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Chinanu Okoli

@chinanu.bsky.social
53 followers 40 following 153 posts

He/Him. Twin. Reposts/likes/follows ≠ endorsements. Journalist. Musician. Swiftie. Plantain Lover. Different ≠ Deficient. DM for Signal. chinanuokoli.com

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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
My latest for @baystatebanner.bsky.social
baystatebanner.com
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Mattapan & Dorchester residents made it clear to Mayor Michelle Wu & MBTA Gen. Manager Phil Eng last week that they do NOT want a center-running bus lane on Blue Hill Ave. Some protested ahead of a town hall in Grove Hall on Sept. 30, saying they were never included in the planning process.
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Emily Piper-Vallillo (she/her) @emilypv.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A great essay from a former colleague www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
wbur.org
When you're a Black student in America, nothing is simple
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones enrolled her daughter, Najya, in an under-resourced, mostly Black public school, to fight for equity for all Black children. But as Najya grew up she became angry with h...
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Dan Guzman @dgquovadimus.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
This Friday I’ll join 200+ others in a 3-day 50-mile walk to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It’s my 14th year taking part. If you’re in a place where you can donate, I’d love your support. Here’s the link and thanks in advance: events.nationalmssociety.org/participants...
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
I would print it out & read it on paper if you did (/serious)
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Jonathan Gerhardson @jongerhardson.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I'm hoping to speak with someone who was an immigrant to the U.S. under Alternative to Detention monitoring and subsequently left the U.S. under a "voluntary departure." I'd be happy to do so confidentially. If this is you or you can help please reach out jongerhardson.69 on Signal; DM for whatsapp
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Chima Simone Benson @chimasimone.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
I long for the good ol’ days when journalism used to watch power, not us. Now surveillance creep has made readers into “actionable intelligence.” And with a defense & intelligence contractor, those actions will surely include monitoring & profiling people to turn them into actual targets.
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Bucks County Beacon @buckscountybeacon.com · 09/08/2026
“USA TODAY is partnering w/Palantir to de-anonymize & ID readers...& turn them into ‘actionable intelligence.’ That spy language from USA TODAY is a huge red flag...media exists to hold power accountable. Not to partner w/defense intelligence contractors. Or treat readers like intelligence targets”
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Cambridge Day @cambridgeday.com · 24/07/2026
Cambridge Jazz Fest aims to play it forward for the community This weekend’s free festival aims to create a space for people to experience jazz together, plus giving out its CAMMY awards and scholarships....
cambridgeday.com
Cambridge Jazz Fest aims to play it forward for the community
This weekend’s free festival aims to create a space for people to experience jazz together, plus giving out its CAMMY awards and scholarships.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
More on the honor & convention altogether in my latest for @baystatebanner.bsky.social
baystatebanner.com
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
The Ga tribe, an ethnic group in Ghana, is known for retaining its institutions of power despite the threat of British colonialism, according to James Small, an activist and African Studies professor. “Ga is one of the best-preserved communities, but it’s all over Africa,” Small told attendees.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Some photos I took from last weekend’s All-African Convention in Boston. Organizers honored four leaders in the Ga community by naming them local kings & queens.
Two women in Ghanaian attire dance in the front of the group walking down the aisle. In the center, two other women, the queens, dance & look at the audience -- they wear different but distinct attire, including gold headpieces, gold necklaces & colorful garments that leave one shoulder uncovered. At the back is a tall man holding a black umbrella over one queen.Two women in Ghanaian attire dance in the front of the group walking down the aisle. In the center, two men, the kings, dance & look at the audience -- they wear different but distinct attire, including bead necklaces & colorful garments that leave one shoulder uncovered. At the back is a tall man holding a gold umbrella over one king.One of the Ga kings smiles & looks to the side as a young man holds gold umbrella over him. The king wears glasses, bead necklaces & colorful garments that leave one shoulder uncovered. Attendees watch the two of them from behind.The Ga kings & queens pose for pictures with audience members in the forum hall. The group stands close together, leaving the many chairs around them empty.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
