by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 22, 2025

Top Civil Rights Leaders Meet In D.C. For Emergency Discussion On The Assault Of DEI

The roundtable is open to the public and is available on streaming platforms.

As Donald Trump begins his second stint in the White House with an assault on DEI, the nation’s top civil and human rights leaders will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 22, for an emergency strategy session and public forum to defend equal opportunity for all.

The Demand Diversity Roundtable convenes at 11:30 a.m Eastern at the National Press Club, Holman Lounge, 529 14th St NW, Washington, D.C.

Moderated by National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, the lively, rapid-fire, 90-minute roundtable will focus on confronting the disinformation campaign to discredit diversity, equity, and inclusion, exposing the myths used to divide communities, setting the record straight with facts, and reaffirming participants’ unwavering commitment to justice, unity, and the values that strengthen our nation.

The event will stream live on NUL.org, Livestream.com, Facebook, and YouTube.

The civil rights leaders participating are:

Marc H. Morial, National Urban League

Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network

Melanie Campbell, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation

Janai Nelson, NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Damon Hewitt, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, National Council of Negro Women

Margaret Huang, Southern Poverty Law Center

Juan Proaño, League of United Latin American Citizens

Gregg Orton, National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans

Kelley Robinson, Human Rights Commission

Virginia Kase Solomón, Common Cause

Maya Berry, Arab American Institute

Sheila Katz, National Council of Jewish Women

Amy Spitalnick, Jewish Council for Public Affairs

Brenda Castillo, National Hispanic Media Coalition

Alphonso David, Global Black Economic Forum

BLACK ENTERPRISE will rebroadcast the event on Facebook and YouTube.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 22, 2025

Ben Crump, NAACP Sue Southern California Electric For Eaton Fire Victims In Altadena

Altadena is one of Southern California's most historic Black communities.

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and the NAACP are going after Southern California Electric on behalf of victims who lost their lives and homes in the devastating Eaton fire in separate lawsuits.

On January 15, Crump filed the first lawsuit—a wrongful death claim against Southern California Edison (SCE), the utility provider for Altadena and surrounding areas—on behalf of Evelyn Cathirell, the mother of Evelyn “Petey” McClendon, who died in the Eaton Fire, Afro reports. The fire tore through Altadena and neighboring Pasadena, destroying over 7,000 structures, scorching 14,000 acres, and killing at least 24 people.

“We don’t take it lightly: this responsibility of making sure this Black angel, Evelyn McClendon, gets full justice and accountability,” Crump said at a press conference. “We don’t want anybody to marginalize her.”

One day later, the NAACP joined forces with Singleton Schreiber to file a lawsuit against SCE and Edison International, representing the Mahone family, whose home was completely destroyed in the Eaton Fire. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs, among many families displaced after losing everything in the fire, are seeking justice for the devastation caused by SCE’s negligence.

The lawsuit alleges that sparks from SCE’s electrical equipment ignited dry vegetation in Eaton Canyon. Despite recognizing the area as an extreme fire risk zone, the company failed to implement sufficient precautions to prevent the blaze.

Thousands were uprooted by the Eaton Fire, which tore through Altadena—one of Southern California’s most historic Black communities known for its rich history and close-knit neighborhoods. The community’s legacy now faces unprecedented devastation, with entire families having lost their homes and historic landmarks at risk.

“For over a century, the NAACP has shown up for our community in times of crisis, and this is no exception. Altadena—a community deeply rooted in Black history and homeownership— deserves justice,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a press release. “We are proud to support any effort to advance the facts and bring the truth forward in a court of law. It is our hope that the evidence is followed and just relief is provided to those impacted by the negligence of private corporations. This is far from over. We’ll see you in court.”

The NAACP hopes its lawsuit will shed light on the disproportionate disparities disasters like the Eaton Fire can have on underserved and vulnerable communities and urge the need for systemic change to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Pedro Pizarro, CEO of Edison International, said the cause of the fires is still under investigation.

by Daniel Johnson

January 22, 2025

A Pew Research Center Survey Indicates Workers Are Resistant To Returning To The Office

According to the Pew Research Center, although companies agree with Trump’s stance curtailing remote work, there are plenty of Americans who are not interested in returning to the office

Although President Donald Trump is determined to have federal workers return to the office, nearly half of the workers surveyed by the Pew Research Center indicated that they would search for a new job to continue teleworking if they were ordered to do so.

