• HBCU

by Ashlei Stevens

October 1, 2025

The 2025 BE Smart HBCU Hackathon: More Students, More Impact

Themed “Built Brilliant. Built Different: 10 Years of Elevating Excellence,” the Hackathon sets the stage for a unique coding competition that fosters innovation, collaboration, empowerment, and engagement with the latest cutting-edge technology.

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The 2025 BE Smart HBCU Hackathon Celebrates a Decade of Tech Excellence

More than 300 students from 43 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will showcase their tech talent and compete for jobs at Black Enterprise’s 10th Annual BE Smart Hackathon. Hosted by American Airlines, the Nov. 5-8 coding competition in Charlotte gathers the largest pool of students in the event’s history. This year, there are 310 students from 43 schools forming 62 teams.

Themed “Built Brilliant. Built Different: 10 Years of Elevating Excellence,” the Hackathon sets the stage for a unique coding competition that fosters innovation, collaboration, empowerment, and engagement with the latest cutting-edge technology. The four-day event provides a platform for computer engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity majors from dozens of HBCUs to showcase their skills in front of the competition’s largest sponsor pool to date, aiming to recruit them for tech internships and jobs.

“As the technology industry continues to evolve, the demand for skilled professionals is higher than ever, and BLACK ENTERPRISE recognizes the importance of nurturing the talent that already exists within HBCUs,” said BLACK ENTERPRISE CEO Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. “Our event, in partnership with American Airlines and other leading corporations, is a testament to our steadfast commitment to promoting diversity within the tech industry. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a part of everyday life, we are proving that HBCU students are the original AI: Authentically Intelligent.”

The 2025 participating Hackathon schools are:

1. Alabama A&M University
2. Alabama State University
3. Benedict College
4. Bethune-Cookman University
5. Claflin University
6. Delaware State University
7. Dillard University
8. Elizabeth City State University
9. Fisk University
10. Florida A&M University
11. Florida Memorial University
12. Grambling State University
13. Hampton University
14. Howard University
15. Jackson State University
16. Johnson C. Smith University
17. Kentucky State University
18. Lane College
19. LeMoyne-Owen College
20. Livingston College
21. Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
22. Morgan State University
23. Morehouse College
24. Norfolk State University
25. North Carolina A&T State University
26. North Carolina Central University
27. Philander Smith University
28. Prairie View A&M University
29. Rust College
30. Shaw University
31. Simmons College of Kentucky
32. Southern University and A&M College
33. Spelman College
34. Talladega College
35. Tennessee State University
36. Texas Southern University
37. Tuskegee University
38. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
39. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
40. Virginia State University
41. West Virginia State University
42. Winston-Salem State University
43. Xavier University of Louisiana

The 2024 winning team was Protégé, comprised of Spelman College seniors, and the all-women’s college will return this year to defend its title. Protégé received 100,000 AAdvantage miles from American Airlines, a MacBook Air, and a DJI Mini 4 Pro drone. Other top winners from last year included teams from Philander Smith University in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, who won second and third places, respectively. Receiving the judges’ highest technical score was Morgan State University in Baltimore, which is also the only HBCU to participate in all nine years of the Hackathon.

In addition to its longtime partnership with American Airlines, BLACK ENTERPRISE will be joined by The City of Charlotte, Fidelity Investments, McDonald’s, Manulife John Hancock, NASCAR, Nationwide, PepsiCo, Toyota, and Verizon. This marks the largest Hackathon sponsor pool to date. Sponsors will present on relevant and trending topics in the emerging technology field, while Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will join the Hackathon to welcome students to the Queen City.

During the 24-hour Hack, sponsors will provide technical staff to mentor each team, which is tasked with developing technical solutions to solve real-world challenges. A panel of judges evaluates each team’s application impact, technical complexity, and user-friendliness, while also assessing teams on their pitch and presentation skills. 

What truly sets this Hackathon apart is the tangible path it offers to career opportunities. BE Smart Hackathon participants are recruited annually for internships and full-time job opportunities at American Airlines and its technology partners, as well as for roles with BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Hackathon corporate partners.

For more information about this event, visit www.blackenterprise.com/hackathon/.

RELATED CONTENT: The 2025 Black Enterprise Smart HBCU Hackathon

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 1, 2025

Government Shutdown 2025: Here’s What Happened And How It Affects You

The shutdown may be alarming, but it's nothing new.

