Druski
by Kandiss Edwards

January 15, 2026

WWDD? Content Creator Druski Parodies The Dramatics Of Mega Church Culture

The sketch, shared across Druski’s platforms depicts the comedian clearly playing an exaggerated megachurch pastor.

Content creator and social media comedian Druski sparked online discussion this week after a viral megachurch parody skit.

Druski made fun of megachurch culture, mocking what some see as spectacle and commercialization in parts of modern church culture. The video has generated millions of views and mixed reactions from viewers online. 

The sketch, shared across Druski’s platforms, depicts the comedian playing what is clearly a megachurch pastor delivering a flamboyant service with dramatic effects, smoke machines, and loud music. The performance mixes humor, satire, and a little truth.

https://twitter.com/druski/status/2010867434463564036?s=46

In one moment from the video, Druski appears suspended above the congregation while Kirk Franklin’s 1998 song “Revolution” plays in the background. While it seems outlandish to some, the scene has played out before in multiple congregations. 

Social media users pointed out how the performance was less of a performance and akin to real life. On X @jackfreemanjr observed, “They mad at Druski for joking about megachurch pastors. But you’re not mad at megachurch pastors for giving him the material?”

Others pointed how image and leadership intersect in certain church settings, seen in how Druski’s outfit pointed directly back to the pulpit of Pastor Mike Todd.

https://twitter.com/haterreport_/status/2011282979323331036?s=46

Others criticized the video as disrespectful to religious practice and felt some jokes crossed a line by mocking aspects of faith or leadership rather than addressing issues constructively. 

While some take offense, many are encouraging others to take note of the critique.

The debate surrounding the skit touches on broader conversations about the role of megachurches in American religious life and how comedians use satire to question cultural norms. Supporters of the video see it as a catalyst for discussion. Detractors argue that Druski’s video can be misinterpreted as an attack on faith rather than on specific behaviors.

@deyatillluvbrit commented: Finna drop that Druski skit in the family group chat full of bible thumpers and mute the chat. A lil chaos on Wednesday.”

https://twitter.com/deystillluvbrit/status/2011422121059401874?s=46

Either way, Druski has done his job: The video has been watched 74 million times on X alone.

RELATED CONTENT: Druski Leads Snipes Back-To-School Campaign Alongside His Comedy Collective

MLK, BAM EVENT
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 15, 2026

40 Years Of The King Holiday: A Promise Renewed, A Legacy Reimagined

That victory was not inevitable.

Forty years ago, after one of the longest legislative battles in modern U.S. history, the United States established the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, a national recognition not only of Dr. King’s leadership but of the moral force of the Civil Rights Movement.

That victory was not inevitable. It was won through persistence, protest, and the unwavering resolve of Coretta Scott King, who fought for 15 years to ensure her husband’s legacy would not be diluted, revised, or forgotten.

The movement to secure the holiday began almost immediately after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968 at the Lorraine Motel, which now stands as the National Civil Rights Museum. Coretta Scott King assumed the mantle of movement architect, ultimately the largest petition in U.S. history at the time, to demand that the nation honor a man who challenged its conscience. She built a broad coalition of citizens, artists, labor unions, clergy, and elected officials. She lobbied presidents and testified before Congress. She galvanized the public to see the holiday as a reflection of our highest democratic ideals.

Yet the fight was fierce. Opposition to the holiday revealed deep tensions around who is considered worthy of national memory. Critics masked their discomfort with King’s radical calls for economic justice, anti-war activism, and structural change behind arguments of cost or tradition. But the truth was clear: honoring Dr. King required the country to confront its own failures.

The holiday was ultimately codified in 1983 and first observed in 1986. By 2000, after additional state-level battles, it became a truly national observance. And yet, its establishment marked a beginning, not a conclusion.

Over the last four decades, MLK Day has evolved into America’s largest annual day of service. From food distribution to school cleanups, communities have embraced the idea that service is a powerful expression of shared humanity. But Dr. King’s call to service was inseparable from his call to systemic reform. He urged the nation to examine the roots of inequality, not simply to ease its symptoms.

Service without policy change is compassion without transformation. The commitment required today is to pair community service with civic action, advocacy, and accountability. Dr. King’s legacy requires both.

As we mark the 40th anniversary, we do so amid rising polarization, renewed attacks on voting rights, the censoring of historical truth, widening economic inequality, and a growing disconnect among generations. Young people, our most diverse and justice-driven generations yet, are navigating overwhelming social issues, disinformation, and activism fatigue. And still, they press forward, echoing the same courage by those who marched across the bridge in Selma, sat in at restaurant lunch counters, and challenged school admittance. 

