BRONZEVILLE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

This week, we remember Dolly Parton not simply for the songs she gave the world, but for the love she gave to people.

Dolly had a remarkable way of making everyone feel like they belonged. She crossed boundaries of race, politics, geography and generations with something increasingly rare—genuine kindness.

But perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of her legacy was her belief in children.

Dolly understood that putting a book into the hands of a child could put an entirely different future within their reach. Through her Imagination Library, she encouraged children to read, learn, dream and believe that their circumstances did not have to determine where their lives could go.

Millions of children received books because one woman believed that every child deserved the opportunity to better themselves through reading.

That is a legacy worth remembering.

Today, our community mourns the loss of Ray Miller Jr.

There are some people whose passing makes you stop—not simply because they are gone, but because you realize how much of themselves they gave while they were here.

Ray Miller Jr. spent a lifetime serving, teaching, advocating, opening doors and trying to leave his community stronger than he found it. His name will be remembered, but more importantly, so will the lives he touched along the way.

To his family, friends, colleagues and everyone who loved him, the Black Wall extends our deepest and most sincere condolences. No words can replace someone who has meant so much to so many. We pray that the memories, lessons, laughter and love he leaves behind bring comfort in the difficult days ahead.

A life of service does not end when the person leaves us. It continues in the people they helped, the doors…

Billions are spent every year studying how to influence what you think.

Political campaigns pay consultants to test which words and messages make voters angry, afraid, hopeful, or motivated enough to act.

Corporations pay advertising companies to learn what makes consumers buy, trust a brand, or change their behavior.

Social-media platforms collect behavioral signals that help determine which content keeps people watching, clicking, sharing, and reacting.

Advocacy groups and political organizations spend money on advertising designed to move public opinion.

The future of the Black Wall is being built right now.

We are excited to announce that development of the native Black Wall mobile apps for both Android and Apple (iPhone) is actively underway. Every day brings us closer to delivering a faster, more powerful platform built specifically to strengthen our communities.

This isn't just another social media app. The Black Wall is being designed to inform, connect, empower, and create accountability while giving our communities the tools they need to communicate, organize, and build together.

Our team is working hard to bring you exciting new features, including the Wall, Village, Melanin Motion, the Black Wall Grade Card, community alerts, and much more.

We're also looking forward to building a strong and dedicated team of people who believe in the mission and want to help make the Black Wall a platform our communities can be proud of.

🚧 The Black Wall Is Evolving. Something much bigger is on the way. Many of you have asked when Black Wall will become a mobile app. We're excited to let you know that the official Black Wall Native App is currently in active development. So what is a native app? Unlike a website that opens in your browser, a native app is built specifically for your phone. That means a faster experience, smoother navigation, better performance, real-time notifications, improved security, and access to features that simply aren't possible on a traditional website. The goal isn't just to put Black Wall on your phone. The goal is to build the digital home our community deserves. ### Here's what we're working on: ✅ A completely redesigned Wall experience ✅ Melanin Motion short-form video ✅ Village community awareness tools ✅ Rich photo and video posting ✅ Faster timelines and smoother scrolling ✅ Modern user profiles ✅…

Another $50 Million in Tax Breaks. But What Does the Black Community Get? Columbus City Council just approved nearly $50 million in tax breaks for five private development projects. We're told this will create 188 new jobs while retaining about 1,300 existing jobs. Now let's ask the questions nobody seems interested in answering. How many of those 188 new jobs will go to Black residents? How many Black-owned businesses will receive contracts from these projects? How many Black construction companies will help build them? How many Black suppliers will benefit? How many of these jobs are located in neighborhoods where unemployment has been highest? For several of the warehouse jobs, the projected wage is around $20 an hour. Can a family in Columbus build wealth on $20 an hour while millions of public dollars are being used to support private development? Every tax abatement is money that is not immediately…

For months, some people have mocked the Black Wall Grade Card. They called it divisive. They called it unfair. They asked, "Who are you to grade anyone?" Here's my question. If the State of Ohio can grade our children, if schools can grade students, if the state can grade school districts, and now an independent national education organization gives Ohio an F and ranks it among the 14 worst states in America for supporting public education, why is it suddenly a problem when the Black community wants to grade the systems that are shaping our children's future? The Black Wall Grade Card isn't about attacking people. It's about demanding results. For generations, Black families have been told to be patient. Be patient while our children fall behind. Be patient while schools fail. Be patient while billions of taxpayer dollars move through the education system. Be patient while politicians promise reform.…