Pras Michel, tour, conviction, FBI, Fugees, rapper
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 20, 2025

Mark Wahlberg To Produce Documentary On Pras Michél’s Life And Criminal Trial

'Everyone is fascinated by all the twists and turns, like it’s some kind of thriller,” Michél said in a statement. 'But for me, this is just my life—the real, messy, complicated truth of what I’ve been living through.'

Mark Wahlberg has teamed up with Fugees co-founder Pras Michél to produce a documentary about Michél’s life and his high-profile criminal trial.

Produced through Wahlberg’s Unrealistic Ideas banner, the documentary will trace Michél’s Grammy-winning music career, his time at Yale, and his entanglement in one of the world’s largest financial scandals, Variety reports. The documentary will give an inside look into Michél’s perspective on the FBI investigation that led to his conviction on 10 counts, including conspiracy, witness tampering, and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for China.

“Everyone is fascinated by all the twists and turns, like it’s some kind of thriller,” Michél said in a statement. “But for me, this is just my life—the real, messy, complicated truth of what I’ve been living through.”

The documentary news comes as Michél, facing up to 22 years in prison after his 2023 conviction, had his Oct. 3 sentencing delayed for a third time amid reports that President Donald Trump is considering a pardon. The “Ghetto Superstar” rapper has missed the last two postponed hearings while recovering from colon cancer surgery in August.

Wahlberg, who transitioned into acting in the early ’90s after a successful run with his rap group Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, called Michél a “legend” and said he’s honored to collaborate with him on the project.

“I’m rooting for Pras and excited to tell his story,” the Oscar-nominated actor said.

Michél’s charges stem from allegations that he used Malaysian billionaire Jho Low’s illicit funds to influence U.S. officials and political campaigns, including the 2012 Obama campaign and the Trump administration. The documentary will also feature footage Michél personally filmed during key moments, including a meeting in China with a senior CCP official later sentenced to death in 2022 for bribery.

Wahlberg will produce the documentary alongside Unrealistic Ideas president Archie Gips, who describes Michél’s story as “a complex, shocking, and emotional journey” that perfectly fits the company’s focus.

“It’s a fascinating blend of pop culture and geopolitical intrigue — like a real-life spy thriller,” Gips said.

Since becoming an FBI target in 2018, Michél has lost much of his social circle and support system. One of the few people who stood by him was crisis publicist Erica Dumas, who began working with him ahead of the trial and will serve as a producer on the documentary.

“Pras put his complete trust in Mark, Archie, and Stephen [Levinson] at Unrealistic Ideas to tell his story authentically, without any filters or agenda,” Dumas said. “This project doesn’t shy away from the challenging aspects of Pras’ recent experiences.”

RELATED CONTENT: Wyclef Jean Thinks The Fugees Are ‘Hip-Hop’s Beatles’

Fenty Beauty, Rihanna, foundation, time
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 20, 2025

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Foundation Named One Of Greatest Inventions By Time Magazine

The brand's first foundation was named one of Time's greatest inventions since 2000.

Rihanna has another accolade to add to her stacked resume. The Fenty Beauty founder can now highlight her foundation as one of Time Magazine‘s greatest inventions.

The signature Fenty Beauty product ranks with other groundbreaking inventions of the past quarter-century. Now reigning among new birth control products and the Roomba moving vacuum, the trailblazing Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation has received this great honor from Time.

When first launched in 2017, Fenty Beauty made waves in the makeup industry as the new standard for diversity and inclusivity. Debuting with 40 shades that complemented a wide range of skin tones, it paved the way for other makeup brands to follow suit.

“‘Makeup is like a secret weapon,’ says pop superstar Rihanna…But for many, that secret weapon is too secret: makeup companies often cater to women with light to medium skin tones, both in products and advertising, and sideline women of color. Not so with Rihanna’s line, Fenty Beauty, which launched in September with 40 shades of foundation and a diverse array of makeup models,” detailed the listing.

The brand has since expanded into a full-range makeup line, including new foundations, concealers, blushes, and lip products. The beauty company also established its founder’s business empire, which has expanded to lingerie, hair, and skincare.

