by Sharelle B. McNair

January 7, 2025

McDonald’s Is The Latest Corporation To Dial Back DEI Initiatives After Advocating Diversity

Which company will be next?

Fast-food giant McDonald’s is the newest company to announce moves that end some of their diversity practices, The Associated Press reported.

In a statement released on Jan. 6, Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski said the company is changing the “shifting legal landscape” following a 2023 controversial ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that ruled against affirmative action. McDonald’s plans to retire targeted goals that achieve diversity at senior leadership levels. The team also intends to terminate a program that encourages suppliers to develop diversity training and increase the number of minority members represented in their leadership ranks.

Other changes include a pause in their “external surveys,” similar to other companies that are pushing back, including Lowe’s and Ford Motor Co. who suspended their participation in an annual survey by the Human Rights Campaign and a name change from McDonald’s diversity team to the Global Inclusion Team. According to CNN, the company said “this name change is more fitting for McDonald’s in light of our inclusion value and better aligns with this team’s work.”

A number of corporations terminated their diversity, equity and inclusion measures, including Harley-Davidson, Tractor Supply, Walmart and more. However, McDonald’s was once looked at as a model of upkeep policies after a slew of racial discrimination lawsuits from a group of former Black franchise owners in 2021 prompted a rise in diversity initiatives.

“As a world-leading brand that considers inclusion one of our core values, we will accept nothing less than real, measurable progress in our efforts to lead with empathy, treat people with dignity and respect, and seek out diverse points of view to drive better decision-making,” Kempczinski wrote in a LinkedIn post at the time.

But policies and pressures from the incoming Trump-Vance administration may be the reason behind the sudden change.

Some incoming cabinet members and elected officials have introduced policies that would threaten companies revenue and business practices if they keep DEI in place. Stephen Miller, Trump’s incoming deputy chief of policy, leads America First Legal, a group that has threatened to go after corporate DEI policies. During the summer of 2024, Vice President-elect JD Vance introduced a bill that will end DEI programs within the federal government realm.

But according to some diversity experts, the DEI changes aren’t going to have as much effect as people think. J. Danielle Carr, chief officer of inclusion at Lowenstein Sandler and president of the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals, says DEI isn’t being eliminated but more so just changing. “DEI isn’t going away. It’s just changing,” she said. With advanced research, her organization found that only 14 of the Fortune 500 companies made public changes to their DEI teams or programs in 2024.

Despite recent changes, McDonald’s celebrated the growth in leadership, supplier, and franchisee diversity in 2024 thanks to such previous diversity commitments. Thirty percent of the company’s U.S. employees were from underrepresented groups, while 78% gave McDonald’s a “positive” score during the employee pulse survey.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 7, 2025

These Black Celebs Are Now Ghanaian Citizens As Ghana’s ‘Year Of Return’ Program Expands

Black Americans have obtained Ghanaian citizenship through its 'Beyond The Return' program.

Black celebrities are returning to ancestral lands in an official way. Many obtained Ghanaian citizenship as the West African country continues its ‘Year Of The Return’ program.

Dr. Umar Johnson, Yandy, and Mendeecees Harris joined 500 others in a Detty December citizenship ceremony. A month prior, Ghana granted the legal status to its largest cohort of people from across the Black Diaspora. According to ABC News, the majority hailed from the United States.

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Ghana has encouraged Black people globally to reconnect with the motherland through its “Year Of The Return” program. Its 2019 launch coincided with the 400 year anniversary of when the first enslaved people arrived to America in 1619. Ghana’s Tourism Authority and the Office of Diaspora Affairs oversaw its extension and renamed it “Beyond The Return.”

For many, if not most, the designation represents more than another place to call home. It symbolizes a reclamation of one’s identity once stolen from their ancestors.

