The two beauty companies shared a joint Instagram video on April 6, that showed Beyoncé applying her Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil to her platinum blond hair. She then hands the bottle to her mom, who seals it and passes it to a staffer, who hands it to another team member. The final staffer places the oil on Cécred’s product display shelf at Ulta.
“Operation get @cecred at @ultabeauty is officially COMPLETE, with the help of the big boss and founder, @beyonce! Available NOW at your local Ulta Beauty store and ultabeauty.com,” the caption read.
The Ulta launch comes two months after Beyoncé revealed that her haircare line would be expanding to the major beauty retailer following its exclusive availability on cecred.com. All 16 products from the Foundation Collection, including best-sellers like the Nourishing Hair Oil, Restoring Hair & Edge Drops, Moisture Sealing Lotion, and Fermented Rice & Rose Protein Ritual, are now available online at Ulta.
Ranging in price from $16 to $56, Cécred’s products include hydrating and clarifying shampoos and conditioners, hair tools, travel-sized options, and exclusive bundles, which have been receiving rave reviews since its official launch in 2024. Alongside the Ulta launch, fans can also experience the inclusive haircare brand through treatments and salon events at select locations.
The collection features hydration and repair kits, styling combs, vented paddle brushes, and other essential hair tools. Now through April 19—or while supplies last—shoppers can receive a free limited-edition cosmetic bag with their Cécred purchase. Fans of the global pop superstar are applauding Cécred’s results and expansion into Ulta.
“I haven’t used this oil, but the oil drops left my daughter’s hair feeling so soft without weighing it down,” one fan wrote.
“Literally doing my wash day right now with @cecred before I head to @ultabeauty this morning!” added someone else.
Black-Owned Beer Companies To Indulge On National Beer Day
Support these Black-owned breweries that are bringing flavor and community to the craft beer scene.
In the spirit of National Beer Day, which falls on April 7, BLACK ENTERPRISE is highlighting eight Black-owned beer and brewing companies that are making great strides in the craft beer sector. These businesses not only present a range of delicious beer but also represent diversity, economic empowerment, and cultural visibility. Support these Black-owned breweries that are bringing flavor and community to the craft beer scene.
Down Home Brewing
Down Home Brewing was established in 2017 by the Atlanta-based Chris Reeves. The brewery is Georgia’s first Black-owned craft beer manufacturer. Reeves collaborated with William Allen Moore, a Morehouse student, to expand the venture. Although they lack a tangible brewery at the moment, they leverage contract brewing to sell their products in more than 130 Georgia outlets with aspirations of a physical site in the future. Their collection features Georgia Hooch IPA, T-Pom Pomegranate Wheat Ale, Down Right Hazy IPA, and Muddy Water Porter. Each beer embodies bold flavors.
Crowns & Hops Brewing Co., a brewery owned by Black individuals and located in Inglewood, California, is the work of two co-founders, Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter. Being the first Black woman-owned brewery based out of the neighborhood. Crowns & Hops aims to maintain cultural heritage, introduce new flavors, and unite people through producing excellent beer. Crowns & Hops crafts a range of unique beers, such as Mama’s Peaches, a peach cobbler tart ale. The beer brand also received an award for initiatives such as the “8 Trill Pils” program aimed at Black-owned breweries. The brewery has set a path towards providing diverse and adequate cultural representation in the beer industry.
Harlem Brewing Company is a craft brewery that was established in November 2000 and is the creation of Celeste Beatty. Beatty is the only African American woman in the United States who owns a brewery. The brewery is based in Harlem, New York, and is inspired by the neighborhood’s cultural history. Harlem Brewery produces beers that commemorate African American culture. Beatty started homebrewing in her apartment. She came up with the idea to make signature beers like the Sugar Hill Golden Ale, which is named after the historic neighborhood of Harlem.
Cajun Fire Brewing Company is a phenomenal brewery established in 2011 by Jon Renthrope in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is the first brewery in the South owned by a Black person and the first brewery in the country that both Black and Native American individuals own. Due to his love for craft beer and belief in his cultural heritage, Renthrope founded the brewery after he was encouraged by these factors. He created Cajun Fire Brewing to not only represent the traditions and culture of New Orleans but also contribute to solving the socioeconomic issues present in the area. The company’s motto, “Brewing for socioeconomic change one pint at a time,” particularly epitomizes its goal of New Orleans East revitalization through the development of jobs and community building. Cajun Fire’s beers are made using various influences from Cajun, Creole, Houma Indian, and African Diaspora traditions.
