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Exports, Tariffs, and Tradition, Pecan Farmers Seek Relief in Global Market

Georgia pecan farmers met with Senator Raphael Warnock to discuss tariffs, exports, and resilience as the state leads U.S. production and expands into global markets

By Milton Kirby | Keysville, GA | August 18, 2025

In the rolling orchards of middle and south Georgia, pecan farming is more than a business. It is a heritage rooted in resilience, family, and faith in the land. Saturday, three longtime growers sat down with U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock to talk about the future of their crop and the pressures of international trade.

Photo by Milton Kirby – Pecan farmers at the table with Senator Raphael Warnock

Georgia is the nation’s leading pecan producer, with over 144,000 acres planted across the state. For 17 consecutive years, Georgia has outpaced all others, producing an average of 88 million pounds annually. In strong years, like 2020, output climbed above 142 million pounds. Nearly one-third of the state’s harvest is exported, with the Port of Savannah serving as a major hub for shipments to Asia, Europe, and South America.

A Legacy Crop with Deep Roots

The pecan tree, native to North America, can bear edible nuts for more than 300 years. Commercial planting in Georgia began in the early 1900s, especially in the sandy soils of the southwest. Albany and Dougherty County quickly became known as the “Pecan Capital of the World.”

The crop has endured both natural and economic tests. Hurricane Michael in 2018 wiped out more than 26,000 acres of pecan trees, cutting yields nearly in half. Recovery has been slow, as new trees can take close to a decade to mature. But farmers persevered, and by 2020, Georgia reclaimed its top spot in production, thanks to improved yields and strategic replanting.

Governor Brian Kemp underscored the crop’s importance by declaring the pecan the official state nut in April 2021. Legislation like Senate Bill 222 further spotlighted Georgia Grown products, boosting the visibility of local agriculture.

Farmers at the Table

In Keysville, Jeb Barrow runs Three Bee’s Farms, a pecan orchard his family has operated for nearly 130 years. Generations of Barrows have lived through storms and market swings, but recent years have been particularly rough. “Last year I lost around 40% of my crop,” Barrow said. Hurricane Helene damaged three-quarters of his trees, and he has worked steadily to replant. “It takes all of us—farmers here on the ground, support from Washington, and smart trade decisions. That’s what keeps us moving forward.”

Barrow praised Senator Warnock’s willingness to listen. “He’s serious about supporting Georgia agriculture. He didn’t come here to lecture—he came here to sit at the table and hear us out,” he said.

For R.G. Lamar, pecans have always been a family business. His parents, John and Carol Lamar, started Lamar Pecan Company in Hawkinsville during the late 1970s. At first, the family could not afford large equipment, so much of the work was done by hand. “My dad and my brother built this place through sweat,” Lamar recalled. By 1992, they had constructed a cleaning plant, and by the early 2000s, they were exporting pecans to China.

Today, R.G. and his stepbrother Grant manage more than 2,300 acres. The farm produces over 2.5 million pounds annually, with varieties such as Desirable, Stuart, Schley, and Sumner. Their retail brand, Front Porch Pecans, offers roasted snacks sold on Amazon and in stores across the country. “We believe Georgia pecans can compete anywhere in the world,” Lamar said. “But we need stability in trade policy.”

Sam Pennington, who operates Pennington Farms, Inc. in Wrens, emphasized the delicate balance of farming in a global economy. His operation, like many, depends on steady exports to remain profitable. “We know we grow a world-class product,” Pennington said. “But tariffs can close doors overnight. That uncertainty is the hardest part.”

Exports and Tariffs

Georgia’s export market has shown resilience. The Port of Savannah reported a 20% increase in nut exports in 2020 over 2019, a sign of strong international demand. Still, China, once a top buyer, pulled back during the trade disputes of the Trump administration. Farmers and state officials now view India as a promising market to help fill that gap.

Warnock addressed those concerns directly. “I’m not opposed to tariffs,” he told the farmers, “but we need a strategic, thoughtful, coherent approach to trade. A blanket 10% increase in consumer goods doesn’t help farmers or families.”

The senator noted that Congress, not the executive branch, holds constitutional authority over trade policy. “Congress does have the power and the ability to bring some common sense approach to this if it chooses to do so,” he said.

Walking with the Farmers

Warnock said his visit was about more than policy. “It was really important for me to be here in the region today,” he said. “I promised Georgians that I would always walk with them, even while working for them. Our farmers are the best among us. It’s very hard work, with a lot of uncertainty. We should do everything we can to try to lighten that burden.”

As the meeting ended, the farmers returned to their orchards, where new trees take root alongside old ones. For them, the work is as much about legacy as livelihood. And with the backing of policymakers, Georgia’s pecan growers hope to keep the state’s title as the nation’s top producer for generations to come.

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Brian Norman, Jr.: The Kid Next Door and World Champion

Undefeated WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr., the Decatur-born “Assassin II,” defends his title against Devin Haney in Saudi Arabia after a stunning Tokyo knockout win.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | August 13, 2025

Brian Norman, Jr. seems like any other 24-year-old from Decatur, Georgia. He enjoys music, spending time with friends, and—even though he wasn’t asked — he probably enjoys pizza and movie nights. Standing 5’8″ and weighing 147 pounds, he carries himself with quiet confidence, a neatly trimmed beard, and a smile that could brighten a hundred nights.

Photo by Milton Kirby – Brian Norman, Jr.

But unlike most people his age, Norman doesn’t head to an office, warehouse or classroom when he goes to work. He walks into a boxing gym, pulls on his gloves, and steps between the ropes.

There, he’s not just Brian Norman — he’s The Assassin II, a name that signifies his lethal precision and power in the ring, and the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion.

Boxing 101 for the Casual Fan

For those new to the sport, professional boxing is organized into weight classes to ensure fair competition. Norman competes in the welterweight division, which includes fighters weighing no more than 147 pounds. The WBO is one of four major sanctioning bodies in professional boxing — alongside the WBA, WBC, and IBF — recognized worldwide for awarding official world titles.

A boxer’s win can come in several ways:

Knockout (KO): When a fighter is knocked down and cannot get back to their feet before the referee counts to ten, or is physically unable to continue.
Technical Knockout (TKO): When the referee stops the fight because one boxer cannot defend themselves safely, even if they are still standing.
Unanimous Decision: After the scheduled rounds are completed, all three judges agree on the winner, awarding points based on clean punches, defense, effective aggression, and ring generalship — a fighter’s ability to control the pace and location of the action.
Split Decision: two of the three judges scored the fight for one boxer, while the third judge scored it for the other boxer. It’s a way to determine the winner when the judges’ opinions are divided.

Norman’s record — 30 fights, 28 wins, and no losses — includes 22 victories by knockout, six by unanimous decision, and two bouts ruled as no contest due to accidental injuries.

From Decatur Roots to the Top of the Sport

Born November 23, 2000, Norman grew up in Decatur and attended Lakeside High School. His father, Brian Norman, Sr., was a professional boxer from 2003 to 2011, compiling a record of 18 wins and 11 losses. From childhood, Norman Jr. trained under his father’s guidance, learning both the mental and physical demands of the sport.

