Amazon, CEO, Andy Jassy, middle managers

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 15, 2025

VIRAL VIDEO: Amazon Driver Goes Postal After Man Allegedly Spits In Face

The Amazon driver says the man called him an idiot and the n-word before spitting in his face.

An Amazon driver went viral for documenting a confrontation with an allegedly racist man who he claims spat in his face.

The delivery driver, whose name is David McDonald, shared a video of the bloody cyclist and others walking in a neighborhood. In the clip’s description, he recalled the situation that led to things getting physical.

According to the Amazon driver’s account of the incident, the cyclist accused him of nearly hitting him with his delivery truck. Its On Site reposted the TikTok footage of the viral incident.

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“So I’m minding my business, making deliveries at an intersection. The man you see all [bloody] in the video was riding his bike traveling eastbound. I was trying to cross that street traveling northbound.”

The delivery driver continued explaining that he had to inch out closer on the obstructed road to make sure he could continue safely. The cyclist considered the move too close for his comfort, leading him to become aggressive with the man.

The cyclist proceeded to allegedly call the Amazon worker an “idiot” and the n-word, to which the driver responded by hoping he slipped and fell off his bike. As the driver continued his shift, however, the cyclist had more to say about the ordeal.

While the delivery driver made his next stop, the cyclist biked over to approach him. McDonald claimed the cyclist yelled and hurled out threats, despite his not wanting to keep up the exchange.

After telling him to move away from his truck so he could make the next delivery, the cyclist allegedly grabbed him and spat on him. McDonald immediately got out of his vehicle to fight back for the disrespect.

It resulted in his video documenting the bloodied man while an older couple, who did not witness the original encounter, questioned him. Unaware of what happened earlier, the couple began to condemn the driver for the assault.

However, McDonald stood his ground, arguing that his actions were warranted after the spitting assault.

“He spit on me, and I beat his a–,” shared McDonald before emphasizing his plans to call the police.

Despite the older couple blaming him for the bloodied man, the Amazon driver kept the same energy about his actions.

“Ride the f-ck up out here. Don’t spit on me again. Watch what you do. You don’t know who I am or what I got going on …that’s the upmost disrespect,” he said to the banged-up cyclist in the TikTok.

After the couple refused to listen to his side about what led to the fighting, McDonald walked away from the older couple who were defending the man and his apparent racist actions.

“Whatever, I bet God wouldn’t have tolerated it….I don’t give a f–k about none of that. He needs to have more self-respect and more self- control…keep condoning that racist a– bullsh-t.”

In the description, McDonald said his girlfriend overheard the entire ordeal on the phone. Those in the neighborhood also offered their doorbell footage to prove his case. McDonald even launched a GoFundMe to make up for lost wages as he recovers from the incident.

Atlanta, fecal matter, Tiarra Logan, Snellville

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 15, 2025

Toxic Air: Metro Atlanta Mother Sues Landlord Over Fecal Matter Spewing From Apartment Heater

The single mother of four had to immediately vacate the property following the discovery.

A single mother of four in Metro Atlanta is suing her landlord after discovering fecal matter blowing from her home’s heater.

Tiarra Logan had been in a year-long battle with her landlord over a sewage issue that led to even grosser discoveries. Despite informing her landlord about the sewage backup, the issue persisted and affected other parts of the home.

Logan initially moved to the Metro Atlanta neighborhood of Snellville three years ago to escape a domestic situation. Coming all the way from California, this current housing ordeal left her with limited options. Now, she and her four children must share a hotel room during the holidays, a situation she deems unfair and preventable.

“We shouldn’t be living like this,” Logan explained to Atlanta News First, before adding, “I don’t have family here. I left California to come here for safety. It took me wanting to see something different for them, so that’s why I’m here.”

She first discovered the sewage problems last year, but the landlord, STAR Borrower SFR6 LP, and the property manager for Invitation Homes gave her household remedies to resolve the issues.

“I complained, ‘What’s going on? What’s that smell? They told me, ‘Just pour bleach down the drain. Everything’s going to be fine,” Logan said.

After months of no real progress, property management sent a contractor to investigate the matter. Despite the contractor finding no issue, things began to escalate as the sewage backed up into the tub and toilet.

Her children also began to get sick, with another contractor finding the backup in the sewage tank. Invitation Homes is calling the issue resolved upon the discovery. However, the smell still lingered, and black spots appeared in the heater vents.

The contractors did not fix the sewage leaks, with additional fees and rent issues also adding to her rental woes. However, the Metro Atlanta mother tried to keep up with the charges to conceal her address.

