Black Woman, Trump

Black Woman’s Support For Trump Leaves People Stumped

What is really going on here?


A viral video shows an interesting interaction between Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and a Black woman who professes her support ahead of the 2024 election. 

Trump made a surprise visit to an Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A. The fast-food restaurant was packed with young voters, and one took the opportunity to express her feelings toward the candidate.

“This is Clark Atlanta, this is Spelman, this is Morehouse, this is Morris Brown,” the unidentified woman said.

“I don’t care what the media tells you; we support you, Mr. Trump.” 

After being met with applause, Trump reached out for a hug, and the woman obliged with an abundance of cameras capturing the moment. 

The four-time indicted businessman went on to claim all the work that his administration did for HBCUs. “We took care of the Black colleges and universities…they’re taken care of now, and she understands that,” he said. “A lot of people don’t understand that The Biden Administration did nothing for them.” 

The group of onlooking students started shouting out issues they were having after the woman who hugged Trump shouted, “Tell him how y’all be suffering.”

The comments section became flooded with concern. Many pointed out they feel Black people are supporting the GOP candidate because of the stimulus checks provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Lord yall will not let them stimulus checks go,” @therealsag365 wrote. Another IG user said, “Trump did say he loves the poorly educated, and apparently, they love him too.” 

Other Black women expressed feelings of embarrassment. @joiewallacehair said, “How embarrassing this is what our ancestors got beaten, starved and killed for.”

“This type of empathy for a what-to-be dictator that they think gave them a $600 check…Welp, there you have the children of our future leaders of tomorrow.” 

Podcast host Flame Monroe thinks the whole scenario was a ruse: “Very fake looks very staged!,” she wrote. “They paid this woman. Pay attention. Please, why wasn’t this at a school or library? I’m not buying it at all.” 

Before leaving, Trump ordered 30 milkshakes and chicken for everyone in line from a host of all-Black employees who congregated at the front. While waiting for his order, he questioned the staff, asking, “Is business good?” and “If they were making a lot of money.” 

Trump was in town for a fundraiser in the affluent neighborhood of Buckhead, making it his first time in Fulton County since clinching the Republican nomination. Shortly after descending his aircraft steps, he greeted a crowd of supporters and talked to the press, wasting no time to talk about Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, head prosecutor in the 2020 election interference case.

“She shouldn’t be on our case. She’s been totally discredited. It’s shocking that she’s on our case,” he said, according to Atlanta News First.  “Fani Willis has been totally discredited. That case should end, and I think it’s a big insult to Georgia that the case is going forward.”

cuts, republican cuts, Budget Cuts, voter Black, robocalls

GOP Operatives Ordered To Pay Over $1M For Robocalls Targeting Black Voters

You needed Trump to win that bad?


Two conservative operatives were ordered to pay up to $1.25 million in restitution after using fake robocalls to stop Black voters in New York from voting by mail in the 2020 election. 

In 2023, Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman were found liable for targeting Black voters by sending fake and threatening messages with the goal of discouraging them from voting. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero ruled that, at the time, both violated several federal and state civil rights laws. 

On Apr. 9, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that Wohl and Burkman agreed to a $1 million judgment with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and individual plaintiffs after filing a lawsuit against the defendants in May 2021.

If both fail to pay at least $105,000 by Dec. 31 and do not address the failure within 30 days, the amount will go up to $1.25 million. 

Wohl and Burkman, a lawyer who lost his law license in March 2024 by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, used a fake organization called Project 1599 to target over 5,000 New Yorkers during the 2020 election cycle. Victims received threatening calls claiming that voting by mail would result in the voter being tracked for outstanding warrants, credit card debt, and mandatory vaccines. 

One call from “Tamika Taylor” told voters, “Mail-in voting sounds great, but did you know that if you vote by mail, your personal information will be part of a public database that police departments will use to track down old warrants and be used by credit card companies to collect outstanding debts?” according to the OAG. 

“The CDC is even pushing to use records for mail-in voting to track people for mandatory vaccines. Don’t be finessed into giving your private information to the man; stay safe and beware of vote by mail.” 