In November 2023, Norman won the WBO International welterweight title with a unanimous decision over Quinton Randall in Las Vegas, NV. Brian defended his title in March 2024 against Janelson Figueroa Bocachia in Verona, NY. Both fighters were cut in an accidental clash in the ring. Norman was cut above his right eye in the second round, while Bocachica suffered a cut in the opening round. The bout was stopped at the end of the third round due to the severity of Bocachica’s cut, resulting in a no contest.

His big break came in August 2024, when Terence Crawford — a legend in the sport — vacated the WBO welterweight belt to move up in weight. Norman, already holding the WBO interim title, was promoted to full champion, becoming the youngest male world champion in boxing at the time.

Knockouts, Travel, and Titles

Norman’s most recent defense took him to Tokyo, Japan, on June 19, 2025, where he faced hometown contender Jin Sasaki. In the opening minute, Norman scored his first knockdown with a left hook to the head. By the fifth round, he delivered another left hook so devastating that Sasaki was left on the canvas for several minutes. Many analysts called it a Knockout of the Year candidate.

Norman spoke of the Japanese customs and traditions, and mentioned that since the fight he and Sasaki have exchanged kind and respectful words.

Business in the Ring

Currently signed with Top Rank — the promotional powerhouse behind legends like Muhammad Ali, Oscar De La Hoya, and Manny Pacquiao — Norman has earned an estimated $1 million in career purses. His biggest payday so far was $650,000 in a bout against Cuevas.

The WBO, headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a key gatekeeper in boxing, with its champions recognized as among the best in the world. Holding a WBO belt is often a stepping stone to multi-division championships and career-defining fights.

The Risks of the Sport

Brian Norman well understands the risks of his profession. He knows that hundreds of punches to the head can lead to serious long-term effects. As a knowledgeable boxer himself, Norman, Sr. placed an exceptionally high emphasis on Brian, Jr. to become an excellent defensive boxer to protect himself as best as possible.

This is one way to ensure a long, healthy career.

The Place He Calls Home

Brian trains at Granite City Boxing & Fitness (GCBF) in Ellenwood, GA. GCBF has a rich history of its own. Some of the most elite boxers in Georgia were birthed at GCBF, including Eli Lankford, Casey Dixion, Hakim Lopez, and Najee Lopez to name a few.

Coach Natasha (Titi) noted, “It’s amazing to see where Brian has come from versus the skills that he has developed now.”

As for training, Brian says, “he starts counting reps once the workout starts to hurt. Discipline is the key to training and development.” His training regimen includes rigorous workouts, sparring sessions, and a strict diet, all of which contribute to his physical and mental preparedness for each fight.

Next Challenge: Devin Haney in Saudi Arabia

On November 22, 2025, Norman will defend his title against two-division champion Devin Haney in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both men are undefeated — Norman at 28-0 (22 KOs) and Haney at 32-0 (15 KOs) — making this a rare matchup where neither fighter has ever tasted defeat. This highly anticipated bout is expected to be a test of skill, endurance, and determination for both fighters.

For Norman, the fight is another chance to prove that The Assassin II is more than just a nickname. With an undefeated record of 28-0 (22 KOs), he has shown his dominance in the ring. For the sport, it’s an opportunity to showcase one of boxing’s youngest champions to a global audience.

From Decatur’s neighborhood gyms to the bright lights of Las Vegas, Tokyo, and soon Saudi Arabia, Brian Norman, Jr. has shown that even the kid next door can rise to the very top of the boxing world — and do it without a single loss.

Decatur’s Brian Norman Jr Inks Multi-Year Deal with Top Rank, Eyes Haney Showdown

Norman vs. Haney: Unbeaten Stars Collide for Welterweight Supremacy

Haney Outpoints Norman Jr. in Riyadh to Claim Third World Title

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Carolina Crusher, Grave Digger, and Zombie: Three Icons, Three Paths, One Sport

From Carolina Crusher to Grave Digger, the sport of monster trucks has grown in power and diversity—thanks to icons like Gary Porter, Bari Musawwir, and Krysten Anderson.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | June 11, 2025

In 1981, a small-town mechanic with a dream fired up an engine that would eventually roar through stadiums worldwide. Gary Porter, a native of Wadesboro, North Carolina, didn’t set out to become a legend. But when he opened Porter’s 4×4 Shop with his brother and began tinkering with lifted trucks, the seeds of something bigger were planted.

“I went to the bank and asked the lady there if I could borrow $9,500 to build me a monster truck,” Porter recalled. “She nearly had a heart attack and asked me, ‘Does your mamma and daddy know what you’re doing?’”

By 1985, Porter had built the Carolina Crusher, his first monster truck, and debuted it that summer. What began with displays and small-town pulls quickly gained traction. By 1988, Porter was competing nationally on the TNT Motorsports Monster Truck Challenge, later claiming his first world championship in the PENDA Points Series in 1991. He wasn’t just racing—he was helping define the very foundation of the sport.

“In the early days, you built whatever truck you had the money to build. There were no safety rules,” Porter said. “One of the most difficult challenges in the beginning was being a one-man team. Making sure that the truck was race ready for the next weekend was hard—there just weren’t enough hours.”

Major improvements came along when formal competitions started and the points system was instituted. Bigger checks led to bigger ambitions. Teams began upgrading trucks constantly—new shocks, lighter frames, more horsepower—all while trying to survive the pounding these machines took during jumps and freestyle runs.

Porter’s decades of work didn’t go unnoticed. In 2013, he was inducted into the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame, and again in 2021 into the Monster Jam Hall of Fame. In July 2017, after 32 years in the sport, Porter officially retired from monster truck driving, leaving behind a legacy built on resilience, innovation, and raw horsepower.

The Evolution of a Sport—and a Culture

The sport’s roots stretch back to the 1970s when off-road enthusiasts modified trucks for mud bogging and tractor pulls. Then came Bob Chandler’s Bigfoot—a lifted Ford F-250 that crushed two junked cars in a promotional stunt. This iconic car-crushing run at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1982 captivated fans and launched the monster truck craze as a national entertainment force, marking a significant turning point in the sport’s history.

By the late ’80s and early ’90s, with Gary Porter and trucks like Grave Digger on tour, monster trucks had become a household attraction. In the 2000s, Monster Jam, operated by Feld Entertainment, refined the show with stadium production, international tours, and superstar drivers. Now, in the 2020s, the sport is evolving yet again—with electric prototypes, smarter suspensions, and a growing diversity among its stars.

Trailblazer Behind the Wheel: Bari Musawwir

When Bari Musawwir saw his first Monster Jam show at the Silverdome in 1986, he had no idea it would shape his life. A kid from Cleveland who loved cars, Musawwir got into racing through radio-controlled trucks, eventually mastering the art by competing in national RC events. His journey from radio-controlled car tracks to stadiums filled with 60,000 fans would rewrite what was possible for Black athletes in the sport.

