How Asa Leveaux Rose From Homelessness To ‘Industry Icon’

by Jameelah Mullen

October 14, 2025

How Asa Leveaux Rose From Homelessness To ‘Industry Icon’

Leveaux said he noticed a recurring pattern among executives at business conferences: they weren’t gaining the knowledge needed to enhance their skills.

Asa Leveaux has faced hardships in his life, but the versatile entrepreneur also recognizes the power of making a comeback. He is the founder of House Of Icons and the Industry Icon Program, a 12-month program that helps executives and business owners increase their visibility and profits.

According to NY Carib News, participants in the program have seen a 300 percent return on their investment within 18 months of joining, Leveaux noted.

Leveaux said he noticed a recurring pattern among executives at business conferences: they weren’t gaining the knowledge needed to enhance their skills. This inspired him to create a results-driven program that did more than just offer advice.

“They were paying for access to leaders, but not the access to thought leaders, but not assets that build the authority,” he told NY Carib News.

The father of one says he gained some of his business knowledge while serving as a military commander in Afghanistan. His military background helped him develop his understanding of leadership, which he now applies to his program.

After Forbes featured Leveaux in 2020, his business took off. Despite high demand, the entrepreneur limits his program to 25 clients annually to ensure a high-quality experience. The boutique-style programs give business owners access to ghostwriters, trademark lawyers, and agents.

Leveaux told NY Carib News that experiencing homelessness taught him tools that contributed to developing a successful business model.

“Those nights in the parking lot taught me what it feels like to be unseen. Every executive we help is sleeping in their own version of that parking lot—brilliant but undervalued,” Leveaux said.

The “Icon Architect” said his entrepreneurial spirit started early. At 9 years old, Leveaux sold candy at church. At 14, he started a lawn care service that brought in about $100 a day.

“Going door-to-door allowed me first-hand experience on how to create a deal, overcome objections, and pitch in a concise way, “ Leveaux told Canvas Rebel in 2022.

Visit Leveaux’s website to learn more about the Icon Program.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 14, 2025

Judge Says Rapper Nelly Should Be Repaid For Legal Bills Following Dismissed ‘Country Grammar’ Lawsuit

The judge approved the sanctions against the plaintiff's lead counsel.

A federal judge who presided over the dropped lawsuit case on Nelly’s Country Grammar album says the rapper is entitled to some repayment.

On Oct. 10, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger argued that Nelly should be reimbursed for his legal fees. The lawsuit was filed by Ali Jones, his former bandmate in St. Lunatics, claiming back pay for the album. The judge called the lawsuit “baseless” and “frivolous,” and said that Nelly should be compensated even beyond defeating the case.

“It should have been patently obvious to [Ali]’s attorneys that his copyright ownership claim was time-barred. After being placed on notice that the [case] stood no chance of success, [Ali] did not withdraw his complaint. Instead, his attorneys doubled down,” the magistrate wrote, as reported by Billboard.

Ali had alleged that Nelly owed him a cut of the royalties from the group’s debut solo album. However, Nelly’s lawyers argued that the September 2024 filing occurred years outside the statute of limitations.

Lehrburger also urged the lawyers to be punished for pursuing the case even with the warning of its failure. Ali asserted that Nelly “manipulated” the bandmates into believing they would receive payment and credit for their work on the album.

Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., was a member of the ’90s hip-hop group from St. Louis. However, he left the band following the success of the 2000 LP, which released hits such as “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma.”

While Ali tried to get back what he believed was rightfully owed, he had waited too long to seek justice. Although three other St. Lunatics bandmates were listed on the suit, they swiftly dropped out. The musicians claimed that they did not intend to pursue legal action against Nelly. Ali dropped out of the lawsuit in April without further explanation.

Despite the dropped lawsuit, Nelly’s defense team requested sanctions, or legal penalties, for the time and money their client spent. Although rare to approve, Judge Lehrburger also agreed with this request, noting how “groundless” the claims were. The judge also noted that Ali’s lead counsel, Precious Felder Gates, filed an updated pleading that “manipulated the pleadings” and let the case drag on unnecessarily.

However, how much Felder Gates will pay remains unknown, as the judge did not specify an exact amount. However, the judge noted that the sum must cover Nelly’s legal bills since the refiling.

The rapper’s lawyer, Ken Fruendlich, also released a statement upon Lehrburger’s ruling.

