by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 8, 2025

Suge Knight’s Attempt To Overturn 28-Year Sentence Deemed ‘Not Sincere,’ Request Denied

Knight will remain in prison after his attempt to overturn his 28-year sentence was denied.

Suge Knight’s bid to overturn his 28-year prison sentence in his hit-and-run manslaughter case has been denied.

Los Angeles County Judge Laura F. Priver “summarily denied” Knight’s request March 4, stating that it was both untimely and based on evidence deemed “not sincere,” Rolling Stone reports. The Death Row Records founder claimed his sentence was “illegally imposed.”

However, Judge Priver stated that Knight waited too long to file the writ of habeas corpus and also ruled that he lacked the grounds to support it. Knight filed his petition in March 2023, citing issues with his permanent prison housing, lack of assistance from his previous lawyer, the COVID-19 pandemic, and his blindness in one eye as obstacles. However, given the other motions Knight had been able to file, the judge was not persuaded by his argument.

“It is clear that the petitioner was not as isolated or as helpless to act as he wishes this court to believe. He was able to file the writ in a timely manner had he chosen to do so,” Priver wrote.

Knight’s longtime lawyer, David Kenner, has criticized the ruling and vowed to file an immediate writ of mandate with the appellate court, requesting a hearing on the underlying facts. He argues that Knight was entitled to an evidentiary hearing before any decision was made.

“I find this decision to be shocking and unconscionable,” Knight’s longtime lawyer David Kenner said. “I think the court has grossly erred in the decision it rendered. I think it is legally improper and the court did not follow the law.”

He continued. “She’s deciding herself that she believes the [district attorney] and disbelieves Mr. Knight. It’s a deprivation of every constitutional right he has, and that frankly is nothing new in his case. This case is the worst abuse of prosecutorial and judicial interference with the rights of the accused I’ve ever seen. He had less rights to be in contact with the lawyer of his choice than the people in Guantanamo Bay.”

Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence in San Diego after pleading no contest to a voluntary manslaughter charge related to a 2015 fatal hit-and-run. The incident occurred at Tam’s Burgers in Compton, California, where local businessman Terry Carter lost his life.

Prosecutors argued that Knight was “angry” on the day of the hit-and-run after being turned away from a meeting earlier that day with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube regarding the movie “Straight Outta Compton.” The former record exec was reportedly seeking compensation for his portrayal in the film.

Initially, prosecutors charged Knight with murder, alleging he reversed his Ford Raptor truck, shifted gears intentionally, and hit the gas to run down Carter. Knight accepted a plea deal in September 2018 and has since claimed his public defender at the time forced him to. His attempt to overturn his sentence remains ongoing while he remains behind bars.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 8, 2025

Steph Curry’s New Office Headquarters ‘Cements’ His Commitment To San Francisco

he NBA champion is relocating his 30 Ink collective.

New renderings showcase the 25,000-square-foot office and event space Stephen Curry is developing, highlighting his commitment to San Francisco and efforts to revitalize the city’s commercial real estate sector.

The NBA champion is relocating his 30 Ink collective to a new building at 600 20th St. in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood, the SF Chronicle reports. Newly revealed renderings showcase plans for a ground-up development to serve as the headquarters for Curry’s eight businesses and 13 entities.

The company plans to replace the existing 9,200-square-foot, two-story masonry and concrete building on the site with a five-story structure. The new building will feature a ground-floor community and event space and accommodate Curry’s 60-person team across his various companies.

It will include 2,680 square feet of lab space, nearly 9,000 square feet of office space, about 3,300 square feet for arts activities, and a three-bedroom unit on the fifth floor for out-of-town business partners. The plan also includes a roof deck and green roof space.

“This is a pivotal step for 30 Ink in terms of our evolution — it cements our commitment to be in the Bay Area and San Francisco specifically,” said Tiffany Williams, chief operating officer for 30 Ink.

“Stephen’s career is winding down — he has more years behind him than ahead of him — and we are saying that work doesn’t stop. We are going to be here and continue working and growing and elevating the under.”

The company, which focuses on athlete management, branding, lifestyle, impact, media, philanthropy, and technology, operates under the mantra “elevate the under.” After relocating its headquarters from Howard Street in the SoMa neighborhood to the Dogpatch district, Williams hopes the move will demonstrate Curry’s commitment to the Bay Area.

