by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 12, 2026

Ye Ordered to Pay Former Staffer $140K Over Malibu Mansion Fallout

Ye must shell out $140,000 to the former project manager who claimed wrongful termination and breach of contract.

Ye has been ordered to pay a former employee $140,000 in a breach-of-contract lawsuit tied to his $57 million Malibu mansion.

The ruling came on March 11 after a Los Angeles jury found the hip-hop mogul liable for breaching his agreement with former employee Tony Saxon, who had been hired to oversee a major home renovation, Fox 11 reports.

The verdict stems from a two-week trial and a lawsuit Saxon filed in September 2023 against Ye, alleging the rapper agreed to pay him $20,000 a week to oversee the extensive renovation. Saxon said the rap/fashion mogul hired him to serve as “full-time security” and a live-in caretaker for the property.

According to his testimony, Ye allegedly told him, “Stay here now. You can’t leave.”

Saxon claimed he ultimately received only one $20,000 payment and was forced to sleep in makeshift conditions on the property, often using his coat as bedding, the civil complaint states. He also alleged his complaints about the living situation were ignored.

During closing arguments, Saxon’s attorneys said Ye owed tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages and overtime and argued that Saxon was wrongfully fired after suffering back and neck injuries on the job, a claim of alleged disability discrimination.

However, attorneys for Ye argued that bank records show Saxon was paid $240,000 for his work. They also claimed Saxon failed to seek consistent medical treatment and fabricated aspects of his alleged injuries.

“The lies are so deep and so wicked, not a thing can be believed that came out of his mouth,” West’s attorney, Andrew Cherkasky, said.

Judge Brock Hammond formally read the verdict a day after the jury reached its decision, awarding far less than the $1.7 million Saxon’s attorneys had sought from Ye. The judge also ordered the “Stronger” rapper to pay $3,320 in sanctions tied to discovery delays during the case.

The ruling comes two months after Ye filed a lawsuit against Saxon and his attorney, alleging they improperly placed a $1.8 million lien on the property. The complaint claims Saxon filed a “mechanics lien” on the mansion in January 2024 — a legal claim typically used by unpaid contractors or laborers to secure payment for work performed.

Following the announcement, attorneys for both sides are expected to review the jury’s findings as they consider whether to pursue an appeal. If the ruling stands, the court will proceed to enforce the judgment, including the previously ordered sanctions.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 12, 2026

Michael Johnson Accused Of Paying Himself $500K From Bankrupt Grand Slam Track League

In the bankruptcy case, Grand Slam Track revealed that it owed between $10 million and $50 million to more than 200 creditors.

Four-time U.S. Olympic champion Michael Johnson, who co-founded Grand Slam Track, has been accused of paying himself $500,000 while athletes and creditors went unpaid before the league collapsed and filed for bankruptcy in December.

According to The Guardian, eight days before the last Grand Slam Track event, Johnson allegedly accepted payment of half a million dollars, according to legal paperwork filed against him. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware by the league’s vendors.

“Mr. Johnson initiated a payment of $500,000 purportedly on account of an unsecured note,” lawyers stated in the paperwork. “Shockingly, Mr. Johnson elected to secretly prefer himself over the athletes and other, non-insider creditors, while at the same time feigning to the public that he was selflessly looking to advance the interests of the athletes.

“Moreover, at the same time, the debtor knew it was in precarious financial straits without sufficient cash to complete its contemplated season.”

The attorneys stated that Johnson was owed $2.2 million, and he took $500,000 on June 4, 2025, knowing the league was heading toward financial ruin and couldn’t pay its debts.

When the league filed for bankruptcy, it owed between $10 million and $50 million to more than 200 creditors.

A league spokesperson, Alex Tourk, released a statement to the media outlet regarding the accusation, calling it “unfounded and false.”

“As was previously explained to the UCC, Mr. Johnson advanced millions of dollars for GST’s operating expenses, including athlete travel, accommodation, and costs, only a portion of which was repaid through the reimbursement,” Tourk added. “It is unfortunate that the UCC chose to ignore facts and is instead attempting to discredit the company and Mr. Johnson through false statements.”

The Athletic reported that the vendors also requested permission to sue the league’s management and board members for at least $25 million.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 12, 2026

Tina Knowles Whips Up ‘Mama Tina’s Gumbo’ for Houston Rodeo

She explained what gives her gumbo the "Mama Tina's" difference.

Although known for her fashion stylings and “corny joke time,” Tina Knowles has more to offer her fans.

