by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 11, 2025

How Atlanta HBCUs Have Benefitted From The Historic $55M Gift By MacKenzie Scott

The gift also sparked a wave of philanthropic attention toward the HBCUs.

HBCUs within the Atlanta University Center have already gotten to work with the $55 million gifted by MacKenzie Scott.

Scott donated the lofty sum to the schools following her divorce from Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos. She acquired a portion of their Amazon stock, which held a price tag of more than $38 billion.

On her own mission, Scott decided to give away the majority of her new wealth, donating to multiple Black institutions in the wake of the summer 2020 protests for Black Lives Matter. That July, she gave Morehouse and Spelman $20 million apiece. Clark Atlanta received its own check for $15 million, five months later.

The money came with no restrictions, allowing the schools’ leaders to allocate the funding as they saw fit. Given systemic and historic lack of funding for HBCUs, the checks helped with scholarships, endowments, and new building developments for students on campus.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Morehouse specifically used the donation to support its new campus center in development. The center will boast three stories and 58,000 square feet, providing a communal yet educational hub for the all-men’s HBCU. However, the construction costs total $80 million, with Scott’s contribution making a significant dent.

Morehouse administrators remember how Scott’s philanthropy displayed trust in Black institutions to use these resources to uplift their campuses and student bodies.

“It was refreshing to see a donor who really genuinely wants to help organizations without having any restrictions. What that really conveys is trusting those organizations to utilize the resources as they need and as they see fit, said Hodan Hassan, Morehouse’s vice president of the Office of Institutional Advancement and chief advancement officer.

Clark Atlanta put $10 million of the gift towards its endowment. The HBCU’s president called the donation a “true turning point” for the university. It is still recognized as the single largest private, individual gift in the school’s history,

“It has helped us fortify our financial base, enrich our academic offerings, expand opportunities for our scholars, and significantly enhance our visibility and reputation,” explained George T. French Jr., the school’s president, to The AJC.

The rest went to its W.E.B. Du Bois Southern Center for Studies in Public Policy, as well as its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development, with $500,000 allocated for full-tuition scholarships for graduates of Atlanta Public Schools.

Following suit, Spelman also contributed over half of its donation to its endowment. Given its smaller population of around 2,100 students in 2020, each received a $3,500 award. The leftover funding supported technology upgrades and advancing student experience.

However, the AUC agreed that the gift went beyond its direct monetary impact. It signaled to other philanthropists that HBCUs were “worth the investment,” as stated by Hassan. By amplifying its fundraising efforts, these schools acquired even more funding from other avenues, gaining millions to support their cause for Black scholars.

Scott’s generosity indirectly started a movement that spotlighted the AUC and other HBCUs. She continues to pour financial support to other causes, with billions still left to give.

by Jeffrey McKinney

September 11, 2025

Breaking Barriers: Black Woman CEO To Take Helm Of $120M Airport Concessionaire

Nikki Tinsley Harland is recognized for her ability to drive growth, foster innovation, and lead with integrity.

After serving as CEO of Concessions International LLC for 12 years and 42 years with the company, Donata Russell Ross will retire next month.

Nikki Tinsley Harland, a seasoned leader in the travel retail industry, will take over Oct. 6, the company said in a press release. The Atlanta-based Concessions International (CI) is one of the largest Black-owned airport concessionaires in America.

Russell Ross helped build CI into a business with an annual revenue of $120 million and 1,100 employees. During her time as CEO, the firm said it boosted airport presence, added national brands, and elevated women and minority business participation.

CI serves over 30 national, regional, and proprietary brands at almost 40 locations in eight airports.

Russell Ross will remain board chair of H.J. Russell & Co. and assist Tinsley Harland during the transition. That process is expected to be done by late Q1 2026.

“We couldn’t have found a more perfect candidate to be my successor,” Russell Ross said of Tinsley Harland. “With her Atlanta roots, knowledge of the industry, leadership skills, innovative spirit, and proven track record, she is the ideal person to lead CI into the future and take CI to the next level.”

Tinsley Harland will become CI’s top executive after she was chosen by a CEO search committee consisting of Russell Ross’ brothers, Michael B. Russell and H. Jerome Russell.

The siblings are the children of the late legendary Atlanta businessman Herman J. Russell, who started H.J. Russell & Co. in 1952. Now led by CEO Michael Russell, it’s one of the nation’s largest Black-owned construction firms. It has been regularly listed on the Top 100 list of BLACK ENTERPRISE‘s annual ranking of America’s top Black-owned businesses.

