Ayo Edebiri Calls Elon Musk ‘An Idiot’ After Receiving Death Threats Over Fake ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’ Rumors
Edebiri said Musk sparked an onslaught of racist threats against her.
Ayo Edebiri has had it with Elon Musk’s antics.
She called out the X owner and DOGE ringleader for his posts on fake Pirates of the Caribbean rumors that resulted in the actress receiving death threats.
Edebiri shared her rattling ordeal in her Instagram story. In February 2024, Musk shared false reports of Disney replacing Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise with the Edebiri. He captioned the news as “Disney sucks” with no further explanation. However, supporters of his comments proceeded to attack Edebiri.
Although the reports were unfounded, The Bear actress received an onslaught of racial harassment and death threats. The Emmy winner decided to make her feelings on the matter—and on Musk—known.
“Just remembering when I got some of the most insane death threats and racial slurs of my life (idk if it’s the #1 moment, but for sure top 3) for a fake reboot of a movie I had never even heard of because of this man,” wrote Edebiri on a screenshot of Musk’s original post. “LMAO. So not only is he double Sieg Heil-ing fascist, he’s an idiot but anyway.”
She referenced Musk’s recent use of hand gesture that look eerily familiar to a Nazi salute. The move, made during President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, sparked its backlash against the Tesla CEO. His further alignment with alt-right movements across the United States and Europe also led to Edebiri calling him a “fascist.”
Edebiri has also supported others in criticizing Musk’s behavior. She previously shouted out Bill Burr after the comedian roasted the tech giant while on NPR’s Fresh Air. Burr referred to Musk as an “idiot” with “dyed hair plugs and a laminated face.” He also suggested that Musk is “evidently a Nazi.” She commented with a “bullseye” emoji.
The status of any new Pirates of the Caribbean movie remains up in the air, with Edebiri not in talks to take over any role.
Dr. Robert Scott To Take Over As President Of Albany State University
The corporate executive and former biology professor will return to his HBCU roots.
Albany State University has finally found its next leader. Dr. Robert Scott will soon begin his duties as president of the Georgia HBCU.
The University System of Georgia announced that the former administrator will return to higher education for his next career role. The HBCU alum received his bachelor’s degree in biology at Norfolk State University and boasts an extensive background in the academic and corporate sectors.
“Dr. Scott is a five-star recruit, someone with both industry expertise and academic experience who will advance Albany State’s mission and cement its impact in helping students find success in today’s workforce,” stated USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue in its news release. “He has experience in improving large organizations, simplifying processes, and making the best use of resources. More importantly, he’s committed to fostering an environment at this important HBCU where all faculty, staff, and students can thrive.”
Dr. Scott currently serves as the president of research and development at Kraft Heinz Co. Prior to this, he held executive positions at Coca-Cola Co. and Abbott Nutrition. However, Scott’s early career in teaching, as a biology professor at Norfolk State University and associate dean at Spelman College, will aid in his latest post at ASU.
Scott also released a statement on his appointment. A first-generation college graduate himself, he emphasized his mission to assure ASU’s “financial health” while expanding “growth opportunities” for its diverse students.
“My goal as president will be to ensure that Albany State University operates at the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness and maintains financial health, all while expanding growth opportunities for students and the university,” Dr. Scott said. “I believe that ASU is more than a great institution — it is also an amazing brand that must be cultivated and elevated.”
ASU is one of several HBCUs in the University System of Georgia. According to Data USA, Black students accounted for over 80% of the school’s enrollment in 2022. With this in mind, Dr. Scott hopes to elevate ASU’s brand on a global scale.
“Everything we do speaks to the brand of Albany State,” the education leader added. “From academic programs to athletics, student services to community engagement, alumni successes to corporate partnerships, we must ensure our actions reflect excellence, innovation, and a commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. My executive accountabilities at some of the world’s largest corporations and top-tier universities have uniquely prepared me to lead ASU into a new era of recognition, growth, and innovation.”
Dr. Scott will begin his tenure in May of this year, taking over from interim President Lawrence Drake.
20 Years After Starbury’s Launch, Stephon Marbury Wants To Revive The Affordable Kicks In 2026
The former New York Knick, who introduced the affordable sneaker brand in 2006, wants to revive it in 2026.
Stephon Marbury, the former New York Knicks point guard and Chinese Basketball Association superstar, told Complex that he wants to resurrect his affordable signature sneaker for its 20th anniversary.