The mother of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles has debuted Mama Tina’s Gumbo, for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which runs through March 22 in her hometown.

Attendees can grab two versions of the Louisiana classic. One includes a $25 seafood version with beef sausage, chicken, shrimp, and blue crab. Non-shellfish eaters, can grab a slightly cheaper chicken-and-sausage bowl for $23.

Knowles announced her inclusion at the Houston Rodeo on Instagram. The A-list mother and grandmother has already appeared at her booth, serving cups of the thick stew for all to try.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinaknowles)

“Hi, guys, I’m at the booth, and I’m about to have my gumbo for the day. I’ve been eating it every single day,” shared the 72-year-old businesswoman to her followers.

She told a TikToker about what makes her cups have the “Mama Tina’s difference.”

@hey_vagney
I just interviewed Mama Tina!Yes, Beyoncé’s mother! What a way to kick off the rodeo in Houston! Y’all, the gumbo is good too!
♬ original sound – heyvagney

“You need to try it because it’s delicious, first of all. It’s sort of like a soup. I would liken it to Bouillabaisse, but it’s better,” she said. “It comes from the origin of Louisiana, and we mix a little Texas in with it.”

As for what led Knowles to open the food stand, fans and family alike urged her to let Houston try a bite.

“Everybody’s been wanting to try my gumbo. I’ve been making gumbo for 40-something years. People have been asking for it and asking me to put it out. And I finally found a way to do it that’s affordable. I’m just really excited,” the emerging chef explained.

Knowles confirmed to the Beyhive that the gumbo is Bey-approved.

“Beyoncé absolutely loves this gumbo. She would have it all the time; she’s always asking. So now I can have it readily because it’s such a production for me. It takes 20 hours.”

Target , boycott, target fast, jamal bryant

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 12, 2026

Pastor Jamal Bryant Says Target DEI Boycott Is Over, Social Media Says Otherwise

Bryant said he will continue to hold Target accountable to Black consumers, employees, and communities.

After a year and change, the national Target boycott over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies has ended, according to the boycott’s leader, Pastor Jamal Bryant, but without any changes to the policies.

Social media users are not giving up the fight.

Bryant, senior pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church outside Atlanta, told USA Today that the boycott made eye-opening progress, but he will continue to hold Target accountable to Black consumers, employees, and communities. Bryant said the retail giant still has some components of DEI left.

“They have a program called Belonging, which gives access to everybody, not just for entry-level positions, but to be able to ascend into C-suites,” he said. “It is essentially DEI as I read it. It is the exact same thing.”

But data shows otherwise. Target failed to offer concessions or to reverse the changes made following President Donald Trump’s January 2025 executive order.

Since the March 2025 boycott started, foot traffic had dropped by nearly 8% overall, and the corporation’s stock declined from $145 to $93 per share in 2025. This slump eliminated almost $12 billion in market value, putting the boycott’s effectiveness and reach on the map.

Target’s former CEO, Brian Cornell, also stepped down and was replaced by COO Michael Fiddelke.

In a statement, Target said it is “more committed than ever to creating growth and opportunity for all. We’re pleased to be moving forward, and we will continue showing up as trusted neighbors while delivering results for our team members, guests, and the more than 2,000 communities in which we serve.”

Social media users and diversity advocates say they will continue to boycott Target without an end date in sight. On X, @nikkibarnes said as long as the Trump Administration is in office, the boycott still stands.

“@target caved to THIS administration. As long as THIS administration is in power, the boycott STANDS. I don’t care WTF Bryant is talking about,” she wrote.

https://twitter.com/NikkiBarnes/status/2032055973498573230

After Roland Martin made the announcement on X, @KYMOTOSIS retweeted and added, “The boycott of Target had nothing to do with religion. It’s about respect! I’m still not going to target.”

The boycott of target had nothing to do with religion. It’s about respect! I’m still not going to target https://t.co/hkEbKx3fVt
— Auntie Kym (@KYMOTOSIS) March 12, 2026

Another user said Target should have done better on their promises, and maybe they wouldn’t be in this situation. “Target would rather spend their marketing budget to launch a media campaign falsely declaring the boycott is over rather than apologize publicly, reverse the policies that led to this, and meaningfully invest in the communities they wronged,” @fallonfoxx wrote with hashtags #TargetBoycott #Boycott4Ever.

https://twitter.com/FallonFoxx/status/2031946780208775630

Advocates and civil rights attorneys like Nekima Armstrong rebuked Bryant’s statements. Since many shoppers felt “betrayed” by Target after believing the company was a “hometown company that invested in our community,” the boycott must continue, Armstrong said, according to Fox 9.

