by Mary Spiller

February 16, 2026

Tubi Debuts HBCU Film Hub, Spotlighting Black Student Filmmakers, For Black History Month

The partnership with HBCU First LOOK Film Festival launches during Black History Month, expanding national access for emerging storytellers.

Streaming service Tubi has unveiled a slate of films created by students and graduates of Historically Black colleges and Universities for the launch of its partnership with the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival during Black History Month.

The platform released 20 films as part of the rollout, delivering on plans first shared in November at the festival’s annual awards ceremony.

At that event, founder Sheila Eldridge announced a collaboration with Tubi designed to give rising Black filmmakers broader visibility through a national streaming outlet.

Eldridge, a Howard University graduate and CEO of Miles Ahead Entertainment, described the partnership as a turning point for creators from HBCUs, calling it “a milestone for Black creatives.” The initiative aims to elevate voices that have traditionally faced barriers in film and television.

In addition to the 20 newly available titles, the dedicated streaming hub—branded “HBCU First Look”—is expected to feature more than 100 films from HBCU-affiliated creators. The collection spans documentaries, scripted projects, and experimental works from institutions including Morehouse College, Howard University, Florida A&M University, and Spelman College. The films explore themes ranging from student life to deeply personal narratives and broader cultural stories.

Tubi, known for its expansive digital catalog and growing original programming, said the partnership reflects an effort to connect with emerging filmmakers earlier in their careers. By providing a free, widely accessible platform, the company hopes to offer both exposure and sustainable opportunities for independent artists.

Among the highlighted selections is HIM+, a first-place short film written by Florida A&M alumnus Chazriq Clarke. Other featured projects include a documentary about the 15th Annual Café Mocha Salute THEM Awards, directed by Lee Solomon, along with experimental pieces such as Echo Of 22 by L. Palmer and Timeless by Dr. Shaina Thomas.

Eldridge’s career in media began under the mentorship of Cathy Hughes at WHUR-FM. She has since collaborated with major brands and cultural institutions, maintaining a focus on Black storytelling throughout her work.

Founded to create a professional pipeline for HBCU creatives, the festival now engages more than 15,000 students and alumni annually and drew over 700 submissions last year—evidence, organizers say, of growing demand for platforms centered on Black voices.

cheesesteak, Carter’s Cheesesteaks, Chinatown, philadelphia,

by Mary Spiller

February 16, 2026

Philadelphia’s Chinatown Welcomes First Black-Owned Spot, Carter’s Cheesesteaks

The new counter-service spot pairs classic rib-eye sandwiches with seafood twists while creating space for other Black entrepreneurs.

A new cheesesteak shop in Philadelphia is reshaping part of the city’s Chinatown’s business landscape.

Carter’s Cheesesteaks at 1016 Race St. is the first Black-owned business to establish itself in the neighborhood. The counter-service restaurant features both traditional rib-eye cheesesteaks and inventive variations topped with shrimp or lobster, blending familiar, city-loved flavors with surf-and-turf flair.

The restaurant officially opened its doors on Nov. 1, but has taken off during the new year. Owner Garci said opening the doors carries personal and historical weight.

“Me at 38 years old, I’m the first person to accomplish that goal,” he told Philadelphia’s FOX 29. “I could understand why some people wouldn’t want that to happen, so I felt like, because of that, let’s double down on that.”

Beyond operating the sandwich shop, Garci purchased the entire building and reimagined it as a small food-hall concept. The space now houses multiple Black-owned food ventures offering a range of cuisines, an effort he says is designed to expand opportunity and representation within the corridor.

“Let me bring some more Black people down here, let them also be a part of the history that’s being made because I feel like it’s a wonderful thing and change is needed,” Garci said.

The opening has sparked discussion among residents about growth and evolving business ownership in a district traditionally associated with dim sum parlors and bubble tea cafés. Supporters view the project as an addition to the area’s culinary diversity rather than a departure from it.

Garci said his own upbringing motivates him to set an example for younger generations.

“Chase your dream,” he said. “I really truly believe the more you chase your dream, put the work in, in the end you’ll get the reward.”

Chicago, Black-owned Grocery store, 40 acres

by Mary Spiller

February 16, 2026

Chicago Entrepreneur Opens Grocery Store To Reclaim Promise Of ‘Forty Acres’

The Black-owned market in Austin neighborhood blends history, design, and access to fresh food.

