A few of our favorites: a look back at our top stories of 2025 (from the first half of the year)

It's that time again.

As 2025 comes to a close and 2026 is about to begin (as of this Thursday), we take time to take a look back at a few of our favorite stories covered during the year. Of course, all stories are good ideas as there's always something taking place during the year, and while we're sure there's going to be a level of debate and discussion, that's ok.

It's good to share and exchange ideas, especially on items that connect with people and the places and spaces they are in.

Let's take a look at the following stories of the first half of the year:

• January 2025. When you learn about a creative's journey, you truly see how many plot twists and turns take place for them to get to where they are. Our article on Catalina Marie takes us from her backstory of living under foster care to her work in nursing and nonprofits to her growth and flourishing in the spaces of acting, directing, and related work in the creative and performing arts space. Make sure to revisit the article (click HERE) along with enjoying our first bilingual interview (you may view the segment below):

• February 2025. The creativity of Ms. Chloe Brown isn't just in the classroom or on the tennis court. The launch of Br0wn Bakes takes her passion for the culinary arts and results in placement in multiple venues and online. With her growing collaborative efforts and a spirit of service, she truly has something cooking (click HERE to read our article).

• March 2025. In today's days driven by diversion, staying focused for 30 minutes is an accomplishment. When it comes to stewardship, outreach, and service, especially in the faith community, what's taking place for 30 years at Poplar Hill Missionary Baptist Church is truly amazing. Pastor Avery Headd is a presence which extends beyond the pulpit and in the greater community; the celebration that takes place is more than a celebration, but a continued call for the church, its members, and the greater community to be the positive change-agents needed (click HERE to read our article).

• April 2025. We all want to move accordingly and move in a big or major way. However, it's ok to move in inches as it's still movement in getting you closer to your goals. This is a mantra and positive takeaway from our interview with Chastity Stevenson Westry as her movement across corporate, law, and community (among other areas) is more than impressive and encouraging (click HERE to read the article).

• May 2025. Being politically engaged and aware at some level is better than none at all. In this instance, our coverage of a meeting with community shareholders with Congressman Hank Johnson is extremely telling of the potential consequences of a bill (which passed in July 2025) has, especially when it takes away at least $1.4 trillion away from those on Medicaid, Head-Start, and SNAP while adding $4 trillion to the deficit to essentially funnel tax breaks to the top 1% of the population. When said cuts impact health access to children (and adults), food access, and education access, it makes you wonder if passing such a bill really does benefit the greater good. Make sure to revisit our article (click HERE) along with the following segment which raises questions as to why (and how) such a measure gets passed:

• June 2025. When we have a problem, our hope is to have it solved. This emphasis hits home when it comes to the transition of family members and loved ones whenever there are questionable circumstances behind them. The family of Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis still have questions which need answers and the hope is with ongoing efforts, they'll get them (click HERE for the article).

We'd be remiss if we didn't mention our honorable mention (2 stories we covered - otherwise, we'd be here for a much longer period of time) stories which leave an impact:

• The Alphas of Atlanta host another successful edition of the #AlphaDerbyWeekend as 2025 marks the 10th year of their Kentucky Derby themed event. Ranging from their golf-tournament, kickoff party and concert featuring Cupid (The Line Dance King), the watch-party (which includes an appearance from the Honorable Andre Dickens [the Mayor of Atlanta] among other dignitaries), and Sunday Brunch, proceeds from the event support their community-focused endeavors (click HERE to read the article).

• The Return of #UnityDayChi is a welcome community-focused event taking place in Chicago. Thanks to the efforts of Devo Entertainment and other collaborative partners, it truly brings together multiple segments of the city for uplift and outreach (click HERE to read our article).

Stay tuned for our look at the second half of the year stories we cover, as we are grateful to cover these and related story ideas during 2025. And we look forward to more in the foreseeable future.

Notes: All video is recorded via asnortonccs; photos in the photo-grid for the Alphas of Atlanta are a combination of those taken by asnortonccs and Phrozen Memories Photography.