ABCs of wealth building, financial literacy, Tanisha Adjokatcher, book, author, black

by Black Enterprise

January 23, 2026

Impossible Moon Bookshop To Host Weekend-Long Grand Opening In Atlanta

Owner of Impossible Moon Bookshop Breanna J. McDaniel is an Atlanta native and award-winning author of children’s picture books

Impossible Moon Bookshop, a Black woman-owned independent bookstore and community space, is set to open on Hapeville’s Main Street.

The grand opening will be a weekend-long celebration that brings literature and fellowship to the Southside of Atlanta. The main event is scheduled for Jan. 24. The opening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 585 N. Central Ave. Following the ribbon cutting, the day will be filled with author meet-and-greets, children’s crafts and storytelling, and a special adult-only A Risqué Reading event in the evening.

Owner Breanna J. McDaniel is an Atlanta native and award-winning author of children’s picture books including Hands Up! and Impossible Moon. Impossible Moon is more than a retail space. McDaniel described her vision on the official website as “intergenerational connection and an environment of belonging.” The programming for the opening reflects that sentiment with sessions for young people and adults alike. Programs available in the space include book clubs, tutoring sessions, and community gatherings. The bookshop is positioned near Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and aims to serve as a literary hub in Metro Atlanta.

McDaniel posted about the arrival of Impossible Moon Bookshop to the area stating, “Its GO time!.”

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A post shared by Impossible Moon Bookshop (@impossiblemoonbookshop)

McDaniel’s long-held dream for the store dates to a decade of planning, a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $20,000 and community support that helped bring the concept to reality in late 2025. She said local donors saw the bookstore as a resource and gathering space amid a decline in general bookstores in the southside of Atlanta.

In addition to serving as a commercial bookstore, Impossible Moon’s programming will emphasize community collaboration and partnerships with local businesses and artists. Upcoming planned collaborations include art crawls and story nights that reflect Hapeville’s Main Street culture, Shelf Awareness reported. The bookshop’s guiding principles include support for community members who are most vulnerable and celebrating the humanity of all patrons through shared literary experiences.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 23, 2026

Pam Bondi ‘Enraged’ After Judge Rejects DOJ Attempt To Charge Don Lemon For Anti-ICE Church Protest

Don Lemon has avoided charges for covering an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church, though the DOJ may still pursue other legal avenues.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is reportedly “enraged” after a federal magistrate judge declined the Justice Department’s initial effort to charge journalist Don Lemon for his coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church.

On Jan. 22, Lemon was temporarily cleared for reporting alongside protesters who breached a Minnesota church over the weekend, CNN reported. But Bondi, who has been in Minnesota meeting with federal prosecutors for the past two days, is reportedly outraged by the ruling, and the DOJ may seek alternative ways to bring charges against the former CNN host.

“The Attorney General is enraged at the magistrate judge’s decision,” a source familiar with the matter said.

Lemon, a former CNN host now working independently, joined dozens of protesters who stormed Cities Church in St. Paul on Jan. 18, disrupting a service and sparking tense confrontations over Pastor David Easterwood’s dual role as church leader and acting ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations director in St. Paul.

Lemon has maintained that he attended the demonstration in a journalistic capacity and not as a protester, a distinction his attorney reiterated in response to the judge’s ruling.

“The magistrate’s reported actions confirm the nature of Don’s First Amendment-protected work this weekend in Minnesota as a reporter,” Lemon’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said. “It was no different than what he has done for more than 30 years, reporting and covering newsworthy events on the ground and engaging in constitutionally protected activity as a journalist.”

Despite a Minnesota federal magistrate judge’s refusal to sign off on charges related to the protest, insiders caution that the case remains open and that the Justice Department may seek other ways to charge Lemon. Should the DOJ press ahead, Lemon is reportedly ready to fight back.

“Should the Department of Justice continue with a stunning and troubling effort to silence and punish a journalist for doing his job, Don will call out their latest attack on the rule of law and fight any charges vigorously and thoroughly in court,” Lowell said.

While Lemon avoided charges, Bondi announced arrests related to the church protest, including St. Paul School Board member Chauntyll Louisa Allen and civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong, whom she accused of helping organize the protest. A third individual, William Kelly, was later arrested.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 23, 2026

White Man Allegedly Spits At Family Following Acquittal in Hit-and-Run Of 10-Year-Old Jordan Hill

Hill’s mother, Wanda Brown, said the verdict left her in shock especially with the presented evidence.

Cody Rollinson is accused of showing no remorse after he allegedly spat at the family following his acquittal of a hit-and-run that took the life of 10-year-old Jordan Hill in Mississippi.