To uphold Dr. King’s legacy in the modern Civil Rights Movement, the nation must commit to the following:

• Protecting voting rights as the foundation of democracy.

• Defending historical truth, ensuring classrooms and museums remain places of honest learning.

• Advancing economic justice, echoing Dr. King’s final campaign for a more equitable and humane economy.

• Pairing service with advocacy, recognizing that meaningful change demands both local action and national policy.

• Centering community storytelling, lifting the voices of everyday people whose experiences deepen our understanding of the movement.

• Investing in young leaders who carry the creativity and conviction necessary to build the Beloved Community.

The 40th anniversary is a moment of celebration, but also a moment of clarity. The holiday affirms that America’s progress is not preordained. It is chosen repeatedly through civic courage, moral conviction, and collective action.

Dr. King taught that “the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice,” but he also insisted that it only bends when people pull together. The holiday stands as a national invitation to keep pulling.

Voter’s rights act
Courtesy National Civil Rights Museum

Dr. Russ Wigginton serves as the President of the National Civil Rights Museum. He assumed this role in 2021, and has vast experience in education, fundraising, operations, and community engagement. Wigginton was the Chief Postsecondary Impact Officer for Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) from 2019-2021, where he led the organization’s work for postsecondary access, retention, and completion.  He was vice president for student life and dean of students at Rhodes College in Memphis from 2017-2019, where he oversaw the college’s co-curricular experience for students.

NFL, Laveranues Coles, Jacksonville Police Officer
by Mitti Hicks

January 15, 2026

Study Shows Link Between Police Brutality and Heart Health In Black Women

The study examined 422 Black women aged 30 to 46.

A new study from North Carolina State University shows that worrying about police brutality and harassment is having an impact on heart health for Black women in the United States. The top concern for Black women is the potential interactions between their children and law enforcement.

The study examined 422 Black women aged 30 to 46. Researchers asked participants a series of questions, including concerns about their own future interactions with police, their experiences with law enforcement, and concerns for their children’s future interactions.

Based on the responses, the researchers were classified into three groups. The first group, High Child Vigilance-High Personal Exposure,  consisted of 235 women who reportedly had children. This group was also likely to have experienced harassment by law enforcement.

No Child Vigilance-High Personal Exposure is the second group, consisting of 115 women who either had no children or reported little concern about their children’s potential interactions with police. However, they were likely to have experienced harassment by law enforcement themselves.

The last group of 72 women is the third group, Moderate Child Vigilance-Low Personal Exposure. These women reported being moderately concerned about their children’s interactions with law enforcement, but less concerned about their own.

What The Data Reveals

The researchers also used ultrasound technology to measure carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) for all study participants. Carotid IMT refers to the measurement of the thickness of the inner layers of the carotid artery. Thickened inner layers of the carotid artery indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Carotid IMT serves as a marker of cardiovascular risk.

“One key takeaway here is the role that concern for children plays,” Lori Hoggard, corresponding author of the research paper, stated. “Women in the No Child Vigilance-High Personal Exposure group, who had experienced first-hand harassment at the hands of law enforcement, had lower IMT thickness than either of the other two groups.”

Hoggard added, “In other words, even women who had not experienced police harassment – but did have a moderate or high level of concern for how law enforcement might interact with their kids – had thicker IMT measurements than women who had experienced police harassment but did not have concern for children.”

Researchers added that participant age, income, and other demographic or medical variables did not account for the findings.

“This study can only show correlation, not causation, but it suggests that the stress caused by worrying about their children’s interactions with police may be greater than the stress that Black women are experiencing with regard to their own potential interactions with police,” Hoggard said.

RELATED CONTENT: Former DeKalb Officer Cops A Plea After Killing Mentally Ill Unarmed Air Force Veteran

Justin Jones
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 15, 2026

Justin Jones Backs ‘Abolish ICE’ While Other Democrats Face Criticism For Wanting To Fund Them

While comments underneath the video showcase racist language like "little chimpanzee needs to be put in its place,” others highlight data on how several Americans agree with Jones as ICE is under high scrutiny for their performance.

With the topic of immigration being at the forefront of the new Tennessee legislative session, Democratic Rep. Justin Jones made it known where he stands by carrying a large “Abolish ICE” flag into the session. 

Met with cheers and high-fives from a crowd of supporters, Jones was seen and heard chanting “abolish ICE” while holding the flag. 

