Florida Museum Of Black History, Florida — (Photo: jpellgen (@1105_jp)/flickr)

by Mary Spiller

January 18, 2025

How To Celebrate MLK Day In The DMV Area Around The Inauguration This Weekend

Monday's MLK Day is sharing the spotlight with Donald Trump's Inauguration events.

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 20, DMV area residents in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia have a full weekend of activities and services to get involved in this weekend.

Despite the craze surrounding Donald Trump’s inauguration, which takes place on MLK Day, residents can still find parades and celebrations to honor the civil rights icon on the weekend, according to ABC News.

On Jan. 18, the 2025 MLK Holiday 20th Annual Peace Walk and Parade will be taking place in D.C. Celebrating King’s legacy with the theme “Commit to the Noble Struggle for Equal Rights,” the historic event will continue to honor MLK’s dream on one of the very first streets named after him. The parade will conclude with a day of activities, including performances, a student essay competition to center on young leaders in the area, a health and wellness fair, free groceries, and merchandise for sale for residents.

Also, the MLK Day of Service will take place on the same day. According to the Day of Service website, the day’s events will center around empowering individuals to strengthen their community ties and solve social problems. Serve DC is partnering with the D.C. National Pan Hellenic Council, the Federal City Alumnae Association of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Gamma Lambda Chapter, D.C Black United Front, and Commissioner Salim Adofo to put together a slew of community service opportunities to serve D.C.

For people who want to take a more artistic approach to MLK Day, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Georgetown University are presenting a Let Freedom Ring concert celebration.

The music show will be hosted by Taye Diggs and feature Christopher Jackson and Esperanza Spalding.

The Let Freedom Ring Celebration is free but ticketed. It will be a musical tribute to MLK on his day of remembrance.

Alongside these events, there are many others to get involved in over the weekend in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland areas.

Actress ,Harvard’s American Repertory Theater, lawsuit — (Photo: iStock)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 17, 2025

HUD Charges Homeowners’ Association In Providence Village, Texas, With Race And Color Discrimination

'No resident should be subjected to housing discrimination based on their race and color or face adverse action for asserting their legal rights.'

A homeowners association in Providence Village, a new town in Denton County, Texas, faces housing discrimination charges for allegedly targeting and displacing Black residents who rely on housing choice vouchers.

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced charges against the homeowners association, accusing it of implementing rules to remove residents based on race and color. HUD alleges that the HOA used legal tactics to intimidate Black residents who exercised their fair housing rights and neglected to address rising racial tensions that left complainants feeling unsafe.

Among the incidents outlined in the filing, include incidents involving several unofficial Providence Village social media groups, which frequently feature explicitly racist and threatening posts. PHOA Board members allegedly participated and engaged with the content.

“No resident should be subjected to housing discrimination based on their race and color or face adverse action for asserting their legal rights,” said Diane M. Shelley, HUD’s principal deputy assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity.

According to the filing, racial tensions escalated in 2021 following an altercation between a Black teenager and a white teenager. Residents began attributing crime and other issues in Providence Village to voucher holders, often using racially charged terms like “ghetto.” At the time, only 4% of households in Providence Village used Housing Choice Vouchers, with 93% of those households being Black.

The PHOA is accused of collaborating to create the Rental and Leasing Rules (dubbed the “Rules”), which banned property owners from renting to Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) tenants and imposed additional rental restrictions, such as limiting owners to a single rental property.

The board moved forward with these actions despite receiving warnings from the mayor and others that these restrictions could violate fair housing laws.

The Fair Housing Act forbids discrimination based on race or color. It prohibits any action that intimidates or threatens individuals for participating in protected activities, such as filing a fair housing complaint with HUD.

“The Fair Housing Act bars homeowners associations, just like landlords, from denying housing opportunities based on race,” said Benjamin B. Klubes, HUD’s acting General Counsel. “HUD will not tolerate homeowners associations instituting discriminatory policies.”

A U.S. Administrative Law Judge will review HUD’s charge to determine if discrimination has occurred after a hearing. Based on the findings, a judge may award damages to the complainants for any losses incurred and impose injunctive relief and other measures to prevent further discrimination.

Additionally, civil penalties may be applied to uphold the public interest. If the case is heard in federal court, the judge may also grant punitive damages to the complainants.

spikes, turnstile, train, fare, subway, New york — (Photo: Laura James/Pexels)

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 17, 2025

Fare Evaders Give Middle Finger To MTA Placing Spikes At Subway Turnstiles

Maybe they should try something else.