“We are not afraid to do work and build in San Francisco,” she said.

Williams also hopes the move inspires others to join in revitalizing San Francisco’s struggling office vacancy and commercial real estate development, which has largely stalled since the pandemic.

“We hope that attracts more businesses to seek out opportunities in the city,” she said.

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 8, 2025

Amazon Jumps On Board As Title Sponsor Of The Magic City Classic

Mayor Randall Woodfin calls the Classic 'the best thing happening in Birmingham.'

The Magic City Classic — the biggest HBCU football game of the season — has secured Amazon as its title sponsor, HBCU Gameday reports.

Magic City Classic and the online retail giant collaborated on a four-year deal, so the duel between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University will be known as the Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola. In a statement released on March 6, Classic Executive Director Perren King says he looks forward to elevating the Magic City Classic experience. “This four-year partnership represents a shared commitment to education, diversity, and economic growth in our community,” King said.

“We look forward to working with Amazon to elevate the Classic experience for our fans and the broader HBCU family.”

With McDonald’s once being the title sponsor, the rivalry between the Bulldogs and the Hornets goes back 80 years as a staple of excitement for the city of Birmingham. Attendees can participate in a number of activities, including tailgates, festivals, and parades. It also results in economic prosperity for the schools and the other HBCUs in the state. In 2024, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) gave Alabama a grade of B for the “$1.4 billion — billion with a B — economic impact on an annual basis.”

Despite the economic outcome, there has been a push for more financial support for Alabama A&M and State. The Bulldogs signed an agreement to receive $1 million when designated as the home team and $300,000 when defined as visitors. The Hornets secured a four-year contract to receive $1.5 million when it is the home team.

With an additional $500,000 given to each school annually, both HBCUs will receive an average of $1.5 million over the next four years.

According to the Birmingham Times, city officials predict the Classic will generate $23 million for Birmingham as the game’s festivities, scheduled to kick off on Oct. 25, 2025, attract 65,000 attendees. An additional 60,000 are predicted for tailgating outside the stadium. Mayor Randall Woodfin thanked Amazon for coming on board to what he calls “the best thing happening in Birmingham.” Donetta Houser-Sly, HR Director of Amazon North America People Experience & Technology, says the company is “committed to ensure they are growing and developing.”

She described the game as bringing the community together and celebrating “the rich legacy of HBCUs, which have been pillars of academic excellence and leadership development for over 150 years.” “This historic game isn’t just about football — it’s about community, opportunity, and the endless possibilities that arise when tradition meets innovation,” Houser-Sly said.

Rodeo Houston Celebrates Black Heritage Day With Event-Filled Weekend

by Mary Spiller

March 8, 2025

Rodeo Houston Celebrates Black Heritage Day With Event-Filled Weekend

The Houston Rodeo featured concerts, cheerleaders, marching bands, and more.

On March 7, the NRG Stadium was packed with occupants in celebration of Black Heritage Day at Rodeo Houston. The big event honored the continued contributions of African Americans to Western culture, highlighting the history and legacy of Black cowboys with activities and performances throughout the day.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kicked off with a musical concert performance.

Before the performance, the Rodeo Houston event paid tribute to two Black governmental figures: the late Houston mayor and U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner, as well as U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Turner died suddenly earlier this week due to continuous health complications, and Lee died after a battle with cancer.

Black Heritage Day has been a tradition since the 1900s.

Vice President of HLSR Wendy Lewis Armstrong said, “It was just an idea that we needed to make sure that we tapped into the African-American culture.”

She continued, “To make sure that the rodeo understood the history and the legacy and the amazing things that the African-American community has done and continues to do in Western culture. So I think it’s twofold, one, to educate the rodeo folks who want to educate the community.”

According to KHOU 11, the Rodeo Houston events included cheerleaders, bands, choirs, and Black steppers. The marching band performances from historically Black colleges Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University played together for the very first time in their schools’ rich histories.

Following the excitement at the weekend Houston event, rodeo season will kick off, and attendance is expected to hit an all-time high over the course of the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, Rodeo Houston will showcase the culturally diverse heritage of the Wild West while visitors enjoy the weekend’s entertainment.

