by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 7, 2026

Atlanta Falcons Takes A Trip With KhaDarel Hodge Back To Prairie View A&M University

The team celebrates Black History Month by spotlighting the wide receiver's journey

To celebrate and acknowledge Black History Month, the Atlanta Falcons released a video highlighting the journey of wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge from an HBCU to the NFL.

The team dropped the video showcasing his HBCU career, which began at Alcorn State University, then at Hinds Community College, and culminated at Prairie View A&M University. They went to Prairie View A&M, where he took the cameras to show the place that helped solidify his collegiate career.

“This is where I grew up,” Hodge said after returning to the PV campus. “I became a man here at PV.”

By the time he left the institution, he had totaled 1,797 receiving yards while scoring 21 touchdowns, earning first-team All-SWAC honors and Black College All-American recognition.

Even with those impressive numbers, no NFL teams selected him in the 2018 NFL Draft. But Hodge knew the odds were against him, as only 36 players who attended an HBCU had been selected in the NFL Draft since 2010.

“I know that HBCU athletes are slept on,” Hodge said. “You just gotta take that to heart, and you have to look at it like I’m just as good as those guys, no matter how much work I gotta put in, I’m going to keep proving to you and whoever else said I can’t do it, to show that I can do it and I am good enough.”

However, after having spent some time with the Los Angeles Rams, the Cleveland Browns, and the Detroit Lions, he landed on solid ground with the Falcons in 2022.

He remembers his time at Prairie View A&M University and where it led him.

“I came here lost,” Hodge said. “I didn’t really know what I was going to [do] as far as my football career or academically, so this is where I grew up, where I found who I was. I disciplined myself. So, when I come back here, it’s always smiles, good times. I get chills every time I walk on the field.”

C-Murder, life, Darnell Jordan, sentence, conviction, upheld, Monica, Kim, Kardashian, upheld, platinum club

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 6, 2026

C-Murder Denied A 3rd Time To Get Murder Conviction Appealed By Louisiana Supreme Court

He was given a life sentence for killing 16-year-old Steven Thomas in a Harvey nightclub in 2002.

Corey Miller, known to hip-hop fans as C-Murder, has tried, for a third time, to get his murder conviction reviewed, and just like the previous two times, the court has denied his request once again.

According to WVUE, the Louisiana Supreme Court has turned down the No Limit Records soldier in his quest to have his murder conviction appealed, as he has been claiming his innocence since being accused in 2002. He was given a life sentence for killing 16-year-old Steven Thomas in a Harvey nightclub. He was charged with second-degree murder.

He has challenged the conviction several times, but an appellate court and the state Supreme Court have twice upheld it, in 2011 and 2012. The 54-year-old has tried once again after two witnesses recanted their testimony and claims about DNA evidence during the murder investigation, which warrants that the conviction should be overturned or he should be given a new court hearing at least.

All seven justices disagreed and voted unanimously on Feb. 3 to keep the conviction as is.

“Applicant has previously exhausted his right to state collateral review and fails to show that any exception permits his successive filing,” the state’s high court wrote in its decision.

Nearly three years ago, reality TV mainstay Kim Kardashian made an effort to get him a new trial. She posted a passionate plea to have the case reheard, based on information she had gathered in August 2023 in support of C-Murder.

“Corey Miller has spent 21 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and his conviction is based entirely on the testimony of two men, whom the State dragged to trial just on material witness warrants. Those men have now sworn that their prior testimony was untrue. There is no remaining evidence that even suggests that Corey Miller is any more culpable than the hundreds of patrons who were at the Platinum Club on January 12, 2002, when Steve Thomas was tragically shot.”

I wanted to shed some light on a case that I’ve been working on for years…

Corey Miller has spent 21 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, and his conviction is based entirely on the testimony of two men, whom the State dragged to trial just on material witness…
— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) August 3, 2023

Although she tried her best, the post did not bring him any closer to vindication or a look from the courts at the time.

Bozoma Saint John, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

by Kandiss Edwards

February 6, 2026

Boss Mom Bozoma Saint John Gifts Daughter With $110K Maserati

Bozoma Saint John gifted her teenage daughter a luxury car after passing her driver's test.

Bozoma “Boz” Saint John gifted her teenage daughter a luxury car after reaching a significant life milestone.

On the Feb. 5 episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Saint John presented her daughter, Lael, with a Maserati Grecale Trofeo. The luxury vehicle is valued at $110,200. The gesture may seem exorbitant, though Saint John is not the only parent to provide a luxuryvehicle for their teenager after passing a driving test.

