Karen Bass, national guard, Trump, ice raids

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass And Trump Spar Over California Fire Response

Trump seems to want L.A. residents to clear their own hazardous waste following wildfires.


President Donald Trump and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass clashed over the response to the devastating fire damage in Southern California.

During a Jan. 25 emergency roundtable, Trump challenged Bass on the city’s recovery efforts following the 23,000-acre Palisades Fire.

Earlier that day, Trump toured the fire’s aftermath before meeting with Los Angeles city and county officials to discuss Southern California’s recovery and rebuilding strategies.

Early on, Trump and Bass had conflicting ideas over the projected timeline for when evacuated residents should be able to return to their homes now that fire containment is within reach.

Bass stated, “We are going to do everything we can, slashing regulations, expediting everything so that people can begin the process right away.”

Trump, however, interjected and claimed that he spoke to several evacuated residents during his tour who said they were told they would have to wait 18 months before starting to rebuild.

“We know the one thing is they are saying they will not be allowed to start for 18 months,” Trump rebutted.

Bass responded, “That will not be the case. You know first we have to make sure that [we are] getting rid of the hazardous waste, cleaning things up so that people can start right away… I want you to know that we are expediting that. We absolutely need your help, the federal help.”

Trump, who was inaugurated on Jan. 20, allegedly met with eight different groups of homeowners who said they were told they would be allowed to rebuild “18 months exactly.” Trump questioned the importance of removing hazardous waste before allowing residents back to evacuated zones.

“You mentioned hazardous waste. Well hazardous waste… What’s hazardous waste? You’re going to have to define that. We’re going to go through a whole series of questions on determining what’s hazardous waste? I just think that you have to allow people to go on their site and start the process tonight.”

Trump pressed Mayor Bass again after she stated that L.A. response teams were moving “as fast as [they] can” to bring residents back home faster.

“But the people are willing to clear out their own debris,” Trump offered. “It doesn’t cost a lot. You should let them do it because, by the time you hire contractors, it’s gonna be two years. The people are willing to get a dumpster and do it themselves.”

“You have emergency powers just like I do. I’m exercising my emergency powers. You have to exercise them also… I mean you have a very powerful emergency power, and you can do everything within 24 hours.”

Bass responded by giving a hopeful timeline of a week before displaced residents would be able to return to their properties.

Following the conclusion of the tense meeting, Mayor Bass publicly thanked Trump for coming to LA to help with rebuilding and relief.

Southern California and parts of Los Angeles have been damaged severely by a series of major fires that burned wildly in recent weeks, spanning over 50,000 acres and killing dozens of people, and leaving others injured. The severity and spread of the fires have forced over 100,000 residents to evacuate their homes and businesses as they burn.

Notably, Trump has expressed disappointment in Democratic politicians and even blamed Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom for the fires. He’s proposed that he could potentially block federal emergency aid to California and all its affected residents unless it adopts new laws more aligned with the conservative party.

RELATED CONTENT: LA Mayor Karen Bass Faces Scrutiny For $17M Fire Department Budget Cut Despite An Existing $819M

political podcast

‘Unnamed And Unbound’: Black Voters Matter Launches Podcast To Challenge Trump’s Policies And Empower Black Communities

Black Voters Matter launched the podcast on MLK Day.


Black Voters Matter is working to keep morale high within the Black community following the 2024 presidential election by launching its new podcast, “Unnamed and Unbound: Black Voters Matter Podcast.”

Strategically launched on MLK Day, the new visual podcast series amplifies opposition to the authoritarian policies proposed by President Donald Trump and his administration. Each episode highlights Black Voters Matter’s (BVM) ongoing commitment to standing up against injustice in all its forms, the organization explained in its announcement.

“This isn’t just another political podcast. It’s your front-row seat to real talk about what’s happening in Black communities, straight from the folks doing the work!” the organization wrote in a tweet.

https://twitter.com/BlackVotersMtr/status/1881092642613940513

“Unnamed and Unbound” aims to demystify politics and policy for the Black community, delivering clear and accessible insights. The podcast’s name reflects Black Voters Matter’s commitment to power-building while honoring the past and boldly claiming the future.

