by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 1, 2025

Jasmine Crockett Accused Of ‘Racism’ For Remarks On Byron Donalds’ Interracial Marriage

Rep. Jasmine Crockett is being called out by conservatives over remarks on Byron Donalds and other Donald Trump allies.

Fox News is going after Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, for her resurfaced comments on Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Florida, where she said “Some of our skin folk who definitely are not our kin folk.”

During the March 30 episode of Big Weekend Show, the conservative panel slammed Crockett over a resurfaced clip from her February appearance on The Breakfast Club, where she referred to Donalds as “whitewashed” because of his interracial marriage. The Fox News hosts argued that her remarks were an example of “racism.”

“I think the real issue here is for me personally is, it’s racism,” said Fox News anchor Kevin Corke. “Racism is racism. By saying that about Byron Donalds, you’re gross and I think you should be reprimanded for that.”

In the resurfaced clip, Crockett brings up Donalds, when explaining why “Some of our skin folk who definitely are not our kin folk, such as Byron Donalds.”

Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s comments about interracial marriage resurface after she called Governor Greg Abbott, Governor “Hot Wheels.”

“Some of our skin folk who definitely are not our kin folk, such as Byron Donalds.”

“Like, I mean, the fact that you sitting around talking about… pic.twitter.com/ijW6hvW9i6
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 30, 2025

“Like, I mean, the fact that you sitting around talking about life was better under Jim Crow, like, is this because you don’t understand history or literally it’s because you married a white woman? And so you think that that whitewashed you?”

The Fox News correspondents reacted to a montage created by the conservative network, showcasing Crockett’s past remarks about other Donald Trump allies, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, whom she recently called “hot wheels.” The montage also highlighted her comments about Elon Musk, where she suggested he be taken “down” and told the Tesla CEO to “f*** off.”

“It’s all about a sound bite. It’s all about going viral on social media,” one co-host said.

“Her remark is absolutely racist. To say that a Black man is not Black because he married a white woman. How far back is she taking us?!”

Crockett’s ongoing criticism of GOP members has made her a top enemy within the Republican Party. But she doesn’t appear to be shying away from offering her unfiltered takes on the state of the country.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 1, 2025

Kannapolis, North Carolina, Renames Street After Late Educator And Community Leader Milton Taylor

Kannapolis, North Carolina, has honored the late community leader in a significant way.

The legacy of late educator and community leader Milton Taylor will live on in Kannapolis, North Carolina.

The council honored Taylor’s impact as an educator and leader in Rowan and Cabarrus counties by renaming East C Street as Milton L. Taylor Street in his memory, WBTV reports.

Taylor served as the first African American principal of George Washington Carver School, later Kannapolis Middle School, and played a key role in the integration of Kannapolis schools.

Taylor prioritized creating inclusive educational environments, believing that “one of the best ways to get to know children is to engage with them.” After earning his master’s degree, he started his career as a teacher and coach. Even after retiring, he continued supporting students in math and science as one of the founding members of the North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Taylor boasts an extensive list of awards and recognitions, including Teacher of the Year for Kannapolis City Schools and a Presidential Citation from North Carolina A&T State University. Taylor also dedicated his time to several boards, including serving as president of the Cannon Memorial YMCA and the Kannapolis Rotary Club.

He contributed to the Cabarrus County Red Cross, the Bible Teaching Association, the Cabarrus County Meals on Wheels, Cabarrus Helpline Inc., Kannapolis Crime Stoppers, and the Barber-Scotia College Unit of the United Negro College Fund.

Among Taylor’s accolades were the United Negro College Fund’s Distinguished Service Award, the Association of Citizen Educators’ Educator of the Year Award, the YMCA Southeastern Distinguished Service Award, the Cannon Memorial YMCA Board’s Director of the Year Award, the Distinguished Rotarian Award, and induction into the Kannapolis African American Museum and Cultural Center Legacy Hall of Fame.

Taylor was also a trustee for Sandy Ridge AME Zion Church and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 31, 2025

How Trump’s Anti-DEI Rhetoric Forced Rebranding Efforts For America’s Leading Companies

Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed backlash for scrapping DEI hiring aspirations, recognizing the need for diverse hires in addition to the need to adhere to laws.

President Donald Trump’s executive order to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the federal level resulted in corporations being creative, not eliminating their efforts but rebranding them, CNBC reports.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed backlash for scrapping its DEI hiring aspirations in February 2025, recognizing the need for diverse hires and adhering to laws. “We believe in building a representative workforce. We’re a global company, we have users around the world, and we think the best way to serve them well is by having a workforce that represents that diversity, and we’ll continue to do that,” Pichai said.