“I didn’t need (citizenship) to tell me that I’m African. Anywhere that I go in the world and someone looks at me, I’m melanated,” new Ghanaian citizen Keachia Bowers told ABC News. “But my ancestors who wanted to return and come back home, those ancestors who never made it back, that passport, for me, is for them.”

Moreover, Ghanaian citizenship provides a refuge from the racial discrimination and dangers known too well by Black Americans for hundreds of years, from Jim Crow to contemporary issues like police brutality.

“I first visited Ghana in 2015. From then on, I knew this is a place that I wanted to be and a place where I wanted to show other diasporans, African-Americans, that we have a place where we belong,” said one of the program’s participants, Deijha Gordon

Colonizers used Ghana’s “Gold Coast” to ship off enslaved Africans for what would become American slavery. Over an estimated 1 million people were taken from the area from 1501 to 1866, per Statista.

The country still features memorials that mark this unfortunate history of the slave trade. Ghana continues to foster a pipeline for Black people to reclaim their heritage.

“It just feels good to have a connection to an African country as an African-American, as a Black American,” Gordon added. “Because back in America we don’t have anything to trace our roots to but Africa. To have that connection here, I feel like I’ve done something right.”

Jamie, Foxx, Beverly Hills, birthday party

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 7, 2025

Jamie Foxx Opens Up About Near-Fatal Medical Emergency: ‘I’m A Five-Percenter’

“If sharing my story helps one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it,” Foxx said.

Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx is shedding new light on the near-fatal medical emergency that nearly claimed his life in 2023. Speaking with Variety’s Senior Culture & Events Editor Marc Malkin at the Golden Globes Red Carpet, Foxx revealed the severity of his condition and the slim odds of survival he overcame.

Foxx shared that a nurse in Atlanta dubbed him “a five-percenter,” referring to the less than 5% of patients who survive his type of severe brain bleeding and stroke. “I’m grateful every single day,” Foxx said, reflecting on the incident that left him hospitalized and fighting for his life.

Foxx’s Harrowing Ordeal

This isn’t the first time Foxx has spoken publicly about the health scare. In his Netflix comedy special, What Had Happened Was, released in December 2023, the actor opened up about the initial 15 days of his hospitalization. Foxx candidly recounted how doctors initially believed he wouldn’t survive. “I was knocking on death’s door,” he said in the special, which blends humor with deeply personal insights.

Foxx explained that the experience gave him a new perspective on life. “When you’re lying in that hospital bed, it’s not about fame or fortune — it’s about fighting to see another day,” he said.

A Resilient Recovery

Despite the dire prognosis, Foxx defied the odds. His journey to recovery included months of intensive care and therapy, during which he credited his family and medical team for their unwavering support. “The people around me — my family, my team — they kept me going,” Foxx said during the Golden Globes interview.

The 2023 health scare was a sobering chapter in Foxx’s life, one that he says has made him even more appreciative of his career and the people who stood by him. “It’s a second chance, and I don’t take that lightly,” he remarked.

Humor as Healing

In What Had Happened Was, Foxx used humor to process and share his experience, weaving his trademark wit into stories of survival. The special, praised for its blend of levity and vulnerability, highlights Foxx’s ability to turn personal challenges into relatable, heartfelt comedy.

Fans and critics alike applauded Foxx’s openness, with many noting how the special offered inspiration and hope to others facing health challenges. “If sharing my story helps one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it,” Foxx said.

A Message of Gratitude

At the Golden Globes, Foxx expressed deep gratitude for the medical professionals who saved his life, particularly the nurse who first dubbed him “a five-percenter.” He also emphasized the importance of regular health check-ups and listening to one’s body.

“Don’t ignore the signs,” Foxx urged. “If something feels off, get it checked out. It could save your life.”

Looking Ahead

Now fully recovered, Foxx is back to doing what he loves — entertaining audiences. His upcoming projects include new music and film roles, showcasing the actor’s determination to live life to the fullest.