“This case sends a message to lawyers that there will be consequences for dragging a Defendant into an action that is frivolous on its face and refusing to withdraw it. There is a lane of course for zealous advocacy, but when the case is time-barred according to a plaintiff’s own pleading, it has no place in the system.”

by Mary Spiller

October 14, 2025

Trump Administration Weighs Selling Federal Student Loans to Private Investors

Experts warn the proposal could jeopardize borrower protections and reshape the nation’s $1.6 trillion student loan system.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering selling portions of the federal government’s $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio to private investors, a move that experts say could have sweeping consequences for millions of borrowers and taxpayers alike.

According to a recent report by The Guardian, senior officials in the Departments of Education and Treasury have been in discussions about transferring select, high-performing loans from federal control to private financial institutions. The plan, still in its early stages, could fundamentally change how student loans are managed and regulated in the United States.

Daniel Zibel, vice president and chief counsel at the National Student Legal Defense Network, called the idea “complex and unprecedented,” comparing it to a reversal of the 2008 financial crisis, when the government bought privately held loans to stabilize the market.

“The system for student debt is incredibly complicated,” Zibel said, “and for the administration to do this in a way that lives up to the protections that exist in the law for student loan borrowers makes it even more complicated.”

Selling off the loans would likely shift repayment oversight to private companies—raising concerns about accountability and the future of borrower protections. “If you’re talking about unilateral cancellation, like what President Biden had been talking about, the department would certainly lose all authority to tell a private company that they had to cancel a debt,” Zibel added.

Critics argue the proposal aligns with the administration’s push to reduce federal involvement in higher education financing. Mike Pierce, executive director of Protect Borrowers, said, “Once again, we see that across the Trump administration, when Wall Street’s demands run against the financial needs of working people, the banks get what they want.”

Michele Zampini of the Institute for College Access and Success suggested the plan reflects the administration’s broader agenda to dismantle the Department of Education. “You can’t really wind down the department while still having responsibility for this type of loan portfolio,” she said. “It’s driven mostly by a political interest.”

While the law allows the education secretary to work with the treasury to sell loans, Zibel emphasized that such a move must be proven to serve the nation’s best interests without costing taxpayers. For now, experts warn that privatizing the portfolio could undermine access to higher education. “Federal student loans aren’t designed to make a profit,” Zampini said. “They’re meant to make college possible for those who otherwise couldn’t afford it.”

HOA,, fLorida, Hiilsborough County, Atlanta, Georgia,

by Mary Spiller

October 14, 2025

Mom ‘Disheartened’ After HOA Accuses 5-Year-Old Of Damaging Tree At Bus Stop

Ariel Barner stated that the HOA will pursue "compliance through mediation" if she doesn't abide by their rules.

A Florida mother says she was stunned to receive a letter from her homeowners’ association accusing her 5-year-old son of damaging a tree near a neighborhood bus stop.

Ariel Barner, who lives in Orlando, Florida, shared the letter online this week, saying it accused her of “failing to supervise” her child and allowing him to “climb and swing” from the branches of a magnolia tree owned by the association. The letter alleged that the child’s actions damaged the tree and violated community rules. She was charged $382.16 to cover attorneys’ fees and costs.

Barner told local news outlet WKMG that she was taken aback by the accusation and said there’s “no proof” her son broke any branches or caused harm.

“They are hyper in the mornings,” she said. “It’s a bunch of kids out here. Everyone is happy. They are running. They have their backpacks and their folders. I just never thought my son’s joy would be seen as a target or a discomfort.”

The letter cites a section of the association’s bylaws prohibiting activities considered “noxious or offensive” or that could become a “public nuisance.” Barner said that language felt deeply personal. “To list him as a public nuisance and an annoyance to the neighborhood was disheartening as a mother,” she said.

She added that she tried contacting the association before posting about the issue online, but was unable to reach anyone.

“When I posted about it, I only did that because when I reached out to the numbers available, no one got back to me,” she said.

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According to the letter, if Barner does not comply with the association’s governing rules, the HOA could pursue “compliance through mediation.” It also noted that the association may issue a “demand for pre-suit mediation” if the alleged violation is not corrected.

However, the attorney representing the association stated that legal action is not being threatened. “There has never been any threat of litigation against Ms. Barner concerning her child climbing or swinging from the magnolia tree,” the attorney said.

“The letter was issued only after attempts by the Association to resolve the matter informally were unsuccessful.”

