by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 12, 2026

Mathew Knowles Launches ‘Destiny’s Child Reimagined’ Orchestra-Style Tribute Tour

Mathew Knowles is celebrating the legacy of Destiny's Child through a new orchestra-style tribute tour.

Mathew Knowles is honoring Destiny’s Child with a new nationwide tribute tour, featuring orchestra-style renditions of the group’s iconic hits.

Launched on his birthday, Jan. 9, “Destiny’s Child: Iconic Reimagined Tribute” is a 60-minute live show featuring a five-piece band performing orchestra-style versions of the group’s biggest hits, including “Say My Name,” “Independent Women,” and “Survivor,” Page Six reported. The show kicked off in the group’s hometown of Houston, with planned dates in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami.

As Destiny’s Child’s founder and former manager, Knowles also takes the stage to share behind-the-scenes stories of their rise to fame, promising fans a “sophisticated” evening.

“The moment you walk into the room and you see the ambiance and 3,000-plus candles surrounding a stage, and these amazing quintet musicians, and violinists, it starts there,” he said.

Knowles founded the Grammy-winning group in 1990, guiding it through multiple lineups, including, at one point, 11 members and even a male rapper, he revealed. The group eventually solidified as a trio with Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, and his daughter Beyoncé, achieving global acclaim both together and in their solo careers.

Knowles credits part of their success to his method of “practicing failure,” where management intentionally created stage mishaps during rehearsals to train the group to handle mistakes with poise.

“They didn’t know when the lights were going to go off, when the sound would go off, or a heel might break. All the things that could happen. We practiced that,” he said. “It was all planned by management.”

The aim was to train the group to stay composed and adapt quickly whenever a mishap happened during a live performance.

“They didn’t know once they got on the stage, that the sound was going to get muted at a certain point. We did that, so they wouldn’t panic,” he said.

It’s something Knowles can still see the benefits of whenever his daughters hit the stage.

”You can also see that happen with Beyoncé and Solange during a Beyoncé performance, when Solange slipped, and then they made a routine of it. Those things you practice when you’re the very best,” he said.

The “Destiny’s Child: Iconic Reimagined Tribute” heads to Atlanta next, with a performance at Guardian Works on Jan. 16.

Cea Weaver, Black homeowners, white supremacy, Mamdani, New York

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 12, 2026

Black New Yorkers Push Back On Mamdani Ally’s Claim That Homeownership Is ‘White Supremacy’

The New York City mayor backed his tenant czar.

As Zohran Mamdani settles into office as New York City, more eyes are on his appointees.

That includes Cea Weaver, executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, who is facing backlash after 2019 tweets resurfaced showing her critical views on home ownership in the city, the New York Post reports.

“Private property, including any kind of ESPECIALLY homeownership, is a weapon of white supremacy,” Weaver wrote in the archived tweet.

“Homeownership is racist/failed public policy,” she wrote in a separate post, which allegedly called for a “collective” ownership and “shared equity” of property in the future.

Non-white homeowners in New York City, where Black residents make up around 33 percent of the city’s homeownership rate, objected to Weaver’s comments.

“White supremacy? I’m not white,” said Renee Gregory, president of Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant Inc., an organization founded in 1978 to help maintain representation of Black homeowners in the historically Black neighborhood.

“I read Weaver’s comments. I don’t know where they come from,” she added.

Black homeowners in Brooklyn, where brownstones often start around $1 million, are proudly celebrating their ability to own property in pricey NYC. Many feel Weaver—a middle-class white woman from Rochester, New York, who attended elite schools like Bryn Mawr and NYU—is out of touch on the issue.

“Homeownership is an essential element of Black wealth. It’s repugnant to attach yourself to policies that would look to devalue homeownership,” said Marlon Rice, a candidate in the Democratic primary for the 25th state Senate District in Brooklyn. “We should be fortifying pathways to homeownership.”

Philip Solomon, 51, who has owned a brownstone on Green Avenue in Bed-Stuy for 17 years, described Weaver’s remarks as “illogical.”

