Former MVSU Head Coach Kendrick Wade Hired As Tight End Coach At Memphis

by Daniel Johnson

January 22, 2025

Former MVSU Head Coach Kendrick Wade Hired As Tight End Coach At Memphis

Wade's disappointing 2-21 tenure as the head coach of the MVSU football team necessitated his dismissal by the program, but in a classy gesture, he thanked his alma mater for giving him an opportunity to become a head coach

Kendrick Wade, the former head coach of the Mississippi Valley State football team, did not remain unemployed for long. After being fired by MVSU at the end of the 2024 campaign, Wade was recently hired by the University of Memphis as an offensive assistant coach.

According to HBCU Gameday, Wade was named the tight ends coach at Memphis, fitting after he helped MVSU tight end Jaxon Davis and defensive back Omar Emmons become All-Americans last season.

Wade will likely fit in well at the University of Memphis. In coaching circles, he was already considered a wide receiver whisperer due to his ability to consistently produce explosive offensive systems and players at various stops throughout his career.

Memphis is coming off an impressive 11-2 campaign and, in the final AP Top 25 poll, was ranked as the No. 24 team in the country, its highest ranking since 2019.

Memphis’ recruiting class is stocked with promising talent, including ESPN’s No. 5 quarterback prospect, AJ Hill. The Warner Robins, Georgia, product has thrown for over 10K yards and 129 touchdowns in his four years as a starter.

Wade will also have some toys to play with as the tight ends coach. The class also includes two talented tight ends, Bryce Anderson, a 6-5 250-pound tight end from West Des Moines, Iowa, and Jonathan Harding, a 6-4 210-pound tight end from The Villages, Florida.

Thank you MVSU! pic.twitter.com/HAnvaqNWYO
— Kendrick Wade (@Coach_kwade) December 23, 2024

Wade’s disappointing 2-21 tenure as the head coach of the MVSU football team necessitated his dismissal by the program, but in a classy gesture, he thanked his alma mater for giving him an opportunity to become a head coach at the university.

“Dear MVSU, It was a dream come true to be the HC at my Alma Mater. Thanks to all of my Coaches and the support staff who worked tirelessly by my side, day and night, around the clock, to try to help me build this program into a winning program. A SPECIAL thanks to all of my players that I Had the opportunity to coach. The relationships that we formed is alife long membership.”

Wade continued, “Thanks to former AD Hakim & President Briggs for making this possible. Also, thank you to ALL of those who supported me and the program. We didn’t accomplish all that we wanted, but by the grace of God, we were able to have a positive impact on hundreds of lives. We helped develop better young men. We were able to instill values that will help create better husbands, fathers & community leaders. The record on the field pales in comparison to the IMPACT that we had on these young men & that is what gives me Peace & Solace as l venture into the next phase of my life and career.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 22, 2025

Southern University School of Nursing Named Best Nursing School In U.S.

Southern University School of Nursing has the best program offering for nursing in the U.S. according to Nurse.org.

The Southern University School of Nursing is celebrating being named the Best Nursing School in the United States for the first time in the HBCU’s 39-year history.

On Jan. 13, Nurse.org, a platform dedicated to supporting and empowering nursing professionals and students, released its annual Best of Nursing awards, and Southern University School of Nursing (SUSON) claimed the top spot, WBRZ reports. Other finalists include Emory University School of Nursing, Florida State University College of Nursing, the University of Michigan School of Nursing, and the University of Washington School of Nursing.

“Winning this award is more than just a recognition for SUSON—it’s a win for the entire Jaguar Nation,” Sandra Brown, dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health, said. “We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who voted and supported this moment of recognition. Together, we have demonstrated the remarkable power, passion, and pride of the Jaguar Nation.”

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This recognition comes a year after SUSON celebrated a major milestone by welcoming the largest class of Black male nurses in the program’s history, admitting 33 Black male nursing students last fall. As a nod to the achievement, last April, the American Nursing Foundation awarded the cohort of students a nearly $350,000 grant through the Diversify Nursing Research through Support of Minority Institutions initiative. The grant was given to increase the number of minority nurse researchers and expand the diversity of subjects and perspectives in the nursing field.

“Black men can do other things besides football and basketball, or being incarcerated in places like prison, so this is seen as an option that they can have,” nursing student John Babin said.

