Jamaica, travel, violent crimes, Jamaican restaurant
by Kandiss Edwards

January 9, 2025

Toronto To Celebrate ‘Jamaica In January’

'Jamaica In January' a Caribbean food festival returns for a second year.

“Jamaica In January” is celebrating its second year in Toronto, as the first few weeks of winter bring dropping temperatures and the arrival of snow.

Canadians will again gather to celebrate Caribbean culture, despite the chill, blogTO reported. Jamaican Eats Magazine is organizing the “Jamaica In January” festival, which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 18, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST.

The festival is led by Grace Cameron, who discussed the 2024 event’s success and her predictions for 2025.

“Despite the bitter cold and predictions of a snowstorm, the reception last year was amazing,” Cameron said. “We had several hundred people, and some started arriving before the noon start time.”

Jamaican Eats Magazine, dedicated to showcasing Caribbean cuisine, organizes various events to highlight the cultural diversity of the Caribbean people.

This year’s event includes drum circles, a performance by Jamaican folklorist Miss Tania, and an exciting game of Jeopardy!.

The festival will culminate in the “Grudge Match: Jamaica vs. Trinidad and Tobago,” a culinary showdown between Trini chef Lovina Smith and Jamaican chef Nicholas Douglas. The competition promises to bring intense flavors and fierce rivalry as these chefs go head-to-head in a battle for supremacy.

“Jamaica In January” not only provides a chance for Canadians to explore Caribbean culture but serves as a testament to the growing appreciation for this vibrant heritage.

If you’re in the Toronto area and not in the mood for Caribbean food, there are plenty of other culinary options to explore up north.  BLACK ENTERPRISE has documented a few must-visit food establishments that will make your trip memorable. For a full list, click here.

RELATED CONTENT: Caribox Gifting Company Honors Its Heritage By Launching A Caribbean-Themed Line Of Gift Boxes

MLK, BAM EVENT
by Stacy Jackson

January 9, 2025

Brooklyn Academy Of Music To Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At 39th Annual Tribute Event

BAM's annual tribute to Dr. King will gather community members, artists, and civic leaders for a day of activism, music, and activities.

BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso will welcome artists, activists, and community members to BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House on Monday, Jan. 20, for the 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

According to a press release, the annual event is “New York City’s largest celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. King.”

The event will feature performances in remembrance of the late civil rights activist’s journey toward justice and equality. Kiri Moore of Ailey II will perform an excerpt from the former Alvin Ailey artistic director Judith Jamison’s 1984 choreographic work, Divining.

The intergenerational pop-up choir community, The Fire Ensemble, will perform its blend of gospel, soul, and musical theater. The choir, founded by Kentucky-born composer Troy Anthony, centers BIPOC and queer voices who perform works rooted in predominantly Black musical styles. During this year’s event, the choir welcomes community members to participate in its tribute performance. (Individuals interested in lending their voices are encouraged to sign up to attend rehearsals.)

The youngest member of the Little Rock Nine, Carlotta Walls LaNier, will deliver a keynote address, sharing her historic journey in desegregating Central High School in 1957.

BAMKids will present If “You Can’t Be the Sun, Be a Star!” The interactive event invites families to participate in mural-making, a vintage photo booth and movement workshops as they reflect on Dr. King’s legacy.

A screening of Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, a documentary that explores the work of South African photographer Ernest Cole, will take place at 1:00 p.m. at BAM Rose Cinemas.

BAM’s 39th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. King is free and open to the public. For more information on tickets, seating, and a complete list of events, visit BAM.org.

Check out highlights from last year’s tribute.

RELATED CONTENT: Airbnb Rolls Out Anti-Party Precautions Ahead Of New Year’s Celebrations

Whoopi Goldberg, millennials
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 9, 2025

Whoopi Goldberg, Ketanji Brown Jackson Among Literary Nominees for NAACP Image Awards

The literary nominees for the 56th NAACP Image Awards face fierce competition.

Whoopi Goldberg, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Joy-Ann Reid, and others will compete for Outstanding Literary Work at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.

The 2025 NAACP Image Awards nominees were announced on Jan. 7, featuring nine literary categories—eight Outstanding Literary Work awards for various genres and one Outstanding Graphic Novel category—that honor diverse genres and authors, Variety reports.

