Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

The back-to-school period can sometimes trigger or exacerbate mental health issues in children and adolescents. Transitioning from a relaxed summer schedule back to the structure and demands of school can be stressful for some individuals. Academic...

As we shift our mindset to prepare for a new semester of learning through formal schooling, many things should be considered. Since its inception, the smartphone has been an invaluable device to many. With smartphones came social media networks and p...

In 2012, author James Clear wrote Atomic Habits, outlining how to be consistent when creating positive habits. The book focuses on the science of habits and how tiny changes can lead to remarkable results over time. The book provides a comprehensive...

I love the convenient luxuries I have grown accustomed to, and now understand convenience can be both a necessity and a luxury, depending on the context and the level of convenience being considered. In many cases, convenience is considered a...

Last week my mom and I decided to take a workout walk in our neighborhood. I wore a long sleeve sweat suit and hat. On our first trip on our route, we alternated, walking side-by-side and behind one another. We were about 5 minutes away from home...

I hate to see abandoned vehicles along highways. I instantly empathize with the driver and always wonder what happened to force someone to abandon their car. I am always confused when I see a nice shiny car idly sitting because I feel like it should...

I got the chance to meet many amazing people during a time in my corporate career. There were many hardworking and educated people who wanted to do their best and represent the company well. As I type this, their names and faces come to mind. Jane...

The more I am intentional about growing my relationship with God the more revelation is revealed. I love this because it’s a true reminder that there’s always something new and interesting to learn. A person can read scripture one time and get...

Some are raving about AI and other new modern efficiencies that are now becoming more well-known, but I think it is time to evaluate our future. There are some benefits of AI. 1 - AI will bring more automation to jobs, which will potentially lead to...

Last week reports of another Black teen who was unjustly shot by a White man in Kansas City, Missouri, were shared worldwide. 16-year-old Ralph Yarl was shot by Andrew Lester, who fired two shots through the glass window of his front door, hitting...

One of my favorite artists is Stevie Wonder. His talent is one of the clearest gifts from God I have ever witnessed. What is most remarkable to me is that the blind-since-birth star never used his disability to hinder him from becoming a great...

There is an adage that states, “You never know where you are going unless you know where you have been.” In the spirit of Black history month, the Monroe Dispatch will highlight stories and the history of Blacks that are not commonly known....

There is an adage that states, “You never know where you are going unless you know where you have been.” In the spirit of Black history month, the Monroe Dispatch will highlight stories and the history of Blacks that are not commonly known. The...

Recent national news outlets shared the miraculous story of a young man who was lost at sea but rescued by his family hours after going missing. The man was on a diving trip off the coast of Key West, FL with several others when the current simply...

As Christmas approaches, I often think about Jesus' mother, Mary, and all she had to endure to bring Him into this world. She was first visited by the angel Gabriel who told her her fate. She then had to share the news with her husband and endure...

Last month controversy in pop culture surfaced after artist Chris Brown was axed from performing at this year's American Music Awards (AMAs). The R&B star was working on a performance for the show that would pay tribute to Michael Jackson in...

Watching the movie, The Preacher’s Wife is a holiday tradition that I have for myself. It is themed around Christmas time, so it is appropriate for this time of year. The movie is set in New York City and features an all-star cast featuring Denzel...

I love fresh squeezed orange juice. Each Christmas my parrain would gift my brothers and me a large box of fresh oranges and apples. As young kids, we didn't always appreciate getting fruit on a holiday for extravagant gifts, but as the years...

When tragedy struck the Black community in Buffalo, NY on May 14, 2022 it served as a harsh reminder of the intense hatred that still exists in this country. That hatred is fueled by racism and radical hate groups who encourage attacks on Black...

The start of a new school year is the mark of a new beginning for a child. During this time, they get new clothes, new shoes, new school supplies, and sometimes even a new hairdo all with the premise of starting with a clean slate. This is big for a...

The past two years have been a stark reminder that life is short. I understand that we can all die in an instant, but COVID-19 has been such a powerful wake-up call to show that life and days are so fleeting. If I had only one week left on this...

In October 2021, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg announced the name change of Facebook and the creation of Meta and the Metaverse, an extension of the social media organization into the virtual reality space online. Prior to the introduction of...

At Dazzle Dance, I begin the season by teaching the fundamentals of dance through a series of progressions. As the year progresses, the girls learn to comprehend quicker and, with deliberate practice, execute movement with precision and confidence....