While other sneaker brands like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok sold their most popular footwear for anywhere between $50 and more than $150 in 2006, Starburys retailed for $15, making it affordable for those who couldn’t or wouldn’t pay the higher prices for sneakers.
“I want to drop it next summer,” Starbury told Complex. “Because after 2025, going into 2030, we’re going to see a whole new breed of athletes.”
Marbury, who said he only made money through the royalties of the Starbury. He wanted the community to benefit more from the affordability of the sneakers than make a bigger profit. “It was really for the people,” he said.
According to Basketball Reference, Marbury, a two-time All-Star, made a little more than $150 million in his 13-year NBA career. He played at least nine years overseas.
He now feels that the knowledge he has acquired over the years, along with spending time in China, has helped raise his business acumen, and he will do better at running the company this time around.
“And now, with all that I’ve learned and what I’ve done, I can put everything together and do it all over again with a way better structure. With a way better infrastructure,” he said. “It’s a blessing to have gone through that and then go to a place where they produce everything that’s pretty much in here. It’s made in China.”
“@starburymarbury says that his original Starbury deal was only for royalties and now wants to bring the brand back. ⭐“
Their achievements are a sound testament of determination
Women have fought for rights, freedoms, and equity in business, the workplace, and life. Black women have had their share of challenges. However, they have always pressed forward to become victorious and have opened the door for other women who follow. In celebration of Women’s History Month, BLACK ENTERPRISE is paying tribute to 10 courageous Black women who have shattered the glass ceiling, created successful businesses, and made history in the business space. Their achievements are a sound testament to what determination and ingenuity can do and how far people can go when they prevail.
Maggie Lena Walker
Born July 15, 1864, in Richmond, Virginia, Maggie Walker was a pioneering leader who founded the St.Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903, becoming the first woman to charter a bank in the United States. Walker’s bank did not fail during the Great Depression, which is still operating today, clearly proving her idea and determination.
Cathy Hughes
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 09: Cathy Hughes, Founder and Chairperson, Urban One Inc. onstage during 2018 Urban One Honors at The Anthem on December 9, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Catherine “Cathy” Hughes was born on April 22, 1947, and started her career in radio in 1969. In 1980, she founded Radio One, now Urban One, after buying a radio station in Washington, D.C. In 1999, she became the first Black woman to chair a publicly traded company. Today, Urban One is the biggest Black-owned radio broadcasting company in the nation and has expanded past just radio into television and publishing, securing her place in media history.
Ursula Burns
Ursula Burns was born in New York City on Sept. 20, 1958. She began her career as a Xerox intern in 1980 and has worked her way up. She was named president of the company in 2007 and, in 2009, became the first African American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company.
Janice Bryant Howroyd
Photo by Black Enterprise
Janice Bryant Howroyd was born in Tarboro, North Carolina, on Sept. 1, 1952. In 1978, she started ActOne with $1,500 and built it into a billion-dollar company, becoming the first Black woman to own a staffing agency valued at more than $1 billion. Today, ActOne is still going strong as a major entity in the workforce solutions space.
Oprah Winfrey
Photo by Arturo Holmes/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
Oprah Winfrey was born on Jan. 29, 1954. She founded Harpo Productions in 1986, which made Winfrey the first African American woman to own a production company. Later, through her groundbreaking media empire, she became the first Black female billionaire, thus cementing her legacy as a pioneering entrepreneur and a cultural icon.
Madam C.J. Walker
Madam C.J. Walker was born in Delta, Louisiana, on Dec. 23, 1867. In 1905, she launched her own line of haircare products for African American women. Her products quickly gained popularity. Madame Walker became the first self-made female millionaire in the United States, and she has been historically noted as a successful entrepreneur and an icon in the beauty industry.
Lisa Price
Photo by Joy Malone/Getty Images for Carol’s Daughter
Lisa Price was born May 18, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York. In 1993, Price created Carol’s Daughter while making natural beauty products in her kitchen. The brand has received wide recognition over the years. In 2014, Price partnered with L’Oréal USA, making Price the first Black woman to get a major beauty brand deal. Price is still involved with Carol’s Daughter and helping to define the brand’s future. Price was also appointed to the National Women’s Business Council by Barack Obama during his term.
