Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Tackle ,Kevin Johnson, Killed, Los Angeles
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 1, 2025

HBCU Athletic Conference Adds Huston-Tillotson University And Paul Quinn College

The schools will become official members on July 1, 2025.

The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is adding two schools to its membership.

Starting July 1, 2025, Huston-Tillotson University and Paul Quinn College will officially be full members of the conference, moving from the Red River Conference and bringing the number of conference members to 15.

“Both institutions bring a rich tradition of athletic and academic excellence, and their addition strengthens our conference’s mission to elevate HBCU athletics while creating more opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest levels,” aid HBCUAC Commissioner Kiki Baker Barnes, Ph.D., in a written statement.

Huston-Tillotson University will bring a program that features men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, soccer, track and field, baseball, softball, and women’s volleyball.

“Joining the HBCUAC is a game-changer for HT,” said Huston-Tillotson President Melva K. Wallace. “This move elevates our athletic program, increases our recruiting power, and places our student-athletes in a league where their talent and hard work will be seen and celebrated. It opens the door to stronger rivalries, greater exposure, and the kind of competitive excellence that builds champions on and off the field.”

Paul Quinn College will add and women’s basketball, cross country, soccer, track and field, and women’s volleyball to the HBCUAC.

“The Quinnite Nation is tremendously excited about joining the HBCUAC,” said Paul Quinn President Michael Sorrell. “We understood the conference’s value and appeal from day one and are grateful to have been invited to join. The opportunity to continue our friendly rivalries with Wiley and H-T, have our own streaming platform, and elevate our athletic programs on a national level represents the type of future we want for our students and community.”

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dolphins
by Mitti Hicks

April 1, 2025

Woman Injured While Swimming With Dolphins In Jamaica, Experts Warn Against It

While swimming with dolphins is a popular vacation activity, organizations like the Dolphin Project warn that it can be dangerous for humans and dolphins.

A Nashville woman is recovering after she was injured while participating in one of Jamaica’s most popular vacation activities: swimming with dolphins.

According to Cierra Stockard’s sister, Naveah Garton, the dolphins lifted her in the air at one point during her excursion in Montego Bay. Stockard slipped, and the dolphin’s dorsal fin hit her groin area.

“This created such a blunt force trauma to the area [and] caused her to have [a] hematoma the size of three apples,” Garton wrote on a GoFundMe page for Stockard.

The family had to act quickly to raise nearly $30,000. Some of the money raised went toward getting Stockard immediate medical attention for emergency surgery at a local hospital in Jamaica.

“Due to her being American, the first hospital made her pay out of pocket just to be seen,” Garton wrote.

The other part of the money raised went towards Stockard’s medical flight back home from Jamaica, which was quoted at around $45,000 since she didn’t have the proper insurance.

Stockard updated people who donated to the GoFundMe. She was back in Tennessee as of March 31. She said doctors are closely monitoring her wound because they are concerned about an infection.

“They were planning on putting me through another surgery to cut the damaged, infected tissue. Thankfully, the antibiotics have been doing the job,” she stated on the GoFundMe, which had raised nearly $30,000 as of April 1. “I also received a unit of blood to help my hemoglobin back up.

While swimming with dolphins is a popular vacation activity, organizations like the Dolphin Project warn that it can be dangerous for both humans and dolphins.

“There have been numerous complaints and incidents reported of people getting injured during a swim-with-dolphins program,” the organization warned. “Customers have been bit, hit by tails, and even pulled under the water by over-worked and frustrated dolphins.”

In addition, many dolphins are held in captivity for tourists’ enjoyment, which experts say can add to aggression due to stress and frustration.

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Denzel Washington, Black panther
by Jameelah Mullen

April 1, 2025

‘Othello’s’ Director Says The Play May Soon Hit The Big Screen

Another Denzel movie? Oh yes!

Othello, featuring Denzel Washington, has just debuted on Broadway, and according to the show’s director, Kenny Leon, there is a possibility that the play may soon make its way to movie screens.

