by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 21, 2026

Naomi Osaka Takes Big Swing In Fashion With On-Court Appearance At Australia Open

Osaka appeared on the court with an eye-catching outfit ahead of her match.

Naomi Osaka took a big swing in fashion at the Australian Open.

The tennis champion, who won the tournament in 2019 and 2021, paid tribute to her past victory and her daughter with a grand fashion statement. Ahead of her first-round match against Antonia Ruzic, the Japanese player arrived wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a parasol, and a veil as she appeared on court.

The iconic walk onto the tennis court caught the attention of spectators and the internet. While many players have broken away from the formulaic tennis skirt uniform, Osaka has taken things up a notch with a set all of her own.

The mother of one also paraded the “wun of one” outfit, designed by Robert Wun, to her Instagram.

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A post shared by 大坂なおみ🇭🇹🇯🇵 (@naomiosaka)

The outfit also references fond memories of Osaka’s time in Melbourne Park.

According to NBC News, the hat and umbrella feature butterfly motifs, a reference to when one of the winged creatures landed on her during a 2021 match. As for her playing outfit, its mixture of blue and green represents her daughter, Shai, and her love of jellyfish.

“Honestly, it came together quite beautifully because I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived here,” Osaka said. “Then it just felt like everywhere I looked, the theme was water. Obviously, the walkout was like seeing the ocean and waves. I thought that it was really beautiful. Really amazing coincidence.”

Osaka has made the tennis courts her own runway in recent years, as fellow Black tennis stars have also expressed their femininity and strength through traditional outfits. Legends like Venus and Serena Williams have made the arenas their own fashion shows, showcasing their own style.

“When I look back at the players who came before me, I think about how those moments—those looks—have become memories that live forever,” Osaka explained to Vogue. “So much of the time, other people get to write our stories for us. This felt like a moment where I could write a little bit of my own.”

The outfit was not Osaka’s only win of the day as she triumphed over Ruzic 6-3, 3-6, and 6-4.

“When I was playing today, I just told myself, like, ‘Keep your head on the path. If she beats you, then that’s unfortunate. But, hey, at least you’re trending,” she wrote on social media.

Osaka, who is looking to secure her fifth Grand Slam title, playing next against Sorana Cirstea.

by Kandiss Edwards

January 21, 2026

Greenland Isn’t Here For Trump’s Hostile Takeover & ‘Make America Go Away’ Hats Prove It

The slogan is a satirical take on former President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

A Greenland-based group is selling red baseball hats emblazoned with the phrase “Make America Go Away.”

The slogan is a satirical take on former President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, and donating the proceeds to charity. The hats, which parody the iconic Make America Great Again headwear, are part of a protest movement against Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring the Arctic island of Greenland from the Kingdom of Denmark.

The initiative has gained popularity as tensions between the United States and Denmark over Greenland’s sovereignty have risen.

Victor Schøtt, founder of the group Greenland Support that is selling the hats, told Business Insider that the design is intended to reject Trump’s foreign policy approach rather than express dislike for the United States itself. He said the slogan aims to underscore Greenlanders’ desire for autonomy amid escalating diplomatic pressure.

Greenland sell out of MAGA Make America Go Away hats pic.twitter.com/x4O9snGRkS
— RT (@RT_com) January 20, 2026

Schøtt said sales began about a month ago and have grown to hundreds of orders per week. The United States accounts for the largest share of purchases. Denmark and other European nations follow closely behind, Business Insider reported.

The retail site also offers hats bearing the phrase “Nu det NUUK,” a play on words referencing Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. The words loosely translate to “that’s enough.” Jesper Rabe Tonnesen, creator of the “Nu det NUUK” cap, says he only just realized that Trump was no longer speaking about Greenland’s acquisition in jest.

“We started to understand that this is probably not a joke, and it’s not reality TV, it’s actually reality. Then I said, ‘What can I do to contribute?'” Tonnesen said to a local outlet.

Both designs have been seen at protests in Nuuk and Copenhagen amid demonstrations opposing Trump’s rhetoric about Greenland.

All profits from the “Make America Go Away” hat sales are being donated to a Greenlandic children’s charity, Schøtt said, linking the protest merchandise campaign to fundraising for social causes in the territory.

by Jameelah Mullen

January 21, 2026

‘Keep Sapelo Geechee’: Voters Strike Down Rezoning Laws Threatening Gullah Geechee Land

It's a victory for the Gullah Geechee residents living in the Hogg Hammock community of Sapelo Island.