While comments underneath the video showcase racist language like “little chimpanzee needs to be put in its place,” others highlight data on how several Americans agree with Jones, as ICE is under high scrutiny for its tactics.

https://twitter.com/BillWilde388919/status/2011275372399378769

Amid the criticism of ICE agents harassing residents of some American metro cities, leaders like Tennessee state Rep. Gabby Salinas are looking to prepare safe spaces for those trying to avoid them. Her bill, HB1482, filed Jan. 8, would allow schools and churches to provide safety from ICE agents, as immigration is a hot topic for the state legislature. 

Salinas touched on the headline-grabbing death of Renee Good as one of the reasons to push the legislation forward, labeling the interactions as “dangerous.” “Incidents like the one experienced in Minneapolis, MN, yesterday demonstrate how lawless and dangerous these ICE interactions have become in our country,” the Democratic leader said, according to 4 WSMV. 

“Now is the time that we as Tennesseans come together and to reject fear and violence and recognize our shared humanity. We are all children of God.” 

But some left-leaning leaders on Capitol Hill are willing to support the agency, but with restrictions. With calls to “defund ICE” becoming more common, lawmakers are speaking out, saying they support the effort as long as guardrails are identified. “House Democrats want accountability and oversight of ICE,” Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) said. 

“They should have to continue to testify to Congress as to what they are doing. But more importantly, we need to look out for the American people right now. They are terrorizing people in the streets of this country.”

While GOP leaders like House Majority Leader Steve Scalise pushed back against Democrats, claiming their ICE complaints are just another thing for them “to yell about,” votes from their blue-sided colleagues are necessary to pass any DHS funding bill. If Republicans refuse to budge on supporting ICE restraints, DHS funding could lapse in a few weeks.

And coming off the longest government shutdown in American history, no one has the patience for that.

RELATED CONTENT: Ilhan Omar Turned Away From Oversight Visit To Minnesota ICE Detention Center

Minneapolis, George Floyd, George Floyd Square
by Kandiss Edwards

January 14, 2026

George Floyd’s Aunt Speaks Out After Renee Good Killed By ICE

Angela Harrelson, the aunt of George Floyd, compared the death of Minnesota resident Renee Good to the murder of her nephew.

The deaths of Good and Floyd were not similar in individual circumstances, but the loss of life by law enforcement is the same. Neither Floyd nor Good were actively committing crimes during their deaths, and neither appeared to pose potential harm. However, both were deemed threats and killed.  

Harrelson said the incident has retraumatized her in its parallels and asserted, much like Floyd, Good deserves to be alive.

“It’s been not just retraumatizing to me, what happened to Renee, but I’m sure to all the families here,” she said to a room full of Minnesotans. “Renee deserved to be here today.”

Harrelson took a bold stance against police brutality and the current Trump administration. She proclaimed to all those present, “Donald Trump is not God. He thinks he is, but he is not.”

Good was a 37-year-old mother of three. Her family released a statement describing her as a devoted parent and partner and is calling for a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding her death.

The shooting has drawn public attention as federal and local officials review ICE enforcement practices and the agency’s use of force. Community members have gathered near George Floyd Square since the incident. Minneapolis Mayor Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued sharp statements condemning the violence and requesting the removal of ICE from their city and state, respectively. 

Harrelson knows the fight for justice and accountability is not easy and will take multiple communities, voices, and actions to see progress. However, she is committed and is asking others to join the fight.

“If you stand for humanity, you know what to do,” she added. “The tide is going to turn. And it’s going to be rough for a while, but we will get there. I know the pain. You guys know the pain. We all know the pain. We know this pain together. But we will see the light again,” she said.

RELATED CONTENT: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison Leads Coalition Against Trump Administration In Effort To Suspend SNAP Benefit Pause

Instagram Story, Shooting, Teenager
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 14, 2026

Instagram Users: Beware Fraudulent ‘Password Reset’ Emails As App Expands AI Features

The case of fraud password resets comes as the app integrates more AI into its user experience.

For avid Instagram users, a wave of fake password reset emails has put some accounts at risk.

Instagram, owned by Meta Platform, confirmed the matter on social media. On a post to X, the app let its users know about the fraudulent attempt, which could have impacted its more than two billion accounts.

“We fixed an issue that let an external party request password reset emails for some people,” Instagram wrote. “There was no breach of our systems, and your Instagram accounts are secure. You can ignore those emails — sorry for any confusion.”

Users initially reported that they received unexpected emails to reset their passwords, despite not initiating the requests themselves. However, the app’s management deemed the matter a glitch in their security system.

Coincidentally, the security mishap also aligns with new rollouts from the photo-and-video-sharing platform, particularly using AI. According to Afrotech, the AI-powered “Your Algorithm” tool helps identify users’ interests as they scroll on the app.