Khonso Brewing is an Atlanta-based craft brewery established in 2017 by friends Kevin Downing, Corby Hannah, and William Teasley. The name “Khonso” is a tribute to Khonso Im-Heb, the legendary ancient Egyptian brewer known for the drinks that the pharaohs and the commoners would enjoy. The founders, who embarked on their homebrewing journey in 2013, set up Khonso Brewing to bring innovative and diverse beer offerings that honor the cultural heritage and promote community engagement. Their beers, including Standing Peachtree, Pullman Yard, and Sweet Auburn, are named to pay tribute to Atlanta’s neighborhoods and the city’s history. Khonso Brewing proposes an “escape from the ordinary.”
Sankofa Beer Company is a Washington, D.C.-based craft beer producer and distributor. Sankofa Beer was founded in 2017 by lifelong friends Kofi Meroe and Amado Carsky. “Sankofa” originates from the Ashanti/Akan people of Ghana, meaning “go back and get.” The term symbolizes the importance of understanding and embracing one’s heritage to build a strong future. Meroe and Carsky, who grew up together in West Africa, began homebrewing in 2012 and experimented with incorporating flavors from their upbringing. Their flagship beer, HYPEbiscus, is a pale ale infused with hibiscus flowers, a nod to the popular West African hibiscus tea known as bissap. The company’s mission is to create a space where culture meets craft, drawing inspiration from their West African roots to expand the conventions of craft beer.
Joyhound Beer Company is a family-run craft brewery in Baltimore. The company’s founder, Alfred Rotimi, is a neuroscientist and a brewer. His passion for brewing and his background in science inspired Rotimi to start Joyhound as the fusion of science, art, and community, with the slogan “Craft Beer for Nerds, by Nerds.” The brewery relies on contract brewing and distributes its products in over 65 locations, including Trader Joe’s and Total Wine. Their beers— Tailwagger, Foggy Chesapeake, and Plum Power Sour—are the finest examples of the unique flavors and locally sourced ingredients. The name Joyhound is a tribute to the fact that brewing brings joy to the family and represents the family’s love of dogs. The company is committed to the principles of STEAM, the creative process of beer-making, and having fun with it.
18th Street Brewery is a Hammond, Indiana brewery established in 2010 by Drew Fox, who got the inspiration from a trip to Belgium that made him fall in love with various beer styles. With the mission of brewers crafting creative, high-quality beers, the brewery presents a multitude of types such as saisons, IPAs, stouts, lagers, and pricey B&B like the double milk stout “Hunter” and the pale ale “Candi Crushable.” The brewery operates in two locations: a large production facility and brewpub in Hammond and a smaller taproom in Gary, Indiana, the original taproom with a 10-barrel open fermentation system. The vision of Drew Fox combines creativity and culture with a love for beer, which will be the main driver of the brand’s distinctive identity.
New Urban One Podcast ‘Altadena: After The Fire’ Explores Ongoing Recovery Efforts
The Urban One Podcast Network introduced "Altadena: After the Fire" to delve into the city's resilience and its ongoing recovery efforts.
The Urban One Podcast Network is launching a series that documents Altadena, California’s recovery in the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire.
Colby ‘Colb’ Tyner will host “Altadena: After The Fire,” a bi-monthly podcast that explores the city’s rebuilding journey through conversations with elected officials, community leaders, business owners, and survivors. The podcast will explore the disaster’s impact on residents and businesses through on-the-ground reporting, in-depth interviews, and ongoing efforts to preserve and restore Altadena’s rich cultural heritage.
“It is very important that we do not forget this tragedy. As national news coverage has slowly dwindled once the fires were extinguished, we wanted to be a voice for the residents of Altadena and keep the rest of the world informed of what is happening,” Tyner, senior vice president of programming for Urban One’s Audio Division, said in a press release.
“We welcome you to join us as we document the journey of a community determined to rise from the ashes.”
