design mentor, and mental health advocate. Learn more about me here www.barneyabramson.com
indi.ca
Indrajit Samarajiva is a Sri Lankan writer. Newsletter at www.indi.ca, or just email me at indi@indi.ca.
Joshua Adams
Joshua Adams is a journalist from Chicago. UVA & USC. Taught media and communication at DePaul & Salem State. Twitter: @ProfJoshuaA
Dr. Ciera Graham
I’m a writer and higher education administrator. A doctor of sociology with a love for writing topics on race, intersectionality, and women’s career issues.
Michelle D. Jackson
3X published author & Founder of PR Solutions, Direct2Author.com & Black Writers Workspace. Lives in New Orleans, LA. Connect at https://linktr.ee/Michelle0424.
Devon J Hall @LoudMouthBrownGirl
I Am The Loud Mouth Brown Girl, from Surrey BC. Author, Author & Artist, Dancer, Singer, Cannabis Educator, and Advocate. I am All this and more.
Parris Baker-Coley
I write about religion, politics, & race telling the truth about myself primarily, then the world. WEOC member.
EveryLibrary
EveryLibrary fights for library funding. Any library budget anywhere should matter to every library everywhere. We are in this together.
KSHernandez
I’m an ordinary woman, and #survivor #writing—existing in an extraordinary world. Fuck them lanes. #WEOC #BotBEditor introvert #POMpoet #TBIN #Poetry #Memoirs
Hal H. Harris
Black on Both Sides. Medium Writers Challenge Winner. The founder of Established in 1865. I Tweet @Established1865. E-mail is hal.harris@est1865.com.
Savannah Worley
Writing about my experiences with racism & mental health | #WEOC member | she/her | Buy me a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/skworley
David Bowles
A Mexican American author & translator from South Texas. Teaches literature & Nahuatl at UTRGV. VP of the Texas Institute of Letters.
John Egelkrout
I am a teacher in an inner-city alternative school and work a small hobby farm with my wife. I write about politics, education, and social issues.
Clare Xanthos, PhD
WRITER. AUTHOR. SCHOLAR. Interests: Racial Equity, Racial Health Equity, Racial Justice. Co-Editor: Social Determinants of Health among African-American Men
Pamela Denise Long
Justice happens through you. -Denise Opinions Mine. Copyright 2023 Pamela Denise Long. All rights reserved. Twitter: @PDeniseLong