Barner said she hopes the incident sparks a larger conversation about how communities treat children and the importance of letting kids be kids.

Barner has since launched a GoFundMe for assistance in handling any further legal litigation from the HOA.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 14, 2025

Hundreds Of CDC Staff Layoffs Reversed After Trump Admin Blunder

Of the 1300 people initially notified that they were being laid off, only 600 were actually a part of this round of workforce reduction.

Hundreds of CDC staffers who received layoff notifications have had their terminations reversed.

On Oct. 10, multiple government agencies faced the first wave of layoffs sparked by the government shutdown. For the Centers for Disease Control, 1,300 workers learned that their jobs no longer existed. However, this news turned out to be a fluke for the majority of these CDC staffers. In fact, only 600 were actually part of the government’s workforce reduction. Approximately 700 people were wrongfully led to believe that they lost their jobs and were reinstated.

A Trump official released a statement acknowledging the blunder and how those employees actually remained.

“The employees who received incorrect notifications were never separated from the agency and have all been notified that they are not subject to the reduction in force,” said Andrew Nixon, director of communications for the US Department of Health and Human Services, according to CNN.

A coding error led to incorrect layoff notices, initially leaving many central CDC departments essentially unstaffed. Some of the employees who worked as staff published the agency’s flagship journal, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Other departments spared included the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, the Global Health Center, and the Public Health Infrastructure Center. Officers at the Epidemic Intelligence Service, the nation’s first responders to disease threats, also had their layoffs rescinded.

“It’s pure managerial incompetence,” said Dr. Nirav Shah, who resigned as a principal deputy director of the CDC earlier this year. “I used to think that chaos was the byproduct of this managerial incompetence. Now I start to wonder whether the chaos is the point.”

However, the actual layoffs will still prove troublesome for the CDC. These shutdown-induced layoffs have already faced legal scrutiny and public pushback.

Shah added, “These cuts will mean that when the next health crisis comes along, precious days, weeks, months will be spent getting ready when we should have been ready.”

The Department of Education also had hundreds laid off, particularly in its Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, threatening programming for disabled individuals. Other federal agencies that faced cuts included the departments of Commerce, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Homeland Security, and Treasury.

New Year’s Eve, Morris Brown AME Church, Freedom’s Eve, Watch Night Service

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 13, 2025

Family Of Artist Who Painted Historic Black Jesus Mural In Detroit Church Fights To Save Artwork

The family of the artist who created the mural are fighting to see if the artwork can be salvaged.

A Detroit community refuses to say goodbye to a historic mural of Black Jesus as the long-time Catholic Church faces a shutdown.

On Oct. 12, St. Charles Lwanga, formerly known as St. Cecilia, held what many deem as its final Mass service. However, many hope that the Black Jesus on its ceiling can find a new home, especially given its historic significance.

Created in 1968 by a local artist DeVon Cunningham, the piece sought to represent the shifts in the neighborhood. The unveiling became a point of contention amid racial issues on both regional and national scales, including the 1967 civil uprising in Detroit and the overarching Civil Rights Movement.

However, the Black Jesus lies in jeopardy as the Church shuts down. St. Charles Lwanga’s officials say the cost of upkeep, repairs, and dwindling membership leaves them no choice but to close its doors.

Rev. Theodore Parker, the now-retired parish priest, said the building would need a new roof and an upgraded heating system, pricey upgrades that its limited number of parishioners cannot justify. According to The Detroit News, the church only has 200 members.

However, the timelessness of the mural remains. When initially revealed, it sparked praise and backlash, with its own artist receiving death threats. At its heyday, the mural became the cover of Ebony Magazine’s March 1969 issue, with additional coverage in the New York Times as well.

While stopping the church’s closure seems too lofty a fight, one family hopes to salvage the famous mural at least.

“We would love to save it, and we hope there is enough support from the community and others to recognize it should be preserved,” shared Leisa Traylor, Cunningham’s daughter. “At this point, we are really hoping to get more information of what happens to the building.”

However, the building’s decline may have also impacted the quality of the mural. Observers noticed the discoloration on Black Jesus’s robe due to roof leaks. Despite the drawbacks, they hope to find some way to keep the mural for the community’s viewing, as it once represented their place within Detroit and the Catholic Church.

young boy, masculinity, harmful ideals, social media, content, common sense media

by Kandiss Edwards

October 13, 2025

Report: Boys Receive Harmful Ideas About Masculinity On Social Media

Teenage boys are consuming 'masculinity-related material' on social media.