“At the same time, as a company, we will always have to comply with local laws.”

Google’s approach is only a small portion of changes made to DEI initiatives to comply with Trump’s anti-DEI structure. The company’s former chief diversity officer, Melonie Parker, holds the new title of Vice President of Googler Engagement. In late March 2025, financial institution JPMorgan Chase announced plans to change its diversity, equity, and inclusion program to “DOI” or “diversity, opportunity and inclusion.” “The ‘e’ always meant equal opportunity to us, not equal outcomes, and we believe this more accurately reflects our ongoing approach to reach the most customers and clients to grow our business, create an inclusive workplace for our employees and increase access to opportunities,” JP’s Chief Operating Officer Jenn Piepszak said.

Once viewed as a way to promote fairness in the workplace and advance the careers of women and people of color, the term DEI has become heavier, given the Supreme Court’s controversial 2023 decision to overturn affirmative action.

But then, when Trump blamed DEI practices on the reason behind a tragic American Airlines crash in January 2025, the CEO of diversity consulting firm Paradigm, Joelle Emerson, says it’s no wonder companies — large and small — are drawing back. “When you have the president blaming DEI for a plane crash, I think it makes sense that companies don’t want to be out there no matter how they define it internally,” Emerson said.

Workplace culture experts encourage companies to implement practices similar to those of JPMorgan and Google by “quietly trying to readjust the wording on things.” “This might be the time to keep it a little quieter,” co-founder of the workplace culture consultancy Double Dragon Coaching Zach Handler said, according to Inc.

President and Founder Jennifer Risi of PR firm Sway Effect identifies another option as companies look to keep their heads down and continue to do the work, regardless of what they want to call it. “The data continues to prove that investing in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization is good for business, recruitment, and growth,” Risi said.

“If companies were smart, they would spend less time worrying about an acronym and more time doing the work because that is what actually matters.”

O.J. Simpson, Brain Study, cancer, dead, o.j. simpson, oj

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 31, 2025

O.J. Simpson’s Bible And Handwritten Note From Robert Kardashian Sell For Over $80K At Auction

The bible and handwritten note O.J. Simpson received from Robert Kardashian Sr. sold for over $80,000.

O.J. Simpson’s bible and a handwritten note he received from the late Robert Kardashian sold for over $80,000 at a recent auction.

It’s the same bible Robert Kardashian Sr. gifted O.J. Simpson after his arrest for murder—one that Kim Kardashian attempted to purchase before the auction but was denied, Radar Online reports. It ended up selling for a significant sum, which Malcolm LaVerne, the overseer of Simpson’s estate, says proves that whether people loved or hated Simpson, “his legacy endures.”

The bible, dated June 18, 1994, featured a personalized message from Kardashian Sr. urging the embattled NFL star to turn to God during his troubles.

“O.J., this book will help. God loves, and he will speak to you with his words,” Kardashian Sr. wrote. “Read this book every day. God has a definite plan for your life. You are his child, and he will use you again. I love you, and God loves you.”

Simpson and Kardashian Sr. shared a close friendship during Simpson’s rise as a prominent entertainer after his NFL career, overlapping with Kardashian’s marriage to Kris Jenner. Despite Simpson’s legal troubles, Kardashian remained by his side, serving as part of his defense team during the infamous murder trial that ended in acquittal.

However, in a 1997 civil trial, Simpson was found liable and ordered to pay millions to the victims’ families. Kardashian Sr. passed away in September 2003 at the age of 59, just eight weeks after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

LaVergne revealed the bible’s handwritten note, which helped it attract one of the highest auction bids. Overall, the estate earned $300,000 from the auction, which included items like a personally signed and framed photo of O.J. Simpson with former President Bill Clinton, selling for over $18,000, and a replica of Simpson’s 1968 Heisman Trophy, which sold for $42,700.

LaVergne says he’s willing to cooperate with Simpson’s creditors, including Fred Goldman, the father of Ron Goldman, who secured a million-dollar judgment in a wrongful death lawsuit against the former NFL star.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 31, 2025

Flau’Jae Johnson Put Her Music And Podcasting Career On Pause During March Madness Tournament

Johnson's season recently ended with a loss to UCLA during the Elite 8.

Flau’Jae Johnson recently put down the microphone to focus on hoops. The LSU Women’s basketball standout paused her creative endeavors as her team played in the NCAA March Madness tournament.

Johnson wanted to put all her effort into helping the LSU Tigers win another championship. The team, along with former star and current WNBA player Angel Reese, won the title in 2023 after beating the Caitlin Clark-led Iowa Hawkeyes. However, LSU suffered a loss against UCLA, the No. 1 overall seed, during their March 30 game.

