Harvard University Deads Minority Recruitment Amid Targets On Race Admissions
Data shows enrollment for Black and Latino students has decreased significantly.
For the last 50 years, Harvard University’s Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program has encouraged minority high school students to apply. But as the Trump administration pressures higher education institutions to eliminate race in admissions and scholarships, Harvard quietly ended its minority recruitment program.
According to The Harvard Crimson, Harvard will connect prospective applicants with current undergraduates under a new program called Harvard Recruitment Ambassadors. Before the change, the UMRP guided minority middle and high school students through the school’s application process.
The program employed a team of undergraduate coordinators who answered students’ questions about the admissions process and life as a student. Undergraduate coordinators would reportedly travel to high schools in their hometowns to guide applications. They would also answer questions and give the number to a dedicated phone line for potential recruits.
With its new unified program, Harvard will still allow prospective applicants to contact current undergraduates with questions. Still, there will be no in-person outreach to high schools or specific student groups.
Harvard Ends Minority Recruitment Program As Trump Administration Cracks Down on Race Admissions
Harvard made the change quietly without public announcement, The Harvard Crimson reported. The changes come nearly two years after the Supreme Court ruled against Harvard’s controversial admissions process, which has been criticized for years. While the Supreme Court ruled against race-based admissions at universities, the high court did not eliminate recruitment programs as long as they were not solely based on race.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision banning affirmative action in college admissions, enrollment for Black and Latino students has decreased significantly. According to the Rennie Center Education Research & Policy, Black student enrollment at Harvard dropped from 18% in the fall of 2023 to 14% in the fall of 2024. The University of North Carolina saw a decrease in Black student enrollment from 10.5% to 7.8% within the same timeframe. Black and Hispanic student enrollment fell to 5%, compared to 15% the previous year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In its continued effort to target students from underrepresented backgrounds, the Trump administration recently announced that it will end $350 million in discretionary funding for colleges that serve large populations of minority-serving institutions.
Haiti Private Island Nixed As Royal Caribbean Destination
The change will last through April 2026.
Royal Caribbean International has suspended all scheduled stops at its private port of Labadee, Haiti through April 2026.
The cruise line cited escalating safety risks including kidnappings, gang violence, and political instability as the reasons to pull out. Royal Caribbean announced the change in September, saying the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” for passengers and crew.
The decision follows the U.S. State Department’s July 15 update, which renewed its “Do Not Travel” advisory for Haiti, warning of widespread crime, kidnappings, and limited health care services. The advisory warned that kidnappers often target U.S. citizens. Additionally, the advisory warned that the government lacks sufficient resources to respond to such a situation.
Labadee is marketed as a private destination separate from Haiti’s unrest. Advertisements market beaches, coral reefs, and resort amenities exclusive to Royal Caribbean passengers. However, the cruise line acknowledged that growing instability on the mainland now makes even private resort operations difficult to guarantee safely.
“Our top priority is the safety of our guests and crew,” the company told Fox.
Royal Carribean has tried to accommodate customers who have already purchased tickets. The company is offering refunds and modified itineraries as compensation. More than 40 itineraries are affected by the suspension. Some ships will replace the Labadee stop with visits to destinations such as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, while others will receive adjusted schedules. For passengers, the move means altered vacations. For Haitians, it represents a steep economic loss. Labadee is a significant source of income for local vendors and workers who rely on tourism.
While Royal Caribbean has not detailed when conditions might allow a return, the extended timeline into 2026 suggests the company does not expect rapid improvements. For now, the beaches of Labadee remain off-limits. Passengers are inconvenienced but the focus is on their security and survival. The destination was one of the cruise lines most frequent stops.
On Sept. 17, an advisory committee voted 4-2 to reject the casino bid from SL Green Realty Corporation, Caesars Entertainment, Roc Nation, and Live Nation, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The group planned to transform the 54-story office building at 1515 Broadway, above the Minskoff Theatre, home to The Lion King, into a casino, along with a luxury Nobu hotel, restaurant, and entertainment spaces powered by Roc Nation.