A long-broken post-Civil War pledge is finding new meaning on Chicago’s West Side.

During Black History Month, entrepreneur Liz Abunaw is reframing the historic promise of “40 acres and a mule” through the launch of her grocery store, Forty Acres Fresh Market, in the Austin neighborhood.

The concept references the federal government’s unfulfilled commitment to provide land and opportunity to formerly enslaved people. For Abunaw, it represents economic ownership and community investment.

“What would it look like if we actually got our 40 acres?” Abunaw told CBS News Chicago. In her view, it looks like a thriving, Black woman-owned supermarket serving its Chicago neighbors.

Located at Chicago Avenue and Waller Street, the store occupies a space that once housed a Salvation Army thrift shop.

“This place used to look like a prison,” she said, recalling its concrete block walls and minimal entryway. When redesigning the property, she focused on light and openness. “You have to open it up,” she explained.

Inside, Abunaw said she aimed for a contemporary general store atmosphere, inspired in part by mid-century soda fountains.

“The decor in this place, I wanted it to feel like a 1950s ice cream shop,” she said.

The market opened in September 2025, marking a significant milestone for a community that previously lacked a full-service grocery option. Abunaw said Chicago’s Austin residents often had to travel to surrounding neighborhoods or the suburbs to buy essentials.

“Look around us. The mayor lives on the next block,” she noted. “The man can afford food, but until we got here, he had to go into Oak Park to get food.”

Though she resists labeling the area a “food desert,” Abunaw acknowledged disparities in access to fresh groceries. Drawing on experience from her years at General Mills, she said running a supermarket requires precision.

“Grocery is not complicated, but it is complex,” she said, adding that success depends on managing many small tasks at once.

Customers say the convenience is transformative. Resident Samuel Correa said quick trips for basics are now possible without a lengthy drive. Community member Haniyyah King praised both the symbolism and quality of the store’s offerings.

Abunaw believes competitive pricing is key to sustainability. “If we’re charging the same prices as other grocery stores, that means we’re doing it right,” she said.

While proud of her achievement, Abunaw emphasized she is building on a legacy of Black-owned Chicago grocers who came before her—and continuing a story that began generations ago.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 15, 2026

‘Sinners’ Filmmaker Ryan Coogler Makes Tearful Speech After Big Wins At AAFCA Awards

The acclaimed director took home awards for Best Director and Writer at the 17th annual ceremony.

Sinners director Ryan Coogler let the emotions fly at the 17th annual African American Film Critics Association Awards in Los Angeles.

At the Feb. 8 ceremony, Coogler took home multiple awards, including Best Writer, according to WBLS.

Coogler cried twice at the event. In one acceptance speech, Coogler shouted out his big supporter, fellow filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who presented him the award for Best Writer.

NiteCast media shared a snippet of the heartwarming event.

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“Every man has come up here and cried,” Coogler joked while wiping away tears. “I’m the first one to cry twice. Ava, you made me feel safe in this industry. Every day, knowing that you’re out there makes me feel safe. I think the love of a Black woman is the most powerful human force on Earth.”

He then shined a light on all the people who brought his vision of Sinners to life.

“The director is nothing without that crew, without that cast,” he continued. “It’s truly a community-based job. It is a skill, it is a craft, it is a calling, but you need people to do it.”

Coogler singled out his wife, Zinzi, who co-produced Sinners, calling her his “better-looking, smarter, wiser…much better half.”

Sinners took home multiple awards from the evening, including Best Ensemble, Best Music (film composer Ludwig Göransson), and Best Film. The film’s other stars, including Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, and Delroy Lindo, were also honored for their work.

Hosted by Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the AAFCA recognized its Top Ten films of the year, which included Sinners.

The awards season continues for Coogler as Sinners prepares for its night at the Oscars with a record-breaking 16 ] nominations.

bookstore,Houston, The Reading Room, Black art

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 15, 2026

The Reading Room In Houston Offers Visitors A Trailblazing Library Filled With Black Art Books

The Reading Room offers programming for all ages dedicated to learning more about Black art history.

The Reading Room in Houston offers visitors a chance to surround themselves with Black art history through its books.

Located at the Sanman Studios in downtown Houston, The Reading Room is a curation of Black culture, knowledge, and joy, primarily through its art history literature.

The idea came to the reference library’s founder, Amarie Gipson, who “wanted to find a place where I could be surrounded by books—Black art books, specifically,” she explained to Houstonia.