New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has installed spikes at subway stations to stop turnstile jumpers—and they don’t seem to be working, the New York Post reports.

An unidentified subway rider wasn’t fazed by the visible spikes at the 59th Street/Lexington Avenue station, jumping right over them. Sporting a Rick and Morty sweatshirt, he carefully placed his left hand on the metal spikes to jump over the turnstile pole just in time to walk onto the train approaching the station.

No one stopped him.

“Oh, so now I gotta jump over it? OK, I don’t give a f–k, I’ll jump over it,” the man was overheard saying.

Train riders were seen going to their old tricks to avoid paying a fare for the subway. One man pushed right through the turnstiles.

https://twitter.com/ScooterCasterNY/status/1879970417978536435

The MTA thought the move would help crack down on riders avoiding paying a fare, according to Fox News 5. The metal sheet with sharp edges was placed on both the top and sides of the turnstiles between each gate entrance at the station. Fare evasion costs the MTA a pretty penny—close to $500 million each year. This effort isn’t the agency’s first time trying to combat the problem.

In 2023, new electric gates installed were thought to do the trick. But after a TikToker went viral for revealing how easy it was for the doors to be activated with a simple swipe of a hand over the exit sensor, authorities had to revisit the plan.

Turnstile jumpers were not the only ones unimpressed with the spikes. “I don’t think it’s going to prevent anyone from jumping the turnstiles,” rider Veronica Pisani said. “I see fare evasion all the time. People will find a way. I just don’t really think this is [an effective] preventative measure.”

The spikes are part of a plan handed down by Gov. Kathy Hochul to increase subway safety amid a rise in crime. During her State of the State address on Jan. 14, Hochul said, “The MTA will be installing even more barriers in 100 additional stations” in addition to an increase of LED lighting to every station by the end of 2025 as a way to stop the “shameless toll evaders, fare evaders.”

She also announced a partnership with the New York City Police Department to heighten its presence on every subway platform and train for the next six months of 2025, plus the National Guard.

Hochul’s office announced close to 750 officers will be placed throughout the city on top of 300 that will be seen on the train cars themselves. The governor visited the subway stations. “Fighting for your family means making sure you can feel safe on the subway,” she said on X.

Biden, President Joe Biden, BET, Ed Gordon — (Photo: The White House/Flickr)

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 17, 2025

Biden Decreases Number Of Black Incarcerated People: Pardons Nearly 2,500 Nonviolent Drug Offenders

President Biden's stance on drug offenders has come a long way since the 1980s.

In his final days in the White House, President Joe Biden has issued pardons for close to 2,500 individuals with nonviolent drug charges, ABC News reports.

The announcement was handed down just three days before the Trump-Vance administration takes over.

In a statement, Biden said these offenders had “serv[ed] disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice.”

On X, Biden called the move an “important step toward righting historical wrongs and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their communities after far too much time behind bars.”

Today, I'm commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses.

This is an important step toward righting historic wrongs and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their communities after far too much time behind bars. pic.twitter.com/q7mtuyWKl2
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 17, 2025

Biden has come a long way from his original stance against drug offenders. In the 1980s, the then-senator supported legislation that increased penalties for drug users. One law essentially lengthened sentences for crack cocaine users, often viewed as African-Americans in comparison to white people who were labeled as powder cocaine users.

Decades later, Congress has worked to reverse the damages those laws did through the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 and the First Step Act of 2018.

“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden wrote.

A 2021 report from The Sentencing Project revealed Black Americans are stationed in state prisons close to five times the rate of white Americans, according to CNN. Data showed one in 81 Black adults—per 100,000 U.S. resident—was serving time in a state prison.

Senior analyst Ashley Nellis said the eye-opening numbers only elevate the narrative that “the criminal justice system cannot be accomplished without acknowledgment of its racist underpinnings.”

With just a few days remaining as commander-in-chief, Biden said he will “continue to review additional commutations and pardons,” highlighting its historical context.

“With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history,” Biden said.

Biden joined a list of other presidents since the Ford administration, who have issued pardons to those deemed unnecessary to serve time behind bars. Biden’s former boss, Barack Obama, issued 1,700 commutations during his two-term bid, decreasing long sentences for nonviolent drug offenders.