Photo courtesy Monster Jam – Bari Musawwir

His big break came in 2006 during an RC competition at Digger’s Dungeon, the home of Grave Digger. A Monster Jam official happened to witness his performance and invited him to test a real truck. Though Musawwir had no formal motorsports experience, his skill was evident—and after several years of persistence, he made his pro debut in 2010, driving Backwards Bob.

Since then, he’s earned:

Rookie of the Year (2011)
Young Guns Shootout Champion (2012)
Multiple World Finals Appearances
Two Guinness World Records

More than his accomplishments, Musawwir’s presence as the first Black Monster Jam driver in the sport’s 70-year history opened new doors. “I want young people to see me and know they belong here too,” he says.

Representation, Cost, and the Road to Inclusion

For decades, monster trucks were a white, male-dominated arena. That’s changing—but slowly. Musawwir’s rise shows that passion and opportunity can still break barriers, but entry into the sport remains expensive.

💰 Average Startup Costs:

Build a Monster Truck: $250,000–$350,000+
Launch a Team: $500,000–$750,000+
Annual Operations: $150,000–$250,000

The high price tags for chassis, tires, engines, and crew limit access for many aspiring drivers. Used trucks and sponsorships help, but visibility and representation are critical—especially in communities where kids rarely see themselves reflected in motorsports.

Musawwir, now also driving the Marvel-themed Black Panther truck, has made it a mission to mentor, encourage, and represent. “This is my passion. It’s a dream I had since I was six years old,” he says. “Now I get to be the person I once looked up to.”

Leading Lady of the Lanes: Krysten Anderson

While Musawwir was blazing new ground, Krysten Anderson was carrying the weight of a legacy. The daughter of Grave Digger founder Dennis Anderson, she became the first woman ever to drive the iconic truck—and she did not disappoint.

Krysten’s Monster Jam journey began in 2017, after growing up around trucks with her two brothers, Adam and Ryan, both professional drivers. Although she initially studied art and planned to become a graphic designer, the opportunity to take a drive in a monster truck changed her career path.

Today, she’s not only the face of Grave Digger—she’s also the first female Monster Jam Series Champion (2022) and a fan favorite across the country.

Photo courtesy Babbit Bodnor – Krysten Anderson

“Protecting the Grave Digger brand is a big responsibility. Since my name is Anderson, I take it very seriously,” she said. “I want to represent my family well, the brand well, and I also want to represent the ladies well.”

At 5’7″, she’s just an inch taller than the massive BKT tires on her truck. Yet, she commands the arena with power and grace. Fans, especially young girls, are sometimes stunned to see a woman behind the wheel of one of the sport’s most legendary machines.

“It kind of blows their mind sometimes,” Krysten said. “When I put on that helmet and get behind the wheel, I have a big job to do, and I take it very seriously.”

Safety, Grit, and Legacy

Anderson’s job isn’t just about fame—it’s about trust and safety. Drivers are outfitted with custom helmets, neck restraints, reinforced steel roll cages, seven-point harnesses, and remote ignition interrupters—a single-button emergency stop controlled by race officials.

Before every race, Krysten checks the track, dirt and layout, tuning in for the unpredictable. “The trucks have evolved tremendously,” she said. “The tracks are always different. You have to dial it in every time.”

Her career is already storied. A veteran among just nine full-time female drivers, Anderson still feels in her prime. “There’s no end in sight right now,” she said. “I’m here to compete, to represent, and to make our fans proud.”

Her father, Dennis, remains her compass. “He taught me about life and racing,” she said. “He always reminds me why we do this—from humble beginnings to the most iconic truck in monster truck history. Love the fans, and they will love you back.”

When she’s not in the arena, she unwinds on the beach—recharging for what could be a grueling 20-week tour. June 20–22 will mark her first appearance in Athens, Georgia, where she aims for a clean sweep.

With all of the safety factors in place, “The only thing I worry about is the green light, the checkered flag, and the trophy,” she said.

Paving the Way for Future Generations

The sport has expanded beyond its early roots. Since Debrah Ann Miceli, better known as Madusa, broke into Monster Jam in 1999, women have steadily claimed their space. Madusa proved that monster truck racing wasn’t just for men—and now, names like Kayla Blood, Becky McDonough, Cynthia Gauthier, and Rosalee Ramer are helping redefine what a champion looks like.

Anderson is proud to lead the new wave.

The Road Ahead

Today, monster truck competitions include categories for racing, two-wheel skills, and freestyle—each judged for speed, control, creativity, and risk. Trucks are smarter, safer, and faster than ever. But the soul of the sport still lies in the people—those who drive, build, and dream.

Gary Porter built Carolina Crusher because he loved 4x4s. Bari Musawwir fought for a place he didn’t even know was available. Krysten Anderson carries a name, a brand, and the future of female drivers.

Together, their stories crush old expectations and build new ones—one jump, one flip, one stadium at a time.

For more information about Monster Jam – Athens, GA June 20-22, 2025

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Georgia-Born, Globally Respected: America’s First Black Catholic Bishop, Ordained 150 Years Ago

Bishop James A. Healy, America’s first Black Catholic bishop, was ordained 150 years ago. His life shaped U.S. Catholicism through service, education, and advocacy.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | June 10, 2025

On June 10, 1854, James Augustine Healy was ordained as a Catholic priest in Paris. Precisely 150 years ago, he became the first known Black Catholic bishop in the United States.

Born into slavery in Jones County, Georgia, on April 6, 1830, Healy was the son of Irish immigrant Michael Healy and Mary Eliza Smith, a mixed-race enslaved woman. Under Georgia law, the Healy children were considered enslaved from birth. Despite their father’s wealth, they were denied the opportunity to receive an education in the South.

To change that, Michael Healy sent James and his siblings north. James began his education at a Quaker school on Long Island, then continued his studies in New Jersey.

The family’s lives changed forever when Bishop John Fitzpatrick of Boston helped place the boys at the newly founded College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.

At Holy Cross, James thrived. He was named valedictorian of the first graduating class in 1849. He went on to earn a master’s degree and later studied for the priesthood in Montreal and Paris. On June 10, 1854, he was ordained at the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Healy returned to Boston, where his talents and faith earned him several leadership roles. He served as assistant pastor, chancellor, and rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. He helped start homes for orphans and destitute children and stood up for the Catholic Church in debates over taxes and civil service.

In 1875, Pope Pius IX appointed Healy as Bishop of Portland, Maine. For the next 25 years, he led the diocese, which included all of Maine and New Hampshire. During his time as bishop, Healy oversaw the creation of 60 new churches, 68 missions, 18 convents, and 18 schools. The Catholic population nearly doubled under his leadership.

Healy became known as “the children’s bishop” for his deep concern for orphans, widows, and the poor. He helped found homes for girls and children affected by the Civil War. He even bought part of an island to use as a vacation spot for orphans, where he often visited and played with the youngest ones.

Healy was also a strong voice in national Catholic matters. He attended the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore and helped launch the Catholic University of America. Though he was quietly proud of his Black heritage, he did not promote it publicly. He often faced discrimination, especially in the South, but continued to serve with humility and grace.