“I don’t want to believe that that’s what she intended to say,” Solomon said. “I grew up watching [The Cosby Show], and looking at a brown family on national network television. It gave me the idea that one day you can have a home in New York City. In a way, this is kind of like a dream realized.”

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams blasted Weaver in a tweet, wondering “completely out of your f–king mind.”

“Homeownership is how immigrants, Black, Brown, and working-class New Yorkers built stability and generational wealth despite every obstacle,” Adams wrote.

Homeownership is how immigrants, Black, Brown, and working-class New Yorkers built stability and generational wealth despite every obstacle.

You have to be completely out of your f****ing mind to call that “white supremacy.”

That level of thinking only comes from extreme… pic.twitter.com/4q42ZAeMgm
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) January 6, 2026

Weaver, a veteran tenant rights advocate who previously led the New York State Tenant Bloc and helped pass the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act with Housing Justice for All, expressed regret for her past remarks but emphasized her continued focus on tenant rights—an issue affecting the vast majority of non-white New Yorkers who are renters.

“I think that some of those things are certainly not how I would say things today, and are regretful,” Weaver told NY1. “I do think my sort of decades of experience fighting for more affordable housing sort of stands on its own.”

Mamdani responded that “I made the decision to have her as our executive director of the mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, not because of her comments, but because of her work,” he said.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 12, 2026

Trump is ‘Big Mad’ He Can’t Claim ‘Nobel Prize Winner’ Title Like Obama During His Recent Rant

Unprovoked, claimed Obama did nothing to win the award in 2009 since he “was a bad president.”

In a meeting with oil and gas executives about Venezuelan oil, President Donald Trump proves former President Barack Obama has condos in his head by whining about him receiving the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize over him.

During the Jan. 9 meeting, Trump started ranting about why he should have received the award, claiming to have settled eight wars, “big wars.” Then, unprovoked, claimed Obama did nothing to win the award in 2009 since he “was a bad president.” “Look, whether people like Trump or don’t like Trump, I settled eight wars, big ones. Some going on for 36 years, 32 years, 31 years, 28 years, 25 years, some just getting ready to start, like India and Pakistan, where already eight jets were shot out of the air,” the 47th president said.

“I can’t think of anybody in history who should get the Nobel Prize more than me. I don’t want to be bragging, but nobody else settled wars. Obama got the Nobel Prize. He had no idea why. He still has no idea.”

TRUMP: "Whether people like Trump or don't like Trump, I settled 8 wars — big ones."

"I can't think of anybody in history that should get the Nobel Prize more than me."

"I don't want to be bragging, but nobody else settled wars. Obama got the Nobel Prize. He had no idea why. He… pic.twitter.com/enkHKo3KKe
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 9, 2026

The Nobel Committee labeled Obama as being perfect for the honor, given his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” according to The Grio. After the announcement, the 44th president said the recognition is not of his own accomplishments but “rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.”

Forty-seven says the selective award should be presented for “every war you stopped.”

Trump’s thoughts stem from his floating the idea that the 2025 recipient, Venezuelan politician María Corina Machado, present the award to him, which she offered to do. However, as the concept went viral, the committee stepped in with a statement saying the prize could not be transferred or shared after it had been awarded. “The Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute receive several requests for comments regarding the permanence of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s status,” the statement read.

“The facts are clear and well established. Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time.”

Despite the need to be honored, the real issue is Trump’s continuous claims that he solved a conflict between India and Pakistan. Since Jan. 1, the president has made such claims three times, totaling roughly 80 times since May 10, 2025, after announcing on social media that the two South Asian countries agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire following a “long night” of mediated talks in Washington.

Indian officials have denied any third-party interventions after Trump projected the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, gave him props for allegedly saving millions of lives by stopping the conflict. In his mind, the Pakistani leader “made a very public statement” of saving “a minimum of 10 million lives, having to do with Pakistan and India, and that was going to be raging.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 12, 2026

Car Tupac Shakur Was Fatally Shot In For Sale—Asking Price: $1.75 Million

The restored car is listed on celebritycars.com.

