by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 24, 2025

Thousands Attend Mass To Honor The Iconic Celia Cruz’s100th Birthday After Cuban Officials Cancel Performance

Due to her opposition of Fidel Castro, Cruz's legacy remains in conflict with Cuban government.

Thousands in Cuba flocked to a mass service in honor of the 100th birthday of the late Celia Cruz.

The community took the celebration of the legendary salsa singer into its own hands after the Cuban government canceled a commemorative performance at the Cuban Art Factory. Many called the cancellation, for which officials offered no explanation, an act of censorship.

Cruz was known for her activism as much as her music. The Afro-Latina singer rose to fame in the 1950s, becoming a Latin music icon as the “Queen of Salsa.” She remains a beloved figure in the Latin community, especially in her home country. A staunch voice against Fidel Castro’s regime, she sought asylum in the U.S. in 1960, never returning to her birthplace of Havana.

However, Cubans still remember her artistry and legacy in uplifting the people. On her birthday, they recall the joy and culture she represented through her music. The large crowd gathered at the Basilica of La Caridad in El Cobre to pay tribute to the singer. Born on Oct. 21, 1925, Cruz died in 2003.

“She was an ambassador of Cuban music, of Cuban rhythms in the world… of our flavor, of our dances, of our joy, of ‘that’ contagious thing,” said Father Ariel Suárez during his homily, as reported by AP News. “I thank God because she brought joy to many people, because she made Cuba a presence in the world.”

Local contemporary artists also flocked to the church to pay their respects to the woman who put Cuban music on the map. An artists’ cohort brought the service for Cruz into fruition.

Known for her popular phrase of “Azucar!, Cruz gained international fame despite her music being left out by government-controlled media. Despite the love from the people, the Cuban government still has contentious relations with her legacy. The cancellation of the tribute performance by the state-run National Center for Popular Music suggests that even decades later, her opposition to Castro has led to the persistent suppression of her impact.

However, the people of Cuba refuse to let her legacy fall by the wayside.

“They have spent 60 years trying — without success — to tarnish one of the most extraordinary trajectories of life in the cultural sphere in defense of an identity, with an unflinching sense of belonging,” shared musicologist Rosa Marquetti on Facebook.

Despite the show’s axing, the Cuban Art Factory placed a chair lit with overhead lights on stage for the entire slotted time—the symbolic effort sought to show that Cruz will never be forgotten by her people.

Top 5 Inspirational Quotes From The Black Enterprise 2025 XCEL Summit For Men

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 24, 2025

Top 5 Inspirational Quotes From The Black Enterprise 2025 XCEL Summit For Men

With a lineup of renowned speakers, including prominent CEOs and changemakers, the XCEL Summit for Men focused on empowering men with the tools and knowledge to excel in both business and personal development.

The Black Enterprise XCEL Summit for Men, held this October in Orlando, Florida, gathered a powerful network of Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders for a weekend of inspiration, growth, and community. With a lineup of renowned speakers, including prominent CEOs and changemakers, the XCEL summit focused on empowering men with the tools and knowledge to excel in both business and personal development. Key discussions focused on overcoming barriers to success, achieving financial independence, and leading in today’s evolving industries. Attendees participated in hands-on workshops, strategic networking sessions, and transformative panels that emphasized Black Enterprise’s commitment to fostering economic advancement and leadership within the Black community. Below are the top 5 inspirational quotes from the summit’s headlining speakers.

John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Operation HOPE, Inc. | Bryant Group Ventures LLC

“I consider myself an economic plumber for the Black community. I’m just creating the infrastructure. I have 1,500 offices right now. My goal is, by 2028, is 15,000 offices. I’m going to layer financial literacy, which I have now, put AI literacy on top of that, and create future literacy. I consider myself the economic plumber. I want to be the Starbucks of financial inclusion, the Walmart of economic empowerment. I figured raising credit scores was an easy, neutral mechanism that no one could interrupt, and you have complete control over.”

Troy Taylor, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida

“This is our country; don’t forget that. Don’t let anybody tell you any differently. This is our country. The first thing that this country did, from an export standpoint, was agriculture. That’s us. Built Washington, D. C.; built the South; built a whole lot of things. That’s what we must celebrate. As we go into next year, we celebrate America 250. Sometimes there are whispers about, well, how will Black America celebrate America 250? I’ll say this: I think we should do an awesome job celebrating America 250. America wouldn’t be America without us.”

Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Senior Pastor, Grace Baptist Church

“We need in the Black community; we need people who go from generation to generation. It is not enough for us just simply to have a winning day in our individual lives. We must pass it on to the next generation.”

Blair Underwood, Award-winning American Actor, Director, Producer

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A post shared by Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise)

“Greatness, when I think about that, I go back to one of my all-time favorite speeches of anybody: it was Dr. Martin Luther King and his speech, it’s called the Drum Major Instinct. And in that speech, he talks about how we all want to be the drum major. And what does that mean? That instinct to want to be in front of the band, leading the band, marching high, and just like a peacock, being proud, the drum major. But the instinct of the drum major is to be out front and to be seen. And that can be bastardized. That can be a negative thing. But he said, if you use it right, it can be a wonderful thing. And how you use it is, I mean, that great line, it said, everyone can be great, the greatest of all time.” Anyone and everyone can be great if you service other people.”

Dr. George C. Fraser, Founder, FraserNet Inc.

“Leaders are the foundation. A house cannot stand without a strong foundation. It could stand with a leaky roof on top, but it can’t stand with a weak foundation. It will collapse. Leaders are the foundation. They’re the foundation of the vision, the goals, the objectives of everything above them. Their job is to cultivate, nurture, and prepare their team, their family, to get to the top.”

RELATED CONTENT: XCEL Summit For Men Gives Guys Their Flowers

A$AP Rocky, CDFA, Fashion Icon, Ray Bans

by Kandiss Edwards

October 24, 2025

The Council Of Fashion Designers Of America Names A$AP Rocky Its 2025 Fashion Icon

CFDA Chair Thom Browne described the Hip-Hop artist as 'one of a kind… His truly original approach to fashion inspires me, and so many, to think differently.'

A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, is the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s 2025 Fashion Icon. The CFDA Fashion Awards will take place Nov. 3, at the New York Museum of Natural History.

For years, A$AP Rocky has pushed the boundaries of style and self-expression. Born and raised in Harlem, Rocky’s fashion displayed his knack for elevating streetwear and merging cultural pieces with high fashion. When the CFDA named him its 2025 Fashion Icon, it was less about accolades. According to the organization, honoring Rocky reinforced the idea that personal narratives in fashion matter.

CFDA Chair Thom Browne described the hip-hop artist as “one of a kind… His truly original approach to fashion inspires me, and so many, to think differently.”

Rocky’s AWGE agency has partnered with Marine Serre, Amina Muaddi and others, including a runway debut in Paris during Men’s Fashion Week.

A$AP Rocky set to receive the 2025 Fashion Icon award at the CFDA Fashion Awards on Nov 3!

“A$AP Rocky is a Fashion Icon in the purest form,He is one of a kind,His truly original approach to fashion inspires me, and so many, to think differently” – Thom Browne, Chairman (CFDA) pic.twitter.com/35RP7GUkDe
— 𝕵𝖆𝖘 (@awgecentral) October 23, 2025

Rocky’s approach to fashion has always been about more than clothes. He leveraged his co-chair role at the 2025 Met Gala, arriving in a custom AWGE suit. The ensemble echoed his hybrid identity of street-culture and highbrow sophistication. The CFDA award cements what many insiders already considered true. Rocky is more than a celebrity in the fashion space. He’s a creative force shaping it.

With this, A$AP Rocky joins an elite roster of past Fashion Icon recipients who have not only excelled visually but have altered fashion’s cultural conversation. He stands as proof that the boundaries between music, brand, and haute design are no longer separate arenas but parts of a single creative vision.

Earlier this year, Rocky was named creative director of Ray-Ban, putting him in charge of steering the iconic sunglass brand’s future. His first project, a “Blacked Out” reinterpretation of the Mega Icons line, was more than a collection launch. Mayers has moved beyond brand deals into growing as a creative visionary. Rocky isn’t simply serving fashion, he’s shaping it. His appointment and accolades make it clear that he shows up not just as a curated aesthetic but as a design architect who wants to move culture forward.

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 23, 2025

Trump Administration Accused Of Playing Favorites As Only ‘Some’ Federal Law Enforcement Officers Receive Paychecks

Affected FBI employees learned of the news the week of the 13th of October and one employee said “that’s really pissing people off.”

Only a select group of federal law enforcement officers — not all — receiving paychecks in mid-October 2025 is reportedly causing division within agencies at a time when officers are needed the most, CNN reported.

