by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 13, 2026

Music Vet Jazz Young Launches Global Record Label, VRTEXX

The new label will focus on helping discover and develop global artists from West Africa and the diaspora for international markets

Former Def Jam executive and seasoned veteran Jasmine “Jazz” Young has announced the official launch of a new global record label, VRTEXX.

The new company, a creative ecosystem, will focus on helping discover and develop global artists from West Africa and the diaspora for international markets, while blending artistry, education, and technology to create global pathways for creatives. VRTEXX will be distributed by Warner Music’s Distribution arm, ADA. ADA focuses on independent labels, breaking new artists, and supporting established ones who are still developing their craft. ADA has partnership deals with labels including Rostrum Records, Sub Pop, Mute Records, VP Records, and Centricity Music, while representing recording artists such as Daft Punk, Macklemore, Papa Roach, and Murda Beatz.

Young oversees VRTEXX, which will represent the next evolution in artist development and international collaboration. Artists on the burgeoning label will make their stage debuts at the next West Africa Music & Arts Festival, which will take place in Accra, Ghana.

Youing has experience developing artists and guiding them to successful careers, having worked with Jay-Z, DMX, Waka Flocka, Foxy Brown, EPMD, Slick Rick, and Run-DMC, among many others. Her leadership includes working with students while being the director of the Warner Music/Blavatnik Center for Music Business at Howard University. At the helm, Young has transformed the program into one of the world’s top music business schools.

She has played a vital role at the center, which has become a hub for academic innovation and real-world opportunities. By connecting Howard students and the DMV community with executives, labels, and artists, she has created opportunities for students through partnerships with Warner Records, Atlantic Records, 300 Entertainment, CAA, Wasserman, Paramount, The Tom Joyner Foundation, and CEEK.com.

The 2025 Billboard Global Power Player is ready to help the next round of artists gain international recognition for their art and is accepting artist submissions for VRTEXX at WWW.VRTEXX.COM and @THEVRTEXX.

retirement, savings, social security, worker

by Kandiss Edwards

February 13, 2026

Typical U.S. Worker Has Less Than $1K Saved For Retirement As Social Security Cuts Loom

The median retirement savings balance rises to $40,000 for workers with a retirement plan, such as a 401(k), IRA, or similar account.

Most U.S. workers have independently saved less than $1,000 for retirement, according to a new report.

Data from the National Institute on Retirement Security reveal that the typical American worker aged 21 to 64 has just $955 in personal savings. That figure includes people with retirement accounts as well as those without access to employer-sponsored plans. The numbers are shocking and paint a bleak picture of the future for workers preparing to enter post-career life.

The median retirement savings balance rises to $40,000 among workers with a retirement plan, such as a 401(k), IRA, or similar account. Even so, many financial advisers say that the amount falls short of what individuals need to retire comfortably.

The report also factors in roughly 56 million U.S. workers who lack access to an employer-sponsored plan. Workers without such access often struggle to build savings because they must manage contributions on their own, in addition to covering current living expenses. Additionally, personal retirement accounts forgo benefits such as employer matching contributions.

This savings gap exists as the Social Security system faces long-term funding challenges. Without congressional action, some estimates suggest Social Security benefits could be reduced by about 20% starting in 2034, a prospect that adds uncertainty to many workers’ retirement planning. Carly Roszkowski, vice president of financial resilience programming at AARP, said the slow growth of personal savings and the struggling Social Security system could lead older adults to work longer out of necessity.

“With the cost of living still high and many people worried that they don’t have enough saved for retirement, the trend of older adults working longer will likely continue,” Roszkowski said in a statement.

The low median savings figure reflects broader economic realities, including stagnant wages, inflation, and rising costs for essentials such as housing and healthcare. Many workers may be forced to rely more heavily on Social Security benefits or delay retirement as they try to close the gap between current savings and future needs.

ICE, warehouse, detention center, Georgia

by Kandiss Edwards

February 13, 2026

ICE Purchases Georgia Warehouse To Use As Immigrant Detention Center

The space is rumored to be able to hold up to 10,000 detainees.