“Public trust begins with public health. So, you have to have individuals who are culturally diverse to be able to relate and impact the outcomes of the patients they serve,” Sandra Brown added.

American Airlines, TikTok, First Class, Discrimination, passenger,

by Daniel Johnson

January 21, 2025

Lawsuit: American Airlines Accused A Black Passenger Of Trafficking His White Wife

The couple's attorney said that 'American Airlines’ pattern of racial discrimination of its passengers is intolerable.'

American Airlines is at the center of yet another lawsuit with allegations of racism The airline is accused of acting on the assumption that a Black passenger on a flight was trafficking his white wife.

According to the Miami Herald, the husband and wife were traveling while on their honeymoon. According to the lawsuit, the assumptions of another passenger and subsequent actions of airline workers led to the couple being “detained, falsely imprisoned, questioned, and humiliated.”

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Anthony Williams and Katiaryna Shasholka by their attorney, Jasmine Olivia Mae Rand, cites other incidents where American Airlines employees escalated the racially insensitive treatment of passengers.

American Airlines told the Miami Herald via an emailed statement that they are reviewing the allegations.

According to the lawsuit, Williams and Shasholka were traveling from Phoenix to Miami on Sept. 13, 2022, when a passenger told two employees that they suspected that Williams was trafficking his wife.

Flight attendants “did not question our clients or conduct any kind of investigation, but instead falsely reported to law enforcement that [Williams] was trafficking his own wife. Upon landing, our clients were falsely imprisoned by American Airlines employees who escorted them off of the plane,” the lawsuit states. “They were made to wait, confused and embarrassed, as the other passengers deplaned and walked by them, and, then, they were questioned by Miami-Dade police officers.”

In December 2024, American Airlines settled a lawsuit brought by three Black men who made similar claims as Williams and Shasholka, namely that false allegations by other passengers led to consequences for them, despite their innocence regarding what they were accused of: unpleasant body odor.

Although the airline indicated that particular settlement “allows all parties to move forward and focus on what matters most — ensuring a safe and inclusive travel experience for every customer,” this newest lawsuit casts doubt on exactly how committed the airline is to upholding that goal.

Rand told The New York Times that the lawsuit is yet another indication that “American Airlines’ pattern of racial discrimination of its passengers is intolerable” and is another example that the airline participates in racial profiling.

In 2017, the NAACP issued an advisory to Black travelers about flying American, which was prompted by four reports of racial discrimination, the Times reported.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 21, 2025

Tracy Morgan Felt ‘Culturally Isolated’ During First 3 Years on SNL, ‘The Whitest Show in America’

The legendary comedian said things changed after a talk with Lorne Michaels.

Tracy Morgan is a legend on Saturday Night Live, but the famed comedian said he felt “culturally isolated” on the show as he was one of the few Black cast members at the time.

The SNL alumnus opened up in Peacock’s docuseries, SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. When Morgan joined the iconic comedy show in 1996, he became only the ninth Black cast member in its history. While his standout performances cemented his place on the show, they came at a cost.

“I wanted to show them my world, how funny it was. But the first three years, I felt like I was being culturally isolated sometimes,” Morgan shared, according to People.

“I’m coming from a world of Blacks. I’m an inner-city kid. To be on the whitest show in America, I felt by myself. I felt like they weren’t getting it.”

His mindset eventually shifted after having an honest chat with producer Lorne Michaels.

“He said, ‘Tracy, I hired you because you’re funny, not because you’re Black. So just do your thing.’ And that’s when I started doing my thing,” Morgan recalled.

Morgan starred on SNL from 1996 to 2003. He followed in the footsteps of Garrett Morris (part of the inaugural cast), Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Yvonne Hudson (the show’s first Black female cast member), and Tim Meadows (whom Morgan worked with), among others.

SNL was a big break for Morgan, who had teased his talent in small roles on the hit sitcom Martin, as well as in films A Thin Line Between Love and Hate and Half Baked.

Morgan returned to the NBC family three years later to star with former SNL costar Tina Fey on the acclaimed sitcom 30 Rock (2006-2013). His work on the show earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2009.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 21, 2025

Issa Rae’s Buddy Comedy Starring Keke Palmer and Sza Boasts Impressive Opening Weekend

The Issa Rae-produced comedy made $14 million over the long weekend.

The results are in on the Issa Rae-produced One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and Sza, and moviegoers are loving it! The comedy finished second at the box office, behind Mufasa but surpassing Blumhouse’s Wolf Man.