CI was founded 46 years ago by H.J. Russell and two business partners, Felker W. Ward Jr. and Jesse Hill Jr. Russell bought out the partners in 1999. CI became entirely family-owned.

Tinsley Harland has 12 years of leadership experience in the travel retail industry. She most recently was chief operating office at Paradies Lagardère, an Atlanta-based airport concessionaire that offers travel essentials, specialty retail, and dining.

CI cited Tinsley Harland’s ability to drive growth, foster innovation, and lead with integrity.

“I am excited to join Concessions International as CEO and build upon the incredible foundation and legacy established by those who came before me, and particularly by Donata, who has served as an industry role model for so many of us,” Tinsley Harland said.

Mike Tyson, JAKE PAUL, medical, incident, contain, scare, boxing

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 11, 2025

Mike Tyson Admits To Using Fentanyl ‘Quite A Few Times’ During His Legendary Boxing Career

Fentanyl is defined as a highly potent synthetic opioid that is now legal in the U.S. as it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pain relief.

Boxing legend Mike Tyson made a striking admission during a recent interview, confessing that he used the drug fentanyl “quite a few times” throughout his 1990s boxing career, Fox News reports.

During an interview on “The Katie Miller Podcast,” the heavyweight champ touched on his well-known usage of marijuana after host Katie Miller asked him how he balances being a user and a role model. After stating that he isn’t sure, given “this is what I do and that’s part of his life as a human being, Tyson revealed that he used fentanyl as a painkiller several times, admitting that it’s like heroin.

“It was a painkiller, and I used to use it to patch up my toe,” Tyson said. “It was like heroin — once it wears off and you take the Band-Aid off, you start withdrawing, throwing up, just like if you were on heroin.”

Mike Tyson opened up on the "Katie Miller Podcast" that he used and relied on fentanyl at one point in his life to deal with pain. https://t.co/fMEyCxES1y pic.twitter.com/8z3tOKjy4g
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 10, 2025

Despite it helping with the pain that came along with the sport, Tyson said he had no choice but to stop since it was illegal back then, especially in the sports industry. “It was illegal if it [was] caught in my bloodstream. It was a narcotic, my friend told me. It was brand new. I told my friend ‘Could I use this?’ No one ever heard of it,” he continued.

According to the New York Post, fentanyl is defined as a highly potent synthetic opioid that is now legal in the U.S. as it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pain relief, but the warning comes as it can be fatal if given unprescribed in small doses. The boxing champ has become an anti-fentanyl advocate in retirement after seeing firsthand the effects of it. In 2009, his close friend Arturo Gatti passed away after a lengthy battle with opioids.

Back in June 2009, he teamed up with acting US Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba to educate people on the dangers of fentanyl while taking a tour of a US Drug Enforcement Agency laboratory in New York City. “Let’s keep America safe. Fentanyl is killing us,” he wrote on X with corresponding photos.

Let’s keep America safe. Fentanyl is killing us. Thx for education NE DEA labs and @AlinaHabba pic.twitter.com/THooflZLbs
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 9, 2025

While Tyson is a vocal advocate of marijuana usage for athletes, saying they “play better” after smoking, studies have shown that fentanyl is nothing to play around with, particularly for older Black men. Data from a 2024 study highlighted how a majority of men in the U.S. between the ages of 54 and 73 have died from opioid overdoses due to fentanyl.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates roughly 48,422 people died in 2024 from consuming fentanyl illicitly.

by Kandiss Edwards

September 11, 2025

Teachers Unions Sue Trump Administration For Harmful Immigration Policies

Teachers believe increased ICE presence near schools is a deterrent to immigrant students and parents.

The two largest teachers’ unions in America are suing the Trump administration for targeting immigrants in schools.

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers, which represent approximately 4 million teachers and school staff nationwide, brought the suit. The suit argues that the recent immigration mandate, which allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement to make arrests near schools, is negatively impacting students, according to the NEA press release. Due to increased fear in immigrant communities, some students have been staying home or dropping out of school.

The lawsuit states that educators have observed rising anxiety and lower attendance. Additionally, teachers say that immigrant parents are reluctant to seek out school resources. Teachers in several states report that students are declining to enroll in programs like special education or English-learner classes. Educators speculate that the decrease in student participation and attendance is due to concerns that school interactions could expose families to immigration risks.

