Kentucky, Louisville, Small Business, grant

by Kandiss Edwards

December 13, 2025

$70M Lawsuit Alleges Kansas City, Missouri, Entertainment District Blocked Black Businesses Over Fear Of ‘Hip-Hop Crowds’

The plaintiffs are seeking damages for alleged interference with their ability to operate and earn revenue.

A federal civil rights lawsuit seeking $70 million alleges Missouri’s Westport Community Improvement District conspired to exclude Black business owners from one of Kansas City’s most popular entertainment districts.

Local civil rights groups are throwing their support behind the case. Euphoric LLC, UniKC LLC, and The Sourze LLC filed the lawsuit in federal court earlier this year. The suit alleges the Westport CID and property owners used discriminatory practices to block Black-led ventures in the Westport entertainment district. The plaintiffs are seeking $70 million in damages for alleged interference with their ability to operate and earn revenue.

The lawsuit claims Westport’s governing board questioned prospective tenants about the type of music they plan to feature and the crowd they expect. Additionally, the governing board inquired whether the business would attract “Hip-Hop crowds,” allegations that plaintiffs say reflect biased gatekeeping.

Christopher Lee, one of the business owners suing the CID, told KCTV 5, “I paid my deposit. I gave them a concept. It wasn’t good enough,” after he said he met requirements but was denied the opportunity to open his business.

URBAN KC HAS CHOSE TO BOYCOTT “THE WESTPORT” DUE TO ALLEGED RACISM… the Westport Community Improvement District is facing a $70 MILLION LAWSUIT… Kansas City how do YOU feel about Westport??
Are you going to #boycott? pic.twitter.com/fRffAY5AJO
— a WHOLE Queen (@TailorMade_KC) January 21, 2025

Gwen Grant, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, said civil rights groups hope increased attention will “add weight” to the case, “she said. “Now, people are going to be watching, and we need to lift this up now before they put even more attention on us around the world,” she said, referring to Kansas City’s selection to host international events.

The Westport Community Improvement District issued a statement responding to the lawsuit and civil rights support, strongly refuting the allegations.

In its statement, the Community Improvement District said, “The Westport Community Improvement District strongly refutes the allegations made by Euphoric, Unikc, and The Sourze. While we can’t discuss active litigation, we are confident the facts will show these claims are without merit. Westport is one of Kansas City’s most diverse and welcoming districts. For decades, people of all backgrounds have lived, worked, and opened businesses here. Diversity isn’t just a value we believe in—it’s good business and a key reason Westport remains a vibrant destination.”

by Kandiss Edwards

December 13, 2025

National Parks Ordered To Remove Perceived DEI Merchandise

The national park service receives memo to purge gift shop items that promote diversity.

The Trump administration has ordered U.S. national park gift shops and bookstores to remove merchandise that it says promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

A memo issued last month by the Department of the Interior requires parks to review and purge merchandise from gift shops, bookstores, and concession stands by Dec. 19. If the “public-facing content” doesn’t align with what officials describe as “neutral spaces that serve all visitors, they will be purged. The internal memorandum was sent to all Regional Directors, Associate and Assistant Directors of the National Park Service.

The guidance does not include specific examples of prohibited items, leaving park employees uncertain about what products might be banned. All retail items, including books, shirts, magnets, keychains, patches, and pens, must now be reviewed for adherence to the new rules. The memorandum frames the presence of the undefined DEI items in the context of Trump’s “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Program and Preferencing” executive order.

At some parks that have already conducted reviews, items featuring historical figures remain on display for now. At Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, merchandise featuring abolitionist Frederick Douglass is still for sale. At Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, books detailing the U.S. civil rights movement remain available, the Associated Press reported.

Alan Spears, senior director for cultural resources at the National Parks Conservation Association, told the AP, removing books and other historical material from park stores would amount to “silencing science and hiding history.”

The directive is part of a broader effort by the administration to eliminate policies and programs it says discriminate based on race, gender, or sexual orientation. Earlier in the year, the administration mandated that national parks remove any paraphernalia that casts American History in a “bad light.” Unfortunately, America’s history is indeed complex, and honoring those who survived the brutality of the nation appears to be against the new policy. Referencing slavery or native Americans is no longer allowed on national park grounds. Additionally, attendees are encouraged to call a tip line and report any perceived negative references to America’s past.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 13, 2025

Trump Calls Black Female Journalist ‘Very Aggressive,’ Evoking Racist Stereotypes

NBC News correspondent Yamiche Alcindor is the latest in a line of female reporters publicly demeaned by Trump.