Mostly, the priority on diversity undeniably changed the makeup industry, marking the brand’s strides in diversity for underrepresented beauty lovers.

The listing added, “Its immediate success pushed other makeup companies to be more color-inclusive and create more and better options for people with darker skin tones. Rihanna continued to develop the business, growing it to a billion-dollar brand.”

Now, its signature foundation has expanded to new collections. It released  Soft’Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation, for those wanting a radiant finish, as well as the two lighter-coverage formulas with the Eaze Drop Tint Stick and Blurring Skin Tint. Fenty Beauty has also continued its mission as the pioneer for beauty diversity, extending its foundation shades to 52 colors.

RELATED CONTENT: Will Rihanna’s Fenty Skin Be The Blockbuster Business That Fenty Beauty Is?

Arthur Hayes,Bitcoin, Crypto Buyout Fund
by Daniel Johnson

October 20, 2025

Arthur Hayes Is Still Bullish On Bitcoin, Seeks $250M For Crypto Buyout Fund

Arthur Hayes, a prominent Black cryptocurrency influencer, has remained bullish on the prospects of Bitcoin despite an earlier crash.

Arthur Hayes, the Black crypto influencer held by many in the speculative investment community as an authoritative voice on Bitcoin and other forms of digital currencies, has remained bullish on the prospects of Bitcoin. Following its latest crash, he and his Maelstrom family office are seeking a $250 million investment from private equity to acquire medium-sized cryptocurrency firms.

According to Bloomberg, the Maelstrom fund plans to utilize between $40 million and $75 million to purchase four to six medium-sized crypto firms specializing in trading infrastructure, analytics platforms, and non-token equity. This comes on the heels of his prediction that Bitcoin’s four-year cycle of booms and busts will come to an end, spurred in part by the Trump administration’s investment in the technology as well as various banking crises around the world.

“As the four-year anniversary of this fourth cycle is upon us, traders wish to apply the historical pattern and forecast an end to this bull run,” Hayes noted in an Oct. 9 essay, arguing that the market’s bull, or boom, market would continue.

He continued, “In the U.S., newly elected President Trump wants to run the economy hot. He routinely speaks about America growing in order to reduce its debt load. Trump also speaks about lowering the cost of housing to release trillions of dollars of trapped home equity because of the rapid rise in housing prices post-2008.”

Of note, according to CNBC, Hayes was pardoned by Trump in March 2025 after he, Benjamin Delo and Samuel Reed formerly pled guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. In that case, the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange, which the three men founded, failed to maintain anti-money laundering and know-your-customer programs. Prosecutors in the case noted in their arguments that BitMEX was principally operated as a “money laundering platform.”

As it relates to the Maelstrom deals, Maelstrom co-founder and managing partner Akshat Vaidya, told the outlet that this strategy avoids the pitfalls of artificially inflated valuations that are sometimes associated with speculative tokens by focusing on actual cash flow and not tokens.

“These kinds of businesses are a lot easier to acquire. You can’t artificially inflate valuations with an unused token,” Vaidya noted.

As Coindesk reports, Vaidya and Maelstrom are targeting a close on the first round of investment by the end of March 2026, with the full funding of the firm to occur by September 2026. Currently, Hayes and the third partner, Adam Schlegel, are leading this effort and plan to build out a full management team at a later date.

https://twitter.com/crptAtlas/status/1971293803941409227?s=19

However, in contrast to Hayes’ rosy outlook on the future prospects of Bitcoin, noted Bitcoin skeptic Peter Schiff recently warned on X that a “brutal” bear market for Bitcoin is approaching and he also indicated that he believes that Bitcoin has, thus far, been a failure as both a replacement for the dollar and a form of digital gold, warning Bitcoin holders not to ignore reality in hopes of sustained profitability. It is no wonder then, that Maelstrom’s leaders seek to avoid tying their venture to the whims of speculative tokens.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, unlike what many first believed, Bitcoin and other speculative cryptocurrencies have left many Black investors in worse shape than traditional financial spaces. This is due in part to the way that Black Americans engage with speculative currencies, according to a 2022 report from the Federal Reserve of Kansas City.