In an interview with NBC, preschool teacher Lauren Fong asked, “Why a school? Why not someplace else, any place else? It was in the parking lot, where it could be witnessed by so many young children.”

In California’s Central Valley region, the case states that in January and February, data showed a 22% increase in student absences compared to the same months over the two previous school years, according to a study conducted by Stanford University’s Institute for Economic Policy Research. The increase followed immigration raids.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Eugene, Oregon. It also involves an Oregon farmworker union and several churches. Prosecutors are claiming that the policy reversal and enforcement actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and First Amendment rights of affected communities.

At the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, his administration eliminated a long-standing policy that had protected certain locations, such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship, from immigration enforcement, except under very limited circumstances. The lawsuit claims that removing those protections “violated the law.”

Multiple incidents of ICE activity are cited in the suit. Among them was an Oregon operation where agents wearing masks broke a car window and removed a child’s father from his vehicle. The incident occurred shortly after the child was dropped off at preschool. The school was locked down. Teachers played music so that students would not hear what was happening outside.

The Associated Press reported on the Department of Homeland Security’s response. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said arrests at schools or churches would still require supervision.

She said, “Officers would need secondary supervisor approval before any action can be taken in locations such as a church or a school. We expect these to be extremely rare.”

Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, said the administration is creating “fear and chaos” and added that “our students, schools, and communities are paying the price.”

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said, “America’s classrooms must be safe and welcoming places of learning and discovery.”

by Kandiss Edwards

September 11, 2025

New Orleans Mayor Pleads Not Guilty To Charges Related To Alleged Affair with Former Bodyguard

LaToya Cantrell is accused of using taxpayer money to fund multiple rendezvous and personal entertainment with her bodyguard.

On Aug. 10, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell pleaded not guilty to federal charges.

Cantrell is accused of fraud, obstruction and conspiracy. The charges stem from an alleged romantic relationship with her former bodyguard, Jeffrey Vappie.

According to documents, the New Orleans mayor used taxpayer money to fund multiple rendezvous and personal entertainment with Vappie while he was on duty. Cantrell paid for personal travel and entertainment that totaled nearly $70,000, according to the indictment.

Additionally, she is accused of attempting to hide the relationship by destroying evidence. Vappie and Cantrell both allegedly deleted multiple messages and presented false statements to conceal the affair.

“Cantrell and Vappie used WhatsApp for more than 15,000 messages, where they professed their love and plotted to harass a citizen who helped expose their relationship, delete evidence, make false statements to FBI agents, “and ultimately to commit perjury before a federal grand jury,” acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson said.

During the hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby ordered Cantrell to surrender her passport and restricted her travel to the southeast region of Louisiana. Cantrell must obtain permission from probation officers if she wants to travel outside of the area. She was also barred from contacting Vappie.

Vappie, who retired from the New Orleans Police Department retiree in 2024, pleaded not guilty to charges of wire fraud and making false statements.

Cantrell, the first female mayor in New Orleans history to face criminal charges while in office, will end her second term in January 2026.

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana claims Cantrell’s administration misused more than $70,000 in public funds for Vappie’s travel costs, including meals, overtime pay, and transportation. Prosecutors contend she activated message-deleting features after media reports surfaced and that she used her position to help hide evidence.

Cantrell has denied that the relationship was romantic and has described some of the criticism as rooted in bias because of her race and gender. Her lawyer also stated the case will not impede her duties as mayor.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 11, 2025

Clifton Powell Claims Spike Lee Doesn’t ‘Take Care Of His Own People’

Actor Clifton Powell doubles down on his past criticism of Spike Lee.

Actor Clifton Powell is speaking out about what he calls Spike Lee’s poor business practices and alleged mistreatment of fellow Black actors.

On a recent episode of The Art of Dialogue, Powell, who has over 250 acting credits, stood by his criticism of Lee, calling them “facts” he won’t take back, and urged critics to investigate “the kind of business” Lee conducted behind the scenes.

“I don’t dislike Spike Lee. I dislike some of his business practices,” Powell said in a clip shared online. “And people can think about me with one guy call in and say, ‘you old C-list a** actor talking about Spike.’ The problem is people talk a lot of stuff and don’t do their research.”

https://twitter.com/ArtOfDialogue_/status/1965556947454951704

Powell says he’s done his research on the “Do the Right Thing” filmmaker and points to fellow Black actors, including Charles Dutton, who have backed his criticism of Lee.