On Dec. 12, President Donald Trump called a Black female reporter “very aggressive” during a White House press conference.

Trump was signing a bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team. NBC News correspondent Yamiche Alcindor initially questioned Trump about future actions regarding Venezuelan oil assets.

“It wouldn’t be very smart for me to tell you that. We’re supposed to be a little bit secretive. You’re a very big-time reporter, and I don’t think I want to tell a big-time reporter or a small-time reporter that,” said Trump.

Later in the press conference, Alcindor tried to follow up with another question. The veteran journalist attempted to steer the conversation to lingering questions about Trump’s relationship and newly released photos with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump interjected. “Wait, wait. You have to be nice and easy,” he said. “She’s very aggressive.”

https://twitter.com/Alpha7021/status/1999745967990669314

The president’s remark on Dec. 12 follows other confrontational interactions with female journalists this month. Earlier in the week, Trump called ABC News reporter Rachel Scott “the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place” during a separate White House session.

In another recent incident, Trump described CNN Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins as “stupid and nasty” in a Truth Social post. The comment was made after she inquired about a costly renovation project at the White House. Other insults from Trump include calling a woman journalist “piggy” and taking blows at one’s competency by saying, “I think you are a terrible reporter.”

The pattern of hostile and degrading comments enforces Trump’s ongoing dismissive and disrespectful approach to journalists who push back against his chosen narrative. The White House press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump’s public engagements later in the day did not include additional press access.

Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Black business, Politics, Farmer, USDA

by Kandiss Edwards

December 13, 2025

Black Farmers Reject Trump’s Farm Aid Plan, Calling Program Structurally Racist

Black farmers refuse to repeat the past.

Black farmers will not opt in to Donald Trump’s new $12 billion federal farm aid program due to its racist undertones.

The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association said it is declining the Farmer Bridge Assistance funds, even though it typically backs efforts to assist farmers. The group’s president, Thomas Burrell, called the program “racist” and said persistent discrimination and unequal treatment of African American farmers made participation unacceptable, Action News 5 reported.

“In light of circumstances and events that have happened, over the last several years… culminating in denying African American farmers and the sons and daughters of African American farmers the same rights and privileges, that now the administration says it is going to make sure is guaranteed to farmers in general,” Burrell said in a statement.

The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association noted it has supported federal and state assistance efforts for farmers. The association believes the structure of the Farmer Bridge Assistance Fund program fails to address long-standing inequities.

President Trump announced the $12 billion aid package earlier this month as part of broader efforts to assist American agricultural producers affected by market disruptions and rising costs. The payments are scheduled to begin in late February 2026.

The aid plan includes one-time payments to farmers, with much of the funding directed through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the initiative is intended to help growers of major row crops and specialty commodities weather economic pressures.

Burrell said the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association would not remain indifferent to what it sees as persistent inequality in federal farm assistance.

“Ordinarily, BFAA would not be indifferent to the plight of all farmers,” he said, noting the group’s stance reflects frustration with historic and ongoing barriers African American farmers face.

The decision follows criticism from some Black farming leaders that the new aid package does not sufficiently reach African American producers, partly because many Black farmers have faced challenges accessing programs requiring enrollment or acreage reporting with the USDA. Trump administration officials have defended the program as necessary short-term relief for U.S. agriculture.

7 Must-Watch Series Proving The Power, Range, And Brilliance Of Black Storytelling

by Ahsan Washington

December 13, 2025

7 Must-Watch Series Proving The Power, Range, And Brilliance Of Black Storytelling

These series showcase the diverse and intricate aspects of Black storytelling.

The television landscape across major streaming platforms continues to evolve through the work of Black creators, actors, and storytellers. Streaming networks have opened the market to fresh comedy, drama, thrillers, documentaries, coming-of-age, and daytime soap opera genres.

The increased network investment in Black-centered stories has sparked the development of series that showcase the diverse and intricate aspects of contemporary Black life. Here are seven series that are worth the watch.

‘Washington Black‘

The limited-series adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s novel “Washington Black” debuted on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ internationally on July 23. The series stars Ernest Kingsley Jr. and Sterling K. Brown, among others, to tell the story of 11-year-old George Washington “Wash” Black, who was born into slavery on a Barbados plantation. Wash’s scientific talent leads to a perilous escape and a globe-spanning journey of freedom, invention, and self-discovery. The series received strong early acclaim from critics who praised its ambitious storytelling and visual presentation, resulting in an 83% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Through dramatic storytelling and hopeful historical reimaginings from a Black perspective, the show “Washington Black” presents a unique Black historical epic.