Voters in coastal Georgia rejected an ordinance that would have allowed the construction of larger homes on Sapelo Island, one of the few remaining communities founded by the Gullah Geechee people—descendants of enslaved Africans living along the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia, and northern Florida.

The Jan. 20 vote on a referendum organized by Sapelo Island residents successfully reversed McIntosh County commissioners’ 2023 decision to double the size of homes allowed in Sapelo Island’s predominantly Black Hogg Hummock community.

Supporters of the referendum argued that letting wealthy outsiders build large vacation homes could raise property taxes, making them unaffordable for local residents and possibly forcing them off their land.

Island residents said they were blindsided in 2023 when commissioners attempted to weaken a special zoning ordinance enacted 30 years earlier to protect Hogg Hummock landowners from significant tax increases. The commissioners voted to increase the maximum size of homes in Hogg Hummock from 1,400 to 3,000 square feet (130 to 278 square meters). They said the changes would allow more living space for families and claimed they had no intention of displacing Black landowners.

Gullah Geechee residents mobilized voters through a petition with 2,300 signatures and challenged commissioners in the Georgia Supreme Court to secure a special election. Unofficial returns showed that roughly 85 percent of voters who cast ballots supported the referendum, according to WTOC News. According to reports, only about 19 percent of the island’s registered voters took part in the special election.

Located about an hour’s drive south of Savannah, the state of Georgia owns most of Sapelo Island’s 30 square miles, and there are no roads connecting the island to the mainland. Hogg Hummock, also known as Hog Hammock, encompasses approximately one square mile. About 30 to 50 Gullah Geechee residents still live in homes along dirt roads in the community.

In 1966, Hogg Hummock was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of treasured U.S. historic sites. But efforts to preserve the community ultimately depend on the local government in McIntosh County, where white residents make up 65% of the county’s population.

“People worked hard to get this land on Sapelo, and they worked hard to preserve who they are,” Maurice Bailey, a Sapelo Island native, told the Associated Press.

“Without this land, all of our descendants lose their connection,” added Bailey, the founder of Save Our Legacy Ourselves (SOLO), which aims to preserve Gullah Geechee history and culture through farming, told the outlet.

Nigerian Designer Temi Coker Drops New Home Collection For Walmart

by Jameelah Mullen

January 21, 2026

Nigerian Designer Temi Coker Drops New Home Collection For Walmart

The designer says that the partnership represents a "full circle" moment.

Multidisciplinary artist Temi Coker has teamed up with Walmart to launch a new vibrant home decor collection.

“My children are the product of two cultures – African and African American. I wanted to create heirlooms that celebrate the beauty in that duality,” said Coker, who lives in Dallas and was born in Nigeria, said in a press release.

“This collection honors the vibrant textiles, colors, and culture of my Nigerian childhood while embracing my wife’s African American heritage, creating pieces that speak to both identities.”

The collection includes rugs, throws, pillows, and vases with deep meaning. The textured pieces symbolize curls, coils, and braids of textured hair belonging to people of African descent. The designs are also inspired by the vibrant colors often seen in Nigerian culture.

“I just love how loud Nigeria was, and in loudness there is a lot of joy,” he said.

Coker describes his partnership with the retail giant as a “full‑circle” moment. He said his very first pair of shoes came from Walmart, and because so many people in his community shop there, launching his home collection in the store feels “extremely special.”

Creighton Kiper, senior vice president of home at Walmart U.S., said this partnership helps the retailer fulfill a mission.

“We are on a journey to democratize style, and our new Temi Coker collection is an exciting opportunity to bring his authentic perspective and bold, beautiful designs exclusively to Walmart customers,” Kiper said in the press release. “Partnering with artists and creators like Temi Coker allows us to uniquely deliver style and joy to every space, effortlessly and affordably.

Coker notes that in Nigerian culture, the living room often serves as the main gathering place, and through his designs, he brings the vibrancy of that tradition into the space while keeping it affordable and accessible to the masses, with items ranging from $14 to $ 320.

The designer has worked on projects with notable clients such as AT&T, The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, Peloton, and Adobe

Shoppers can purchase products from the Temi Coker Collection exclusively on the Walmart Website.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 21, 2026

Privilege At Its Peak: White Students Who Gifted Black Peer Fried Chicken And Watermelon Now Suing For $10M

The suit claims that Kellam High Principal Ryan Schubart, the superintendent, and the chief of schools put out a false narrative of the initial incident.