“I’m never going to accept a Black man doing to us what the man has been doing for the last 70,000 years,” Powell said. “And so go do your research. Listen to what Charles Dutton said. He said Clifton Powell wasn’t wrong.”

Although Powell has never worked with Spike Lee directly, he says friends who have reported that the Academy Award-winning director had a history of mistreating his cast.

“I never threatened him, but I don’t appreciate how he did business with us back in the day,” Powell said. “Not me, but my friends, because I’ve never worked with him.”

Powell acknowledged his respect for Black media moguls like Tyler Perry and even praised Lee’s latest film with Denzel Washington, Highest 2 Lowest. While he recognizes that Black entertainers “got to be careful condemning each other in public,” he says his previous remarks about Lee were made in jest and never intended to go viral.

The Next Friday star is more critical of Lee’s public attacks on Tyler Perry, whom he knows personally and has never had a negative interaction with. Although Powell admits he shouldn’t have publicly criticized Lee, he continues to stand by his claims regarding the director’s alleged poor business practices.

“I don’t respect his business policies,” Powell said.

It was during a 2011 appearance on the Russ Par Morning Show when Powell first made his dislike for Spike Lee public, calling the “Crooklyn” director a “hater” toward his own people.

“I don’t like Spike. I have never said it publicly, but Spike is a hater,” Powell said at the time. “He was doing all these movies, Sam [Samuel L. Jackson] and all these guys know he’s a hater. He kept all the money; there was lawsuits against him. Spike needs to go sit his punk a** down and stop talking about Tyler Perry.”

FAMU, Florida A and M University,DI, Black History Month

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 11, 2025

FAMU To Update Florida Board Of Governors On Financial Woes After CFO ‘Failed Pretty Miserably’

FAMU officials are sharing the school's plans to fix its financial woes.

Florida A&M University will face the Florida Board of Governors in a public meeting to outline the steps being taken to resolve its financial troubles.

On Sept. 11, FAMU Vice President for Audit Credentials Joseph Maleszewski will deliver a presentation during the board’s 8:15 a.m. audit and compliance committee meeting, which is open to the public, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. The briefing comes in response to recent audit findings and will precede a full board meeting later that afternoon at 3 p.m.

FAMU’s financial practices came under scrutiny during a June 18 meeting, which confirmed Marva Johnson as the school’s new president. It followed a March 2025 audit that flagged delayed bank reconciliations, late vendor payments, weak internal controls, and limited staff oversight. In addition to the audit issues, critics said Rebecca Brown, FAMU’s CFO and Senior VP of Finance for over two years, had “failed pretty miserably” in overseeing the school’s finances.

“This is serious. It’s systemic, and that’s a word I don’t think they were tossing around lightly. This time around, it’s pretty systemic in the accounting side,” Audit and Compliance Committee Chair Aubrey Edge said during the June meeting.

As a result, Brown was placed on leave in July, and Chief Budget Officer Nichole Murray was named senior vice president of Finance and Administration and CFO by former interim President Timothy Beard. The audit issues followed the school’s decision to terminate a planned audit of its athletics department in September 2024, after failing to provide the required documentation.

The program’s last completed audit covered the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, although NCAA rules require financial reporting to be done annually. All the while, FAMU’s Athletics Director Angela Suggs remains on paid administrative leave following charges of grand theft and fraudulent travel claims tied to her former role as CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation.

FAMU’s plan to address its financial challenges includes expanding the Athletics Business Office to handle audit issues, hiring and training additional staff for bank reconciliations, and partnering with the national accounting firm Cherry Bekaert for support. Steps already underway include correcting investment accounting and recording errors identified in FAMU’s operational audit, settling overdue invoices, and utilizing third-party onsite support to address staffing gaps.

by Jameelah Mullen

September 11, 2025

Royal Caribbean Passenger Jumps Ship—LITERALLY—To Allegedly Avoid $16K Gambling Debt

When 'jumping ship' isn’t just a figure of speech.

A man who authorities say jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship near the Port of San Juan to avoid paying a $16,000 in gambling debt to the cruise line has been charged with a federal crime, authorities say.