“Unnamed” represents the countless unsung freedom fighters whose stories were erased, contributions overlooked, and voices silenced. It also symbolizes the Black voters whose experiences and needs remain ignored by mainstream media and politicians today. “Unbound” serves as a reminder of the power of free speech and moving without restriction to build power beyond limits.

With the launch of its new podcast, BVM aims to engage Black audiences, who comprise nearly half of the 135 million Americans consuming news and information from podcasts each month. The bi-weekly podcast hopes to weed out the noise and sensationalism of mainstream media by offering listeners accurate information through a Black lens.

Each episode will delve into topics central to BVM’s mission of empowering Black communities, including social and environmental justice, criminal justice reform, healthcare, reproductive freedom, and reparations, all while reimagining what a truly inclusive democracy can look like.

The podcast will feature subject matter experts, grassroots organizers, and activists engaging in meaningful conversations that unpack complex topics and explore pathways for progress under a hostile administration. Episode 1, “Black & Mad—A Post-Election Reflection,” captures an unfiltered reaction from Black Voters Matter’s co-founders to the outcomes of the 2024 election. Get a tease of the discussion above.

Chicago, Mayor, Brandon Johnson, national guard, Trump,

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Launches ‘Know Your Rights’ Campaign Amid Immigration Raids

Way to take a stand, Chicago!


Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson and his administration are fighting back against President Donald Trump’s push to deport undocumented immigrants with a new campaign called “Know Your Rights,” ABC 7 Chicago reports. 

Johnson announced the campaign while speaking about public safety at an event on Jan. 23 at Kennedy King College. During his appearance, he talked about using public transit as the latest way to protect undocumented immigrants in the Windy City from mass deportations. Using the same digital monitors that provide train schedules, information on how immigrants should “know their rights” will be posted using a QR code. Johnson, supported by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, says his priority is to protect the city. “Any of the measures that the President is looking to execute against working people in the city of Chicago. We will defend our city,” Johnson said. 

“It’s just that simple.”

The digital display ads will be at more than 400 locations across the city, according to Fox 32 News. People who scan the code will be taken to a website where they will find resources for those who may have had a family member detained by ICE. There will also be tips for immigration legal services, free of cost. All information is sponsored by The Resurrection Project, the National Immigrant Justice Center, and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. “Chicago will always be a Welcoming City, not just by ordinance, but also with our inclusive and loving spirit,” Johnson said in a statement. 

Pritzker, who is a major critic of Trump, took a similar stance at the event, promising that Illinois won’t back down on protecting the rights of people who are undocumented. “I will stand up for residents of the state of Illinois who are abiding by the law, who are holding down jobs, who are paying taxes,” Pritzker said. 

“I mean, we should stand up for them. That is the right thing to do, but he’s trying to tear things down.”

A number of city agencies, including Chicago Public Schools, have joined in to protect the city’s undocumented immigrant community. After Trump and his newly appointed border czar, Tom Homan, said they would send ICE agents to public schools, CEO Pedro Martinez said that won’t happen without valid warrants. “It is rare that that happens, but even in that rare instance, they’re gonna have to go to our legal department,” Martinez said. 

“We have three lawyers that they’re gonna verify that. I don’t, my staff do not need to be lawyers.”

On Jan. 24, agents showed up at Hamline Elementary School on Chicago’s South Side, where they were denied entry. As Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates called the situation “unprecedented,” she confirmed that all students and staff on campus at the time were safe. The principal followed protocols laid out by both Johnson and Pritzker and didn’t let agents inside. 

RELATED CONTENT: Chicago Immigrants Stay Home From Work Amid Deportation Concerns

Black Franchise Leadership Council, IFA, Generational Wealth Through Franchising, Webinar

Black Franchise Leadership Council Closed Out 2024 With ‘Generational Wealth Through Franchising’ Webinar

The International Franchise Association's Black Franchise Leadership Council works to empower Black entrepreneurs through franchising.