Five white high school students from Virginia have filed a $10 million civil lawsuit claiming defamation against the principal who suspended them after they allegedly gifted fried chicken and watermelon to a Black special education student, Blavity reports.

Six students were involved, according to reports, but only five filed lawsuits, including petitions for judicial review of three students’ suspensions and a $3 million lawsuit.

As the incident happened in March 2025, initial lawsuits were filed over the summer. But recent litigation alleges that Kellam High Principal Ryan Schubart, the superintendent, and the chief of schools put out a false narrative of the initial incident, resulting in immense damages, including harm to students’ reputations.

According to The Virginian-Pilot, on March 12, 2025, the special education student was presented with a birthday card full of handwritten well wishes and other gifts, including candy, a bag of fried chicken, watermelon, and grape Kool-Aid.

School security cameras captured students hugging and laughing after the gift exchange. The teacher felt Schubart needed to be aware that the kids who gave the fried chicken were white; the student was Black.

The white teens told the principal it was just a joke, that the birthday person thought it was funny, and even requested the gift. Schubart sent a notice to the students’ parents, making them aware of the incident and the consequences of suspension.

According to the lawsuit, Schubart’s initial memo contained “reckless disregard for the truth,” causing harm to the plaintiffs’ “reputations, emotional well-being and prospects.” The suit claims the students have been physically threatened, stalked, and confronted by strangers and that they have suffered damage to their property.

“These statements falsely accused the minor Plaintiffs of engaging in racist harassment, despite evidence to the contrary, including video footage and the context of the events in question,” the lawsuit said.

There have been conflicting accounts of what happened that day, with a witness claiming the receiver said, “You’ve got to be kidding me” after receiving the “gift.” The same report alleged that the birthday person described the gift as “Black people’s food.”

Tim Anderson, who is representing the student plaintiffs, released a statement claiming that the victim “thought the card was funny.”

“They gave their friend a birthday gift, and in hindsight, was it the smartest thing to do? No. But these are ninth graders, and ninth graders don’t make the best judgment, so the context matters,” Anderson said.

Hours after the issue, community and school board members, as well as NAACP representatives, contacted the school.

“While the perpetrators were children, they must be taught that these egregious acts will not be tolerated in Virginia Beach or at Kellam High School,” Virginia Beach School Board Member Melinda Rogers wrote in a lengthy Facebook post, saying she was “sickened, disgusted, and heartbroken” by the incident.

“I urge the Kellam community to speak to their own children this evening and reinforce why these racist actions are wrong and why they must never be complicit in them,” Rogers added.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 21, 2026

Ghanaian Authorities Dismantle Nigerian-Led Cybercrime Syndicate

Ghanian authorities arrested 53 Nigerian nationals suspected of being involved in a massive cybercrime network.

Ghanaian authorities have confirmed the arrest of 53 Nigerian nationals linked to a cybercrime operation based in and around the capital, Accra, with officials saying some were suspects while others may have been victims.

On Jan. 18, Communications Minister Sam George confirmed the arrests in a post on X, saying the operation was carried out jointly by multiple agencies, including the Cyber Security Authority. He said 44 Nigerian men were trafficked to Ghana and forced to carry out cybercrime activities at offices across Accra.

”All the arrested individuals have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and further investigations,” the minister tweeted. “We caution foreign nationals invited to Ghana to verify claims made by their fellow nationals to lure them here.”

Nine Nigerians were arrested after a two-day, intelligence-led operation that raided multiple sites, seizing 62 laptops, 52 mobile phones, and two pump-action guns. Authorities say the 44 victims were lured to Ghana with promises of high-paying jobs, then confined to gated compounds, stripped of their documents, and forced into cybercrime.

The cybercrimes included romance scams, in which victims are persuaded to send money to a fictitious partner they believe is real, and business email compromise schemes, where perpetrators impersonate employers to steal funds or sensitive information.

The minister said suspects arrested in recent operations have either been handed over to Nigerian authorities or are facing prosecution in Ghana. The arrests come amid intensified efforts by the CSA and partner agencies to crack down on cybercrime, including coordinated operations with U.S. law enforcement to target high-profile offenders.

Recent cases include the arrest of Ghanaian social media influencer Abu Trica, born Frederick Kumi, who is accused of stealing $8 million (£5.9 million) from vulnerable Americans through a romance scam, as well as the takedown of a syndicate that defrauded more than 200 victims of $400,000 (£300,000).