Despite only making it to the Elite 8, Johnson had an impressive performance throughout the tournament. During her final match of the season, she scored 28 points with four rebounds and four assists. Given this, the sports personality had to put some extracurriculars to the side.

“I’m not focused on my music, I’m not focused on my podcast, I’m not focused on none of (that) stuff. I’m focused on winning the national championship,” said the 21-year-old junior, according to NBC News. “Because if I won the national championship, then I can focus on everything I want to.”

Alongside her emerging rap career, Johnson also has a podcast titled “The Best of Both Worlds with Flau’Jae.” However, her music career is a personal endeavor that pays tribute to her father, the late rapper Camouflage. She released her debut album, titled similarly to her podcast, in 2024, featuring a song with Lil Wayne.

While fans should not expect any new music drops during this time, they can still hear Johnson’s lyrical prowess as they watch the games—the Savannah, Georgia, native raps on a new Powerade commercial airing throughout March Madness.

Although the 5-foot-10 guard did not earn another title, she still has a lot on the horizon as she eventually gets back in the studio. According to Yahoo Sports, she spoke on the new perspective she gained from this past season.

“I felt like this season I went through so much,” said Johnson in the post-game conference. “I really like, overcame a lot…I feel like I became a better person. And I really became a leader. That’s who I am at heart, and I want to continue to be a better person… It’s a lot to be learned from this, but I just gained so much perspective from this year, and it was beautiful.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 31, 2025

What Mississippi’s Income Tax Elimination Means For Black Residents And Businesses

Reeves labeled the bill as a landmark point in the state's history, calling it a “profound generational change.”

Mississippi’s Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed the “Build Up Mississippi Act” into law on March 27, eliminating income tax and making it the largest tax cut in the state’s history — but what does that mean for the state’s Black residents and business owners?

Policy analysts say top income earners pay a smaller share of state and local taxes while the bottom portion—80%—of state income earners pay more, according to Mississippi Today. In 2023, 20% of the population, families earning less than $19,300 per year, paid 12.4% of their income in state taxes. Residents who earned between $19,300 and $31,500 paid 10.8% in state taxes.

However, the state’s wealthiest one percent, making more than $362,300 a year, paid 6.9%.

Reeves’ act sets the state’s income tax to 4% by 2027, then decreases it to 3% by 2030. Further cuts projected to start in 2031 will be activated by triggers. Despite several alleged typos in the HB 1 legislation, given the Senate’s plan to eliminate income tax with caution while the House wanted it done faster, Reeves labeled the bill as a landmark point in the state’s history, calling it a “profound generational change.” “Today is a day that will be remembered, not just for the headline, not just for the politics, but for the profound generational change it represents,” Reeves said, according to the Clarion-Ledger.

“I must say, it feels like it’s been a long time coming, but after many, many, many years of hard work, we can all stand together and say that we have accomplished income tax elimination in the state of Mississippi. Let me say that again, Mississippi will no longer tax the work, the earnings, or the ambition of its people.”

For the state’s Black-owned businesses, the cuts will only add to existing struggles of business owners. In 2023, business owner Eric Collins, owner of Herbal Blessings, located in the capital city of Jackson, said conservative cuts only cater to the rich. “The tax cuts are for big businesses and the rich,” Collins said. “As for the support our small businesses get from the state? It’s very little.”

Maati Jone Primm, owner of Marshall’s Music and Bookstore, says taxes enabled by a mostly white Legislature make it harder for Black residents to thrive successfully. “I feel like they are attacking us,” she said. “It’s plantation politics. It’s absolutely awful. You have all these different attacks. It’s almost death by a thousand cuts.”

In addition to scrubbing income tax, the new legislation increases the sales tax on groceries to 7% from 5% and increases the gasoline tax by nine cents over the next three years. The goal is to establish infrastructure funding and implement new hybrid public employee retirement benefits. Reeves called it a “win for families” and hoped Mississippi would be a leader. “I believe with all my heart that we will look back on this day as a turning point, a generational victory and a proud legacy we leave for those who come after us,” he said.

Democrats and analysts, like the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy’s senior tax analyst Neva Butkus, disagree with the governor’s decision, saying the $1.9 billion cut will harm the state’s economy and leave the legislature struggling with cash due to the need to provide essential government services.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 31, 2025

April Howard Continues Storied Role As First Black Woman To Serve As Peach County, Georgia’s Administrator

April Howard has served as Peach County's County Administrator since 2022.

Peach County in Georgia appointed its first Black woman as County Administrator in 2022, and April Howard has proven that was a wise decision. For Howard, this is more than she ever expected.