Under special orders from the Trump Administration, criminal investigative agents working for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in agencies such as the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the US Secret Service, are receiving paychecks on time, limiting payments to 1,811 employees that fall in that category.

Agents not receiving paychecks during the government shutdown, now in its 23rd day, include intelligence analysts and support staff working for the same agencies. Senior law enforcement officers familiar with the situation are shaking their heads at the decision, highlighting that it is only making morale worse than it already is. “You can imagine what that is doing to morale,” one current senior official said.

“Our intelligence analysts are doing crucial work; without them, cases don’t get made. So, to do this doesn’t send the right message.”

A former FBI agent who worked through prior shutdowns agreed, saying that without support staff, higher officials wouldn’t be able to move without them. “The fact is that analysts and professional staff all play a vital role in the entire FBI investigations. That’s why they have to continue working because they have an integral part,” retired FBI agent Dan Brunner said.

“Every single person, not just 1811s, plays a crucial role in the lifespan of an investigation.”

Affected FBI employees learned of the news the week of Oct. 13, and one employee said, “That’s really pissing people off.” In the meantime, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will continue to be paid amid allegations that they are harassing residents in cities like Chicago and Portland.

According to Business Insider, under the direction of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, roughly 19,626 of 21,028 ICE employees will continue to work through the shutdown — some without pay — until the shutdown ends. Close to 63,243 out of 67,792 employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are expected to stay on the job as well.

Other federal workers, who were labeled essential during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now being furloughed due to the shutdown, which leaves their jobs and financial security in limbo. Employees like Johnny Jones, a TSA worker and president of local 1040 for the American Federation of Government Employees, said many members are anxious about how bills will get paid. “Gas stations don’t take IOUs. I talked to a couple of employees, and they said, ‘This is my last fill-up and I won’t have any money,’ because they don’t have credit cards,” Jones said.

“They’re literally like, this is the last tank of gas I’m going to have until I get paid again.”

While the FBI Agents Association has issued salutes to Trump, saying FBI agents being paid “reflects the essential role FBI Agents play in protecting the American people,” other people in essential roles, like staff at the Centers for Disease Control and janitorial staff at federal buildings, were given prorated checks shortly before the shutdown.

Some may not receive back pay for work performed after Oct. 1, following a hint from Trump.

Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, gangs, couple, adopted children

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 23, 2025

Haitian-American Couple Rejoice After Finally Receiving Adopted Children From Gang-Controlled Port-Au-Prince

A Haitian-American couple in Florida is celebrating after years of navigating Haiti’s broken system to bring home their two adopted children.

A Haitian-American couple in Florida is celebrating after more than two years of navigating Haiti’s broken legal system to bring home their two adopted children from Port-au-Prince.

Emmerson Philippe and Michelle Lake-Philippe were recently reunited with their adopted children, Jade Sarah Mira Philippe, 5, and James Marcus Philippe, 7, who safely arrived in Miami from Cap-Haïtien on Oct. 11, Haitian Times reports. The reunion comes after a harrowing months-long ordeal that left the siblings trapped in gang-controlled Port-au-Prince, despite their adoption having been legally finalized.

“We got our kids from Haiti yesterday, and they’re home in Vero Beach,” Michelle said through happy tears. “We are so happy and thankful they are here.”

The family’s reunion comes more than two years after their last in-person meeting and follows a report from one month ago that spurred officials to make direct inquiries, contact the families for additional details, and advance the children’s files. Emmerson had adopted his nephew and niece from Jérémie, the capital of Haiti’s Grand’Anse Department in 2023.

Despite having fulfilled all legal and immigration requirements under the Hague Convention for intercountry adoption over two years ago, the children’s departure was repeatedly delayed due to them not having Haitian passports, documents that had been pending a single signature from the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government for months.

“The U.S. Embassy confirmed the children met all visa requirements,” Emmerson said. “But until Haiti issued their passports, they couldn’t leave. Every day that passed increased the danger.”

The children had traveled to Port-au-Prince to complete medical exams for their U.S. visas and were staying there until the adoption could be finalized. However, with much of the city under gang control and road travel nearly impossible, their situation was highly dangerous. Although their departure from Haiti was delayed due to pending passport issues, they could not return to the safer Jérémie region.