Rollinson, a 41-year-old white man, was acquitted Jan. 15 on charges of aggravated DUI and felony leaving the scene of an accident by a jury of his peers in Liberty. While being escorted through the parking lot of the Amite County Courthouse before the verdict, a woman not seen on camera asked if he had any words for Hill’s family.

Without a verbal response, Rollinson was seen spitting, seemingly in response to the comment. “Yea I’ma see who spits on you when you go to jail,” the unidentified woman was heard saying.

#BREAKING: Jury Finds Cody Rollinson NOT GUILTY After DUI Hit-and-Run That K*lled 10-Year-Old Jordan Hill

📍#Mississippi

Jordan was just riding his ATV last spring when Rollinson—under the influence—slams into him, flees the scene, and later returns ONLY for his broken truck… pic.twitter.com/oTKtDXwJsL
— i Expose Racists & Pedos (@SeeRacists) January 17, 2026

However, her comments were not vindicated after the jury found him not guilty on all charges.

According to The Natchez Democrat, the accident took place on April 6, 2025, when Hill was riding an all-terrain vehicle. Rollinson allegedly hit him with his truck. He claims he left the scene without calling 911 because there was no cell phone reception in the area. Later, toxicology reports revealed the assailant had marijuana in his system at the time of the accident.

Hill was declared dead at the scene.

Hill’s mother, Wanda Brown, said the verdict left her in shock, especially with the presented evidence. “Shocked. I was shocked because you have all this evidence – evidence, facts – and it still was found not guilty,” she said.

The heartbroken mother touched on how things were very hard for her and her family following her son’s death.

“It’s been hard. First Christmas, first Thanksgiving, everything is just, it still seemed like a dream. We broke, and we lost. We have a home, but it’s empty. It’s quiet,” Brown said.

Despite all that, she still has faith that justice will somehow prevail.

“Right now, I’m still crushed, but, somehow, I still have faith in the justice system,” Brown continued.

“I just felt that this justice system here just failed us because they had all the evidence. It was all presented in front of them. They had it. I don’t understand why and how this could even happen.”

But the family isn’t letting things go, questioning the investigation surrounding Hill’s death. A petition raised concerns about the lack of skid marks on the Mississippi road, suggesting that Rollinson didn’t try to stop his vehicle to prevent hitting the child.

“The disregard towards this blatant act of reckless endangerment is simply egregious, and the absence of immediate detention is a gross miscarriage of justice, which not only paints a disturbing picture of our system but significantly fractures our societal trust,” the petition reads.

“Everyone should feel safe in their own neighborhood; this requires accountability for such horrifying actions.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 23, 2026

Rymir Satterthwaite Confirms Godmother Will Appeal Recent Ruling In JAY-Z Case

'Its not over until we win.'

After a federal judge ordered Lillie Coley, the godmother of Rymir Satterthwaite, who has been claiming for years that he is the son of JAY-Z, to pay the attorney fees for JAY-Z’s lawyers, totaling $119,235.45, Satterthwaite has publicly stated that Coley is filing an appeal to the recent ruling.

The 33-year-old man who claims that the Brooklyn multihyphenate got his mother pregnant in the 1990s, when she was allegedly underage, said after the ruling, “It’s not over until we win.”

Shortly after a California judge ruled that Coley “shall take nothing” from the “Hard Knock Life” rapper and made the decision based on California’s anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) statute, Sattherthwaite took to social media to air his grievances about not getting the results he and his godmother desired.

Its not over until we win; we never had our day in court for merits of case. Nobody wants to see the proof of fraud and under age woman. Deeds, affidavits, property tax. Privilege speech of lies does qualify for anti slapp protection. @AGPamBondi https://t.co/LRqmykYMoJ
— Rymir Is Here (@RymirIsHere) January 16, 2026

Sattherthwaite posted the statement after he confirmed via social media that Cole would try to extend the case by filing an appeal, saying she would ask about the decision after questions about jurisdiction.

Godmom – "I’m appealing a federal court ruling to ask whether courts should refuse to review claims just because anti-SLAPP or litigation privilege is invoked—when jurisdiction itself is questioned." @ComeWithFacts @FBI @FBIPhiladelphia @CarmellaBigBarb @FraudUpon @diddydocket
— Rymir Is Here (@RymirIsHere) January 14, 2026

The man who feels he is the Brooklyn-raised rapper’s son explains that the suit was filed in California “to address allegations of fraud & jurisdictional defects, not to pay for fraud.”