A native of neighboring Houston County, Howard started as administrative technician at the age of 24. Now 40, she has taken on new tasks to better serve her community. “Sometimes I have to pinch myself, because I can’t believe I’m now at 40,” Howard told 13 WMAZ.

She did not initially seek out greater responsibilities, originally wanting to become a county clerk. However, fate had other plans as she ascended in local government, citing her desires to help others in the area.

“I’ve always enjoyed helping other people. I love this community…I love Peach County. I love the employees here.”

The mother of two still finds a way to stay present in her home and office, and often blends the two. Her two sons, Ivan and Anthony, are frequent attendees at her Board of Commissioners’ meetings. “I do the best that I can, and I do make a lot of sacrifices so I can be an active mom,” she added.

This testament to her professional desires and motherhood stems from her grandmother, who raised 17 children.

“She taught me how to be a strong woman and to speak my mind,” said Howard. “She fed everybody in the community — that was her love language.”

Beyond her political ambitions, Howard is also exploring her creative interests. The administrator is currently writing a children’s book, with additional aspirations to become a life coach.

“Do it for yourself because that’s what you want to do in your heart,” she said. “Always do what you want to do in your heart, never what people want you to do. That’s what leads to success.”

cam newton, process server, kid, proctor, Bentley, child, mistake, girlfriend,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 31, 2025

Carolina Panthers Say Cam Newton Is Welcomed Amid Reported Discontent

'Cam Newton has been and will continue to be welcomed by the Carolina Panthers. Our doors are open, as they are to all team Legends,' the team says of the alleged rift.

The upcoming NFL season will mark a decade since the Carolina Panthers won the Super Bowl with their MVP quarterback, Cam Newton, who has not been on friendly terms with the team in recent years. Knowing this, the franchise recently stated that Newton “has been and will continue to be welcomed by the Carolina Panthers.”

According to The Athletic, without the team saying if there will be a celebration honoring the 10th anniversary of the Panthers’ Super Bowl victory, the team told the media outlet that Newton would be and is welcomed back into the fold. The former quarterback hasn’t really been around the team in recent years, as he detailed a rift with the franchise last year on his podcast, “4th & 1.”

He said he has no beef with the Carolina Panthers’ owner or management, but he opened up about one particular instance that affected his stance with the team. During a visit to the stadium, he remarked that his son noticed that there were no visible pictures of him while they were there. That was disrespectful in his eyes, especially given what he has done with the franchise.

“We went into the Panthers’ facility and- you mean to tell me that one of the greatest Panthers to ever play ain’t up nowhere? I’m talkin’ nowhere. Who brought it to my attention? My son.”

“So as a man, when you have to explain to your son, ‘Daddy, where’s your picture?'”

In the clip, he went on to explain some other things that bother him regarding how the team has treated him and his legacy.

“Did it hurt my feelings? Yeah, it did,” Newton stated. “As a man, I’m like, damn, bro, I gave this city everything.”

The real reason why the @Panthers are avoiding Cam Newton’s legacy…

New episode of 4th&1 out now!

📺: https://t.co/aVZSWBaVkS pic.twitter.com/CpDsZQmcV3

— 4th&1 with Cam Newton (@4thand1show) November 14, 2024

A statement was issued by a team spokesperson to the media outlet:

“Cam Newton has been and will continue to be welcomed by the Carolina Panthers. Our doors are open, as they are to all team Legends.”

With the 10th anniversary approaching, we shall see how this plays out if the team does decide to celebrate that Super Bowl victory.

RELATED CONTENT: Cam Newton Apologizes For Role In Viral Scuffle

Mayor Karen Bass, LA, ICE agents, Latino, DHS

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 31, 2025

Deleted Text Messages Reveal L.A. Mayor Karen Bass’ Timestamped Response To Palisades Wildfire

Bass has come under fire for knowing about the dangerous wind and fire conditions prior to her trip and before the fire started.

Deleted text messages from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reveal her responses when she initially learned about the devastating January 2025 Palisades Fires while on a trip to Ghana, CBS News reports.

Screenshots show Bass received a message in a group chat including Deputy Mayor of Communications Zach Seidl and Chief of Staff Carolyn Webb de Macías from deputy chief of staff, Celine Cordero, at 6:48 p.m., Jan. 7, Ghana time which would’ve been roughly before 11 a.m. in Los Angeles.

Cordero wrote, “on phone with Chief Crowley now. 2 significant fires in city now. She will call you mayor. Potential evacuations. Significant resources.” Cordero highlighted 40 mph winds, with much of Southern California experiencing a severe Santa Ana wind event.

