Black Echo Network

Annie Pearl Avery was beaten and tear-gassed crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday in 1965. That march helped secure the Voting Rights Act. Now, at 81 years old, she's back on the front lines after the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais decision triggered new voting restrictions across the South.

This week, Annie Pearl joined thousands at the AllRoadsLeadtotheSouth march in Alabama. Her words cut deep: \"We're back in the same shape we were in almost then, except we're a little bit more knowledgeable. I think at this time we're going to fight harder.\" She shouldn't have to be there. None of our elders should be fighting the same battles twice.

The fact that foot soldiers like Annie Pearl are back on the streets should shame us all into action. These are the people who bled for our democracy, who sacrificed their bodies so we could vote freely. If they're willing to march again in their 80s, what's our excuse for staying home? Our elders gave us the blueprint in 1965. They're showing us the way again in 2026. The least we can do is march beside them.

Flau'jae Johnson just proved that building your future means more than perfecting your jump shot. At 22, the LSU basketball star officially graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and a triple minor in business, communications, and entrepreneurship. While most people her age are figuring out their next move, she's been stacking credentials alongside her stats.

This isn't just about hitting a normal graduation milestone. This is about an elite athlete who understood that the game won't last forever, so she built skills that will. Her triple minor shows intentional planning for life beyond the court, whether that's media opportunities, business ventures, or entrepreneurship. She's been preparing for success in multiple arenas while everyone else only saw the highlights.

The real lesson here isn't that she graduated at a typical age. It's that she did it while maintaining excellence in a demanding sport at the highest collegiate level. Most people struggle to balance one priority, but Johnson has been mastering the art of dual success. She's proving that you don't have to choose between chasing your current dreams and preparing for your next chapter. Plan for the league, but also plan beyond it.