The BMW that Tupac was riding in when he was gunned down in Las Vegas in 1996 has resurfaced with a hefty price tag: $1.75 million.

The car, listed on celebritycars.com, has been restored, and is ready to be driven off the lot, according to the website. The site claims that this is the car that Death Row Records’ boss, Suge Knight, was driving on Sept. 7, 1996.

The car was leased to the company at the time.

The BMW has been restored to its original condition with a fresh coat of paint. The marking of a bullet that hit the BMW is still visible, to substantiate that this BMW was the one Tupac was riding in on that tragic night.

The car has been owned by several people since the tragedy, but the most recent owner commissioned its restoration. If anyone purchases the BMW, they will receive documentation verifying the vehicle’s history. Plus, it runs “exceptionally well.”

The car was previously listed for sale more than six years ago, according to Carscoops. It reported that the dealership received the BMW 750iL in 2017 and priced it at $1.5 million. After the car was featured on an episode of Pawn Stars, it remained at the showroom because no one purchased it. It was listed at $1.75 million in 2020.

The car is shown in the video below.

Tupac, the now-iconic rapper and actor, was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting after a Mike Tyson fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996. He never regained consciousness and died six days later. He was 25.

Former gang member, Keffe D has been charged in relation to the killing and will go on trial on Aug. 10.

Martin University, The Only Black College In Indiana, To Shut Down Over ‘Financial Challenges’

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 12, 2026

Martin University, The Only Black College In Indiana, To Shut Down Over ‘Financial Challenges’

The school's board of trustees decided to permanently shut down over substantial financial issues.

Martin University, Indiana’s only Black college, will close its doors after almost 50 years due to financial issues.

Throughout its decades of service, Martin University had struggled with accreditation issues stemming from its financial challenges. Although it regained its accreditation to continue teaching young Black scholars, the university’s Board of Trustees voted to shut down amid a recommendation from the Higher Learning Commission, as reported by the EDU Ledger.

The school was founded in 1977 by a Black priest, Father Boniface Hardin, to help underserved students across Indianapolis gain access to higher education.

The news outlet reported that the Board initially opted to pause operations but later decided to close permanently due to “insurmountable” financial concerns. “Without an endowment and given today’s political climate around higher education funding, this financial model is simply not sustainable,” the board stated in its public letter announcing the closure.

The “political climate” seems to refer to the Trump administration’s crackdown on higher education funding for institutions with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Trump has threatened to strip schools of all funding if they refuse to comply with these new policies.

Given the school’s mission to help students gain an education regardless of financial status, Martin relied on external sources, such as grants and government funds, to cover student fees and tuition. However, the lack of an endowment to sustain this business model led to ongoing funding issues and a decline in enrollment.

Martin University officials also tried to sustain the school by expanding opportunities for business partnerships, collaborations, and gifts.

Staying true to the school’s original values, administrators have assisted in transitioning students to other institutions, aiming to ensure they remain on track for degree completion. However, the news still sparked polarizing reactions across the Indiana community.

The letter urged public civility, especially toward the Board Chair and Executive Committee. The board also noted that monetary support remains invaluable as it seeks to fulfill outstanding financial commitments.

While Martin University is not technically an HBCU, the predominantly Black institution is the first to shut down since Alabama HBCU Concordia College in 2018. As anti-DEI legislation and accreditation issues impact several HBCUs’ futures, mainly as most rely on government funding to stay afloat, Martin is another indicator of the shifting tides for diverse higher education.

Hardin served as the university’s president for 30 years. He died in 2012.

“The closing of our doors does not erase the impact of this institution, nor the community that built it,” the board said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 12, 2026

Decoding Russell Simmons’ $100 Million Social Media Demand From HBO

The Def Jam founder claims that HBO "intentionally suppressed" evidence he claims would have refuted the sexual assault claims against him.

Last year, Def Jam Recordings founder Russell Simmons filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit against HBO and the directors of the documentary, On the Record, for the multiple sexual assault allegations levied against him.