The International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s largest membership organization for franchisors, franchisees, and franchise suppliers. It provides industry-leading events, advocacy, education, and growth opportunities to the franchise community. Within the IFA, teams of professionals advocate for veterans, opportunities to build generational wealth, and minority business owners. 

The Black Franchise Leadership Council (BFLC), founded in 2021 and currently led by Carolyn Thurston, founder and CEO of Wisdom Senior Care, is dedicated to empowering Black entrepreneurs through franchising. The Council’s mission is to increase awareness, foster understanding, and expand access to franchise opportunities for Black business owners. It strives to cultivate a culture of inclusion, diversity, and innovation within the franchising industry. Additionally, the BFLC aims to educate members of the International Franchise Association (IFA), offering fresh perspectives and facilitating meaningful discussions about Black representation in franchising. The Council also provides regular opportunities for information exchange among its members and, where appropriate, collaborates with other IFA councils and external organizations.

To close out the year, the Black Franchise Leadership Council hosted a virtual holiday celebration on Dec. 11, titled “Generational Wealth Through Franchising: A Blueprint for Success.” Highlights from the event were the passionate keynote address given by Dr. Willie Jolley, Ph.D., syndicated SiriusXM radio host of “The Willie Jolley Wealthy Ways Show” and president and CEO of William Jolley Productions, Inc. Jolley shared nuggets of wisdom from his 30-plus years as a successful entrepreneur on the importance of building generational wealth, by developing strong teams within your franchise system to create a winning operating infrastructure. Dr. Jolley also highlighted excerpts from his upcoming book Rich Is Good but Wealthy Is Better.

The keynote address was followed by an impressive panel of successful franchise owners sharing their thoughts on Sustaining Success: Franchising as a Path to Generational Wealth, which I had the pleasure of moderating. Panelists included Toya L. Evans, multi-unit/multi-brand franchise owner of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Hand & Stone, V/O Med Spa; Lauren Williamson, multi-unit/multi-brand franchise owner of Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Hand & Stone, V/O Med Spa; and Richard Snow, VP National Franchise & Specialty Lending Relationship Manager at Bremer Bank and multi-unit franchisee Brooklyn Robot Foundry

Key takeaways included the critical role of persistence in business to achieve both needs and goals, the ongoing challenges Black franchise owners face in securing funding, and the importance of franchisors like Brooklyn Robot Foundry and Ben & Jerry’s, which offer programs and incentives to pave the way for ownership. Additionally, building generational wealth through franchising often hinges on adopting a multi-unit ownership strategy.

The event concluded with David Smith, director of Diversity Programs, IFA Foundation, sharing highlights from the second annual IFA Diversity Institute Impact Report, released on Dec. 16, 2024. The report covers the programming highlights of Diversity Institute’s work during 2024, including the launch of the inaugural class of the Franchise Ascension Initiative, a six-month accelerator program aimed at preparing qualified individuals from underrepresented groups and economically disadvantaged communities with the education, mentorship, resources, and support to launch a career in franchise ownership successfully.

To view the recorded webinar, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoF1dzPaOKI. To learn more about BFLC, including how to get involved, contact David Smith at dsmith@franchise.org.

RELATED CONTENT: Keon Williams, The First Black Franchisee Of Tacos 4 Life, Adds Charlotte Location

HBCU, Xavier University of Louisiana,

Xavier University First HBCU To Have Co-Ed Rowing Program

The program will officially start during the 2025-2026 season.


Xavier University in Louisiana is the first HBCU to have a varsity-level co-ed rowing program. It will become an official university sport in the fall, the school announced earlier this week.

The New Orleans Rowing Club (NORC) partnered with the university.

“We could not be prouder to work with the Xavier Rowing team as we launch this historic debut as an official varsity university sport,” NORC member Elizabeth Manley, Ph.D., professor of history and chair of the history department at Xavier, and Chloé Jobin, NORC’s head of community outreach and diversity initiatives said in a written statement.