‘The Other Black Girl‘

“The Other Black Girl” is a workplace thriller and satirical series, which debuted on Hulu (U.S.) on Sept. 13, 2023. Nella Rogers works as a Black editorial assistant at a publishing company until Hazel May becomes her new Black colleague. Nella experiences disturbing occurrences as Hazel climbs the corporate ladder, which makes both women face challenges about ambition, identity, and survival in a culture that frequently pushes Black women to the sidelines. The series receives critical acclaim for its smart mix of satire and horror, along with authentic conversations about race, ambition, and assimilation. The show delivers modern Black professional experiences through its sharp writing and strong performances, especially focusing on women as they navigate career, identity, and systemic bias.

‘Harlem‘

Tracy Oliver created the comedy-drama “Harlem,” which follows four Black women in their 30s as they experience love, friendship, career growth, heartbreak, and adult responsibilities in New York City. The series, which aired from 2021 to 2025, shows Black women in a unique way by telling complex, relatable stories about friendship, ambition, joy, and vulnerability. The show “Harlem” is available on Netflix and Prime Video.

‘Beauty in Black‘

The Netflix original series “Beauty in Black,” created by Tyler Perry, features actors Crystle Stewart and Taylor Polidore Williams. The story tracks two women who live in separate worlds: a stripper controlled by a violent pimp and a businesswoman who faces family problems. The drama unfolds through secrets, betrayal, and struggles for power and survival as their paths cross. The show “Beauty in Black” quickly gained popularity, becoming one of Netflix’s most-viewed series during its initial release period.

‘High Horse: The Black Cowboy‘

This three-part series from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions is a defiant and informative reclamation of history, telling an often-erased history of a Black American frontier. “High Horse” features an original score by Raphael Saadiq and is guided by cultural icons. The Peacock series strips away the Hollywood myth of a white-only Wild West. In doing so, it uncovers the stolen legacy of the Black pioneers who built the region, finally centering a history that was systematically erased.

‘The Vince Staples Show‘

“The Vince Staples Show,” a satirical comedy-drama, hip-hop-inflected show, follows a fictionalized version of rapper-actor Vince Staples navigating fame, existential angst, surreal everyday misadventures, and personal upheaval in modern life. Through its blend of dark humor and hip-hop culture with social commentary, the show delivers an unfiltered, occasionally absurd perspective on Black life, fame, and identity. The show suits viewers who want something unusual yet thoughtful and humorous. The second season debuted on Netflix on Nov. 6.

‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning‘

The Netflix documentary series “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” investigates the rise and decline of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Through interviews, archival footage, and testimonies, the series reveals both his powerful peak period and his recent criminal convictions and abuse allegations. The series fosters social dialogue by examining power dynamics, celebrity influence, and issues of accountability and trauma.

IMDB, Critics' Choice, Teyana Taylor, Ryan Coogler, Black actors, Hollywoood

by Keka Araújo

December 13, 2025

Hollywood Icons Pose Down In Exclusive IMDb Studio At Black Cinema & Television Celebration

The evening showcased the artistic ingenuity and cultural impact of Black creators in Tinseltown.

The Critics’ Choice Association (CCA) convened the most distinguished luminaries of the film and television sphere on Dec. 9, 2025, for its Eighth Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television at the Fairmont Century Plaza.

The gala, dedicated to honoring standout work both onscreen and offscreen from the Black entertainment community, featured an exclusive IMDb Portrait Studio that captured intimate, stylized images of the evening’s central figures, a spokesperson shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Event honorees, presenters, and elite guests — including Spike Lee, who received the Career Achievement Award, Actress Award recipient Tessa Thompson, and Ensemble Award winners Michael B. Jordan, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor — stepped into the dedicated studio.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by IMDb (@imdb)

Michael Rowe was commissioned to capture a series of exclusive portraits. The celebrity photographer provided a visual archive of the star-studded shindig.

The evening showcased the artistic ingenuity and cultural impact of Black creators in Tinseltown.

The CCA specifically celebrated those who have driven innovation and broadened narrative perspectives across the industry this year. The event, meticulously orchestrated, cast a light on the growing influence of the Black cinematic and television community within the broader critical landscape. The atmosphere was one of palpable reverence for the craft and collective achievement.