Leon informed The Hollywood Reporter that he and Washington are “absolutely” discussing possibly adapting the play into a film. Leon collaborated with Washington on two other plays,  A Raisin in the Sun and  Fences, which premiered as a film in 2016. 

The highly anticipated show starring Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal opened on March 23 and made box office history. In its second week, it broke the record for the highest weekly gross by a Broadway play, earning $2.8 million. In the Shakespearean play, Othello, portrayed by Washington, falls victim to Iago (Jake Gyllenhaal), who manipulates him into believing that his wife is having an affair. Leon states that the play’s subject matter remains relevant today. 

“This play is about pure love, but what happens to pure love when there’s rumors and lies and jealousy? Leon tells The Hollywood Reporter.

“And all that’s timely for every generation,“ Leon stated. 

Washington’s role as Othello is a full-circle moment for the Training Day star. At 22 years old, he played the character while a student at Fordham University.  

“This is a 48-year journey for me. Forty-eight years ago, I played Othello at 22, right down the block at Fordham at Lincoln Center. I go past it every day on my way to rehearsal. It’s fascinating to have been too young for the part, and some may say now, too old. Forty-eight years experience, 48 years of pain, pleasure, and life has informed my approach to playing the role,” Washington said in an interview with CBS News. Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker, and Brian Moreland co-produced Othello. It remains unclear whether the production team will work on a potential film adaptation of the project. Othello is currently playing at Broadway’s Ethel Barrymore Theatre through June 8.

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NAUPA, unclaimed, property, money, cash, welfare, wealth, millionaire, Game developer, hardship grants, united way
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 1, 2025

Money-Sending Apps To Use Now That Zelle App Is A Wrap

Options are available

With the Zelle money-sending app officially closing shop, these other digital payment apps can fill the need.

For many, Zelle has become the go-to for splitting bills and requesting funds for everyday transactions. However, the app’s owners have announced the app option is officially shutdown on April 1.

According to U.S. News, the shutdown is due to most U.S. banks already having Zelle on their own apps. With most people accessing Zelle through these partnered companies, the need for its platform became unwarranted.

That option is no longer available for those who have used the platform’s standalone app. Despite this, multiple money-sending apps are still available that can get the job done as quickly as Zelle.

Thankfully, Zelle payments can still be conducted through one’s specific banking app. With over 2,200 banks using Zelle to transfer funds, one’s breakup with Zelle becomes less of a reality.

Another popular digital payment app, Venmo, adds a social element to covering one’s tab. Not only can you create a personable profile to send and receive money, but you can also look at your contacts’ transactions. The main downside is that the funds do not transfer automatically into one’s bank account.

On the flip side, this money can be used for future Venmo requests, making it easier to pay your share. Venmo also allows payments from credit cards but for an additional fee.

Apple Cash is another way for iPhone users to send money without needing additional apps. With iMessage activated, users can send money from their device until it is deposited into their associated bank account. However, this feature remains strictly for iPhone users.

PayPal is a more traditional form of payment transfer, but its long-standing notability makes it a safe and ready-to-use option for retail purchases. Funds can also remain on one’s PayPal balance for a future transaction and link to multiple payment methods, including credit cards.

Lastly, Cash App is a quick and convenient way to move money between two parties. Through partnerships with celebrities like Angel Reese and Kendrick Lamar, the Cash App card makes plastic cards personalized with cool designs.

While there have been some data breach controversies, Cash App is changing how you charge your card with its culturally infused marketing. Moreover, it allows users to send more than typical cash with features like purchasing Bitcoin and trading stocks.

Although Zelle is no longer available, there are numerous ways to still receive your coins in a timely, safe manner.

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Olivia. miles,, Notre dame
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 1, 2025

Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles Decides To Enter Transfer Portal Instead Of Entering WNBA Draft

Due to sitting out the 2023-24 season, Miles has one year of eligibility left.