For Foxx, his survival is more than just a personal triumph — it’s a reminder of life’s fragility and the resilience of the human spirit. “I’m here, and I’m going to make the most of it,” he said.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 7, 2025

Sheryl Lee Ralph Is ‘Deeply Grateful’ To Unveil Her Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star This Month

Sherly Lee Ralph is expressing her gratitude ahead of her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

Sheryl Lee Ralph will close out the first month of the new year with a ceremony to unveil her Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

The Emmy Award-winning actress took to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday to express her gratitude ahead of her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Jan. 29.

“I am deeply grateful to announce the honor of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!” she tweeted over a promotional ceremony flyer. “What a celebration of love, perseverance, and the unwavering support of family, friends and fans. Thank you! This star shines for us all!”

I am deeply grateful to announce the honor of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! What a celebration of love, perseverance, and the unwavering support of family, friends and fans. Thank you! This star shines for us all! pic.twitter.com/dd20hs17sX
— sheryl lee ralph (@thesherylralph) January 5, 2025

Ralph was named to the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2024, announced last June, after being selected from hundreds of nominations during a committee meeting on June 16, 2023, and approved by the Hollywood Chamber’s Board of Directors on June 21, 2023. The veteran actress and original Dreamgirls star joins a prestigious lineup of honorees from film, television, radio, theater, and sports entertainment, each set to receive a star on the iconic Walk of Fame.

“The Selection Committee which is made up of fellow Walk of Famers, carefully hand-picks a group of honorees each year that represent various genres of the entertainment world,” said Chair and Walk of Famer Ellen K.

“The Committee did an amazing job choosing these very talented people. We can’t wait to see each honoree’s reaction as they realize that they are becoming a part of Hollywood’s history with the unveiling of their star on the world’s most famous walkway!” Ellen K added.

Honorees in the Motion Picture category include Chadwick Boseman (posthumous), Kevin Feige, Gal Gadot, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Chris Meledandri, Chris Pine, Christina Ricci, and Michelle Yeoh. Joining Ralph in the television category are Ken Jeong, Eugene Levy, Mario Lopez, Jim Nantz, Michael Schur, Kerry Washington, Raúl De Molina, and Lili Estefan, co-hosts of the television show “El Gordo y La Flaca.”

Recording artists who will receive their Walk of Fame Star this year include Toni Braxton, Brandy Norwood, Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, Glen Ballard, Def Leppard, Charles Fox, Sammy Hagar, Darius Rucker, and Gwen Stefani. Otis Redding will receive a star posthumously within the theater and live performance category, and famed radio personality Angie Martinez is the sole honoree in the radio category. Billie Jean King and Carl Weathers (posthumous) will receive stars within the Sports Entertainment category.

It’s a long time coming for Ralph, who has received praise for her starring role on Quinta Brunson’s scripted comedy series Abott Elementary. In the last two years, Ralph has won a Primetime Emmy, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics Choice Award for her comical portrayal of Barbara Howard on the series.

With a career spanning over 100 acting credits since 1977, Ralph is best known for her standout performances in the original Dreamgirls play, the film Sister Act 2, and the 1990s sitcom Moesha.

by Kandiss Edwards

January 7, 2025

Florida Mover Found Guilty Of Inflating Prices And Extorting Customers

Shawn Thompson was found guilty in civil court for a "mover extortion" scheme.

A Florida moving company owner, Shawn Thompson, was accused of stealing from customers. An Orange County court found him guilty and imposed hefty fines, The Miami Herald reported.

On Dec. 4, former customer Scott Meyer was awarded $13,000 in basic damages, $39,000 in punitive damages, and $430 in court costs. Meyer alleged that Thompson gave an initial quote to move his belongings from Orlando to Oviedo on July 11, 2023. The distance totaled 19 miles and was priced at $669.50. However, when Renee Carter, an employee of Thompson’s, arrived at the new location, the price, according to Meyer, was more than doubled to $1,801.