Teri Williams
Photo credit: Teekay
Teri Williams was born in 1964 in Indiantown, Florida. In 1995, she and her partner acquired their first bank, thus starting her mission to enable people to control their economic future. She has helped finance nearly $1 billion for moderate—and low-income communities to close the racial wealth gap. Today, Williams is the owner and serves as president and COO of United One Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the United States.
Desiree Rogers
Desiree Rogers attends “The Black Beauty Effect” Red Carpet premiere at Regal LA Live on November 14, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Photo: Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Black Experience on Xfinity)
Desiree Rogers was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 16, 1956. In 2010, she was tapped to run Johnson Publishing Company, overseeing the publication of Ebony and Jet magazines, which helped modernize Black media. Rogers was the first Black White House Social Secretary during the Obama administration.
Beatrice Dixon
Beatrice Dixon, born in 1982, is the founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company, a Black-owned and operated plant-based feminine care brand. The Atlanta native started the company in 2014 after a recurring health issue inspired her to formulate natural yet effective feminine hygiene products. Dixon broke barriers in the business world by gaining major retail partnerships, making The Honey Pot one of the first Black woman-owned feminine care brands to be sold in national retailers like Target. Dixon’s success in the male-dominated consumer goods industry has paved the way for Black women entrepreneurs in the wellness and personal care space.
HUD Rejects Asheville, NC, Hurricane Recovery Plan Because It Targets DEI
HUD allocated $225 million to Asheville to help fund assistance to impacted businesses, non-profit organizations, and neighborhoods.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initially rejected Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in Asheville, North Carolina, because the city’s plans include a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) section.
According to HUD, Asheville’s DEI portion of the Hurricane Helene recovery plan conflicts with President Donald Trump’s executive orders from January.
However, “Asheville’s draft action plan incorporated DEI criteria to prioritize some impacted residents over others, which was unacceptable,” Scott added. “After HUD informed Asheville that its plan was unsatisfactory and it would not be approved, the city assured us that it was updating its draft action plan to be compliant.”
Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida, on Sept. 26, 2024, as a Category 4 Storm with sustained winds of 140 mph. The storm wreaked havoc as it pushed through an already-flooded western North Carolina. According to WCNC, Hurricane Helene was the worst and deadliest flood in state history.
However, HUD slammed plans on page 76 to support small businesses.
“Within the Small Business Support Program, the City will prioritize assistance for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBE) within the scoring criteria outlined within the policies and procedures,” the plan reads.
“Once again, let me be clear: DEI is dead at HUD,” Scott said in his statement.”We will not provide funding to any program or grantee that does not comply with President Trump’s executive orders.”
In Buncombe County, where Asheville is located, there are roughly 858 Black-owned firms and 26,122 White-owned firms. According to the State of Black Asheville, Black-owned businesses average $40,000 in annual sales, compared to $400,000 for white-owned firms.
Le’Veon Bell Denies Incestuous Sexual Assault Allegations After Cousin Awarded $36M
Jada Bell claims her cousins Le'Veon and La'Vonte raped her from she was 6 or 7 until she turned 18.
After being accused of sexual assault by his younger cousin, Le’Veon Bell has denied the accusations as his accuser has been awarded a default judgment of $36 million.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Jada Bell claims her older cousins, Bell and his younger brother, 30-year-old La’Vonte Bell, repeatedly raped her in their home state of Ohio.
Jada Bell said the sexual relationship started when she was 6 or 7 years old until 2017, the lawsuit states. That was after Le’Veon Bell was drafted into the NFL. The abuse, according to court records, would resume when he returned to town.
She filed the lawsuit against the Bell siblings on March 22, 2024.
“None of these encounters was consensual, and they happened with such frequency as to habitualize the Plaintiff to the abuse,” the lawsuit states.
“My client adamantly denies any and all allegations that have been lodged against him. Further, he was never served with a civil complaint or any documents,” Le’Veon Bell’s attorney, Thomas W. Shaffer, said in a statement to TMZ. “The default judgment granted was based upon violations of his Fifth Amendment rights of due process for failing to be served. My client is in the process of filing a motion to open and reverse the default judgment because the narratives of the case have never been litigated.”
Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Julie Lynch ruled in her favor by issuing a default judgment against the Bells because neither one appeared in court to answer the accusation. Le’Vonte Bell was ordered to pay Jada Bell $11 million in damages. Le’Veon Bell was ordered to pay $20 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
After several months without receiving a response to the lawsuit, the woman’s attorneys requested a default judgment. Lynch granted that request in October 2024, court records show.