“The reason I kept paying my rent was because I didn’t want my address exposed,” Logan continued. “With an eviction being filed, your name can be searched, and the address pops up.”

Fees from renters’ insurance and home liability began to pile up, and a double rent charge made matters worse. The issues led to an eviction notice on her account. However, she successfully fought the problem, with a Gwinnett County Magistrate Court judge ordering Invitation Homes to repay her $6,000 and to repair the damage to the home.

Months later, the property group still has yet to repay her, insisting on giving her a credit instead. Now that her address was made public, Logan opted to move out to protect her and her children’s safety. However, she needs the ruling’s money to do so effectively.

It wasn’t until this November that another contractor discovered the sewage that had leaked into the home’s HVAC unit.

“We were blowing fecal vapors throughout the home the entire time,” Logan shared.

Experts deemed the water in the overflowed toilet extremely hazardous, forcing Logan to evacuate her family abruptly. Now, she remains in limbo for her next home, as Invitation Homes continues to grapple with several controversies. Last year, the property group settled a $48 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission for reportedly deceiving renters, including letting them live in unsafe conditions.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 15, 2025

NAACP Launches AI-Focused Healthcare Initiative To Address Equity Gaps In Medicine

The Ace Your Health initiative aims to provide a equity-first framework for AI to benefit healthcare services.

The NAACP has launched a new initiative utilizing AI to bridge equity gaps in healthcare.

The civil rights organization has announced the ACE Your Health Initiative in collaboration with Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical company. The initiative aims to provide an “equity-first, human-centered approach” to healthcare service strengthened by AI.

In a white paper, the NAACP detailed the initiative’s plan and methodology toward further implementing healthcare in AI. The association intends for the advanced technology to work beyond illness prevention. It can also advance treatment and diagnosis of diseases within underserved communities. The initiative even intends for AI to assist with data collection as the need for diverse clinical trials remains.

“As a physician, I’ve seen what happens when systems are built without the people they are meant to serve,” said Dr. Chris Pernell, director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity, in a press release. “AI can transform patient care, but only if it reflects the real lives and experiences of our communities. When Black, Brown, and underserved patients are missing from the data, they are missing from the solutions. Health AI must be built with dignity, transparency, and centered on the communities it’s meant to benefit.”

However, the association also emphasized the need for responsible usage of AI. Despite the technology offering abundant medical opportunities, rising concerns about an “AI divide” persist. This issue primarily stems from inequitable integration, particularly with biased datasets.

To combat this, Ace Your Health will implement a model to foster accountability and ethical responsibility as the technology becomes more deeply ingrained across various healthcare services. The initiative will later publish equity impact assessments, using fairness metrics and inclusive data practices to ensure these changes.

To engage the community, the initiative will also focus on AI literacy. This additional element will ensure patients and providers are aware of how the technology will serve in these capacities.

“Even as AI promises to deliver more personalized and predictive healthcare, the perils — both known and unknown — require attention to ethics, safety, and equity,” added S. Craig Watkins, Ph.D., ACE Your Health AI Taskforce chair. “The ACE Your Health initiative is poised to leverage the wide range of voices — clinical, community, and industry — necessary to build an AI governance framework that is actionable, impactful, and inspired from the ground up.”

With this framework in place, Ace Your Health will put Black and Brown communities at the forefront of healthcare advancement. Ahead of its release, the initiative will rely on guidance from industry leaders, healthcare systems, policymakers, and others as it holistically develops this plan.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 15, 2025

Sticky Fingers: Postal Worker Caught On Camera Hiding Mail In Her Pants

She was seen on video allegedly using a stolen T.J. Maxx card

Jovanni Jamison-Lewis, a postal worker in Suffolk County, Long Island, was arrested after allegedly being caught on camera stealing items from envelopes and using them for her personal benefit.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office alerted the media of the arrest and arraignment of the 35-year-old Jamison-Lewis. She has been charged with Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony; Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor; and Official Misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor.

The alleged crimes took place at the Oakdale Post Office.

“Suffolk County residents depend upon the reliability of the mail service every day, and my office is committed to investigating and prosecuting any public officials who tamper with it for their own personal gain,” said District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney in a written statement. “I want to thank the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General for their hard work and cooperation in this case.”

While under investigation by the post office on Nov. 19, Jamison-Lewis allegedly stole two envelopes containing gifts for the intended recipients. The envelopes were mailed as part of an undercover operation in which an investigator sent the items to the post office. In one envelope, there was a greeting card and a T.J. Maxx gift card; in the other, a greeting card and three lottery scratch-off tickets. Jamison-Lewis allegedly stole the envelopes but returned the cards to them for mailing.