As they note, “Surveys show that Black consumers are more likely than white consumers to own cryptocurrencies…Unlike white consumers, Black consumers are in fact more likely to own cryptocurrencies than assets such as stocks and mutual funds.”

This, they assert, is worrying for a number of reasons, chief among them, volatility and the lack of an equivalent to an FDIC backing. Despite the backing of crypto assets by Black celebrities, “Cryptocurrencies are highly speculative, volatile, unregulated, and not backed by a government. As a result, they are vulnerable to scams and wide fluctuations in price with little to no recourse for crypto owners.”

RELATED CONTENT: Bitcoin Hits Its Best Month Of 2024, But Black Investors Left Behind

Kevin Durant, Maryland, after-school program
by Daniel Johnson

October 19, 2025

Kevin Durant Signs 2-Year $90M Extension With Rockets, Makes History In The Process

Signing the extension, Durant made history, becoming the career earnings leader.

Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets recently agreed to a two-year, $90 million extension, a figure that is approximately $30 million short of the maximum he could have collected if he chose to go to another team, but Durant isn’t exactly hurting for money, as ESPN reported, the deal still moves Durant into the top spot in career earnings.

As Durant’s agent and Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman told ESPN insider Shams Charnia, the team-friendly deal was crafted with an eye towards making sure the team has salary cap flexibility going forward even as Durant’s career earnings of $598.2 million, a figure that encompasses both current and future earnings, surpassed another basketball luminary, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, who has earned $$583.9 million over the course of his career.

The Rockets, are coming off a fairly deep playoff run, but were plagued by the lack of a consistent deep threat, often rearing its head at inopportune times, such as the series against Golden State, when they had no one to match the ability of Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield, and, on occasion, Jimmy Butler, to hit timely three point buckets.

The Durant trade, officially the most complicated trade in NBA history, involving seven teams, sent Rockets players Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, No. 10 draft pick Khaman Maluach, and second-round picks Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Durant, in effect, offering the Suns a rebuild powered by a significant infusion of youth, while it paired Durant with some of the most intriguing young talent in the entire league.

Veteran Rockets fans likely remember the late career flame-outs of Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley, who never quite were able to match their salaries and their play in a Rockets uniform while playing alongside a still effective, but aging Hakeem Olajuwon; however, by all accounts, the Durant trade seems to be a different deal, but the ghosts of the past are hard to shake.

In addition to the Durant deal, the Rockets have taken care of their core additions, including head coach Ime Udoka, who has rebounded from his scandal with the Boston Celtics to reemerge as one of the league’s premier head coaches. The team has also reached new deals with Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, and Jabari Smith Jr., acquired Dorian Finney-Smith, Clint Capela, and Josh Okogie via free agency, and re-signed last year’s key veterans Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green.

According to oddsmakers, Durant’s presence on the team has elevated the Rockets from a fringe threat to potential NBA championship contenders. The team currently has the fifth-best odds to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the 2025-2026 postseason.

Following their impressive 133-115 preseason win against the Atlanta Hawks, which saw Houston’s Reed Sheppard outplay the Hawks’ 2024 number one pick, Zach Risacher, the Rockets open the season against the team that drafted Durant, the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

RELATED CONTENT: Kevin Durant Puzzled Why He’s Not In NBA’s Greatest Of All-Time Discussion

Ajike 'AJ' Owens, Gun Violence , Nonprofit
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 19, 2025

Family Of Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens, Black Mother Killed By White Neighbor, Fights Gun Violence With New Nonprofit

The Standing In The Gap Fund will assist families impacted by gun violence.

The family of Ajike “AJ” Owens, the Black mother fatally shot by her white neighbor in Florida, refuse to let their loved one’s death go in vain.

Owens was shot and killed by Susan Lorincz at an Ocala apartment complex in June 2023. In the case that made national headlines, Lorincz shot Owens through an apartment door during a dispute over the slain woman’s children playing in front of her home. The shocking murder was also featured on Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor documentary, garnering more attention to Owens’ story.