Social media content is shaping the way boys see masculinity, according to a new report.

Common Sense Media reports nearly three in four teenage boys are regularly exposed to social media content that links masculinity to dominance, money, and physical power. Clinicians warn that the trend may distort boys’ sense of self and emotional well-being.

Boys ages 11 to 17 are consuming online content that centers on “masculinity-related material.” The same study said more than two-third of respondents come across posts that “promotes problematic gender roles.” Such content includes videos that depict success as control over others or romantic attention as a status symbol.

Michael Robb, director of research at Common Sense Media and lead author of the study, discussed the parameters of the study with CNN.

“We’re documenting how the algorithms that kids are a part of are specifically shaping their identity during this really crucial period of adolescence, which is a time of identity formation,” Robb said.

Robb added that he was particularly concerned about the connection between digital misogyny and real-world violence.

“My research suggests that when negative messages about women and girls are normalized online, it can cause offline violence,” he said.

While the survey did not prove a direct link between exposure and behavior, Robb acknowledged it could underestimate the impact.

“Those who hold these views may not have been willing to admit in the survey that they were experiencing emotional struggles or feeling vulnerable,” he said.

Melissa Greenberg, a clinical psychologist at Princeton Psychotherapy Center who was not involved in the research, said parents should assume their children will encounter such material regardless of online restrictions.

“Even if we monitor and limit what our kids see at home, they will be exposed to content we are not aware of in other settings, and through friends and peers,” Greenberg told CNN in an email.

Experts said parents can help counteract negative influences by having open, judgment-free conversations about what teens see online. Robb advised asking boys directly about their digital experiences, adding, “One secret tip is that kids are actually quite excited to talk about their media use.”

Common Sense Media is calling for better media literacy education to help youth identify bias.

Restaurant, Atlanta, florrisant, Bliss, age requirement, 35 years old, 30 years old

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 13, 2025

Baltimore Waitress Tearfully Slams Diners Who Dashed On $200 Bill As Boss Says Pay The Tab

The waitress called out her boss as well who tried to make her pay half the uncovered tab.

A waitress in Baltimore tearfully called out diners who dashed on their $200 bill, after her boss told her to cover the tab.

The waitress, who works at a Crafty Crab location, got emotional as she recalled the incident where the group ran out on their bill. The woman cussed out the scamming customers for forcing her to deal with their inconsiderate move. Its Onsite re-shared the woman’s rant against the reckless patrons.

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She emphasized the carelessness of the rude diners, as they did not consider who would have to make up for their expensive tab.

” I can’t believe I’m crying. I’m so f–king frustrated. Because why would you do that?” she questioned. “Like, why the f–k are you such a f–king bum a– b-tch that you would come to [somebody’s] establishment and run out on a f–king bill, not knowing what happens after that?”

The server then began to call out her manager. She said the man tried to place blame on her for not making sure the customers stayed to pay their bill.

“My manager is such a piece of sh-t, like he’s such a piece of sh-t trying to [say its] is my f–king fault. B-tch, it’s not my fault. I did everything I [was] supposed to do…I did everything I was supposed to do. I checked on the b-tches, and [they] was gone two f–king seconds. Want me to run after these b-tches? I’m not doing that. That’s not in my f–king that’s not in my job description.”

Through her tears, the waitress then went on to detail how the manager tried to make her cover half the bill. However, she stood her ground to the manager, telling him that she would not do that as it was illegal.

“Then talked about pay half as soon as I said, ‘B-tch, that’s illegal,’ he like, ‘Oh, no, we don’t do that.’ Yeah, b-tch, don’t f–king play on me. It’s enough. It’s enough s–t going on in this f–king establishment. You’re not about to make me pay for a $200 bill.”

According to Maryland law, employers cannot make a tipped employee cover the bill if a customer walks out without paying. She also posted footage of the conversation with the manager.

@nah43227 #corrupt #CraftyTowson #fyp ♬ original sound – NAH

The video swiftly went viral over the audacity of the manager and the customers. One empathetic public figure, Big Freedia, offered to help the woman with the unexpected cost.

“Send your cash app [love],” commented the influencer.

Others encouraged the tired worker to file a complaint with the Department of Labor for her troubles. Although she was fired from the Towson eatery, she posted a follow-up TikTok thanking her supporters.