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 21, 2026

Pastor Michael Todd Calls Druski Skit Weapon ‘Of Mass Distraction’

"The thing that I was most taken aback by was how much frustration it created in people."

Pastor Michael Todd is addressing being linked to Druski’s recent skit poking fun at megachurch pastors, saying that while he found it “hilarious,” he also believes it serves as a “weapon of mass distraction.”

The Transformation Church leader took to the pulpit on Jan. 18 to issue his response to the memorable skit, which highlighted a megachurch pastor decked out in a Christian Dior suit and Christian Louboutin shoes who danced around on stage and demanded donations from his congregation.

While Todd acknowledged that the skit was “hilarious” and genuinely funny, he said the real issue isn’t whether Druski “went too far,” but how the viral moment pulled people into constant watching and reacting, distracting them from their greater purpose.

“The thing that I was most taken aback by was how much frustration it created in people,” Todd said in a clip shared online. “Like, I was literally watching people go back and forth with people and denounce people and call people names and do stuff. And I stepped back for a second. I said, ‘Oh my gosh.’ All this was was an attack on people’s lives of distraction.”

Pastor Mike Todd talked about druski’s church skit and claims it was all a distraction

“It wasn’t an attack on the church. It was an attack on your focus…..the enemy is releasing weapons of mass distraction.” https://t.co/1yP1XjIlYt pic.twitter.com/mmDDQCsjsG
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) January 19, 2026

After citing examples of people neglecting their homes and children while arguing with strangers online, Todd said the reaction to the skit reflects yet another distraction pulling people away from their God-given work. “And you thought it was some attack on the church,” he explained. “No, it was an attack on your focus.”

Todd also lightly addressed the “luxury pastor” narrative Druski highlighted in the skit, saying he was unaware of the online debate because he hasn’t been on social media.

“A few people told me what was going on,” Todd said. “That’s crazy—I don’t even have a Rolls-Royce.”

He also called out an AI-generated image showing him wearing the same Christian Dior suit Druski wore in the skit, joking that “I don’t remember being that big.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 21, 2026

White House Fuming Over Jeffrey Epstein Birthday Card On The Mall

The White House doesn’t seem too happy about the larger-than-life replica of a birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein, with a sexually suggestive drawing of a naked woman’s torso with what appears to be President Donald Trump’s signature, that was placed on Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, the Daily Beast reports.

Deputy White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson released a statement pointing the finger at Democrats for the installation, made by the anonymous collective the Secret Handshake. “Kudos to these Trump Deranged Liberals for constantly inventing new ways to light Democrat donor money on fire by spreading fake news,” Jackson said while questioning when Democratic leaders with Epstein ties will be put on blast.

The 10-foot-tall replica appeared late Jan. 18, close to the United States Capitol, just days before Jan. 20 — which would have been the convicted sex offender’s 73rd birthday. A box of Sharpies was included with the installation, inviting tourists and visitors to sign the “card to the administration,” which seemed to feature negative messages.

“Happy Birthday To A ‘Terrific Guy!,” the mock card read, according to the New York Times, a reference to Trump’s 2002 description of the disgraced financier. The other side features a drawing of a female torso, with “Donald” written just below the waist and the cryptic message, “may every day be another wonderful secret.”

A giant twelve foot tribute to Jeffrey Epstein-Donald Trump’s infamous birthday card has been erected in the National Mall, Washington. pic.twitter.com/9uI3MBYJTe
— grizzy (@Furbeti) January 19, 2026

Trump has repeatedly denied writing, drawing, or having anything to do with the note, despite his very distinctive signature at the bottom. The president once sued The Wall Street Journal and its parent companies for bringing the card to light.

Some may look at the card as a shot at lawmakers for failure to release all the Epstein files, which they had a duty to do in 30 days under the bi-partisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law Nov. 19. Spouting duties of being transparent, the Department of Justice, whose director Pam Bondi once said the files did not exist, disappointed the American people by disclosing only a fraction of the documents.

While the White House may hope people forget about it, others are celebrating the artists for keeping their foot on Trump’s neck and keeping the issue front and center.

“Looking forward to your jail sentence, DJT!” one card message read, while another said, “The people will rise. We already are.”

Susan Fritz, a D.C. resident, said she likes how the artists “didn’t have to make anything up.” “They just had to blow it up and put it out here,” the 61-year-old said.