During the drawn-out process, the couple revealed that the children’s grandmother, who had been caring for them, died of a heart attack in 2023 amid a gang incursion. Additionally, the kids’ older sister was kidnapped by gangs, heightening the urgency to secure their safety.

“This was more than a bureaucratic delay,” Michelle said. “It was a matter of life and death.”

The situation underscores the challenges facing Haiti’s adoption system. Considered one of the most complex international adoption processes in the Caribbean, it has been governed by the Hague Convention since 2014. Yet decades of corruption, poor recordkeeping, and weak child protection institutions have led to prolonged delays.

Persistent gang violence only adds to the complications, with violence often forcing major government offices into lockdown. International agencies estimate that hundreds of legally adopted children remain trapped in unsafe conditions due to bureaucratic gridlock.

Since arriving in Florida, the Philippes celebrated their reunion at Disney World last week and are eagerly looking forward to helping the children settle into their new life.

“Bringing them home means everything to us,” Michelle said. “They’re safe, happy, and finally where they belong.”

The couple also remains committed to supporting reforms in Haiti’s troubled adoption system.

“We love Haiti — it’s our country, our culture,” Emmerson said. “But the system has to work for the children. Every day they wait is another day they risk their lives.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 23, 2025

Larry Hoover Pushes For Clemency From Illinois Gov. Pritzker After Trump Pardon

Lawyers for Hoover, 74, say his health is deteriorating.

Lawyers for Larry Hoover, founder of the Gangster Disciples, are asking Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to grant him state clemency following Donald Trump’s commutation of his federal life sentence earlier this year.

In a petition filed on Oct. 22 with the prison board, lawyers for Hoover, 74, say his health is deteriorating, noting he has suffered three heart attacks while performing prison labor, the most recent in September, and describe his treatment as “a slow, state-sanctioned death sentence,” ABC News reports. They are urging Gov. Pritzker to acknowledge his transformation and allow Hoover to spend his remaining years in freedom after more than 50 years behind bars since his 1973 state murder conviction.

“To deny clemency now is not a neutral act,” attorney Justin Moore said in the petition. “It is a willful decision to let a 74-year-old man with significant health challenges die in a cage.”

Despite receiving federal clemency from Trump in May, Hoover still faces a state sentence for his 1973 murder conviction. His lawyers say he remains in “extreme conditions of confinement” at the Colorado State Penitentiary. Since his transfer from the supermax, they allege, he has been subjected to “excruciatingly intense labor,” including kitchen duties that require stacking trays by the dozens under strict time pressure.

“It’s very excruciating,” Moore said. “He’s the oldest person on the work line that he’s working by a gap of 10 to 15 years. He’s been rushed to the hospital at least once, and there’s great concerns that the condition that he’s in could lead him to actually die in prison due to the labor conditions. He’s effectively being worked to death.”

Hoover, who founded the Gangster Disciples on Chicago’s South Side in the late 1960s, was sentenced to 200 years under Illinois’ former indeterminate sentencing system after being convicted of ordering the 1973 murder of 19-year-old drug dealer William “Pooky” Young, accused of stealing from the gang. More charges came in 1997, following a 17-year federal investigation that found Hoover guilty of directing gang operations from prison. He was convicted on 40 counts, including drug conspiracy and racketeering, sentences that Trump commuted earlier this year.

Hoover’s 39-page clemency petition is now before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and Gov. Pritzker, featuring two personal letters where he reflects on his decades-long journey toward redemption and acknowledges the “disservice” he has done himself by remaining silent about his public persona.

“People, when writing about me in the papers, always use photos of me depicting the way I appeared 40 years ago, as if I’m still a young, strong and rebellious gang leader. That man no longer exists,” Hoover wrote in a typed letter to the yet-to-be-determined judge.

“I am no longer the Larry Hoover people sometimes talk about, or he who is written about in the papers, or the crime figure described by the government. That man has over these many years, transformed into the man I am today. It is true that some men never learn, or that prison makes some into monsters; I’ve seen it, but for me, over time, prison — this prison in particular — became a place of reflection.”

In his letter, Hoover expressed “immense remorse” for the damage caused by his past actions, admitting he squandered his talents on decisions that harmed Chicago, his community, and society at large. He stressed that he has long renounced all ties to the Gangster Disciples and any criminal activity, affirming that he wants nothing to do with that life “now and forever.”

by Kandiss Edwards

October 23, 2025

Barack Obama Leans Into Support For ‘Proposition 50’ And California Governor Gavin Newsom

Proposition 50, if voted into law, will potentially boost Democratic representation in the House.