@nah43227 #thankyou ♬ original sound – NAH

Martha's vineyard film festival, Michelle Obama

by Mary Spiller

October 13, 2025

$2.5 Million Initiative: Forever First Lady Michelle Obama Ramps Up Advocacy For Girls’ Education

The Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance will support local organizations helping young women overcome barriers to education and opportunity.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is renewing her commitment to global girls’ education, announcing a $2.5 million pledge through the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance to strengthen grassroots efforts that empower girls in economically disadvantaged regions.

“These groups are changing the way girls see themselves in their own communities and in our world, helping create the leaders we need for the brighter future we all deserve,” Obama said in a video released Oct. 11 to mark International Day of the Girl. “Because when our girls succeed, we all do.”

As reported by Fortune, the funding raised through Michelle Obama’s program will go toward dozens of local organizations working to dismantle barriers that keep girls from school, such as child marriage, gender-based violence, and financial hardship. These groups also provide counseling, mentorship, and vocational training for young women between the ages of 10 and 19.

The Girls Opportunity Alliance, founded in 2018 as an extension of Michelle Obama’s earlier White House initiative, has long focused on helping adolescent girls access education and leadership opportunities. But the renewed effort comes as international organizations warn of declining global education funding. UNICEF projects that a 24% reduction in aid from wealthier nations could push six million girls out of school by the end of next year.

“The need right now, I think more than ever, is crucial,” said Tiffany Drake, the Alliance’s executive director. “We were just in Mauritius and we heard it time and time again that organizations need funding. They need support.”

At the Alliance’s recent summit in Mauritius, African and Asian partners shared stories of perseverance despite scarce resources. One attendee, Jackie Bomboma, who leads the Young Strong Mothers Foundation in Tanzania, said connecting with other women in the network gave her new energy.

“We call ourselves ‘watoto wa Michelle Obama,’ which means ‘the children of Michelle Obama,’” she said. “Everyone feels so proud to have such a mother who is very strong, who is very powerful and who is very loving.”

The fund offers grants of up to $50,000 for specific projects, along with training and mentorship from major international NGOs. Beyond direct support, Drake said, the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance initiative amplifies these smaller organizations’ work through public campaigns and crowdfunding.

“We didn’t want to just tell people and say, ‘Google how you can help,’” Drake said. “We wanted to give them a place where they can take action.”

self deport, Haiti, Photojournalist Dieu-Nalio Chery

by Mary Spiller

October 13, 2025

Armed Gangs And Economic Collapse Push Haiti To The Brink Of Famine

More than half of Haiti’s population now faces acute hunger as violence and instability block aid, cripple farming, and drive prices to historic highs.

Haiti is in the midst of a worsening humanitarian disaster, with more than half of its 11 million citizens struggling to find enough to eat as armed groups tighten their control and the nation’s economy continues to collapse.

According to a report published Oct. 11 by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), approximately 5.7 million Haitians are enduring severe food insecurity. Of that number, nearly 1.9 million are in “emergency” conditions — facing extreme shortages and malnutrition — while another 3.8 million are one step behind, classified at crisis levels.

The IPC projects that the situation could deteriorate further by mid-2026, with nearly six million people expected to experience acute hunger as Haiti enters its lean agricultural season.

In response, Haiti’s transitional government announced the creation of a new Food and Nutrition Security Office to coordinate humanitarian aid efforts. Louis Gerald Gilles, a member of the presidential council, said that officials are “mobilizing resources to reach those most affected as quickly as possible.”

Still, relief efforts face overwhelming barriers. Armed groups now control about 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and have begun extending their reach into rural regions vital to food production. Over 1.3 million people have been displaced by violence, a 24% increase since December, with many living in overcrowded shelters without access to food or sanitation.

Farmers who remain on their land must often pay gangs in crops or cash for the right to work, while road blockades prevent food from reaching major markets. The broader economy has been decimated — Haiti has suffered six straight years of recession, and food prices rose 33% last July compared with the year before.

The crisis is hitting children the hardest. Around 680,000 have been displaced by violence, and more than 1,000 schools have closed. Armed groups have even recruited some children.

The United Nations recently approved a 5,550-member international force to restore order, though instability persists.

“Progress remains fragile without long-term investment to tackle the root causes,” said Martine Villeneuve, Haiti director at Action Against Hunger.