The mover refused to release Meyer’s property unless the inflated price was paid. The scheme resembled extortion, and the courts agreed.

A second filing by previous customers in Miami-Dade Circuit Court was ruled on by Judge Michael Barket. Barket ruled against Thompson and condemned the deceptive tactics used by the mover, calling them “unfair” and “fraudulent.”

Although Barket stated that Thompson’s testimony contributed to the judgment, The Miami Herald noted that there is no record of Thompson responding to any lawsuit filed in Orange County Court.

When the outlet reached out to Thompson for comment, he accused the media of spreading lies and violating his civil rights.

“This is your final warning,” Thompson wrote. “I am not like all these bull—- stories you write just to try to get a name for yourself without facts. These people you write false stories about are reaching out to me to file a suit against you for lies. All your stories have no merit or truth. Write one more lie about me and I’ll see you in court.”

Many of Thompson’s customers believe the claims are valid and have their own grievances. Several of them have reached out to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

“We’ve received 98 complaints since the beginning of 2022 against Thompson Nation Holdings LLC. We have referred a case to our Investigative Section for review based on the complaints we’ve received,” said W. Alan Parkinson, chief of mediation and enforcement.

Thompson is liable for thousands of dollars and appears to be evading responsibility. After conducting the “extortion” scheme against Nicollette Gonzalez, she refused to pay the inflated bill. The move from Miami to Gainesville was inflated by $3,243. In the final court judgment, Gonzalez was awarded $7,619 plus attorney’s fees.

The final judgment also states that any repeat of fraudulent behavior will be considered contempt of court. This applies to all of Thompson’s companies: Thompson Nation Holdings, Small Move Movers, Fresh Start Moving & Storage, and One Man, One Van.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 7, 2025

Skai Jackson Celebrates Motherhood With Baby Product Giveaway

Skai Jackson is giving away unused baby products one month she gave birth to her child.

Skai Jackson has embraced motherhood wholeheartedly and is celebrating by hosting a giveaway for unused baby products.

The former Disney star announced a special giveaway on her Instagram Story on Sunday for her fans who are mothers or moms-to-be after welcoming her first child last month.

“Giving away a bunch of unused baby products for moms in need,” she wrote over a photo of the giveaway products.

Jackson shared how her fans could win the products by following her on Snapchat.

According to Jackson’s Snapchat, she welcomed her baby in early December. On Dec. 16, she shared a photo of her holding the baby. She followed up with a closeup photo of her baby on Dec. 28.

The birth came one month after Jackson announced her pregnancy in a photoshoot with People.

“I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter in my life — embracing motherhood and diving into new acting projects. My heart is so full!” she said in a statement.

The Jessie star kept a low profile throughout most of her pregnancy, waiting until she was close to delivery to make an official announcement. She has since spoken openly about her commitment to being a positive role model for her fans.

“It’s very important for me to put out the right message, be positive at all times, and give my fans great advice,” she said in February 2023. “Let them know that anything that they want to do in life, they can achieve it.”

Best known for her role as Zuri Ross on the Disney series Jessie and its spinoff Bunk’d, Jackson published her book, Reach for the Skai: How to Inspire, Empower, and Clapback in 2019 and competed on Dancing With the Stars in 2020.

She also starred in the film Man in the White Van, which was released last month.

by Kandiss Edwards

January 7, 2025

Employers Are Offering Lower Salaries To Remote Workers

Employers are de-incentivizing remote work.

Remote work has become the new norm, but employees are choosing between higher wages and the comfort of working from home. According to Fortune, the work-at-home segment of U.S. workers is offered lower salaries to avoid office life.

The lower salary dilemma affects workers who have benefited from remote work’s flexibility. Many are presented with 15% to 20% lower salary offers than their in-office colleagues. While some employers offer less pay, others use remote work as a perk to attract top talent.