On Oct. 22, Former President Barack Obama threw more of his political weight around in support of California’s Proposition 50 measure designed to redraw California’s congressional map.

Proposition 50, if voted into law, will potentially boost Democratic representation in the House. The desired result would see a gain of as many as five U.S. House seats. California Governor Gavin Newsom proposed the measure in response to redistricting moves by Republican-led states.

In a virtual sitdown with Gov. Gavin Newsom, Obama called the measure a necessary counterbalance. Obama claimed that Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers are attempting to nullify the will of the American voters by devaluing votes.

Furthermore, he added, “The problem that we are seeing right now is that our current president and his administration is explicitly saying that we want to change the rules of the game mid-stream in order to insulate ourselves from the people’s judgment.”

The proposed amendment allows the California legislature to replace congressional maps drawn by the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. New boundaries will be established for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 election cycles if the measure passes. Democrats argue the action is justified because of Republican-led efforts in Texas to redraw maps mid-decade that would add five GOP-leaning seats.

Obama acknowledged that such mid-decade congressional map changes are not ideal.

Yet, “we cannot unilaterally allow one of the two major parties to rig the game,” he said.

He praised Newsom’s strategy as “smart, measured” and limited to this particular moment. “I believe that Governor Newsom’s approach is a responsible approach,” Obama said.

The ballot measure will be decided by California voters on Nov. 4, with early voting already underway. If approved, the new map could alter the balance of power in the U.S. House. The move could potentially aid Democrats’ bid to regain majority control. The campaign has already seen significant financial support from partisan donors and national advocacy groups.

lawsuit, JaMarcus Russell,,Connie Bobo,, Missouri,

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 23, 2025

That’s Rich! Missouri Nonprofit Anti-Hunger Boss Allegedly Stole $10 Million To Fund Luxury Lifestyle

The woman spent millions meant to feed low-income children on properties and gifts for family and loved ones.

A nonprofit boss in Missouri heads to trial over accusations that she stole $10 million in funding to serve her own luxurious needs.

Connie Bobo served as executive director of the New Heights Community Resource Center in Bridgeton, Missouri. The nonprofit helped provide meals for low-income families and received millions in taxpayer dollars to fulfill this mission.

However, a large sum of the money was never allocated to feeding the underprivileged youth. Instead, it allegedly went to Bobo’s shopping habit.

According to iHeart, Bobo swiped the money from her nonprofit after enrolling in two U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded programs. The funding is meant to reimburse organizations like New Heights for their meal allocations. The resource center gained around $11 million from the USDA.

Of that number, prosecutors claim Bobo used $10 million on herself, as detailed in the October 2023 indictment. The prosecutor also alleges that the 46-year-old falsified reports that they served over 3 million meals from February 2019 to March 2022. Bobo currently faces charges of three counts of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and obstruction for allegedly falsifying food vendor invoices. A grand jury subpoenaed the evidence.

Bobo allegedly used the hefty payday to live out her wildest dreams. She reportedly spent $4.3 million on a mansion for herself while misappropriating funds to secure her family’s other homes.

She allegedly spent another $2.2 million on a commercial real estate investment. Bobo also allegedly made sure her significant other cashed in on the scam. She gifted her boyfriend $1.4 million, some of which was used to buy a Mercedes-Benz G550 Wagon. The luxury vehicle cost $212,000, according to the indictment against Bobo. According to the New York Post, the thieving boss bought seven properties in total.

The prosecutor claimed she listed family and friends as members of the organization’s board in an attempt to validate her spending on them.

“[She bought] a mansion for herself, houses for her family and a bright yellow Mercedes for her boyfriend,” Assistant US Attorney Jonathan Clow told jurors at her fraud trial Tuesday, per STL Today. “As her lies were discovered, the defendant used forged documents to try and cover up her crimes.”

Bobo’s lawyers claim she tried to rectify the matter before getting caught, a claim prosecutors refute. Although offered a plea deal, the defendant decided to go to trial. If convicted, the nonprofit boss could face a 20-year prison sentence.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 23, 2025

76ers Rookie VJ Edgecombe Breaks 2 NBA Records In Debut Game

Edgecombe broke LeBron James' record, ends with 34 points for most in an NBA debut in 51 years.

With the NBA season just getting underway, Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe has already broken two scoring records in just his first regular-season game.