The hearing in February was held before a magistrate, where a jury of eight people heard evidence from Jada Bell and some of her relatives. The jury listened to testimony to determine if money would be awarded and the amount that would be granted.
The hearings were held Feb. 25 and 26, and there was no appearance by the Bell brothers.
The rapper/actor killed Tyrone Jones in St. Albans on Feb. 7, 2021.
Isaiah Stokes, who had bit acting roles in Power, Blue Bloods, and The Mysteries of Laura, has been convicted of murder for a 2021 killing in St. Albans, New York.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the verdict in the fatal shooting of Tyrone Jones in St. Albans on Feb. 7, 2021. Stokes was found guilty by a Queens jury after killing the victim in a parked vehicle for retaliation after the two had an altercation at Jones’ birthday party several months prior in October 2020. Jones was shot 11 times as he was waiting to meet up with a friend so they could have lunch at a nearby restaurant.
“This was a calculated murder. The defendant, a part-time actor, stewed for months after being thrown out of a birthday party for his own inappropriate behavior,” said Katz in a written statement.
“Intent on revenge, Isaiah Stokes placed a GPS on the victim’s car and tracked Tyrone Jones down to Linden Boulevard, where he ruthlessly shot the man 11 times as he sat in his car. My office is laser-focused on gun violence, and we will utilize every tool at our disposal to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those who use deadly guns on our streets. I thank our prosecutors and the NYPD detectives who built this case. The jury has now spoken, and the defendant faces up to 25 years to life at sentencing for his criminal actions.”
The 45-year-old former rapper and actor was handed the verdict on March 7. The jury found Stokes guilty of murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. He now faces up to 25 years to life in prison. He will be sentenced on March 21.
Stokes attended a birthday party for Jones in October 2020, where Stokes was accused of inappropriate behavior toward women at the event. After Jones requested that Stokes leave the party, they got into a fight where Stokes was injured by other people who attended the party. Hellbent on revenge, several months later, on Feb. 7, 2021, Stokes placed a GPS tracking device under Jones’ vehicle and tracked him down with the information from the device.
After getting out of his car, Stokes circled the area where Jones was for about 15 minutes before descending upon Jones’ Jeep Grand Cherokee, where he took out a gun and fired 11 times into the car. Jones died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest and was pronounced dead on the scene.
A statement from New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Commissioner Dan Martuscello revealed roughly 10,000 officers and sergeants were back to work as of Mar. 10 after going on strike Feb. 17. Prior to, there were approximately 13,500 officers and sergeants working in the prison system. Martuscello said the strike ending is a sign of changes. “It is time to turn the page,” the commissioner said.
“We’ll start with a high-energy recruitment campaign moving forward with a clear focus on stabilizing and resuming operations while ensuring safety and security in our facilities.”
The strike was implemented by officers who alleged dangerous conditions inside prison walls and claimed things escalated due to the HALT law, known as the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act. The legislation places a limit on the amount of time a person can be placed in solitary confinement, in addition to a required hearing prior to.
To get officers back to work, prison officials upped concessions, including an overtime pay rate 2.5 times over the hourly rate for the next 30 days and a promise that officers returning to work would escape departmental discipline. With the HALT law being a concern, state officials also offered to look into the bill for possible amendments. However, not all the officers were eliminated from disciplinary actions.
According to Fox News, over 2,000 workers were terminated from their jobs as a result of them not returning to their post as public strikes are labeled as illegal. Martuscello said letters were sent out to those who weren’t pre-approved for leave. “Termination letters have been sent to over 2,000 officers who remained on strike. Officers and sergeants who did not have pre approved medical leave and didn’t return by this morning, 6:45 a.m. deadline, have been terminated effective immediately,” he said.
Buffalo-based lawyer Ralph Lorigo, representing close to 300 striking corrections officers, highlighted that the reason some did not return is because they don’t feel the state did enough, given the increase of violence and scrutiny within some state prisons.
Ten guards working at the Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York were charged in the beating death of inmate Robert Brooks. The incident was caught on video, going viral and making headlines across the nation. A medical examiner ruled Brooks died as a result of compression of the neck and multiple blunt-impact injuries.