“From the beginning, we said the Target boycott would be indefinite, unless and until Target took the steps to address the fact that they rolled back diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to capitulate to the Trump administration.”

tip, tipping, braids, refuse, service, hair, Dosso Beauty, Hypoallergenic Braiding

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 12, 2026

Detroit Hairstylist Allegedly Pulls Rifle On Customer Over $10—Now That’s a Bad Hair Day

The customer, Robin Philips, was there with her daughter.

A Detroit hairstylist allegedly took drastic measures while fighting with a customer about the cost of her services.

When Robin Phillips and her young daughter arrived for their appointment with an at-home hairstylist in Detroit, they expected to pay the discounted rate advertised on social media. However, when the stylist ordered her to pay more for their completed styles, Philips said things took a frightening turn.

The Neighborhood Talk reposted an interview with Phillips with Fox 2. Video shared with the local news outlet shows the hairstylist, with her face digitally blocked out, toting an AR-style gun on her shoulder.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

Before she had no choice but to pay the higher cost, Phillips initially questioned the price hike with the hairstylist. Apparently, while holding scissors, the stylist allegedly threatened to cut her child’s hair.

“If you’re not going to pay me, then I’m going to cut your child’s hair,” recounted Phillips of the stylist’s threats.

The cost debate nearly became deadly when the stylist allegedly pulled out the next weapon.

“She runs upstairs, and she grabs an AR [gun],” remembered Phillips. “She’s like, says, ‘You’re not leaving out of here until you run me my money.’ She’s still going on and on about it, ‘I want more money. I want more money.'”

Under distress, Philips claimed she gave her “basically everything that I had.”

In the recorded footage, the hairstylist is heard saying, “Big Gun ‘ho. Get the f-ck out my house. I’ll shoot you.” She also seemingly called Phillips a “broke a– ‘ho” while holding the AR-style gun in front of her and her child.

Phillips remains disappointed and “distraught” by the entire encounter. She told the news outlet that she wishes they could’ve handled the cost dispute “like adults.”

Instead, according to Phillips, the hairdresser said, “‘I will shoot you, I will bury you over $10.’…So we pushed past her; we had to get out of there.”

It remains unknown whether law enforcement has found and arrested the hairstylist: Phillips did file a police report.

Massachusetts, rideshare drivers, Uber, Lyft

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 12, 2026

Uber And Lyft Drivers Canceling More Rides As Fuel Costs Climb

According to AAA data, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. rising about $0.40 over the past week.

As the war in the Middle East rages on, rising gas prices are prompting more Uber and Lyft drivers to cancel rides.

As oil prices surged past $100 per barrel on March 9 before falling back to around $90 after Donald Trump suggested the war with Iran could soon wind down, rideshare drivers began voicing concerns about rising fuel costs, Business Insider reports.

Justin Fisher, an Uber driver in Houston, said he now prioritizes the most profitable trips, even if they take him to areas he considers unsafe.

“The cost of gas is an unpleasant reality,” Fisher said.

According to AAA data, the average price of a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. rising about $0.40 over the past week.

The spike is affecting rideshare drivers like Sergio Avedian, a former Wall Street trader who now drives for Uber and Lyft in Southern California. He said gas at two stations near his suburban Los Angeles home jumped by about $1 in the past week. “It’s been extremely noticeable,” Avedian said.

Meanwhile, drivers using electric vehicles (EVs) say they are largely unaffected by the spike in gas prices. One driver in North Carolina who works for both Uber and Lyft reported staying busy over the weekend.

The driver, who owns a Tesla Model Y and charges it at home, said rising fuel costs haven’t been on his mind. “I haven’t been in a gas station in forever,” he said.

Avedian said the biggest challenge for drivers is that Uber and Lyft set the fares, leaving drivers unable to raise rates when operating costs rise. “Uber and Lyft aren’t paying us more to offset the difference, which is significant,” he said.

North Carolina–based rideshare drivers Jason Bowers and Omar Lewis said that while the price increase hasn’t stopped them from working, they acknowledge that such a sharp rise in fuel costs can make the job more challenging.

“It’s putting a damper on drivers, of course. I mean, we’re paying more per gallon. We’re paying more for giving rides,” Bowers said.