The Outstanding Literary Work –Biography/Autobiography competition is intense, featuring powerhouse Black women and a posthumous nomination vying for the win.

Among the nominees are Goldberg’s Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me, Jackson’s Lovely One: A Memoir, and Reid’s Medgar and Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America.

Nominated in the Outstanding Literary Work–Fiction category are A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams, Grown Woman by Sarai Johnson, Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver, One of Us Knows: A Thriller by Alyssa Cole, and What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris.

Grown Woman, which tells the story of four generations of Black women working to move forward and heal from past trauma, also earned Johnson a second nomination in the Outstanding Literary Work—Debut Author.

The Outstanding Literary Work–Nonfiction five nominations include A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit: The Vision of Mary McLeod Bethune by Noliwe Rooks, The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times Magazine, and The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America by Larry Tye.

Additional literary categories include Outstanding Literary Work—Instructional, for which Tabitha Brown earned a nomination for her book I Did a New Thing: 30 Days to Living Free (A Feeding the Soul Book), as well as Loving Your Black Neighbor as Yourself by Chantee Griffin and Black Joy Playbook: 30 Days of Intentionally Reclaiming Your Delight by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts.

Other categories to be celebrated include Outstanding Literary Work–Poetry, Outstanding Literary Work–Children, Outstanding Literary Work–Youth/Teens, and Outstanding Graphic Novel.

Taraji P. Henson received a nomination in the children’s book category for You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!): A Lil TJ Book. Poetry and children’s fiction writer Kwame Alexander received two nominations, one for This Is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets in the Poetry category and another for Black Star: The Door of No Return in the Youth/Teens category.

Winners will be revealed on Feb. 22 during the Image Awards’ two-hour live broadcast from the Pasadena Civic Center, airing on BET and CBS. This year’s theme is “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence.”

RELATED CONTENT: ‘The New Brownies’ Book’ Wins NAACP Image Award For Outstanding Nonfiction

SNAP, NYC bodega, Dia Alqalisi,Dawood Kassim
by Kandiss Edwards

January 9, 2025

SNAP Increases Income Eligibility Requirements

More Americans will qualify for SNAP benefits as income requirements increase.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has slightly increased its income eligibility limits for 2025.

The guidance, released by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, was adjusted based on national poverty levels. The program helps individuals and families living at or below the poverty line. The amount of aid provided depends on income, location, and household size.

2025 (NET) Income requirements: 

Single-person household:

  • $1,255 – 48 states, District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
  • $1,568 – Alaska 
  • $1,443 – Hawaii 

Two-person household:

  • $1,704  -48 states, District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
  • $2,129 – Alaska
  • $1,959 -Hawaii

Three-person household:

  •  $2,152 – 48 states, District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
  •  $2,690 – Alaska 
  •  $2,475 – Hawaii 

The increase in food benefits comes at a crucial time for American citizens. According to the Inflation Calculator, the current inflation rate for goods and services is 2.7%, a 0.1% increase from 2023.

In October 2024, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that hackers had stolen Georgia’s SNAP food benefits. Many recipients have reported not receiving their monthly allotments of funds. Following an investigation by the local USDA, it was revealed that hackers had been obtaining benefit information through a phone scam.

“Children hungry,” Branaita Jones, a SNAP recipient, said. “I want to cry so bad. It hurt my feelings so bad when they took my stamps.”

DHS Commissioner Candice Broc said the scam had been ongoing. Initially reported in January 2023, Georgia’s Department of Human Services (DHS) issued an advisory to beneficiaries after receiving multiple reports of criminals using fraudulent text messages to obtain EBT card numbers and PINs to steal SNAP benefits.

Because the federal government partially funds SNAP benefits, Georgia sought and received approval to replace the stolen benefits, which was announced in October 2023.

RELATED CONTENT: Food Insecurity Plagues Atlanta’s Elderly Population, Mayor Andre Dickens Takes Action

Thaksin_Shinawatra, Thailand, racist, noses, African
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 8, 2025

Former Thailand Prime Minister Faces Backlash For Alleged Racist Jab Toward African Women 

African women are beautiful regardless of what anyone says!

The former prime minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is under fire for alleged racist undertones by describing African women as “black with flat noses,” South China Morning Post reported. 