Oria, oral history, startup — (Photo: Kampus Production/Pexels)

by Kandiss Edwards

January 17, 2025

Georgia Access Marketplace Leaves Many ‘Uninsured’

Georgia Access marketplace glitches leading customers to believe they are uninsured.

Georgia’s Healthcare Marketplace experienced a glitch that left customers without coverage.

Over 20,000 insured individuals were affected by the error, which stemmed from a mandatory switch in online systems. A new law requires Georgia residents to sign up for medical coverage through the Georgia Access portal instead of the federal marketplace.

As a result of the switch, Georgia Access auto-enrolled some participants while others signed up individually.

Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King assured customers that the system prevents multiple policies from being issued.

“The system was determining that we are going to go with your last entry. That is the coverage you are going to get, and we are going to cancel the old entry if you had a duplicate,” King said. “There is coverage, just not under that old policy.”

Michele Fischbach spoke with Atlanta’s WSB-TV about how she discovered the glitch, which led her to believe she had been dropped from her insurance.

“I went online and tried to sign on, and they said there is no active medical policy. So, I freaked,” Fischbach said.

Another Georgia resident shared how the glitch impacted both his mental and physical health.

“Stress is a trigger for my chronic illness, and not knowing if I had coverage really scared me. Imagine needing to go to the hospital or see my doctor, only to be told I would not have coverage.”

All marketplace participants will receive a notice about the potential error. Anyone experiencing issues accessing their policy benefits can contact Georgia Access Consumer Support at 888-687-1503.

The new state marketplace gained federal approval in August 2024 under the direction of Gov. Brian Kemp. The marketplace connects potential customers with private insurance brokers.

The deadline for enrollment was Jan. 15, but Georgians with an income below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level are eligible to enroll at any time.

homeless, England, Blacks — (Photo: Timur Weber/Pexels)

by Kandiss Edwards

January 17, 2025

Atlanta Mayor Unveils Refurbished Motel For Unhoused Residents

The old Atlanta Motel now has 56 unhoused living units.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has unveiled 56 housing units for the city’s unhoused residents. They should start welcoming guests by February, Dickens said in an Instagram video.

On Dec. 18, the Ralph Davids House opened at the former Atlanta Motel, located at 277 Moreland Avenue. Dickens partnered with Stryant Investments and Atlanta Beltline Inc., to complete the project.

Resident rooms are equipped with a refrigerator, full restroom, bed storage seating area, and hotplates.

Dickens gave a tour of the newly renovated space on Instagram.

“Together, we’re turning opportunity into action and making a difference where it matters most. This isn’t just housing—it’s hope, stability, and a brighter future for our community. Let’s keep building!,” he captioned the post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Andre Dickens (@andreforatlanta)

In the press release, Dickens boasted that “these two-story buildings have been…reimagined. We delivered affordable housing faster and more efficiently, proving that creative solutions can drive real results,” he said.

The apartments will be reserved for those earning 30 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) or less and who were previously unhoused. Rents and utility costs combined will be capped at 30 percent of each tenant’s income.

The Beltline’s goal, according to the company, is to create or preserve at least 5,600 affordable and workforce housing units within the Beltline Planning Area by 2030. As of November 2024, the Beltline has reached 69% of that goal

Atlanta is not the only city making a concerted effort to create stability for its unhoused population. Washington, D.C., recently converted dorms purchased from George Washington University into non-congregate shelters.

The Aston will serve as transitional housing for families with adult children and couples. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the dwelling “more than a building”—it is an opportunity to provide for the city’s most vulnerable.

dei, trump, colleges, rebrand — (Photo: Yan Krukau/Pexels)

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 17, 2025

Fund Manager On The Heels Of Nike and Starbucks Feels DEI Arguments Are Overrated

When it doesn't effect you, its looked at as "exaggerated."

James Fishback, co-creator of a fund that punishes corporations with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, says that the response to DEI pushback is being exaggerated, MarketWatch reported.

First garnering headlines due to a lawsuit over his previous title of “head of macro” at Greenlight Capital, Fishback has grabbed more attention by cozying up to the conservative political movement and his attack on DEI initiatives. He feels the GOP pushback hasn’t really stopped companies as it’s being relayed. “The death of DEI is greatly exaggerated. Most companies are merely pulling back their ‘performative DEI’ policies like funding Pride Parades or using Latinx to refer to people like my mom,” Fishback, the co-founder and chief investment officer of Azoria Partners, said.

“What they’re not doing is eliminating the anti-meritocratic DEI hiring quotas that continue to hold back companies like Nike, Kraft Heinz and Best Buy.”

He continued by saying more S&P 500 companies have DEI quotas today than they did in 2020, which he calls “a huge problem that is not going to solve itself.” His firm lives and breathes on finding companies that have DEI initiatives within their hiring protocols. Once identified, the firm contacts the corporation and gives them 48 hours to make corrections in order to be removed from a list of restricted organizations.

Fishback’s other targets include the newly developed Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech billionaire Elon Musk and failed presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The fund manager claims the department is more about a deregulatory agenda that Trump can’t initially implement without Congress over budget savings. He also has his eyes on a political run for the state of Florida, eyeing a campaign to take over Sen. Marco Rubio’s seat, as he now holds the title of incoming Secretary of State.

During his anti-woke and anti-DEI run, Fishback has targeted major corporations like Starbucks, but a number of long-time DEI loyalist companies like Walmart are being encouraged not to give in to “bullying” tactics from anti-DEI groups.

According to CBS News, a number of shareholders representing $266 billion in assets, including Amalgamated Bank and Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids, wrote a letter to Walmart’s CEO Doug McMillon expressing concern over “seeing our company give in to bullying and pressure from anti-DEI groups.” Seeing the company retreat from its stated values and the business opportunities associated with a diverse and inclusive workforce is very disheartening,” the investors wrote.

“Additionally, Walmart has not offered a financial or business case for this change in policy.”

After the retail giant abandoned its DEI initiatives in November 2024, the letter follows similar actions from a group of 14 attorneys general voicing concerns.

South Fulton, mayor, Khalil Kamau — Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-ledger-s-list-164686/

by Kandiss Edwards

January 17, 2025

South Fulton Mayor Under Investigation For Misappropriation Of Funds

South Fulton County Mayor Khalid Kamau's vacation to Ghana sparks investigation.

Metro Atlanta Mayor Khalid Kamau is under investigation for the alleged misappropriation of city funds, according to Channel 2 Action News.

The investigation was initiated by South Fulton County resident Reshard Snellings, who became suspicious after Kamau, renamed Mayor Kobi, documented a 20-day trip to Ghana. Snellings suspects taxpayer funds may have been used for the journey. An investigation into county credit card transactions revealed $26,000 in unexplained expenses, according to Channel 2’s investigative team.

When asked if South Fulton, Georgia, had any vested interest in Ghana, city councilwoman Helen Z. Willis said her focus was on the people of Fulton County.

“We need more economic development here, and we don’t need to go to Africa for the city to secure multi-business deals,” Willis said.

Snellings agreed, emphasizing that taxpayers have a right to transparency regarding how their money is spent.

“I wanted to find out if taxpayers paid for this trip,” Snellings said. “We should not be asked to go without so that our elected officials can travel all over the globe.”

Mayor Kobi responded to the allegations, claiming his political opponents are using the accusations to derail his re-election campaign.

“It’s a smear campaign. You will see in the meetings that the people who are talking the most are running for mayor in 2025,” the mayor said.

According to the city’s charter, the Channel 2 investigative team reviewed city records and found multiple purchases that lacked prior authorization. These included over $5,000 in plane tickets, a $1,300 drone, and several Amazon purchases.

Mayor Kobi has been in hot water before. In July 2023, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on then-Mayor Kamau’s arrest for trespassing and burglary of a private residence. Kamau entered the home under the impression that it was vacant and for sale. The startled homeowner confronted him and held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

Kamau was arrested and released on $10,000 bail. He thanked law enforcement for their professionalism during the incident.

“I do want to thank South Fulton Police and the staff and officers at Rice Street for their courteous and professional service throughout the day,” Kamau told WSB-TV.

The case remains unresolved.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 17, 2025

KB Partners Leads NIL FanBox To Secure $2.25M In Seed Funding To Expand On Growth and Innovation

Any teams you think should be added?

According to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE, the exciting new brand heightening collegiate fan experiences, NIL (name, image, likeness) FanBox, has secured $2.25 million in seed funding to help accelerate the brand to new heights.