Lorincz was convicted of manslaughter in 2024 and ordered to serve 25 years in state prison for the killing. However, Owens’ family wants the legacy of the Black mother to be more than justice served. Given that their daughter’s life was taken by racially motivated gun violence, Owens’ parents have created their own organization to help other families dealing with such instances.

“No sentence or verdict can ever bring full peace or accountability for what was taken from our family,” Dias told CNN. “Our focus remains on honoring Ajike’s legacy through justice, healing, and community care.”

Dias co-founded the Standing in the Gap fund with Takema Robinson. The fund provides “rapid-response grants” to families that have suffered from gun violence, while also promoting gun reform policy.

“What began as a response to unimaginable tragedy has grown into a movement for justice, healing and collective care. We believe the path to change is twofold: care for families today and reform for tomorrow,” explained Robinson.

Gun violence still persists across America, with the Gun Violence Archive reporting over 11,000 shootings occurring just this year. Standing In The Gap’s mission remains critical to addressing this crisis. By 2027, they hope to expand their funding to provide grants to political organizers.

“The Fund was born out of that need – to transform grief into action,” continued Dias. “Supporting this fund isn’t charity – it’s community care in action. Together, we can ensure no one else has to stand in the gap alone.”

However, Owens’ death is more than an instance of gun violence. It also brings up the pattern of racially motivated attacks that continue to threaten Black people in the U.S.

“My daughter and I would often have conversations about what we wanted out of life, and she would tell me, ‘One day the world will know my name,’” the grieving mother added. “My daughter’s story reminds the world that love can be louder than hate. We carry that love forward in everything we do – ensuring that her legacy is not defined by tragedy but by transformation.”

RELATED CONTENT: Susan Lorincz Now Faces 30 Years In Prison For Killing Her Neighbor Ajinke ‘AJ’ Owens

Kristi Noem, post
by Daniel Johnson

October 19, 2025

Kristi Noem, DHS Under Fire For Sharing Doctored Video Portraying Black Teens As ICE Threats

Behind the scenes, the Trump administration has increasingly engaged in what internet users call 'shitposting'

After the Department of Homeland Security’s official X account posted a video featuring a group of Black teenagers that many have called out as fake, Kristi Noem, the director of the department, was called out by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA). The representative demanded that the video be deleted, or Noem would have to answer for the apparent digital manipulation in Congress.

According to Raw Story, on Oct. 17, the DHS posted the video, which depicts several young Black men posturing in a park, with a caption that conveys that the group was openly threatening Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. However, it was not long until users on social media found the original video, wherein the threat, issued in jest, was actually aimed at Iran, not ICE.

The DHS captioned their version of the video, “FAFO,” an acronym that is an abbreviation for a popular Black American saying, ‘F— around and find out.’ The caption continued, “If you threaten or lay hands on our law enforcement officers we will hunt you down and you will find out, really quick. We’ll see you cowards soon.”

Swalwell, for his part, immediately connected Noem to the post, noting in a now-deleted post quoting the department’s video that the video is fake. “Kristi – DELETE THIS TWEET or answer for it in Congress. It’s FAKE,” Swalwell wrote. “You’re the Queen of Photoshopping. This is the same smear you pulled on Kilmar Garcia. You’re destroying these kids’ lives over a doctored video. Take it down.”

The person believed to be the original creator of the video allegedly responded, in a post shared by Democratic congressional candidate Danny Glover, that he was shocked that something that was created as a joke was actually being used by the federal government as a scare tactic.

“I saw the caption and I was like ‘I didn’t do that!’” He noted. “I’ve still got the video saved on my drafts months ago on TikTok. Here’s the f—– part: the federal government is involved with something that I didn’t do. What?”

As this video seems to indicate, the expansion of artificial intelligence’s role in the DHS’s acceleration of immigration enforcement is occurring on two fronts.

Primarily, as CNN reported, this takes the shape of a hyper-efficient process: “…deploying artificial intelligence algorithms to sift through a vast array of records. Officials say the tools can flag potential violations, prioritize leads and direct officers on next steps, accelerating processes that once relied on slower, manual reviews,” backed by Palantir’s artificial intelligence suite of tools referred to as ImmigrationOS, with the end goal of producing what Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons previously described as a process with ruthless efficiency. “Like Prime, but with human beings,” he noted at the Border Security Expo held in Phoenix back in April.

