by Kandiss Edwards

November 3, 2025

New Report Details Agenda To Erase, Distort, And Suppress Blackness

Titled, 'Blackout: The Real-World Cost of Erasing, Distorting, and Suppressing Black Progress,' the study defines three key types of institutional harm.

A new report issued by the nonprofit Onyx Impact offers a detailed examination of how the U.S. federal government may have contributed to the erosion of opportunities for Black Americans and to the history of Black Americans.

Titled, “Blackout: The Real-World Cost of Erasing, Distorting, and Suppressing Black Progress,” the study defines three key types of institutional harm: erasure, distortion, and suppression. Among its findings, there are more than 15,000 “impact points” in which Black progress was undermined. The report lists roughly 1,300 instances of erasure, including removed books, decremented records, and museum revisions.

Onyx Impact’s lead analyst, Esosa Osa, spoke to BlackPressUSA about the methodical way the current administration is executing its plan, both covertly and overtly.

“Bad actors target our stories and our data… What we’re seeing isn’t noise; it’s a coordinated effort to erase, distort, and suppress so the public can’t see the truth or measure the harm,” Osa said.”This report puts the receipts in one place so no one can pretend it isn’t happening. This is not a ‘culture war’—it’s a power grab that threatens the integrity of the record, the fairness of opportunity, and the health of our democracy.”

For many Black Americans, the report serves as validation, while the current administration contends their actions are merely patriotic; the report’s long list of incidents suggests a coordinated pattern. A pattern many Americans have been concerned about.

“When a ledger like this is opened, what it reveals matters for how we act moving forward,” said researcher Tamara Reese of the University of Maryland in the report.

The report is less about assigning blame than documenting patterns. Among the documented cases are federal websites that removed references to emancipation and museums that altered exhibits without public notice. Additionally, the ledger outlines contract programs that quietly decreased in historically Black communities. The result of the erasure, distortion, and suppression is a diluted visibility of Black achievement. Furthermore, these acts aid in diminishing institutional and historical memory of Black contributions.

While the report does not call for immediate legal action, it encourages educational institutions, nonprofits, and lawmakers to consider the impacts of erasure and distortion as part of long-term planning. Awareness leads to accountability.

Pastor Jamal Bryant, Black Friday, Black Business Maket

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 3, 2025

Thousands Line Up To Receive Free Food at Pastor Jamal Bryant’s Church As SNAP Funding Cuts Off

The drive helped out families as SNAP funding remains in question.

Thousands of people waited in line to receive free boxes of food from a famed Metro Atlanta Church as SNAP goes dark.

NewBirth Missionary Baptist Church, led by Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant, hosted the free food drive Nov. 1, the day that SNAP officially ran out of funding due to the government shutdown. The church hopes to alleviate some food concerns for Metro Atlanta families as the assistance programs hits pause.

According to 11Alive, one woman sat in her car for 14 hours to make sure her family received the crucial box. The mother said that the shutdown added to a growing list of hardships she and her loved ones now face.

“We got here about 7:30 p.m.,” said Lasheika Carter to the news outlet. “With the government shutdown and hardships on a lot of families, we just have to do what we have to do to make sure we have what we need.”

Supported by hundreds of volunteers, over 2,000 families waited in line in the hopes of obtaining a box. Across the country, SNAP recipients are facing new challenges as the shutdown leaves them with limited options, especially as the government’s reopening remains stalled.

Other mothers like Carter used SNAP to ensure their families had meals in their homes. With SNAP funding in question , local initiatives like NewBirth’s have sprung up to pick up the slack and ensure children don’t go hungry.

“Why in the world do we have to sit here trying to get us some food for us to be able to eat,” added Kerry Ruffin, a veteran who served in the U.S. military for eight years. “At least some people care about other people, and the fact what these people are doing a great job being able to try and help people find something to eat.”

Ruffin relied on SNAP to help him navigate his fixed income since retiring from the armed forces. Now, he also waits in line to receive assistance as SNAP once supported 1 in 8 Americans, as reported by CNN.

Dr. Jamal Bryant also encouraged his congregation to come together and support those facing food insecurity. He used his platform to share resources for those relying on SNAP payments to purchase groceries.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pastor Jamal Bryant (@jamalhbryant)

“It in unconscionable that we have reached this point over political gain,” expressed Pastor Bryant in the video.