Jay-Z recently expressed plans that the project aimed to complement the Broadway scene, not compete with it. However, the bidding group faced strong opposition from The Broadway League, the trade association for theater owners, producers, and general managers, who argued the casino would harm the Broadway industry and increase congestion in the area.
A coalition of partners campaigned against the casino by distributing Broadway playbills with a “Save Broadway” insert, warning that the project could lower theater attendance, raise crime, and threaten jobs in theaters, restaurants, and local businesses. They urged theatergoers to vote “no” on the casino proposal.
”This was a vote to protect the magic of Broadway for the one hundred thousand New Yorkers who depend on it for their livelihoods, and for the tens of millions who come from around the world to experience it,” said Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League. “A casino can go anywhere, but Broadway only lives here.”
The rejected proposal wasn’t taken lightly, as Marc Holliday, CEO of SL Green, the project’s lead developer and property owner, criticized the decision.
“This was a despicable display of cowardice, a complete lack of consideration for all the people who would benefit from this,” he shouted as committee members silently left the room. “Go run and hide.”
Rev. Al Sharpton, a vocal supporter of the casino plan, condemned the vote, saying it worked to uphold the historically white control over Times Square’s entertainment scene.
“We will remember that in the community,” Sharpton told the all-white committee.
Sharpton was slated to lead a $15 million civil rights museum included in the proposal, which also pledged $20 million for Broadway tickets for underfunded families and $250 million to outside groups, over $80 million of which was earmarked for Times Square safety and security under a plan designed by former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.
The push to expand casinos in New York continues, with eight sites outside New York City vying for state licenses, all required to secure local board approval by the end of the month. In Manhattan, two casinos have been proposed: one on the West Side near the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and another on the East Side near the United Nations headquarters.
In the Bronx, a Bally’s casino is planned on a public golf course once operated by Donald Trump, potentially earning him $115 million if the license is approved. Additional proposals include a gambling hall along Coney Island’s iconic boardwalk in Brooklyn and a Hard Rock casino next to Citi Field in Queens.
Suspect Arrested Over Stolen Hard Drives Containing Unreleased Beyoncé Music
The suspect allegedly took the items using a borrowed car, police say
Police have arrested a suspect connected to the theft of hard drives containing unreleased Beyoncé music, set lists, and show footage. Other stolen items include clothing, AirPods Max headphones, and MacBook laptops.
Kelvin Evans, 40, is accused of breaking into a Jeep Wagoneer rented by Beyoncé’s choreographer and stealing four black bags, according to the arrest warrant obtained by NBC News.The incident occurred on July 8, just days before the singer’s Atlanta stop of her Cowboy Carter tour.
Christopher Grant, the artist’s choreographer and a dancer, told police that he had parked a rental car in a parking deck, and when he returned, they discovered someone had broken into the vehicle.
“They have my computers, and it’s really, really important information in there. I work with someone who’s like of a high status, and I really need the, um, my computer and everything,” Grant said, according to the transcript of the 911 call obtained by 11 Alive news.
According to the report, surveillance cameras captured the incident, showing Evans exiting a 2025 Hyundai Elantra with Georgia plates and then breaking into the Jeep. The footage also shows him returning to the Elantra, which was parked beside the Jeep, and leaving with the stolen items.
Police contacted the owner of the Elantra, who said she rented the vehicle out to earn extra money, according to the report. They tracked the car down and took the driver into custody. The driver told police that her uncle, Kelvin Evans, asked her to borrow the car for five minutes. He returned the car 30 minutes later, claiming he went to a friend’s house, the report noted. According to reports, the vehicle had four black bags inside when it was returned.
The driver told police that her uncle asked her to drop off the bags at her aunt’s apartment on Hank Aaron Drive. Surveillance footage from the apartment complex shows Evans removing the stolen bags from the car. Evans later returned to the car and placed a black bag in the trunk before leaving on his bicycle.
According to the incident report, the stolen MacBook Air laptop was pinging at the Hank Aaron Drive complex the day of the theft. Another stolen MacBook was pinging at an address in Hapeville on the same day. In an email to the Associated Press, Atlanta Police spokesman Anthony Grant says they have not recovered the stolen hard drives.