Now, in a post on Threads, Simmons said the company owes him “100s of millions of dollars.”

He accused the company of being “horrific and malicious” in the documentary, and that evidence that may have cleared him was “intentionally suppressed.” For those reasons, he must be compensated with $100 million.

View on Threads

The 2020 documentary featured several women accusing Simmons of sexual harassment, rape, and sexual misconduct.

HBO refutes claims that Simmons was ignored in the creation process. Although there was a one-year statute of limitations on his lawsuit, Simmons stated in the recent filing that, because the documentary was re-released, it continues to tarnish his reputation and falls within the one-year window.

A day after Simmons posted the latest demand, according to AllHipHop, three women went to a New York court to request that the mogul pay more than $3.4 million that he owes from sexual assault settlements.

Attorneys for the three women, Sheri Abernathy, Sil Lai Abrams, and Wendy Carolina Franco, filed the claim in the New York Supreme Court, alleging that Simmons missed a January 1 deadline to pay the settlements he signed in October 2025.

In October 2024, Abrams, Abernathy, and Franco filed for “confessions of judgment.” The request was filed after Simmons agreed to pay $1,265,000 each to Abrams and Abernathy, and $515,000 to Franco.

Based on recent documents filed, since Simmons allegedly failed to pay, they are now requesting increased “confessed” amounts, including interest and enforcement costs: $1,614,290.74 for Abernathy and Abrams, and $711,000.31 for Franco.

The recalculated amounts include 9 percent annual interest and additional legal fees.

Uncle Nearest , whiskey, fawn weaver, barriers business

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 12, 2026

Investor Group Looks To Buyout Uncle Nearest $108M Loan To Speed Up Sale

While spectators may think the case is about cleaning up a debt, it's more about who has control in Uncle Nearest’s future as it is unclear who has the final say when a company is in receivership.

Uncle Nearest Whiskey brand may be receiving some saving grace, as an investor group is seeking to buy out the $108 million loan to speed up the potential sale, the Lexington Herald Leader reports.

A group of individual and institutional investors who make up the investor group NexGen2780 hopes to buy out the $108 million loan to Kentucky lender Farm Credit, in hopes of speeding up the sale of the troubled Black-owned spirits brand owned by Fawn and Keith Weaver. Walter Miles of Johns Creek, Georgia, presented the idea in a letter filed in federal court before U.S. District Judge Charles E. Atchley Jr.

The Tennessee-based whiskey and bourbon brand has been in receivership since Fall 2025, with the Weavers fighting to regain control of the brand and to stop the sale of assets, including the popular distillery. Recently, the owners filed a civil lawsuit against former chief financial officer Michael Senzaki, accusing him of forging stock transfers and corporate fraud, costing the brand millions.

Fawn, who has been the face of the brand, claims that declining sales are one of the reasons they were trying to dump the receiver, citing that distributors have backed out of deals while bottles are being pulled from shelves and bars. But investors are pushing that time is up.

“We respectfully note our concern that the extended duration of the receivership proceedings may be contributing to a gradual diminution of enterprise value. Prolonged uncertainty can adversely affect brand equity, distributor and vendor relationships, employee retention, and overall market positioning,” Miles, who represents the investor group, said.

“NexGen2780 believes that a timely and orderly sale process, conducted under Court supervision, could help mitigate further value erosion while maximizing recovery for creditors and other stakeholders.”

According to The Lynchburg Times, court proceedings in the case have heated up as a group of entities affiliated with Uncle Nearest, including Grant Sidney, Inc., claim the receiver failed to make marked deadlines by raising vague allegations of financial trouble without identifying specific transactions, in addition to overstepping the required private clarification steps in favor of public court filings.

As a result, the entities requested that the court enforce their prior orders and confirm that they are not part of the receivership estate.

While spectators may think the case is about cleaning up a loan debt, it’s more about who controls Uncle Nearest’s future, as it is unclear who has the final say when a company is in receivership. The role of a receiver is to preserve value for creditors and, if necessary, recommend a sale despite shareholder objections.