For Anti-SLAPP to apply it must be:
A real and lawful proceeding
A court with proper jurisdiction
And activity that is not based on fraud

The very reason case was brought before California court was to address allegations of fraud & jurisdictional defects not to pay for fraud.
— Rymir Is Here (@RymirIsHere) January 17, 2026

Coley filed the lawsuit in California last year, accusing the Brooklyn businessman of neglect and claiming that he and state officials used outdated court orders to pressure her and Satterthwaite. She also stated that their legal moves forced her into bankruptcy and jeopardized her property. She argued that they misrepresented earlier rulings.

The courts dismissed the godmother’s lawsuit with prejudice in 2025.

Satterthwaite filed multiple paternity suits against JAY-Z, but all were dismissed.

In 2022, a New Jersey judge barred the duo from filing any more lawsuits in that state without obtaining prior approval. The judge concluded that the repeated attempts to litigate the paternity issue had failed.

Boston, Boston Freedom Trail, slavery, King Chapel

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 23, 2026

Erasing History: Philadelphia Sparks Outrage After Removing Slavery Exhibit Days Before Black History Month

The display removal, including those with titles “Life Under Slavery” and “The Dirty Business of Slavery,” comes as Trump and the country seemingly prepare for its 250th anniversary on July 4th, where the City of Brotherly Love and its historic exhibits will be on the national stage.

Attempts to erase history by the Trump Administration continues as the National Park Service was seen dismantling a slavery exhibit at Philadelphia’s President’s House in Independence National Historical Park.

As President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordered content at national parks that “inappropriately disparage” the U.S. be reviewed and risk being removed, an Independence Park employee told The Philadelphia Inquirer his supervisor told him to take down slavery depictions at The President’s House, a memorial site paying homage to the nine people enslaved by America’s first president, George Washington.

The National Park Service has started dismantling exhibits about slavery at the President’s House in Independence National Historical Park. pic.twitter.com/P0vaOIpbsd
— Philadelphia Inquirer Politics (@PoliticsINQ) January 22, 2026

In total, the entire exhibit removal process took roughly an hour and a half to complete, with one employee saying, “I’m just following my orders.”

Leader of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, Michael Coard, who assisted in an effort to protect the President’s House from the Trump administration, called the removal of the display an “abomination.”

“It’s a disgrace, and that’s an understatement,” Coard said, adding that Trump is a “monstrosity in the White House.”

“I cannot say what I’m thinking because, as a criminal defense attorney, I know better. What’s going on now is absolutely unheard of in the history of the United States of America.”

The display removal, including those with titles “Life Under Slavery” and “The Dirty Business of Slavery,” comes as Trump and the country seemingly prepare for its 250th anniversary on July 4th, where the City of Brotherly Love and its historic exhibits will be on the national stage. However, city leadership is prepared to put up a fight.

Shortly after the exhibits were removed, causing an uproar on social media, the city sued the Interior Department and the acting director of the National Park Service seeking a preliminary injunction to restore the exhibits, according to NBC News.

In a statement, Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson called the removal “an effort to whitewash American history.”

“History cannot be erased simply because it is uncomfortable. Removing items from the President’s House merely changes the landscape, not the historical record,” he said.

My statement on the removal of exhibits from the President's House in Old City. pic.twitter.com/b186BJ4wAg
— Kenyatta Johnson (@CouncilmemberKJ) January 23, 2026

Social media users dragged the decision, posting quotes and book titles like Jason Stanley’s Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite The Past To Control The Future, reflecting on the current bout of racist moves happening across state lines.

On X, @MDangellll said America can make erasure attempts all it wants, but it’s a little too late, as dozens of displays depicting slavery have been flagged for review by the administration. “They can take down all the dirty history of this country that they want, but it’s in this country’s soul and DNA,” she wrote.

“You can’t hide it. Without truth and change, it will just manifest in new ways like it always has.”

Brittany Griner, jersey, Baylor University, Russian, penal colony, coming home, Russia

by Kandiss Edwards

January 23, 2026

‘Zennjet’ Co-Founded By Brittney Griner Offers Legal Help And Guidance On Potentially Illegal Substances Abroad

Zennjet was created to help travelers who carry prescription medications navigate complex international laws.

Brittney Griner is turning lemons into lemonade as co-founder of a new travel membership service called Zennjet.

Zennjet was created to help travelers who carry prescription medications navigate complex international laws and avoid legal trouble. The initiative stems directly from Griner’s own detainment in Russia in 2022, when airport authorities found cannabis oil in the WNBA star’s luggage while she was playing overseas.