The Sony feature brought in $14 million over the 4-day weekend, earned an A- CinemaScore, an 84% positive audience rating, a 63% definite recommend score on PostTrak, and a Rotten Tomatoes critical and audience score of 96% and 94%, Deadline reports.

Directed by Lawrence Lamont and produced by Rae, the film follows two roommates forced into a wild neighborhood adventure after Alyssa (Sza) gives their rent money to her boyfriend, who keeps it for himself. Alyssa and her roommate Dreux (Palmer) race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.

It was a labor of love for Rae and Lamont, who drew inspiration from classics like Ice Cube’s Friday when crafting the Black female-led buddy comedy.

“It means everything,” Rae told Huff Post.

“I think that’s what true friendship is,” Lamont added. “Drew and Alyssa, from day one on the page, felt like two girls that we just knew we grew up with. They might argue, but at the end of the day, they’re gonna love and uplift each other.”

Women are particularly enjoying the film, awarding it a 93% rating on PostTrak, with women under 25 giving it an impressive 97%. The film’s relatability, combined with the A+ performances of Sza and Palmer, was no surprise, as Rae and Lamont drew inspiration from their real-life personalities when developing the characters.

“You just know these people. And that was important to us to just make sure that we had elements of who Keke is and who SZA is, to put in these characters and make them whole,” Rae said.

Trump, Black History Month, Tiger Woods, grants, whitney Plantation,

by Stacy Jackson

January 21, 2025

Trump Orders Federal Employees To Return To The Office

On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to immediately terminate all remote arrangements.

Federal employees will no longer be able to work remotely due to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office.

The Jan. 20 mandate requires all federal agencies to “take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis.”

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Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman wasted no time, requiring all workers to return to in-person duties.

Huffman noted the total number of hours of remote work done in 2024: 28.9% for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 24.4% for U.S. Coast Guard personnel, and 39.7% for the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency.

“These numbers are unacceptable,” Huffman said. “It is the policy of this agency for employees to work at their duty station—whether in an office or the field—to the maximum extent.”

Huffman is requiring all DHS officials who have not returned to in-person duties to provide documentation within 30 days. Possible reasons for continuing remote work due to “lack of adequate office space, physical inability of the employee, or a legal impediment,” he wrote.

Reuters reported that on Monday that the White House revealed only 6% of federal employees currently report to work in person. An August White House Office of Management and Budget report estimated that around 1.1 million people are eligible to work remotely, and over 200,000 are fully remote.

The U.S. Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services accounted for having the most remote employees.

JP Morgan Chase ignited an uproar from several employees after the company ended remote options and required existing workers to return to the office full-time.

Remote positions became a popular option for workers nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. In November, Elon Musk condemned the “COVID-era privilege” of telework. It stated that “requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome.”

Trump’s executive order may provoke legal challenges and pushback because an estimated 26% of federal employees are unionized or covered by bargaining agreements.

by Stacy Jackson

January 21, 2025

Tara M. Lyons Appointed Acting US Attorney For Southern District of Georgia

As Acting U.S. Attorney, Lyons became the first Black woman to hold a top law enforcement job in the the Southern District of Georgia.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara M. Lyons has been appointed Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia (SDGA), making her the first Black woman to serve in the role as the district’s chief federal law enforcement officer.

The Evans, Georgia resident officially commenced the role as of Jan. 18, continuing a 20-year career with the U.S. Department of Justice, which recognized her as the first Black woman to hold a “top law enforcement job” in the the Southern District of Georgia. According to a press release from the federal agency, as Acting U.S. Attorney, Lyons will oversee the prosecuting of federal crimes for the district, defend the U.S. in civil cases, and collect debts owed to the U.S. Her responsibilities include leading the team of over 70 attorneys and staff for the Southern District of Georgia, which spans 43 Georgia counties and the cities of Savannah, Augusta, and Brunswick.

Lyons’ wealth of experience follows a longtime career with the Department of Justice where she handled cases affiliated with federal crimes, human trafficking, and child pornography. In previous roles as the District of South Carolina’s Project Sentry Coordinator and the Southern District of Georgia’s Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and Civil Rights Coordinator, Lyons handled cases connected to gun violence, childhood exploitation, and civil rights violations. She held positions as a law clerk for Henry F. Floyd, Public Defender in Richland County, South Carolina, attorney advisor for the U.S. Attorney’s Executive Office, District of South Carolina’s Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division the Southern District of Georgia’s Deputy Chief in the Criminal Division.