One attendant, Cardell Bey, traveled from Ohio for Rodeo Houston.

Bey said, “Black people got a big influence on country music, cowboys, and everything, and it’s good to see yourself represented in that way.”

by Mitti Hicks

March 8, 2025

HBCU Saint Augustine’s University Loses Accreditation Appeal

In December 2022, the university was placed on probation after it failed to meet accreditation standards due to significant financial issue.

The Raleigh, North Carolina-based HBCU, Saint Augustine’s University, has lost its appeal to maintain accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The commission reaffirmed its decision to remove the institution from its membership, HBCU Gameday reports.

It’s been an uphill battle for SAU. In December 2022, the commission placed the university on probation after it failed to meet accreditation standards due to significant financial issues, including $32 million in debts and nearly $10 million in IRS tax liens.

The school received financial backing from 50 Plus 1 Sports, a Black-owned development company. As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, 50 Plus 1 Sports was willing to invest $70 million into the university, allowing it to be self-sufficient while keeping its land. The agreement prioritized eliminating debt and investing in campus improvements, all while ensuring that the university would become financially stable. The controversial deal with 50 Plus 1 Sports initially sought to lease all of SAU’s more than 100 acres of land. The attorney general’s office reportedly denied the deal over concerns about SAU’s nonprofit status.

However, university leaders previously told BE that they had little to no confidence that the state attorney general’s office would move forward with the deal since investors are now interested in taking over the university’s land, which was appraised for roughly $207 million in 2024. The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office did not reply to Black Enterprise’s request for comment.

With the latest setback, SAU leaders say the university is committed to ensuring that May 2025 graduates earn degrees from an accredited institution by pursuing a 90-day arbitration process.

“This decision does not define us—our resilience does,” said Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess.

In the meantime, the university is fighting for its future and calling on alums, corporate partners, and the broader HBCU community for support.

“We now have the financial leverage to protect SAU’s legacy,” Trustee Hadley Evans told HBCU Gameday.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 8, 2025

Accused Tupac Killer, Keffe D, Proclaims Innocence In First TV Interview Since Vegas Arrest

In a 'Good Morning America' interview, Keffe D emphatically says, 'I"m Innocent.'

Duane “Keffe D” Davis is preparing for his day in court in the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur, but before facing a judge and jury, he took his plea to “Good Morning America.”

In a recent interview with the ABC news program, the suspect, who has been accused of being involved in the deadly shooting that took the life of Tupac, emphatically states that he is innocent of the charges prosecutors have levied against him in Las Vegas. The unsolved murder had been a mystery for almost three decades until the September 2023 arrest of Keffe D by the Las Vegas police. The only person charged in the “California Love” rapper’s killing is scheduled to go to trial later this year.

“I’m innocent,” he told the media outlet. “I ain’t killed nobody. Never did, never killed nobody.”

Keffe D has claimed that he was nowhere near the crime scene as he was in Los Angeles the night that Tupac was killed in a drive-by shooting.

He blames another person, a former police officer and bodyguard, Reggie White, Jr., who was reportedly driving the vehicle the night Tupac was killed. However, Wright denies killing the New York City-born rapper. Yet, prosecutors used Keffe D’s own words against him in the pursuit of finding Tupac’s killer.

Keffe D, who wrote the book, “Compton Street Legend,” and did many interviews over the years, initially said that the killing of the “Me Against the World” lyricist was done by his nephew, Orlando Anderson, who was killed two years later. However, prosecutors say they have strong evidence that Keffe incriminated himself in the book he wrote and released in 2019, as well as in interviews he has given to police and the media since 2008.

“I did not do it,” Davis, 61, said. “They don’t have nothing. And they know they don’t have nothing. They can’t even place me out here. They don’t have no gun, no car, no Keffe D, no nothing.”

The former gang member has been in jail at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas since his arrest on Sept. 29, 2023. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 8, 2025

Jimmy Butler Gifts NBA Hall Of Famer Spike Lee His Shirt After Warriors’ Win Over Knicks

Jimmy Buckets gives the "Do the Right Thing' director his game-worn jersey after the game

New Golden State Warriors player Jimmy Butler recently gifted NBA Hall of Famer and “superfan” Spike Lee the shirt off his back after the game.