One voter was so overcome with “severe anxiety and distress” that he ultimately withdrew his voter registration. 

The 2020 robocall scheme also reached other major cities, including Cleveland, Minneapolis, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Detroit and Arlington, Virginia. James released a statement saying that she won’t tolerate anyone’s right to vote being threatened. “The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and belongs to everyone. We will not allow anyone to threaten that right,” James said. 

“Wohl and Burkman orchestrated a depraved and disinformation-ridden campaign to intimidate Black voters in an attempt to sway the election in favor of their preferred candidate. Now, they will pay up to $1.25 million to my office, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, and the individuals harmed by their scheme. My office will always defend the right to vote.”

The defendant’s lawyer, David Schwartz, said his clients are pleased with the settlement and looking forward to putting it all behind them. Burkman and Wohl pleaded guilty in October 2022 to telecommunications fraud in Ohio after using robocalls as they did in New York. The duo was sentenced to two years of probation, fined $2,500, and ordered to perform 500 hours of community service.

Following that sentencing, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hit Burkman and Wohl with a $5.1 million fine in June 2023 for making more than 1,000 unlawful robocalls.

Minority Faculty, Diversity

Minority Faculty Diversity Lags Behind Student Diversity

As of fiscal year 2021, eight percent of faculty were Black, compared to 12 percent of students and the representation of Latinx faculty stood at 7 percent compared to 19 percent of students.


Black and Latinx professors are underrepresented in the disciplines they teach, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office. The numbers indicate that there is still more work to be done to increase faculty diversity on college campuses.

As of fiscal year 2021, 8% of faculty were Black, compared to 12% of students, and the representation of Latinx faculty stood at 7%, compared to 19% of students. 

As NBC News reported, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) requested the study from the federal government. The GAO report also lists Fredericka Wilson, a House of Representatives Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development member, as the other person who requested the study. 

Scott told NBC News that representation among college faculty still needs to improve. “The good news is that faculty diversity has improved over the last twenty years. The bad news is that faculty diversity is still not representative of the students they teach.”

Ahead of the release of the GAO study, Scott told The Hill his reasoning for requesting the study. “Research has shown that faculty diversity plays an important role in student completion and can have a major impact on students’ sense of belonging and retention rates,” Rep. Scott said. “That is why I asked the GAO to study the state of faculty diversity at institutions of higher and the hiring and retention policies to promote faculty diversity.”

According to Jinann Bitar, the director of higher education research and data analysis at the Education Trust, institutions that serve minorities, like HBCUs, have helped to bridge some gaps because their approach to educating students of color is reflected in their hiring of faculty. 

Bitar told NBC News, “The best efforts we’re seeing are when things are both intentional and longitudinal, programs where they’re starting to catch students earlier in what would be a faculty pipeline.”

According to the study, the EEOC is acting on the GAO’s recommendations. “One recommendation directs Education to track the timing of employment discrimination complaint referrals to EEOC. Education agreed. One recommendation directs EEOC to develop a protocol to ensure it receives and processes all complaint referrals from Education. EEOC neither agreed nor disagreed but acknowledged the importance of processing all referrals and is taking related action.”

The study acknowledges that in comparison to white professionals and professors, there is much less representation among minority groups. There are, however, several strategies being implemented to hire and retain faculty from marginalized racial backgrounds, including collaborations with minority-serving institutions to find new hires. 

The report indicated that investment in mentorship, leadership programs, and studying ways to help retain university professors could help retain faculty of color alongside a university climate that supports campus workers.

The report also found that the EEOC and the Department of Education are inefficient at responding to complaints of employment discrimination from university employees. Though the Department of Education is supposed to forward claims to the EEOC in 30 days, the actual time it took for the EEOC to receive the complaints averaged 71 days. 

Scott told The Hill that he was encouraged that the recommendations from the GAO are going to be implemented.

“Moreover, the GAO found that the process for faculty to file discrimination claims is not always straightforward or intuitive. And if a faculty member is able to file a claim, it is not always reviewed in a timely manner. I am encouraged that the Administration has agreed to implement the GAO’s recommendations to improve the claims process.”

American Cancer Society, breasts, breast cancer, Fight Through Flights, sisters, breast cancer

New AI Technology Can Detect Cancer On Mammograms Sooner

AI technology in mammograms spark a new hope for breast cancer detection, but still come with their own set of downsides.


A new service introducing artificial intelligence (AI) products to conduct mammograms can lead to earlier breast cancer detection. However, doctors warn of its pricing variables and potential lack of efficacy on patients of color.

AI programs catch what the traditional mammogram may miss. According to The New York Times, mammograms currently detect 87% of breast cancer cases. However, an AI model of the X-ray may find hidden forms of the illness.

Traditional mammograms can also lead to false positives and unnecessary precautionary treatments. AI models would significantly remedy these issues, but they also have downsides.

As the technology becomes more available, pricing for its inclusion varies. With no official billing code set for medical providers, the patient is responsible for covering the additional cost. While the price ranges from $40 to $100, with reimbursements by insurance companies viable, doctors do not consider AI-model mammograms a necessary standard for all.

Moreover, there are specific racial disparities regarding this new technology. Whether the AI tools can detect cancer in darker skin tones remains a concern. Doctors call for diversity in the development progress to ensure it works for patients of color.

“There’s a need for diverse training and testing of these AI tools and algorithms in order to develop them across different races and ethnicities,” Dr. Dodelzon said. AI is just a tool that learns based on what it sees.”

However, death rates for Black women with breast cancer remain the highest for the demographic. According to the American Cancer Society, they have a 40% higher chance of dying from the disease. Given the statistics, AI tech could significantly reduce this death rate through the benefit of earlier detection.

Patients at the highest risk are encouraged to pursue the AI model, even as these looming problems restrict their full potential.

Nicki Minaj, hit and run driver

Man Who Killed Nicki Minaj’s Father In Hit-And-Run Wants Rapper Deposed in $150 Million Lawsuit

Charles Polevich's attorney wants to talk to rapper about domestic abuse claims from earlier songs


A man being sued by Nicki Minaj’s mother after he struck and killed the recording artist’s father is asking that the rapper be deposed in the case. He is requesting that she discuss the allegations of abuse she levied against him in earlier recordings by the Queens-bred rapper.

According to RadarOnline, Charles Polevich, who was sentenced to a year in jail back in August 2022, wants to bring Minaj and her past lyrics describing her father, Robert Maraj, as being abusive to the lawsuit filed against him by Carol Maraj. Polevich is being sued because he killed Robert in February 2021 after striking him in a hit-and-run accident on Long Island, New York.

Before Polevich was given his sentence, Carol filed a $150 million civil lawsuit accusing the man of driving recklessly when he killed Robert.

Carol’s attorney, Ben Crump, stated, “Charles Polevich was not only irresponsible & negligent in hitting [Robert], but was more concerned about running away and hiding than seeking help. Polevich’s behavior was criminal, cowardly, and immoral. We will hold him responsible for his reckless actions that led to Robert Maraj’s death!”

The lawsuit states that Carol was deprived of Robert’s “services, society, comfort, companionship and consortium of her husband.”

In response to the lawsuit, Charles’ lawyer said, “My client empathizes with the family. The court will determine whether there was negligence and the degrees of negligence. The $150 million amount seems to be over the top.” Charles also accused Robert of being “reckless, careless and negligent in crossing the street.”

In the newly filed motion, Charles’ attorney said that after Carol was deposed in December 2023, she did not mention any domestic abuse except to acknowledge that her daughter made the claims.

“The deposition involves questions wherein the issue of domestic abuse is discussed. [Carol] acknowledges that statements related to the topic of domestic abuse were made by” Nicki, “but [Carol] does not offer meaningful responses regarding the veracity of the statements made” by the rapper.

He said the claims made by Minaj in regards to the alleged domestic abuse are directly relevant to her mother’s claims in her lawsuit. Charles said Nicki “has knowledge and information that is material and necessary to defend the claims set forth in this action.” Due to that reason, he said he should be permitted to depose Minaj.

He said the statements made by the “Chun-Li” rapper of alleged domestic abuse are directly relevant to Carol’s claims in her lawsuit.

Polevich pleaded guilty to two felony charges for fleeing the scene after the accident, failing to report the incident, and tampering with physical evidence. Polevich’s license was suspended for six months and he was ordered to pay $5,000. 

‘Reparations Club’ Bookshop In LA Features ‘Cozy’ Space With Books By Black Authors

Reparations Club is a queer-Black-woman-owned bookshop that shelves a diverse collection of art books, fiction, nonfiction, and more.


In the heart of Los Angeles stands Reparations Club, a remarkable bookstore owned by Jazzi McGilbert, 35, that predominantly showcases the literary works of Black authors.

As described by Travel Noire, the bookshop exudes a “light-hearted,” “literary,” and family-friendly ambiance “curated by Blackness.” McGilbert’s inspiration for Reparations Club emerged unexpectedly in 2019, following her mother’s passing. “I just wanted a space for us to gather,” she explained. “Books were a really natural entry point for that.”

As a queer-Black-woman-owned business, the shelves intentionally make space for “many, many types of Blackness” and the stories that represent them. Fueled by her profound love for literature and the Black community, the bookshop offers a diverse collection spanning art books, fiction, nonfiction, and everything in between. “We’re a general interest bookstore because Black people have a whole lot of interests,” McGilbert stated. The name “Reparations Club” reflects McGilbert’s belief in the concept of reparations as she welcomes people into the space.

The interior design aims to evoke the welcoming atmosphere of “a very cool friend’s living room,” adorned with textures, artwork, cozy seating, and spaces that foster connection. Visitors have praised Reparations Club for its “cozy” and “pleasing” aesthetic, with the bookshop’s “cozy corner” being a particular favorite, according to Instagram users who commented under a series of photos of the area in 2023. LAist recognized McGilbert’s bookshop in April 2023 for “truly lifting up and holding down” LA’s literary scene.

Beyond its literary offerings, Reparations Club hosts a variety of on-site, off-site, and virtual events, including author talks, community conversations, and special occasions, fostering a vibrant literary culture and sense of community.

Reparations Club’s upcoming events include:

  • Myah Ariel Author Event: A discussion on her contemporary love story, “When I Think of You” – April 17
  • Kleaver Cruz Author Event: A celebration of the collection of images from the “Black Boy Joy Project” – April 19
  • Magnitude and Bond: Dreamweaving, hosted by Black Feminist Future – April 21
  • Celebration of visionary Raquel Willis: The Risk it Takes to Bloom, On Life and Liberation – April 23 (Los Angeles LGBT Center)
  • Pot and Paint with Pot LA – April 27 (Little Pot)
jeans, pleasure pocket, fashion show, women's empowerment

Fashion Line’s New Self-Pleasure Pocket Jeans For Women Are All The Rave

There's new denim on the market that gives women the opportunity to please themselves while fully clothed.


There’s new denim on the market that gives women the opportunity to please themselves while fully clothed.

Dubbed the “masturbation pocket,” Greek fashion company Di Pesta unveiled their new X-rated denim line during Paris Fashion Week last month. In a video shared to their Instagram page, models walked the runway in the jeans while keeping a few fingers tucked into the triangle-shaped front pocket.

Part of Di Pesta’s 2024 Fall/Winter collection, the pants come in denim and leather and retail for around $640. Those interested might want to take advantage of the 50% price drop on the denim that’s currently retailing for $320.

While it might be a first for many, the pocket design has been “utilized for years and is Dimitra’s [founder] ode to female empowerment and acceptance through her designs,” the brand stated. The sultry jeans are receiving mixed reviews from consumers with some applauding the innovative new design and others blasting what they see as a “hyper sexual agenda,” according to one critic.

“Finally a functional pocket in women’s wear,” one person wrote.

“This is very sexy,” added someone else.

On the opposing side, critics bashed Di Pesta for bringing the naughty to the fashion industry.

“Our Society is so SICK! I can’t even anymore!” one person wrote.

“It’s just giving me cringe vibes,” wrote another.

Despite the criticism, the self-pleasure pocket appears to be on-brand for Di Pesta’s design style. Other pieces in their collection include Undressing Jeans, an Undressing Mini Skirt, a Wetlook skirt, and a Birthing Venus skirt that leave little to the imagination.

Di Pesta has received praise for its inclusive model selection and amplifying women in all phases of life. In 2022, the Greek designer unveiled a pregnancy corset that caught the attention of many. This year, the brand’s London Fashion Week show highlighted the Pregnancy Wetlook worn by IVF Warrior, Riana Horner.

“7 months ago the dream of carrying my own child seemed so far from reality,” she wrote. “But yesterday I walked @londonfashionweek for inspiring female designer @dipetsa with my precious baby bump. What a surreal experience.”

RELATED CONTENT: Levi’s Jeans Now All The Rage With Stock Price Rising Due To Beyoncé’s New Song

Russell Simmons, Drew Dixon, Sexual Assault, defamatory, dismissed, lawsuit, podcast, claims

Russell Simmons Wants Drew Dixon’s Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed, Claims His Comments On Sexual Assault ‘Are Not Defamatory’

Russell Simmons wants Drew Dixon's defamation lawsuit dismissed since his past comments on sexual assault were allegedly "not defamatory."


Russell Simmons is attempting to get Drew Dixon’s defamation lawsuit against him dismissed since his past comments on sexual assault were allegedly “not defamatory as a matter of law.”

The hip-hop mogul is firing back at the defamation suit he was served with at his wellness resort in Bali, Indonesia last month asking that it be dismissed without prejudice, Radar Online reported. Simmons claims his remarks about sexual assault on the podcast In Depth With Graham Basinger in December 2023 were in no way defamatory toward Dixon and were just his opinion.

The Def Jam founder’s new filing argues that the “statements alleged in the Complaint are defamatory as a matter of law, because all the statements are opinion — not fact — and Plaintiff is not clearly identifiable in any of the statements.”

In Dixon’s lawsuit that Simmons was served with on March 5, she highlights his comments made on the podcast where he seemingly tried to discredit his alleged rape victims by insinuating the encounters were consensual and some women might’ve just walked away offended.

“Yeah, [rape is] a serious word, but I think they’ve changed the meaning,” he told Basinger. “If you had more foursomes than most guys at once, could someone leave and feel hurt? Could some reimagine a story out of thousands of people? Could someone want notoriety in the market where people thirst for fame, even infamous.”

Simmons claims to have “never been forceful” during his sexual encounters but admitted to being “insensitive.” However, Dixon has publicly accused Simmons of sexually assaulting her during her time working as a record executive at Def Jam in the 90s. She gave details of the alleged assault in the 2020 HBO Max documentary On the Record.

According to her lawsuit, Dixon believes Simmons has “gone on a concerted and malicious campaign to discredit Ms. Dixon and to so damage her reputation.”

“This defamation has exacerbated the paralyzation of Ms. Dixon professionally,” the suit claims, adding that Simmons “subjected Ms. Dixon to public ridicule, contempt, and disgrace by, among other things, calling Ms. Dixon a liar in published statements with the malicious intent of discrediting and further damaging Ms. Dixon worldwide.”

But Simmons says the suit should be dismissed since he was speaking generally on the podcast while addressing sexual assault claims against him and never mentioned Dixon by name. During the podcast, Simmons professed his innocence against the multiple women accusing him of rape by noting the “nine lie detector tests” he’s allegedly taken, which he claims prove that he’s “never done this to anyone.”

Dixon is also suing record executive L.A. Reid for sexual abuse in a lawsuit that Simmons has been named in.

RELATED CONTENT: Russell Simmons Sued For Alleged Rape Of Former Def Jam Exec

black male voters, swing states, billboard campaign

Black Georgia Voters Voice Discontent Over Biden’s Stance On Gaza

Young Black voters in Georgia are expressing dissatisfaction with the administration's stance on the conflict in Gaza.


In a significant shift from their pivotal role in securing President Biden’s victory in 2020, young Black voters in Georgia are expressing dissatisfaction with the administration’s stance on the conflict in Gaza, according to FOX News.

On April 8 CNN aired their Rene Marsh interview with four registered Democratic voters in Georgia who had previously supported Biden but indicated they would not do so again in the upcoming election due to disagreements over U.S. policy regarding the war in Gaza.

Expressing frustration, one young man stated, “If there is no substantive policy change when it comes to the genocide in Gaza, then there’s not really a discussion for me.” Another woman echoed this sentiment, saying, “What Biden has done in aiding and abetting genocide is just something I cannot stand for.”

When asked about the potential impact of their decision on the election outcome, the voters emphasized that they were sending a message to the Democratic Party. “We’re holding their election in the palm of our hands, and they’re not listening,” remarked one voter.

Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia in 2020 marked a historic win for Democrats, but the loss of support from even a fraction of Black voters could jeopardize the state’s status as a Democratic stronghold.

“We’re tired of hearing him say these things, these empty promises,” expressed a female voter. Two others highlighted economic concerns and called for action on issues such as raising the minimum wage and halting aid to Israel.

Democrats have been highlighting their achievements within the Black community. In December 2023, the Biden-Harris administration positioned itself at the forefront of combating Republican opposition to initiatives that benefit working- and middle-class individuals, particularly Black Americans.

In a report by theGrio, it was noted that since assuming office, President Biden and Vice President Harris have overseen a surge in new business applicants, with a record 15 million individuals seeking to start businesses. Notably, the number of Black households engaged in business ownership has doubled between 2019 and 2022.

Addressing the administration’s efforts, President Biden emphasized that bolstering economic support for Black-owned businesses has been a cornerstone of their policies and initiatives. He highlighted significant achievements, including awarding $70 billion in federal contracts to disadvantaged small businesses and a $12 billion investment into Black communities aimed at providing more equitable resources for local businesses.

Mister Cee, Brooklyn, death, DJ, hip hop, Notorious B.I.G.

Legendary Hip-Hop DJ Mister Cee Dead At 57

DJ Mister Cee, known as "The Finisher," was the DJ for Big Daddy Kane and helped discover the Notorious B.I.G.


DJ Mister Cee, known as “The Finisher,” who was linked to two of Brooklyn’s most legendary emcees, Big Daddy Kane and the Notorious B.I.G., died April 10 at the age of 57.

SiriusXM, where the DJ hosted his show, “The Set It Off Show w/ DJ Mister Cee,” was one of the many outlets reporting that the New York City DJ passed away. No cause of death has been reported.

The hip-hop audience was first introduced to DJ Mister Cee nee Calvin LeBrun when he debuted as the DJ for Brooklyn emcee Big Daddy Kane after meeting the lyricist in high school in the 1980s. While Kane was slaying the microphones in the studio and on stage, Mister Cee was doing his thing on the turntables as Kane released his debut album, “Long Live the Kane,” in 1988.

Before making his mark on the radio airwaves, he was behind another Brooklyn icon when he was an up-and-coming emcee. Christopher Wallace, who became the artist known as Biggie Smalls and then The Notorious B.I.G., had Mister Cee in his corner from the inception of his burgeoning career and was partly, if not wholly, responsible for Biggie’s signing to Bad Boy Records.

In an interview with Rock The Bells last November, he talked about knowing that the “Ready To Die” rapper was going to be a problem (in a good way) in the music industry.

“I knew he was dope. I didn’t think he would become what he would before passing away. All I did at the time was try to get anybody and everybody to listen to him. Big Daddy Kane and Masta Ace, I would try to force Biggie down their [throats] like you gotta hear this guy. Had we had the wherewithal we do now as grown men, Masta Ace and I could have put Biggie out or Kane and me?”

After producing records, performing worldwide, and DJing many events and parties over the years, he has been a mainstay as a radio DJ. He’s worked for Hot 97, RADIO 103.9, Rock the Bells Radio, and 94.7 The Block. “The Set It Off Show” gave Mister Cee the chance to showcase classic hip-hop songs from the ’80s, ’90s, and ’2000s every Monday through Thursday, while he did the same for The Throwback @ Noon Monday through Friday.

Once the news was made official, many of his contemporaries paid tribute to him on social media.

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