The Ai-track was a No. 1 hit on R&B Digital Song Sales
Telisha Jones, a woman who utilized artificial intelligence to create an image while using the controversial AI music tool Suno, backed by industry heavyweight Timbaland, has signed a recording deal as her AI character, Xania Monet.
According to Billboard, Jones, who uses the moniker Xania Monet, has been signed by Hallwood Media for a reported $3 million deal. She received multiple offers as one of her recordings, “Let Go, Let God,” appears on two of Billboard‘s charts. She debuts at No. 25 on the Emerging Talents list, and the song is currently No. 21 on the Hot Gospel Songs.
During a recent Zoom call with record executives, she did not appear on screen and did not sing for them. The execs at the label, led by a former Interscope Records executive, Neil Jacobson, decided to offer Monet a recording contract anyway.
Romel Murphy, who manages Jones/Monet, insisted that, although the image and songs were not generated in the traditional way, her words, which are written by her based on her stories and inspired by a small factor of others, are pure, and that’s what draws people to her music.
“She’s been writing poetry for a long time,” Murphy expressed to the media outlet. He said that the songs are “not a hook and a bridge and a catchy chant — It’s just the lyrics, and they are pure.”
The project she created, according to Murphy, used a combination of Suno and live elements to create the album, which also allows her to claim full ownership of the songwriting and production credits. In the future, she does plan on working with “human” producers for her next project. They are in the midst of fielding offers from music publishers and are planning Xania’s first live performance.
“This is real music — it’s real R&B,” said Murphy. “There’s an artist behind it.”
Monet’s song, “How Was I Supposed to Know,” was a No. 1 hit on R&B Digital Song Sales, No. 3 on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales, and No. 22 on Digital Song Sales.
Social media erupted on Sept. 17 after ABC, under pressure from major station groups Nexstar and Sinclair, announced it was suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live! “for the foreseeable future.”
In addition to pulling the show, the media giants called for Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family and for ABC to make a “meaningful donation” to both the family and Turning Point USA, Deadline reported.
”Nexstar’s owned and partner television stations affiliated with the ABC Television Network will preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the foreseeable future, beginning with tonight’s show,” Nexstar said in a statement. “Nexstar strongly objects to recent comments made by Mr. Kimmel concerning the killing of Charlie Kirk and will replace the show with other programming in its ABC-affiliated markets.”
Sinclair Broadcast Group, ABC’s largest affiliate owner, agreed with Nexstar and expressed the organization’s objection to Kimmel’s remarks in the wake of Kirk’s assassination. As a result, it will “not lift the suspension of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ on our stations until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the network’s commitment to professionalism and accountability.”
The company announced that on Sept. 19, instead of Kimmel’s show, a tribute to Kirk will air in the time slot. Kimmel’s swift removal came just days after his Sept. 15 show, where he commented on Kirk’s killer being a MAGA supporter.
“We had some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and with everything they can to score political points from it.”
Just so we’re clear, this is the clip that got Jimmy Kimmel’s show shelved by ABC.
If I’m missing any other clips please let me know.
This is also what Jimmy Kimmel said the day that Charlie Kirk was assassinated:
A clip shared on X shows Kimmel’s late-night show remarks, including his initial reaction to Kirk’s Sept. 10 killing, which he called “horrible and monstrous.” He expressed love for the Kirk family and condemned the “senseless gun violence.”
Public outcry quickly spread across social media, with many denouncing Kimmel’s suspension, which came on the heels of Stephen Colbert’s show being pulled for his criticism of the president, as an attack on free speech and freedom of the press.
”This cannot be the clip. If this is the clip, then free speech is truly gone in America, the First Amendment is non-existent,” one user wrote.
”Just so we’re clear, what got Jimmy Kimmel fired is Donald Trump and Brendan Carr,” added someone else.
Kimmel’s abrupt removal comes as both Nexstar and Sinclair lobby the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), led by Chairman Brendan Carr, on key regulatory matters. Nexstar, the nation’s largest station group, had a proposed merger with Tegna before the Trump administration that would create a media giant with 265 stations across 44 states and Washington, D.C., reaching 80% of U.S. TV households. Disney, ABC’s parent company, also requires administration approval for ESPN’s deal to acquire the NFL Network, which includes the league taking a 10% stake in ESPN. Meanwhile, Sinclair is pushing for deregulation and publicly praised Carr in its statement.