The next day, she was seen on surveillance video at a T.J. Maxx, using the stolen gift card.

The post office investigators, along with agents from the USPS Office of the Inspector General, arrived at the Oakdale station Nov. 24 and arrested Jamison-Lewis. When she was detained, she was allegedly found with two stolen pieces of mail in her pants and four more in her pocketbook. She was also discovered with the items purchased at T.J. Maxx on Nov. 20.

After obtaining search warrants for her residence and vehicle, investigators allegedly found an additional 20 pieces of stolen mail.

Jamison-Lewis had just celebrated a year at the job, being hired in November 2024. She resigned Dec. 1.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 15, 2025

FTC Warns Senior Fraud Losses Soared In 2024 — How To Protect Yourself

Seniors have been consistently targeted by a wide range of scams.

New data from the Federal Trade Commission show that reported financial fraud losses among older Americans increased sharply in 2024, totaling billions of dollars.

A wide range of scams has consistently targeted seniors, the FTC revealed in a report to Congress. In its annual report to the Senate and House Judiciary committees, the FTC said that “consumers reported losing about $12.8 billion to fraud in 2024” and that older adults accounted for a significant share of those losses, including large individual losses. Older consumers often reported the largest individual dollar losses. People age 80 and older reported a median loss of about $1,600 in 2024, higher than for younger groups.

Older adults most frequently reported losses to investment scams, business impostors, government impersonators, and romance scams, and social media was a common method of initial contact for investment scams, the FTC said. However, there are steps consumers can take to avoid becoming victims of fraud.

Federal and consumer advocacy resources offer clear guidance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and FTC jointly advise consumers on safe financial practices.

Don’t wire money. Wiring money is like sending cash. Once you send it, you usually can’t get it back.
Don’t pay with gift cards, because gift cards give scammers instant control of the money.
Don’t pay with cryptocurrency, as the currency lacks legal protections and is difficult to reverse.
Research all potential business entities or business partners.

The two agencies also recommend reporting suspicious contacts and scams to government authorities.

“Report fraud to the FTC…at ReportFraud.ftc.gov,” they wrote, noting information helps protect the broader community from scams and bad business practices.

Furthermore, independent organizations also emphasize awareness and education. The Better Business Bureau advised that a key step in preventing scams is to become familiar with common scams targeting older adults and to encourage older adults to ignore suspicious calls or messages.

Additional support is available through the AARP Fraud Watch Network, which provides free helpline services to help spot and avoid scams. AARP’s online resource encourages people to seek guidance when they see signs of fraud and offers “tips on how to spot a scam,” as well as steps to take after detecting one.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 15, 2025

Shoppers Turn To AI To Snag Deals This Holiday Season

Rising costs and stagnant wages push consumers toward AI assistants.

Artificial intelligence is aiding Americans in their holiday shopping this season. Shoppers are using AI tools for everything from personalized gift suggestions to direct purchases and price tracking.

As prices rise and wages stagnate, consumers face tight budgets. This is leading to an increased use of AI chatbots and assistants to help them find deals and make purchases. Half of U.S. adults surveyed as part of The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research say it is harder than usual to afford holiday presents this year. Thus, consumers are using chatbot tools to guide their shopping decisions, leading major retailers like Walmart and Target to partner with AI platforms such as ChatGPT to allow customers to shop directly on the platform.

Salesforce projects that AI will influence about $263 billion in global holiday sales this year. The figure represents a significant portion of online orders as AI tools help consumers discover products, compare prices, and make buying decisions more efficiently.

AI-powered tools now offer features beyond simple search. Some assistants provide occasion-based gift suggestions and price comparisons tailored to a user’s inputs, while newer systems aim to streamline checkout processes without leaving the chat interface. This integration is the first wave of “agentic commerce,” in which AI can actively mediate transactions rather than just assist with research.

Assistance is needed, as Americans are struggling to pay for necessities. Consequently, the financial burden of holiday shopping is difficult to manage.

“The poll found that when consumers do shop, about half of Americans are finding the lowest price more than they can normally afford. About 4 in 10 are dipping into their savings more than at other times.”

The rise of AI in retail is not limited to large chains. Independent AI shopping platforms and voice-enabled systems are emerging that help users refine recommendations through conversational queries and memory of prior interactions.