Jey Gonzalez-Diaz was a passenger on Rhapsody of the Seas, which departed from the Port of San Juan for a week-long cruise to Barbados before returning September 7.

When other passengers were disembarking, Gonzalez-Diaz jumped into the water, according to the criminal complaint obtained by CBS News. Survival videos showed passing jet ski drivers rescuing Gonzalez-Diaz.

US Customs and Border Protection officers later detained Gonzalez-Diaz near San Juan. The complaint states that González-Díaz told officials he jumped off the ship to avoid reporting the money he was carrying because he believed he would be taxed. Upon further investigation, authorities soon learned that González Díaz owed $16,710.24 to the cruise line, “almost exclusively associated with casino and gaming expenses,” El Nuevo Dia reported.

According to the complaint, he was carrying two phones, five IDs, and $14,600 in cash. González-Díaz told investigators that Jeremy Omar González Díaz is his brother. Records checks of the identifications showed that Jeremy Omar González Díaz has been in federal prison in Puerto Rico since January for drug trafficking and weapons possession.

When authorities asked him for his full name, he told investigators, “If you guys were good at your job, you would know that.”

According to the Royal Caribbean website, guests can charge up to $10,000 per day to their onboard expense account for gambling at the casino. The cruise line stated that the Icon of the Seas houses the largest casino at sea.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told The New York Times that the cruise line was cooperating with authorities but declined to comment further.

Authorities have accused Gonzalez-Diaz of attempting to avoid monetary reporting requirements when traveling into the United States. If convicted, he could face a fine of up to $250,000 or a maximum five-year prison sentence.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 11, 2025

REVOLT Brings Watch Culture To The Mainstream With ‘Wrist Check Pod’ Partnership

REVOLT is expanding its cultural footprint once again, this time bringing watch culture into the mainstream. The youth-driven multimedia company announced a new partnership with Wrist Check Pod, the breakout series merging watches and culture.

Beginning September 15, episodes of Wrist Check Pod will air weekly on REVOLT, marking a major moment for the watch industry as conversations once confined to collector circles move into the cultural mainstream. The move not only broadens REVOLT’s content mix but also signals a new era for the watch industry – one that reflects the voices, creativity, and cultural relevance of communities often excluded from traditional conversations.

The New Guard of Watch Culture

Co-founded and hosted by longtime friends Perri Dash and Rashawn Smith, Wrist Check Pod has quickly become a go-to voice in modern watch culture. Guests like rapper Larry June and media personality N.O.R.E. have already helped connect the dots between music, entrepreneurship, and collecting.

Dash and Smith bring a unique dual perspective to every episode. Dash’s career includes an impressive background at Pharrell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club, David Yurman and Watches of Switzerland, and Ralph Lauren’s vintage watch division, establishing him as both an insider and tastemaker. Smith, whose background spans J.Crew and Watches of Switzerland, adds a creative lens that balances industry experience with storytelling. Together, they represent the new guard of watch culture, authentic voices who merge credibility, creativity, and cultural fluency to push the industry forward.

“We built Wrist Check Pod to prove watch culture isn’t a closed world—it’s alive, it’s ours, and it’s part of the culture,” Dash said. “Partnering with REVOLT lets us amplify that message, showing the stories, legacies, and identities behind every timepiece to an audience that already understands the value of authenticity.”

Timepieces as Storytelling

For REVOLT, the series adds another layer to its mission of elevating authentic cultural narratives. “Watches have never just been about telling time,” said Deon Graham, Chief Content Officer of REVOLT. “They have always been about telling stories, about identity, heritage, and culture. On every wrist is a narrative: a symbol of where someone comes from, what they have achieved, and what they aspire to. This show is about putting those stories into the cultural spotlight and honoring the role Hip-Hop, street culture, and independent voices have played in shaping the global watch industry.”

Beyond Luxury: A Cultural Investment

Produced with the help of entertainment executive Vincent Lambino, the partnership underscores REVOLT’s strategy to push cultural boundaries and open the gateways to traditionally exclusive spaces, reframing them for a broader, younger audience.

Wrist Check Pod premieres on September 15, 2025, with new episodes airing every Monday at 8 p.m. EST on REVOLT. Episodes will also be available Tuesdays at 11 a.m. EST on YouTube and the REVOLT app. Fans can join the conversation using #REVOLTWristCheck.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 11, 2025

Black People React To The Fatal Shooting Of Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk At A Utah College

Kirk had built a platform off of white supremacist ideologies.