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Parts of the government are shut down as of Oct. 1 after Senate Democrats and Republicans, along with President Donald Trump, failed to come to an agreement to extend funding and keep it open, NPR reports.

Two critical pieces of legislation were left unresolved. A bill including government funding through October 2025 and an extension of healthcare subsidies on the federal level, scheduled to expire at the end of the year, was blocked in a vote by GOP members. Democratic leaders refused to sign a different bill supported by Republicans, approving a measure that would keep the government funded at current levels through Nov. 21. 

Both bills needed 60 votes from Congress to pass.

Democratic leaders have stood their ground on not voting for spending measures unless Republicans agree to extend subsidies for health insurance plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act. That never happened, as Democrats say they are prepared to fight together.

“It’s a rare point of unification,” said Jim Kessler, of the moderate Democratic group Third Way, to the Associated Press. “Absolutely, there are risks. But you’re hearing it from all wings of the Democratic Party: The fight is the victory. They want a fight. And they’re going to get one.”

While it isn’t clear just how impactful the shutdown will be for Americans, federal services deemed critical, such as Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid payments, won’t be affected. Neither will VA benefits. Those in need, however, may face some delays. 

For new voters, the shutdown may be alarming, but it’s nothing new. Simply put, a shutdown occurs when Congress fails to appropriate sufficient funds for the federal government to sustain operations beyond the fiscal year, which ends at the end of September. 

One of the main concerns for voters is the duration of the shutdown.

The first shutdown in Sept. 1976 lasted for only 10 days. The longest one on record was 34 days, which started in Dec. 2018. There will be an impact on federal workers in addition to the lack of economic data collection, affecting the data market, spending and inflation.

“We have no idea this shutdown is going to last, but the last few shutdowns have been a bit longer than average,” New York Times chief economics correspondent Ben Casselman said in a thorough explanatory video posted on TikTok. “And the longer it goes on, the more significant the impact will be, both for the workers and the economy as a whole.”

It doesn’t help that President Donald Trump and members of his administration are ultimately blaming the “radical left.” The website for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) posted a bold message that “the Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands,” the message read. 

“The Trump administration wants to keep the government open for the American people.”

Trump himself posted an odd—and seemingly racist—A.I. video of Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (NY) alongside House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY) claiming the party is only fighting in an effort to provide free healthcare to illegal immigrants. The video shows Jeffries wearing a sombrero and a fake mustache as faint mariachi music plays.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump’s FBI Reportedly Fires Agents Who Knelt During George Floyd Protests

• Politics

by Mary Spiller

October 1, 2025

Trump’s Military Gathering Draws Side-Eye For Bizarre “N-Word” Remark And Political Messaging

The military meeting was punctuated by Trump's controversial 'N-word' remark and other ramblings.

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President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed hundreds of U.S. generals and admirals Sept. 30, in an unusual, last-minute meeting at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. While the gathering was presented as a strategic assembly of top military brass, it largely appeared aimed at reinforcing the administration’s conservative platform.

Following Hegseth’s remarks, Trump delivered a lengthy and meandering speech that touched on nuclear submarines, immigration, and his frustrations over not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize.

One of his comments quickly drew attention. “We can’t let people throw around that word. I call it the N-word. There are two N-words and you can’t use either of them,” Trump said, in a riff on the term “nuclear.”

Outlets such as TMZ noted that he has used versions of this joke in the past.

During his address, Trump also mocked former President Joe Biden’s reliance on autopen, lamented that he has not been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize—contrasting himself with Barack Obama, who received it in 2009—and claimed that “we’re under invasion from within” in regards to immigration.

“We’ve had no people enter in the last four months,” Trump falsely claimed.

The president also boasted of federal interventions in cities such as Washington, D.C., and touted his move to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War, though the change lacks congressional approval. He compared the rebranding effort to his past attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

Hegseth, who now refers to himself as Secretary of War, used his speech to push back against diversity and equity programs in the military. He announced new policy shifts aimed at “normalizing standards regardless of race or gender” while condemning measures he views as detrimental to readiness.

Under his leadership, multiple women and minority officers have been removed from leadership roles, and training materials tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion have been scrapped.

Hegseth also derided “fat troops” and revealed looser guidelines that would permit drill sergeants to “put their hands on recruits.”

The high-profile meeting, which pulled military leaders from across the globe, has been criticized as an expensive political exercise meant to highlight the administration’s culture war and anti-DEI priorities.