”We appreciate FCC Chairman Carr’s remarks today, and this incident highlights the critical need for the FCC to take immediate regulatory action to address control held over local broadcasters by the big national networks,” Sinclair said.
However, tensions are high, the public is outraged, and calls are mounting for a full boycott against Disney, ABC’s parent company
”Boycott Disney. Boycott Nexstar. Boycott their advertisers. Hit them where it hurts: the $$$,” one X user wrote.
Federal Judge Can’t Help West Africans Trump Deported To Ghana, Says Her ‘Hands Are Tied’
A federal judge has sympathy for the five West African men deported to Ghana but says she lacks the authority to ensure their return.
A U.S. federal judge is “alarmed and dismayed” over the deportation of five West African men to Ghana, where they could face torture or death, but that her “hands are tied.”
On Sept. 15, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan expressed concern over the West African immigrants deported by the Trump administration, despite having protections from U.S. immigration courts, Politico reports. Chutkan said she cannot help the men because they are now under the custody of the Ghanaian government.
“The court does not reach this conclusion lightly. It is aware of the dire consequences Plaintiffs face if they are repatriated,” wrote Chutkan, an Obama appointee. “And it is alarmed and dismayed by the circumstances under which these removals are being carried out, especially in light of the government’s cavalier acceptance of Plaintiffs’ ultimate transfer to countries where they face torture and persecution.”
Chutkan’s ruling comes days after the detained men went through intense litigation after being abruptly deported to Ghana earlier this month under a private agreement between the Trump administration and the Ghanaian government. Four of the men remain in a Ghanaian prison awaiting transfer to Nigeria or The Gambia.
The men’s attorneys say that upon arrival in Ghana, their clients were informed they would soon be transferred to their home countries, despite having secured protections from U.S. immigration courts due to fears of persecution or torture. The men allege that the Trump administration used Ghana to bypass these protections and had hoped Chutkan could compel the administration to reveal details of its arrangement in hopes of securing their return.
However, because the men are in Ghanaian custody, U.S. judges have little power to offer relief, as they cannot direct U.S. foreign policy or compel the Ghanaian government to act. Chutkan stated that the Trump administration’s late-night deportation of the five men to Ghana “may have been designed to evade” the court-ordered safeguards under the Convention Against Torture.
“For over three decades, through five presidential administrations, this country has adhered to its obligations to treat refugees humanely and to comply with the Constitutional requirement of due process, which is afforded to all persons present in this country, regardless of their citizenship status,” Chutkan wrote. “In recent months, the government has embarked upon a series of deportations which signal a drastic change of course.”
“In several cases, authorities have rounded up—often at night and with little or no notice—men, women, and children being held in detention facilities, hastily put them on planes and transferred them to other countries, where they have no connections, do not speak the language, and are unable to contact family or counsel,” the judge continued.
Hundreds of Guatemalan children faced deportation over Labor Day weekend, until a judge stepped in.
Olori Swank Ushers StyleSeat Into A New Era As Head Of Content, Strategy & Influence
Olori Swank has long been recognized as one of entertainment’s most in-demand stylists, known for her signature blue hair and a client roster
Olori Swank has long been recognized as one of entertainment’s most in-demand stylists, known for her signature blue hair and a client roster that includes Jeezy, Keyshia Cole, Childish Gambino, Teyana Taylor, and more. However, her path into fashion and her appointment to executive leadership at StyleSeat were anything but easy.
After studying psychology, biology, and pre-med at the University of Georgia, with a minor in chemistry, Swank planned to attend medical school. Taking a year off changed her life. During that break, she randomly scored a styling gig for Jive Records artist Asia Cruise—and, as she says, the rest is history.