As the fatal shooting of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk made headlines, Black people shared their reactions to the polarizing incident.

Kirk died during an event on Sept. 10 for Turning Point USA, a nonprofit for conservative youth co-founded by the Christian Nationalist, at Utah Valley University. The graphicness of the scene sparked its own controversy, with many political figures condemning the violence.

President Donald Trump, whom Kirk was a staunch supporter of, had all U.S. flags lowered to half-mast after his death. He even suggested that he remains a “legendary” figure who had the “heart of the youth,” Reuters reported.

However, many Black people had differing reactions to Kirk’s death. The 31-year-old conservative pundit became a notorious leading voice of the alt-right movement. He often used his platform to promote white supremacist ideologies as well as racist and prejudiced rhetoric. Right before his death, Kirk had brought up gang violence, considered coded language for Black people committing crimes, when asked about mass shootings in America.

Given this, some critics had little empathy to spare for his death.

Charlie Kirk isn’t a martyr. He’s a casualty of the violence he incited.
— zellie (@zellieimani) September 10, 2025

“Charlie Kirk isn’t a martyr. He’s a casualty of the violence he incited,” shared educator and organizer Zellie Imani.

Other social media users shared empathy for his children. However, they could not shake Kirk’s stances against many, if not most, marginalized identity groups.

I have pity for his kids, but that’s about it. Charlie Kirk was a hateful individual who derived joy from being racist, homophobic, islamophobic, pro-genocide, anti-human rights, a religious fanatic, pro-guns, anti-abortion, anti-women, and anti-people of colour . pic.twitter.com/XzP5BUf6MA
— Olo (@BlackBeautyOlo) September 10, 2025

“I have pity for his kids, but that’s about it. Charlie Kirk was a hateful individual who derived joy from being racist, homophobic, islamophobic, pro-genocide, anti-human rights, a religious fanatic, pro-guns, anti-abortion, anti-women, and anti-people of colour,” wrote another.

While not going as far as celebrating Kirk’s shooting, another X user reminded others that Kirk spent his life demeaning Black people’s plight before his unexpected death.

I do not CELEBRATE anyone’s death, so I’m not celebrating but LET THIS BE A LESSON TO OTHERS..

Charlie Kirk spent his time on this earth attacking Black people & being racist.. & that’s how he’ll be remembered pic.twitter.com/ndrRnDJnE8 https://t.co/cA3RRXJv17
— Barry Spike 🎙 (@SpikeReeds) September 10, 2025

“I do not CELEBRATE anyone’s death, so I’m not celebrating, but LET THIS BE A LESSON TO OTHERS. Charlie Kirk spent his time on this earth attacking Black people & being racist… & that’s how he’ll be remembered.”

On the other hand, some had more mixed feelings toward the alt-right conservative’s gruesome death. Cultural commentator Van Lathan emphasized that he felt “terrible” about his death, despite all of the man’s offensive words.

There is no way I’m going to see that video of Charlie Kirk being shot and feel anything other than terrible. I’m aware of all of it, the rhetoric, the hatefulness, all of it from him, but I can’t be robbed of my compassion, that was awful, and we HAVE to try to be better.
— Van “Not Going Anywhere” Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) September 10, 2025

“There is no way I’m going to see that video of Charlie Kirk being shot and feel anything other than terrible. I’m aware of all of it, the rhetoric, the hatefulness, all of it from him, but I can’t be robbed of my compassion, that was awful, and we HAVE to try to be better,” expressed Lathan.

However, others also highlighted how his death was an act of gun violence. While not mincing words about Kirk’s suggested ideologies, another X user emphasized how the “lack of gun control” played a role.

Charlie Kirk was a neo Nazi. And I do not feel bad for neo Nazis. He was a victim of his own advocacy for a lack of gun control. He advocated for violence against marginalized people for the advancement of white evangelical Christianity and white supremacy.
— THE HOT BABIE HIPPO (@melaninbarbie) September 10, 2025

“Charlie Kirk was a neo Nazi. And I do not feel bad for neo Nazis,” asserted the social media user. “He was a victim of his own advocacy for a lack of gun control. He advocated for violence against marginalized people for the advancement of white evangelical Christianity and white supremacy.”

While many agreed that gun violence should stop, Black people felt mixed emotions, or no empathy at all, for the man who died while talking about gang violence.