The former Heat forward, recently traded to the Warriors after a rocky tenure in Miami, faced the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 4. The team emerged victorious against the New York squad, 114-102. Right after the buzzer rang, signifying the end of the game, Butler headed over to Lee, and the basketball jersey he was wearing, sweat and all, was presented to the “Do the Right Thing” director.

While accepting the gift from the man known affectionately as “Jimmy Buckets,” the Heat player then placed his signature on the jersey as Lee is seen saying something in his ear. After signing the jersey, both men looked happy and embraced each other before they went their separate ways.

Jimmy showed some love to New York’s own! pic.twitter.com/jsMD00v5Hs

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 5, 2025

After leading the Miami team to two NBA Finals in five years, the 35-year-old guard’s relationship with the team became combative after the Heat were eliminated from last year’s playoffs. During his time with the team this season, he averaged 18 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. His shooting percentage before the trade was at a career-high 55.3% from the field.

Butler was shipped from Miami when the Warriors traded him for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a top-10 protected first-round draft pick for 2025. The Warriors also sent Dennis Schroder to the Utah Jazz and received, in return, P.J. Tucker, who is going back after being a member of the Heat in 2021-22. The Warriors also sent Lindy Waters III to the Detroit Pistons, and the Heat shipped Josh Richardson off to the Pistons.

RELATED CONTENT: Jimmy Butler Traded To Golden State Warriors

FAMU, Florida A and M University,DI, Black History Month

by Stacy Jackson

March 8, 2025

Carmen Cummings-Martin Is New Chief Of Staff At FAMU

Cummings-Martin was appointed two weeks after FAMU's former chief of staff left the position.

FAMU has tapped its current Assistant Vice President of University Engagement & Alumni Affairs, Carmen Cummings-Martin, as the new chief of staff on the university’s senior leadership team.

She was appointed to the position on March 4 by the university’s Interim President, Timothy Beard. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Cummings-Martin’s promotion is part of Beard’s restructuring efforts on his leadership team.

“I am honored and humbled to navigate into this new assignment. Those who know me understand my passion and unwavering commitment to Florida A&M University,” Cummings-Martin said in a statement. “I convey gratitude to Interim President Beard for the opportunity. I have always tried to be a team player in every aspect of my professional journey.”

The well-known WCTV Eyewitness News anchor will cover duties such as advising Beard, project management, and overseeing the progress of goals for the Tallahassee, Florida-based university. “I am excited to have Carmen serve as chief of staff on the leadership team,” Beard said in a statement. “Her years of experience in alumni relations, government relations, and logistics will be an asset, and her commitment to Florida A&M University is palpable.”

The latest change to Beard’s senior leadership team comes amid the departure of FAMU’s former chief of staff, Tola Thompson, who exited after less than six months in the role. Cummings-Martin assumed the position just two weeks after Thompson left the leadership role. WCTV reported that no reason for Thompson’s exit was revealed. BLACK ENTERPRISE previously noted that after Beard temporarily replaced former FAMU President Larry Robinson, who stepped down following a $237 million fraud scandal, the whole leadership team was asked by Beard to resign.

Cummings-Martin steps into her new role with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from FAMU and over 17 years of experience working with the university. In 2007, she served as FAMU’s executive director in the Office of Alumni Affairs. She has been honored with the FAMU National Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award and the National HBCU Alumni Director of the Year Award.

Cummings-Martin will commence as chief of staff on March 17.

Meghan Markle, Archewell Foundation, Prince Harry

by Mary Spiller

March 8, 2025

Meghan Markle’s ‘With Love, Meghan’ Renewed By Netflix For Second Season

Markle announced season 2 just three days after the show debuted on Netflix.

Wife of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s new Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan,” has been confirmed to return for a second season despite a slew of negative reviews from critics. The show hit the top 10 on Netflix on March 7. It premiered on Tuesday on Netflix and housed eight episodes of the Duchess of Sussex in her California home, inviting guests to cook and complete at-home projects.

The release was quickly confirmed to have a second season by Netflix and Markle in Instagram posts.