During a political rally on Jan. 5, Shinawatra spoke about the struggle that women in the country go through to become models – since Thai women look better than African women. The billionaire politician highlighted the desire for his Pheu Thai party to promote “pretty” Thai women as runway icons in the fashion industry, as African women with “black with flat noses” land modeling gigs first. 

“African people, who have black skin and flat noses that make it difficult to breathe, are hired for millions of baht to be models,” he allegedly said while claiming Thai girls are prettier without a need for plastic surgery. 

“It’s time to encourage more Thais, including those from ethnic groups like the Karen, who possess natural beauty, to become international models.”

Thai leadership issued a statement demanding that the former Pheu Thai leader issue an apology, as the nation doesn’t stand for discrimination. Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit called the remarks a “serious matter internationally” and called for Shinawatra’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who took over the ranks of prime minister in August 2024, to push for the comments to never be repeated again. “Discrimination against an individual based on their skin color is a big problem. I want Thaksin to apologize for his remarks,” Angkhana said. 

“I hope the prime minister will not ignore the issue and let it pass.” 

However, Paetongtarn issued a statement defending her father. She pushed that her father’s intentions were to encourage Thai women not to waste money on cosmetic surgery in order to be deemed eligible for beauty contests when he allegedly said, “Teenage girls here are prettier.”

“They need no cosmetic surgery on their noses or chins,” the former prime minister allegedly said at the rally, according to The Nation Thailand. 

Paetongtarn claimed that if people would just listen to what he is saying, they would realize he wasn’t being racist. “I’m 100% confident that he had no intention of making a racist comment. Dad has always said that Thai women don’t need plastic surgery, as we have our own unique style of beauty,” she said.

“This was his intention. You must listen to the entire original clip. I’m confident that Dad has never looked down on [African women]. He does not normally look down on other people.”

His comments don’t seem to be bothering any members of the Pheu Thai party, as they are excited about Shinawatra’s return to the political world. He returned to the kingdom in August 2023 after 15 years of self-exile.

“We are waiting for his confirmation. We want him to help campaign for votes as he did in Chiang Rai,” a contestant in the Sisaket provincial election, Hotrawaisaya Wiwatchai, said.

RELATED CONTENT: Power Restored To 98% Of Puerto Rico After New Years’ Eve Blackout

Bourbon Street , Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, New Orleans, New Year's Eve,
by Kandiss Edwards

January 8, 2025

New Orleans Moves Forward With Hosting Super Bowl LIX And Mardi Gras With SEAR-1 Security

President Biden give New Orleans SEAR-1 rating for Mardi Gras season.

President Joe Biden has granted the city of New Orleans a Special Event Assessment Rating of 1 (SEAR-1) ahead of hosting Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 3 and the annual Mardi Gras celebration following the New Year’s mass tragedy, according to MSN.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the designation on Jan. 6 during the 2025 Mardi Gras season kickoff at Mardi Gras World. The SEAR-1 designation allows the city to receive federal resources to enhance security.

The SEAR-1 rating is granted based on national security importance. While New Orleans typically receives a SEAR-2 designation due to the large crowds during Mardi Gras, the recent New Year’s attack that killed 14 innocent people will increase the federal assistance provided to the city.

Cantrell discussed the designation during the kickoff of Carnival season, emphasizing her commitment to ensuring the city’s safety for residents and visitors.

“Mardi Gras 2025 is going to be the safest ever,” Cantrell said.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick supported Cantrell’s statement, adding that the show must go on to honor “the spirit of the city.” With proper safety measures, Kirkpatrick and Cantrell hope to keep their promises.

The Department of Homeland Security outlined several measures that will be implemented to support local law enforcement, including:

  • Explosive detection canine teams
  • Cyber risk assessments
  • Venue screening and field intelligence teams
  • Air security and tactical operations support

Cantrell has been seeking a SEAR-1 rating for Mardi Gras since 2019. Mardi Gras is a major carnival event that attracts tourists worldwide. An estimated 100 million people are expected to visit the city during the 2025 season. Super Bowl LIX will be held at the Caesars Superdome, which has a seating capacity of 73,000.