In the debut episode, Tyner sits down with radio and podcast producer Tawala Sharp, a lifelong Altadena resident. Sharp’s home was one of just five on his block to withstand the devastating fire—though it remains unlivable. He shares his firsthand account of the destruction and the ongoing struggle to rebuild.
The conversation highlights the slow and difficult rebuilding process as residents face challenges with insurance companies, misinformation, and limited resources. Many families are still searching for safe housing, and with little media coverage, locals say they feel forgotten while opportunists attempt to exploit displaced homeowners.
In Episode 2, which premiered March 28, Tyner sat down with Charisse Bremond, CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade, who discussed how her organization is helping families in Altadena and Pasadena recover and build long-term stability. The episode also features KBLA’s Dominique DiPrima and LA Progressive’s James Farr in a deep dive into the environmental fallout as the rainy season approaches, the political consequences of displacing 22,000 residents, and the economic toll on small businesses, renters, and their rights in the wake of the disaster.
The podcast supports recovery efforts through a partnership with the Brotherhood Crusade, which aims to boost donations to its Wildfire Relief Fund. All contributions will go directly toward helping wildfire survivors secure shelter, clothing, food, personal care items, and other essential supplies.
New episodes will be released biweekly until October 2025, with occasional special episodes added in between. They will be available on The Urban One Podcast Network, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Cam’ron Reveals His Family Owns Roscoe’s Chicken ‘N Waffles, Planning Expansion In Mexico
Leave it up to Cam'ron to uncover the Harlem roots behind L.A.’s iconic Roscoe's Chicken 'N Waffles.
Roscoe’s Chicken’ N Waffles may be a Los Angeles staple, but according to Harlem native Cam’ron, its roots trace back to Harlem, New York.
On a recent episode of his It Is What It Is podcast, Cam’ron revealed his family ties to Roscoe’s. While the LA-based chicken and waffle spot is undeniably popular, little is known about the people behind the brand—or where they come from.
As it turns out, the founders are not only from Harlem but are related to Cam’ron.
“My family owns Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles,” Cam said in a clip captured online. “I never really bring it up, ‘cause I just didn’t think it was necessary. But yeah, that’s us.”
“I know everybody in California be like, ‘Yo, that’s our sh*t, that’s our sh*t,’” he added. “Roscoe’s Chicken’ N Waffles is absolutely a California thing. But if y’all didn’t know, some Harlem n****s own it, my family.”
Cam’ron shared that the restaurant chain, which has six locations in Los Angeles, is preparing to expand with a new spot in San Diego and 20 more opening in Mexico City.
This isn’t the first time Cam’ron has acknowledged his Roscoe connection—he paid tribute to his uncles, Herb and Warren, in an Instagram post celebrating their legacy and what he called a “bloodline of hustlers.”
“Fun fact: Would you believe me if I told you that the owner/founder of Roscoes Chicken and Waffles was from Harlem? And that he’s my uncle?!… nah, I wouldn’t believe me either. Oh well 🤷🏾♂️,” he wrote in May 2023. “What up, Uncle Herb and Warren. New location opening up in San Diego this summer.”
Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles has become a soul food staple since its founding in 1975. As Cam’ron suggests, the popular soul food chain was founded by Harlem native Herb Hudson.
Known for its signature dish—chicken and waffles served together or separately—the restaurant also offers a variety of classic soul food options. It grew in popularity thanks to Hudson’s connections in Motown and television, including Stevie Wonder and Natalie Cole, who helped spread the word.
Comedy legend Redd Foxx would even promote Roscoe’s to his audiences, further fueling its rise to fame. Over the years, it’s become a beloved spot for stars like Snoop Dogg to President Barack Obama, cementing its status as a timeless L.A. icon.
Michael B. Jordan Receives First Star On Newark Walk Of Fame
The honor was bestowed at the premiere of Jordan's latest film, Sinners, at Newark's CityPlex 12
New Jersey native Michael B. Jordan was honored with the first star on the Newark Walk of Fame.
According to AllHipHop, the honor was bestowed at the premiere of the Newark native’s latest film, Sinners, at CityPlex 12. Although the actor was not at the premiere, his mother, father, and sister were there to accept the acknowledgment, along with some of his relatives and community members who supported the movie and the actor.