Despite illness, Healy celebrated 25 years as bishop in 1900. He died later that year on August 5. He had asked not to be buried in the cathedral crypt. Instead, he was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery in South Portland under a simple Celtic cross.

Holy Cross, Healy’s alma mater, has honored his legacy with the Bishop Healy Committee, which supports diversity and inclusion. The Archdiocese of Boston also created an award in his name to honor dedicated Black parishioners.

James A. Healy’s life was a story of faith, perseverance, and quiet strength. Though born into slavery, he rose to one of the highest roles in the Catholic Church. He worked tirelessly for the poor, stood firm in his convictions, and left behind a legacy that continues to inspire 150 years later.

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Brown v. Board of Education: The Supreme Court Ruling That Changed America

Briggs v. Elliott helped end school segregation. Discover the personal sacrifice of the Briggs family in the landmark Brown v. Board decision.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | May 31, 2025

On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark decision that would forever alter the course of American history. In a unanimous ruling, the Court declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, bringing an end to the legal foundation of the “separate but equal” doctrine that had stood for nearly 60 years since Plessy v. Ferguson.

The case, officially titled Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, was one of the most significant legal victories of the Civil Rights Movement. It addressed whether separating children in public schools based on race violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Chief Justice Earl Warren delivered the opinion of the Court, stating clearly:

“Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.“

This decision did more than desegregate schools. It marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s struggle for racial justice and paved the way for future civil rights legislation, including the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

A Case that Began in Topeka—and Beyond

Although the case was named after Oliver Brown, a Black parent in Topeka, Kansas, it represented a group of lawsuits from across the country. Brown had tried to enroll his daughter in a nearby white elementary school. Brown and other parents sued the Topeka Board of Education when she was denied.

But Topeka was not alone. Brown v. Board was a consolidation of five separate cases from different states:

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas
Briggs v. Elliott – South Carolina
Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County – Virginia
Gebhart v. Belton – Delaware
Bolling v. Sharpe – Washington, D.C.

South Carolina’s Briggs v. Elliott was the earliest filed and arguably the most courageous. It originated in Clarendon County, where Black parents, led by Rev. J.A. DeLaine, challenged the appalling disparities between Black and white schools. At the time, Black children in Clarendon County attended schools with no buses, crumbling buildings, outdated books, and underpaid teachers, despite tax dollars funding white schools at nearly ten times the rate.

When their petitions for equal resources were ignored, the case became a direct challenge to segregation. The lead plaintiff was Harry Briggs, a gas station attendant, and the defendant was R.W. Elliott, chairman of the county’s school board.

According to Nate Briggs, son of Harry Briggs, Sr., “participation in the case took a terrible toll on the family. So much so, that Harry Briggs, Sr. had to move his family away from Summerton, South Carolina, for their safety and to find steady work. The personal cost of standing up for justice was high—but it was a sacrifice that helped move the nation forward.”

Though the federal Court ruled against them, one judge, J. Waties Waring, issued a powerful dissent, calling segregation inherently unequal. His words laid the intellectual groundwork for what would soon become national law.

The Man Who Argued the Case: Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall, the brilliant attorney who served as chief counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, stood at the center of this legal battle. Marshall, who was 45 during the Brown arguments, had already established a reputation for himself by fighting segregation in cases such as Sweatt v. Painter and Smith v. Allwright.

Marshall was born on July 2, 1908, in Baltimore, Maryland. After being denied admission to the University of Maryland Law School due to segregation, he attended Howard University School of Law, where he graduated first in his class. By the time of Brown, he had already argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court and would go on to argue a total of 32 cases, winning 29.

His victory in Brown was more than a professional achievement. It was a decisive blow against legalized racism, and it positioned him to become the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice in 1967.

After the Ruling: Resistance and Reform

While the decision was celebrated across much of the country, its implementation was met with fierce resistance, especially in the South. Some states openly defied the ruling. Others delayed desegregation through legal maneuvers or token compliance.

Recognizing the challenge, the Court issued a follow-up decision in Brown II on May 31, 1955, instructing states to carry out desegregation “with all deliberate speed.” Still, progress was slow. Many Black students and families continued to face threats, intimidation, and legal battles in the years that followed.

Despite the resistance, the decision in Brown v. Board became a moral and legal cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement. It led to increased momentum for equality, energized grassroots activism, and showed that the highest Court in the land was willing to challenge systemic racism.

Legacy

Today, more than 70 years later, Brown v. Board of Education remains a symbol of hope, courage, and constitutional justice. It reminds us of the power of the law to correct injustice—and the power of ordinary people, like the Briggs family and Rev. DeLaine, to change the course of a nation.

The decision did not eradicate racism or inequality, but it signaled that the Constitution could be a tool for progress. It also proved that when legal strategy, moral clarity, and community courage come together, history can be rewritten.

Brown v. Board was not just a court case. It was a national awakening…

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The Aging Power of Sugar

Want to speed up the aging process and damage your long-term health? Have we got just the thing for you!

By Jeanne Dorin McDowell

Aging is a one-way street, and we all travel down its path. But what if you could do one thing today that would slow your body’s aging process?

You can. You can stop eating sugar.

“Sugar is a primary driver of the aging reaction,” says neuroendocrinologist Robert Lustig M. D., professor emeritus of pediatrics and a member of the Institute of Health Policy Studies at the University of California San Francisco. “The more sugar you eat, the quicker the aging will occur. As you get older your cells go downhill, but if you consume a lot of sugar, they go downhill seven times faster.”

Let’s repeat the statistic: Eating a lot of sugar causes your body to age at seven times its natural rate.

We all know that sugar is bad for your teeth and your waistline and that it plays a role in the development of diabetes. But that’s just the beginning of the story. In a study published last July, researchers at UCSF looked at 342 middle-aged women and found the cells, tissues and overall systems of those who followed a diet low in added sugar were biologically younger than their actual age. But for each additional gram of added sugar people ate each day, they were about seven days older than their biological age — regardless of how healthy their diet was otherwise.

“We knew that high levels of added sugars are linked to worsen metabolic health and early disease, possibly more than any other dietary factor,” Elissa Epel, vice chair in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at USCF and co-author of the JAMA Network Open study, said in the statement. “Now we know that accelerated epigenetic aging is underlying this relationship, and that this is likely one of the many ways that excessive sugar intake limits healthy longevity.”

“Epigenetic aging” refers to how your body ages based on external factors beyond just the calendar and the natural occurrences that come with it. Stress, pollution a lack of exercise and poor diet are all factors in the epigenetic aging. But added sugar may be the unique among these factors, an aging superpower. And the less you have of it in your life, the better.

What is added sugar?

The sugars that occur naturally in fruits. vegetables grains and dairy are essential to a healthy diet, providing energy and acting as a delivery service for thousands of nutrients in these foods. Indeed, they’ve been found to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and even some cancers.