RELATED CONTENT: New Orleans Terror Attack Suspect Filmed Previous Visit To City On Halloween

Express Newark, Jasmine Mans, Poetry
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 8, 2025

Newark Starts Search For Its First-Ever Poet Laureate 

'Verse and spoken word is in our blood – and I am proud that Newark is adding this Poet Laureate program as a heartbeat at our center,' said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

Newark, New Jersey, is looking for its first Poet Laureate, and if you are in the area, now’s your chance to apply.

The City of Newark has just announced that it is accepting applications for its inaugural Poet Laureate. This will be the first time the Jersey town is looking for someone whose primary role is to promote the literary arts for the residents of Newark.

“Poetry is something Newarkers celebrate when we come together, and it’s a valuable part of our culture as a community,” said Mayor Ras Baraka in a written statement. “Verse and spoken word is in our blood – and I am proud that Newark is adding this Poet Laureate program as a heartbeat at our center.”

Through this new program, every two years a local poet will serve in the Laureate role. That person will be summoned to inspire and encourage Newark residents in their creative expressions through their writing and personal expression, while bringing attention to poetry in less traditional settings. They will also start and incorporate dialogue between local poets, cultural organizations, and community institutions.

Professional poets who are based in Newark have until Monday, February 3, to be considered for the 2025-26 Poet Laureate role. A selection committee will evaluate all entries and choose top candidates based on the excellence of their poetic work, their experience with community engagement, and their capacity to encourage public appreciation and participation in poetry. The final candidates will be interviewed, and a selection will be made in March.

The person selected will serve a two-year term as Poet Laureate for calendar years 2025-26. They will receive an honorarium of $5,000 per year while working with a programmatic budget of up to $10,000 per year, which is to be administered by the City’s Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

“The Newark Public Library is thrilled to support a Poet Laureate for our city. Newark’s literary history is significant, and you only have to walk into the library to see it,” said Newark Public Library Director Christian Zabriskie, “We hope that this program will bring a new generation of poetry alive in our city and will create new songs and stories for our shelves for years to come.”

Anyone who thinks they can perform in that role can submit an application at https://cityofnewark-arts.submittable.com/submit. If there are any questions about the position, the City of Newark Arts & Cultural Affairs Director, Fayemi Shakur, can be contacted at shakurf@ci.newark.nj.us.

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Karmelo Anthony, ,Ohio judge, Tammy Hayward, racial Discrimination, Jefferson County Judge Tracy Davis, Kentucky, georgia, mother, man
by Mitti Hicks

January 8, 2025

Judge Orders UnitedHealth To Pay Millions For Misleading Insurance Customers

The history of this case dates back to 2006 when the then-Attorney General sued HealthMarkets for reported misleading marketing tactics. 

A judge has ordered three UnitedHealth-owned insurance companies to pay more than $165 million following a lawsuit that alleges the companies misled customers into paying for additional health insurance.

Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Helene Kazanjian said HealthMarkets, acquired by UnitedHealth in 2019, and two subsidiaries deceived thousands of Massachusetts customers into buying supplemental policies. Judge Kazanjia said the insurers intentionally targeted “vulnerable customers who could least afford their products” and described their actions as “particularly egregious,” InsuranceNewsNet reported.

The lawsuit against UnitedHealth companies dates back to 2006, when the then-Attorney General accused HealthMarkets of misleading marketing tactics. The state reopened the case in 2020, alleging that the company violated the state’s consumer protection law. The state charged the insurance companies with deceptively leading consumers into buying more than $43.5 million in insurance products and violating a prior consent judgment that protected consumers.

Judge Orders Insurance Company To Pay Millions Following Lawsuit

The Superior Court found the insurance companies liable for violating the consent judgment and the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act in 2022. According to the court, the insurance companies deceived consumers about their sales agents, insurance products, advertisements that claimed sales agents were objective, and misrepresentation that sales agents represented all insurance carriers involved in the suit when they did not.

All three companies are based in Texas but have operated in Massachusetts and other states. The court ordered the companies to pay $50 million in restitution for consumers and $115 million in civil penalties.

The judge’s ruling comes after UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was murdered outside a New York City hotel. Since his death, there has been an outpouring of criticism from Americans toward the insurance industry. Social media users voiced their frustrations about a “broken system,” accusing insurance companies of denying medical claims.