According to NBA.com, the shooting guard got his professional career off to a record start when he scored 14 points in the first quarter, breaking LeBron James’ record of 12 points in the first quarter when the former Cleveland Cavaliers forward played his debut game. LeBron accomplished that feat in 2003.

However, that wasn’t all.

Edgecombe ended the contest with 34 points, making it the highest total a rookie scored in his debut game for the 76ers, besting Philly legend Allen Iverson. When Iverson, AKA “The Answer,” played in his first game for the 76ers in 1996, he finished with 30 points, setting the now-broken record. Coincidentally, while in high school, Edgecombe was named the 2024 Allen Iverson National High School Player of the Year.

But, wait, there’s more.

Edgecombe scored the third-most points in his debut NBA regular-season game. The only two players to score more in their first rookie games were record-holder Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors), who dropped 43 points in his first game in 1959. Frank Selvy (Milwaukee Hawks) scored 35 when he suited up for his first NBA game in 1954.

VJ Edgecombe of the @sixers scored 34 points tonight, the third most ever by a rookie in his NBA debut.

▪️ Wilt Chamberlain: 43 PTS in 1959
▪️ Frank Selvy: 35 PTS in 1954
▪️ VJ Edgecombe: 34 PTS in 2025

Edgecombe broke Allen Iverson's 76ers record for points in a debut (30). pic.twitter.com/HXGkQOuzSQ
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 23, 2025

Although he had a great game and the team emerged victorious, Edgecombe’s coach, Nick Nurse, feels he needs improvement in his game, according to CBS Sports.

“It was pretty good,” Nurse said. “Opening night. I think that there was some space for him to shoot. … I think he took some drives. Certainly a great start. There’s tons of room and different things he needs to do. I’d like him to be a little more aggressive in the open floor. I think he really has that in his game. That’s an amazing first-game performance. It really is.”

The 76ers beat their Eastern Conference Division rivals, the Boston Celtics, on their home court 117-116.

As much as Edgecombe scored during the game, he had help from veteran Tyrese Maxey. Actually, Edgecombe helped Maxey, who scored a game-high 40 points. With that total, he tied with Hal Greer for the franchise record for most points scored in a season opener.

The stats lines for Edgecombe and Maxey were 13-for-26 and 13-for-24, respectively.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 23, 2025

Amazon Has Plans To Shift 600K Jobs To Robots, Replacing Need For Warehouse Workers

Amazon has denied many of the leaked report's details.

Amazon warehouse jobs may become scarce within the decade as the e-commerce giant has plans to automate its operations.

The company has plans to increase its warehouse automation through the incorporation of more robots. An internal report published by The New York Times confirmed that this could impact over 600,000 jobs.

With additional plans to sell more products through its online marketplace, its implementation of these robots will reduce the need for human workers. According to Bloomberg, the company has approximately 1.56 million full-time and part-time employees globally. Only 350,000 of these people work in its corporate offices. The company currently reigns as the second-largest employer in the United States.

Amazon will shift to a heavier focus on robotic operations over the next few years, leading to fewer hiring opportunities within the company. By 2033, they expect hundreds of thousands of previously human-filled jobs to be replaced by technology. Amazon reportedly saves 30 cents on each item it ships when not using human employees.

Upon the news leaking, an Amazon spokesperson denied that the plan was to reduce the need for human workers.

“Leaked documents often paint an incomplete and misleading picture of our plans, and that’s the case here,” Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told The New York Post. “In this instance, the materials appear to reflect the perspective of just one team and don’t represent our overall hiring strategy across our various operations business lines – now or moving forward.”

Nantel also emphasized the company’s plan to bring 250,000 employees on during the holiday season. However, the company did not state how many of these opportunities would become permanent.

The looming threat of the reduction in warehouse jobs has already alarmed communities that depend on it. The Times reported that Amazon workers in the U.S. are three times more likely to identify as Black. California also has the most Amazon jobs, with the largest fulfillment center based in Ontario, per Damotech.

The leak also showed Amazon’s plans to mitigate backlash by increasing its initiatives for corporate responsibility. It also introduced terms such as “co-bot,” in lieu of terms like “AI” and “automation,” to suggest the work will aid human workers. A spokesperson also denied the validity of this.

Another concern lies in other major corporations following suit to curb expenses. Amazon has tried to suggest the job curation will come with automation. On the other hand, others view the matter as an inevitable disruptor of the job market.