Behind the scenes, the Trump administration has increasingly engaged in what internet users call “s**tposting” or, as Sarah Jeong described it in her analysis of the state of American politics for The Verge, “S**tposting is incoherence in the form of humor, a sort of nihilism that refuses to engage with meaning, words, or reality. S**tposting is a mockery of seriousness.” As she notes, the Trump administration’s use of this tactic indicates that “meaningless cruelty” is the point of their engagement.

S**tposting, as she explains it, seems to be evidenced by a federal department using artificial intelligence to essentially digitally frame a content creator’s joke as a threat. It is also evidenced by Trump’s posting of a meme referencing the film Apocalypse Now as a threat, gesturing toward his intention to wage war on the City of Chicago, vis-à-vis the deployment of the National Guard earlier in 2025.

As The Washington Post noted, the building of surveillance, including technology that allows for the identification of individuals by their irises or facial features and to monitor their cellphone activity, creates massive concerns over a surveillance apparatus that will inevitably shatter the tension between liberty and security by violating the Constitutional rights of both American citizens and immigrants.

As Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) told the outlet, “I’m extremely concerned about how ICE will use spyware, facial recognition and other technology to further trample on the rights of Americans and anyone who Donald Trump labels as an enemy.”

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Appears To Threaten Chicago With National Guard Deployment, But Chicago Isn’t Scared

Candace Owens, HBCU, tour, Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA,
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 19, 2025

Candace Owens Cancels FAMU Homecoming Appearance For Black Conservative ‘Blexit’ Tour

Owens' organization gave no reasoning behind the last-minute cancellation.

Candace Owens had opted to forego her appearance at Florida A&M University’s homecoming as part of her “Blexit” tour for Black conservatives.

Owens will no longer be venturing to the Tallahassee-based HBCU for her “Blexit” organization’s “Educate to Liberate” campus tour. In partnership with the now-deceased Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA organization, the tour sought to rally individuals within the Black conservative movement.

However, the Oct. 17 appearance amid FAMU’s “Eternal World Tour” Homecoming celebration has been nixed. According to HBCU Gameday, the engagement aimed to discuss empowerment and alternative political perspectives with students and visitors on campus.

Without much notice or further explanation, the tour removed the appearance from its schedule. A spokesperson released a statement via email that they intend to reschedule the stop, writing, “We will announce a new date soon.”

Founded in 2018 by Owens, Blexit has become Owens’ platform as a Black conservative commentator to build a coalition of like-minded individuals. It remains unclear if the recent killing of Charlie Kirk, an ally of Owens and fellow far-right conservative, had influenced the decision to postpone the tour date.

The Tallahassee Democrat also reported that the tour stop’s speakers included rapper Topher, activist Savannah Craven, and members of the BLEXIT Student Movement team. However, backlash against the FAMU appearance, especially during its homecoming, began swiftly after its announcement.

HBCU homecomings are typically reserved as a time for community, reconnection, and pride as predominantly Black alumni return to campus. As the celebrations often serve as a call-to-action and reminder of the importance of these institutions, some considered the Blexit tour stop as an undermining of these values. Owens’ own viewpoints have argued against social causes often uplifted on these campuses, such as Black Lives Matter.

Especially at a time where DEI practices and funding for HBCUs remain at risk under the Trump Administration, Blexit’s alignment with conservative policymakers has made its presence relatively unwelcome, despite being legally allowed. For now, FAMU will go without an appearance by Owens, at least for the foreseeable future.

RELATED CONTENT: Candace Owens Feels A Way About Being Excluded From Bestie Charlie Kirk’s Memorial

gold, gold prices, jewelry
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 19, 2025

With Gold Prices Soaring, Here’s What You Should Do With Your Valuable Jewelry

The cost for the precious metal has doubled its record-high set less than two years ago.

The price of gold is officially going up, bringing new opportunities for those with valuable pieces wanting to cash in.