Politicians, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and former hip-hop recording artist-turned-councilman Dupre “Doitall” Kelly, were there to present the star to his family members and deliver the official city proclamation honoring Jordan for his contributions to film and his ongoing commitment to the Newark community. In attendance at the event were fellow actors Malik Yoba, J.D. Williams, and Jermel Howard, MTV’s Jamila Mustafa, journalist Samson Styles, producer Kim J. Ford, and AllHipHop’s Chuck Creekmur, among others.
Jordan didn’t make it out to Newark for the honor but did make an appearance April 3 for the New York premiere of Sinners, which took place in Manhattan at AMC Lincoln Square, according to TMZ. Jordan was there with several of his co-stars, Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lido, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li, Jayme Lawson and Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, and his frequent collaborator, writer-director Ryan Coogler.
The movie will debut in theaters nationwide April 18 and features Jordan as twin brothers. It’s a supernatural horror film set in the South in the 1930s. The “brothers” are returning to their hometown, “trying to leave their troubled lives behind,“ only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
Jordan was first seen in the HBO series The Wire before becoming a breakout movie star, appearing in films like Fruitvale Station, Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the Creed trilogy, and several others.
Pittsburgh Pirates Will Place Roberto Clemente No. 21 Logo Back On Right Field Wall
The team apologized to Clemente's family for removing the logo for advertisement placement
After baseball fans and the family of Roberto Clemente expressed outrage over the Pittsburgh Pirates’ removal of the Major League Baseball Hall of Famer’s logo from the outfield wall at the team’s stadium, the team announced that it would be restored.
MLB.com reported that the team will add the player’s No. 21 logo back to the right field wall at PNC Park after it was removed to place an advertisement on the space. The logo has been in place for the past three seasons.
Roberto Clemente Jr., the son of the deceased Hall of Famer, took to social media to express his displeasure with the Major League team’s move.
— Roberto Clemente Jr (@RClementejr21) April 6, 2025
The team’s president, Travis Williams, issued a statement explaining that the area where the logo was previously used for ads was replaced due to not having a sponsor for that space with Clemente’s logo. The advertisement placed there was in no way disrespectful to the player, and his logo will go back in its place. Williams took full responsibility for the move.
“We did not intend to disrespect the legacy of Roberto Clemente by adding the advertisement to the pad in right field.
“When we added the advertisement to the pad, it was an oversight not to keep the No. 21 logo. This is ultimately on me, not anyone else in the organization. It was an honest mistake.
“We will be adding the No. 21 logo back to the pad.
“We have used this area for advertisements for many years. When we didn’t have a sponsor coming out of COVID, we added an additional element in 2022 to honor the legacy of Roberto. It was a replica of the Three Rivers signage honoring him.”
The park’s right field wall has two 21s above the video board. There are also other tributes to Clemente throughout the ballpark.
100 Black Men of Metro St. Louis Host ‘Dollars and $ense’ Competition To Teach Youth Financial Skills
The competition showcases its youth participants' financial knowledge.
The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis hosted a new contest for young people to display their financial prowess.
The “Dollars and $ense” Financial Literacy Competition took place on April 5. It inspired the youth to save and invest their cash and encouraged participants to incorporate these wealth-building skills into their everyday lives.
The young participants helped develop a plan for prospective clients. They created strategies to boost savings while fixing spending issues and managing credit.
“[Financial literacy] is not really talked about in school,” said Carter Higgins, a 7th grader, to First Alert 4.
The contest also wants young people to get an early start on money management. Especially in periods of economic uncertainty, these skills can help navigate times of financial stress.
“Money is kind of limited for most people, inflation is going around,” said Jeremiah Hathorn, president of the 100 Black Men of St. Louis. “But how do you manage that? You manage that with a budget. You manage that with cash flows. That’s what we teach our mentees today.”
“Dollars and $ense” is a national program for the 100 Black Men of America organization. Across chapters nationwide, youth participants can join programs that introduce these personal finance skills. In partnership with State Farm Insurance, the national competition aims to eradicate financial illiteracy among youth of color.