Instagram also spotlighted its evolving Reels addition, aimed to help users tailor the short-form video consumption “brick by brick.” With the update, users can further dictate exactly what they wish to see as AI summarizes topics they will likely engage with. The tech giant has even collaborated with A$AP Rocky to further promote the revolutionized Reels platform.

The rapper and father of three appeared on Instagram’s new “Algo Confessions” to reveal what content he views most on the app. Rocky spoke about how fashion innovation, jazz music, and film are his main interests while building his own “algo.”

Instagram has also hinted at more AI implementation on its interface. This includes AI-suggested content on its explore page as well, further integrating the technology on the media platform.

However, as artificial intelligence becomes more prominent through social media and other fields, users must remain vigilant in keeping their profiles safe from hackers and indiscernible scams.

RELATED CONTENT: Tourists From 42 Countries May Have To Submit 5 Years Of Social Media Content To Visit The U.S.

Martin Lawrence, Martin show
by Kandiss Edwards

January 14, 2026

Martin Lawrence Says Jokes On The 90s Show Modeled ‘How Black People Joked’ Not Colorism

Martin explained that his dynamic with Arnold was rooted in the accurate depiction of Black culture at the time.

Martin Lawrence added his take on the colorism discourse surrounding ’90s sitcom Martin after singer Ari Lennox attributed the show’s jokes to colorism.

Lennox’s remarks, made in July 2025, focused on how Lawrence’s character teased Tichina Arnold’s character, Pam. As Tichina is a brown-skinned woman, she described herself as “chocolate.” Lennox asserted the jokes “drew the line” for her.

On Jan. 12, in an interview with Fox 5, Lawrence addressed Lennox’s critique. The comedian said he did not view or intend for the show’s humor to be harmful.

“No, I never had that concern because I knew they were jokes,” Lawrence said.

He explained that his dynamic with Arnold was rooted in the accurate depiction of Black culture at the time. The Bad Boys star respects Lennox’s view, stating, “she has a right to her opinion.”

“That’s the way Black people joke. We go hard. And me and Tichina were just having a lot of fun, and we were keeping it real. And I was keeping it real.”

Lawrence’s remarks come as Martin continues to be a subject of renewed interest among audiences examining classic Black art, especially comedy, which is now seen as not being politically correct. The Big Momma’s House actor said Lennox is entitled to her perspective but maintained his view that the show’s spirit was “just keeping it real.”

Arnold also weighed in on the discussion during an appearance on comedian Deon Cole’s podcast. She agreed with Lawrence, saying that jokes about her character were never meant to be rooted in colorism.

“Those jokes were never written from [a place of] malice,” she said, adding that the dynamic was about “who’s got the best joke” and not about color. Arnold said she understood how some viewers might feel differently based on their own experiences.

RELATED CONTENT: Revisiting the 90s: Tichina Arnold Pushes Back At Ari Lennox’s Critique Around Colorism And ‘Martin’

Kevin Durant, bitcoin
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 14, 2026

Kevin Durant Prepares To Open First Restaurant In Austin, Texas

The restaurant, Austin Sports Club, is expected to open in Spring 2026

NBA player Kevin Durant is returning to the town of Austin, Texas, where he played collegiate basketball, to open a restaurant.

According to the San Antonio Express-News, Durant, who currently plays for the Houston Rockets, will open a restaurant called Austin Sports Club. The future NBA Hall of Famer played one season (2006) at the University of Texas at Austin, where he had one of the best seasons of the school’s history. He ended that season as the Collegiate National Player of the Year.

Durant’s first venture into the restaurant business will be with his Boardroom Hospitality partner, Rich Kleiman; Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia; and Lobos Hospitality. Austin Sports Club is expected to open during Spring 2026.

Lobos Hospitality gave a statement about the new restaurant to My San Antonio.

“Conceived as a timeless restaurant reimagined for the modern athlete, executive, and tastemaker, Austin Sports Club blends elevated food and beverage with purposeful programming and a refined social atmosphere, designed as a place to gather, connect, and catch a game. Lobos Hospitality will oversee day-to-day operations, concept execution, and ongoing programming, collaborating with partners who will shape select experiential and cultural elements of the space.”

Although he played only one year at the University of Austin, he still has ties to the college. Durant donated $3 million in 2018 to build a practice facility. The school named the facility after him.

Durant has been having a good season in his first year with the Houston Rockets. He recently broke the record for the most points by a player age 35 or older through the first 30 games with a new team. Durant accomplished the feat against the team he played with last season, the Phoenix Suns, as the Rockets won 100-97.