In the episode, Saint John, a former Netflix executive, surprised Lael with the car outside their home after the driving accomplishment. Saint John also gave Lael matching T-shirts printed with her face on a faux driver’s license as part of the celebration. Lael is Saint John’s daughter with her late husband, Peter Saint John, who died in 2013.

RHOBH's Bozoma Saint John Gifts Daughter Lael, 16, a $110K Maserati After Passing Her Driving Test https://t.co/KDWyDZlfgc
— People (@people) February 6, 2026

The seemingly lavish gift by Saint John is nothing new in the world of high-profile celebrities who have gifted luxury vehicles to their children after personal milestones. In 2025, rapper Boosie Badazz gifted his daughter a Porsche 911 in celebration of her 16th birthday. Boosie, who is known for spoiling his children, shared moments from the gifting on his social media platforms. Boosie noted that he wanted to show appreciation for his daughter’s hard work and success.

As spectators are known to do, many chimed in about such an expensive gift given to a teen. However, Boosie refused to entertain the opinions of others. In a post on X, Boosie cautioned detractors to stick to the rivers and lakes they are used to.

“BE HAPPY FOR A CHILD SMH SHE’S A 16 YEAR OLD STRAIGHT A STUDENT WITH A 2025 PORSCHE THAT’S PAID FOR ‼️I ONLY TOOK ONE CAR BACK OUT OF 5 BOO BOO‼️SOME KIDS’ PHONES GET TAKEN WHEN THEY MESS UP N SOME KIDS’ CARS GET TAKEN WITH THEY MESS UP ITS CALLED #parenting SO YALL WORRY BOUT THEM ANDRIODS N IPHONES N IM GO WORRY ABOUT THESE PORSCHES, BENZES N AUDI TRUCKS.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 6, 2026

Howard University Lends Elizabeth Catlett Works To ‘She Speaks’ Exhibit At Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum

The Howard University Gallery of Art is lending three works by iconic alumna Elizabeth Catlett to the "She Speaks" exhibit.

The Howard University Gallery of Art is lending three works by legendary artist and alumna Elizabeth Catlett to a new exhibit celebrating the power of Black womanhood across history.

Opening Feb. 7 at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum in Annapolis, Maryland, “She Speaks: Black Women Artists and the Power of Historical Memory” will feature three works by Elizabeth Catlett: “My Right is a Future of Equality with Other Americans,” “My Role Has Been Important in the Struggle to Organize the Unorganized,” and “In Sojourner Truth I Fight For the Rights of Other Women.” The inclusion of Catlett’s pieces highlights Howard University’s enduring role in nurturing Black artistic excellence and cements her legacy as one of the most influential Black artists of the 20th century.

“Elizabeth Catlett’s work embodies the intersection of art, history, and social responsibility that Howard University has long championed,” Kathryn Coney-Ali, co-executive director of the Howard University Gallery of Art, said in the school’s announcement. “This collaboration allows our students and the broader public to encounter her work in a context that honors both her artistic vision and her legacy as an artist and educator.”

The exhibition brings together Black women artists across history, featuring both contemporary and internationally recognized creators whose work explores memory, resistance, and the future through a Black feminist lens. Spanning over two centuries of American history, “She Speaks” demonstrates how art can serve as a powerful tool for capturing history and sharing culture aesthetically, specifically through the lens of Black women.

A 1935 Howard University cum laude graduate, Catlett grounded her work as a sculptor and graphic artist in depicting Black life and labor, creating visually striking pieces that combined social responsibility, political clarity, and a steadfast commitment to Black experiences.

“She Speaks: Black Women Artists and the Power of Historical Memory” will be on view through Jan. 16, 2027, with interpretive programming scheduled throughout the year.

CEOs, corporate America, Kamala Harrs, endorsement

by Kandiss Edwards

February 6, 2026

New ‘Headquarters’ Social Media Platform Takes Over ‘Kamala HQ’

The updated headquarters branding signals an effort to reengage supporters after Harris's l2024 election loss.

Former vice president Kamala Harris has relaunched campaign accounts and introduced a new “Headquarters” rebrand aimed at engaging younger voters.

Harris’ former campaign staffers will helm the platform’s management. Formerly @KamalaHQ, the platform launched with 5.5 million followers on TikTok. The previous campaign accounts had been inactive since the conclusion of the 2024 presidential election. However, the move signifies a renewed effort by Harris to build political infrastructure and a base of support among younger voters. According to Harris, the space will be tailored to amplify the voices of America’s future leaders in all realms.