Lorigo said that staff members are also increasingly becoming victims of violence, and that a report from DOCCS backs up his viewpoint. In December 2024, the reported number of assaults by prisoners on staff went up in addition to the number of assaults among prisoners. The attorney said that is something that needs to be addressed before wondering why some officers decided to not go back. “People need to understand the conditions that these officers have dealt with for over three years,” Lorigo said.
“They acknowledge and admit that they’re 70% staffed, which means that they have made people work 24 to 48 hours in a row.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens Announces Re-Election Bid
Mayor Dickens has taken steps to help the most vulnerable Atlanta residents through housing and food security.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens officially announced his intention to seek a second term during a press conference on March 11.
Dickens, who was elected as Atlanta’s 61st mayor in 2021, has deep roots in the city. Before assuming office, he spent eight years on the Atlanta City Council (2014-2021) and worked in the private sector. The Atlanta native attended Atlanta Public Schools before earning a degree from Georgia Tech. Dickens won office with a 64% majority vote.
In February 2024, when asked about his re-election plans, Dickens expressed his commitment to continuing his work.
“I love being the mayor of Atlanta, a job I’ve wanted since I was 16 years old. I believe we have accomplished a lot in the first two years, and I intend to work hard in the next two years and beyond.”
Since taking office, Dickens has focused on helping Atlanta’s most vulnerable populations, particularly children, low-income families, and seniors. BLACK ENTERPRISE has reported on many of Dickens’s initiatives to aid in “moving Atlanta forward.”
Food Security: Dickens has worked to combat food insecurity in underserved communities. His administration introduced “Good Grocery Stores,” ensuring more residents can access fresh food. “Communities without fresh food options are often in low-income areas, and only 76% of Atlanta residents live within a half mile of fresh food. That’s a gap too big for too many people. Our administration and City Council said we have got to work on that,” he said.
In May 2023, he unveiled a comprehensive plan to invest $200 million into affordable housing projects across the city to support the unhoused and address housing affordability. The mayor has also partnered with investment firms to preserve historic structures and transform them into affordable housing. One notable project is the renovation of the Atlanta Motel at 227 Moreland Ave., now renamed the Ralph Davis House, to provide housing for those in need.
The mayor expressed excitement for the project and its impact, “Together, we’re turning opportunity into action and making a difference where it matters most. This isn’t just housing—it’s hope, stability, and a brighter future for our community. Let’s keep building!”
YouTube Star Alysha Burney’s Brother Nixed Rumors On Her Unexpected Death
Burney's brother shut down rumors that drugs and other allegations played a role in her death.
The brother of Black YouTube star and influencer, Alysha Burney, is setting the record straight on her unexpected death.
Burney died in her sleep Mar. 2 while on her 25th birthday trip to Mexico, a day shy of her actual birthday. Her brother, Charles, announced the news on Mar. 10 to his social media.
As rumors began to swirl about what caused her death, Charles refused to let commenters tarnish her legacy.
“It is extremely difficult seeing all of the false narratives trying to defame her legacy and we are ready to take legal action for those continuing to spread false information regarding her passing,” he wrote in the caption after confirming their loss. “We know so many people care about her and will share more information soon but just give us some time and please stop harassing the family… Her legacy will still live on FOREVER!!”
The protective brother also spoke to WDAF about his sister and the allegations surrounding her death. He asserted that she was an “open book” who loved to inspire others through her life.
“She was not selfish with her knowledge and was a very open book about her journey,” shared the grieving sibling to WDAF. “She will always be dearly loved, and her legacy will live on forever,”
Burney accrued social media success with more than 5 million followers on multiple platforms. She also became a film producer with her own production company, ABurney Productions. While noting her impact, Charles also shut down rumors that drugs played a role in her death. He emphasized that she was a determined young woman with plans to expand her entrepreneurial ventures.
“She does not do drugs. She was a self-loving and happy individual who cherished her life and was looking forward to the upcoming year’s plans,” he said. “There’s a spread of misinformation online, stating different things based on speculation. These sources lack credibility and should not be believed. My sister did not engage in environments that would lead to such situations.”
Despite remaining vague on the other allegations, he did confirm that she died from an asthma attack that occurred as she slept. Prior to her death, Burney had aspirations of opening up a productive studio in their hometown of Kansas city.
“Her lifelong goal was to be a writer and a director,” continued Charles. “Another goal she had was to return to Kansas City, open a production studio, and help other young creatives from Kansas City get to where she was.”
While healing from this tragedy, he hopes for others to remember his sister’s impact and spirit of giving back.