Woman’s college basketball star Olivia Miles, who is projected to be the second overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, will enter the transfer portal to play a fifth collegiate season, ESPN reports.

The Notre Dame guard averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game this past season. Her expected position in the draft is due to the first team All-ACC player also being named to the ACC Tournament team, according to On3.

“It just changes every day. I love college. I think I’ve outgrown it a little bit, though, so that makes my decision tougher to stay. It’s comfortable, a place where you have security,” she told ESPN after her team was eliminated March 29 from the NCAA Tournament. “The W … the volatility is up and down. So I don’t know. I’m deciding between a bunch of factors.”

Although student-athletes are permitted to play four seasons, due to sitting out the 2023-24 season, she had one year left of eligibility. She also has the choice of entering the WNBA Draft because she has been in college for four seasons and is 22 years sold.

“Many players have returned to school for their final year of eligibility, but it’s not common for a player to come back to college and enter the portal,” ESPN’s Kendra Andrews wrote.

This past season, Miles started all 34 games while averaging a career-high 15.4 points on 48.3% shooting. Her 3-point shooting vastly improved to 40.6% over her last season’s paltry 22.8%.

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Morgan Debraun, Blavity Inc., rewrite your rules
by Stacy Jackson

April 1, 2025

Blavity Inc. Founder Morgan DeBaun Releases First Book, ‘Rewrite Your Rules’

'Rewrite the Rules' offers a guide to readers on how to challenge the norms in achieving success.

Morgan DeBaun, founder and CEO of global digital media company Blavity Inc., has released her first book, Rewrite Your Rules: The Journey to Success in Less Time with More Freedom.

The book, released on April 1, invites readers into DeBaun’s journey as a serial entrepreneur and provides a path to fulfillment.

According to Penguin Random House, Rewrite Your Rules is a call to action offering a three-part framework: “Master Yourself,” “Master Your Method,” and “Master Your Growth.” The book provides practical steps for readers to become CEOs, approach success, and rewrite the rules for themselves.

Making sure she articulated everything in a way that people could understand, “this book walks you through exactly how to design your own method so that you can do it the way that you want,” DeBaun told HOT97. For DeBaun, Rewrite Your Rules was the culmination of over a decade of experience as an entrepreneur. Having a tribe of people who motivated her was vital to her ability to scale in life.

“I’ve acquired three companies in the last 10 years, built a business from my apartment in San Francisco, and had a dream with my co-founders for us to create a company that was helpful to Black people.”

As DeBaun wrote her book over four years, she rediscovered how much grit she had as a 24-year-old. The process reminded her of how “fierce” she was, even working through a phase during Blavity’s existence when she did not like herself as a founder and a CEO.

“So with Rewrite Your Rules, I just wanted to show people how they can rewrite their rules for themselves,” she said. “I want to be a rule maker. I want to be the person who is saying, ‘I know that you told me I have to do this this way, but I’m going to do it my way.’”

Since its inception in 2014, DeBaun’s Blavity media company has amplified Black culture and the voices of millennials through its premium content. Alongside co-founders Jonathan Jackson, Jeff Nelson, and Aaron Samuels, the team launched AfroTech in 2016 and women’s lifestyle platform 21Ninety in 2017. In addition, they acquired entertainment platform Shadow and Act and travel website Travel Noire.

Blavity, Inc. also took over RnB House Party ahead of its 2024 debut of the Blavity House Party Music Festival.

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Cory Booker, Bob Menendez, New Jersey, Senate
by Sharelle B. McNair

April 1, 2025

Cory Booker Occupies Senate Floor For 13 Hours To Highlight Trump’s Dangerous Policies 

Booker warned voters and social media followers of what his intentions were and mentioned how Trump’s potential tariffs are going to cause more harm.

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker took a stand, speaking out against President Donald Trump’s dangerous policies for over 13 hours on the House floor. 

