Cyril Joshua Barker is a staff writer for the New York Amsterdam News. He has been at the paper since 2007. Barker also serves as co-host/commentator of the weekly radio program “Express Yourself” on 107.5 FM WBLS/1190 AM WLIB. During his stint in Montgomery, Ala. he was a reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. Barker graduated from Alabama State University in 2006 earning a bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in sociology.
Recent Stories

Police killing of Black man in Newark sparks outrage
The new year’s day police killing of Black, 39-year-old Carl Dorsey III has many outraged and State Attorney General Gurbir Grewal is investigating.

Boycott, arrest follow attack of Black teen
The parents of Black 14-year-old Keyon Harrold Jr. are making their voices loud and clear after the arrest of the 22-year-old white woman who attacked their son over false accusations that he stole her cellphone: “All we want to do is take the chains off.”

Political wins showcase Black college excellence
The wins of Howard University alum/Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Morehouse College alum U.S. Senator-elect Rev. Raphael Warnock and help from political organizer and Spelman College graduate Stacy Abrams was summed up in a viral Jan. 5 tweet:

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka elected president of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was installed as president and chair of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA).

Shaun Donovan says Washington connections make him best mayoral candidate
Mayoral candidate Shaun Donovan calls himself a public servant and not a politician.

Calls to end death penalty grow after Brandon Bernard execution
Public outcry from big names, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, to spare the life of Brandon Bernard fell on deaf ears as he was executed on Dec. 10.

Scott Stringer wants to bring the city back with economic approach
Current New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer now has his sights on becoming the city’s next mayor armed with an economic approach to “bringing the city back.”

Newark 10-day lockdown combats COVID-19
A 10-day lockdown in Newark is proving effective, according to Mayor Ras Baraka and city officials.

COVID hospitalizations spike, at-risk people urged to take precautions
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in New York City have reached their highest since June. This week, hospitals reported 1,100 COVID patients as the city vows to use every tool available to fight the second coronavirus wave and prevent more deaths.Cyr