Author

Rasheedah Ajibade

Rasheedah Ajibade is the Editor-in-Chief of Our Times Newspaper, where she sets the editorial vision and voice of the publication, oversees newsroom operations, and leads content strategy focused on informing, empowering, and uplifting the community. She brings a strong background in community development and public service, with experience in organizational leadership and program management.

Rasheedah holds a Master of Science in Public Service Administration from the University of Evansville and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Southern Indiana. She is an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) through the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE) and periodically writes a financial column for Our Times, helping readers strengthen financial literacy and build long-term financial stability.

Rasheedah's Latest Articles

As Mental Health Awareness Month Begins, Local Survey Highlights Growing Concerns
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Health
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May 13, 2026

As Mental Health Awareness Month begins, new findings from the Greater Evansville Health Survey are shedding light on the growing mental and emotional health challenges facing residents across the region. In a conversation with Our Times, Welborn Baptist Foundation Chief Officer of Impact Andrea Hayes discusses how poverty, stress, housing, food access, and community connection continue shaping health outcomes — particularly for low-income and Black residents.

Primary Election Results Reveal Low Turnout, Strong Democratic Participation
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Government and Politics
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May 7, 2026

Only 8.32% of registered voters cast ballots Tuesday, but the results still set the stage for several key Evansville and southwest Indiana races this fall.

Graduation Season Is Around the Corner
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Family and Education
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May 7, 2026

Graduation season is almost here across Evansville and Vanderburgh County. Our Times is celebrating the Class of 2026 and accepting graduate photos from local high school, college, and postsecondary students.

Building Black Wealth: Indiana’s first Black-led bank opens in Indianapolis
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State and National News
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April 30, 2026

A long-overdue investment in Black wealth took a visible step forward April 23, as Generations Community Bank marked its ribbon cutting in Indianapolis. This is Indiana’s first Black-led, minority depository institution, intended to expand access to capital for Black families. Local data shows that white families in central Indiana hold nearly eight times the wealth of Black families.

UEAAA honors first Black graduate at University of Evansville as scholarship remains paused
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Local News
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April 30, 2026

Last weekend, during the University of Evansville African American Alumni Association’s (UEAAA) annual celebration, alumni returned to campus for a series of events, including a luncheon and the dedication of a bench honoring Zerah Priestly Carter. The tribute—conceived and organized by the UEAAA—recognized Carter as the university’s first African American graduate. But the scholarship in her name is on pause due to anti-DEI federal regulations.

Evansville Literacy Initiative Targets Early Reading with Home Libraries
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Family and Education
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April 24, 2026

Friday, 1,500 EVSC (Evansville Vanderburgh County School Corp) students in grades K-3 received their first book and a storage crate to start their very own home library. The book distribution is part of the City of Evansville’s broader “We Read” campaign, a citywide effort aimed at ensuring every child is reading on grade level by third grade.

NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS for Black Educator of the Year Awards
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Local News
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April 23, 2026

Our Times is proud to launch the Black Educator of the Year Awards, recognizing the men and women who shape our community through education every day.  Help us shine a light on those making a difference. Deadline: April 30

EVSC School Board Meeting Brief
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Family and Education
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April 23, 2026

The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) Board of School Trustees met Monday to discuss student achievement, facility improvements, early childhood education, and district updates. Members present were Paul Gamblin, Christopher A Kiefer, David Hollingsworth, Michael J Duckworth Sr, and Amy DeVries.

New law gives families a stronger voice when child welfare systems fall short
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Government and Politics
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April 23, 2026

For many families, a call or visit from the Department of Child Services isn’t routine—it’s life-changing, and when something goes wrong, too many are left with more questions than answers. A new Indiana law, signed April 22, aims to change that. House Enrolled Act 1307, authored by State Rep. Alex Burton of Evansville, strengthens oversight of DCS by requiring its independent ombudsman to investigate serious complaints involving a child’s safety and well-being.

Free Community Forum to Help Seniors Spot and Stop Fraud
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Local News
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April 23, 2026

Fraud remains a growing concern across Indiana. Evansville residents are invited to take part in a free community forum focused on fraud prevention, hosted by AARP Indiana. The event will take place on April 30 and is designed to help individuals, especially seniors, recognize and avoid common scams that continue to impact local families.