“I have good news. So, Kamala HQ is turning into Headquarters and it’s where you can go online to get, basically, the latest of what’s going on and also to meet and revisit with some of our great, courageous leaders, be they elected leaders, community leaders, civic leaders, faith leaders young leaders. I’m really excited about it, so stay engaged and I’ll see you out there. Thank you.” she said.

@headquarters
Welcome to Headquarters, the new Gen-Z led progressive content hub.
♬ original sound – Headquarters

The initial posts on Kamala HQ emphasized outreach to voters under 40 and showcased events and policy discussions tailored to that cohort. Each post spoke to immediate issues with witty and on-trend memes, videos, and even dance videos. The Gen Z team was able to captivate its audiences, posting multiple viral videos that were fun yet still contained substance.

Harris’ team also unveiled a refreshed campaign logo and branding ahead. The updated headquarters branding signals an effort to reengage supporters after Harris’ 2024 election loss.

Commenters appear pleased at the reemergence of Harris in the social media sphere. However, many are disappointed that the former presidential candidate did not announce a second run in 2028.

@Misha commented: “I thought you were coming to pick us up… we had our bags packed.”

@Ria asked: “so . . . you not coming home?”

Though, the disappointment is abundant there is still time. Thee 2026 midterm elections are less than a year away and will greatly impact the course of the country. Perhaps Harris will have more to say after.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 6, 2026

Uber To Pay Rape Victim $8.5M, Setting Precedent For Other SA Cases

More than 3,000 women have filed suits against the company with claims of sexual violence but Uber alleges 99.9% of trips between 2021 and 2022 ended without reported safety concerns.

A federal jury in Phoenix is being celebrated for awarding a victim $8.5 million by Uber after claims she suffered a rape at the hands of one of the company’s drivers, The New York Times reported.

The popular ride-sharing company long rejected accusations of being liable for the driver misconduct, as drivers are labeled as independent contractors, not employees. However, the jury said otherwise, setting a tone for other pending sexual assault and sexual misconduct lawsuits, accusing the company of failing systemic safety measures.

The victim, Jaylynn Dean, pinned the lawsuit on Uber after claiming her driver raped her in November 2023 during a ride to her hotel from her boyfriend’s apartment. While she didn’t win her intended $114 million award, Dean said the suit is about making “sure it doesn’t happen to other women.” “I’m doing this for other women who thought the same thing I did, that they were making the safe and smart choice — but that, you know, there are risks of being assaulted,” she said from the witness stand.

Dean has had to think back to the heinous details of that night, where she said the driver pulled into a dark parking lot, climbed into the back seat, and raped her, describing “dozing in and out of consciousness” and not being able to stop the driver. After reporting the incident, Uber banned the unnamed driver, but he never faced criminal charges, nor was he named in the litigation.

While Uber alleges the highly rated assailant had no criminal history and was aware of the company’s rule of banning sex between drivers and passengers, Dean suffered. On the night in question, she was celebrating passing her flight attendant test, but has since abandoned the career path and has a fear of the dark, admitting it takes her back to that night.

Uber has faced mass criticism from lawmakers, investors, and more, attempting to hold them accountable for a consistent pattern of sexual violence during rides. The company was found not responsible in September 2025 by a California jury in a state court case related to sexual assault that a woman claimed she experienced during a 2016 ride.

According to ABC News Bakersfield, more than 3,000 women have filed suits against the company with claims of sexual violence. But Uber alleges 99.9% of trips between 2021 and 2022 ended without reported safety concerns. The number is still high, coming to a total of 2,717 incidents of sexual assault or misconduct, which Uber says represents roughly one in every 700,000 trips.

Following the verdict, Uber announced plans to appeal, saying it “acted responsibly and has invested meaningfully in rider safety.” Chief product officer, Sachin Kansal, agreed with the sentiment, even pushing back on claims that the company “dragged its feet” on adding safety features such as dashcams — but had no problem saying, “I’ll be the first one to say we have not done enough.”

“There’s a lot more that we have to do,” he said.

Terence Crawford, Canelo Alvarez, bellts,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 6, 2026

Terence Crawford Dead Serious About Not Returning To Boxing- Not Even For $100 Million

'What you gonna stand for if everything is about money.'

Terence Crawford, who recently announced his retirement from the sport of boxing, revealed on a recent podcast that even $100 million would not lure him back into the ring.

In a recent appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, Crawford made it known that he is retired for good. The undefeated former fighter, who just beat Canelo Alvarez in September to become the undisputed super middleweight champion, retired after saying he had nothing left to prove.

While speaking to the hosts of the show, Channing Crowder asked him if there is any price that would get him back in the ring, “$80 million? $100 million?”