As shoppers adapt to AI-assisted discovery and purchasing, the holiday season may mark a turning point in AI’s usefulness to the greater population.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 14, 2025

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Kicks Off New Season With Marketing Revamp Under Alicia Graf Mack

Mack's vision for the future is lofty, plans to engage contemporary audiences include integrating mainstream musicians moves forward.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated its opening season Dec. 3. Leading the charge was the newly appointed artistic director, Alicia Graf Mack.

Graf Mack was named artistic director in 2025, becoming only the fourth person to lead the company since its founding in 1958 by choreographer Alvin Ailey. Her appointment followed the tenure of Robert Battle and came after years of direct involvement with the organization as both a dancer and educator. Graf Mack previously performed with the company and later served as dean and director of the Juilliard School’s Dance Division before returning to Ailey in a leadership role. In an interview with Inc, Mack framed her leadership as both personal and mission-driven.

“Working here is more than a job. It is part of who I am and what I believe in. So, I am not just here to fulfill my hours. I am all-in,” she said.

As a leader and former pupil who studied under the last two directors, Judith Jamison and Battle, she honors the founding philosophy while adapting to contemporary audiences and platforms.

“Dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people,” Ailey told the outlet.

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Her vision for the future is lofty; plans to engage contemporary audiences include integrating mainstream musicians as she moves forward.

“We have to create collaborations across industries, like music collaborations, to reach more people too,” she said, describing how the organization plans to engage audiences beyond traditional concert settings.

Graf Mack’s appointment signals a new phase, focused on strategic growth rather than reinvention. The company plans to emphasize digital outreach, partnerships, and storytelling that reinforce the Ailey brand while remaining faithful to its cultural roots.

Founded in New York City, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has long been recognized for centering Black cultural expression within modern dance. The company has toured internationally as an ambassador of American art. Graf Mack’s return to the company places that legacy in the hands of a leader shaped by both its past and its evolving future.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 14, 2025

The Weeknd Inks $1B Catalog Partnership, Maintaining Singer’s Creative Control Over Music

The partnership will ensure The Weeknd keeps creative control over his art while still capitalizing on the assets.

The Weeknd has announced a new billion-dollar deal that solidifies his control of his artistic legacy.

The “Blinding Lights” singer has signed a catalog partnership with Lyric Capitol Group. The business venture will allow Lyric to invest in his extensive music catalog while The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, and his team maintain creative control. According to Variety, The Weeknd will also be a shareholder and part-owner in the business endeavor.

The Weeknd forged the deal by ensuring he maintains creative control over his music. Instead of simply selling off his catalog, he and Lyric created a new model where he keeps his publishing rights and masters. Lyric described the development of their unique deal with The Weeknd as it paves the way for other artists to scale their music without sacrificing artistic integrity.

“From the beginning of the meeting, it was clear to all at Lyric that Abel would not sell his catalog. He wanted to be more innovative and creative in the way we established a partnership. To that end, through this venture, we constructed and launched a new business model with Abel and his iconic catalog whereby Abel and his team have the freedom to execute their creative vision with the entirety of his rights, both publishing and masters. This unique catalog deal sets a new standard for artist equity and control.”

Lyric Capital invests in music royalties, with the deal estimating to have a lofty payout in royalty multiples. Estimates show that the assets’ value totaled around $1 billion, based on an 18.2 multiple of its $55 million in net label and net publisher share.

However, the deal only includes music by The Weeknd through 2025, and will not hold for future releases. His publishing catalog remains administered by Universal Music Publishing Group.

Despite the stipulations, the partnership has reportedly become one of the biggest deals for a single artist’s catalog. The two parties hope to revolutionize the music industry, while breaking ground on new deals that prioritize artists in these conversations.

“I couldn’t be more excited about what Lyric, Abel, and team have created together,” said Ross Cameron, Lyric founding/co-managing partner. “From our first meeting, it was clear to me that we were sitting around the table with individuals that were going to change the way an artist thinks about his assets, music, and legacy. The collaboration resulted in a first-of-its-kind partnership between an artist and Lyric, and we are beyond thrilled about this new venture.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 14, 2025

‘Sinners’ Honored With Best Film And Seven Other Wins By African American Film Critics Association

The Ryan Coogler-directed film received 8 awards by the film critics association.

Sinners is this year’s best film, according to the African American Film Critics Association, which also bestowed seven other honors on the film.

The organization named the Ryan Coogler-directed horror film as its movie of the year. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film swept the nominations by the AAFCA, also taking home best ensemble.

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It led the pack of other major films this award season, followed closely by One Battle After Another and Hedda. Other films featuring a Black lead that made the list include Wicked For Good, F1, and One Of Them Days.