In April 2023, she began service as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and was recognized in January 2024 with the 70^th Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. The award, which is noted as the second-highest in the agency, was distributed to Lyons and other staff members for their work on the Ahmaud Arbery case.

Lyons assumed her new role with the district following former U.S. Attorney General Jill Steinberg, who announced her resignation on Jan. 8.

customer, hairdresser, word of mouth, survey, complaint, learn, lesson, interact

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 21, 2025

Study: Hair Satisfaction Plays A Major Role In Black Girls‘ Mental Health

The study showed how hair satisfaction played a major role in Black girls' mental health, specifically.

A new study has revealed how the mental health of Black girls can depend on their satisfaction with their hair.

According to UConn research published in Body Image, 193 adolescent girls identifying as Black, white, and Latina were asked about their satisfaction with their appearance. The study also asked the girls about their experience with discrimination and symptoms associated with depression.

The study found that hair perception was the only area that varied among the racial groups. The Black participants specifically faced the most discrimination in regard to hair. Furthermore, the study concluded that hair discrimination and subsequent dissatisfaction predicted more depressive symptoms in Black girls.

“Black adolescent girls, significantly beyond their white peers and their Latina peers, were more likely to experience hair-related discrimination and hair-related dissatisfaction,” says Adenique Lisse, a Black graduate student at UConn studying clinical psychology. “That hair dissatisfaction was more likely to lead to increased feelings of depression compared to their peers.”

Given her own identity, Lisse wanted to explore how specific physical appearances mattered in the well-being of Black girls. She found that body image did not weigh as heavily for this racial group as opposed to white adolescent girls. Hair, however, has been an ongoing issue in the perception, and even policing, of Black girls and people in general.

“That made me think about my own experience growing up and how much conversation there is within the Black community about hair,” explained Lisse. “Recently, we’ve been seeing a movement for more hair acceptance and talking about that a lot more within different spaces.”

Lisse noted that modern movements sought to diversify messaging surrounding natural hair. The PhD student believes that these shifts have helped Black girls accept and take pride in their diverse hair textures, even when initial societal preferences championed looser curl patterns.

“A lot of Black adolescent girls may not have hair like that—they might have hair that is more coily in texture, and that leaves room for discrimination and microaggressions,” Lisse says.

However, the study participants provided a limited scope given the girls’ location in a Connecticut city. Despite this, its findings still could shed light on broader issues across the nation for Black girls and finding ways to directly address them. Ultimately, this may lead to eliminating the mental health stressors and depression triggers for teen Black girls.

“There has been more work within the last decade or so to kind of combat racial discrimination at work and school pertaining to hair,” added Lisse. “I think that this opens up a conversation about what more can be done, whether that’s things parents can do or teachers can do within the school because a lot of the messaging that we see happens among peers as well.”

With this in mind, Lisse is continuing her research and encouraging more cultural analysis in future studies regarding race.

Mayor Eric Adams, Pro-Palestinian Protestors, Columbia University, Arrests

by Daniel Johnson

January 21, 2025

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Cancels MLK Appearances For Trump Inauguration

New York Public Advocate Jumanne Williams had some harsh criticism of Adams, indicating that the mayor continually disappoints the citizens of New York City.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams abruptly canceled all of his Martin Luther King Jr. Day appearances to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s second inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20.

According to The Gothamist, New York City Hall released the mayor’s updated schedule on the morning of the inauguration. The schedule indicated that he had canceled his appearances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Convent Avenue Baptist Church, which were formerly scheduled as Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations.

According to Adams’ spokesperson, Kayla Mamelak, Adams received a late invite from Trump’s Middle East envoy, which she indicated came after midnight.

Fabian Levy, Adams’ deputy mayor for communications, posted some context on his social media account for the mayor’s abrupt change of plans.

In the early hours of Monday morning, the Trump administration reached out inviting Mayor Adams to attend the inauguration at the incoming administration’s request. Mayor Adams accepted on behalf of New York City.
— Fabien Levy (@Fabien_Levy) January 20, 2025

“In the early hours of Monday morning, the Trump administration reached out, inviting Mayor Adams to attend the inauguration at the incoming administration’s request. Mayor Adams accepted on behalf of New York City,” Levy wrote.