In St. Louis, the program also runs from January to June for high schoolers. Not only does the program teach fiscally responsible principles and values, but encourages attendees to pursue higher education and apply for college.
“The program is designed to introduce students to topics that are challenging, yet reachable,” described the chapter’s website. “Committed students will be rewarded for their effort, become knowledgeable in personal finance and investments, and develop a desire to pursue these topics in a higher educational environment.”
Students can also receive scholarships based on their quizzes, competition scores, and attendance in the free course. The program promotes an integral pillar of the 100 Black Men of America, economic empowerment for the community.
The top three local finishers in St. Louis will head to the national competition in New Orleans while representing their city.
Unrivaled 3-On-3 Women’s Basketball League ‘Almost Broke Even’ In Debut Season
The league brought in over $27 million in revenue in its first year in business
Nearly two years ago, WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart announced a new 3-on-3 basketball league that would be “Unrivaled.” After its first season, the league said it ‘almost broke even’ in its inaugural debut.
Unrivaled commissioner Micky Lawler admitted that the league did not do too badly this year, bringing in over $27 million in revenue in its first year in business. She informed the media outlet that the new league almost broke even and that more could be done to make the league successful. She anticipates that Unrivaled could start seeing a profit in its second year.
“We almost broke even in the first year,” Lawler said. “We know there’s more that we can do.”
With a deal with TNT and several major sponsors supporting the league, Unrivaled was able to snare some prominent WNBA players to participate in the new venture. The average salary for the 36 women who played this past season was $200,000. Statisticareported that the average salary in the WNBA, which also plays a longer season than Unrivaled, is around $120,000. The first season saw the league average 221,000 viewers during the regular season and the playoffs, with the championship game bringing in 364,000.
League president Alex Bazzell said that, after Unrivaled’s first year’s success, there are plans to generate more revenue for the upcoming season.
“We ended up doing, I believe, $1.4 or $1.5 million in merchandise sales this year,” Bazzell said. “How do we double or triple that right away just by being more efficient? Ticket revenue, we know we’re going to add seats to our venue. We want to remove the back panel area where players walk in that you’re going to see on TV, create more seating which increases our revenue from that standpoint.”
The league played its games at one arena but plans to take them to additional venues. It has not been determined where, but they anticipate playing in two cities outside its Miami base.
“This is sustainable,” Lawler said. “There’s definitely an appetite and great support for it.”
Karmelo Anthony’s Lawyer Wants $1M Bond Lowered Arguing Self-Defense In Austin Metcalf Murder Case
Police claim Anthony confessed, saying, 'I’m not alleged, I did it'
The lawyer for Karmelo Anthony, the Black teenager accused of fatally stabbing white Texas high school track star Austin Metcalf, wants his client’s $1 million bond to be lowered, arguing it could be a case of self-defense, the New York Post reports.
“I know that my client said it was self-defense,” Deric Walpole said. “I don’t have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what’s going on before I make any statements about what I think happened. I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.”
Without making bond, Anthony has been in Collin County Jail since the fatal stabbing took place on April 2.
Metcalf, a junior at Memorial High School, allegedly asked Anthony, a student from Centennial High School, to leave Memorial’s pop-up tent during a rain delay. After Anthony refused, a witness claimed he unzipped a bag and told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.”
Shortly after, Metcalf “grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out … a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest,” according to police. Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, rushed to the scene to try to save his brother.
Austin Metcalf died in his brother’s arms.
According to NBC DFW, Anthony fled the scene but was caught by police. When he was apprehended, the high school student allegedly confessed, telling one officer, “he put his hands on me, I told him not to.” He also asked if the victim was going to be OK.
Metcalf was remembered for being a stand-out athlete who had potential football college scholarships.
“My son and I are profoundly thankful for the overwhelming support, prayers, and love we have received,” Hunter Metcalf and his mother, Meghan, said in a statement. “Tragedies inevitably raise questions that remain unanswered. We will entrust the detectives handling the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Austin’s passing while our family, Hunter, and I prioritize commemorating and honoring Austin.
Anthony’s father, Andrew, is defending his son.
“He was not the aggressor,” he said. “He was not the one who started it. Everyone has already made their assumptions about my son, but he’s not what they’re making him out to be.”
