by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 19, 2025

Let Him Cook! Anthony Mackie Wants Kids To Know ‘Success Is Given, Not Earned’

Anthony Mackie says we need to 'stop lying' to kids about how to obtain success.

Anthony Mackie believes kids are being taught the wrong lesson about working hard for success. The Captain America: Brave New World star argues that “success is given, not earned.”

Mackie recently joined the Pivot Podcast, where he discussed how luck, relationships, and hard work play major roles in achieving success.

“We are lying to our kids,” Mackie said. “We tell [them]…if they do right and they make the good grades, and they go to the programs, they will become successful. ‘If you work hard enough, your work will [pay off].’ And that’s not true.”

Mackie further explained that, in many cases, “Success is given, not earned.”

Mackie certainly put in the effort before landing his career-changing Marvel role, but luck also played a key part. The Notorious star had been acting in Hollywood for 10 years before securing the role of Sam Wilson in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

His big break came years after he graduated from The Juilliard School in 2001. He performed in both on- and off-Broadway productions and Academy Award-winning films like The Hurt Locker (2008). Despite his experience and his educational pedigree, Mackie struggled to make a major breakthrough in Hollywood.

In 2023, he estimated that he had “put in 10,750 hours of training” before landing his life-changing MCU role. However, he was also proactive, writing letters to executives at Disney’s Marvel Studios more than a decade ago, hoping for a part in one of their superhero films.

The letters didn’t immediately lead to any roles, but Mackie eventually secured a meeting with directors Anthony and Joe Russo, who offered him a part in an upcoming film, though they couldn’t share many details at the time.

Mackie agreed, and the rest is history. But he doesn’t attribute his success to hard work alone—luck played a role, too.

Donald Trump. Black women, Fat Black Women, Lisa Cook

by Mary Spiller

March 19, 2025

Pentagon Defends DEI RollBacks But Restores Removed Webpage for Black Medal Of Honor Winner

US army Maj Gen Charles Calvin Rogers recieved the Medal of Honor in 1970 from President Richard Nixon.

The United States Defense Department’s webpage dedicated to celebrating the Black Medal of Honor recipient, U.S. Army Major General Charles Calvin Rogers, was removed for including DEI descriptions. Although it has since been restored as of March 17, the letters have been removed and the Trump administration has doubled down on its decision to scrub diversity, equity and inclusion from governmental record keeping and entities.

The removal of Rogers’s page occurred March 15, according to The Guardian. U.S. Army Major General Charles Calvin Rogers’ Medal of Honor webpage led to a “404” error message when searched.

Rogers valiantly earned his designation through serving in the Vietnam War, where he was wounded three different times while defending a U.S. base. He died in 1990, but President Richard Nixon awarded him the Medal of Honor, which is the country’s highest military honor. In 1970 Rogers became the highest-ranking African American to receive the Medal of Honor.

Writer Brandon Friedman posted a screenshot of the error message received when going to Rogers’ page and noted that it previously stated, “As a Black man, [Rogers] worked for gender and race equality while in the service.”

By Monday, the site was restored. A defense department spokesperson told The Guardian, “The department has restored the Medal of Honor story about army Maj Gen Charles Calvin Rogers … The story was removed during the auto removal process.”

Despite claiming that Rogers’s page was taken down mistakenly, the defense department under Trump’s administration doubled down on their campaign to remove all content that highlights DEI from these informational websites.

Spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the campaign that has since been removing the stories of contributions made by women and minority groups.

As previously reported, hundreds of pages dedicated to honoring these contributions have been deleted and taken down to wipe away diversity, equity and inclusion from the federal government.

“I think the president and the secretary have been very clear on this – that anybody that says in the Department of Defense that diversity is our strength is, frankly, incorrect,” Parnell said.

Co-CEO of the Black Veterans Project — Richard Brookshire — rebutted, “The full-throttled attack on Black leadership, dismantling of civil rights protections, imposition of unjust anti-DEI regulations, and unprecedented historical erasure across the Department of Defense is a clear sign of a new Jim Crow being propagated by our commander in chief.”

Over the course of Trump’s presidency beginning in January, the republican president has continued to roll back on DEI efforts across the federal government and corporations.

by Stacy Jackson

March 19, 2025

DA Fani Willis Ordered By Judge to Pay Over $54K In Attorneys’ Fees

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause claimed Willis' office was "openly hostile" to attorney Ashleigh Merchant.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been ordered by a judge to pay over $54,000 in attorneys’ fees and to turn over documents after her office allegedly violated Georgia’s Open Records Act.

Attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who represents Michael Roman, a former campaign staff member for President Donald Trump who was indicted in August 2023 after being accused of attempting to interfere with 2020 election results in Georgia, sued Willis’ office in January 2024. Merchant accused the district attorney’s office of repeatedly failing to produce the requested public records. According to court documents, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause cited the DA’s office “acted without substantial justification…in failing to comply with the ORA” as the reason Willis has been ordered to pay attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses. The judge stated violations from Willis’ office “were intentional, not done in good faith, and were substantially groundless and vexatious.”

Merchant requested Willis’ office to turn over public records such as promotional or rebranding material, a list of attorneys hired by Willis, and a copy of the employee non-disclosure or confidential agreement.

The attorney took to X and wrote in a March 14 post, “Proud that we have judges willing to hold people in power accountable when they ignore the law!”

Proud that we have judges willing to hold people in power accountable when they ignore the law!!!! #faniwillis #openrecords #fultoncounty https://t.co/r1FFPMFf6J
— Ashleigh Merchant (@AshleighMerchan) March 14, 2025

According to the Associated Press, a representative for Willis stated that her office plans to appeal the order. Merchant said, “We definitely didn’t want to file suit. They were just ignoring it and telling us that documents didn’t exist that we knew existed and resisting at every move, so we really didn’t have a choice.”

As previously mentioned by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Merchant brought Willis’ affair with her lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade, to light in January 2024 when she attempted to have the Fulton County DA removed from the case, which accused 18 individuals of an illegal attempt to overturn Trump’s 2020 election results in Georgia. For Willis to remain on the case, Wade, with whom she admitted to having a relationship, had to drop out of the case due to a conflict of interest. In December 2024, BE noted that Willis was disqualified as a prosecutor on the Trump interference case.

Judge Krause’s March 14 ruling requires Willis to turn over documents and payment within 30 days of the order. Total fees include the hourly rate of $300 for work performed by each attorney.

Spelman College, Generational wealth, donation, STEM

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 19, 2025

HBCU First Look Film Fest Stops At Spelman College For ‘Let’s Talk’ Mentorship Conversation With Cathy Hughes

Hughes will speak with her own mentee, Sheila Eldridge, on the power of mentorship.

The 2025 HBCU First Look Film Festival has teamed up with Spelman College and the Black Women Film Network to bring forth a new conversation regarding mentorship in media.

Cathy Hughes will speak to her own mentee, Sheila Eldridge, founder of the First Look Film Festival, in the “Elevate Through Mentorship” conversation on March 21. Amplified by its theme of “Elevate Future Storytellers,” the discussion will also be part of HBCUFLF’s tour of historically Black colleges and Universities across the United States.

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Taking place at Spelman’s LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Samuel L. Jackson Center for the Performing Arts, the conversation will spotlight the two pioneers in media as a special Women’s History Month event. Hughes is a storied trailblazer, with the One Media founder becoming the first Black woman to chair a publicly traded corporation. Alongside Eldridge, CEO & President Miles Ahead Broadcasting, the powerhouses will engage in an insightful conversation on the power of mentorship.

“To be in the presence of Cathy Hughes, a true visionary and mentor, as well as other powerful voices like Sheila Eldridge, KJ Rose, Chiquita Lockley, and Mercendez Springer, is a privilege,” stated Barbara Chirinos, Artistic Director of the Jackson Center, in a press release obtained by BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Their leadership, perseverance, and commitment to empowering others is the epitome of what it means to elevate future storytellers. I am excited to share this moment with the Spelman community as we continue to inspire, uplift, and build on the legacy of excellence that these women represent.”

Ahead of their mentorship session, Black Women Film Network’s Chair, Chiquita Lockley, and board member, Mercendez Springer, will detail their transition on how to “Elevate from AUC” into accomplishment as filmmakers. Lockley, a Spelman alum, garnered acclaim for her documentary on fertility options for Black women, Eggs Over Easy. Springer, who graduated from Clark Atlanta University, is also a revered television producer whose works range from The Rap Game to The Real World.