Federal immigration authorities have purchased a property in Walton County, Georgia, with plans to use it as a large immigration detention center as early as April, CBS Atlanta reports.

Up to 10,000 detainees are able to be housed at the facility located less than a mile from Social Circle Elementary School.

City officials say they were not involved in key stages of the process nor were they included in an engineering evaluation of city utilities conducted by the Department of Homeland Security.

“The City of Social Circle has been informed by multiple sources that the sale of 1365 E. Hightower Trail has been completed. PNK no longer owns the facility; ICE is now the owner. The City of Social Circle will continue to monitor developments and will share confirmed information with the public as it becomes available,” the city said in a statement.

Many worry the project will overwhelm local resources in the small town of approximately 5,000. In December 2025, the City of Social Circle denied the building of the facility, calling it “infeasible.”

“A key reason that such a facility is infeasible is because the City does not have the water and sewer infrastructure to support this type of facility. Current capacity limitations would not support a development of the size described in media reports. This proposal could result in an effective tripling of the City’s population that is hovering right around 5,000 citizens.”

To date ICE has made approximately 393,000 arrests nationwide from President Donald Trump’s inauguration through Jan. 31, 2026. Nearly 40% of those arrested by ICE in the past year had no criminal record and were detained for civil immigration offenses.

“There are people in this town who support what ICE is doing and people who oppose it, but this has managed to bring everybody together,” said Rick Burt, a Social Circle resident and activist, according to CBS Atlanta.

State Farm Arena, cultural fest, atlanta hawks

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 13, 2026

Atlanta Hawks To Celebrate City’s Diversity With Pre-Game Culture Fest

The annual event will celebrate the city's African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and Latin communities.

The second annual Culture Fest by the Atlanta Hawks will take place Feb. 20, when the team hosts the Miami Heat at State Farm Arena.

The team announced that the event will be an evening celebrating the African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and Latin communities that play an important role in the city’s rich cultural landscape. The first 5,000 people arriving at the stadium for the 7:30 p.m. start will receive a limited-edition red reversible bucket hat, courtesy of Verizon.

“We are proud to continue Culture Fest in partnership with Verizon, reflecting both who Atlanta is today and the city it is becoming, a vibrant center shaped and strengthened by the African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and Latin communities that drive its creativity, growth, and global influence,” said Camye Mackey, executive vice president and chief people, diversity and inclusion officer for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena in a written statement. “This celebration provides a space where culture is recognized, fully experienced, and honored, and underscores our ongoing commitment to inclusion and amplifying the diverse voices that make Atlanta unique.”

Before the Hawks take on the Heat, there will be a pregame parade on the concourse featuring the ATL Hawks Dancers. Performing alongside them will be people from the African, Caribbean, Hispanic, and Latino communities, celebrating their cultures through dance and artistic expression. Fans will be treated to music highlighting global communities by DJ Kash, blending Amapiano, Afrobeats, and Afro-house, while DJ Sidd Kel will feature a fusion of Indian soundtracks for fans on the concourse.

Other DJs participating in the celebration of cultures include DJ ECool, DJ EU, and Mix Master David, who will perform during halftime on the court.

“Culture Fest is about honoring Atlanta’s roots, and I’m thrilled to partner with the Hawks for a night where fans can dance and experience all of the city’s vibrant cultures under one roof,” said DJ EU.

Culture Fest will showcase the cultural impact of those who have shaped Atlanta’s identity through their sounds, customs, and heritage, while honoring their lasting influence on the city’s spirit.

According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, over 60% of the area’s population is projected to be racial and ethnic minorities by 2050.

Tickets are still available for the game and can be purchased at Hawks.com/tickets.

by Jameelah Mullen

February 13, 2026

Some Employees Actually Like Their Jobs: Forbes Reveals 2026’s Top Workplaces

Did your employer make the list?

The results are in. Forbes has released its 2026 list of America’s Best Large Employers. It’s the moment when companies earn bragging rights and fresh leverage, and when job seekers scan the rankings to size up where they might find their best fit.

Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey over 217,000 employees. Survey respondents were asked whether they would recommend their employer to others. The survey also asked respondents to rate their employers on criteria such as wages, work-life balance, leadership development, and opportunities for advancement. Additionally, the survey inquires whether participants would recommend their previous employers or employers they know through industry experience, friends, or family members who work there.

Trader Joe’s claims the top spot this year, rising from No. 2 in 2025.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital ranked second on America’s Best Large Employers list. Employees praise the bonus program and the strong sense of purpose they find through their work at the hospital. The organization offers generous benefits, high morale, and enjoyable activities.

Stanford University makes an impressive leap to claim the No. 5 spot (up from No. 26). American Express also makes a big jump; the financial giant sits at No. 8, up from No. 25 last year.

Sitting at No. 13 is a familiar name on the list: Delta Air Lines, where survey respondents highlighted its profit-sharing model as one of its top perks.

This week, over 100,000 employees participating in the company’s profit-sharing program will receive a one-time payment of 8.9% of their annual salaries, equivalent to about four weeks’ worth of pay.

“We listen to and invest in our people so they can put 110% into taking care of our customers, Allison Ausband, Delta’s executive vice president and chief people officer, tells Forbes. “And when the business does well because of their hard work, they deserve to share in that success.”

Other employee favorites include the company’s generous parental leave policy, which provides 12 weeks for birth parents and two weeks for non-birth parents. The airline also offers frontline workers opportunities to receive mentorship from leadership.

To see the full list of America’s Best Large Employers, view the Forbes ranking.

U.S. Optimism, Americans, Pessimistic, Future, Pull

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 13, 2026

Poll: Americans’ Optimism Hits New Low As Pessimism About The Future Grows

This is lowest level of optimism recorded since Gallup began tracking the question nearly two decades ago.

A new poll shows Americans’ optimism about the future has dropped to a record low, underscoring the growing feeling of doom across the country in recent years.

A new Gallup poll found that in 2025, just 59% of Americans gave positive ratings when asked how they expect their lives to be in five years, the lowest level recorded since Gallup began tracking the question nearly two decades ago.

“While current life is eroding, it’s that optimism for the future that has eroded almost twice as much over the course of about that last 10 years or so,” said Dan Witters, research director of the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index.

The results come from a long-running Gallup survey that asks Americans to rate their current and future lives on a scale of 0 to 10, with respondents who score their future an 8 or higher classified as optimists. Gallup defines people who rate their current life at 7 or higher and their future at 8 or higher as “thriving,” a category that now includes about 48 percent of Americans.

The poll suggests Democrats and Hispanic Americans were particularly pessimistic last year amid the political climate surrounding President Donald Trump and his push against DEI initiatives. But Republicans aren’t feeling as optimistic as they did at the end of Trump’s first term either.

As Joe Biden’s presidency ended and Trump’s second term began, Democratic optimism dropped from 65% to 57%, while Republican confidence rose only slightly—still trailing previous highs. A January AP-NORC survey also found that although most Republicans continue to support Trump, many feel his economic performance has fallen short of expectations.

“The regime change in the White House almost certainly was a big driving factor in what’s happened,” Witters said. “And a lot of that was just because the people who identified as Democrats really took it in the chops.”

Optimism among Hispanic adults reached a new low during Trump’s first year back in office, declining from 69% to 63%, a bigger drop than among white and Black Americans. Analysts say the shift may reflect concerns about inflation, access to health care, and anxiety over Trump’s immigration crackdown.

“(Deportations are) something that everybody can see and look at with their own eyes,” Witters said. “But if you’re Hispanic, I think it’s fair to think that that might hit a little closer to home.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 12, 2026

KISS Singer Says Hip-Hop Doesn’t Belong In Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: ‘I Don’t Come From The Ghetto’

Gene Simmons is doubling down on his disapproval of hip-hop acts being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS is sharing his perspective on why he doesn’t think hip-hop belongs in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

During a recent interview on the LegendsNLeaders podcast, the KISS frontman doubled down on his opposition to hip-hop’s presence in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

“The fact that, for instance, Iron Maiden is not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, when they can sell out stadiums and Grandmaster Flash is, right?” Simmons said in a clip shared online. “Ice Cube and I had a back and forth [about this]. He’s a bright guy, and I respect what he’s done. It’s not my music. I don’t come from the ghetto. It doesn’t speak my language.”