Added sugars, on the other hand, are the compounds that humans put into their food — from spoonful of sugar in your coffee to the factory-made sweeteners manufacturers add to processed foods to increase flavor and extend its shelf life. These are the sugars that are harmful and accelerate aging. On Food labels they are often the ingredients ending in “ose,” such high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, dextrose and maltose, among others.

“Natural” sweeteners can have the same age promoting effects: Cane sugar is almost entirely sucrose. Agave is mostly fructose.

Fructose maybe more harmful than any other sugar molecules because it is primarily metabolized by the liver, where it is readily converted into fat, in excessive amounts, it leads to increase fat accumulation and scarring in the liver. Manufacturers are now required to document added sugars on food labels, so there’s an obvious tip-off if the product contains harmful sugar.

Think of added sugars the way you think of alcohol: The extent of damage to your body is proportionate to the amount you consume, what scientist call “dose dependent.” Every gram of sugar interacts with your body in some way, Lustig says, but it’s the cumulative impact that portends the most damage and drives accelerated aging.

What sugar really does to your body

When sugar molecules bind to proteins and lipids in the body, they form harmful compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These AGEs accumulate in the tissues, reducing their plasticity and flexibility, increasing inflammation, and creating oxidative stress in cells — all of which produce diseases, says Monica Serra, a health scientist administrator for the National Institute on Aging. In blood vessels and arteries, they can increase the risk of heart disease or strokes. In the kidneys, they can contribute to insulin resistance, and in the skin, they can deplete collagen and add to the appearance of aging.

“They affect every tissue in a negative way and a cross your entire lifespan, which is why we try to emphasize healthy habits in childhood,” says Serra. “By the time you get older, you see the impact of these dietary choices, at a time when you have less resilience.”

This is where fructose does its worse damage, says Lustig. “Every time glucose or fructose binds with a protein, you get an oxygen radical. If your body is making radicals faster than you can quench them, your cells undergo damage, and they eventually die. Fructose makes the reaction occur seven times faster and generates 100 times the number of oxygen radicals as glucose. Every time this process occurs, you age faster.”

How Sugar Ages You

Sugar places increased burden on an already aging body, says Dorothy Chiu, a postdoctoral scholar at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health and coauthor of The UCSF study. Getting older puts us at greater risk for disease she says, but “sugar is the. icing on the cake.” Here’s what sugar can do:

Raise dementia risk. Excessive amounts of sugar can increase inflammation and weaken the blood-brain barrier, which can trigger cognitive decline. Serra says. In one study, researchers found that in older adults (average age 79), consuming more sugar may double the risk of developing dementia later in life. “People at the highest risk got 32 percent of their calories from sugar versus the low group consuming only 17 percent of calories from sugar,” says Puja Agarwal, assistant professor of internal medicine at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center and lead author of the study. ”This study tells us consuming higher sugar or calories from sugar may impact risk for dementia.”

Where Added Sugar Lurks

Much of the sugar we east doesn’t come from ice cream and cake. It comes from everyday foods that we don’t associate with sweetness. Here’s a (partial) list of sneaky sugar sources, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Condiments Sauces Flavored yogurt

(such as ketchup & salad dressings) (pasta sauces & barbecue sauce) (especially low-fat yogurt)

Granola, Nut butters

(instant oatmeal, & breakfast cereals) (such as peanut butter)

Make your belly bigger. When you eat excessive sugar, your liver metabolizes the fructose compound and converts it into fat, which accumulates in the liver. You gain weight when your liver stores excess fat instead of burning it off as energy. Fat accumulation can lead to higher cholesterol insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease.

Hamper your nutritional status. As we get older, our need for calories declines so to maintain the same body weight we need to eat less says Alice H. Lichtenstein, senior scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. “Consuming a diet high in sugar makes it challenging to also include enough healthy foods so that we balance calorie needs and meet our nutrients needs.”

Damage your liver. High sugar intake, especially fructose, can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is an excessive amount of fat in the liver that is associated with an increased risk of developing liver cancer.

Increase your risk of heart disease. Added sugar can elevate your blood pressure, promote chronic inflammation and increase levels of triglycerides, a type of fat that builds up in the bloodstream and increases your risk of heart disease. Excessive sugar intake damages the arteries and puts stress on the heart.

Up your diabetes risk. Sugar causes rampant spikes and blood sugar levels, which can contribute to insulin is resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, and drives other major chronic diseases in older adults. In addition to aging and stress, sugar “can wreak havoc on insulin sensitivity and through various pathways accelerate aging in the body‘s systems.” Says UCSF’s Epel. ”This is one of the most important metrics of health and aging.”

Worsen menopause symptoms. Postmenopausal women are more vulnerable to the effects of sugar because they have lower levels of estrogen and progesterone and become more insulin resistant. Some studies show that high sugar levels are also associated with more hot flashes in menopausal women. It may be because they cause spikes in blood sugar and dramatic drops. “It’s reasonable to conclude that reducing sugar may help reduce hot flashes for some individuals, but it has not been tested, Epel adds.

Promote tooth loss. Sugar can foster bacterial growth in the mouth, which in turn, can produce acid that erodes the enamel on your teeth, causing cavities. Excess sugar can also lead to inflammation of the gums, leading to gum recession and tooth loss.

Bottom line: The occasional sugar indulgence isn’t harmful, but “be selective and only indulge when the option is your favorite.” Lichtenstein says. So yes, have the slice of birthday cake. But don’t have a party every day, OK?

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Bill Russell: A Champion On and Off the Court

NBA legend Bill Russell broke records and racial barriers—as a champion player, pioneering coach, and fearless civil rights activist. His impact still echoes today.

It happened in April 1966

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | April 19, 2025

William Felton Russell was more than a basketball legend—he was a trailblazer for justice, leadership, and a powerful image in sports and society.

Born on February 12, 1934, in Monroe, Louisiana, and raised in Oakland, California, Bill Russell rose to prominence at the University of San Francisco, where he led the Dons to two NCAA championships.

In 1956, he joined the Boston Celtics and forever changed the game of basketball.

Over 13 seasons, Russell led the Celtics to 11 NBA championships, the most by any player in league history. He was a five-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, and a gold medalist at the 1956 Olympics. Yet his influence reached far beyond the court.

Trailblazing Coach and Leader

On April 17, 1966, following the Celtics’ championship win and Red Auerbach’s retirement as head coach, Russell made history as the first Black head coach in NBA history. Appointed as a player-coach, he led the team while still anchoring the defense on the court. Under his guidance, the Celtics won two more NBA championships in 1968 and 1969.

After retiring from playing, Russell returned to coaching in May 1973, when he was hired to lead the Seattle SuperSonics. His tenure with the Sonics and later the Sacramento Kings marked a new chapter in his coaching legacy—bringing his wisdom and leadership beyond Boston.

Reflections from Teammates and Contemporaries

Russell’s impact on those around him is best reflected in the words of those who knew him best:

Don Nelson, former Celtics teammate, once said:

“There are two types of superstars. One makes himself look good at the expense of the other guys on the floor. But there’s another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that’s the type Russell was.”