According to Today, the cost for the precious metal has doubled its record-high set less than two years ago, currently priced at over $4,200 an ounce. In the midst of economic strife and uncertainty, gold prices have skyrocketed for its stability amid a turbulent market.

“When times are turbulent, global economy is going crazy, people turn to gold to invest. That’s what’s pushing the demand up,” shared NBC’s Vicky Nguyen to the news program.

With gold stocks climbing, people have begun to take advantage of the high rates to turn in or transform jewelry. One expert told CNBC that buying in on the rising trend could yield a hefty payday, especially to remedy a financial strain. For others, the price hike could allow them to get higher appraisals for jewelry that has been long-forgotten or unworn.

“For some, it’s a way to cover urgent expenses; for others, it’s an opportunity to capitalize on long-forgotten pieces that have suddenly become far more valuable than they were just months ago,” explained Tim Schmidt, the founder of Gold IRA Custodians, an online resource for buying gold.

The trend recognizes a pattern of gold prices soaring amid fears of economic downturn. As Trump unleashes fluctuating tariffs, the positives from this market instability is the influx of gold’s value. Other experts say now is the perfect time to review some jewelry items sitting in one’s home to see if they can provide a financial cushioning.

“If you can find a moment when people are the most fearful, that’s an ideal time to sell your gold. Strike while the iron is hot,” shared Kathy Kristof, a personal finance expert and founder of SideHusl.com.

However, knowing when to trade-in, and what remains an important element of getting the most value out of these gold pieces. Before one heads to the pawn shop, they should do their research on the spot price of gold as well as their specific pieces’ purity and weight. Getting a sense of its appraisal value can help one make better deals when dealing with buyers.

Ngyuen added, “But let’s say you’ve got a damaged piece, something you know you’re not going to wear or want to pass on, or maybe it’s one earring and you don’t have the other one. Those are the pieces you might want to take to a pawn shop, a jeweler, or those places that specialize right now in paying cash for gold. Just make sure you get multiple offers before you sell anything.”

While closing the deal, sellers must also be aware of higher tax rates for gold sales. The IRS may consider it a collectible, thus having federal long-term capital gains taxes as high as 28%. Understanding how this cost may impact the worth of the sale could lead to re-evaluation of selling altogether.

Furthermore, those with more precious heirlooms, sellers should consider whether their gold is worth more in its original state or better off melted down. Researching the value of the jewelry as-is may lead to better returns in the future if kept intact.

Schmidt added, “It can be a smart move for those needing immediate funds, but not every piece should be melted down. Items with historical or artistic value, like family heirlooms or antique jewelry, may be worth more in their original form than as melted metal.”

Whether or not one should venture into selling their gold in this market is a gamble, but sellers could strike big if they do so with thoughtful consideration of the entire process.

RELATED CONTENT: Ever Wonder What The World’s Wealthiest People Spend $290 Billion On?

St. Louis Organization, Black Fathers Reclaim Their D
by Daniel Johnson

October 19, 2025

St. Louis Organization Helps Black Fathers Reclaim Their Dignity And Rewrite Their Own Narrative

The Fathers & Families Support Center works to restore the dignity of Black men, who are often dehumanized.

Founded in 1997 by the late Halbert Sullivan, the Fathers & Families Support Center (FFSC) in St. Louis began as a program to help absent fathers become active, nurturing parents. Over the decades, the organization has evolved with the times — expanding its reach to include leadership development, employment assistance, mentoring, and trauma-informed care — while staying true to its original mission of strengthening families and communities.

As Lucy Grimshaw, an FFSC social services case manager, noted in what is functionally a hybrid of op-ed and original reporting for Prism Reports, one of the center’s main goals is to keep the Black men who come to the center seeking support from falling through the cracks into either homelessness or the legal system, both of which can devour them whole.

As Chaz Harris, one of the men who utilizes the center’s resources, told Grimshaw, what the center offers Black men like him is unique.

“I needed to learn certain things. I needed to be quieter and see other people going through what I was going through. I felt like I was the only one. [FFSC makes] sure that we know that we are still human beings and deserve respect,” Harris said.