He encouraged all people, regardless of membership to the church, to come and receive charitable assistance that should be provided by the government.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 3, 2025

Dating App Crime Wave Targeting Gay Men

Safe practices include meeting in public places, informing a friend of your whereabouts, avoiding inviting contacts into homes before trust is established, and being cautious when financial transactions are requested.

Dating apps like Grindr and Plenty Of Fish, sites typically used by gay men, are becoming platforms for crime. Two recent armed robberies tied to dating apps in Brooklyn, New York, and Atlanta are the newest incidents in gay men-targeting schemes.

On Oct. 23 in Brooklyn, a 47-year-old Flatbush resident arranged a meeting via a dating app at his East 21st Street apartment. He told police two masked men in all black forced their way into his home. The unnamed victim was then held at gunpoint and assaulted. Additionally, his assailants fled with valuables. The victim was hospitalized and remains in stable condition. No arrests have been made, Bronx News reported. Building residents expressed alarm at the building’s ongoing lack of security.

“From a safety perspective, I think that the building could be doing a lot more for us,” one tenant who asked to stay anonymous said. “We’ve reported issues with packages being stolen.”

In another online dating attack, Atlanta police arrested 26-year-old Randarrius Jackson after a man met him on a dating site called Mega Personal at The Renaissance Hotel near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

According to the victim, Jackson displayed a firearm, forced the victim to send funds via Cash App and Apple Pay, and stole his debit card and PIN. Police say the victim lost over $5,000. Jackson now faces charges including armed robbery and aggravated assault, according to Fox 5.

The victim solicited hotel staff for help and was kept safely in the establishment’s kitchen until police arrived. Jackson was observed on hotel surveillance leaving the hotel and was subsequently caught and arrested in Lenox Square shortly thereafter.

These cases reflect a broader national trend of deception and violence emerging from digital platforms. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, cyber-enabled crime losses exceeded $16.6 billion in 2024. The figure is a 33% increase over the previous year.

Law enforcement officials and consumer-safety experts urge those meeting online to treat any in-person meetup like a transaction. Best practices include meeting in public places, informing a friend of your whereabouts, avoiding inviting contacts into homes before trust is established, and being cautious when financial transactions are requested.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 3, 2025

Zanzibar’s Seaweed Boom Is Empowering Women Farmers

Companies invest to ensure better outcomes for women seaweed farmers.

Women walk along Zanzibar’s beaches in colorful dresses, drawing attention from tourists’ cameras as they go about their daily task of gathering seaweed, a vital ingredient used in various products like food, cosmetics, and bioplastics. Seaweed farming has been a crucial industry in Zanzibar, located off a portion of Tanzania’s Indian Ocean coast, for decades. Most of Zanzibar’s 25,000 seaweed farmers are women.

Rising global demand has made it the second-largest contributor to the local economy after tourism and spices. The industry has also attracted greater interest from donors and investors, some of whom aim to invest in measures to address the increasingly harsh working conditions that can threaten the safety of women seaweed farmers who often spend long days under the sun, which can lead to backaches and skin irritation, and bites from sea creatures.

“I experience pain in my back, waist, and chest due to the labor in the sea. There are also risks of being stung or bitten,” Mwanaisha Makame Simai told The Associated Press. “Sometimes strong waves sweep you away. I have personally witnessed three cases of people drowning.”

Mhando Waziri, project manager for blue economy initiatives at the nonprofit Milele Zanzibar Foundation, noted that climate change forces women deeper into the ocean, putting them at risk of drowning. Milele’s programs include teaching women seaweed farmers to swim to combat the risk of drowning.

Most farmers, independently or in collectives, sell their products to local middlemen who sell to larger corporations. Milele has developed programs to help women turn seaweed into products, primarily cosmetics. Waziri estimated that seaweed farmers could earn 10 times as much by selling the raw, unprocessed product to other manufacturers.

“Ten years ago, people thought you were crazy for working in seaweed,” Klara Schade, director at Mwani Zanzibar, a boutique seaweed farm in the nearby village of Paje, told the Associated Press. “Now it’s become a buzzword.” Schade has focused on training seaweed farmers in cosmetics manufacturing. Workers at Mwani spend more time in the workshop than out in the ocean. Schade noted that Mwani’s “face and body skin superfood” sells online for $140, meaning its employees earn far more than the average seaweed farmer.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 3, 2025

FDA Recalls Blood Pressure Medication Over Cancer Risk

Check your medicine cabinets.

The FDA has recalled more than 500,000 bottles of blood pressure medication due to high levels of cancer-causing chemicals.