Crawford shook his head and told him, “Nah, because now you selling your soul.”

When Crowder confirmed that $100 million would do it for him, saying, “For $100 million you can have my soul.”

With a serious and disdainful look on his face, Crawford said, “That’s you. Now we know your character.

“Sometimes you know you look at people and be like damn man, you ain’t got no dignity. You ain’t got no morals. C’mon man. What you gonna stand for if everything is about money?”

He goes on to explain that although money was a reason to fight, it wasn’t THE reason. He strived to become a world champion, which aligns with the reason he gave for leaving the sport.

“I wanted to do something that I set my sights out to do as a little boy, and money wasn’t the motivation. Me being a world champion was the motivation. Me accomplishing all the things that I’ve accomplished along the way on my journey….it was like the extra credit.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

According to ESPN, Crawford leaves with an unblemished 42-0 record, including 31 knockouts. The undisputed super middleweight champion was also the undisputed welterweight champion after knocking out Errol Spence Jr. in July 2023. He became the undisputed junior welterweight champion after defeating Julius Indongo in August 2017.

Crawford fought in five different weight classes (lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, and super middleweight) and has won 18 major world championships before hanging up his gloves.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Trump, ballroom, DC Hillbillies

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 6, 2026

Jasmine Crockett Calls Out Nicki Minaj And Cites Immigration Issue: ‘I Don’t Do Sellouts’

Jasmine Crockett calls Nicki Minaj a "sellout" after going full MAGA.

Jasmine Crockett isn’t holding back on her disdain for Nicki Minaj, calling the rapper’s full MAGA turn a “sellout” move.

TMZ caught up with the Texas congresswoman on Feb. 3 and asked for her thoughts on Nicki Minaj, following Donald Trump’s Accounts Summit last month, where she held his hand and called herself his “No.1 fan.” Given Minaj’s Trinidadian immigrant roots and the controversy surrounding Trump’s immigration policies, Crockett labeled the “Moment for Life” rapper a “sellout” to the very community she comes from.

“I just don’t do sellouts, especially in this moment,” Crockett declared. “Things are too serious. There are too many people that are being harmed.”

“And especially with her being an immigrant, then deciding to go and cozy up to this administration that is specifically putting targets on the backs of immigrants and anyone who stands with them … that is wrong, and I don’t even understand how you can play with it and pretend like it’s anything but wrong,” she added.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett says she "don't mess with" Nicki Minaj anymore as she can't do "sellouts."

"I've always loved Cardi more, and clearly my instincts were right." https://t.co/iEkGdUQowM pic.twitter.com/DPEb4aZMM0
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 3, 2026

The U.S. Senate hopeful suggested that Nicki Minaj may be trying to “cozy up” to the President in hopes of securing U.S. citizenship papers or a pardon for a family member. Crockett also took issue with Minaj publicly targeting Don Lemon and calling for his arrest after he covered an anti‑ICE protest at a Minnesota church, a demonstration that led to Lemon and other Black journalists being briefly threatened with arrest last week.

“But going after people like Don Lemon, who I love dearly, is just wrong, like she’s just on the wrong side of history,” she said, urging fans to remember the rapper’s actions in the event she tries to switch sides again in the future.

While the Texas Democrat admits she was once a Nicki Minaj fan, she adds, “I’ve always loved Cardi more.”

Starbucks, closures, restructuring, tariffs

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 6, 2026

Starbucks Vindicated: Court Strikes Down Missouri’s Targeted Attempt To Criminalize Corporate Inclusion

Starbucks seems to continuous stand strong in their commitment to DEI, knocking out lawsuit after lawsuit amid its policies adopted following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, ⁠a Black man, by a Minneapolis police officer.

Starbucks emerged victorious after a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from Missouri alleging that the popular coffee brand of using its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitment to discriminate based on race, gender, and sexual orientation, Yahoo Finance reports.

U.S. District Judge John Ross of St. Louis excused the case after stating the state failed to ‌ provide any evidence that Starbucks discriminated against “even a single Missouri resident” who worked for the company or applied for a job. Favoring the Trump administration’s anti-DEI ideologies, Missouri sought to force Starbucks to end alleged discrimination based on ⁠race, gender, and national origin.

The suit was filed by former Missouri Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who later left to join the Trump administration as FBI co-deputy director. The state accused the coffee conglomerate of correlating executive pay to ⁠the company’s achievement of racial and ‌gender-based hiring quotas. Additionally, Missouri claimed Starbucks singled out certain groups for additional training and job advancement.