Zennjet offers members a range of services intended to reduce risk and provide travelers with clarity and guidance on the rules for carrying various medicines. Membership includes access to legal counsel, translation support, destination-specific guidance on drug laws, and a 24-hour emergency line.

Griner said her ignorance of Russian laws regarding cannabis oil led to a 10-month imprisonment, an experience she would not wish on others.

“I never want anybody to go through what I went through. I’m aware that I’m very blessed and very lucky to have an agency team, my wife and everybody behind me,” she told USA Today. “I want people to be able to be aware, informed, and to know where they’re going, where they’re traveling,” she said.

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A post shared by Zennjet (@zennjet_global)

The company’s idea reflects lessons the Atlanta Dream player said she learned during her 10-month detention in Russia. She was convicted of drug possession for traveling with cannabis-derived vape cartridges in her bags and sentenced to prison before she was released in a prisoner exchange. Although medical cannabis was prescribed to her for off-season pain, the substance was illegal under Russian law.

Zennjet also plans to assist travelers in replacing prescriptions that are lost, stolen or confiscated, and offer repatriation support if a member is detained abroad. Griner and her team stress that understanding local drug laws before travel is key to avoiding legal woes, particularly when medications that are lawful in one country may be restricted in another.

Facebook Marketplace, Mamadou DIallo, Kansas CIty

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 23, 2026

Sell, Steal, Repeat: Man Charged In Audacious Facebook Marketplace Auto Scam

The 24-year-old was charged with six counts of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and eight counts of forgery

A suspected scammer, Mamadou Diallo, has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes for allegedly selling cars online using Facebook Marketplace, and after making the sale, allegedly stealing them shortly after. The alleged crimes took place in Kansas City.

The Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office announced that it has charged the 24-year-old with six counts of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle and eight counts of forgery. He faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison for each charge if convicted.

“The victims’ combined losses totaled more than $24,000.”

Our office charged Mamadou Diallo with 6 counts of 1st Degree Tampering with a Motor Vehicle and 8 counts of Forgery for allegedly selling vehicles to buyers on Facebook Marketplace and then stealing them back. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison. pic.twitter.com/RnHhZfjPiu
— Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson (@JACOProsecutor) January 20, 2026

Prosecutors stated that the Kansas City Police Department was summoned between May 2025 and June 2025 after receiving calls from victims reporting that their vehicles had been stolen. There were eight stolen vehicle reports during that time, fitting the same pattern and description.

In each report, the victim said they had purchased a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace from the same person, who used a fake name when selling the car.

Diallo purportedly gave each victim what appeared to be a legitimate title and bill of sale, yet, in each case, the vehicle was stolen shortly after the sale.

After Diallo was apprehended, investigators stated that he denied having bought or sold vehicles on the online platform to the “unsuspecting buyers.”

Fox 4 reported that Diallo is no stranger to alleged crimes, as he is already facing charges in several cases. Several arrest warrants have been issued for the suspect since 2024, stemming from cases filed in Johnson County, Kansas, and Platte County, Missouri. He has several charges for similar offenses. Diallo is also facing eight charges in three cases still pending in Jackson County.

Diallo’s bond has been set at $30,000 cash only.

chef, global, international, Ebenezer Smith

by Jameelah Mullen

January 23, 2026

James Beard Announces 2026 Semifinalists, Black Culinary Leaders Shine

Foodies and culinary artisans, come to the front.

The James Beard Foundation has announced the list of 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists. Black-owned businesses continue to hold their own among industry leaders.

The James Beard Foundation presents the award to honor top culinary talent at the ceremony that some consider the culinary world’s equivalent of the Academy Awards.

Some nominees include Leslie Corey Wells, co-founder of Pizzeria Verità in Burlington, Vermont. The versatile entrepreneur made the list for the Outstanding Restaurateur award.

Derek Stevenson, Lead Sommelier at Auro in Calistoga, California, was nominated for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. Lee Campbell, Wine Director and Sommelier at NYC’s Borgo Restaurant, is also a contender for the same honor.

Eric Bennett, co-owner of Contentinel Drift in Birmingham, Alabama, is a semi-finalist for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

The Best Chef award is divided by regions. Jeffrey Harris of the New Orleans-inspired Nolia Kitchen in Cincinnati, Ohio, competes in the Great Lakes region. Representing the Mid-Atlantic are OmaTate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate, co-owners of Honeysuckle in Philadelphia.

New Yorkers lead in nominations. Kwame Onwuachi, the Nigerian American chef behind Brooklyn’s Caribbean eatery Tatiana, earned a nomination for Outstanding Chef. Rasheeda Purdie is up for the Emerging Chef award. Purdie owns Ramen By Ra in Manhattan’s East Village. Also in the East Village is Kabawa, a Caribbean eatery competing for Best New Restaurant.