According to Business Insider, Uber and Lyft did not respond to questions about whether they plan to introduce a surcharge, similar to the one implemented in 2022 after oil prices surged following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Avedian said he encourages rideshare drivers to be more selective about the trips they accept. “If a trip that is offered to you as a driver is not profitable, I tell them to ‘decline and recline.’ You have to decline bad offers, because this is not a public service.”

Georgia GOP, Chris Carr, Black Voters, Social Issues

by Kandiss Edwards

March 12, 2026

Georgia GOP Hopeful Chris Carr Courts Black Voters

The Georgia race is competitive as the state will replace term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr lobbied the Black vote, highlighting public safety and economic opportunity as central themes in his campaign for governor.

Carr, a Republican who has served as attorney general since 2016, is one of several candidates competing in the 2026 race. The Georgia race is competitive as the state will replace term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp. The nominee is reaching out to multiple local and Black outlets, and his message is clear: forget social issues, focus on the economy.

“At best we’re a 48-46 Republican state. The way you win is appeal to independent voters who care about jobs, safety, education, affordability and don’t really want to talk about social issues the way the right or the left typically has,” Carr said to the Black Information Network News.

Additionally, the gubernatorial candidate said safety is of the utmost concern as the core responsibility of government is ensuring safety for all residents, regardless of political affiliation or background.

“I truly believe that government is supposed to keep people safe,” he told Capital B. “I don’t care your race, your gender, your religion, your sexual orientation, your political party and where you’re from. You deserve to be safe in this state.”

Candidate quality matters. I’m the only Republican in this race who can win in Georgia and deliver on the issues that matter most: jobs, safety, and affordability. @blackinfonet pic.twitter.com/I2t7NusPgf
— Chris Carr (@ChrisCarr_Ga) March 11, 2026

Carr said his campaign priorities include improving affordability, expanding educational opportunities, and strengthening economic development across Georgia. He pointed to his previous role as the state’s commissioner of economic development, where he worked with companies to bring jobs to the state and support business expansion.

“I spent three years as the commissioner of economic development, helping the private sector either bring good-paying jobs to this state or helping businesses here create good-paying jobs,” Carr said.

The 2026 race for Georgia governor is expected to be highly competitive. On the Republican side, Carr is competing with candidates that include Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Democrats are also assembling a crowded field that includes high-profile figures such as former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Carr’s outreach to Black voters reflects a trend in Georgia politics, where turnout among Black communities has played a decisive role in statewide elections. Though, the state typically leans Republican it has also earned Democratic votes in federal elections, most notably in the 2008 presidential election which favored Barrack Obama.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 12, 2026

A Silk Press In A Bottle? SheaMoisture Taps Law Roach, Black Beauty Influencers In Latest Ad

The collaboration is over SheaMoisture's new product to achieve salon-quality silk presses at home.

SheaMoisture wants its users to capture a “Silk Press in a Bottle,” and is using Black leaders in the beauty community to do so.

The haircare brand for textured hair has tapped Law Roach and several Black women influencers to spill the secrets behind the new product. In the new advertisement, “Silk Whisperer,” Law Roach quizzed influencers Clarke Peoples, Masai Russell, Serena Page, and Kirah Ominique on how they got their silk presses without the salon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SheaMoisture (@sheamoisture)

The beauty influencers held their own Black girl press conference about the innovative product, which SheaMoisture deems as a prep cream and heat protection to maintain straightened hair for days. Roach pressed his internet “daughters” about their own silky tresses.

“I never lie to my followers. I do my silk presses at home with little heat damage,” shared Kirah Ominique.

“Clock it, and that hair looks good,” added Page, the season 6 winner of Love Island U.S.A.

Page continued, “Here is the tea, SheaMoisture Silk Press In A Bottle makes straightening my hair at home easier than ever.”

Even Russell, an acclaimed U.S. track and field athlete, shared how the product keeps her hair intact as she races to the finish line. The Olympic Gold medalist joined the girls while they took the spotlight for this new Black beauty moment.

As for Roach’s involvement, the “King of the Silk Press” and self-proclaimed image architect shared more about his role in the chic commercial. Alongside his glamorous looks for A-list clients, Roach is also known for always rocking a sleek hairstyle, making his inclusion all the more fitting.

“I loved stepping into the role of the Silk Inquirer because … have you seen my hair?” said the celebrity stylist in a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. “When I see hair that sleek, that precise, I know it’s intentional and I had to investigate. I know from my own social media that the girls want answers and I’m here to get them.”