He continued. “And I said in print many times: Hip-hop does not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Nor does opera, symphonies, orchestras. How come the New York Philharmonic doesn’t get in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Because it’s called the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!”

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Elaborating on his past conversation with Ice Cube, Simmons said the rapper believes hip-hop embodies the rebellious “spirit” of rock, while he sees clear distinctions between the two genres.

“But [Ice Cube] shot back and said, ‘No, it’s the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.’ OK, fine,” Simmons said. “So Ice Cube and Grandmaster Flash and all these guys are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I just want to know when Led Zeppelin will be inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. ‘Oh, you can’t do that.’ Oh, really? Music has labels because it describes an approach. Hip-hop and rap is a spoken word art. There are some melodies but, by and large, it’s a verbal thing.”

“It just doesn’t speak to me,” he added. “The genius of being able to put music and words and arrange it is much more complex.”

KISS was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, followed two years later by Ice Cube’s group N.W.A.

Other hip-hop artists honored include Eminem, Jay-Z, Outkast, and Missy Elliott. The hall’s inclusion of non-rock acts continues to spark debate among fans, including critics like Simmons.

Georgia,Elementary School Teacher, Gang Related Murders

by Kandiss Edwards

February 12, 2026

Former Georgia Elementary School Teacher Convicted Of Gang-Related Children Murders

A jury in DeKalb County found Michael White guilty on all charges tied to the deaths of siblings Tatiyana Coates, 11, and Daveon Coates, 15.

A former DeKalb County elementary school teacher has been convicted in connection with the 2016 gang-related shooting deaths of two children.

A jury found Michael White guilty on all charges tied to the deaths of siblings Tatiyana Coates, 11, and Daveon Coates, 15. Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley confirmed the verdict to WSB-TV.

The shooting happened in 2016 at a home on Libby Lane in Clayton County. Investigators said the two children were not involved in gang activity and were not the intended targets.

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney La’Carrian Blount told WSB-TV that at the time White was a member of the Rolling 20s Crips.

On Oct. 22, 2016, White and other Rolling 20s’ members were reportedly looking for a teenager who had stolen firearms from their storage houses. When the teen was not found at the residence, White allegedly forced entry into the Coates family home in search of Daveon while armed with a shotgun. When White and his co-conspirators entered the home in search of an unnamed 15-year-old, their target had already run away from the house. However, according to reports, six other children, including the two Coates children, were left in the home. Gunfire erupted inside the home, and the two siblings were killed.

White was teaching at Toney Elementary School in DeKalb County at the time of the killings. The former elementary school teacher was arrested at the school 17 months after the crime. The then 26-year-old was identified through a lengthy forensic investigation. Prosecutors identified him in court as a member of the Rolling 20s Crips.

At the time of White’s arrest in 2018, Clayton County Police Maj. Tina Daniel spoke on the bitter irony of a fifth-grade educator killing children.

“It kicks you in the gut that someone who’s responsible for our children on a daily basis could possibly be involved with a heinous crime like this,” Daniel’s told WSB-TV.

Two defendants were convicted in 2023 and sentenced to life in prison without parole, and other defendants resolved charges through negotiated pleas that carried lengthy prison sentences. Those outcomes narrowed the focus to White’s case, which remained unresolved until the jury’s verdict.

White was the final defendant to stand trial in the case. Other individuals charged in connection with the shootings have already been convicted or pleaded guilty.

Kentanji Brown, Lovely One, memoir, supreme court, justices

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 12, 2026

Adulting 101: Ketanji Brown Jackson On How Supreme Court Justices ‘Disagree Without Being Disagreeable’

Jackson revealed how she and her colleagues get along despite their different views

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson revealed how she and her colleagues get along despite their different views in an interview with CBS Mornings.