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, issued a voluntary recall on Oct. 7 for approximately 580,000 bottles of prazosin hydrochloride capsules: 181,659 1 mg bottles, 291,512 2 mg bottles, and 107,673 5 mg bottles. The bottles may contain up to 1,000 capsules each. The FDA recalled the product on Oct. 24, stating that the capsules may contain nitrosamine impurities, specifically “N-nitroso Prazosin Impurity C,” which pose serious health risks.

The FDA classified the recall as Class II. The agency describes a Class II risk as “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

The FDA approved the drug for high blood pressure treatment. However, it is occasionally prescribed to help manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially for patients who experience nightmares and sleep issues. The medication works by relaxing blood vessels, improving blood flow, and lowering blood pressure. According to Scientific American, nearly 20% of veterans treated through Veterans Affairs (VA) take Prazosin.

In 2022, Pfizer voluntarily recalled some of its blood pressure medications, including the brand-name Accuretic and two related generic versions, due to the presence of a nitrosamine impurity called N-nitroso-quinapril.

High blood pressure is defined as a systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mm Hg. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of U.S. adults (48%) have high blood pressure or are taking blood pressure medication for other conditions.
Neither Teva nor the FDA has issued specific instructions on what to do with the recalled medication. However, GoodRx recommends that people check their medication’s lot number, and if it is listed in the recall, contact the pharmacy and the prescriber immediately.

RELATED CONTENT: Red Bull May Give You More Than Just Wings

Bush, Obama, Virginia, New Jersey, Gubernatorial, Clinton,Trump, luncheon

by Kandiss Edwards

November 3, 2025

Barack Obama Dusts Off Signature Swag In Support Of Gubernatorial Candidates

Obama is charming potential voters while amplifying the visibility of Democratic candidates.

Former President Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail to show support for gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey by condemning the current administration and putting his signature charm to use.

In Norfolk, Virginia, on Nov. 1, Obama joined supporters of Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor. During his 30-minute remarks, the former president condemned the current administration. Additionally, he boasted about Spanberger’s political track record. Obama highlighted the candidate’s ability to work across the aisle to make progress in Washington.

“She is willing to reach across the aisle to make it happen. She has shown that she can do it. Abigail is ranked as the most bipartisan member of Congress from the Commonwealth. She’s had bills signed into law by both President Trump and President Biden. That is not easy to do,” he stated.

He also summoned voters to reject what he characterized as the administration’s “lawlessness and recklessness.”

Later in New Jersey, Obama appeared in support of Mikie Sherrill. The former Commander in Chief says he believes that Sherrill is a candidate who will “stay connected to the people that they were elected to serve.” In his speech, he discussed Sherrill’s “first day” plan, including tackling energy prices, child mental health and education, and tax transparency.

“On her first day as governor, Mikie will declare a state of emergency to bring costs down, starting with utilities. . .As a mom of four kids, Mikie knows what parents see every day….and she’s going to make sure you can see exactly where your tax dollars are going and whether the programs you are helping to fund actually do what they’re supposed to do.”

While Obama encouraged attendees to get out to the polls, he also extolled the virtues of both candidates. He also took a moment to connect with the audience in a personal display of his signature charm. It is no secret that the former president is indeed adored by many. During his New Jersey stop, one presidential admirer made sure to show her adoration, yelling “I love you” as Obama spoke.

As he is known to do, Obama took the compliment in stride. He accepted the praise, complimented the attendee, and shouted out his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama.

“Oh, I love you, but hold on. I heard you, girl. Just settle down. I’m here to talk to everybody, not just you. I mean, you look cute. But I’m married. Michelle’s fine too,” he said.

Obama: Oh, I love you, but hold on. I heard you, girl. Just settle down. I'm here to talk to everybody, not just you. I mean, you look cute. But I’m married. Michelle's fine too pic.twitter.com/9gKxKTMaus
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 1, 2025

As polls tighten and early voting winds down, Democrats are banking on the former president’s mass appeal to energize the base. Many are hoping Obama’s willingness to call out the current administration and bolster visibility for current candidates’ platforms, with a dash of swag, will be enough to turn the political tide. Whether it’s enough to turn out voters and counter Republican gains remains to be seen.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 2, 2025

Biracial Comedian Does Blackface For Halloween To Internet’s Anger And Confusion

Comedian Brittany Venti was just one of many influencers who donned blackface this Halloween.