RELATED CONTENT: Lt. Col. George Hardy, Last Surviving Tuskegee Combat Pilot, Dies At 100

• News

by Kandiss Edwards

October 1, 2025

Cassie Believes Diddy Will Retaliate Due To Her ‘Bravery’

Cassie urges the judge to think deeply before sentencing Combs.

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Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine, the key witness in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal case, told the judge she fears for her life and her family’s safety if Combs goes free.

Ventura Fine’s victim impact statement was filed Sept. 30 in U.S. District Court ahead of Combs’ Oct. 3 sentencing. In the statement, Ventura Fine detailed her mounting fear. She fears “swift retribution” from Combs due to her “bravery,” USA Today reported.

“I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution toward me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial,” Ventura continued.

“As much progress as I have made in recovering from his abuse, I remain very much afraid of what he is capable of and the malice he undoubtedly harbors toward me for having the bravery to tell the truth.”

Ventura Fine said she continues to suffer nightmares, flashbacks, and trauma stemming from her decade-long relationship with Combs. Additionally she claims, Combs poses a large enough threat she elected to relocate from the New York area.

“I still have nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and continue to require psychological care to cope with my past,” Ventura Fine wrote.

“My worries that Sean Combs or his associates will come after me and my family is my reality.”

Prosecutors are asking for a sentence of at least 11 years and three months for Combs after his conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. In the sentencing memorandum, prosecutors argue Combs has remained unrepentant. Due to his unapologetic attitude, prosecutors believe a substantial prison term is necessary. A shorter sentence would not properly reflect the severity of the abuse detailed by Ventura and other witnesses.

Meanwhile, Combs’s legal team is requesting a sentence of 14 months. Combs has already spent over a year in detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His defense  argues he has undergone personal growth behind bars and no further incarceration would be constructive.

RELATED CONTENT: Yung Miami Told Judge ‘That’s A Good Man’ In Character Statement For Diddy

• Lifestyle

by Selena Hill

October 1, 2025

AfroFuture And Martell Celebrate Food, Fashion And Afrobeats At NYFW

The NYFW experience paid homage to the worldwide influence of Afrobeats and African culture

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AfroFuture and Martell Cognac fused food, fashion, and flavor into New York Fashion Week with their “Supper x Style NYFW” dinner last month, celebrating the global influence of Afrobeats and African culture.

The event featured premium Martell cocktails, a guided cognac tasting led by Martell Brand Ambassador Jasmin Goldstein, a fusion of Nigerian-Italian dishes curated by Chef Tayo of Ebi-Ayo Supper Club, and a fireside chat about amplifying African fashion, featuring fashion designer IZ, the founder of Street Souk.

The food, which was the centerpiece of the evening, included Yoruba garden salad with citrus dressing, lobster jollof risotto, sweet plantain fusilli pasta with chicken infused with Martell, and Martell-infused puff puff with honey ricotta dip for dessert. Tayo says the menu was inspired by his upbringing in Nigeria and the culinary influences he learned while traveling to Italy.

“We’re doing a fine dining experience for New York Fashion Week. The menu tonight is special—straight from my Nigerian roots, using Italian techniques,” he told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “It’s only right for our guests to get to experience a menu that comes from my heart.”

Abdul Karim Abdullah, the founder and CEO of the AfroFuture Festival, expressed his appreciation for the creatives, fashionistas, and lovers of African culture in attendance.

“Thank you so much for taking the time out to celebrate with us with Martell here in New York City. This is the second annual dinner we did at New York Fashion Week, and we’re really excited,” said Abdullah, who also serves as a Martell Global Cultural Ambassador.

Formerly known as Afrochella, Abdullah and his co-founder, Kenny Agyapong, Jr., launched AfroFuture in Ghana in 2017. Since then, the festival has exploded into a cultural phenomenon that attracts tens of thousands of attendees to the multi-day event, which celebrates African music, food, art, fashion, and heritage. Held in Ghana’s coastal city of Accra during Africa’s “Detty December” season, the annual festival has also increased Ghana’s tourism by 16% and a 3.1% surge in GDP in Q4 of 2019 alone.

August marked the U.S. debut of the AfroFuture Festival in Detroit and the first of a series of cultural events in America under its partnership with Martell. In addition to celebrating Afrobeats, the collaboration aims to uplift African creativity, connect communities within the diaspora, and elevate new voices.