Established by Sheryl Gripper in 1997, BWFN has amplified Black women in entertainment and beyond to find success and support in their ambitions. The following day, the two BWFN leaders will present Hughes with the 2025 Sheryl Gripper On Her Shoulders Preservation Award for her achievement for Black women in media.

In the final moment of the day, Florida A&M alum KJ Rose will also conduct an “Elevate Your Dreams” motivational session to encourage students to find their power. Moreover, Rose is an accomplished performance director who has worked with Hollywood’s biggest stars, from Lil Nas X to Nas.

Students from schools within the Atlanta University Center are invited to this trailblazing event featuring the Black women who broke barriers in entertainment. Registration for the HBCU First Look Film Fest event is available now on Eventbrite.

The Doux Named Official Beauty Sponsor Of MC Lyte’s ‘1 Of 1’ Tour

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 19, 2025

The Doux Named Official Beauty Sponsor Of MC Lyte’s ‘1 Of 1’ Tour

The Doux has connected with the community as the official beauty sponsor of MC Lyte's '1 of 1' tour.

Renowned for blending hip-hop culture with beauty, The Doux, the “fastest-growing textured hair care brand,” is the official beauty sponsor of MC Lyte’s “1 of 1: Reflections of Lyte” tour, which began last month.

Initially, a 13-city tour, it has added dates in April, which will further allow The Doux to offer exclusive beauty experiences to concertgoers, engage fans, and celebrate the connection between music, culture, and self-expression.

“Hip-hop is more than music—it’s a movement that has profoundly shaped my life,” The Doux Co-founder and creative director Maya Smith said in a press release. “MC Lyte isn’t just an icon—she’s a trailblazer who has paved the way for so many. We at The Doux are superfans and honored to be part of her tour.”

MC Lyte’s latest tour was created to inspire, uplift, and educate audiences. Blending storytelling with a passion for authenticity, the tour celebrates artistry and self-expression.

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“Creatively, The Doux has always drawn inspiration from the music community, and this new partnership continues that tradition,” co-founder and COO Brian Smith added. “We’re excited to support MC Lyte as she brings her powerful artistry to the stage.”

MC Lyte’s “1 of 1: Reflections of Lyte Tour” is a celebration of resilience and empowerment, supporting her latest album, 1 of 1. The tour features collaborations with artists like JoiStaRR, Stevie Wonder, Warryn Campbell, Lil Mama, and Common.

The tour started in Pittsburgh on Feb. 20. After a short break, the trailblazing rapper will hit the road. According to her website, upcoming dates include April 2 in Nashville, April 3 in St. Louis, April 4 in Indianapolis, and April 5 in Louisville.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 19, 2025

Logan International Airport In Boston May Introduce The ‘World’s Highest Rideshare Charge’

Uber is speaking out against Boston's Massport for attempting to add the "world's highest airport rideshare charge."

Uber and Lyft riders traveling out of Logan International Airport in Boston will be hit with an additional charge.

Massport, the agency responsible for managing transit in Massachusetts, including Logan Airport and the Port of Boston, has proposed a hike in rideshare fees, Daily Mail reported. The new plan would add $11.50 to a one-way trip and $23 to a roundtrip.

Currently, Uber and Lyft passengers pay a $3.25 pickup and drop-off fee at Logan International Airport. Under the proposal, this fee would rise to $5.50 this summer and reach $7.50 by 2027.

Internal Massport documents show that the fee could rise to $11.50 by 2031, the “highest rideshare fee at any airport in the world,” Uber said. Those traveling to and from Logan International Airport would face an additional charge of $23.

The country’s 16th busiest airport in the U.S. said it needs to raise funds due to a significant increase in rideshare traffic. In 2024, an estimated 43 million passengers traveled through Logan, with about 30% of them using ride-hailing services for part of their trips. Traffic is expected to continue growing in 2025.

Massport’s spokesperson, Jennifer Mehigan, says the agency needs to “make improvements to all of our ground transportation modes.”

Several major airports across the U.S. have already introduced roundtrip fees for ride-hailing passengers. At Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, Uber and Lyft riders are charged a $10 roundtrip fee, equating to $5 per trip. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) imposes an $11 roundtrip fee or $5.50 for each leg of the journey.

Uber is against the increase and has launched an ad campaign attacking the fee hikes.

“Massport is proposing a $15 tax on rideshare trips to and from Logan Airport while still forcing remote pick up and drop off,” Uber captioned a Facebook video.