The record was previously held by former Washington Wizards player Michael Jordan. The 37-year-old Durant has scored 771 points in his first 30 games with the Rockets in his first year with the franchise, which breaks Jordan’s record of scoring 737 points at the age of 38 when he played his first year with the Wizards.

RELATED CONTENT: Kevin Durant Scores Game-Winning 3-Point Shot While Breaking One Of Michael Jordan’s Records

telomeres, shortening, cancer, Gynecologic Cancers, Black Women, Death Rates, cervical cancer, NAACP
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 14, 2026

Americans’ 5-Year Survival Rate For All Cancers Increases For The First Time

New data shows the U.S. five-year cancer survival rate has risen, highlighting the importance of research despite Trump’s billion-dollar funding cuts.

New data shows the first-ever increase in America’s five-year cancer survival rate, highlighting the impact of early prevention and detection strategies.

On Jan. 13, the American Cancer Society’s annual report revealed that for the first time, the five-year survival rate for all cancers has reached 70%, with the biggest gains seen in more deadly cancers like myeloma, liver, and lung cancer, The Washington Post reports. The report underscores the value of cancer research, especially in light of the Trump administration’s cuts to millions in health research funding, including grants designated for cancer studies.

“Seven in 10 people now survive their cancer five years or more, up from only half in the mid-70s,” said Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at ACS and lead author of the report. “This stunning victory is largely the result of decades of cancer research that provided clinicians with the tools to treat the disease more effectively, turning many cancers from a death sentence into a chronic disease.”

Recent data show cancers mortality has continued to decline through 2023, preventing an estimated 4.8 million deaths since 1991. In 2026, the U.S. anticipates over 2 million new cases and more than 626,000 deaths, with incidence and mortality generally higher among men than women.

William Dahut, chief scientific officer for the ACS, credits improvements in survival rates to reduced tobacco use, earlier detection, and more effective treatments. He emphasized that advancements such as novel therapies that help patients live longer wouldn’t be possible without continued research funding.

“The thing to focus on is really the importance of scientific funding and scientific discovery to really drive improvements in five-year survival,” Dahut said, noting the “particularly striking” trends being observed in patients with metastatic cancer, where the disease spreads to other parts of the body.

After Trump slashed $4 billion in funding for medical research at universities, hospitals, and scientific institutions, health experts stress the urgent need for continued investment to better understand various types and develop effective treatments.

“Decades of research and work in this area have led to longer, better lives for millions of Americans with cancer,” said Cardinale Smith, chief medical officer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “This continued progress also depends on the sustained investment that we’ve had in the research that has gotten us here.”

RELATED CONTENT: Thousands Needed For Cancer Study To Improve Black Women’s Health

Howard University, 14th Amendment Center For Law And Democracy
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 14, 2026

Howard University Gets Into AI Game With New Course Dedicated To Engineering Careers

The class will equip students with the necessary tools to land AI career opportunities.

Howard University is expanding its academic offerings with a new AI course for engineering students.

The Washington, D.C. HBCU will launch its Intro to Artificial Intelligence this spring semester. According to Afrotech, the institution will partner with tech nonprofit CodePath. Together, they developed the course to focus on data structures, AI literacy, and agentic workflows.

In the program, Howard students will learn AI-assisted software development, using the lessons to support their post-graduate careers. Enrolled students will also gain access to Claude Code. The AI tool will help them complete a project to add to their portfolios and become more competitive candidates.

With the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s financial involvement, this course will give Howard scholars a leg up in the evolving workforce. Familiarizing them with prevalent AI practices will broaden their professional opportunities in today’s job market.

“Our work is rooted in the idea that HBCUs are not only equipping students for coursework but also building skills vital to succeeding and leading in the workplace,” said Dr. Harry L. Williams, TMCF president and CEO, in the press release. “Through programs like this and professional development such as what our Innovation & Partnership arm provides, our HBCUs are elevating excellence and creating pathways to opportunity in the fields that are defining the economy of the future.”

The course will aid students within the College of Engineering and Architecture at Howard. As fears loom over the already disproportionate amount of Black tech workers in the age of AI, as reported by Amsterdam News, the HBCU course will ensure diverse workers remain represented in the STEM fields.

“Howard has a long history of preparing students to not just succeed in today’s jobs, but to become leaders in the economy of tomorrow,” said Dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture Kimberly L. Jones, Ph.D., according to the news release.

Jones added, “Building on many years of introducing students to traditional AI concepts, this course has been reimagined to reflect AI’s ongoing evolution and respond to what our students are asking for, and what employers now expect.”

Class is now in session as these Howard students embark on a technologically advanced landscape.

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