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TAMIKA CODY
Multimedia Journalist = Anchor, Content Producer + Host, Podcast Producer + Writer + Storyteller + Videographer
STORIES & INTERVIEWS PRODUCED BY TAMIKA CODY
Genealogists continue to help African Americans break through the 1870 ‘brick wall’
For most African Americans looking for their history, the story stops at 1870. Genealogists, historians, and researchers refer to the obstacle as the ‘1870 brick wall.’
Up until the year 1870, the United States Federal Census did not include enslaved individuals in the count.
Since the late 1990s, genealogy companies like ancestry.com and 23 and me, have been helping people connect the dots on family trees. Some people were able to trace their family line back to the 1600s. Unfortunately, for African Americans searching for their ancestors is not so easy.
To help African Americans get past the 1870 brick wall, faculty members at the University of Maryland launched Enslaved.org – a database that will collect documents of enslaved Africans.
To fill the database, Enslaved.org is accepting documents from family historians, genealogy societies, and everyday people who have a piece of history of their enslaved ancestors.
Up until the year 1870, the United States Federal Census did not include enslaved individuals in the count.
Since the late 1990s, genealogy companies like ancestry.com and 23 and me, have been helping people connect the dots on family trees. Some people were able to trace their family line back to the 1600s. Unfortunately, for African Americans searching for their ancestors is not so easy.
To help African Americans get past the 1870 brick wall, faculty members at the University of Maryland launched Enslaved.org – a database that will collect documents of enslaved Africans.
To fill the database, Enslaved.org is accepting documents from family historians, genealogy societies, and everyday people who have a piece of history of their enslaved ancestors.
Telling the Story of America’s First Black Generals
Benjamin O. Davis Sr. and Benjamin O. Davis Jr. – they were a father and son who became America’s first Black generals. They both broke down barriers by addressing segregation in the military and helping to launch the first Black flying squadron. Years later, their great-grandnephew, Doug Melville, noticed that their names were largely left out of the conversation, so he decided to do something about it. In his book, “Invisible Generals,” Melville tells his family’s story and sheds light on their groundbreaking impact. He joins Soledad O’Brien in-studio to discuss.
Natural mosquito repellent for your skin: Is it better than EPA approved products?
To keep yourself protected from mosquitoes that can transmit diseases, like Dengue Fever, West Nile or the Zika Virus, Dr. Eva Buckner, a medical entomology extension specialist at the Florida Medical Entomology Lab at UFIFAS suggests using specific repellants.
“I only recommend products that contain active ingredients that are registered by the EPA,” Dr. Buckner said. “Those active ingredients are going to be either DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, Picaridin and 2-undecanone.”
Dr. Buckner explained that you only have to look for one of those active ingredients on the label that you are purchasing, as well as a note that states it is registered by the EPA.
“I only recommend products that contain active ingredients that are registered by the EPA,” Dr. Buckner said. “Those active ingredients are going to be either DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, Picaridin and 2-undecanone.”
Dr. Buckner explained that you only have to look for one of those active ingredients on the label that you are purchasing, as well as a note that states it is registered by the EPA.
How subterranean termites get into your house and how to stop them
As the summer continues to heat up in Central Florida, subterranean termites are scoping out where they can start new colonies. The busiest time for termite inspectors and exterminators throughout the Tampa Bay region is June and July. This is when millions of subterranean termites begin to swarm.
“If you have a house that’s infested by subterranean termites, try drawing a circle three hundred feet around your house. The nesting structure is somewhere within that circle,” said Dr. Nan-Yao Su, who heads the Subterranean Termite Lab at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in Fort Lauderdale.
Dr. Su explained that one colony of subterranean termites could infest several houses in a single neighborhood.
Subterranean termites, or Formosan termites, originated in Asia in the early 1900s. By the 1950s they made their way to South Africa. And, 10 years later, they were found in Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas. During the 1980s, researchers realized subterranean termites made their way to Hallandale, Fla. And since then, almost every major city in Florida has encountered subterranean termites.