Although Fawn is Uncle Nearest’s largest shareholder and controls the majority of board votes, a federal court-supervised receiver will shift how decisions are made moving forward.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 12, 2026

Diddy Reportedly Sells Private Jet For $4 Milly

The jet was reportedly being chartered while the mogul has been in prison.

After reportedly earning millions from his private jet during his ongoing incarceration, Sean “Diddy” Combs has sold it.

Business Insider said that Silver Air Private Jets confirmed that Diddy sold the Gulfstream G550 last October.

The No Way Out producer, who has been in prison since being accused of various federal charges in September 2024, including RICO charges, reportedly made about $4 million from 126 charter flights during his time behind bars.

A purchase price was not disclosed, but online listings for a pre-owned G550 from that year typically range from $20 million to $30 million. Records show that the jet, which was registered as N1969C, was previously listed as owned by LoveAir LLC, which was owned by Diddy. Now, the tail number is T7-OKS and has been registered in San Marino.

Diddy is currently imprisoned in Fort Dix in New Jersey after being found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He is serving a 50-month prison sentence, and is set to be released in May 2028.

Although the Yonkers-raised executive sought a pardon from President Donald Trump, the president said that’s unlikely to happen.

According to USA Today, Trump told New York Times reporters that, after receiving a clemency request from Diddy, he is not considering granting it. Trump told reporters the request was done through a letter and offered to reveal it. (He did not.)

Trump said he and Diddy were on friendly terms until his first term as president.

“You know, I was very friendly with him,” Trump told Newsmax host Rob Finnerty in August. “I got along with him great; seemed like a nice guy. I didn’t know him well, but when I ran for office he was very hostile.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 12, 2026

Rihanna Co-Signs Elon Musk’s Estranged Trans Daughter As Model Joins Savage X Fenty Shoot

Musk and his daughter, 21-year-old trans model Vivian Jenna Wilson, have been estranged for years.

Rihanna has given the estranged daughter of Elon Musk her own blessing, giving the trans model a spot in the latest Savage X Fenty campaign on the highly-anticipated Valentine’s Day collection from her lingerie brand.

Vivian James Wilson, 21, doesn’t associate with her tech giant father. Instead, the young woman has created her own career path, earning the co-sign from Rihanna. According to Page Six, the promotional photos included the blonde wearing a rose-print black bra and matching miniskirt.

Rihanna also appeared to model a bold red set, stating “Aphrodite was a savage.” The campaign even included other faces such as plus-size model Emma Arletta and “Forever” actress Lovie Simone.

Rihanna tapped Vivian Wilson, the rising model and estranged daughter of Elon Musk, alongside actress Lovie Simone and model Emma Arletta in her latest Savage x Fenty campaign. 🔥 📸: Savage x Fenty pic.twitter.com/mlt4Ct5cCX
— Page Six (@PageSix) January 7, 2026

The move offers a semblance of support for the Bad Gal Riri, who has not shied away from supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

As for Wilson and her public figure father, the two have been in a non-communicative space for a while.

Wilson is the eldest daughter of Musk, and his second child with his first wife, Justine Musk. Since Wilson came out as trans in 2020, the former Trump official has denounced her transition. The father of 14 has used his social media platform X to further demean Wilson’s chosen identity, stating “he was not a girl” among his old posts.

Despite the controversy surrounding her trillionaire dad, Wilson has embarked on rising modeling career, making appearance on runways and landing a Teen Vogue cover as well.

As she establishes herself in the industry, the Savage x Fenty inclusion marks a major campaign for the emerging model. The move may also indicate how Rihanna feels about the controversial Musk. The Bajan singer has not publicly bashed President Donald Trump and his on-again, off-again ally, but previous Instagram posts during the general election heavily suggested that she did not support Trump.

caribbean Heritage Month, children's books,Sili recio,

by Ahsan Washington

January 12, 2026

National Mentoring Month: Spotlight On Programs Changing Young Lives

January is National Mentoring Month

Mentorship is a vital support system that creates empowering connections to help young people develop a sense of value, capability, and social connection. January is National Mentoring Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate mentoring, raise awareness of the mentorship gap affecting young people, and encourage communities to increase mentoring relationships nationwide.