“Remote workers are accepting lower salaries to work remotely. Some are taking as much as 5% to 15% less pay to do so, while other employers are reversing the strategy to entice workers to come to the office with higher salaries,” Fortune reported.

There is no data suggesting that paying employees less for the “privilege” of working from home is a successful strategy. Some believe the plan could backfire. Human resources veterans predict a surge in employee resignations, as companies scale down and insist employees return to the office. This insistence, cuts in benefits, and strict in-office policies are turning off potential hires.

“If you’re trying to lowball remote workers, you’re about to face a harsh reality,” said Amy Spurling, founder and CEO of Compt. “2025 is going to be a ‘find out’ year for companies that thought they could use remote work or other ‘perks’ to replace competitive compensation and genuine employee support.”

According to Pew Research, 35% of American workers work from home, down from 46% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the decline, the percentage has remained steady for nearly four years after the COVID lockdown.

Remote work is now a standard, mainly as employees and employers have found that it does not hamper productivity. A remote job’s tasks, skills, and workload remain the same, regardless of location.

However, the opposite has been confirmed for companies mandating a return to the office. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on a study conducted by Vitality that focused on millennial and Gen Z workers in the UK. It showed that lower wages, coupled with office return policies, are causing burnout and reduced productivity. These struggles, particularly among younger employees, have led to a 150% loss in productivity, costing the British economy $176 billion annually.

Only time will tell if the U.S. will face similar challenges.

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

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 7, 2025

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

The Bourbon Street terror attack suspect made previous visits to the city that he filmed.

The suspect in the New Orleans terror attack, accused of driving through a crowd on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day, had previously visited the city on Halloween, where he filmed his bike ride through Bourbon Street using Meta glasses.

On Sunday, the FBI revealed details into Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s recent travel ahead of the New Year’s Day attack, which included two visits to New Orleans, a visit to Tampa, Florida, and 2023 trips to Cairo, Egypt, and Ontario, Canada Axios reported.

According to Lyonel Myrthil, the special agent in charge of FBI New Orleans, Jabbar spent at least two days in New Orleans, starting on Oct. 30, when thousands of visitors were in town for Halloween. While there, he used Meta glasses to record a bike ride down Bourbon Street.

The FBI revealed Jabbar’s second visit to New Orleans on Nov. 10, but details remain under wraps. The FBI hasn’t revealed if Jabbar was scouting areas to perform the horrific attack.

Jabbar, a Houston resident, was also wearing Meta glasses when he carried out the attack on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day. However, the FBI has not found evidence that he was recording or livestreaming the incident. In addition to the Meta glasses, Jabbar was carrying a rifle, and officials stated that at least one of the ice chests containing IEDs was purchased in Texas.

President Biden will visit New Orleans on Monday. Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced that she and NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick will request a tactical expert visit this week to review security plans for Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl.

Officials have requested enhanced security for Carnival, which begins with parades on Monday and continues through Mardi Gras on March 4. The city will also host Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9.

Elon Musk, Tennessee, pollution, super computer

by Daniel Johnson

January 6, 2025

Elon Musk Donates $112M To Charities In A Move That Will Save Him $2B In Taxes

According to an analysis from Alan Cantor Consulting, Musk's charity is little more than a tax shelter to avoid being taxed on money he generates.

On the heels of a New York Times report that indicates that Elon Musk’s charity missed the required 5% donation mark for three consecutive years, the world’s richest man has donated 268,000 shares of Tesla stock, valued at $112 million to unnamed charities as part of his year-end tax contributions.

According to Bloomberg, a Securities and Exchange Commission filing registered on Dec. 31 states that the donation is part of Musk’s “year-end tax planning” and went to “certain charities,” which were unnamed in the documentation.

In 2021, Musk made a similar transaction and circulated $5.7 billion in Tesla stock to an unnamed charity, later revealed to be his own nonprofit organization, The Musk Foundation.