Roach even joined the press conference in another clip, making a jingle to celebrate the product launch.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SheaMoisture (@sheamoisture)

by Kandiss Edwards

March 12, 2026

12-Year-Old Dies After Off-Campus School Fight

Official criminal charges related to the incident have not been announced by local law enforcement.

A 12-year-old Georgia middle school student has died days after an off-campus fight with another student, prompting an ongoing investigation by local authorities and school officials.

Douglas County officials confirmed that Jada West, a student at Stewart Middle School, died after the altercation that occurred earlier this month following the school day. The fight happened off-campus after students exited the school bus and involved at least one other student. Video of the incident has appeared on social media and reports claim the young girl died after suffering seizures and going into cardiac heart failure.

Investigators said the confrontation occurred after students had left school grounds. Official criminal charges related to the incident have not been announced by local law enforcement. Officers will continue to review the circumstances surrounding the fight and West’s subsequent death. Rashunda McClendon, Jada’s mother, spoke to Channel 2 Action News about her daughter.

“She was loving, she was kind, she didn’t deserve this,” said McClendon

She recounted the moments leading up to her discovering her daughter’s medical condition after the fight. After she was made aware of the incident, she rushed to Jada’s side.

“I got in the car and drove up there, and she was on the ground. She wasn’t breathing,” McClendon said.

Family members said West began experiencing medical complications in the days following the fight. She later died after being hospitalized.

https://twitter.com/RedMedia_us/status/2031799820776513840

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students,” the Douglas County School district said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, friends and the entire Stewart Middle School community during this incredibly difficult time.”

Dequala McClendon, Jada’s aunt, is calling for accountability, as the children allegedly responsible move on with their lives, Jada cannot.

“And it’s not right that this little girl and the other kids get to go to school. My niece is not here anymore. My niece was in the hospital with a tube in her throat,” Dequala told WSB-TV.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said investigators are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Officials have not confirmed whether the injuries Jada sustained during the fight directly caused her death.

School district leaders said counseling resources have been made available for students and staff affected by the tragedy. Administrators also urged parents to speak with their children about conflict resolution and bullying.

Authorities said the investigation remains active as they work to determine the full sequence of events leading up to the fight.

damon dash, bowling alley, bankruptcy, florida

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 12, 2026

Dame Dash’s New Bowling Alley Faces Skepticism Over Ownership From Fans

Dash has been promoting a new bowling alley called 'Dusko Strikes' amid his bankruptcy woes.

Never one to let setbacks slow him down, Dame Dash appears to be rebounding from recent financial and legal challenges with the launch of a new bowling alley and event space in Florida.

The Roc-A-Fella co-founder has taken to social media to promote his latest business venture, Dusko Strikes, a bowling alley and event venue he recently opened in Lake Wales, Florida. Guests can bowl, play arcade games, enjoy a full bar, or attend live shows and events hosted at the space.

A Jan. 31 video shows Dash walking through the venue with his dog as he takes in his new business venture. A follow-up video captured a live concert at the venue, with guests enjoying food and drinks.

“Get back time,” one fan wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dame Dash (@duskopoppington)

The new bowling alley opens about a year after Dash filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, reporting roughly $25 million in debt while claiming to have just $4,350 in assets. The filing followed a series of financial and legal challenges, including a federal judge ordering him to pay about $4 million to filmmaker Josh Webber in a defamation case and the auction of his one-third stake in Roc-A-Fella Records for around $1 million to help cover millions in unpaid taxes.

While Dash appears to be moving ahead with new ventures, some critics have raised doubts about the bowling alley project, claiming he may not actually own the business.

“That spot is called Lake Wales Bowling. It’s not even his spot. Look it up,” one user wrote in response to someone who asked where Dash’s bowling alley was located.

“There is no location…Dame is lying once again…” added someone else.

Another critic accused Dash of hopping from one venture to the next in an effort to maintain a CEO image that “hasn’t caught on in 25 years.”

“It feels like he’s always starting over but with the same plan as before that hasn’t yielded in decades,” the critic wrote. “Doing small venue showcases, still pushing that CEO brand that hasn’t caught on in 25 years. He needs to drop that brand and either come up with something new or got out that business. Second just let his spot be an bowling alley/game room and not turn it into a club.”

Amid the mixed reactions to the new venture, it’s worth noting that Dame Dash hasn’t posted on the business page since early February. He may be working behind the scenes ahead of an official launch.