This isn’t the first time the Secret Handshake has reminded the people of Trump’s alleged relationship with Epstein in a very public and bold way. In September 2025, in honor of “Friendship Month,” a 12-foot bronze statue painted in Trump’s likeness appeared in the same spot, depicting Trump and Epstein holding hands and skipping.

A statue of Donald Trump & Jeffrey Epstein has been mysteriously placed outside the White House 'in honor of Friendship Month'

(via @JoeHeim) pic.twitter.com/TzzjgWsMgZ
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) September 23, 2025

Of course, even with a permit, it wasn’t long before the statue was pulled by U.S. Park Police, pushing complaints of censorship.

Morris Brown College, president, Kevin James

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 21, 2026

Morris Brown Reinstates President A Week After Abrupt Firing As New Allegations Emerge

New allegations have come to light accusing the reinstated president of sexual harassment, misuse of authority, and more.

Morris Brown College has reinstated its longtime president, but new allegations have popped up amid his return to the position.

Covered on BLACK ENTERPRISE last week, the Morris Brown Board of Trustees announced the transition of leadership from President Dr. Kevin James to an interim placeholder. As the news made headlines, James denounced his termination, citing accomplishments such as the HBCU’s reaccreditation since he became president in March 2019. In a public social media post, James also threatened legal action over the contractual obligations to fulfill his term.

As James and fellow community members condemned the Board’s decision and lack of transparency, the Board reversed the removal, reinstating James to his seat of power. James and local Atlanta news outlets also confirmed his return, as the academic leader called his reinstated appointment “The Hard Reset II.”

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A post shared by Ashlei: Just Gimme The Mic 🎤 (@ashlei_stevens)

Although James seeks to continue his mission to strengthen Morris Brown and its revival, new allegations have emerged amid the controversy. WSB-TV reportedly obtained internal documents that accused the re-established leader of sexual harassment, abuse, and threats.

According to the news outlet, James’ initial firing came just a few months after he was suspended over multiple staffers’ grievances against him. Of the many accusations, James reportedly misused his authority, created a hostile and discriminatory work environment, and mishandled sexual reports while engaging in retaliatory treatment.

One of the grievances also called out James’s character and professional aptitude, stating he is “impulsive, tone deaf, lacks professionalism, displays severe issues of moral turpitude, and is such a dysfunctional character.”

While the Board cut off James’ tenure in light of these grievances, they acknowledged that their initial path to doing so did not fully resolve the workplace and administrative issues raised.

“…The board deeply regrets the harm this has caused our institution, students, families, donors, supporters, and Dr. James. While correcting a governance and process failure is necessary, the Board recognizes that this action alone — does not resolve broader concerns that have been raised regarding workplace culture, trust, and the experience of employees…,” wrote the board in a new statement.

However, as James returns to his desk, displeased administrators and shocked community members now have more questions on the HBCU’s future.

James responded, telling BE, “We will continue to operate with integrity at Morris Brown College and I will continue to have good character and lead effectively,”

A$AP Rocky, CDFA, Fashion Icon, Ray Bans

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 21, 2026

A$AP Rocky Covers Rent For Residents In Old Harlem Neighborhood

"I wanted to do something that felt like giving back."

While discussing his latest album on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, A$AP Rocky revealed that he paid the rent for all the tenants in a building in his old Harlem neighborhood.

Rocky told Fallon that he was homeless growing up in New York City. Those struggles played a part in his generosity toward the residents where his grandmother lived.

“Well, some people might not know much about my early days, my past, and my background,” Rocky told Fallon. “So I grew up in the homeless shelter system, me and my family. And for me, when I look online and stuff, and I see TikToks of people doing things like donating to homeless people, it’s usually with a camera there. And for me, that’s a little pretentious. Or like, you know, it’s a little embarrassing for the recipient. So I wanted to do something that felt like giving back, but without trying to be too much, like, flashy about it.”

Before the release of his current album, Don’t be Dumb, the Harlem rapper announced a partnership with Bilt. On a special edition of the platform’s monthly game show, Rent Free, Rocky will appear as a contestant.

Members nationwide can win free rent payments of up to $2,500. The top 10 winners will receive signed copies of the exclusive vinyl edition of Don’t be Dumb. Hundreds of members will have more opportunities to earn bonus Bilt points through participation.

Don’t Be Dumb was released Jan. 16 and is available online.