More details in @baystatebanner.bsky.social ⬇️
baystatebanner.com
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Eastern Massachusetts residents: CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES. You might receive a notice this week informing you that your medical debt has been erased -- it's not a scam! It's the effort of several nonprofits to relieve the debt of over 140,000 Eastern Mass. residents.
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Kalyani (kull-yah-nee) Saxena @kalyanisaxena.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
hey! did you know your social media posts are for sale? and that the government is using that data for surveillance? if that sounds more than a little chilling, you can learn more in this episode I produced and wrote for Endless Thread www.wbur.org/endlessthrea...
wbur.org
Social Media for Sale: How the government is using your online data for surveillance
This week, hosts Amory and Ben take a chilling look at how our social media is used for surveillance with Dell Cameron, an investigative reporter with WIRED covering privacy and national security.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
My first story for @baystatebanner.bsky.social is out today! After closing weekday afternoons for over a year due to teen violence, the Roxbury McDonald’s dining room has reopened with a twist: programming for youth intended to prevent violence & promote leadership.
baystatebanner.com
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
For @cambridgeday.com, a piece I’m very proud of.
cambridgeday.com
Juneteenth at five: Cambridge’s Black community reflects on 'our 4th of July'
Community members are balancing the celebration of freedom with recent setbacks for racial justice.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Much of the news you’ll read about Juneteenth today focuses on events. I opted to take a more engagement-driven approach. Five years after Juneteenth became a federal holiday, Black community members in Cambridge are reflecting on the celebration of freedom & setbacks in racial justice.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Harvard graduate students may have ended their strike, but bargaining isn’t over. Denish Jaswal, president of the grad student union, told me tonight that her members will be meeting weekly to figure out how to organize to push for a fair contract. Latest in @cambridgeday.com ⬇️
cambridgeday.com
Harvard grad students end strike
While no agreement was reached, union said it felt a shift in the tone of bargaining after picketing graduation.
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Cambridge Day @cambridgeday.com · 02/06/2026
Harvard grad students end strike While no agreement was reached, union said it felt a shift in the tone of bargaining after picketing graduation....
cambridgeday.com
Harvard grad students end strike
While no agreement was reached, union said it felt a shift in the tone of bargaining after picketing graduation.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Also for @cambridgeday.com: Gov. Maura Healey & MIT President Sally Kornbluth announced Thursday $25M in matching funds from the state for what they call a “first-in-the-world” Quantum Science Laboratory to come to MIT that promises to keep Mass on top in quantum computing research.
cambridgeday.com
State invests $25 million in future MIT “quantum toolbox”
Aim is to make Boston area hub for emerging computing technology, fill gap in research funding.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
This needs some investigating for real because I how much time these do employees spend a shift unlocking & locking glass cases AND how much does it *actually* deter shoplifting if someone could theoretically just walk out with the items as soon as an employee helps them obtain them??
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
“MIT is attacking our union shop because a strong union wins strong contracts. And they want to weaken our union so they can give us a weaker contract..." More on MIT grad workers' push for a new contract ahead of the expiration of the current one this Sunday via @cambridgeday.com:
cambridgeday.com
MIT grad students rally on commencement day, Harvard students picket
Both graduate student unions are escalating their push for new contracts.
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Chima Simone Benson @chimasimone.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
MATERIALIZING: Gene Frenkle’s estate is in talks to bring “More Cowbell” to a 3D holographic performance of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” This musical tribute to the birthday boy captures the sentiment of America and people worldwide.
A man in 70s attire with curly hair and a beard enthusiastically plays a cowbell with a drumstick in a music studio setting.