John Havlicek, another Celtics great, recalled Russell’s intense focus:

“When it’s an important game or an important challenge for him—someone like Chamberlain, or someone coming up that everyone’s touting—the sound of Russell throwing up is a welcome sound, too, because it means he’s keyed up for the game, and around the locker room we grin and say, ‘Man, we’re going to be all right tonight.'”

Paul Pierce, former Celtics star, shared a more lighthearted memory:

“You know that infectious laugh that he had? He’d come in, give you the middle finger and start laughing. When he first did it to me, I was like, ‘Woah.’ And then I’d laugh, and that kind of brought the tension back down.” – NBC Sports Boston

Doc Rivers, former Celtics and current 76ers head coach, emphasized Russell’s trailblazing influence:

“Without Bill Russell, I’m not coaching.”

A Voice for Justice

Off the court, Russell was a fearless advocate for civil rights. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stood beside Muhammad Ali in protest of the Vietnam War draft, and never shied away from confronting racism—even when it came from fans in his city.

His principled stance made him a powerful symbol of dignity, resistance, and moral leadership in sports. He understood the platform that came with greatness and used it to push for justice and equality.

A Lasting Legacy

In 2011, President Barack Obama awarded Bill Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. After his passing in 2022 at the age of 88, the NBA retired Russell’s #6 jersey across the entire league—a historic first.

Bill Russell receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom

Today, the NBA Finals MVP Award bears his name—a fitting tribute to a man who truly defined what it means to be most valuable. Russell’s legacy isn’t just in the record books. It lives in every athlete who uses their platform for justice, in every team that champions inclusion, and in every fan who believes sports can elevate society.

Russell once said, “What distinguishes a champion is not always winning, but rising each time you fall.”

And rise, he always did. Bill Russell remained a champion in every sense of the word on the court, on the sidelines, and in the fight for civil rights.

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20 Million Predatory Loans Drained Over $2.4 Billion From Consumers

In 2022, predatory payday lenders drained $2.4B in fees from low-income, largely Black and Latino borrowers through high-interest, deceptive loans, Center for Responsible Lending report finds.

By Charlene Crowell | Washington, DC | March 28, 2025

New research from the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) finds that in just one year – 2022 – cash-strapped borrowers took out over 20 million predatory loans totaling nearly $8.6 billion. The triple-digit annual percentage rates (APRs) and high costs attached to these loans – whether payday, single-payment or installment loans – drained more than $2.4 billion in fees from low-income borrowers.

CRL’s Down the Drain, report provides an update on the effects of payday lending, including online and app-based lending, that remains dominant in low-wealth, largely Black and Latino neighborhoods. Many of these lenders use misleading advertising to lure working people into a cycle of repeat borrowing and growing fees that can leave them struggling for months to repay a debt that reduces each subsequent paycheck.

Photo By Milton Kirby TitleMax Store Front

“Payday loans are designed to trap people in debt and this report shows the scale of the harm,” said report co-author Yasmin Farahi, CRL’s deputy director of state policy and senior policy counsel. “Predatory lending is a public policy choice. Congress and policymakers in states without common sense interest rate limits should enact these usury laws and the executive branch has a duty to enforce them – that is how to keep payday loan sharks at bay.”

Predatory high-cost lenders that offer loans with triple-digit APRs and high, often hidden fees, are trying to evade responsible interest rate limits that currently are in place in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

But these consumer-oriented reforms still leave 30 states where triple-digit interests rates remain legal, including Texas (662%), California (460%), Mississippi (572%), Alabama (456%), and Wisconsin (537%).

These abusive lenders often target working households and communities of color. A 2020 poll by CRL found that Black consumers were twice as likely as white consumers to live within a mile of either a payday lender or a pawnshop. The targeting of these communities can worsen longstanding racial economic disparities.

“Although payday loan fee volume declined early in the pandemic, the Down the Drain report shows a $200 million rebound from 2021 to 2022, reflecting increased strain on consumers’ finances,” said report co-author Lucia Constantine, senior researcher at CRL. “Especially considering changes in the market toward online and longer-term loans, storefront payday lenders in 2022 continued to drain a massive amount of wealth from people and communities with very little wealth.”

Among the report’s notable findings:

• Between 2021 and 2022, payday loan fee volume increased in California by 20%, Texas by 22%, and Florida by 17%. All are bigger percent increaes than the national fee volume experienced;

• States where payday lenders took in highest fee volumes are: Texas at over $1.3 billion, Florida at over $252 million, California over $224 million, Mississippi at over $149 milion, and Michigan at over $78 million. Mississippi’s payday fee total, the fourth highest, is out of proportion to its population size, which is the 35th largest; and

• In the only two states that collect and report statistics on online lending, the share of online payday lending increased from 2019 to 2022: Alaska from 55% to 57% and in California from 25% to 49%.

“As national payday lenders have continued to close storefronts across the country, the market share of online payday lending has increased. By 2019, online lending accounted 41% of single-payment payday loan volume nationally,” states the report.

“Beyond the impacts of the pandemic, the alternative financial services market has shifted online and expanded to include underregulated products like installment loans, earned wage advance, and buy now pay later”, the report continues. “Rent-a-bank’ schemes, in which a non-bank company uses an out-of-state bank offer loans that evade state usury caps, have also made payday lending more readily available even in states with legal protections.”

Dr. Bobbie J. Little – A Teacher First

Dr. Bobbie Jeanne Little: A Lifetime of Service and Education Discover the inspiring story of Dr. Bobbie Jeanne Little, a dedicated educator and advocate for youth and families, with a 45-year career in education and community service.

By Milton Kirby | Wadesboro, NC | March 17, 2025

Rarely do individuals discover their passion and calling early enough to allow it to be a part of their lifelong journey, but Dr. Bobbie Little did.

It is not often that the things, people, and places that I write about include my own personal experiences, thoughts, and emotions. This piece is different. Dr. Little is my sister. I remember vividly, as if it were yesterday, when she walked, no, she marched down the aisle with the kind of glee that you might see in the eyes of a six-year-old on Christmas morning to marry one of my five brothers in 1977.

Some years later, their ways parted. Even to this day, she remains a sister to the rest of us, and more importantly, she continues to be a thoughtful, generous, and caring daughter to my 94-year-old mother.

Over the years Bobbie and I have monitored each other’s careers, ups and downs, successes and failures. But somehow, along the way I lost track of some of her accomplishments. Could it be because my own work started to take more of my time and energy? Did I become a less concerned and loving brother? Or maybe, my subscription to the Anson Record expired and I did not notice for several years.

There has to be an explanation. Let’s hope that the journey we are taking today will help us discover some of her accomplishments and accolades, which I lost track of.