The pair added, “Launching this team of athletes onto the competitive national stage is not just about rowing—it’s about building a community, inspiring our students, and creating opportunities for growth both on and off the water.”

The rowing club has gained attention from organizations in the rowing community since it launched in 2023, gaining sponsors and donations from various companies, including USRowing, Mr. Cooper’s A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund, and other major players in the sport, including Vespoli USA, JL Athletics, and Concept2.

The rowing program joins other sports that are included under the Xavier Athletics umbrella, including basketball, baseball, and softball.

“This is an exciting time for Xavier Athletics in welcoming the rowing team to our family,” Athletic Director Pat Kendrick said. “We are so proud of each and every one of these athletes and look forward to seeing them excel in their sport and bring the spirit of Xavier to the water and beyond.”

The school is now looking for a head coach and as it will step up its recruitment efforts for rowers.

RELATED CONTENT: Xavier University Surpasses $100M Fundraising Milestone

Another One Bites The Dust: UW-Madison Fires Chief Diversity Officer Citing Financial Concerns 

Another One Bites The Dust: UW-Madison Fires Chief Diversity Officer Citing Financial Concerns 

And another one....


The University of Wisconsin-Madison eliminated the role of chief diversity officer, firing Dr. Lavar Charleston from his position on Jan. 22, claiming departmental financial concerns, Daily Cardinal reports. 

In a statement, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said a review of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement’s (DDEEA) finances, which Charleston led, caused concern. “An ongoing internal review of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement’s (DDEEA) finances has revealed areas of concern about financial operations and fiscal judgments in the division,” Mnookin said.

As a result, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Charles Isbell will have authority over the department, including daily operations and a four-person cabinet. DDEEA’s fiscal authority will be overseen by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration. Mnookin continued to push that the move shouldn’t affect student affairs such as events, programs, and services. “The university will continue to support existing DDEEA events, programs, and services going forward, and we do not expect any direct impact on the students, staff, and faculty served by and affiliated with DDEEA programs,” she said. 

Charleston has led the division since 2022. As a result of the announcement, he will stay employed, returning to the classroom as a clinical professor in the School of Education, according to WMTV 15 News. The Legislative Audit Bureau report on the division’s finances and operations is scheduled to be released soon. 

While the school pushes the narrative of financial woes being the reason behind the role’s elimination, the announcement comes as a slew of DEI department heads within universities and corporations are being cancelled amid the Trump-Vance administration transitioning to the White House. Since Trump’s inauguration, he signed an executive order removing all DEI federal programming and placing employees of agencies on leave. 

However, DEI has been under attack since the Supreme Court’s controversial ruling to reverse affirmative action in collegiate admissions in 2023. Several schools took heed of the ruling, resulting in a domino effect of positions and departments scrubbed as schools across the country. Employees of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices at the University of Florida found themselves unemployed after Gov. Ron DeSantis removed the practice from state schools. 

Without empathy, DeSantis boasted about his decision, saying, “I’m glad that Florida was the first state to eliminate DEI, and I hope more states follow suit.”

RELATED CONTENT: Acting VA Director Warns Efforts To Disguise DEI Programs Will Have ‘Adverse Consequences’

Tomi Adeyemi

Star Casting For ‘Children Of Blood And Bone’ Has Social Media In Its Feelings

The casting of the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi's 'Children of Blood and Bone' is a point of contention for some fans.


The cast for Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone has finally been announced, with stars Idris Elba and Viola Davis headlining a dream team.

They will be joined by Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo, NAACP Image Award winner Damson Idris, and Thuso Mbedu, known for her role in The Woman King and her voiceover work in Castlevania: Nocturne, as main character Zelie.

The author of the Legacy of Orisha trilogy revealed the full cast of Children of Blood and Bone in a post on her TikTok account.

Excitement for the casting has flooded social media. Since the 2018 release of Legacy of Orisha: Children of Blood and Bone, fans have anxiously awaited the next two books in the series and hoped for a film adaptation.