“Massport wants to raise taxes on rideshares, proposing a record-breaking new airport tax,” the billion-dollar company said in the ad.

Critics of Massport’s proposal are urging for more options for passengers heading to Boston during overnight hours. Most Boston ‘T’ (MBTA) subway and bus services cease operations around 1 a.m.

Beyoncé, iHeartRadio Music Awards, innovator, innovation, award, cowboy Carter, las Vegas, tickets, concert, tour

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 19, 2025

Beyoncé Shuts Down ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’ Ticket Rumors By Adding Las Vegas Stadium Date

If you're in Vegas, keep July 25 free.

In response to rumors about slow “Cowboy Carter Tour” sales, Beyoncé has silenced doubters by adding another stadium date.

On March 17, the icon announced a new tour date at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas while confirming that the world tour is already 94% sold out, People reports.

That brings the tour to 31 dates; 22 were revealed in February. Supporting her latest album, Cowboy Carter, the tour marks her first major concert run since 2023’s “Renaissance World Tour,” which featured 56 shows.

The “Cowboy Carter Tour” will see the “Texas Hold’ Em” singer begin with five shows in Los Angeles before making stops in Chicago, New Jersey, London, Paris, her hometown of Houston as well as Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Las Vegas.

Tickets for the July 25 Las Vegas show will first be available through multiple presales. The BeyHive presale runs from March 20 at 12 p.m. local time to March 23 at 10 p.m. local time, followed by an artist presale from March 24 at 12 p.m. to March 25 at 11 a.m. local time.

Additionally, Citi card member and Verizon Access presales begin on March 21 at 12 p.m. local time and end on March 23 at 10 p.m. local time.

Here’s the full 2025 tour schedule so far.

April 28 – Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium
May 1 – Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium
May 4 – Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium
May 7 – Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium
May 9 – Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium
May 15 – Chicago – Soldier Field
May 17 – Chicago – Soldier Field
May 18 – Chicago – Soldier Field
May 22 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 24 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 25 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 28 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
May 29 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
June 5 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 7 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 10 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 12 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 14 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 16 – London, UK – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
June 19 – Paris, France – Stade de France
June 21 – Paris, France – Stade de France
June 22 – Paris, France – Stade de France
June 28 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium
June 29 – Houston, TX – NRG Stadium
July 4 – Washington, D.C. – Northwest Stadium
July 7 – Washington, D.C. – Northwest Stadium
July 10 – Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 11 – Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 13 – Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 14 – Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
July 25 – Las Vegas – Allegiant Stadium

by Stacy Jackson

March 18, 2025

Former Foster Children Sue Baltimore City For Alleged Sexual Abuse

The lawsuit claims the four victims endured years of sexual abuse from individuals which included foster family members.

On March 16, four people filed a lawsuit against the Jewish Community Services, Inc. and the Mayor & City Council of Baltimore City, alleging they endured years of sexual abuse while under foster care.

In a press statement released by Andreozzi + Foote, the firm representing the four plaintiffs, the lawsuit alleges “gross negligence in placing and failing to protect foster children from severe and prolonged sexual abuse while under the defendants’ care.” The four unnamed survivors suffered the alleged abuse decades ago when they were children and placed in the Spurrier Foster Home in Baltimore. The alleged sexual abuse continued for years, according to the law firm, and the four victims suffered “horrific abuse” from foster family members and other individuals.

“Baltimore City and Jewish Community Services had a duty to protect these children, yet they turned a blind eye to blatant warning signs,” said Attorney Nathaniel L. Foote of Andreozzi + Foote. “For decades, our clients have carried the weight of this betrayal. Today, they are taking a stand to demand accountability.”

The complaint claims no action was ever taken to protect the four victims and defendants have failed on several occasions to address reports of abuse, which reportedly date back to the 1960s. According to a report by The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 203,770 children under the age of 18 entered foster care in the United States in 2021. A study published in the National Library of Medicine revealed that girls specifically were at high risk of facing sexual abuse while in foster care. Of the 155 adolescent girls examined, 81% were victims of sexual abuse, while 68% reported they were sexually abused by more than one individual.

Foote says the case is about justice and focuses on ensuring vulnerable children in foster care are no longer victims of sexual abuse due to a system that failed to protect. The lawsuit calls attention to systemic failures such as inadequate screening, supervision, and response to abuse reports.