Bass has come under fire for knowing about the dangerous wind and fire conditions prior to her trip and before the fire started.

Cordero then sent a message at 7:33 p.m., providing the mayor with an update of an evacuation order that was being sent out: “Palisades fire is now at 200 acres. The Palisades Recreation Center will be used as an evacuation center.”

Messages also revealed LA County Board of Supervisors Lindsay Horvath texted Bass at 7:50 p.m. asking if additional support was needed. “Reaching out about the Palisades fire. I understand our County Fire Dept is supporting City and our Office of Emergency Management has been in touch with City staff, also,” Horvath wrote.

Approximately 15 minutes later, Cordero, who was removed from her position following the fires, alerted Bass that LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley warned that homes would be lost in addition to wanting to schedule a meeting with the mayor at the Emergency Operations Center soon.

After messages reveal Bass’ team was coordinating travel plans back to the United States, the mayor detailed her availability.

“I have phone access on the plane!!! If you see a strange number it’s ME! 301 it will show as a military base,” Bass wrote at 9:48 p.m., Cordero responded: “It would be great to pull together a GM call and have you join. Stress urgency, importance of all hands on deck? Departments need to have reps in EOC etc. During DC layover?”

Residents who have confronted Bass for her fire response aren’t the only people who are criticizing the mayor. The Los Angeles Times sued the city over the deleted texts, accusing city officials of unlawfully withholding and deleting the mayor’s messages and additional public records from January’s blaze. While city leaders argue they don’t need to do so under California’s public records laws, the Times’ outside counsel Kelly Aviles disagrees.

“It’s bigger than these text messages,” Aviles said. “The city seems to believe they can destroy whatever they want whenever they want, and that they don’t have a duty to the public to retain public records.

Kim Whitley and Yvette Nicole Brown, who fiercely defend Mayor Bass, sat down with BLACK ENTERPRISE to discuss their concerns and loyalty to Bass.

GABOUREY SIDIBE, Twins, husband, married, announcement

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 31, 2025

Gabourey Sidibe Talks Life Before ‘Precious’ As A Phone-Sex Operator, Says World Is ‘Trained’ To Hate Blackness

Sidibe got real about navigating anti-Blackness while pursing her acting career.

Gabourey Sidibe lived an entirely different life before taking on her Oscar-nominated role in “Precious.” In the documentary Number One on the Call Sheet, the actress describes the anti-Blackness she endured while working as a phone sex operator.

The two-part documentary, which focuses on the plight of Black actors in Hollywood, featured Sidibe as she detailed her tumultuous journey to stardom. Although the Oscar nominee gained fame for the 2009 drama, she worked odd jobs before her big break in entertainment. According to People, she recalled her story in the feature’s second episode titled “Black Leading Women in Hollywood.”

“I got the role of Precious when I was 24,” explained Sidibe. “And before that, I was just acting in between whatever it was the rest of my life. And the rest of my life at that point, I was working at a call center as a phone sex operator. FYI, the company was mostly Black women. You’re not at all allowed to be Black on the phone.”

She had to use a “Valley Girl” accent to entertain callers, although clients rarely used the Black girl hotline.

“There’s a Black girl line. Guess what — was barely ever called, that one,” she revealed. So my girl name is Melody. And every call, I’d be like [in a high-pitched, Valley Girl voice], ‘Hello.’ And he’s like, ‘Hey, what’s your name?’ ‘Hi, I’m Melody.’ ‘How you doin’? Are you good?’ ‘Yeah, I’m totally good right now. Um, I just got home from school. I’m in college, and it’s, like, my sophomore year…’ “

She said the job encouraged self-hatred of one’s Blackness. However, Sidibe refused to give in to the racist ideology, which later helped her in her starring role.

“We are trained to hate ourselves,” Sidibe added. “And the world around us is also trained to reinforce it. But there’s something in me that’s like, ‘I don’t bend to that.’ Whatever it is that you don’t like about me, I’ll do it harder, and I’ll smile in your face. And that’s what I felt Precious needed to be.”

While Sidibe went on to pursue more projects in Hollywood, such as supporting roles in Empire and American Horror Story, she still remembered the anti-Blackness felt from her prior experience. However, Sidibe’s professional and personal life has shined since her former occupation. She married talent manager Brandon Frankel in 2021. The couple has two children, a girl and a boy twins, who were born last June.

Her stories and those of others from Black actresses like Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, and more can be seen on Number One on the Call Sheet. The documentary is streaming now on Apple TV+.

RELATED CONTENT: Gabourey Sidibe Inks Memoir Deal