Though written as fantasy fiction, the books are rich with references to African culture, specifically Nigerian culture and Yoruba mythology. Adeyemi intertwined these elements with a well-developed magic system and beautiful Black imagery. Many readers see themselves reflected in the text.

It is no surprise, then, that some social media users and fans of the books have expressed dissatisfaction with the casting. One user voiced concerns about the lack of Nigerian representation. While casting for minor roles is still ongoing, the main roles have largely been filled by American and British Black actors.

Another point of contention for fans is the casting of Amandla Stenberg as Amari. According to an X user, the character is a victim of colorism. Stenberg’s lighter complexion does not align with these descriptions.

One X user offered a solution for future Black fantasy epics: animation, which has become an increasingly successful medium for Black stories—see Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse‘s Miles Morales.

While complaints can be found across the internet, many are simply excited to see so much Black excellence come together to create a beautiful Black world of magic.

RELATED CONTENT: Colman Domingo’s ‘Sing Sing’ To Make History As First Film Released In Theaters And Prisons

Donald Trump, Black, female reporter

Trump Visits NC, Threatens To Eliminate ‘FEMA’: ‘It’s Just Not Good’

We need FEMA to stay put....


President Donald Trump talked about eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA, since it’s “just not good,” while visiting the devastation that Hurricane Helene left in Asheville, North Carolina, Fox News reports. 

During his visit, alongside first lady Melania, Trump promised that his new federal administration would step in to help the Tar Heel state. However, his tone quickly changed, saying that the states should take care of natural disaster damage while seemingly blaming former President Joe Biden. “We’re going to fix it, and we’re going to fix it as fast as you can. It’s a massive amount of damage. FEMA has really let us down. Let the country down,” he said while sitting beside local and state leaders. 

“And I don’t know if that’s Biden’s fault or whose fault it is, but we’re going to take over. We’re going to do a good job.”

To rectify the problem, Trump said he may eliminate FEMA altogether. “I’ll also be signing an executive order to begin the process of fundamentally reforming and overhauling FEMA, or maybe getting rid of FEMA,” the indicted President said.

“I think, frankly, FEMA is not good.” 

He went back and forth on staying with the federal agency or giving control to the states. FEMA was designed to respond to disasters declared by the President of the United States, along with helping citizens and first responders prepare for, protect against, and recover from uncontrollable disasters. During his visit, he alleged he would work with the lawmakers of the affected areas since FEMA was “not on the ball.” “So we’re going to be doing something on FEMA that I think most people agree [with],” Trump said. 

“I’d like to see the states take care of disasters, let the state take care of the tornadoes and the hurricanes and all of the other things that happen. And I think you’re going to find it a lot less expensive. You’ll do it for less than half, and you’re going to get a lot quicker response.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers claims that only half of Helene’s debris recovery, which pounded through the state in September 2024, is complete. Under the Transitional Housing Assistance program, the agency is footing the hotel bill for hundreds of displaced families

Asheville is one of Trump’s first visits since taking office on MLK Day 2024. He is scheduled to visit Los Angeles, which has been stricken with wildfires since early January 2025. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, a huge trump critic, has been calling on the federal government to assist more. According to Politico, he said he hasn’t heard from the new President yet but plans to greet him before his tour — whether he is invited or not. “I look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president, welcome him, and we’re making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,” Newsom said. 

“There’s no limit to the resources we’ll provide for that briefing.” 

RELATED CONTENT: FEMA Closes Gap That Prevented Many Black Families in South From Receiving Disaster Aid

man dead, July 4, Birmingham, partner missing, MASS SHOOTING, baddies

Family Denies Claims Of Drug Use By Deceased Social Media Influencer Who Auditioned For ‘Baddies Midwest’

Reyna Dunlap, 'The Nude Queen,' was 33 years old.


A Maryland social media influencer was found dead after traveling to Cleveland, Ohio, to audition for a Zeus Network’s reality TV show. Police believe drug use was the cause of death, but Reyna Dunlap’s mother disputes those claims, Cleveland Scene reports. Dunlap, 33, who was best known online as “The Nude Queen,” flew to Ohio in hopes of making a name for herself by auditioning for Baddies Midwest.