Videos started circulating of Booker’s takeover on social media, showing the senator making a powerful and lengthy speech about policies — including anti-DEI initiatives, potential Social Security cuts, and more — that the Republican president has put in place in less than 100 days in office. He called Congress out for its lack of accountability in supporting rhetoric harmful to the American people. “Congress…that is being too complicit to an executive that is overstepping his authority and violating the Constitution and hurting people … who rely on healthcare and Social Security,” Booker passionately explained. 

“Reading these stories, sir, because the voices of the Americans that don’t have the privilege that the 100 of us don’t get to stand here but I believe the power of the people is greater than the people in power. That’s the ideals of our democracy and our Constitution.”

Ahead of his speech, Booker warned voters and social media followers of his intentions and mentioned how Trump’s potential tariffs will cause more harm. “I’m going to be speaking about what Donald Trump is doing to our nation, and now, with this tariff, we are going to see more reckless steps taken that are gonna raise more prices for Americans and cost our economy even more,” he said. 

“So many things that I’ll be detailing in this speech and so its my plan to continue to go for as long as we possibly can.” 

He continued, saying he hopes to use his voice to “do what people are calling” on him to do. 

His speech caught the attention of some Fox News anchors, who claimed Booker was using his time for “national attention” and his fans. Some analysts were heard saying that some of his talking points—like tax cuts for the rich—aren’t true. 

However, Booker received more support than criticism from Black political colleagues, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Florida’s 14th Congressional District nominee Mike Harvey. “Senator Booker is representing the people of his district. For other other elected Democrats who don’t know what that means, he is doing his JOB,” Harvey wrote on X.

“Take notes.”

HBCU, charter school, Michael Bloomberg
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 1, 2025

HBCU All-Star Games Score New Streaming Home With Peacock Ahead Of Weekend Experience

The All-Star games will include the top 24 men's and women's players from HBCUs nationwide.

Viewers of the HBCU All-Star games can watch the matches on a popular new streaming service. Peacock has picked up the games so more onlookers can cheer for their favorite players at home.

Peacock and NBC Sports NOW will live stream the basketball games, which take place April 6 at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas. The All-Star Games aim to amplify the talent of these HBCU athletes as they try to reach the next level of their sport. The fourth annual men’s contest will tip off at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, with the first-ever women’s game taking place shortly after.

According to HBCU Gameday, the games will include the top 24 men’s and women’s players from HBCUs nationwide. Each team will have an HBCU coach, with names that represent a legend from this cohort of schools.

The men’s players will be divided into Team Al Attles and Team Bob Love. The women will play as Team Yolanda Laney and Team Patricia Hoskins.

The All-Star games have also shined a greater light on HBCU basketball programs. By focusing more attention on the athleticism and talent of these players, the games hope to create a pipeline for professional sports careers.

Featured players will hail from HBCU conferences such as the SWAC, MEAC, and more. They include Alabama State’s T.J. Madlock, the current SWAC Tournament champion who recently earned a spot in the NCAA March Madness Tournament. Carlos Rogers, the HBCU All-Stars NCAA Division I National Player of the Year, will also take part in the event. Norfolk State’s Christian Ings, who led his team to a MEAC Tournament win and March Madness first-round appearance, will also take part in the event.

The women’s games will showcase stars from these same tournaments. Players also include Allen University’s Taliah Wesley, the Jackie Givens HBCU All-Stars Division II Women’s National Player of the Year.

The All-Star game will also have an entire weekend of activities leading up to the matches. On April 4, a Community Awards Ceremony will take place, with a College Admissions and Scholarship Fair also commencing the day after. The schedule also includes a Community Fun Day and Experience Mixer that coincides with a Social Justice Panel.

Whether in person or online, the HBCU All-Star games continue elevating this accessible experience to support its diverse athletes. The website has more information on streaming opportunities and tickets.

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Ts Madison, fear, trans, transgender, woman
by Jameelah Mullen

April 1, 2025

TS Madison’s Starter House For Formerly-Incarcerated Black Trans Women Opens On Trans Day Of Visibility

Ts Madison turns her former home into a haven for a vulnerable community.