In my collection of memorabilia, I found the following: Thursday, April 9, 1987, from the Anson Record and The Messenger and Intelligencer, Bobbie Little Kirby Outstanding Young Woman of America For 1986. She was selected in recognition of her outstanding ability, accomplishments, and service to the community. Wednesday, July 31, 1996, Kirby will be the assistant principal in Mt. Gilead. Bobbie Little Kirby accepted a position with the Montgomery County School System at the West Middle School. In 2003, Leadership Anson graduated a new class; Bobbie was one of the 12 graduates of the seventh Leadership Anson class. Saturday, September 13, 2003, The National Association of University Women Wadesboro Branch, Honors Bobbie Jeanne Little as Woman of the Year 2003. This was an exceptionally special occasion as I joined her sister Georgia and her nieces in delivering our own tributes to Bobbie at this momentous occasion. Wednesday, May 26, 2004, Bobbie Little earns an education doctorate. Her dissertation, “Factors Relating to the Achievement Gap In Selected North Carolina Rural Elementary Schools.”

I frequently hear people say of someone else and, from time to time, themselves that they got “emotional.” I am still unclear on what that means. As someone who has lived more than half of my life, I am not embarrassed to say that as I worked on this piece, tears constantly dripped from my eyes. Each tear represented a time that Bobbie made me or someone else laugh or feel encouraged and cared for.

Dr. Little’s interest in the betterment of others showed through practically everything she touched, including her doctorate dissertation. She was concerned about student achievement in elementary schools in Anson County. She researched the problem and has worked tirelessly to remedy the achievement gaps.

When you read Dr. Little’s official bio, you see the following: “Dr. Bobbie Jeanne Little is the daughter of the late Richard and Esther Rorie Little of Wadesboro, NC, and was born and raised in the Ruby Orchards area of Lilesville, NC. She has served 45 years as an educator and advocator for youth and families. She began her educational career as a Reading Tutor at McRae School in Morven, NC and then as a bus driver and teacher assistant at T.W. Bennett Elementary School in Lilesville, NC. Furthering her studies, as she worked, she would earn a certification enabling her to serve as a teacher and assistant principal in Anson County Schools. She served as principal in Montgomery County and Wake County. Later, she was Director of Education for the Central Region of North Carolina’s Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, she retired after 33 years of service to the State of NC.”

After retiring from the State of North Carolina, she began a new career as a college professor and clinical supervisor of student teachers in the Department of Education at Shaw University. She worked there for 10.5 years. While working at Shaw University, she also served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, supervising student teachers. At opportune times, Dr. Little taught at Richmond Community College, South Piedmont Community College, and Wake Technical Community Colleges as an evening adjunct faculty member. Even though she has had an illustrious career and decades of service, she has agreed to return to Shaw University in the Fall of 2025.”

The view of Dr. Little, as she is known and called by most of her colleagues, is something like this. She is known for developing phenomenal relationships with parents and empowering them to be actively involved in their children’s education. One of her philosophies can be summed up as “For Children’s Sake.” While teaching in public schools, she often taught students who were not the highest academic achievers. However, overall, her students showed significant growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. When asked about this, she attributes much of this success to building relationships and communication between parents and stakeholders.

She truly believes that more learning will occur when students know that educators care about and believe in them. She believes that relationships built on compassion and trust will produce massive positive outcomes for all. While she was a classroom teacher, her firm and fair classroom management and leadership skills were recognized by her colleagues. She was encouraged to begin her studies in school administration.

Dr. Little did not go to college directly out of high school. She raised a daughter who eventually followed in her footsteps into education; she cared for both of her ailing parents until their subsequent passing. No, Bobbie’s educational journey was not typical, but the way countless others have achieved their educational success.

Mr. Michael Freeman – Retired superintendent Anson County, NC schools

As fate would have it, she worked during the day and attended college classes at night and on the weekends. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Education degrees from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, her Education Specialist (Ed.S.), and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and continuing education credit hours from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill through Principal Executive Programs.

Bobbie considers herself “a teacher first” in whatever capacity she serves. In her 40-plus years of service, she has received numerous honors and awards, including All-State School Board recognition for outstanding service to the education of North Carolina’s Children. Her fellow board members nominated her to serve on the North Carolina School Board Association’s Legislative Committee. She was appointed as Commissioner of the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program in 2024.

Dr. Little has also found time to serve on the boards of the State Employee Credit Union, Anson Regional Medical Services, Anson County Zoning Board, Anson County 4-H Youth Promises, Closing the Achievement Advisory Board, and Anson County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. She is serving her fourth term on the Anson County School Board, where she has served as chairman and vice chairman.

On March 30, 2012, Dr. Little became the first African American and first female in Anson County to receive the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award for service from Governor Beverly Purdue. Since its creation in 1963, the Long Leaf Pine Award has been presented to honor persons with a proven record of service to the State of North Carolina or some other notable achievement and to others as a gesture of friendship and goodwill. Upon being named to The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the honoree receives a certificate by which the Governor confers upon the recipient “…the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary privileged to enjoy fully all rights granted to members of this exalted order.

Bobbie has been recognized and honored by the North Carolina School Board Association, H.O.L.L.A. (Community Impact Award), National Association of University Women (NAUW) for service from the branch, sectional, and national levels, Governor’s Volunteer Award, and churches in the community. She is a member of Anson Women’s League, Linkon Chapter #564 Order of the Eastern Star, PHA, Lifetime Member of NAACP, and Golden Life Member of Union County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Christina Rose former student of Dr. Little

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, fitness walking, traveling, and golf. When she is faced with challenging tasks, she finds solace on the golf course and fitness walking. She is a member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association-Amateurs, Sandhills and Charlotte Chapters, Carolina Golf Association, and the Seven Lakes Women’s Golf Association.

She does motivational speaking for programs serving youth during summer programs and other times.

Did I mention that Bobbie has a forgiving heart of gold? In 1977, Bobbie bestowed upon me the honor of capturing her wedding day on film. I borrowed a large format camera from the high school photography instructor. I had only used the box-shaped Mamiya once before. I managed to find all the angles and did not miss a special moment during the wedding ceremony. I soon ran out of film. Then I pulled out my Petri 35mm for the reminder of the ceremony. When the film was developed, I did not have one picture on the large format camera, I had loaded the film incorrectly. I did manage to get a few good shots with my Petri. I was forgiven.

It has been said that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Bobbie’s daughter watched her life journey and decided follow and imitate. Kimelon, is a graduate of UNC-Pembroke and UNC-Chapel Hill. She received certifications from Pfeiffer University and Gardner Webb University. She is employed by the Wake County Public School System in the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Department serving over 40 elementary schools. She is pursuing doctoral studies currently. Prior to this position, she taught in Anson, Durham, and Wake County Public Schools.

Webster defines a “living legend” as a person who is famous while still living for doing something extremely well.

Webster defines “famous” as widely known, honored for achievement, excellent, or first-rate.

Dr. Bobbie J. Little, my sister and a teacher first.

No Retirement For Me

Jonathan Clements reflects on the life changes driven by his terminal cancer diagnosis at age 61. Despite his prior focus on frugality and saving for retirement, he now prioritizes enjoying daily life, simplifying finances, and ensuring his family’s financial security. His philosophy embraces making meaningful memories while managing his health challenges.