Born in the 80s, I can honestly say I have had great childhood and coming-of-age experiences that spanned across significant decades. My house is musical, and I remember things like records and a record player, but the portable cassette player stood...

The pandemic has brought many changes in the lives of lots of people across the globe. The most significant thing that is changing is the way we work and the work that we do. The first computer in the US was created in 1946, invented by J. Presper...

When tragedy struck the Black community in Buffalo, NY on May 14, 2022 it served as a harsh reminder of the intense hatred that still exists in this country. That hatred is fueled by racism and radical hate groups who encourage attacks on Black...

A belief is having trust, faith, or confidence in something, an idea, or a thought. It is deemed as an acceptance that a statement or thing is true or actually exists. When we are asked what we believe in, the concept goes beyond our thoughts of if w...

Graduation season is upon us once again and after two years of restrictive living, it appears as if we can now live and celebrate more. I happen to know quite a few graduates this year. I am excited to see them switch their tassels and begin a new...

I sometimes find it hard to believe how much technology has evolved over the past 20 years. In 2002, popular cell phones like Nokia or Motorola made the convenience of communication more accessible to the masses. Today we have moved past the...

The pandemic has shifted a lot in our world, but nothing has changed more than the way we gather. Coming from a society that centers a lot of activities in and around the church, these past 20 months have changed my perspective on the body of...

Discussion about drug use within the Black community is a restricted conversation. Beyond hearing the occasional sad story of how someone overdosed and ended up in jail for explicit behavior or witnessing someone exhibit obnoxious erratic...

This past January, Florida state GOP lawmakers introduced and advanced a bill prohibiting schools from 'encouraging' talk of sexual orientation and gender identity in some classrooms. On March 8, 2022, the Florida Senate passed the Parental Rights...

In October 2021, Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg announced the name change of Facebook and the creation of Meta and the Metaverse, an extension of the social media organization into the virtual reality space online. Prior to the introduction of...

There is an adage that states, “You never know where you are going unless you know where you have been.” In the spirit of Black history month, the Monroe Dispatch will highlight stories and the history of Blacks that are not commonly known. Janet...

There is an old adage that says, “You never know where you are going unless you know where you have been.” In the spirit of Black history month, the Monroe Dispatch will highlight stories and the history of Blacks that are not commonly known....

Conversation about drug use within the Black community is a restricted conversation. Beyond hearing the occasional sad story of how some OD'ed and ended up in jail for explicit behavior or witnessing someone exhibit obnoxious erratic mannerisms, we...

The best way to truly know how you feel about the ‘hood (the sides of town that Black and people densely populate) is to visit a 'hood in another city. When I first enter a 'hood, I immediately realize I have entered a not-so-good side of town by...

Welcome to 2022! If you are reading this, you are in the number of the most fortunate to make it to a new year. As I prepare for what is to come for this new year, the story of Job comes to mind. Surely Job never expected what would happen in his lif...

This year I have thought a lot about faith. What it is, how it works, and why I need it are a few of the many questions I have been asking myself. I believe I have been called to gain a deeper understanding of my faith in this season. I know I am...

Home training can and will take one a long way in this world. It has opened many doors for many successful people and is considered by many of those to be a gateway to opportunity. When one has home training, they possess the ability to interact...

We use three simple ingredients: lemons, water, and sugar. Lemons, in taste, are very bitter fruits. The fruit is in the citrus family and contains high acidic properties. They are versatile fruits that can be used in cooking and even cleaning....

The scripture “For all things work” from the book of Romans takes on another meaning for me in the fall of each year. Fall is my favorite time of the year because it reminds me of God’s intentions. It’s so interesting to me how the seasons...

My grandfather ( the late Frank DeTiege Sr.) loved gardening and grew lots of fruits and vegetables. In observing him doing his hobby, I realized gardening was a daily chore. He would put on his gardening uniform - old lightweight blue jean pants...

It is so interesting how a once taboo thing is now one of the most en vogue things to do. Weed is now one of the most popular topics of conversation, buzzing throughout entertainment, business, and health conversations heard throughout our country...

It is so interesting how a once taboo thing is now one of the most en vogue things to do. Weed is now one of the most popular topics of conversation, buzzing throughout entertainment, business, and health conversations heard throughout our country...

The start of a new school year is the mark of a new beginning for a child. During this time they get new clothes, new shoes, new school supplies, and sometimes even a new hairdo all with the premise of starting with a clean slate. This is big for a...