The celebration, hosted by comedian Jay Pharoah, also recognized the achievements of Sterling K. Brown, Janelle James, Samuel L. Jackson, Chase Infiniti, Chris Perfetti, and Wunmi Mosaku, among others. The awards ceremony is scheduled to air exclusively on the STARZ platform in early 2026.

Find out more about the event’s honorees in this video about the Critics’ Choice Celebration of Black Cinema & Television 2025 Pre-Show Discussion. This video features a discussion about some of the performers and honorees recognized at the Critics’ Choice Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema & Television.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 13, 2025

Michelle Obama Responds To Maryland Students’ Social Campaign Requesting She Speak At Graduation

The campaign began during a student government association meeting.

Graduating seniors at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School launched a social media campaign to persuade former first lady Michelle Obama to speak at their 2026 commencement.

Student efforts have drawn the forever First Lady’s personal response, according to published reports.

The campaign began during a student government association meeting. It evolved into a series of videos shared across social platforms, attracting millions of views. SGA Vice President Noah said he and his classmates were inspired after watching Obama’s Netflix documentary Becoming and seeing her emphasis on youth voices.

“I’d watched her documentary Becoming on Netflix and, you know, we grew up with her — her being a great speaker, her really emphasizing youth voices, and I just thought she’d be an amazing speaker, and we’d be honored to have her at BCC,” he told NBC Washington.

Obama responded to the campaign by commenting on one of the videos. She offered encouragement and indicated that her team had reached out to the school to arrange something for the Class of 2026.

“I’m so moved by your videos. It’s a credit to you and so many others in your generation can get done through the power of organizing that I was able to see them. My team is in touch with your school, and we’re working on something special. In the meantime, I want to hear more from you. What gives you hope to post your videos and tag me? I can’t wait to hear from you.”

This is so awesome‼️ Students at Bethesda Chevy Chase high school in Maryland have one speaker in mind for graduation‼️ Michelle Obama ⁦@MichelleObama⁩ pic.twitter.com/0ecyTlq8SM
— Meidas_Charise Lee (@charise_lee) December 12, 2025

Noah said Obama’s acknowledgement of their campaign has given the students confidence.

“I think that what gives me hope is the fact that Mrs. Obama, she heard what we were saying, and she reached out to us. And that really shows that if we care about something and we try hard and we persist at something, then our voices can have an impact, and we can make a difference,” he told the outlet.

It remains uncertain whether Obama will ultimately agree to deliver the graduation address, but school leaders said discussions are underway.

State courts to consider blocking Trump from 2024 ballot under the ‘insurrection’ clause

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 12, 2025

Trump Signs Executive Order Blocking States From Regulating AI

Trump's latest executive order prevents states from regulating the use of artificial intelligence.

Donald Trump is making his stance on AI clear with a new executi v e order that prevents states from regulating the rapidly growing technology.

On Dec. 11, the president signed an executive order preventing states from enforcing their own AI regulations, instead establishing a “single national framework” that directly challenges state-level rules governing the technology, NPR reports. While signing the order, Trump compared the move to China’s centralized approach to governance and the country’s unilateral acceptance of President Xi Jinping’s direction.

“We have to be unified. China is unified because they have one vote, that’s President Xi. He says do it, and that’s the end of that,” Trump said.

With the new policy, the Justice Department will establish an “AI Litigation Task Force” to challenge state-level AI laws and direct the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission to coordinate with the DOJ in advancing the White House’s AI agenda by bypassing what it calls “onerous” state and local regulations. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will also examine whether federal rural broadband funding can be withheld from states with AI laws the administration deems unfavorable.

“This is an executive order that orders aspects of your administration to take decisive action to ensure that AI can operate within a single national framework in this country, as opposed to being subject to state-level regulation that could potentially cripple the industry,” White House aide Will Scharf said of the executive order in the Oval Office.

The executive order is expected to face legal challenges, as tech policy experts note the Trump administration cannot preempt state regulation without an act of Congress. The order also instructs Trump’s AI advisor, venture capitalist David Sacks, to collaborate with lawmakers on potential legislation.

While Sacks insisted the move would safeguard children, the order has already sparked backlash from some Trump supporters, including groups involved in bipartisan efforts to pass AI safety laws for minors.

“This is a huge lost opportunity by the Trump administration to lead the Republican Party into a broadly consultative process,” said Michael Toscano, director of the Family First Technology Initiative at the Institute for Family Studies, a conservative think tank. “It doesn’t make sense for a populist movement to cut out the people on the most critical issue of our day. But nonetheless, that is what they are vigorously trying to do.”