The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City under Maryland’s Child Victims Act.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 18, 2025

Diddy Encourages Ye To ‘Have Some Fun’ In Leaked Phone Conversation

Diddy also thanked Ye for checking on his children.

A conversation that took place between music industry veterans Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and music stalwart Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently in jail awaiting trial, was just released via The Shade Room’s Instagram account.

The leaked discussion revealed Diddy giving Ye advice for his music career. The “No Way Out” music producer encouraged the controversial recording artist to “have some fun” and told him to start smiling again. Ye can be seen in the grainy video talking to Diddy on speakerphone.

“I need you out there, you feel me,” Diddy told Ye. “Have some f*cking fun n***a. We not having no fun and get behind the mic, have some fun. Chop up them samples, and get back on your hitman vibe. Have some fun. Get back to smiling. F**k these other motherf**kers. They are wasting your time.”

Diddy thanked the “College Dropout” rapper for checking up on him and his children, saying that no one has done so since he was arrested after being charged with sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy. His upcoming trial is scheduled to start jury selection on May 5.

“Ain’t nobody reach out to them, ain’t nobody call, you know what I’m saying. Nobody,” Combs stated while speaking to Ye.

The leaked conversation comes after Ye’s song, “Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine,” which features Diddy and his son, King Combs, and Ye’s daughter, North West, and singer Jasmine Williams, was teased over the weekend.

Diddy certainly has faith in Ye and told him that he wants to see the Chicago rapper “tear down the stadiums” as he tells him that he needs to see the performer back on stage enjoying himself.

“Put that love in your heart, man, and enjoy yourself, man. When I get out there, man, I want to see you f**king tear down the stadiums. I need to see you back on that stage, f**king actually rapping and performing and everything. I be dreaming of that sh**.”

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Purdue, Trey Kaufman-Renn Racist Taunts ,Illinois

by Stacy Jackson

March 18, 2025

Georgia Community Fights To Reinstate 2 Terminated High School Basketball Coaches

The Spartan family's petition demands reinstatement of the two basketball coaches and requests a full investigation by Cobb County.

Thousands of supporters are rallying behind two basketball coaches, Randy McClure and James Gwyn, who a petition suggests were wrongfully terminated from their coaching and teaching contracts at Campbell High School in Cobb County, Georgia.

The petition, launched by the Spartan Family, seeks to reinstate the two basketball coaches who were dismissed following a March 11 allotment meeting with the school’s principal, Vanessa Watkins, and athletic director, James Thigpen. The two longtime coaches were allegedly terminated from their positions without warning. “The abrupt manner in which Coach Gwyn and Coach McClure were dismissed mirrors the treatment one might expect of an adversary rather than two esteemed coaches,” the petition states. “With only a tenuous justification based on allotment, they were denied the professional dignity of either resigning on their own terms or returning to the classroom full-time.”

“The callous removal of these dedicated, decorated, and servant leaders is a loss of over 71 years of service for this community,” the petition states. The Spartan family is heartbroken at the decision and claims the abrupt dismissal not only robbed the coaches of the opportunity to personally inform their coaching staff, athletes, parents, or the community but robbed Spartans of the chance to celebrate McClure’s and Gwyn’s achievements.

Coach McClure has taught at Campbell High for over 3 decades and served over 20 years as the school’s Science Department Chair. In his time at Campbell High, he was recognized three times as Teacher of the Year. Coach Gwyn has been with the school for over a decade as Summer School Site Principal for eight years and Business Department Chair for four. Gwyn told Fox 5 Atlanta that he started at the school when he was 23 years old. Now, at 62 years old, he is out of his job and no longer a member of the Campbell High faculty.

Together, the esteemed basketball coaches boast a combined 1,200 career wins, 16 region titles, and several state tournament appearances.

A spokesperson for the Cobb County School District said, “The District could not be prouder of Coach Gwyn and Coach McClure and all they have accomplished over their 30-plus-year careers. Simply put, Coaches Gwyn and McClure are two of the best coaches in Georgia high school sports history. We have had a front-row seat to two of the best to ever do it and hold ourselves to a higher standard than the manner in which they were released.”

The reason behind the coaches being ousted was not disclosed. The Spartans are requesting a full investigation by Cobb County and urge supporters to sign the petition and voice their concerns to the Cobb County School Board and Campbell High School administration.