“If you have a house that’s infested by subterranean termites, try drawing a circle three hundred feet around your house. The nesting structure is somewhere within that circle,” said Dr. Nan-Yao Su, who heads the Subterranean Termite Lab at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in Fort Lauderdale.
Dr. Su explained that one colony of subterranean termites could infest several houses in a single neighborhood.
Subterranean termites, or Formosan termites, originated in Asia in the early 1900s. By the 1950s they made their way to South Africa. And, 10 years later, they were found in Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas. During the 1980s, researchers realized subterranean termites made their way to Hallandale, Fla. And since then, almost every major city in Florida has encountered subterranean termites.
Colleges Introduce Programs to Help Students Graduate Debt Free
Getting a college degree in the United States can come with a high price tag. The average tuition costs around $26,000 for a public university and $38,000 at a private college – leaving many graduates with hefty loans to pay. Now, colleges are looking for ways to ease the financial burden. Soledad O’Brien visits Marshall University to learn about a pilot program that’s helping students graduate without any debt.
A possible solution to the nationwide school bus driver shortage could be under-the-hood
A possible solution to the nationwide school bus driver shortage could be under-the-hood
Twelve states adopted the under-the-hood waiver to help with the school bus driver shortage.
Twelve states adopted the under-the-hood waiver to help with the school bus driver shortage.
A Conversation with Elizabeth Carr, the First Person Born Via IVF in the U.S.
More than 8 million people in the United States were born through in vitro fertilization, including Elizabeth Carr, who was the first IVF baby in the country. More than 40 years later, Carr says people still don't have a full understanding of IVF and what it entails. She sits down with Soledad O’Brien in studio to talk about her birth and how she’s advocating for other families.
Aaliyah Bilal Describes the Black Muslim Experience in Debut Book “Temple Folk”
According to Pew Research Center, only about 2 percent of Black Americans identify as Muslim. Although Black Muslims represent a small portion of the population, first-time author Aaliyah Bilal believes their stories are an essential part of the country's narrative. In her book “Temple Folk,” Bilal tells a series of short stories from the perspective of Black Muslim Americans. Producer Tamika Cody traveled to Cincinnati to learn how Bilal’s own life experiences contributed to the book.
Model Beverly Johnson Speaks on the 50th Anniversary of Vogue Cover
In 1974, Beverly Johnson became the first Black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue. Now, on the 50th anniversary of that groundbreaking cover, she’s sharing her story through an off-Broadway, one-woman show called “In Vogue.” Johnson joins Soledad O’Brien in-studio to talk about the show, her career and the fashion industry.
Rob Reiner
From “All in the Family” to “When Harry Met Sally” to “This Is Spinal Tap,” Rob Reiner’s catalog is filled with classic movies and TV shows, and he’s not done yet. The filmmaker is expanding into new ventures. He sits down with Soledad O’Brien to reflect on his career and talk about their podcast on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
14-year-old Scientist Creates Soap to Treat Skin Cancer
At just 14 years old, Heman Bekele holds a very prestigious title – America’s Top Young Scientist. 3M awarded him with the honor for creating a soap to treat skin cancer. Matter of Fact travels to Fairfax, Virginia to talk to Bekele about his inspiration for making the soap and his multi-year plan for getting it out to the public.
Changing climate increases risk for 91,000 US dams, research warns
Studies find potential for 'significant destruction' near fire-scarred areas due to increased, uncertain streamflows.
More communities across the country may now need to worry about previously-unforeseen damage to the nation's critical infrastructure – including dams, bridges, highways, and cities – due to increasingly severe storms, supercharged by a warming atmosphere, according climate studies.
More communities across the country may now need to worry about previously-unforeseen damage to the nation's critical infrastructure – including dams, bridges, highways, and cities – due to increasingly severe storms, supercharged by a warming atmosphere, according climate studies.
Personal Truth: Beating meth addiction
Methamphetamine is a stimulant that can cause a person to become addicted with just one use. In 2017, about 964,000 people used meth. Toni Colon decided to take herself out of the meth equation.
Digital Stories
Special Projects
First run as an MMJ
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