St. Louis, as Grimshaw noted, often does not extend that same courtesy to Black men. Tying together the experiences of Dred Scott and the 1857 Supreme Court ruling that bears his name, the Dred Scott decision, and the 2014 murder of Michael Brown Jr. in Ferguson, Grimshaw weaved together a narrative of Black men in St. Louis being repeatedly violated by the state and rendered in the overarching national imagination as beasts without families or connections.

As Grimshaw noted, “The distance between the man and the media is where policy, prosecution, and public perceptions take shape. These divides are not accidental or new.”

This, according to Grimshaw, allows the center to serve as a place where Black men can come and be treated like they matter, even as they attempt to rebuild their lives and their relationships with their children.

This extends to alumni of the center, men like Charles Barnes Jr., Reginald Slaughter, and Greg Cooper, who once upon a time, utilized the center to help them get back on their feet and find more stability. Now, all three men fill important leadership and outreach roles at the center. This allows them to serve as examples for the men who utilize the center’s services as avatars for their own possibilities.

As Harris noted to the outlet, he wants his own son to know that “daddy was a fighter,” and that as a man, he does not have to bind himself to strict, outdated ideals of masculinity.

He wants his son to know that it’s okay for men to cry, to ask for help, and not always have the answers when dealing with hardships. This, Harris explained, is what it means to live a life of dignity. This, Harris indicated, “means I can walk with my head high.”

RELATED CONTENT: Troy Taylor, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. And Rev. Dr. Frankly Richardson Want The Black Community To Lean In

SNAP, Trump, reapply
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 19, 2025

Millions Of Americans Could Lose Food Stamps In November As Government Shutdown Drags On

The program currently does not have enough funding available to cover next month's payments.

As the government shutdown continues on another week, SNAP benefits, also known as the food stamp program, may be at risk.

According to CNN, The Supplemental Food Assistance program supplies around 42 million Americans with the crucial funding. However, the assistance may run out of funds to keep going next month, with a spending deal still out of reach.

The Trump Administration has placed blame on congressional Democrats for the ongoing shutdown, using this looming assistance crisis to further criticize the lawmakers. A Trump official confirmed on X that the program could end on Nov. 1, alleging that Democrats are willing to sacrifice the assistance program for their “political agenda” toward healthcare.

“Because of the Democrat shutdown, there are not enough funds to provide SNAP for 40 million Americans come Nov 1. Democrats are putting free healthcare for illegal aliens and their political agenda ahead of food security for American families. Shameful,” wrote U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

On the other hand, Democrats reject this accusation, stating that Republican lawmakers have stalled negotiations, particularly over healthcare. A primary issue includes the extension of Obamacare-era premium subsidies.

While the food stamp program has a contingency fund, currently holding $6 billion, it is not enough to suffice its November funding allocation of $8 billion. Participants receive an average monthly benefits of $188 to cover groceries and feed their families. The news also follows updated regulations regarding eligibility, with new work requirements impacting able-bodied adults.

While the USDA does have additional funding available in cases such as these, the federal agency has refused to say if it will use this money to fill the gap. When prompted by reporters, a senior USDA official reiterated Rollins’ statement about the initial contingency fund’s expected depletion.

In light of this, some states have already stopped accepting new food stamp applications, especially as it would require the rollout of partial payments for October. Another food program, WIC, which supports mothers and young children, is also at risk of not making payments next month.

Other politicians, such as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, slammed the Trump administration for laying blame on Democrats and not using their power to sustain this vital program. The Democratic governor released a statement calling the choice to not use the additional funding available as a “deliberate” decision to keep food off of families’ tables.

“This is a deliberate and unprecedented decision intended to inflict pain on millions of hardworking American families — the federal government should instead do everything in its power to prioritize our most vulnerable and make funding available for this critical program,” Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement Friday.

The news is especially alarming as the U.S. heads toward the holiday season, particularly Thanksgiving, with many SNAP enrollees relying on the funding to have these holiday meals.

RELATED CONTENT: Able-Bodied Adults Beware Of New Requirements To Receive SNAP Benefits In Wake Of Trump Bill

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