“The court is very good at compartmentalizing, meaning that we focus on our work,” she said. “We work very hard. We come up with our own individual opinions as to how we think about the law.”

She said the job itself trains you to think about ideas in a variety of ways, so this understanding and empathy work in professional dynamics. Given how the justices still manage to fulfill their duties, she calls their methods “a model for learning how to disagree without being disagreeable.”

Jackson added, “We’re sort of always thinking about the law in different ways. And so we have learned how to adapt to being in an environment with people who have very strongly held but different views.”

This does not mean Jackson has not had tense disagreements with her fellow justices. Appointed by the Biden administration in 2022, her viewpoints have frequently contrasted with those of President Donald Trump and have spilled over into her dynamics with justices that Trump appointed.

Even when on opposing ends, each justice gives the others the time and space to write their stances on certain issues.

“We actually deliberate over a period of time where each of the justices decides how they feel about the issues and writes, and it takes a while to write,” added Jackson.

While Jackson has opposed legislation prompted by the Trump administration that she feels unconstitutional, the Grammy nominee still manages to keep the peace and contribute to federal rulings.

She also continues to inspire young leaders to effect change. The newest edition of her memoir, “Lovely One,” was released earlier this year, newly adapted for younger readers.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 12, 2026

Georgia Army Veteran Deported to Jamaica Despite Decades In U.S., Now Fights For Return

A September 2025 traffic stop turned his American dream into a nightmare.

An army veteran from Georgia is fighting for his return to the United States after being deported to Jamaica.

The retired serviceman, named Godfrey Wade, had lived in America for decades before ICE agents took him into custody. He remained under ICE custody until officials deported him to Jamaica. Now, his family has filed an appeal over the matter, citing that he lawfully belongs in the U.S.

According to CBS News, a traffic stop initially prompted this headline-making immigration case. He first arrived in the U.S. under a legal status in 1975, promptly joining the army to serve his new country. His family called it his “foundation,” as he took great pride in his service, as his daughter, Emmanuela Wade, stated.

After receiving an honorable discharge, the army veteran took on new jobs as a coach, a fashion designer, and even a chef. Across the decades, he built a life in Georgia with his growing family, including a fiancée, six children, and three grandchildren. However, a September 2025 traffic stop turned his American dream into a nightmare.

After a Conyers officer pulled him over for failing to use a turn signal, the cop promptly arrested him for driving without a license. This unfortunate stroke of luck spiraled into more legal trouble.

ICE later became involved, detaining him over a 2014 removal order, specifically regarding a 2007 bounced check and a simple assault charge from a year prior. Wade assured them that the assault was nonviolent, with the bounced check also resolved.

Despite his assertions, previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, his deportation came to fruition. ICE officials stated that Wade never appeared for a hearing on the removal order. However, the hearing notices went to an address deemed undeliverable, and Wade’s attorneys stated that he never knew of the order.

Now, Wade’s loved ones continue to fight for some resolution and his return to the country they all call home. However, they have met resistance from ICE and elected officials regarding the proposed reversal of his deportation.

We’ve built an amazing life together, and to be separated from that is very challenging, especially since he did not have an opportunity to have his voice heard,” Wade’s fiancée, April Watkins, told CBS News Atlanta.

Although Wade’s defense sought an emergency stay of the removal, the motion was denied. In light of the justice issue, Georgia U.S. Rep. David Scott has also involved himself in the case.

Scott’s office had submitted a formal request to the Department of Homeland Security to halt the deportation. In a statement, he urged that Wade remained “entitled” to due process, especially given his service to the U.S. military.

“Nonetheless, DHS deported Mr. Wade to Jamaica and did not notify my office until four days later,” Scott said in a statement. “Mr. Wade served this country honorably and was entitled to due process. His deportation is a continuation of the Trump Administration’s punitive and cruel immigration tactics, and I will continue pressing DHS for accountability.”

As his family goes through the appeals process, the army veteran has kept his faith in the U.S. justice system.

“We are trusting in the justice system of my beloved country, the United States of America, that I loved so much and served,” shared Wade to CNN as he currently remains in Jamaica.