Still from SNL’s “More Cowbell” sketch of Will Ferrell as Gene Frenkle. A fictional member of the real-life band, Blue Öyster Cult. 

The sketch ends with a mock-memoriam graphic reading: Gene Frenkle: 1950-2000, so he’s “no longer with us,” hence the hologram.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
The rally took place just a couple hours before MIT’s schoolwide commencement ceremony. Student workers say administrators are stalling negotiations & want them to come to the table before their current contract expires this Sunday.
cambridgeday.com
MIT grad students rally on commencement day, Harvard students picket
Both graduate student unions are escalating their push for new contracts.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Grace Anderson of MIT’s graduate student union leading rallygoers Thursday in a spoof of Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go,” singing “G-O-T-T-O-G-O, union busting’s gotta go!” Over 100 gathered outside Lobby 7 to support graduate student workers’ push for a new contract. More in @cambridgeday.com
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Cambridge Day @cambridgeday.com · 29/05/2026
MIT grad students rally on commencement day, Harvard students picket Both graduate student unions are escalating their push for new contracts.
cambridgeday.com
MIT grad students rally on commencement day, Harvard students picket
Both graduate student unions are escalating their push for new contracts.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
“These are people who forwent higher-paying jobs to pursue a research interest here. People are upset that they have to be on strike.” More on unionized Harvard & MIT grad workers’ plans to protest this week after feeling stalled by their administrations ⬇️ www.cambridgeday.com/2026/05/23/l...
cambridgeday.com
Lesley faculty ratify contract; Harvard, MIT unions feel stalled
As one union celebrates, pickets may happen at commencement at the two major Cambridge universities.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
I, too, am proud of your dog. Were the treats effective?
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
NEW for @cambridgeday.com: As Lesley University faculty members celebrate a new contract, Harvard & MIT graduate students, who feel stalled by their administrations, plan to ramp up pressure with protests during commencement ceremonies next week. www.cambridgeday.com/2026/05/23/l...
cambridgeday.com
Lesley faculty ratify contract; Harvard, MIT unions feel stalled
As one union celebrates, pickets may happen at commencement at the two major Cambridge universities.
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Lynn Jolicoeur @lynnjolicoeur.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Hear/read Lisa Mullins’ conversation with former U.S. Surgeon General and Boston physician Dr. Vivek Murthy on the forces he says are chipping away at our humanity. He’ll tape an episode of his new podcast Staying Human at The WBUR Festival next Friday. www.wbur.org/upnext/2026/...
wbur.org
Former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: 'staying human' requires connection and time away from tech
Murthy, a former Boston internal medicine physician, is launching a podcast and newsletter focused on helping people build community and fulfillment in their lives. He says loneliness, lack of purpose...
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404 Media @404media.co · 17/05/2026
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt was booed throughout this commencement speech at the University of Arizona for his praise of AI. This comes just a week after another commencement speaker who mentioned AI was booed at a school in Florida. Read more: www.404media.co/ucf-ai-comme...
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Last year, I reported on a push by some disability justice advocates to get Massachusetts lawmakers to pass a bill to ban the JRC’s use of electric shock on disabled people. The bill’s been offered in every legislative session since 2015. It’s died every single time.
open.substack.com
Advocates push legislation to permanently stop electric shock on disabled people
The Judge Rotenberg Center in Massachusetts is the only U.S. school that uses the aversive therapy to change people's behavior.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
I’m not even saying this to be snide or shady. I’m just interested in how something that’s been reported on for literal decades is not something that the general public is aware of. 9 out of 10 people I mention the Judge Rotenberg Center to don’t know what I’m talking about.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
One of the things that never ceases to amaze me is that, despite how extensive the reporting is on the Judge Rotenberg Center’s use of electric shock to punish disabled people for their behavior, besides disability justice advocates, most people have no idea this is a thing.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
The faculty’s bargaining committee spent 15 hours on Monday trying to reach an agreement. They only ended their bargaining meeting at 3:00 AM today. Check out my latest for Cambridge Day — w/ contributions from Jane Petersen & Jennifer Chen — on the organizing efforts of Lesley University faculty ⬇️
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The Sick Times @thesicktimes.org · 27/04/2026
Join us TOMORROW for a free webinar about following COVID-19 data. We'll discuss prepping for a potential summer wave; plus, keeping an eye on measles, tick-borne illnesses, and other infectious diseases. luma.com/5mthaudg
A black background with scrolling charts reads, “The Sick Times. COVID-19 spreads year round. Here’s how to track it. This webinar will help you find data on COVID-19 and other pathogens in your area, and interpret those data to inform safety measures for you and your community. Thursday, April 28. 6 PM - 7 PM EDT. Photos of the three panelists are featured up top.
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Cambridge Day @cambridgeday.com · 23/04/2026
Somerville City Council will give citation to resident who fought eviction Councilor Kristen Strezo has sponsored a commendation for Gary Rogers and the groups that supported him in “fighting for housing justice.”
cambridgeday.com
Somerville City Council will give citation to resident who fought eviction
Councilor Kristen Strezo has sponsored a commendation for Gary Rogers and the groups that supported him in “fighting for housing justice.”
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
NEW for @cambridgeday.com: Gary Rogers, the man who faced eviction from his Somerville apartment for refusing to pay a 90% rent hike, will be recognized by Somerville City Council tonight. Councilor Kristen Strezo has sponsored a citation to commend him & others for "fighting for housing justice."
cambridgeday.com
Somerville City Council will give citation to resident who fought eviction
Councilor Kristen Strezo has sponsored a commendation for Gary Rogers and the groups that supported him in “fighting for housing justice.”
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The Sick Times @thesicktimes.org · 21/04/2026
We get loads of questions from readers about how to find and interpret COVID-19 data for their local area. Join us for a free webinar on April 28. We'll discuss prepping for a potential summer wave, keeping an eye on measles, tick-borne illnesses, and other infectious diseases. luma.com/5mthaudg
A black background with scrolling charts reads, “The Sick Times. COVID-19 spreads year round. Here’s how to track it. This webinar will help you find data on COVID-19 and other pathogens in your area, and interpret those data to inform safety measures for you and your community. Thursday, April 28. 6 PM - 7 PM EDT. Photos of the three panelists are featured up top.
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
It’s truly heartbreaking when this happens.
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Chima Simone Benson @chimasimone.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Repeated COVID (infections) are ruining education. People like to attribute kids failing to do the work to the few months they spent at home in 2020. Choosing to ignore that Covid causes measurable brain impairment and cumulative cognitive deficits in not only adults, but children too.
nature.com
Multimodal MRI analysis of COVID-19 effects on pediatric brain - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Multimodal MRI analysis of COVID-19 effects on pediatric brain
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Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
All of our personal data is increasingly tracked & surveilled. A new book (“Your Data Will Be Used Against You”) breaks it down. We asked its author, @profferguson.bsky.social, if he'd answer your questions on the risks & what it means for politics & liberties. He agreed. So ask him anything!
It’s a topic we thought Bolts readers may have a lot of questions about, so we turned to Andrew Guthrie Ferguson, a law professor and author of the new book “Your Data Will Be Used Against You.” Ferguson researched how modern policing is tracking personal data, and how digital surveillance technology can be weaponized to threaten personal freedoms.