In a joint statement, Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee Co-Chairs Lauren Saria and Erinn Tucker-Oluwole congratulated the semifinalists.

“From beloved neighborhood restaurants to boundary-pushing bars, this year’s semifinalists reflect the innovation, regional diversity, and storytelling that makes American dining so compelling.”

A James Beard award can be a game-changer for restaurants. Nominees and semifinalists often see increased visibility. The organization reports that a 2025 survey found that 96% of semifinalists saw a positive impact on their businesses after receiving James Beard recognition.

The James Beard Foundation will announce finalists online on Mar. 31. The James Beard Award ceremony, presented by Capital One, will take place on Jun. 15 in Chicago.

by Jameelah Mullen

January 23, 2026

Coco Gauff Makes $150K Donation To UNCF To Support Emerging Athletes

The star athlete leads by example.

Tennis star Coco Gauff is paying it forward with a $150,000 donation to the United Negro College Fund.

The donation marks Gauff’s second major contribution to the organization. Last year, she donated $100,000, bringing her total gifts to $250,000 to support the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, which supports HBCU student-tennis players.

Gauff reflected on her family’s ties to HBCU culture and emphasized the importance of these institutions for the Black community.

“My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all the way back to my great, great-grandfather. From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping who we are. Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for student-athletes in tennis means a lot to me, “the athlete said in a press release last year.

Last year, she became the youngest major donor in UNCF history at age 20.

“My hope is that this scholarship gives more young Black players the confidence to chase their dreams, knowing they have a strong community behind them and a bright future ahead,” Gauff told Tennis.com.

She also told the outlet that if she hadn’t become a tennis player, she would have attended an HBCU. Gauff said she understands the importance of representation, so she aims to increase the visibility of African Americans in both sports and academia and help support the next generation.

The UNCF announced the gift on Instagram, thanking the athlete for her generosity.

“Coco is more than a champion on the court. She’s a champion for education, opportunity, and the next generation of leaders,” the organization wrote.

The Coco Gauff scholarship program has already provided funds to 10 HBCU students. The next round of scholarships will be given to eligible students who play competitive tennis beginning in May.

RELATED CONTENT: Aced It! Coco Gauff, Highest-Paid Female Athlete—Again

by Kandiss Edwards

January 23, 2026

TikTok Courtroom Creators Booted From Brenay Kennard Cyberstalking Case

Participants who had intended to document the hearing said they respected courtroom rules and were disappointed.

A North Carolina judge has barred social media influencers from a courtroom hearing in the high-interest legal case involving TikTok creator Brenay Kennard, who was found liable in an “alienation of affection case” after spectators livestreamed parts of the proceedings.

Kennard was in court for a “contempt of court” hearing as a result of the content creator ignoring orders to stay away from her partner’s children. The judge’s ruling followed concerns that online coverage by content creators was disrupting the administration of justice.

The hearing that drew influence-seeking spectators took place on Jan. 15, when several online creators traveled from across the country to Durham. Many TikTok self-appointed court reporters gathered outside and inside the courthouse hallways to share updates with their audiences in real time. The judge subsequently ordered influencers and spectators removed from the courtroom and warned that anyone livestreaming proceedings would be held in contempt of court.

One such attendee and TikTok creator, who identified herself as “Feather Crown Press,” reacted to the ruling in a post on the platform.

“We got booted from the courtroom, y’all, and I wish I was exaggerating.”

@feathercrownpress
Brenay’s contempt, hearing was eventful… to say the least #brenay #brenayandtim #akiramontague
♬ original sound – Peaceful Melody World – Peaceful Melody World

Feather Crown Press’s first-hand account relayed the moments leading up to the ban. After moving through multiple motions to dismiss and discussing jurisdiction, the judge went to chambers, where he learned the hearing was being livestreamed. Upon his return to the bench, he asked the offending party to identify themselves. No one claimed responsibility for the action.

“He said, ‘If no one is going to fess up, I’m going to clear the courtroom,'” Feather Crown Press said.

Participants who had intended to document the hearing said they respected courtroom rules and were surprised by the ban. Kennard’s continued posting of content about her legal situation, including public appearances on Dr. Phil after her initial verdict, has drawn additional scrutiny from Akira Montague’s representatives. The attorney for Montague stated that such posts further harm the victim and her children.

The judge continued the hearing until Feb. 10, 2026, with plans to resume considering procedural and compliance issues.