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On January 20 and 21, 2025, President Trump by executive order instructed all Federal Government offices to disregard all DEI initiatives; has ordered agencies to combat private-sector DEI mandates, policies, and programs; has eliminated federal funding for a more just and equitable country.

But the need for attention to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives remains as important as ever in all aspects of life in the USA, especially in health care.

Diversity – the practice and quality of including people from a range of social and ethnic backgrounds. We know that no two people are alike. Our genetic make-up, geographical origins, cultural background, religious practice, economic and educational opportunities, age, and ability make us all different in wonderful ways. This is a reality regardless of Presidential Proclamation and something to be appreciated as we build shared communities, foster creativity, and strive to create an environment where basic human rights are met.

Far west of Columbus past 270, there are homeowners who see drones. In the skies above the prairie, between two massive metro parks, near the Big Darby River, and close to a very guarded scientific research complex that is connected to the Roswell UFO crash. Nearly every night they can be seen. And, in some instances, these drones look to be the size of a small house, they claim.

Not wanting to be identified, these homeowners live in what some describe as “country mansions.” Successful and trustworthy, one of these homeowners is a former Ohio State varsity athlete.

This individual leaves before dawn to workout at a nearby gym. He sent the Free Press the above picture top left. Albeit an obscure image, it was taken in 2023 – and whatever that is – it swooped in over his car while he was driving to his gym. Just last week near the same area he took a video of two drones flying together. Another of his videos shows a drone descending out of the night sky at an alarming speed.

“I keep seeing the same one,” he said. “Perhaps your city lights are too bright to see it.”

Allies were arrested in NYC after staging peaceful sit-in to support union baristas' fight for a contract.

Why are we doing this now? It’s been more than three years since baristas in Buffalo like me won their union and ignited a movement. It’s time for Starbucks to come back to the table with a fair contract offer so we can finalize a framework for contracts and focus on the future.

Starbucks needs to listen to us. Starbucks paid their new CEO Brian Niccol over $96 million in just four months and gave him a private jet to commute to work in Seattle. Then the company turned around and offered baristas no raises or benefits increases in the first year of our union contracts. Are you kidding me? And to top it all off they proposed closing this store in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, we’re struggling to keep up with rising costs — rent, food, bills — here in Brooklyn and all over the country. Our union has filed more than 90 unfair labor practice charges in January alone.

The dominant self-conception of the Jewish story is innocence, repeated persecutions, and then redemption by creation of the Jewish nationalist State of Israel.

This narrative is critically examined in Peter Beinart's new book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning.

Beinart's book says the maudlin story we Jews tell ourselves of our virtue and heroic endurance inoculates Jews from seeing Israel's agency in creating the resistance it faces:

“We must now tell a new story to answer the horror that a Jewish country has perpetrated… We are not history’s permanent virtuous victims.”

Beinart, former editor of The New Republic, is now an editor-at-large of Jewish Currents, and a New York Times contributor.

He has been in a 20-year progression of seeing, more and more sharply, the “Jewish and democratic” state of Israel as anti-democratic and incompatible with Jewish tradition.

He writes that support for a Jewish state has become “idolatry,” permitting endless killing, torture and oppression of Palestinians:

TELL THE U.S. SENATE: The International Criminal Court is being targeted for attempting to hold Israeli leaders accountable for war crimes against Palestinians. The U.S. should not issue sanctions to the Court for pursuing justice. 

Sign the petition: Block U.S. sanctions against the ICC!

The U.S. Senate will vote TODAY, Tuesday, January 28 on sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) in retaliation for the Court pursuing justice against Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel’s war crimes in Gaza.1

It’s clear that these sanctions are meant to shield Israel from all accountability related to its siege on Gaza and the murder of more than 46,000 Palestinians. The House has already passed the sanctions bill. Now, our Senators must stand against such unjust, undemocratic sanctions.

The State of Michigan abolished the death penalty in 1847, and constitutionally prohibited it in 1963. Human rights norms prohibit the transfer of prisoners to other jurisdictions where they may suffer punishment that is disallowed in the originating jurisdiction. And yet, Michigan sent Demetrius Frazier to Alabama to be suffocated to death.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has a chance to uphold Michigan values and halt the next Alabama execution. Learn more and take action!

A 6-week series of African Americans in cinema. Beginning Friday January 24, 2025
St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 639 E. Long St. Columbus, 43215

The films will be screened at The Annex directly across the street from the church

FREE ADMISSION – FREE PARKING
Show time 6pm Doors open at 5:30

Each week will be a double feature. Two films starring, written by, produced by, and or directed by African Americans. Before the screening there will be a brief intro and vintage cartoons. Hot dogs, popcorn, pop and hot chocolate will be available for purchase.

All are welcome! However, in general these films are not for children under 14

1/24 - “The Birth of a Nation” (1915), “Black Klansman” (1966)

1/31 – “The Birth of a Nation” (2016), “Harriet” (2019)

2/7 – “The Emperor Jones” (1933), “Voodoo Macbeth” (2021)

2/14 – “BlackkKlansman” (2018), “Judas and the Black Messiah” (2021)

2/21 – “The Butler” (2013), “Green Book” (2018)

2/28 – “Black Panther” (2018), “Wakanda Forever’ (2022)

This article first appeared in the Scioto Valley Guardian

In what state leaders are hailing as a historic economic win for Ohio, California-based defense technology company Anduril Industries announced its plan to construct a $1 billion facility named Arsenal-1 in Pickaway County. The five-million-square-foot manufacturing site will be located on 500 acres near Rickenbacker International Airport and is expected to create over 4,000 direct jobs by 2035, in addition to thousands of indirect and induced positions. State officials, including Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, have lauded the project as a game-changer for Ohio’s economy, with DeWine’s office calling it the largest single job creation and payroll project in the state’s history.

Sunday, January 26th, 2025 from 1:00PM to 6:00PM
Seventh Son Brewing Co., 1101 N. 4th St., Columbus, Ohio 43201
1:00PM to 3:30PM Community Organization Interaction
4:10PM to 4:40PM Social Action Songs with Joanie Calem and Brian Clash
5:00PM to 5:50PM Gathering Stars Trio

Saturday, January 25, 2025, 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Citadel’s Main Room and Rooftop, 1761 Parsons Avenue, Columbus 43207

Our communities remain at the crossroads of climate change, and your voice is essential in shaping the solutions we need.

This event is open to all—community members, activists, organizers, students, and anyone passionate about building a more just and sustainable future. Whether you’re new to the movement or a seasoned advocate, your voice is essential in this conversation.

We’re proud to be partnering with Black Girl Environmentalist and Black Men Build to create another meaningful space for dialogue, learning, and collective action.

We would love for you to join us once again, whether by sharing your insights, bringing others along, or contributing in a new way. Your involvement will help amplify the call for climate justice and strengthen our communities.