Starbucks was also accused of employing a quota system to ensure its board of directors had some diversity. Missouri wanted Starbucks to rehire employees, rescind disciplinary actions against employees allegedly affected by discrimination, and pay ‌damages.

Even before President Donald Trump set the tone for DEI initiatives to shut down on the federal level, schools, and the private sector, Bailey had his eyes on terminating diversity for good, targeting “woke” ideologies.

According to the Missouri Independent, the former attorney general criticized the Business Roundtable, a nationwide association of America’s CEOs working to push a thriving economy, for allegedly having “racist DEI initiatives.”

Proclaiming he would fight “woke political trends and blatant racial discrimination,” he threatened that policies “risk exposing your organizations to substantial liability.”

He once sued tech giant IBM, long known for being a model of inclusivity with a diversity council started in the 1990s, over claims that the company did the most to recruit non-white and female hires, setting another tone adopted by the EEOC, pressuring white employees to come forward with claims of discrimination.

However, Starbucks seems to continue to stand strong in its commitment to DEI, knocking out lawsuit after lawsuit amid its policies adopted following the 2020 murder of George Floyd, ⁠a Black man, by a Minneapolis police officer.

A federal judge in Washington, Starbucks’ home base, dismissed a shareholder ‍lawsuit in 2023 that challenged its diversity ⁠policies. The judge argued that the case raised public policy questions for lawmakers and companies — not for the court.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 6, 2026

Sen. Marsha Blackburn Crashes Out Over Ketanji Brown-Jackson’s Grammy Appearance, Urges Investigation

The sudden backlash comes amid the surge of anti-ICE celebration from several Grammy Award-winning artists

GOP leaders like Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn are bothered that Grammy nominee and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was at the 2026 Grammy Awards. So much so that she wants Chief Justice John Roberts to launch an investigation after claiming she celebrated the anti-ICE rhetoric at the music honors, Fox News reports.

While admitting it’s not “unheard of or unusual for a Supreme Court justice to attend a public function,” the Senate Judiciary Committee member called for an investigation into whether the Grammy-nominated Justice’s appearance violated the high court’s Code of Conduct. If so, Brown-Jackson would be required to recuse herself from certain cases. “Very rarely—if ever—have justices of our nation’s highest Court been present at an event at which attendees have amplified such far-left rhetoric,” Blackburn continued in her letter.

“To that end, in the interest of a fair-minded, impartial, and independent federal judiciary, I urge you to initiate an investigation into Justice Jackson’s attendance at this event and if her participation in any way would require recusal from matters that will come before the Court.”

The sudden backlash comes amid a surge of anti-ICE protests by several Grammy Award-winning artists, including country star Shaboozy and Super Bowl performer Bad Bunny.

Host Trevor Noah gave the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice a shout-out for her audiobook nomination of “Lovely One: A Memoir.” The crowd erupted in applause, and somehow Blackburn spun it to claim she was clapping for the anti-ICE sentiments.

And Blackburn seemingly took a random dig at the trans community. “Instead of taking the time to learn what a woman is, Ketanji Brown Jackson was at the Grammy’s applauding anti-ICE rhetoric,” the senator wrote.

“How can Americans trust her to be impartial on the highest court in the land?”

Instead of taking the time to learn what a woman is, Ketanji Brown Jackson was at the Grammy’s applauding anti-ICE rhetoric.

How can Americans trust her to be impartial on the highest court in the land?pic.twitter.com/F7wn5jxoVb
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) February 3, 2026

Blackburn compared the Justice’s attendance to Democrats and the media coming for Republican-appointed justices. An example she gave in her letter was when Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse urged Roberts to make sure conservative Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from the 2020 election and Jan. 6-related cases after his wife faced criticism for putting up a Revolutionary War-era flag at their home.

Other Republican leaders continued to claim Brown-Jackson was clapping for the ICE opposition, like Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Paul Renner. “A Supreme Court Justice who swore an oath to uphold the rule of law, instead cheers for its undoing,” he wrote, according to Newsweek.

But those who watched the Grammy Awards felt no harm was done. “This clip does not show Justice Brown Jackson applauding ‘Anti-ICE’ rhetoric. The clip shows her smiling and applauding as she is recognized for her Grammy nomination for Best Audio Book. Republican politicians lie like they breathe,” political commentator Micah Erfan said.

Journalist Carla Marinucci wrote that she “deserved to be in that room” as a nominee.

Since Blackburn wanted to suggest what the Biden appointee should be doing, social media took the time to remind her of her duties. “Instead of looking into the tens of thousands of Tennessee residents without electricity and heat, you were hosting that skank Kid Rock,” @shroganaw said.