“You are, at best, a warrant away from having your most intimate personal details revealed to a government agent looking to incarcerate, embarrass, or intimidate you,” he writes in his book.

Ferguson has agreed to answer questions from Bolts readers—so now we want to hear from you.
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Jonathan Gerhardson @jongerhardson.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
I've been working on making database of the ~30,000 records requests appeals made in Massachusetts since 2016 github.com/JonGerhardso...
github.com
GitHub - JonGerhardson/Massachusetts_records_request_determinations_2016-2026: Searchable database of all determinations issued by the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records office since 2016
Searchable database of all determinations issued by the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records office since 2016 - JonGerhardson/Massachusetts_records_request_determinations_2016-2026
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
Omg. This is so cool!!
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Throwback! The record played in the wrong pitch, which I only learned later. But #Vinylthon was probably my favorite college radio event of the year, even if it meant I had to do the early morning shifts. I miss being behind the mic & in-studio but am enjoying listening to WTBU on the other side!
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Kendra "Gloom is My Beat" Pierre-Louis @kendrawrites.com · 17/04/2026
My annual reminder that if you need to buy a window A/C this year do not simply buy the largest model you can afford. Energy Star has a sizing guide. Why do you want an AC that is sized for your room? Because an undersized A/C won't cool well and an oversized A/C will leave a space humid
energystar.gov
Product Finder — ENERGY STAR Certified Room Air Conditioners
Compare ENERGY STAR Certified Room Air Conditioners, find rebates, and learn more.
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Brian Goldstone @brian-goldstone.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Nearly six years reporting on working homeless families taught me one thing: the precarity isn't incidental to the profits. It's how you get them. Kimberly-Clark could pay a living wage and still clear almost $2 billion a year. They can afford to pay workers enough to live. They just choose not to.
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Casey Doherty @caseydoherty.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Helpful webinar alert! On April 28th from 6-7pm ET, @thesicktimes.org will share how to find data on COVID-19 and other pathogens in your area, and interpret those data to inform safety measures for you and your community. Register and more details here: luma.com/5mthaudg?mc_...
luma.com
The Sick Times: COVID-19 spreads year round. Here’s how to track it. · Zoom · Luma
While cold and flu season may have passed, we at The Sick Times know that COVID-19 spreads year-round. We are preparing for a potential summer wave, spurred by…
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Chinanu Okoli @chinanu.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
If you ARE a journalist, fill out this one: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com
SPJ Code of Ethics Review: Journalist Feedback Survey
The Society of Professional Journalists is deciding whether updates or revisions to the SPJ Code of Ethics are needed. Your perspective is essential as we evaluate how well the current code supports e...
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