Honey Beez Heartbreak: Boyfriend Charged With Capital Murder In Slaying Of Alabama State University Dancer
Gennia Grimes’ death has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with the hashtag #JusticeForGenniaGrimes circulating on social media.
Rogers McCloud Jr., 20, has been charged with capital murder in the death of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Gennia Grimes, a member of the Alabama State University Honey Beez dance team and senior at the HBCU.
The warrant was issued April 4. McCloud was arrested the same day and is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Detention Facility.
The investigation into Grimes’ death began March 27, when Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a shooting on Highway 80 East in the Waugh community of Pike Road.
Grimes, a Georgia native, was found at the scene. Paramedics attempted to perform lifesaving measures on the young mother before she was airlifted to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched an investigation.
According to Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, McCloud, who was in the vehicle with Grimes at the time of the shooting, provided conflicting reports of what occurred.
“The evidence just wasn’t linking up the way he described it,” Cunningham said.
“This case involves domestic violence where a young innocent woman was murdered at the hands of her boyfriend,” Richerson said. “To protect the integrity of the case, we have not publicly discussed the details of this investigation. However, please do not confuse our silence with inaction. We have been meticulously working to gather evidence and to determine the facts surrounding Gennia’s death.”
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation are assisting the sheriff’s office in the investigation.
Grimes, a junior criminal justice major at ASU, was set to graduate in August 2025. A GoFundMe page established to assist her family described her as a “dedicated mother and a bright student at Alabama State University” who wanted to be a lawyer. The page also highlighted her talent as a dancer and her “passion for making a difference.”
“She was the youngest in her family—their miracle baby—so full of kindness and grace,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Now, instead of celebrating her future, we are preparing to lay her to rest.”
The fundraiser is collecting funds to cover funeral expenses and to support efforts to bring Grimes’ 9-month-old child to say goodbye to his mother. Sources told Fox 5 Atlanta that McCloud was the father of the child.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all touched by her kindness and spirit,” Alabama Sate University said in a statement posted on Instagram. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones during this difficult time.”
Alabama State University drum majors also posted a touching tribute to Grimes on its Instagram account, highlighting the 21-year-old Honey Beez’s jaw-dropping performances and swag.
“The Mighty Marching Hornets would like to take this moment to honor the life of our beloved Gennia Grimes. Gennia was not just a Honeybee; she was so much more. She was a sister, a friend, a daughter, a cousin, a mother, and truly a gift from above. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time. Gennia will always be remembered for her love, compassion, kindness, and excellence. Rest in Power
The case has brought renewed attention to the issue of domestic violence on college campuses, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
A 2021 study on intimate partner violence (IPV) at an HBCU revealed that a significant percentage of students reported experiencing IPV victimization and perpetration. Yet, few sought help from formal or informal support systems. The study emphasized the need for culturally tailored IPV prevention programs and increased access to mental health services for Black/African American survivors on HBCU campuses. (Smith et al., “Intimate Partner Violence and Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Students at a Historically Black College and University,” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2023).
Alabama State University has a Violence Against Women Program (VAWP), also known as M.O.V.E., which aims to provide resources and services to students affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The program offers mandatory education for incoming students, campus-wide awareness events, and a 24-hour crisis line. The VAWP also collaborates with the ASU Police Department and the university’s judicial affairs staff to provide training and support.
VAWP’s mission is to “coordinate comprehensive services and resources for the University that help to reduce offenses in the areas of sexual assault, domestic violence and dating violence and stalking.”
The program fosters a “zero-tolerance” campus environment. It provides “assistance, aid, and comfort to victims while collaborating with all legal and law enforcement entities that will work to bring criminal sanctions/charges against the perpetrators.”
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) also provides grant programs to support institutions of higher education in addressing violence—whether it’s from dating sexual assault and/or stalking. The Campus Program, for example, encourages institutions to develop and strengthen security, investigation, and prevention strategies.
The program also supports a special initiative to enhance culturally specific campus approaches at HBCUs, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). (U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, “Campus Program,” 2024).
Grimes’ death has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with the hashtag #JusticeForGenniaGrimes circulating on social media. Her family and friends are determined to ensure that the young mother’s death was not in vain. The investigation remains ongoing.