Only seeing these books scattered across exhibits, Gipson sought to build upon her first art book. (She now now has more than 800.) The art history graduate now wants all to dive inside the world of Black diasporic art and culture.

“At the core of it, it’s Black. It’s Black diasporic…It’s Southern…It’s global South. It’s all that,” she said. The works range from Afrofuturism to legendary authors like Zora Neale Hurtson and James Baldwin, to contemporary visionaries like Spike Lee and homegrown favorite, Beyoncé, whose Cowboy Carter art book is among the shelves.

Before The Reading Room, which started online in February 2023, Gibson strengthened her passion and knowledge in the overarching art scene. She helped revitalize museums, later hosting pop-ups until a space for the library could blossom on its own. Since then, she has fostered a new kind of space that fosters creativity and community as much as learning.

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Gipson added, “It’s a library. It’s just culturally specific, young and cool—a place where reading is sexy. It’s fun…It’s colorful…It’s calm…It’s not too overwhelming.”

Black people remain underrepresented in the art history spaces, especially as an academic discipline and a focus in a museum. According to Artnet, works by Black women artists only account for .5% of acquisitions across 31 art museums in the United States.

“My motivation for creating this space is to provide that sort of access to other people who don’t necessarily have the opportunity to study art history,” Gipson said. “Folks who are curious should be able to come into a space and learn without feeling like there’s some kind of limitation to the access or behavioral expectation.”

Dedicated to showcasing Black art, life, and stories, The Reading Room remains grounded in archiving Black culture while others can find beauty and common-ground with these distinct experiences.

“I’m committed to our stories,” Gipson said. “I’m committed to the way that we live, who we are, and to making this amazing place where we can feel safe and celebrated no matter what happens.”

Visitors can witness the Black art library for free and programs are available throughout the year.

flights, Government Shutdown, Staff Shortage

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 15, 2026

What To Know For Your Next Flight As DHS Stunted By Government Shutdown

With the partial shutdown directly impacting the DHS, TSA officers will have to forego pay again, reminiscent of the previous shutdown that occurred last year.

As flyers hit the skies this President’s Day Weekend, here’s what they should know as the Department of Homeland Security is impacted by the partial government shutdown.

The shutdown has many wondering about their trips, with no annual budget currently approved for the government agency over airport security. Lawmakers have sat embroiled in a battle over DHS spending, specifically regarding its implementation of ICE agents and immigration enforcement. The shutdown officially paused DHS funding Feb. 14.

With the partial shutdown directly impacting the DHS, TSA officers will have to forego pay again, reminiscent of the previous shutdown that occurred in fall of last year. Given this, airports are expecting potentially longer wait times at security checkpoints.

Last year, some airports saw lines outside the doors as TSA workers began to call out due to lack of pay. Depending on how long this shutdown lasts, TSA workers may not see their next checks, causing strife with nearly all of these workers deemed essential.

Thankfully, while wait times may vary, it has been reported that flight schedules should proceed as relatively normal due to the shutdown remaining partial. Air traffic controllers, paid through the still-funded Federal Aviation Administration, will receive their checks.

However, if the shutdown drags on, airports may delay flights to keep up with the lagged security times.

Generally, experts warn flyers to remain extra cautious, allotting extra time as the situation may vary daily. Travelers should also remain prepared for longer waits, even for screenings of carry-on and checked luggage. This could potentially delay flights, and their own arrivals at gates, even more.

As for when the shutdown is expected to end, frequent flyers should hang tight. Several organizations, such as U.S. Travel, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, have already warned of impacted spring break travel.

“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, which increases the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights,” wrote the groups in a joint statement, according to PBS News.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers remain at a standstill over the funding of ICE, a part of the DHS. Democrats have refused to approve a budget that grants immigration enforcement more funding amid nationwide violence and protests.

NFL, Brian Flores, discrimination lawsuit

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 15, 2026

Brian Flores’ NFL Discrimination Lawsuit On ‘Racist’ Hiring Practices Will Likely Head To Court

The ruling rejects the appeal made by the NFL to keep the case privately settled.

The discrimination lawsuit against the National Football League, led by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, can now proceed in open court.

A federal judge presiding over the matter determined that the lawsuit over the NFL’s alleged racist hiring practices can bypass the league’s arbitration process. According to AP News, Flores, a Black man, sued the league alongside two others in February 2022 after his firing from the Florida franchise.