The investment, led by early-stage venture capital firm KB Partners, will advance the company’s development, growth, and product offerings and combat efforts regarding the collegiate memorabilia market. As the country’s only university-approved, player-endorsed collectibles platform, NIL FanBox is labeled as a 100% turnkey solution giving permission to collegiate athletic departments to deliver personalized, physical memorabilia boxes — including autographed posters, prints, and trading cards — to fans’ doorsteps while continuing to generate recurring revenues back to student-athletes.

KB Partners’ Principal, Matt Howard, celebrated FanBox’s leadership in the space and said the team is excited about reconnecting fans with incredible moments in sports. “We’re excited to back NIL FanBox in its journey to reconnect fans to the stories and moments that make college sports unforgettable. The team has demonstrated incredible passion, expertise, and vision,” Howard said.

“We believe NIL FanBox is poised to lead the way in delivering personalized fan experiences in the new era of College Sports.”

By transforming fan engagement and the monetization of NIL within the college athletics space, FanBox has heightened the support of collegiate sports brands while deepening fan loyalty past just going to games. Their “fan-centric” solution gives athletic departments a more immersive fan experience with a “win-win” product offering.

FanBox’s journey started just four years ago, in 2021, and began with a partnership with the University of North Carolina and the University of Texas, generating $500,000. According to Sports Illustrated, the company has expanded to Ohio State University, Florida State University, and Gonzaga University.

The partnership provides fans QR codes to scan and unlock access to behind-the-scenes interviews with popular athletes. It also allows plan upgrades to rare memorabilia from legendary athletes from each school, with a “Living Legends” collection featuring Vince Young of the University of Texas, Tyler Hansbrough of the University of North Carolina and Braxton Miller of Ohio State University.

FanBox’s co-founder and CEO says working with KB Partners is a perfect step toward enhancing the experience college sports fans genuinely desire. “We are excited to partner with KB Partners, whose deep expertise in scaling innovative sports brands aligns perfectly with our vision for the future of NIL FanBox,” Comer said.

“This investment will allow us to enhance the experiences we deliver to our customers, expand our collegiate licensing relationships, and rapidly scale operations.”

Blacks In Detroit Can Benefit From $250K Digital Divide Investment By Rocket Community Fund

by Jeffrey McKinney

January 17, 2025

Blacks In Detroit Can Benefit From $250K Digital Divide Investment By Rocket Community Fund

New initiative will provide participants the tools to attain economic mobility and success in a digital landscape.

Hoping to help boost job opportunities for Blacks, the Rocket Community Fund is investing $250,000 to launch Digital Skills Detroit.

The Rocket Community Fund, in partnership with Tech Goes Home (TGH), says the program will equip 200 Detroiters with digital skills needed to flourish in today’s labor market and bolster economic empowerment in the city’s underserved communities.

BLACK ENTERPRISE was informed that most of the participants who register for training are Black, though the Rocket Community Fund offers services to all residents. According to this, participants will get a free digital device, access to affordable Internet, and hands-on training to develop essential skills.

For instance, they will learn to navigate the internet, use productivity software, gain Internet job search techniques, and access specific online services. The training will be conducted at Connect 313’s 17 local technology hubs, accessible community spaces offering internet connectivity and digital resources.

The fresh initiative comes after the Rocket Community Fund shared how it’s bridging the digital divide by advancing digital equity through targeted investments and collaborations.

Through investment and collaboration. The new program will be delivered over six months through workshops and Learning Circles led by local instructors trained by TGH. It was disclosed that the approach ensures culturally relevant and high-quality instruction tailored to Detroit’s unique needs, including addressing specific necessities of Detroit’s diverse populations.

Autumn Evans, Senior Program Manager at Rocket Community Fund, stated, “Digital literacy is essential for participating fully in today’s society. “Through partnerships like this, we’re addressing systemic barriers and providing Detroiters with tools to achieve economic mobility and success in a tech-driven world.”

TGH has partnered with hundreds of organizations statewide. It was disclosed that most of its learners are people of color, speak a primary language other than English, and have an annual household income of under $20K.

The Rocket Community Fund works with Rocket Mortgage and the Rocket Mortgage Classic PGA TOUR event. According to the news release, through its signature “Changing the Course” campaign, the Rocket Mortgage Classic has invested nearly $6 million in digital inclusion since 2019 and almost $10 million overall in community nonprofits. These efforts have helped connect over 150,000 families to low-cost internet options and provided 75,000 devices to residents. In 2024, over $581K was invested in digital inclusion nonprofits.