According to the Pew Research Center, although companies agree with Trump’s stance on curtailing remote work, many Americans are not interested in returning to the office and indicated they would look for a new job if forced to return to their offices.

According to its survey, three categories of workers are more inclined to leave their jobs if they are required to return to an office full-time: women, workers under 50, and full-time teleworkers.

Notably, the survey excludes self-employed workers, such as freelancers. However, it also indicates that in 2024, more workers said their employers required them to work a certain number of days per week or month than in 2023.

As might be expected, workers who work primarily or solely from home would not want a hybrid situation, and vice versa; in both cases, a solid majority (over 60%) would not want to exchange their particular work arrangements.

According to The New York Times, companies like Amazon, JPMorgan, and AT&T have been playing up the benefits of office culture in statements announcing their plans for employees to return to work.

For example, JPMorgan wrote in a memo to its employees that it would eliminate its hybrid work option.

“We know that some of you prefer a hybrid schedule and respectfully understand that not everyone will agree with this decision,” JPMorgan wrote. “We feel that now is the right time to solidify our full-time in-office approach.”

According to Harry Holzer, an economist at Georgetown University, the renewed push for a return-to-work mandate comes as employers assume they have the leverage in an economy with less need to cater to the workforce.

“It becomes like another dimension of compensation — in a really tight labor market, employees get their way more, employers might not pressure them to come back because they might want to quit,” Holzer told the New York Times. “In a labor market where there’s more slack, employers might be less worried about that.”

However, Nick Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University who studies workplace trends, told Vox in 2024 that a full-on in-office policy could backfire, particularly among young workers.

“[O]ne way this plays out is they have a ton of quits. They find it harder to hire,” Bloom told the outlet. “I know from talking to my own undergrads and MBAs that they don’t want to go in five days a week. So it’s going to be harder to hire them.”

Bloom continued, “It also turns out, if you’re hiring folks remotely, you can hire a lot better employee for your money because you’re not looking locally, you’re looking nationally or even globally.”

Alex DiLeonardo, the chief people officer for Citadel Securities, a Miami-based financial firm, indicated that the tension between in-office and telework allows companies to evaluate their roles in the social contract between an employee and an employer.

“As somebody who spent my entire career in the people space, I think it’s great that all of these different forms of working are causing organizations and societies to ask questions about how best to enable individuals to succeed in their different roles and their different careers,” DiLeonardo told Vox. “But I also think that leaves a ton of room for organizations to choose the kind of environment that they provide and be very clear in the social contract about what it means to work at this company.”

Jobs, Workplace, Resenteeism,, federal employees

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 22, 2025

Report: Employee Engagement in U.S. Reaches 10-Year Low

Are you still engaged at work?

A new report from Gallup reveals that employee engagement in the United States has reached 10-year low.

Work detachment is increasing across state lines for employees under the age of 35 in industries such as finance, technology, transportation, and professional services. Toward the end of 2024, the report showed the lowest level since 2014, with only 31% of employees being engaged compared to 17% of employees being actively disengaged.

Of approximately 79,000 U.S. employees surveyed throughout 2024, the engaged employees’ percentage dropped two points from 2023, with close to 3.2 million employees feeling less engaged. The engagement of Generation Z employees declined by five points.

“In Gallup’s trend dating back to 2000, employee engagement peaked in 2020, at 36%, following a decade of steady growth, but it has generally trended downward since then,” said Jim Harter, Gallup’s chief scientist for workplace management and well-being.

Among the 12 engagement elements studied, there were alarming drops in areas of main concern, like work expectancy. Only 46% of employees had a clear sense of what is expected of them in the workplace, which is a massive drop from 56% in March 2020. Thirty-nine percent actually felt someone at work cares about them in comparison to 47% five years ago. Lastly, compared to 36% in 2020, only 30% felt someone at work encouraged their development.

Even managers are feeling separated: only 31% admitted to being actively engaged.

The numbers have set an alarm off throughout corporations as such research will make it harder for C-Suite level executives looking to retain the right talent for certain roles, but Gallup offered some strategies.

The firm encourages companies to specify the culture and purpose of a role. Leaders should define what the team culture looks like and work with employees to align with organizational goals. In addition to training managers to heighten strong relationships with team members, it’s also recommended that executives invest in employee engagement by hiring managers who can inspire teams.

In times when productivity is low, employees want to feel seen and safe, with the result being better results in the workplace.

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.