Now, Swank brings her eclectic background and visionary perspective to StyleSeat, the leading platform for beauty and wellness professionals, as its new Head of Content, Strategy & Influence.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global appointment scheduling software market was valued at USD 470.7 million in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 546.1 million in 2025 to USD 1,518.4 million by 2032, with a CAGR of 15.7% from 2025 to 2032. North America led the global market with a 34.16% share in 2024.
Swank discussed her StyleSeat appointment, the new era for the platform, and its mission to elevate beauty pros beyond just business owners into cultural powerhouses with Black Enterprise.
A Bold New Era for StyleSeat
For over ten years, StyleSeat has assisted barbers, nail artists, estheticians, and stylists in managing and growing their businesses with innovative booking and revenue tools. According to CEO Melody McCloskey, the company has already put more than $500 million directly into the pockets of beauty professionals.
But with Swank’s arrival, StyleSeat is strengthening its influence and cultural leadership. “Olori’s creative genius and ability to transform brands into movements make her the perfect guide for this new era,” said McCloskey.
Swank sees her role as more than just a job—it’s a mission. “This is the new era of StyleSeat, one where beauty pros are not just in business, they are in power. My role is to be the bridge that takes them there,” she said.
Vision for Influence and Growth
Swank’s first-year priorities are ambitious but focused. She highlighted three main goals: increasing monthly new pro signups, helping pros boost their average revenue, and encouraging the adoption of the platform’s AI-powered tools.
“StyleSeat has already changed how beauty professionals run their businesses,” Swank said. “My goal is to build on that foundation and move into a new era of influence and profit.”
She also highlighted the importance of accessibility for all service providers. “From braiders to barbers, nail techs to estheticians—everyone deserves access to tools that help grow their business. That’s why I’m personally launching initiatives like workshops, city tours, and spotlights, along with offering all new professionals two months free on StyleSeat when they join using the code ‘SWANK.’”
Beauty Pros as Cultural Architects
Swank’s career has been marked by her ability to blend culture, commerce, and influence—an approach she now uses with StyleSeat. She believes beauty professionals often have an underestimated yet vital role in shaping broader cultural trends.
“Beauty pros have always been tastemakers. They set the tone before trends even reach the mainstream,” she said. “At StyleSeat, I’m giving pros the stage and strategy to turn their influence into income. Beauty pros aren’t just participants in culture; they are the architects of it.”
Her goal is to make sure the world sees beauty professionals not just as service providers but as cultural leaders who shape music, fashion, and lifestyle trends.
Amplifying Entrepreneurial Success
For Swank, the numbers only tell part of the story. What excites her most about StyleSeat and the companies $500 million milestone is the individual stories behind it.
There are barbers who started with a single chair and now own multiple shops. There are stylists who have expanded into product lines and education. There are nail artists who have built global followings through their creativity,” Swank shared. “These aren’t just pros, they’re entrepreneurs and empire-builders.”
Through content, features, and community initiatives, Swank seeks to showcase these journeys as roadmaps for others. “When pros see people who look like them and work like them building empires, it sparks belief. And belief is the first step to scaling,” she said.
AI as the Great Equalizer
One of the biggest game-changers Swank sees for beauty entrepreneurs is artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional booking apps, StyleSeat positions itself as an AI-powered revenue generator.
“AI is the great equalizer,” Swank explained. “For years, only big corporations had access to advanced data, marketing automation, and smart business tools. Now, with StyleSeat, that power is in the hands of individual beauty professionals.”
Instead of spending hours on pricing or client acquisition, pros can now depend on AI features like smart pricing and client matching. “The future of beauty entrepreneurship isn’t about working harder, it’s about working smarter—and AI is the tool that makes that possible,” Swank said.
Building Legacy and Power
At the core of Swank’s vision is empowerment. She measures her success not only by signups and revenue but also by transformation stories—pros who go from overlooked to overbooked, from service providers to industry leaders.
“Success in this role looks like beauty professionals owning their power in ways they never imagined,” she said. “It’s not just about being booked and busy. It’s about being respected as CEOs, cultural leaders, and entrepreneurs whose influence extends beyond the chair.”
Her mission is clear: to make sure every professional on StyleSeat has the tools and confidence to build not just a business, but a lasting legacy.