However, Sinners remained at the forefront of major AAFCA categories. Coogler earned the Best Director and Best Writing nods. The film’s star, Michael B. Jordan, also received the Best Actor recognition, with co-star Miles Canton getting the Emerging Face (Actor) award.

In other nods for the Sinners cast, Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress. The film’s composer, Ludwig Goransson, also received the accolade for Best Music.

The AAFCA awards films for their notable and unique storytelling, especially movies focused on the Black experience. The organization also recognized the Tessa Thompson-led film Hedda, giving the star the Best Actress nod for her work.

“The cinematic voices recognized this year remind us of the power of film to challenge, inspire, and unite,” AAFCA President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson said in a statement. “From bold new visions to unforgettable performances, these winners represent storytellers who are pushing the art form forward while speaking to the moment we are living in. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and the impact their work continues to have on audiences worldwide.”

Sinners has already emerged a major contender this awards season, as the blockbuster hit had several IMAX runs along with rave reviews from critics. As award ceremonies get underway, the film hopes to make history, especially with its Black director and predominantly Black cast.

While the announcement of the awardees has already been made, the AAFCA will honor the winners will gather at its 17th annual Awards ceremony. The event will take place Feb. 8.

Hot 97, 'Ebro in the Morning,' As Host, Progressive Views

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 14, 2025

Hot 97 Hangs Up ‘Ebro in the Morning,’ As Host Claims Progressive Views Led To Cancellation

The show has been on air since 2012.

Hot 97 radio fans must say goodbye to one of its staple radio shows.

Billboard confirmed the station has signed off on Ebro In The Morning. Hosted by Ebro Darden, the morning show had its final airing Dec. 12, ending a 13-year run on the New York-based station.

Funkmaster Flex is taking Ebro’s morning slot.

Darden and his co-hosts, Laura Stylez and Peter Rosenberg, all issued statements regarding the cancellation that shocked many listeners. Ebro made a brief comment to social media about the show’s axing, essentially telling fans to stay tuned.

It’s done.

More to come.#EbroInTheMorning
— the Old Man Ebro (@oldmanebro) December 12, 2025

Additional reps for Rosenberg doubled-down on the confirmed cancellation. However, the trio of co-hosts still plans to keep their fanbase fed with new content in the works. Stylez shared a more emotional tribute to her time on the show, joining her male counterparts a year after its initial debut, hinting at their continued work together.

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“We had the best time… the most beautiful listeners and got to work with legends I love,” she wrote to IG. “I’m so proud of the work we did together… I lived so many of my dreams at Hot97 and got to work with my best friends! ….and best friends don’t let go… trust me, @oldmanebro @rosenbergradio and I have plans and more coming next year!”

As for why the show got axed, Ebro has his own theories about how his progressive views impacted the decision. The media personality spoke about how his “anti-Netanyahu” stances, among other left-leaning opinions, put the show on ice.

Ebro theorizes about why his show, 'Ebro in the Morning', was canceled after 13 years:

"They need my sh*t talking anti-Netanyahu, anti-government, progressive sh*t out the way."

“They’re tryna get to the bag at these VCs, gotta raise some capital…” pic.twitter.com/VHYdMzJ3QP
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) December 12, 2025

“You look around at all the major media outlets… they all gotta fold up because they’re all trying to renew their deals and their licenses,” he began, as reported by Complex.

“Bro’s a casino owner,” Ebro added, referring to the man in charge of the media company. “You know the three licenses they got in NY for the casino? The guy that owns the s**t owns one of the casino licenses. He gotta raise half a billion dollars. They need my s**t talking, anti-Netanyahu, anti-government, progressive s**t out of the way, bro. They need me out of the way.”

Ebro alleged that the station’s ownership cares more about getting a profit than their listenership, hence why they would allow the popular program to go off the air so abruptly.

“They are trying to get to these bags that these VCs got and raise some capital,” Ebro continued. “They don’t give a f**k about hip hop or black music or black community…They give a f**k about access, they give a f**k about going with their little nerdy friends to the concerts because that helps them raise money. They’ve been trying to get to me for years, bro.”

Hot 97 has yet to clarify why they chose to strip the program. However, syndication distributor Super Radio Networks has plans to keep Ebro on the airwaves.

“While the distribution of ‘Ebro in the Morning’ in its current form is ending, Superadio remains fully committed to the Ebro brand,” a spokesperson for Super Radio Networks said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to bring Ebro’s voice and talent to the masses across new platforms, which we’ll be sharing more about very soon.”

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