Although Flores found a new footing in the league, currently serving as defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, he and fellow disgruntled coaches spoke out about the unjust treatment of Black coaches. Although the NFL initially sought to keep the legal battle private by taking its appeal to the Supreme Court, Judge Valerie Caproni of the Southern District of New York determined that the case could proceed to trial.

Flores’ legal team issued a statement expressing gratitude for the court’s decision, saying that the open court process will provide a “fair, neutral, and transparent forum” to shine a light on this issue.

“The court’s decision recognizes that an arbitration forum in which the defendant’s own chief executive gets to decide the case would strip employees of their rights under the law,” Flores’ attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb said in a statement. “It is long overdue for the NFL to recognize this and finally provide a fair, neutral, and transparent forum for these issues to be addressed.”

In the original lawsuit, Flores alleged that several NFL franchises did not hire Black coaches in good faith, calling the process “rife with racism” that led to seemingly unwarranted or swift firings. The Dolphins let him go following a 24-25 record over three years, although Flores did have back-to-back winning seasons with the team.

Alongside the Dolphins, Flores also cited the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, and Houston Texans for racially biased hiring practices. Other coaches in the suit, Steve Wilks and Ray Horton, also claimed racism in their appointments and subsequent firings from the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans, respectively.

The NFL has also not hired any new Black coaches in its postseason, as confirmed by The Athletic. Only Three Black head coaches currently lead any team roster. As for the discrimination lawsuit, a pretrial hearing remains set for April 3.

by Mary Spiller

February 15, 2026

Barack Obama Slams ‘Clown Show’ Politics, Calls Trump Ape Post A Distraction As He Warns Of Eroding Decorum

The former president says respect for public office have faded.

Former President Barack Obama criticized the coarsening tone of American politics during a recent podcast appearance, days after a racially offensive video targeting him and former first lady Michelle Obama circulated on President Donald Trump’s social media account.

Speaking with liberal commentator Brian Tyler Cohen in a 47-minute episode released on Feb. 14, Obama did not reference Trump directly but addressed what he described as a broader decline in public standards. “Discourse has devolved to a level of cruelty that we haven’t seen before,” he said when asked about the state of political conversation in the United States.

As reported by the BBC, the controversy stems from a video shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform that included unfounded allegations about fraud in the 2020 presidential election. At the end of the clip — set to the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” — was an image depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. The imagery evoked long-standing racist stereotypes and quickly sparked condemnation from both Democratic and Republican leaders.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2019779053104832727

Among the critics was Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the Senate, who called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”

Initially, the White House dismissed criticism as “fake outrage.” The post was later removed, with officials attributing its publication to a staff member. Trump told reporters he “didn’t see” the portion of the video featuring the Obamas and said, “I didn’t make a mistake,” when asked if he planned to apologize.

During the podcast, Cohen referenced the post while discussing broader political tensions, including rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement. He noted that the White House had labeled some Immigration and Customs Enforcement targets as “domestic terrorists” and added, “Just days ago, Donald Trump put a picture of you, your face, on an ape’s body.”

Obama responded by shifting focus to public reaction. “It’s important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling,” he said. “It is true that it gets attention. It’s true that it’s a distraction.”

While condemning the tone of certain media and online spaces — calling it “this sort of clown show that’s happening in social media and on television” — Obama said his travels across the country suggest many Americans “still believe in decency, courtesy, kindness.”

He added that what once guided public officials — “some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office” — now appears diminished. “That’s been lost,” he said.

Beyond the controversy, Obama also discussed peaceful protests against immigration enforcement, electoral redistricting, and the progress of his presidential library in Chicago, slated to open next year.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 15, 2026

Trump Vows To Make Voter ID A Requirement Before Midterm Elections

Trump suggested he may use an executive order to push new voter ID rules though.

Donald Trump is adamant about making a national voter ID requirement official ahead of the midterm elections.

The U.S. president shared his plans to enforce the voter-ID requirement in new posts on Truth Social, released Feb. 13. In the social media snippets, he revealed that he intends to make the legislation happen through an executive order.

Trump blamed Democrats for allowing the requirement to remain unenforced, leaving him to take on the task himself. The president has also claimed to have researched the issue thoroughly. He noted plans to present his case “in the very near future.

“The Democrats refuse to vote for Voter I.D., or Citizenship. The reason is very simple — They want to continue to cheat in Elections,” wrote Trump. “This was not what our Founders desired. I have searched the depths of Legal Arguments not yet articulated or vetted on this subject, and will be presenting an irrefutable one in the very near future.