I Saved And Planned For A Long One. Then I Heard From My Doctor.

By Jonathan Clements

This won’t come as a big surprise: Dying makes you look at the world in a different way—the world of money included. Among friends and family, I’m known for hard work and self-discipline. I spent almost two decades at The Wall Street Journal, churning out personal finance columns every week. I saved so diligently that I could have retired at age 51, but instead opted to write books and launch a personal finance website. My self-control extends to exercise: I’ve run or bicycled pretty much every day since 1995.

What was my reward for this life of industry, frugality and clean living? In May 2024, at age 61, I got an out-of-the-blue diagnosis of cancer, the result of a defective gene. The cancer had metastasized from my lung to my chest, liver and brain. My oncologist said I might have a year to live. I’m hoping for a tad longer because my body has responded well to treatment. Still, it’s only a matter of time before cancer gets the upper hand.

In the meantime, I find myself wandering through life with a different mindset from almost everybody else. How so? Here are 19 ways that my thinking and my finances have been transformed by my diagnosis.

1. I spent nearly my entire adult life saving like crazy so I could retire in comfort—and yet, faced with my terminal illness, I have no plans to retire. Instead, I want to keep doing what I’ve been doing for years: getting up early, making coffee, exercising, writing and editing, napping after lunch, taking an afternoon walk, enjoying an evening glass of wine. These are the things that bring me pleasure each day, and I have no desire to stop now.

2. Do I regret my decades of frugality, including previously living for 20 years in a modest house I never much liked? Far from it. The money I saved won’t go toward my retirement, but it still bought me a lot of happiness—because it allowed me to avoid financial worries for much of my adult life.

3. I could spend with reckless abandon now, but my old frugality persists. My partner, Elaine, and I had been living together for four years and were already engaged when I got my diagnosis. We married four days later, partly because she won’t qualify for Social Security survivor benefits unless I’m still alive nine months after our wedding. Since then, we’ve taken a few special trips, and we have a few more planned. But I’ll only open up my wallet so far. You won’t find me paying $5,000 to fly business class to Europe.

4. Never an enthusiastic shopper, I’m now even less inclined to buy new things. Last fall, Elaine insisted I purchase new shoes for my son’s December 2024 wedding. I wear those shoes whenever I get the chance—because it’s the only way I could justify the cost.

5. Gifting has become a top financial goal. One reason I’m not spending like crazy: I want to make sure I bequeath a healthy sum to Elaine and my two children, now in their 30s, from my previous marriage. I also made some financial gifts right away, including writing large checks to my kids and funding 529 college savings plans for my two grandsons.

6. I’ve long invested aggressively, keeping 80 percent or more of my portfolio in stock-index funds. Now that I know it’s likely I won’t live more than another year or two, I’m even more aggressive. Why? I’m no longer investing for my retirement. Instead, I’m investing for my heirs, and their time horizon is far longer than mine.

7. Because old age is no longer in the cards, all kinds of issues are off the table. I don’t have to fret over future long-term care costs, or whether to choose original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, or how to minimize my retirement tax bill. Instead, my top priority is making sure everything is in good shape for my heirs.

8. As of my 62nd birthday in January of this year, I could have applied for Social Security. But I won’t. My goal is to get Elaine a healthy stream of Social Security benefits. After much research—including a consultation with the developer of opensocialsecurity.com, a free Social Security strategy calculator—I figured out that in our situation, I should skip claiming. Instead, Elaine will claim survivor benefits based on my earnings record when I die. Once she turns 70, she’ll swap to a benefit based on her own record.

9. I thought my financial affairs were well organized. I was kidding myself. I’ve spent months shredding old tax returns, ripping up investment statements and organizing what remains. I fear that if I don’t throw out unneeded paperwork, my family will think it’s important—and I will have bequeathed them unnecessary confusion.

10. There’s always more to throw away. I’ve moved four times since 2011, shedding possessions on each occasion. Yet I keep finding more things to toss or give away. My 13 years of downsizing have taught me to be ruthless. The fact is, there’s nothing that I’ve unloaded over the past 13 years that I wish I could have back.

11. For years, I’ve been carting around a box of old mail: notes from old girlfriends, Christmas cards from 1986, letters I got while at college. Mixed in there was some really bad poetry I wrote. Did I carefully review everything in the box? Hardly. I tore up most items after a quick glance and added them to the recycling bin. Am I glad my kids will never see all this stuff? You bet.

12. My finances were pretty simple, but I’ve been simplifying them even more. I’ve closed two of my four credit cards, liquidated a small IRA I inherited from my father, and folded a solo Roth 401(k) into my Roth IRA. All this is a whole lot easier for me to do now than it will be after my death, when family members will have to produce death certificates and prove they have the authority to act.

13. I’ve added Elaine to my various insurance policies and made her the joint account holder on my two checking accounts. One of those checking accounts is debited for all utilities—gas, water, electricity, inter-net, cell phones—so it’ll be easy for her to take over the household finances.

14. Two days after I was diagnosed with cancer, I sat down with Elaine and my children to walk them through my estate plan. I quickly realized one conversation wouldn’t be enough. Stuff that was second nature to a financial nerd like me was baffling to them—things like the difference between traditional and Roth IRAs and what a “step-up in cost basis” means. Since then, I’ve fielded countless questions from Elaine and my kids.

15. Even as I tidy up my affairs, I’m also getting the house fixed up, including taking on a two-month bathroom remodeling project. I’ve learned that this is an affliction that often hits men confronting their mortality: They want to make sure all is in good order for their spouse or partner.

16. Time has always been more valuable than money, and never more so than right now. I want to devote each day to the things that I really care about, while minimizing annoyances. What if contractors or customer service reps are being unresponsive? If necessary, I’ll play the C card, telling them I don’t have long to live. Yes, it’s surprisingly effective.

17. As news of my cancer has spread, I’ve been inundated with countless messages. If I read every book about cancer that’s been recommended to me or agreed to meet with everybody who wanted to visit, I’d have no time for the things that matter to me. The good news: When a dying man says “No,” people tend to listen.

18. I still want to make a difference in the lives of others. That’s why I continue to write and edit every day. In return, I end each day feeling fulfilled and with that pleasant sense of progress that makes me happy.

19. I refuse to feel angry about my bad luck or despondent over the years I’ll never enjoy. Instead, I’m determined to make the most of each day. I’ve long thought happiness has three key ingredients: a sense of financial security, time with family and friends, and doing work I love. My diagnosis has made me even more focused on those three things.

Every few months, I have a brain MRI and a body scan to see whether the cancer has spread. Every three weeks, I get blood drawn, which may offer a warning sign of trouble. Someday—maybe next month, maybe next year—the results won’t be in my favor.

Until then, Elaine and I will continue to make plans for the four or five months that lie ahead, but no more than that. It’s the frugality thing again. We can cancel hotel rooms and rental cars without penalty. But changing airline tickets and cruises can be costly. And I sure don’t want to be confronted by both death and cancellation fees.

Jonathan Clements is the founder of www.HumbleDollar.com and the former personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal.