Bad Bunny, Super Bowl, Trump, MAGA
by Mary Spiller

January 17, 2026

Bad Bunny Unveils Super Bowl LX Halftime Trailer Celebrating Diversity

The global music star’s Apple Music-produced preview highlights unity, heritage, and anticipation ahead of his historic Super Bowl performance in February.

Bad Bunny has officially begun the countdown to his Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, releasing a new trailer that places his culture and global influence front and center ahead of the highly anticipated performance.

The Puerto Rican artist debuted the Apple Music-produced trailer on Jan. 16, offering fans an early look at the tone and message behind his upcoming halftime appearance. Filmed in Puerto Rico, the video features Bad Bunny dancing to his song “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” or “Unforgettable Dance,” alongside people of different races, ages, and genders beneath a flamboyant tree native to the island.

According to People, the trailer is meant to serve as “an open invitation, welcoming audiences around the world— no matter who you are or where you are from — to join Bad Bunny for his monumental Super Bowl Halftime performance and get excited for the rhythm, unity, and cultural richness that only Bad Bunny can bring to the global stage.”

Bad Bunny’s halftime show, presented by the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation, will take place Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The performance will air live on NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock during Super Bowl LX.

In a statement released when the performance was announced, Bad Bunny said the moment represents more than a personal milestone. “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” he said. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.” He added in Spanish, “Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL,” encouraging fans to share the news with their families.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2012387150822572037

The Super Bowl appearance comes while Bad Bunny is still on his Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour, which is scheduled to continue through July. His momentum also extends into the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards, where he has received six nominations. Those include Album of the Year, Best Música Urbana Album, and Best Album Cover for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” as well as Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “DtMF” and Best Global Musical Performance for “EoO.”

As part of the buildup to halftime, Apple Music has launched a “Road to Halftime” collection, featuring curated playlists and content spotlighting Bad Bunny’s catalog.

Before kickoff, viewers will also see performances from Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile, and Coco Jones, who are set to sing the national anthem, “America the Beautiful,” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” respectively.

Online users have flooded social media to comment on Bad Bunny’s trailer, with many expressing their excitement for the show, while others have aligned themselves with racially charged rhetoric about the Puerto Rican performer.

RELATED CONTENT: Bad Bunny Super Bowl Announcement Prompts MAGA Threats From ICE Official

U.S., UN Forum On People Of African Descent
by Mary Spiller

January 17, 2026

U.S. Exit From UN Forum On People Of African Descent Raises Global Alarm Over Racial Justice Efforts

Advocates warn the Trump administration’s withdrawal could stall international momentum on reparations and embolden resistance to racial equity worldwide.

The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent has sparked concern among civil rights advocates and international leaders, who say the move could undermine global progress on racial and reparative justice, as reported by TheGrio.

The withdrawal was included in an executive memorandum signed last week by President Donald Trump, formally pulling the U.S. out of 66 international organizations. Among them was the U.N. Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, a body established by the U.N. General Assembly in 2021 to address the lasting impacts of colonialism and slavery on people of African descent worldwide.

Since first convening in 2022, the forum has served as a space for dialogue and policy development affecting Black communities globally, from more than 40 million African Americans in the United States to approximately 1.5 billion people across Africa and the broader diaspora.

“It was a space where Black people from all over the world could come and share their struggles, but also share their joy and see themselves in each other, even if they didn’t share the same language,” said Desirée Cormier Smith, founder and co-president of the Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice.

Cormier Smith previously served as the State Department’s first U.S. Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice under President Joe Biden. In that role, she advocated for U.S. support of the forum and co-led every American delegation to its annual meetings. She said the forum played a critical accountability role for governments. “From the government perspective, this space was needed because it forced governments, for at least one time of the year, to go on record about how they supported people of African descent,” she said.

Bishop Joseph Tolton, a Pan-African activist and president of Interconnected Justice, described the forum as a mechanism to unify global struggles. It helped communities “connect our struggles and create an apparatus to tell each other what our respective stories are, and then distill from that understanding and knowledge bank some action,” he said.

Victoria Kirby, director of public policy and programs at the National Black Justice Collective, called the forum a “story collector and documenter of the experiences of the Afro-diaspora across the globe,” noting that those records were “carefully” compiled to inform action by the U.N. and other governing bodies.

In just a few years, the forum laid the groundwork for discussions on global reparations, including proposals for a U.N. declaration on the human rights of people of African descent. “That would lead to repair in ways that we’ve seen the United Nations and other global bodies do for other populations across the globe,” Kirby said.

Following the withdrawal, the Trump administration accused the forum of promoting “victim-based social policies” and labeled it a “racist organization.” Advocates rejected that characterization, arguing the move reflects deeper hostility toward racial equity efforts.

“I don’t think any one of us would have wanted the Trump administration actively engaged… because it could have been nefarious and counterproductive,” Cormier Smith said. “However, there was no need to withdraw beyond it being racist clickbait for their base.”

Although advocates say the forum will continue its work without U.S. government participation, they warn the decision sends a broader signal. Tolton said it creates a “permission structure” for other nations to resist reparative justice, citing Haiti as a vulnerable example. “If there is no reparatory justice in Haiti, how does Haiti ever rebuild or redevelop itself?” he asked.

Global reparations strategist Gretchen Moore said the moment calls for long-term vision. “We need to be thinking 25 and 50 years from now,” she said, emphasizing that justice efforts must persist “no matter what administration, because administrations come and go.”

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Administration Cuts U.N. Aid: Agencies Told To ‘Adapt or Die’ Under New Policy

NCAA, HBCUs Allen University and Edward Waters University
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 17, 2026

26 Men Charged In NCAA Basketball Gambling Scandal

'Protecting competition integrity is of the utmost importance for the NCAA,'NCAA President Charlie Baker said.

Twenty-six men have been charged in an alleged conspiracy to manipulate NCAA college basketball games.

According to The Athletic, the alleged scheme started in 2022 and involved 39 college basketball players who played on more than 17 teams in more than 29 Division I games. The charges were announced by federal prosecutors, who stated that the charges for the men were for their alleged roles in a plan to bribe and manipulate college games involving athletes who were active at the time of the schemes.

“Protecting competition integrity is of the utmost importance for the NCAA,” said NCAA President Charlie Baker in a statement on Thursday. “We are thankful for law enforcement agencies working to detect and combat integrity issues and match manipulation in college sports.”

Some of the suspects named were Shane Hennen and Marves Fairley, who were indicted in a federal district court in New York in October. Former LSU and NBA player Antonio Blakeney and several current college players, Kennesaw State’s Simeon Cottle, Eastern Michigan’s Carlos Hart, Delaware State’s Camian Shell, and Texas Southern’s Oumar Koureissi have also been named.

Several athletes played with DePaul, Nicholls State, Tulane, La Salle, Fordham, Northwestern State, Saint Louis, Buffalo, Robert Morris, Southern Miss, North Carolina A&T, Coppin State, University of New Orleans, Abilene Christian, Alabama State, and Kennesaw State.

Hennen and Fairley supposedly worked with Blakeney and others to manipulate college basketball games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, according to an indictment by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Prosecutors claim that players were recruited with bribes and asked to help fix games so their teams would not cover the spread. Players were offered between $10,000 and $30,000 per game to be part of their gambling ring.

The scheme began in 2022, when Fairley and Hennen recruited Blakeney, a player for the Jiangsu Dragons in the Chinese Basketball Association, to fix games in that league. After making substantial money at the end of the season, $200,000, the scheme then moved to Division I college basketball games the next season.

RELATED CONTENT: Elevate Your Excellence: A Birthday Tribute To The Empowerment Architect Of Black Capital, Earl Graves Sr.

Toyota , Mirai, hydrogen, lawsuit,
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 17, 2026

The Mirai Meltdown ‘Nightmare:’ Toyota Allegedly Forced Collections After Telling Owners to Stop Paying

Attorney Jason Ingber feels his clients shouldn’t have to make decisions like this while dealing with Mirai, which is already difficult, calling it “just a cherry on top."

Owners of Toyota’s hydrogen-powered Mirai may be allowed to push a lawsuit on the company amid claims that having the car has been nothing but a “nightmare,” KTLA reports. 

Drivers have expressed grievances about owning vehicles made by the popular Japanese company, including a lack of reliable infrastructure to keep the cars fueled. The toughest hurdle owners have had to face is being forced into payment collections after Toyota allegedly told them to pause on payments until the suit is resolved. 

Collections can put a damper on people’s credit. Anthony Escobedo proudly boasted about building his impressive credit score to 814 out of 850, which is deemed “exceptional” or “excellent.” However, once Toyota reported him, all that changed, taking a 100-point dip. As a result, he wasn’t approved for an interest-free loan to assist with his wife’s medical care, forcing him to rely on high-interest credit cards. 

It’s a similar situation for Julie Doumit, who suffered a 70-point drop in her credit score after she stopped making Mirai car payments amid instructions from Toyota. “Literally, the next month after they make this promise in writing that they will not debt collect … they reported me the very next month,” the car owner, who was making on-time payments for 46 months, said. 

“I’m like, really? I mean, I’m just kind of in disbelief on how poorly Toyota has treated their customers.”

Attorney Jason Ingber, who represents some of the plaintiffs, says his clients have written assurances that they promised not to make payments, which was once “a big relief.” “This was a big relief, and then with the uncertainty of it, now some people have gone back to making payments,” he said. 

“Some people threw their arms in the air because they already got negative credit reported. This is a fiasco within the fiasco that’s really cruel, in my opinion.”

Some drivers admit their beef with the company was resolved after contacting Toyota, with representatives claiming customer account notes were missed, indicating the bill payment was being paused and that it was not to be reported to collections.

Potential customers have visited Toyota’s massive 12,000-acre Arizona facility called the “Arizona Proving Grounds,” where the company develops and designs hydrogen cars, and serves as a testing hub for Toyota engineers, media, and visitors, according to Super Car Blondie. Despite some backlash, the car brand continues to add to its line with vehicles like ​​the Tacoma H2 Overlander, and a fuel-cell semi-truck with a 400-mile range while pulling 80,000 pounds. 

While Toyota continues its journey toward efficiency, Ingber hopes the company will rectify the issue. He feels his clients shouldn’t have to make decisions like this while dealing with the Mirai, which is already difficult, calling it “just a cherry on top.” “It’s one thing if [Toyota] never made this promise at all … That would’ve been fine. We’d try to get our pound of flesh at the end of the day in [court],” the attorney said. 

“But then to give you false information and actively hurt you and create more confusion, that is really a dark, twisted thing to do to your own customers. That should not go unnoticed. People should be wary of that. This is a very arrogant corporation with bad intentions.”

New Jersey, study, c-sections
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 17, 2026

Harris County, Texas Named Deadliest Place In The US For Black Mothers To Give Birth

New research identifies Harris County Texas as one of the deadliest places in the U.S. for Black women to give birth.

New research shows Harris County is the most dangerous place in the U.S. for Black women to give birth, with maternal and infant death rates that have at times surpassed both Texas and national averages.

A recent study by local public health officials found that from 2016 to 2020, Black women in Harris County had a maternal mortality rate of 83.4 deaths per 100,000 live births — the highest in the nation, Capital B News reports. In 2020, the national rate was 55.3 for Black women and 19.1 for white women.

Infant mortality for Black babies in Harris County was also alarming: 11.66 deaths per 1,000 births from 2016 to 2020, compared with a national rate of 5.4 per 1,000 in 2020. The alarming rates in Harris County have driven public health officials, researchers, and advocacy groups to intensify efforts to understand why Black mothers and infants are dying at such disproportionately high rates in the area.

Experts say addressing the crisis for Black mothers requires looking at systemic issues, including racial bias, unequal health care access, delays in treatment, and gaps in care. Houston OB-GYN Esohe Faith Ohuoba said the disparities largely stem from social determinants of health.

“Things like access to quality care, financial stability, housing, education, and even the stress that comes from navigating systemic inequities,” she said, adding how large the state of Texas is as another factor.

A major factor, Ohuba said, is the high levels of poor communication between a patient and a doctor.

“It is important that we are listening to patients, answering their questions, and paying close attention to their symptoms,” she said. “That’s where the quality of care and communication from the health care team becomes critical. Was the patient heard? Were warning signs recognized, and was treatment timely?”

As of 2024, Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes, with over 80% of these deaths considered preventable, according to the CDC. Experts say addressing the crisis requires confronting its root cause: racism within the medical system.

“Often it’s about systemic gaps in communication, cultural awareness, and trust,” Ohuoba said. “But the result is the same: Women of color don’t always receive the same level of attention or intervention as others.”

From 2019 to 2024, maternal morbidity rates in Texas rose 24.5%, while Harris County saw an even larger increase of 34.7%, according to an analysis by Teresa Do of the University of Texas at Austin. Local hospitals, including Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, Harris Health Ben Taub, and the Women’s Hospital of Texas, reported among the highest rates, in part because they treat the most complex, high-risk cases.

In 2024, Memorial Hermann recorded roughly 250 severe maternal morbidity cases per 10,000 deliveries. Hospitals say they are taking steps to address disparities, such as Memorial Hermann’s maternal health access committee and Texas Children’s quality‑assurance and performance‑improvement review of every case.

Black women are also leading efforts to improve maternal health. Rayna Reid Rayford founded Pregnant and Black, a nonprofit that connects Black expectant mothers with culturally competent care, advocates, and resources through a mobile app launching April 11 during Black Maternal Health Week.

Kay Matthews started The Shades of Blue Project in 2013, four months after losing a stillborn child, to raise awareness of the link between infant loss and mental health.

“It’s going to take more investment to allow the Black-led entities to take the helm and move the work forward. We need funding,” said Angela Doyinsola Aina, co-founder and executive director of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, which created the “Black Maternal Health Week” movement in 2016.

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english only, school bus
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 17, 2026

Middle School Counselor Placed On Leave Amid Claims Of Improper Messages To Minor

A middle school counselor in Baton Rouge has been placed on leave amid viral social media posts accusing him of inappropriately messaging a minor.

A Baton Rouge middle school counselor has been placed on administrative leave after allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old girl.

A social media post recently accused Quinton Dixon, a counselor at Westdale Middle School, of sending inappropriate messages to a minor, WBRZ reported. In response, East Baton Rouge Schools said they were alerted to the allegations and promptly opened an investigation.

“Today, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System was made aware of these allegations and immediately launched an investigation,” EBR Schools said in a statement. “The employee has been placed on administrative leave while the Office of Human Resources conducts a thorough investigation. The district takes all such matters seriously and will take appropriate action based on the findings in accordance with our policies.”

The investigation announcement follows a Jan. 15 tweet from an anonymous user who shared screenshots from what they claimed was Dixon’s Instagram page, describing him as CEO and head coach of Louisiana A&C, a pressure-washing business owner, a school counselor, and a drummer.

One post on the account also labeled him “Newcomer School Counselor of the Year” at Westdale Middle School. The tweet then included purported private Instagram messages in which Dixon allegedly told a teen he noticed she missed the bus and offered her a ride home, and in another exchange, questioned whether she liked girls based on a photo with a female friend.

“Idk u like girl,” Dixon allegedly wrote.

“That’s my best friend lol,” the girl wrote in response.

In a separate message, Dixon is alleged to have told the girl she was “fire” and said he had wanted to “holla” at her before learning she was a student. The girl then informed him that she was 14 years old.

After the posts circulated online, the East Baton Rouge Parish School System confirmed on Jan. 16 that Dixon had been placed on administrative leave.

RELATED CONTENT: Florida Woman Arrested On Child Neglect Charges For Alleged Abuse Of Girlfriend’s Son

issa Rae
by Kandiss Edwards

January 17, 2026

Paramount Scores First Look Deal With Issa Rae’s Hoorae Film & Television

The agreement formalizes an ongoing relationship between Rae's Hoorae and Paramount.

Issa Rae has signed a three-year first-look film and television production deal with Paramount. 

Under the agreement, Rae will develop film and television projects through her production company, Hoorae Film & Television. The David Ellison-run Paramount will receive the first opportunity to consider the projects before bidding. The deal covers both theatrical films and television programming. The move positions Rae as a producing partner across multiple divisions within the studio, Deadline reported.

Rae will work with Paramount Motion Picture Group co-chairs Dana Goldberg and Josh Greenstein, as well as Don Granger, president of the Motion Picture Group, and Matt Thunell, president of Paramount Television Studios. The agreement formalizes an ongoing relationship between Rae and the studio. In a statement, Goldberg and Greenstein commented on working with Rae and exploring her upcoming projects.

“Issa is a true creative force whose work consistently feels fresh, funny, and deeply human. She epitomizes the kind of exceptional artist we’re proud to partner with across film and TV to break new ground in elevated storytelling.”

Rae said she was looking ahead to the partnership.

“I’m excited to begin this next chapter with the team at Paramount and to continue telling stories that reflect the communities and voices that have supported my work,” Rae said.

Rae is best known as the creator and star of HBO’s Insecure and has expanded her work in recent years as a producer on multiple television projects. Through Hoorae, Rae has produced series including Rap Sh!t and Sweet Life: Los Angeles. Rae has also appeared in several feature films during her career, including The Photograph, The Lovebirds, and Barbie. The Paramount agreement marks a continuation of Rae’s shift toward studio-backed producing roles in both film and television.

While Paramount has dibs on Rae’s future projects, she’s still a free agent as an actress. Her first-look deal does not restrict Rae from acting in projects outside Paramount.

RELATED CONTENT: Issa Rae Sees Her ‘Impulsivity’ As ‘A Gift And A Curse’; After Almost Losing It All

MLK, BAM EVENT
by Ahsan Washington

January 17, 2026

It’s A King Weekend. Here’s What Going On In Your City

Cities and communities are honoring Dr. King's legacy

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend has transformed from a federal holiday into a collective movement that combines remembrance and service with cultural celebrations in major American cities. 

Throughout the extended weekend, cities and communities are honoring Dr. King’s legacy through commemorative marches, museum activations, volunteer drives and community-led festivals that demonstrate how his vision of equity, justice and economic empowerment continues to influence local communities today. 

This King Weekend features events happening nationwide and opportunities for participation.

Atlanta, Georgia 

Celebrate the Dream where it all began in Atlanta, the birthplace of Dr. King. MLK weekend is celebrating King’s legacy by honoring his vision of unity, justice and service. The King Center together with MLK March Committee, Hands On Atlanta, city partners, nonprofit leaders and community volunteers will host events from January 16 to 19, 2026 at multiple Atlanta landmarks.

Atlanta Family Fun 

From January 17 to 19, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta organized a weekend event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event includes hands-on exhibits and educational activities and interactive displays which showcase King’s life and legacy. Through art projects and narrated readings children and families can connect with King’s story. The event provides an opportunity for children and adults to learn about King’s contributions while making positive change for future generations.

Houston, Texas

The MLK Unity Parade returns to Houston, Texas after three decades of absence. The merged civic march unites Houston’s diverse communities to honor Martin Luther King Jr. by combining former competing celebrations. The parade will start from Houston City Hall at 10 a.m. on January 19th with an estimated 400,000 participants. A colorful community festival will take place after the parade to commemorate the event and build unity among local residents.

Arkansas 

The Northwest Arkansas MLK Council and university partners organize the Beloved Community Festival & Vigil to reflect on King’s legacy through community dialogue and remembrance. The festival took place on Friday, January 16, from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville. The special vigil will be held on Monday, January 19, at 11:30 a.m. at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center in Fayetteville. The event will feature live music, talks, youth activities, and a featured speaker who will honor civil rights history.

Jacksonville, Illinois 

The NAACP in Jacksonville, Illinois leads a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration event. The event includes a motorcade and wreath-laying along with programs and a keynote address. Local leaders and the Jacksonville NAACP will participate in the festivities. The ceremony will start at Mount Emory Baptist Church before moving to Community Park. The celebration aims to reaffirm King’s ideals through various ceremonies, historical presentations, music, and community discussions. The event allows public attendance without any charges or fees and includes musical performances alongside dance presentations and historical reflection segments.

San Antonio, Texas

The largest MLK Day march in the Nation will take place on January 19, at Pittman-Sullivan Park starting from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy. The City MLK Commission together with civil rights leaders and special guests Gabby Douglas and Coco Jones, will participate in the march. The event will provide free entertainment along with Q&A sessions and additional civic programming.

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joy reid, stephen A Smith
by Kandiss Edwards

January 17, 2026

WHEW! Joy Reid Has Had Enough Of Stephen A. Smith’s Shenanigans

Reid isn’t the only one tired of Smith and his remarks.

Joy Reid is the latest journalist to criticize Stephen A. Smith over his public remarks that often land outside of the realm of sports. She is also challenging his public disrespect and inclination to react passively toward conservative white people.

Reid addressed Smith’s comments during a 27-minute stripping down of Smith’s character, challenging his analysis of a shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Smith had described the shooting as legally justified while questioning whether the use of lethal force was necessary.

Furthermore, Reid also questioned Smith’s decision to weigh in on immigration enforcement and policing issues. She stated his commentary extended beyond his professional expertise as a sports analyst. 

“From a lawful perspective, I think you might need to stick to sports,” Reid said. “What I’m saying, Stephen, personally, is that you wouldn’t have an education without men like Cleveland Sellers, nor the freedom to be loud and wrong while claiming Jasmine Crockett is loud and wrong, while you’re crying out for people to respect Donald Trump.”

Reid also disputed Smith’s criticism of Black women commentators and rejected his claims about her past television ratings. Reid accused the ESPN commentator of having selective “smoke” for Black people while he encourages the masses to respect Donald Trump even when he is disrespectful.

“You got a lot of smoke for Black folk, but when it comes to Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump, you have no smoke for them. If you’ve been criticizing the right as you’ve been attacking people on the other side, I need to see those clips.” 

Reid isn’t the only one tired of Smith and his remarks.  Former CNN anchor Don Lemon addressed his grievances on his social media show, The Don Lemon Show. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that Lemon accused Smith of “cozying up to White people” with his interpretation of the Minneapolis shooting of Good.

Lemon said Smith was speaking on immigration and law enforcement matters, “he has no idea about.”

Smith’s social commentary about the shooting continues to circulate across media platforms following Reid’s criticism.

RELATED CONTENT: Stephen A. Smith Reveals Why He ‘Negotiated’ Leaving ESPN’s ‘NBA Countdown’

Jay-Z
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 16, 2026

JAY-Z Wins $119K Judgment Against Godmother Of Rymir Sattherthwaite, Who Claimed Rapper Was His Father

The rapper was awarded the judgment against Lillie Coley

Former Roc-A-Fella Records owner JAY-Z has scored a victory against Lillie Coley, the godmother of Rymir Satterthwaite, who has been claiming for years that he is the son of the billionaire mogul.

According to AllHipHop, a federal judge has ordered Coley to pay the attorney fees for JAY-Z’s lawyers, totaling $119,235.45. The California judge stated 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. This latest move comes after Coley asked a federal judge for an emergency restraining order after attorneys for JAY-Z stated they were moving forward to ask the court to penalize her over what has been described as “decades-long harassment.”

Her request was denied, leading to the judge’s ruling.

Coley filed a new lawsuit in California in 2025, 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, which cleared the way for JAY-Z’s legal team to pursue sanctions.

Thirty-one-year-old Satterthwaite claimed that JAY-Z had sexual relations with his now-deceased mother in the 1990s. She was 16, while the rapper was 22, when the alleged incident occurred. He said he filed multiple paternity suits against the rapper, but that all were dismissed.

In 2022, according to court records, a New Jersey judge barred Coley and Satterthwaite from filing any more lawsuits in that state without obtaining the court’s approval. The judge concluded that the repeated attempts to litigate the paternity issue had failed.

Through each attempt at a lawsuit and trying to get DNA from JAY-Z, the rapper blocked every move and has always denied the paternity accusations. 

RELATED CONTENT: JAY-Z Hitches Plan With Hanwha Group To Invest In South Korean Culture

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