Per Bloomberg‘s reporting, the foundation appears to be little more than a shell company. In 2024, most of the $237 million in gifts it gave away were simply funds redirected to Musk’s own companies.

Per the aforementioned New York Times report, between 2020 and 2023, the Musk Foundation was well short of the amount it was required to give away as a charitable organization.

As a result, Musk had to give away at least $421 million of his funds tied up in the foundation by the end of the year or face a sizable penalty from the Internal Revenue Service.

As the Times noted, although other large charitable organizations have failed to distribute the minimum amount required by the IRS, the Musk Foundation is unique regarding the speed with which its shortcomings have increased and the shortfall amount.

Brian Mittendorf, an accounting professor at Ohio State University, told the New York Times that it is clear to him that the shortfalls indicate an organization that is not motivated to spend its money.

“The distributions made by the foundation are meeting the bare minimum to avoid penalties. It is clear that the organization is not in a hurry to spend its money,” Mittendorf said.

According to an analysis from Alan Cantor Consulting, Musk’s charity is little more than a tax shelter to avoid being taxed on the money he generates.

The group’s analysis indicated that Musk saves approximately $2 billion in tax payments by moving money from Tesla to the Musk Foundation.

The Alan Cantor Consulting group also makes parallels between Musk’s foundation and President-elect Donald Trump’s Donald J. Trump Foundation, which was shut down by the State of New York in 2019 after it was discovered that Trump’s foundation was basically used as a checkbook for whatever Trump thought would bolster his public image or pay for his personal obligations.

According to Alan Cantor Consulting, “Essentially, Musk –- like Trump -– thinks the rules don’t apply to him. If Musk says it’s a charitable priority, it is. He can make the decisions himself and have the bookkeeper at the Musk family office cut a check. If he fails to make the requisite payout, he has the foundation pay the fine. He gets to keep his tax break whether he runs the foundation well or poorly. Meanwhile, he gives to causes that enhance his businesses and image, and he doesn’t quite step over the legal line into self-dealing.”

They continued, “And throughout, he maintains power. Even though he’s done a miserable job of distributing grants to worthy causes, and even though his charitable preferences have more to do with helping himself than making the world a better place, Musk nevertheless holds the keys to one of the largest charitable foundations in the country. The potential grants from his foundation give him power. People will cozy up to him in the hope that some money will eventually flow their way if they only play their cards right. Musk is a terrible man, but he’s not stupid. This all works for him.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 6, 2025

Brawl Almost Breaks Out As Tampa Bay Buccaneers Win NFC South

The altercation seemed to revive the Buccaneers, who are playoff-bound.

With a trip to the NFL Playoffs on the line, yesterday’s game between the surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the lowly New Orleans Saints was expected to be intense. And it was.

During the third quarter, the two teams nearly came to blows after an altercation between Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and Saints defensive back Will Harris.

With a little more than 13 minutes left in the quarter, Harris hit Mayfield hard during his run. As Mayfield got up, he seemingly pushed Harris down. It then looked like he tried to kick him, eventually straddling him. Players from both teams intervened.

Some exchanges between Saints and Bucs players pic.twitter.com/C3USpsulNs

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 5, 2025

Luckily, for both teams, the referees did not call any penalties.

At that point of the game, the Buccaneers were losing 16-6 with their playoff hopes on the line. The skirmish seemed to electrify the team.

Mayfield threw two touchdown passes in the 27-19 comeback win. With the Carolina Panthers beating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, the Bucs wrapped up the the NFC South Division for the fourth straight season. To get there this time around, the team won six of its last seven games.

“It feels great,” said head coach Todd Bowles. “We went through a lot of ups and downs this year, a lot of injuries, guys fought hard. We went through a hurricane, by the way, and with a lot of guys missing on both sides of the ball, it’s even more gratifying throughout the year for us to come out on top this way.”

Next up for the Bucs, who finished the year at 10-7, is a home Wild Card game against the Washington Commanders on Saturday, January 12.