The executive order follows Congress’s earlier attempt this year to block Republican efforts to stop states from regulating AI. In July, the Senate voted nearly unanimously to remove a proposed 10-year ban on state-level AI enforcement from Trump’s domestic policy bill before passing it. Lawmakers also rejected adding a similar moratorium to the National Defense Authorization Act, despite Trump’s push for its inclusion.

Former St. Louis Prosecutor,Misusing Public Funds

by Kandiss Edwards

December 12, 2025

Black Lives Matter’s Oklahoma City Executive Director Indicted For Fraud

Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson allegedly diverted millions of dollars in charitable funds for personal use.

The executive director of the Oklahoma City chapter of Black Lives Matter was indicted last week on federal fraud and money-laundering charges.

Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, 52, allegedly diverted millions of dollars in charitable funds for personal use, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Dec. 3, charging Dickerson with 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering.

Prosecutors allege Dickerson, who has led Black Lives Matter OKC since at least 2016, raised more than $5.6 million in donations. The donations were largely intended to post bail for individuals arrested during Black Lives Matter protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

The indictment states Dickerson deposited at least $3.15 million in returned bail checks into her personal accounts and then used the money for personal expenses, including trips to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, retail shopping, and at least $50,000 in food and grocery deliveries.

Furthermore, the indictment states Dickerson purchased a personal vehicle and six Oklahoma City properties either in her name or controlled by a company she owned.

NEWS ALERT from @FBIOklahomaCity: Executive Director of Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City Charged in Federal Court with Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

A federal grand jury Indictment has been unsealed, charging Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, 52, of Oklahoma City, with wire… pic.twitter.com/qorQH7Bnhw
— FBI (@FBI) December 11, 2025

Dickerson is also accused of submitting false annual reports to the Alliance for Global Justice, the Arizona-based fiscal sponsor through which Black Lives Matter OKC accepted donations. stating that the funds were used only for tax-exempt purposes.

If convicted, Dickerson faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire-fraud count and up to 10 years for each money-laundering count, prosecutors said.

Beyond Dickerson’s individual crimes, the U.S. Department of Justice has been investigating whether leaders associated with Black Lives Matter defrauded donors. The department is accusing the organization of swindling tens of millions of dollars raised during the protests against police brutality in 2020.

There has been no indication that Dickerson’s indictment is directly linked to the overall investigation.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 12, 2025

Usain Bolt And Puma Run To The Rescue Of Jamaican Schools With J$5M Donation

Usain Bolt has had boots on the ground since the beginning of Hurricane Melissa recovery.

The fastest man alive, Usain Bolt, and Puma have joined together to donate J$5 million each to two Jamaican high schools damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

Bolt and Puma donate J$5 million (approximately over $30,000 plus) each to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and his alma mater, William Knibb Memorial High in Trelawny. At William Knibb, seven buildings were damaged with six “severely impacted, including loss of roof,” according to the Jamaican Observer.

Both schools were damaged when the powerful Category 5 storm struck in late October. At STETHS in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, the grade 11 classroom block was left “completely devoid of a roof,” and roofs on the grades seven and nine blocks were also damaged, the outlet reported. The school’s principal and teachers’ cottages and the track and field athletes’ dormitories sustained significant damage, and part of the perimeter wall was broken, with the spectator stands left in pieces.

Bolt, a native of Trelawny Parish, has previously annually supported William Knibb with gear and equipment. Within days after Hurricane Melissa, he sent a team to assess damage in his hometown and surrounding areas to help as his fellow countrymen navigated the fallout from the deadly storm.

Sprint legend Usain Bolt has partnered with sponsor Puma to donate J$5 million each to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and his alma mater William Knibb Memorial High in Trelawny to aid in their recovery following Hurricane Melissa.https://t.co/wxMyQRv0Uu pic.twitter.com/d0YcUfvCnC
— Jamaica Observer (@JamaicaObserver) December 12, 2025

On Nov. 29, Bolt posted a video to social media showing the work he and his team have been doing to help the community. One major undertaking was providing mattresses to families to ensure they had a clean and comfortable sleep as they began the long journey through recovery.

He captioned the post, “Born Sprinter but this one will be a Marathon.”

Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in October as a Category 5 storm, caused widespread destruction in parts of Jamaica and the Caribbean.

The donations by Bolt and Puma come amid larger relief efforts for communities and institutions affected by the hurricane, with local groups and international partners also contributing to reconstruction and support initiatives.