“My goal is simple,” Swank concluded. “To make StyleSeat the platform that empowers beauty pros to earn more, influence culture, and leave legacies that will outlive their careers.”
Fani Willis’ Appeal Of Removal From Trump Case Denied By Georgia Supreme Court
Willis' appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court was rejected in a 4-3 decision.
Fani Willis’ appeal of her removal from her Trump indictment in Fulton County has been denied by the Georgia Supreme Court.
The Fulton County District Attorney tried returning to the prosecution of Donald Trump over his alleged election interference in Georgia. Willis was removed from the case against Trump in November due to her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.
The Georgia Court of Appeals determined Willis had an “appearance of impropriety” for bringing on the lawyer with whom she had once had a romantic relationship. The court decided to remove Willis from the prosecution, putting the entire trial in limbo.
Willis decided to take the matter to the Georgia Supreme Court. She argued that she was being disqualified unjustly, especially as she had no proven conflict of interest.
“No Georgia court has ever disqualified a district attorney for the mere appearance of impropriety without the existence of an actual conflict of interest,” Willis’ filing stated, according toThe Grio. “And no Georgia court has ever reversed a trial court’s order declining to disqualify a prosecutor based solely on an appearance of impropriety.”
However, the Court decided against the attorney in a 4-3 decision issued Sept. 16.
While disagreeing with the verdict, Willis has agreed to make all files available for her successor. Her office will send all necessary documents to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia as the group finds her replacement.
In her statement, she emphasized her hopes for the next prosecutor to remain steadfast in their quest for justice.
“I hope that whoever is assigned to handle the case will have the courage to do what the evidence and the law demand,” Willis said in an emailed statement.
However, the search for a prosecutor may come with its own obstacles, especially to find one willing to take up the fight as Willis did. Given Trump’s current role as President, his continued involvement seems relatively slim, but 14 other defendants could still face charges.
The election interference case has been ongoing since 2023. Willis spearheaded the RICO indictment under accusations that Trump and his campaign officials tried to illegally overturn the election results in Georgia. It followed other state-led indictments, such as the hush-money case in New York that left the president convicted on 34 counts for falsifying business records.
In light of the denied appeal, Trump’s attorney, Steve Sadow, also released a statement calling her behavior “egregious” despite no conflict of interest found.
“Willis’s misconduct during the investigation and prosecution of President Trump was egregious, and she deserved nothing less than disqualification,” explained Sadow.
Joy D. Calloway Named President And CEO Of Black Women’s Health Imperative
Calloway will start at BWHI on Oct. 16.
Joy D. Calloway is leveraging her experience as a nonprofit executive and values-driven strategist in her new role as president and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI).
The BWHI announced Calloway’s appointment on Sept. 16. She is set to begin on Oct. 16. She replaces Linda Goler Blount, who served a decade in that role.
She joins the organization after serving as executive director of the National Medical Association (NMA), the country’s oldest and largest organization representing Black physicians.
“To lead BWHI is to step into sacred work. For decades, this organization has spoken out when others were silent,” Calloway said in a press release. “It has made room for the complexity of Black women’s health experiences and turned that lived reality into policy, into action, into power. I’m here to build on that legacy, to elevate what’s working, and to push even further into the future we all deserve. Because when we center those most impacted, we create solutions that uplift us all.”
Calloway previously guided Planned Parenthood of Greater New York through a pivotal transitional period, helping to reorganize operations and improve internal culture and public trust. She also served as CEO of New Center Community Mental Health Services in Detroit and founded the first Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Oakland County, Michigan.
“Joy Calloway is a rare kind of leader: visionary, grounded, and deeply connected to the communities we serve,” said Barbara J. Brown, Ph.D., chair of BWHI’s board of directors. “Her presence signals more than a new chapter. It signals our continued rise as a force for systems accountability, policy change, and cultural transformation. She brings with her not just experience, but a calling. I have no doubt she will lead with the courage, compassion, and conviction that this moment and this movement demand.”
Since its founding in 1983 by health activist Byllye Avery, BWHI has been a powerful advocate for Black women’s health, shaping policy, advancing culturally relevant research, and delivering programs that support wellness nationwide.