He continued, “As the mayor has repeatedly said, America has chosen a new national leader, and we must work together to build a safer, stronger, and more affordable in New York City.”

Adams, who has reportedly been seeking favor from Trump, likely in hopes of being granted a presidential pardon, has been criticized by Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the mayor’s most prominent supporters, for his lack of candor about why he accepted a last-minute invitation from Trump.

”To say you’re not going to raise your eyebrows would be being dishonest,” Sharpton said during an appearance on MSNBC on Jan. 20. “I think this is going to cause a lot of us to say, ‘What is this all about?’”

According to City & State, two days before, Sharpton addressed Adams at a National Action Network rally held in honor of Dr. King’s legacy.

Sharpton has long compared his activism to King’s, advocating nonviolent and principled resistance to racism.

“Our elected officials have got to talk to the president – I’ve got to walk on the president,” Sharpton said at the rally. “But be careful of people that will manipulate and use your presence in a way that is against the interests of your people. And we should be careful not to let them turn us against each other.”

Sharpton then directly addressed Adams, who had called to ask if he should attend the event.

“You come every year, and you’ve got to come this year,’” Sharpton said he told Adams. “‘I don’t know what Trump did to you down there. If he did something to you, I can baptize you again. I might have to put you down in the water this time,’” Sharpton said as the crowd laughed.

According to CBS News, at a Martin Luther King Day event in Harlem, the community noted Adams’ absence. It criticized him for seeming to swear fealty to the incoming Republican administration.

New York Public Advocate Jumanne Williams harshly criticized Adams, telling the outlet that Adams continually disappointed the citizens of New York City.

“Every time I think I can’t be more stunned and disappointed with this mayor, he says, yes, you can. You want to work with any administration to make sure you get the best that you can for the people of New York City, so that’s an important part,” Williams said before continuing. “You also want to make sure, if there are policies that are going to harm the residents of New York City, that you’re building up barriers for that to happen, and that’s where I think this mayor has failed miserably.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 21, 2025

Not So Fast: ACLU Fights Back Against Trump’s Executive Order On Birthright Citizenship

Trump’s order is instructed to take effect in the next 30 days

Lawsuits from advocacy groups led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have already started to pile in after one of Donald Trump’s first executive orders targeted birthright citizenship, as reported by USA Today

The suit, filed Jan. 20, challenges Trump’s executive order to eliminate the automatic citizenship given to children born in the United States. In his order, citizenship would be denied to children born to mothers and fathers presented as illegal immigrants when they were born, or if the parents’ presence was temporary. As the move is part of a swift strategy to combat immigration, the lawsuit from New Hampshire is fighting back to protect the rights given by the 14th Amendment. “Denying citizenship to U.S.-born children is not only unconstitutional − it’s also a reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values,” ACLU’s executive director Anthony Romero said in a statement.

“This order seeks to repeat one of the gravest errors in American history, by creating a permanent subclass of people born in the U.S. who are denied full rights as Americans.”

Trump’s order is instructed to take effect in the next 30 days and prompts the Social Security Administration to stop recognizing the children as citizens and for the State Department to stop issuing passports. However, legal experts warn the President may be in over his head with this issue.

The amendment was established during the Civil War so former slaves and their children were recognized as citizens but, according to NBC News, anti-immigrant advocates have used an alternative interpretation, which Trump has focused on. The order attacks language pertaining to birthright citizenship catering to those “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States.

“I expect the Trump administration to face substantial pushback from the courts when it takes illegal actions that are properly challenged in court,” Jonathan Adler, a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, said.

Trump’s amended language pushes the narrative for children born of parents who did not enter the country legally to be denied citizenship, but a majority of legal experts highlight the language only referring to people not bound by U.S. law, usually foreign diplomats.

Such fights have already been battled out in the Supreme Court. In 1898, the high court never directly ruled on the issue in the case of The United States v. Wong Kim Ark, after ruling a man born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a U.S. citizen. Co-executive director of the advocacy group Make the Road New York, Theo Oshiro, condemned Trump’s moves, labeling birthright citizenship as “a cornerstone of our democracy.” To deny their children the same basic rights as all other children born in the United States is an affront to basic values of fairness, equality, and inclusivity,” he continued.

The 47th President is already receiving pushback from Democratic leaders, including Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong, who professed the state will be “the first to sue” and has “every confidence we will win.”