An African-American Point of View

As I reflect on the life and extraordinary work of Overseer Charlene Naylor, I must recognize the unique fabric of her extended lineage: the Naylor, Jackson, Hurst, Williams and Bass families, along with a host of many others whose lives were touched and forever impacted by this extraordinary woman.

Community, Education, Features August 18, 2026 HOLYOKE – Holyoke Community College is offering a special one-hour noncredit class that will explore digital fraud and cybersecurity risks to small businesses in the AI age. The stand-alone class will run over Zoom from 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The course is led by Bryan Shapiro, founder of Retina Advisors, a fraud consulting business, with support from cybersecurity consultant Michael Narducci. “Fraud isn’t what it used to be,” Shapiro said.

The streets of Springfield’s Black community are carrying a heavy burden, one measured not just in statistics, but in shattered lives and futures cut short. Gun violence has become a pervasive crisis, rippling through neighborhoods, eroding safety, and stealing the promise of the next generation. Confronting this crisis requires a focused, community-driven strategy rooted in local Black leadership.

When someone asked me recently, “Why is there so much division between Black and Latino communities in Springfield?” I didn’t hear a question about race. I heard a question about power, history, and the future we want to build together. Because the truth is this: Black and Latino residents in Springfield have far more in common than what divides us. We are communities shaped by migration, resilience, faith, culture, and generations of making a way out of no way.

At a meeting between myself, State Representative Bud Williams and Springfield City Councilor Justin Hurst, I raised the topic of gun violence that I had recently discussed with Charles Stokes, who has become a dominant voice in Springfield’s Black community.

Dr. Marrow brings more than 25 years of progressive nursing leadership experience with expertise in emergency and trauma care, quality and safety, regulatory excellence, and clinical operations. Throughout her distinguished career, she has successfully led multidisciplinary teams, advanced patient safety initiatives, strengthened trauma programs, and developed innovative clinical services.

My “last first day” of classes was Monday, January 12, 2026. At the time, this felt more procedural than profound. Since the first day of orientation, I had heard the saying: “The first year they scare you to death; the second year they work you to death; and in the final year they bore you to death.” However, as I progressed from my first year to commencement, it became clear that there are hidden financial and emotional costs that come with becoming a lawyer.

We all experience moments when our feelings control our actions. But how often do we truly consider the ripple effect of those actions? How do our choices impact those around us? We can hurt people even when we don’t plan to. And just because we don’t mean to hurt someone does not mean that we are not responsible for the hurt we created. During our everyday routine, it’s easy to underestimate the consequences of our actions.

Springfield — Now open seven days a week, the Springfield Museums is ready to welcome visitors with a full slate of activities during Summer at the Museums, taking place July 6 through August 14. The six-week series features hands-on art and science activities, live entertainment, and music, with bi-weekly themes offering visitors new ways to explore special exhibitions at the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts and Springfield Science Museum. All activities are included with museum admission.

Community, Education, Features July 15, 2026 SPRINGFIELD – At 18 years old, Elijah P. “Eli” Frederick stood before thousands of graduates along with their families and friends at the Springfield Technical Community College commencement ceremony and spoke on behalf of the Class of 2026. “Standing here tonight feels surreal,” said Frederick, who was chosen as student speaker for the commencement, held May 28.