MENTOR established the initiative in 2002 to demonstrate how adult support functions as a catalyst for youth development in social, academic, and professional areas. Here are several national and Black-focused mentorship programs, including established institutions and culturally specific pipelines that support Black youth.

Boys & Girls Clubs Of America — National Mentoring Program

The National Mentoring Program of Boys & Girls Clubs of America creates connections between caring adults and young people through organized clubs and activities and volunteer mentoring. The program provides role models and support through trained volunteers and staff to children and kids aged 6 to 18 who live in underserved communities across the nation. The mentorship program operates year-round at more than 5,400 club locations, including U.S. military installations, and focuses its efforts during National Mentoring Month in January. Through mentoring, young people gain a sense of safety and value while developing the power to achieve their potential through career exposure, confidence-building, and lifelong relationship skills.

Police Athletic League (PAL) Mentoring Program

Through community-based mentorship, the Police Athletic League (PAL) Mentoring Program develops leadership skills and positive youth connections while teaching life skills. Middle school and high school students in the program participate in leadership development and peer mentoring activities. The program includes regular sessions and community service events. The PAL mentoring program creates stronger trust and leadership skills between youth and police officers, while building positive engagement in communities where mutual understanding develops.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is the largest youth mentoring organization in the United States that connects adult volunteers to young mentees for developmental support and positive results. Through BBBSA affiliates, youth from more than 5,000 communities throughout all 50 states receive matches with dedicated adult mentors. The mentorship program runs throughout the year with additnal community activities held during National Mentoring Month in January.

100 Black Men Of America, Inc. — “Mentoring The 100 Way®”

The national Black-led mentorship organization “Mentoring The 100” operates through 100 Black Men of America, Inc. to deliver extended mentorship and leadership training alongside community development. The organization delivers assistance to African American youth through trained adult mentors, group sessions, and specific skills training. The organization’s chapters throughout the United States continue to provide mentoring services to higher education students, using their Collegiate 100® and Emerging 100® auxiliary groups. The program operates throughout the school year and continues mentoring relationships into adulthood to create confident leaders who close opportunity gaps.

Jack And Jill Of America, Inc. — Youth Leadership Programs

Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a national Black family organization dedicated to leadership development, civic service, and mentoring-oriented youth programs that empower future leaders. The organization serves African-American children and teens (ages 2–19) and their families through chapter-based youth leadership and support activities. With over 271 chapters nationwide, Jack and Jill connects families through regional and national programming. Programs operate year-round, with a focus on summer learning, service projects, and leadership modules. Jack and Jill’s youth development curriculum builds foundations in civic engagement, financial literacy, and community service, which are essential elements for mentorship and lifelong success.

Sisters Keepers Mentorship Program

The Sisters Keepers Mentorship Program connects women mentors with Black girls to provide leadership support, encouragement, and guidance. The program provides one-on-one mentorship to Black girls, with mentors who help them develop leadership skills and build community support. The program operates in the United States, and mentorship roles vary by local participation. Mentors have the option to participate in the program for either brief or extended time periods.

Girl Talk, Inc. — Peer Mentorship for Girls

Girl Talk, Inc. provides high school girls the opportunity to mentor middle school girls through peer mentorship. The organization runs more than 375 chapters nationwide where teen girls lead weekly structured mentoring sessions for younger girls. The programs run during the academic year while providing additional engagement options throughout the entire year. Through peer mentorship, girls experience changes in leadership norms while developing confidence and establishing continuous support networks.

Mentorship is a vital support system that creates empowering connections to help young people develop a sense of value and capability and social connection. National Mentoring Month is a movement that encourages people to strengthen mentorship bonds that positively transform youth lives. Youth with mentors are more likely to engage in regular volunteering, develop leadership, and advance academically and emotionally. The effects of dedicated mentorship show themselves in communities through both national mentoring organizations and cultural mentoring networks.