However, Trump remains committed to implementing voted-ID before the 2026 midterms this fall. So much so, he is willing to bypass Congress for it.

He added, “There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not!”

In a follow-up post, Trump continued his tirade against the Democratic lawmakers and his alleged suspicions regarding their opposition to voter ID.

“We cannot let the Democrats get away with NO VOTER I.D. any longer. These are horrible, disingenuous CHEATERS,” he wrote in a subsequent post. “They have all sorts of reasons why it shouldn’t be passed, and then boldly laugh in the backrooms after their ridiculous presentations.”

Naysayers fear that the requirement would risk the voting rights of several groups.

A current bill on the House floor, the SAVE America Act, would require proof of citizenship and a photo ID to cast a ballot. According to CNBC, most Democrats condemned the Trump-backed bill for its potential voter disenfranchisement.

While Trump has pushed the bill as helping the GOP, others say the opposite–that many people in red states don’t have the proper ID to vote, while many more Blue state residents hold passports. CNN‘s Abby Phillip tweeted in response to conservative pundit Scott Jennings’ support of the act, “Here are the facts: the 7 states where 2/3 of Americans don’t have a passport. All of them are red states: West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Yes, that’s your home state, Scott.”

Here are the facts: the 7 states where 2/3 of Americans don't have a passport. All of them are red states: West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Yes, that's your home state, Scott.

Married women whose married names aren't on their… https://t.co/H7mv0KkCBa
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) February 12, 2026

The President intends to push the matter through an executive order, although the validity of such action remains unclear.

“This is an issue that must be fought, and must be fought, NOW! If we can’t get it through Congress, there are Legal reasons why this SCAM is not permitted. I will be presenting them shortly, in the form of an Executive Order.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 15, 2026

Black Visual Artist Nick Cave’s ‘Mammoth’ Exhibition Challenges Historical Erasure At The Smithsonian

By Robert Hill

Artist Nick Cave is presenting his new body of artwork titled “Mammoth” at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

The exhibition opened Feb. 13 and features mammoths displayed as large-scale sculptures and in video installations. His artwork explores history, identity, and social reflection. The show marks Cave’s first solo exhibition in Washington, D.C., bringing his work to the nation’s capital and highlighting art and cultural conversation.

The artist Nick Cave takes up issues of race and climate change in beads, sequins and Lite-Brite colors at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Couched in dazzle is “a pervasive fear,” according to one curator, “without ever surfacing directly.” https://t.co/pq99C8ElHp
— New York Times Arts (@nytimesarts) February 10, 2026

Cave is known for creating large-scale artworks that prompt viewers to reflect on history and identity.

Cave, a Black artist raised in Missouri and now based in Chicago, is known for his celebrated “Soundsuits,” sculptural garments that merge fashion, performance, and visual art. Originally created in response to the 1991 Rodney King beating, the works conceal the wearer’s identity, challenging assumptions about race, gender, and class while symbolizing protection and empowerment. Cave, who has been exhibited at major museums nationwide, activates his pieces through dance and collaborative performances, often staging large community events in unconventional spaces. Some of his artwork also explores themes surrounding slavery and racist imagery.

In the Smithsonian show, he uses a prehistoric animal as a visual centerpiece, prompting his audience to reflect on the past and its connection to present-day conversations. He also included family heirlooms and other items to assemble the show.

To make this happen, Cave gathered all the elements in his studio, strategically plotted how everything would appear, and worked on site for two weeks. The piece is built from open metal frames, wispy hair, and other materials. He incorporated a collection of his grandfather’s tools, his brother’s wooden cane, and his grandmother’s ceramic florals into his sculptures.

He connects his artwork to today’s broader concerns about the erasure of history, referencing how the Trump administration’s order urged Smithsonian museums to remove what it described as “Improper Ideology.” However, the show is continuing, especially given the current state of the world.

As reported by CNN, “I’m witnessing a time where history is being erased, but yet history is being revealed at the same time,” Cave explained. “And so, when I think about mammoths, I think that at one point, they existed on the Earth, and then were extinct and buried, and then rediscovered. What is erased becomes revealed. What is removed, reappears.”

The goal of the “Mammoth” exhibition is to allow viewers to spend time with each object and form their own observations and meanings, just as Cave did.