Later this month, AfroFuture plans to host an HBCU Homecoming, followed by an event this November in Houston during AfroTech 2025.

For Abdullah, AfroFuture is more than a festival — it’s a movement that showcases the beauty, innovation, and brilliance of Africa.

“We exist as a platform connecting the global Black diaspora,” he said.

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RELATED CONTENT: WADDUP DOE? AfroFuture Detroit 2025 Takes Over The ‘D’ & The Diaspora Showed Up And Out

• Black Men Xcel

by Kandiss Edwards

October 1, 2025

Men Who XCEL: John Hope Bryant To Be Honored At The 2025 ‘XCEL Summit For Men’

Bryant is not just an entrepreneur; he’s a force for systemic change. As founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc., he’s built more than programs; he’s built hope.

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John Hope Bryant will take the stage at the 2025 BLACK ENTERPRISE XCEL Summit for Men. At the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando, Bryant will not only speak life into the attendees but is also one of the event’s celebrated honorees. Recognized for decades of groundbreaking work in financial literacy, economic empowerment, and inclusivity, Bryant embodies the summit’s mission to equip and inspire Black men to lead with purpose.

Bryant is not just an entrepreneur; he’s a force for systemic change. As founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc., he’s built more than programs; he’s built hope. Operation Hope is the largest nonprofit in the U.S., delivering financial literacy services to youth and adults. Additionally, Bryant heads multiple private ventures: John Hope Bryant Holdings, Bryant Group Ventures, and Bryant Group Advisors. In 2021, The Promise Homes Company received one of the largest recapitalizations for a Black-owned business with a $200 million credit facility.

However, policy is where Bryant’s work gets real. He has advised Presidents Bush and Obama to help elevate financial literacy to federal policy and to rename the U.S. Treasury Annex as the Freedman’s Bank Building. He has also written The Business Plan for America and, in April 2024, released Financial Literacy for All, a national bestseller.

Bryant isn’t just about today — he’s building for tomorrow. He co-founded the AI Ethics Council with OpenAI’s Sam Altman. In December 2024, he launched the AI Literacy Pipeline to Prosperity Project to bridge the AI opportunity gap for underserved communities.

His influence stretches far and wide. Bryant is a news contributor, hosts the iHeartRadio podcast Money & Wealth with John Hope Bryant, and sits on the CNBC Global Financial Wellness Council and the CEO Council. 

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Furthermore, his accolades are abundant: Oprah Winfrey’s “Use Your Life” Award, American Banker’s “Innovator of the Year,” a spot on TIME’s “50 Leaders for the Future,” placement on the Forbes BLK50 List, and inclusion in TIME’s inaugural The Closers List.

With a staggering 3 million followers on LinkedIn and over 300 million views across platforms for his Straight Talk with John Hope Bryant video series, Bryant reaches audiences worldwide.

At the XCEL Summit for Men, Bryant will bring his life’s work to the stage: helping America live up to its promise — one financially and technologically empowered person at a time. 

Be in attendance at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Orlando, Oct. 15–17. To learn from the business titan and honor his contributions to the world.

RELATED CONTENT: BLACK ENTERPRISE’s XCEL Summit Has Given Black Men Their Flowers For 9 Years

• Fashion & Beauty

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 1, 2025

Nike Announces ‘Virgil Abloh: The Codes’ Exhibit Taking Place In Paris

The exhibit starts on Abloh's birthday, Sept. 30, through Oct. 9 at the Grand Palais in Paris

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To recognize one of the most influential designers, Nike has announced that it will, in collaboration with the Virgil Abloh Archive™, showcase “Virgil Abloh: The Codes” at the Grand Palais in Paris.

The sporting goods brand stated that it will be a 10-day showcase highlighting the creativity and passion the late Abloh brought to Nike during his long-term partnership with the company. The exhibit is currently on display and will remain at the Grand Palais until Oct. 9.

“The Codes exhibition kicks off our commitment to bringing Virgil’s legacy and creative process to the creative community and beyond. I am most grateful for Nike’s continued partnership in this important work,” says Shannon Abloh, chief executive officer and managing director of Virgil Abloh Securities. “Sharing his personal collection, unfinished work, and magnum opuses with the world is a powerful way we honor Virgil’s deep belief in access and collaboration. Through the Virgil Abloh Archive, his vision continues to inspire and guide the next generation.”