In a statement to Insurance NewsNet, UnitedHealthcare said it plans to appeal the judgment.

“We disagree with the Massachusetts court’s latest ruling in the litigation involving the HealthMarkets companies,” a spokesperson said. “The fundamental errors in this ruling compound those already made by the trial court earlier in this case and have resulted in a decision unsupported by the evidence and contrary to established Massachusetts law.”

RELATED CONTENT: Power Restored To 98% Of Puerto Rico After New Year’s Eve Blackout

Tasha K., Cardi B
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 8, 2025

Tasha K Accuses Cardi B Of Lying After Rapper Claims She’s Hiding Money

Tasha K filed bankruptcy a year after being ordered to pay $3.4 million to Cardi B.

Tasha K is firing back at Cardi B after the rapper accused her of hiding money to avoid paying their court settlement.

TMZ reports the infamous blogger claimed Cardi was bullying her and attempting to interfere with a bankruptcy case she filed in 2023. Tasha K filed for bankruptcy a year after losing a defamation case launched by the “Bodak” rapper.

Cardi took legal action after Tasha K repeatedly slandered her name on social media. Cardi shared how Tasha falsely stated she had a drug addiction and multiple STIs, as well as called her a prostitute. A judge ordered Tasha K to pay the $3.4 million she still owes to the New York native. However, she says she cannot deliver this number.

Cardi, however, is not letting Tasha off the hook that easily. She filed a motion for a judge to dismiss the bankruptcy case. Her team claimed Tasha transferred assets and additional income to her husband’s name. She alleges that the blogger has some money stored in offshore accounts.

Cardi also called out the perception of wealth Tasha seemingly displays on social media. She urged the judge not to allow Tasha to finesse her way out of paying the lofty sum on these allegations.

In response to the motion, Tasha believes Cardi is trying to thwart her from presenting the bankruptcy case to court. Moreover, the blogger claims that Cardi wants to drain her bank account and halt how she makes a living. She says the mother of three hopes to set conditions restricting what she can say publicly on her blog and other pages.

Cardi’s motion also wants to forbid Tasha from re-filing for bankruptcy for two years if approved. The rapper has remained steadfast in her quest to get every dollar granted from her successful lawsuit.

RELATED CONTENT: Cardi B Subpoenas Tasha K’s Husband

Dwight Howard, Shaq
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 8, 2025

Dwight Howard Wanted To Throw Hands With Shaquille O’Neal

Howard recently revealed that at one time, he wanted to go up the TNT Studios to fight Shaq

The on-and-off feud between former basketball players continues as Dwight Howard stated that, at one time, he wanted to go up the TNT Studios to confront Shaquille O’Neal.

Howard appeared on Ray Daniels’ podcast, The Gaudz Show and discussed his beef with Shaq, which has been ongoing for several years. His complaints stem fromf the former Los Angles Lakers superstar making Howard the butt of numerous jokes and Howard saying he was sick of it.

“I was finna roll up to the studio and be like, ‘Yo, what’s the deal?  At this point, it’s like, do we need to throw hands… If we got to fight it out, then let’s fight it out… There’s so many people that we can bring together but yet you have an attitude about what? You are 50-something years old, almost twice my elder,” Howard shared

“Every conversation and every time I hear or see something about you it’s you disrespecting me on some kind of level. You’re not in the NBA, you did your time, and I did my time, and we still going along with pettiness, and at what point does it stop?”

Shaq apparently got wind of Howard’s words and sent him a message via social media. He accused Howard of being a “sensitive big man” who couldn’t take a joke, so he assured him that he will never say his name again and proclaimed him “deleted.”

Howard responded by telling Shaq that he has been “hating and talking sh** for 20 years” and called him insecure, while also saying that Shaq is jealous of other NBA greats like Kobe Bryant, Charles Barkley, Dwyane Wade, and Penny Hardaway.

Shaq hit back by calling him a “podcast boy” and claiming that Howard needed views and Shaq’s validation. He then questioned him by asking, “how will you be remembered.”

Coincidentally, both big men played for the Los Angeles Lakers (both won championships with LA) and the Orlando Magic at different times.

RELATED CONTENT: Dwight Howard Hopes to Rejoin Lakers After Learning Convicted Ex-Agent Lied About $7M Offer

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