One biracial comedian tried and failed to spark a conversation by doing blackface for Halloween.

The offensive trend has returned as racist influencers used the holiday meant for dressing up to instead upset others. However, the internet refuses to let them have the day, calling out their unjust intentions.

Self-proclaimed comedian Brittany Venti, particularly had social media users confused with her distasteful costume. Venti decided to not only paint her face black, but also use the moment to perpetuate harmful stereotypes against Black people.

She posed in blackface with a box of fried chicken, captioning the image with “When that EBT hit.” Naysayers immediately called out Venti for her offensive costume. However, Venti also identifies as mixed-race, with her identity sparking even more confusion.

“We’re witnessing levels of racism not seen since 1962,” said one X user.

we’re witnessing levels of racism not seen since 1962 https://t.co/zdD9TSJ7qm
— gav (@itsgavv) November 1, 2025

Another quoted, “Imagine seeing your child do this as a black mom.”

While Venti says the blackface was a “satirical bit,” very few got the joke. After receiving much backlash for her post, Venti tried explaining the reasoning behind her controversial costume.

My costume wasn’t just random -it has lore and built up of drama with the black community especially over the past month.

It is quite literally on brand for me to do black face as it is a continuation of a running satirical bit about how the black community is extremely racist… https://t.co/FbNmfga0TO
— Brittany Venti 🍗 🍉 (@BrittanyXVenti) November 1, 2025

“My costume wasn’t just random -it has lore and built up of drama with the black community especially over the past month,” wrote Venti. “It is quite literally on brand for me to do black face as it is a continuation of a running satirical bit about how the black community is extremely racist to mulattos for their skin color.”

She continued defending her actions to the “woke mob.” She proceeded to call out a false comparison equating blackface to jokes about mixed-race people.

“It’s just really funny how I’m not “Allowed” to do black face, YET they’re ‘Allowed’ to harass mulattos for being a quote ‘black mom biracial’ calling me every name in the book and even insulting my dead parents. But it’s the end of the world if I make fun of it or say ‘Nigga’ -despite being black.”

However, naysayers were quick to note that Venti’s blackness does not give her a pass to be racist and offensive. It did not help that she was not the sole influencer engaging in Blackface, with right-wing influencer Lilly Gaddis also participating in the offensive trend.

Gaddis has referred to herself as “insanely racist” after the internet got her fired from her job after she said the n-word. In return, Gaddis has become a conservative content creator, with both her and Venti using X’s free speech policies to make racist posts as they please.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 2, 2025

Legacy Of Michael Jackson Lives On As King Of Pop Crowned Highest-Paid Dead Celebrity

Jackson's estate has earned around $3.5 billion since his passing in 2009.

Michael Jackson still lives as the King of Pop in the afterlife.

Forbes has declared the late superstar as the highest-paid dead celebrity in 2025. Given his mega-stardom throughout his decades-long career before his death in 2009, his impact remains felt across the music industry.

The outlet confirmed that the Michael Jackson estate has earned over $105 million over the past year. Not only did he take the top slot, but he also earned much more than his fellow late celebrities. Right after him is the former top dog of the list, Elvis Presley, who came in second with $1.2 billion.

“It’s MJ, then an enormous canyon, then everybody else,” shared an estate lawyer to the outlet.

Since his death over a decade ago, the Jackson estate has earned over $3.5 billion, marking his legacy from beyond the grave. Furthermore, he has remained on the list since Forbes started its estate earnings ranking in 2001.

Jackson acquired his immense wealth from many avenues. While still alive, Jackson acquired ownership of his publishing rights and master recordings. In 1985, he purchased the ATV catalog for $47.5 million, worth around $140 million today. That investment flipped to $750 million after his estate sold them to Sony in 2016.

The estate then made another lucrative sale of Jackson’s publishing and master recordings. They made the sale to Sony again, earning $600 million from the 2024 purchase. While the move was against the wishes of Katherine Jackson, the late singer’s mother, it did provide a lofty payout.

In the years since his tragic death, Jackson’s legacy has endured through multiple media platforms. His 2009 concert film, “This Is It,” grossed $267 million, adding to his posthumous cash flow. Another revenue jackpot was in the MJ-themed Cirque du Soleil tour in 2012 and the subsequent “Michael Jackson ONE” Vegas residency.