The exhibition is being curated by Chloe Sultan and Mahfuz Sultan and is billed as an expanded edition of the 2022 “Virgil Abloh: The Codes” exhibition, which took place in Miami. It showcases Abloh’s signature designs, which were incorporated into his work in apparel, footwear, architecture, music, advertising, and more. It also showcases his collaborations with artists, athletes, and designers over the years.

The start of the exhibit also marks the celebration of his birthday, Sept. 30.

“The Codes operate as the soul of Virgil’s legacy; they are at the heart of the Archive,” says Athiththan Selvendran, chief operating officer of Virgil Abloh Securities, chief creative officer of the Virgil Abloh Foundation, and director of the Virgil Abloh Archive. “The Codes tell a story about the creative intention and archival practice that shaped Virgil’s identity. They guide us, reminding us that collectivity and accessibility should be at the center of our collaborations and expressions. This is how we keep his legacy alive.”

Abloh died nearly four years ago on Nov. 28, 2021, from a rare heart tumor, cardiac angiosarcoma. He made fashion history when he became the first Black person to be named Louis Vuitton’s menswear designer.

RELATED CONTENT: Meet Tameka Jackson-Dyer: The Champion For Black Breastfeeding Mamas In Metro Detroit

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 1, 2025

Judge Rules California Nurses Can’t Be Called ‘Doctor’—Even With Doctorates

The suit was filed in June 2023 by three California-based nurse practitioners.

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Nurses in the state of California who obtained doctorate degrees can’t be referred to as “Doctor” after a judge ruled it as “inherently misleading,” Nurse.org reports. 

Judge Jesus G. Bernal of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California upheld a state law placing limitations on how professional titles are used in healthcare. The Sept. 19 ruling found nurses being referred to as “Doctor”—even with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree—without holding the title of a licensed physician can be misleading and ultimately not protected under the Constitution’s First Amendment. 

The nurse plaintiffs argued the law put limits on their freedom of speech and violated their constitutional rights.

“The Court finds that it is reasonable to infer that some consumers will assume that plaintiffs are licensed physicians or surgeons if they use ‘Dr’ or ‘doctor’ in healthcare settings and in advertising materials promoting medical services, even if plaintiffs also identify themselves as DNPs,” Bernal wrote.

The suit was filed in June 2023 by three California-based nurse practitioners with DNPs, arguing against the California Business and Professions Code Section 2052 that labels it a misdemeanor for non-physicians to use “Doctors” in clinical settings or in advertisements. The nurses felt it was a part of freedom of speech.

Two plaintiffs previously used the still-banned title on their embroidered clinician jackets, clinical documents, nameplates, and on social media platforms. The third plaintiff’s plans of using the title when opening an esthetics clinic were cancelled due to the law. 

One of the nurses admitted to introducing herself to patients as “Doctor,” but would clarify that she was a nurse practitioner.

In a statement, the nurses’ legal representative, Pacific Legal Fund attorney Donna Matias, highlighted the plaintiffs’ disappointment in the court’s failure “to grapple with relevant Supreme Court precedent that protects First Amendment rights.”

“Instead of reining in the state’s power to censor professionals who accurately describe their credentials, the decision emboldens it,” Matias said. “The First Amendment does not allow the government to silence truthful speech simply because some listeners may be confused—especially when disclosure can address any concerns short of a total ban.”

Lorie A. Brown, RN, JD, an Indianapolis-based attorney who represents nurses and healthcare providers, called the ruling surprising and argued that other professionals with doctorates, like educators and psychologists, are permitted to use the title, so it should be the same for nurses in the Golden State.

“So, I guess Dr Jill Biden can still use her title, but yet nurses who have the same level of degree can’t use the title, I think that’s unfair,” Brown said. “All of your hard work and education, you can’t even use the title that you earn, at least in California.” 

Medical associations like the California Medical Association (CMA) celebrated the court’s ruling, siding with defendants California Attorney General Rob Bonta and California Medical Board President Kristina Lawson.

“This decision protects patients by providing clarity and transparency about the level of training and education of the person providing their care,” CMA President Shannon Udovic-Constant, MD, said. “Allowing patients to make informed decisions is foundational to our health care system.”

The suit’s plaintiffs can file an appeal on the ruling. IN the meantime, they must avoid using “Doctor” in any patient care settings or promotional items.