Dunlap’s family became concerned when they couldn’t contact her. She was found dead in a vacant house on Francis Avenue in the Kinsman neighborhood of Cleveland.

A spokesperson for Cleveland police told Scene that the incident is believed to be an overdose.

“The direction of the department’s investigation will be determined by the findings of the city’s medical examiner,” Cleveland police. “Depending on that, we can determine what action we need to take.”

Dunlap’s mother took to TikTok to refute the department’s claims. In a post on the account of Kira Dunlap, Reyna’s sister, the matriarch tearfully denied the suggestion that Reyna had a history of drug use.

“We talked to the medical examiner,” she said. “We asked, ‘Was there evidence of any tracks on her body?’ No. Was there any evidence of drug use on or near her body? No. I was very clear in my post that she had no history of drug use, and that can be substantiated.”

@hotphilosophychick Addressing Reyna’s Suspected Cause of ☠️ #fyp #helpme #sister #thendequeen #viral #twitter #activeinvestigation #reyna #greenscreen ♬ original sound – Storm Chaser Interi

In addition to denying claims of drug use, Dunlap’s mother said that the cause of death was determined based on the location where the body was found, rather than any scientific evidence.

“We asked the questions: Why would there be an initial assessment of overdose?” she said. “The response was, ‘Where she was found.’ She was found in an abandoned home that had been trashed and was years old, with drug paraphernalia scattered around the area—but not on her, near her, under her, on top of her, or in her hands. She had none of that.”

She also claimed that Cleveland police told them the initial assessment of overdose is standard in cases involving unidentified bodies found in rough neighborhoods.

The family is hoping to arrange for an independent autopsy and has started a GoFundMe account to help with burial costs and private investigator. Anyone with information about Reyna Dunlap’s movements from December 2024 to January 2025 is asked to contact the tip line (216) 621-1234.

RELATED CONTENT: As TikTok Goes Dark, Black Creators Are Flocking To New App

Abortion, Georgia,

Instagram And Facebook Allegedly Blocked And Hid Abortion Pill Providers’ Posts

Various providers confirmed that their accounts were hidden. In some cases, Facebook and Instagram got rid of the accounts and they were no longer visible on the social media platforms,


For a company that has been vocal about putting a halt to “censoring free speech,” even going as far as ending fact-checking on its platform, several abortion pill providers are speaking out with claims that Instagram and Facebook blurred, blocked, or removed posts.

Various providers confirmed that their accounts were hidden. The Seattle Times reports that in some cases, Facebook and Instagram removed their accounts, making them no longer visible on the social media platforms.

Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, confirmed to The New York Times the accounts were suspended or blurred. The move from Meta is quite the juxtaposition of its CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s stance on free speech. Zuckerberg has received scrutiny after vowing to loosen restrictions on online speech. Critics argue that this could lead to an uptick in misinformation.

Removing Accounts That Advertise Abortion Pill

A Meta spokesperson told The New York Times that the accounts being moderated were unrelated to the speech policy change. The spokesperson added that the moderation was because of some abortion pill-related posts and accounts because of rules that prohibit the sale of pharmaceutical drugs on its platforms without proper certification.

Aid Access is one of the largest abortion pill providers in the United States and confirmed with the outlet that Facebook blurred and removed some of its posts since November. Women Help Women, and Just the Pill also confirmed suspended social media accounts.

“We know firsthand that this suppression actively prevents Hey Jane from reaching people who are seeking out timely health care information,” Rebecca Davis, head of marketing at Hey Jane, told the outlet. Hey Jane also said something similar happened to the company in 2023 before Meta reversed it.

“Given Meta’s recent promises around free speech, we’re incredibly disappointed to see how the platform is restricting our free speech,” Davis added.

As of now, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits telehealth providers to prescribe the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol. Providers can have the pill delivered by mail. Twelve states have banned abortions.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Angers Anti-Abortion Advocates With Reproductive Rights Phrasing

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