Ts Madison celebrated National Trans Day of Visibility by opening the Ts Madison Starter House, a transitional home for formerly incarcerated Black transgender women. The suburban home in metro Atlanta will accommodate up to four occupants, providing them with support and access to resources to facilitate a smoother reintegration into society. Madison partnered with the National African American Leadership Conference on Health Disparities and Social Justice (NAESM) to transform her former home into a safe house for trans women. The Ts Madison Starter House is a member of the SAFE Housing Network, a collective of organizations that offer reentry services to formerly incarcerated people. 

The reality show star shared her excitement about the grand opening of the starter home on social media. 

“Today was THE day! I can’t explain how my heart feels right now, but we DID IT, “ the mogul wrote on her Instagram page. 

“To MY SISTERS! B*tch, it’s all about community! We have to take care of each other. The blessings I’ve received have not been about me but about US. Let’s show up for each other. “ 

The inability to obtain stable housing is a major factor contributing to recidivism. Furthermore, formerly incarcerated LGBTQ+ individuals encounter unique challenges as their healthcare needs and experiences of discrimination intersect, making it even more difficult to reintegrate into society after incarceration. The National Institute of Health reports LGBTQ+ individuals are incarcerated at a rate three times higher than that of the US adult population. Black transgender women are incarcerated at approximately ten times that rate, as reported by the National Black Women’s Justice Institute.  

Madison tells The Atlanta Voice that the transition home does not receive government funding, and she is seeking community support to help cover the costs of maintaining the house. 

“I need y’all to donate to this project because this isn’t funded by anyone but us. This is by us, for us, and this is why we need us,” the actress told the outlet. 

Visit the NAESM website to make donations.

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Sza, Singer, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Hal David Starlight Award
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 1, 2025

Sza Coins Upcoming Makeup Line ‘Not Beauty,’ Now Fans Can Copy Her Lip Combo

Sza's "Not Beauty" makeup line will promote an assortment of lip products.

Sza has announced the launch of her new makeup line that goes against the typical ethos of a beauty brand.

Ironically named “Not Beauty,” the makeup brand will allow fans to have a signature lip combination like Sza. Sza appeared on a recent episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show to talk about what sparked the idea. According to her, the brand came from constant questions on how she gets long-lasting lip color and shine.

Now, the “Saturn” singer and self-proclaimed “certified yapper” will allow others to dress their lips like the superstar.

“People ask about my lip combo all the time and I am a certified yapper,” began the Grammy-winner. “I’m always talking [and] singing. I felt like I needed something that lasted so long, it all came out of a ‘necessity.’ So, I pretty much just designed my own formula for lip gloss and lip creams and lip liners and stains…and just all kinds of things.”

Not Beauty will have an assortment of lip-focused products to start, including lip gloss, liners, and stains. The packaging also aligns with Sza’s “campy” aesthetic with wood-grained tubes.

As for the name, Sza wanted to emphasized that she is not the typical “beauty connoisseur.” However, she still wanted to delight her fans while trying out a new business venture.

She added, “I called it Not Beauty because I don’t consider myself a ‘beauty connoisseur.’ I like to fill a need with things that are functional and trusted and that work, and that’s how this was born.”

Despite this, those interested should not expect a worldwide drop anytime soon. Instead, Sza the CEO will only distribute the items for purchase while on her Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar.

While Sza has expanded her creative pursuits into acting, recently starring in One Of Them Days, opposite Keke Palmer, she still has other interests that she is “not” an expert in too. She mentioned that her latest business could veer into furniture or even farming.

Moreover, Sza hopes to secure her “dream role” within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She told Hudson about her desire to play “Storm” in the superhero movie franchise.

In the meantime, Sza remains more focused on her stage presence than screen time as she embarks on her upcoming tour, and official release of “Not Beauty” to concertgoers.

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