RELATED CONTENT: Wheelchair-Bound Texas Man Dies After Dispute At Nursing Home

• Entertainment

by Kandiss Edwards

September 30, 2025

Kai Cenat Breaks Streaming Record And Gives Update On Pledge To Build Nigerian School

Cenat became the first creator to exceed 1 million active subscribers during Mafiathon 3.

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Popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat broke records with his latest Mafiathon stream. The success led the streamer to give an update on his pledge to build a $5 million school in Nigeria. 

Cenat became the first creator to exceed 1 million active subscribers during his Mafiathon 3, subathon event. The milestone came 27 days into the continuous streaming program. Cenat used the landmark moment to double down on a philanthropic pledge. Fifteen percent of the revenue generated during Mafiathon 3 will be directed toward building a school near Lagos, Nigeria.  

During the broadcast, Cenat paused the show to share updates about the Nigerian school. Cenat stated that there are logistical hurdles in the Makoko area that led to a relocation to nearby Yaba, Lagos. According to project consultants Fanny Moral and Chinedum Umeche, the school is expected to take at least two years to complete. The representatives are working closely with the project’s partners, Banwo & Ighodalo and Enko Education, to keep the momentum going forward.

Although the project is slow-moving, Cenat took a moment to reflect on accountability and gratitude. He spoke of his joy and gratefulness for the opportunity to run a successful event.

“If I didn’t have Jesus in my life, none of this would be possible … to do this a third time is crazy,” he said.

Critics and fans alike have pressed Cenat on the timeline, funding, and accountability behind the school project. He has responded by forming the Kai Cenat Foundation Inc., a nonprofit entity to oversee the school’s finances and prevent misuse. 

Cenat’s rise on Twitch is leaps and bounds above prior subscription records. In Mafiathon 2, he had already shattered platform benchmarks with more than 700,000 subs. Mafiathon 3 surpassed the seven-figure mark. His channel now holds the highest subscriber count in Twitch history. 

With the pledge now public and the subscriber numbers secured, all eyes are on how swiftly and transparently the educational mission will materialize.

RELATED CONTENT: Target Continues Pattern Of Being Tone Deaf Amid DEI Pushback; Partners With Kai Cenat For Exclusive Product Launch 

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 30, 2025

Maryland Woman Calls Out Tunisia Hotel After Alleged Drugging And Kidnapping

'The next thing I remember, I'm in the back of a car, and I just start opening doors, I start panicking.'

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A Maryland woman is speaking out after surviving an alleged kidnapping in Tunisia, an incident she and her friend suspect may have involved their hotel.

Friends Meka and Queen returned to Montgomery County on Sept. 23 after a week in Tunis, Tunisia. In a now-viral TikTok video, Meka said that on Sept. 20, after a night out at a club, she went down to her hotel lobby to grab some tissues and was drugged and kidnapped.

“The next thing I remember, I’m in the back of a car, and I just start opening doors, I start panicking,” Meka said.

@meekmek08

I Got Kidnapped from my HOTEL! Which was @thepenthousesuites in Tunisia I CANT BELIEVE THIS I LITERALLY WAS FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE!!! Idk what they plan was for me but GOD had other plans. I’m freaked out!!

♬ original sound – Meka

Meka recalled a man sitting behind the wheel, attempting to pull her back into the car. When she screamed for help, he covered her mouth and struck her in the face and eyes.

“It’s a grown man. He’s punching me in my face or my forehead and both of my eyes,” Meka said. “So I’m like, I just keep thinking I got to get back home to my kids.”

Back at the hotel, Queen said she asked the staff where her friend had disappeared to, but they allegedly said Meka had “made a friend” and left.

“And I’m like, ‘How can she make a friend? She doesn’t speak these languages,” Queen said.

Meka fought fiercely to escape the man’s car, going “blow for blow” until she regained her freedom. Back at the hotel, Queen said she sought help from the staff, but they allegedly refused to assist.

“I have videos, they’re like walking away. They’re like, ‘This didn’t happen here. We don’t know what you’re talking about” Queen said.

The two contacted the U.S. Embassy in Tunis and met with embassy staff and local police. They are now sharing their story to raise awareness and help prevent similar attacks.

FOX 5 in Washington, D.C., said that the Penthouse Suites Hotel had not responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, social media users are calling for an investigation into the incident and cautioning tourists in Tunisia.

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