Despite the controversies surrounding his career, such as allegations of sexual abuse documented in the 2019 documentary “Finding Neverland,” Jackson’s estate has managed to capitalize on his music. His accusers are also seeking hundreds of millions from the estate, as revealed while disputes between his daughter, Paris, and estate officials wage on.

The Tony Award-winning “MJ: The Musical” debuted in 2022 as well to critical acclaim and commercial success, earning $300 million in ticket sales. It spanned multiple productions on Broadway and in London’s West End.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 2, 2025

Meek Mill Blasts NYPD For Allegedly Drawing Gun On Him: ‘I Thought It Was a Prank’

Meek Mill was reportedly cleared of any wrongdoing after video showed police putting him in handcuffs.

Meek Mill goes off about the New York City Police Department after officers wrongfully detained him the night after Halloween, a move he first thought was a “prank.”

The Philly-born rapper sounded off on X after news of his wrongful detainment gained traction. NYPD officers detained Meek Mill after responding to a call of a suspected weapon in the vehicle he was sitting in. Viral clips showed officers arresting the rapper outside of a nightclub in Manhattan on the holiday weekend.

Meek mill was detained by NYPD last night/early this morning pic.twitter.com/E7sxnIagMP
— Phillyclipstv (@OnlyinPhilly25) November 1, 2025

“The cameras, rolling right? While the cameras rolling, this the level you go through when you youngin’s lack,” said Meek Mill in the video.

After the ordeal was resolved, the “Dreams and Nightmares” rapper took to social media to clarify his role in the matter.

They just pulled me out the car and cuffed me in front of the whole club embarrassed the shit out of me in nyc ! I'm not scared to go outside without a gun … they had guns in my face for no reason smh I thought it was a prank
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) November 1, 2025

“They just pulled me out the car and cuffed me in front of the whole club embarrassed the shit out of me in nyc ! I’m not scared to go outside without a gun … they had guns in my face for no reason smh I thought it was a prank.”

According to The Grio, a police spokesperson said officers were responding to a report of a firearm inside a vehicle near the area. They confirmed that they stopped three males, including the Grammy nominee, as their car and license plate matched the description.

After no gun was found inside or on their person, Meek Mill and his fellow riders were subsequently let go. However, the incident still left the emcee shaken up, especially given his past with law enforcement.

They tryna get me ……..
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) November 1, 2025

“They tryna get me…,” reflected the rapper on social media.

Once a convicted felon, Meek Mill has become a voice for criminal justice advocacy. He received a controversial sentence in 2017 over a probation violation for a decade-old conviction. Following his release the following year, he used his experience and platform to advocate for probation reform. Then-Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf later expunged his record for those charges.

Trump, meme, Barack Obama, Sherrill, campaign, Virginia, New Jersey

by Kandiss Edwards

November 2, 2025

Barack Obama Calls Zohran Mandani Ahead Of NYC Mayoral Election

The gesture stopped short of an endorsement.

On Nov. 1, former President Barack Obama called New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani just days before the election.

The call lasted about 30 minutes and included Obama praising Mamdani’s campaign and discussing strategies should he win. Sources say the former President praised Mamdani’s grassroots campaign, calling it “impressive,” according to The New York Times.

Mamdani’s campaign spokesperson, Dora Pekec, thanked Obama for reaching out and extending an olive branch.

“Zohran Mamdani appreciated President Obama’s words of support and their conversation on the importance of bringing a new kind of politics to our city,” Pekec said.

Obama offered to serve as a “sounding board” for Mamdani. The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist’s campaign seems to be in good standing ahead of the Nov. 4 election. Polls indicate Mamdani maintains a double-digit lead, according to The Hill. The call from Obama could result in a last-minute boost, even without a public endorsement, bringing in undecided voters.

While Obama extended his expertise to Mamdand, he stopped short of a formal endorsement. However, making the call public is a high-profile gesture from one of the nation’s most influential Democrats.

The outreach comes as Mamdani fights to maintain his lead over independent former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the biggest mayoral race in the United States.

Mamdani, born in Uganda and elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, gained national attention after defeating Cuomo in the June 24 Democratic primary. Much like Obama in his early campaign for the presidency, Mamdani has a youthful coalition and progressive platform. His agenda for New York City includes affordability and housing initiatives that have energized young voters and simultaneously ruffled the feathers of city residents in higher tax brackets.

The timing of Obama’s call coincided with his recent lobbying efforts on behalf of Democratic gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia. That suggests a coordinated push within the party’s progressive wing to consolidate ahead of midterm elections.