Markle wrote, “Oh, how I love ASMR! If you’re loving Season 1, just wait until you see the fun we cooked up in Season 2! Thanks for joining the party, and an endless thanks to the amazing team and crew who helped bring it all to life!”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG598hKJqzE/?igsh=MXRjemw4Mmx0czBjNg==

The renewal announcement has raised questions for show fans, as there was negative feedback on the first season. In the United Kingdom, critics left the first eight episodes with a 28% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, and an audience gave it a worse 18% audience score.

Since its debut, critics in England have slammed “With Love” with particularly negative reviews. According to Forbes, Markle’s reputation has been controversial overseas after she left the royal family and the country with her husband, Prince Harry, after the pair stepped away from their royal duties, Markle has been regarded with divisiveness.

“With Love, Meghan” was given a one-star rating by British newspapers The Guardian and The Independent rated “With Love, Meghan” one starnt. The Independent described the series as “queasy and exhausting [like a] millennial blog come to life.”

Variety added that Markle is allegedly “unwilling to step outside the role of perpetual A student and lacks similar competence” to more successful lifestyle stars such as Martha Stewart and Ina Garten.

“With Love, Meghan” now ranks as Netflix’s No. 7 show in the United States, and as the description reads, Markle invites new guests to her home in every episode. The first season featured actress-writer Mindy Kaling, “Suits” cast member Abigail Spencer, and celebrity chefs Roy Choi and Alice Waters for cooking sessions.

fire, Tesla, Elon Musk, group, attack, France

by Kandiss Edwards

March 8, 2025

Tesla Dealership Set On Fire In France By Anarchist Group Targeting Elon Musk

A dozen Tesla vehicles were set on fire, with 8 totally destroyed.

A Tesla dealership in France was set on fire in what authorities are calling a suspected arson attack, according to French outlet La Dépêche.

The fire broke out on March 2 in the Toulouse suburb of Plaisance-du-Touch. Eight Tesla vehicles were destroyed, causing an estimated loss of 700,000 euros ($756,280), and four other Teslas were badly damaged.

The city prosecutor’s office stated the fire was “no accident at all.”

Investigators believe the arsonists cut a hole in the dealership’s perimeter fence before setting the fire. On March 4, a Southern France anarchist group claimed responsibility, calling the attack a part of its mission to combat fascism.

Il y a aujourd’hui une accélération du projet fasciste, patriarcal, écocidaire et colonialiste. Alors que les élites multiplient les saluts nazis nous avons décidé de saluer à notre manière un concessionnaire tesla dans dans la nuit du 2 au 3 mars 2025 à plaisance-du-touch.
Nous avons incendié des véhicules à l’intérieur de l’enceinte à l’aide de deux bidons à essence. Nous nous sommes demandé après coup si des plaques d’allume-feu n’auraient pas été un moyen plus efficace.

“Today, there is an acceleration of the fascist, patriarchal, genocidal, and colonialist project. While the elites multiply Nazi salutes, we decided to greet a Tesla dealer in our own way on the night of March 2 to 3, 2025, in Plaisance-du-Touch. We set fire to vehicles inside the compound using two petrol cans,” the group said in a statement.

The group’s message encouraged others to take similar action against Tesla CEO Elon Musk and his billionaire allies. Its slogan, “Welcome Spring, Burn a Tesla!” suggests more attacks may follow.

While the French government has not condoned attacks on Musk’s businesses, officials have recently been critical of him.

“Ten years ago, if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new reactionary international and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany, who would have imagined it?” French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Macron’s comments refer to Musk’s attendance at a far-right German political event where he voiced support for a reportedly extremist party. Musk urged members not to be ashamed of the party’s past, which includes aiding in the Holocaust. He also appeared to endorse ethnic nationalism.

“It’s good to be proud of German culture and German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything,” Musk said.

Since joining the Trump administration, Musk has drawn controversy for inflammatory statements and actions.

During the presidential inauguration, Musk was seen making a chest-to-arm motion interpreted as a Nazi salute on stage. The X owner denied the gesture was intentional, but many disagreed.

Musk has also promoted the idea of seizing Canada and Denmark and incorporating them into the United States. Citizens of the nations have spoken out boisterously against what they deem hostile rhetoric.

As Musk’s influence grows increasingly controversial, more groups have turned to direct action against him, both in the U.S. and abroad.