Homebuyers
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Average Homebuyers In America Are Now The Oldest and Wealthiest In History

The median buyer age has increased to a peak of 56, up from 49 in 2023.


A new report details a grim reality as America continues to deal with a housing shortage and financial hurdles for people looking to own a home. According to the National Association of Realtors, homebuyers are now older and wealthier than ever, as the average age of homebuyers has reached an all-time high.

The median buyer age has increased to a peak of 56, up from 49 in 2023. The median first-time buyer age increased to 38, up from 35 in 2023, and the repeat buyer age increased to 61, up from 58 in 2023.

“Underscoring the hurdles to entering the housing market, first-time homebuyers’ median age reached an all-time high of 38 years old. In the 1980s, the typical first-time homebuyer was in their late 20s,” the report reads.

But age isn’t the only factor that has increased. It’s also the median income of those who are buying.

“In the last two years, first-time homebuyer household income has grown by $26,000. This year’s report shows that the median household income of first-time homebuyers was $97,000,” the report states.

The Race Gap For Homebuyers Is Increasing

Unfortunately, there is still a race gap between white homeowners and Black homeowners. 

“Overall, 83% of buyers were White/Caucasian, up from 81 percent last year,” the report reads. Only 7% of recent buyers identified as Black/African-American.

According to a report from Fast Company, mortgages for Black Americans fell by 16% in 2022. Mortgage denial rates, however, increased by 2.6 percentage points.

Another dramatic change was revealed in the report: buyers with children are not purchasing homes as much.

Among all homebuyers, 62% are married couples, 20% are single women, and 8% are single men. The share of buyers with children under 18 dropped to the lowest level at 27% of all buyers.

Multigenerational living remains popular, with an all-time high of 17% of all buyers purchasing a home that will house different generations, the report reads. The most common reasons are cost savings, elder care, and young adults moving back.

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Bible, Trump, Oklahoma, IVF, education
(Photo: The White HouseDerivative work: J JMesserly, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Donald Trump Promises Reparations To White Americans, Labeling Them As Racial Discrimination ‘Victims’ 

You heard him correctly.


In a video posted across social media platforms, President-elect Donald Trump announced reparations to White Americans, labeling them as “victims” of racial discrimination in correlation to education polices.  

In video, posted days after Trump was elected the 47th President of the United States, claimed he will pursue federal civil rights cases against schools that “continue to engage in racial discrimination” and persist in “unlawful discrimination under the guise of equity.”

Trump also threatened the budgets of colleges and universities, saying he will tax their endowments and issue fines.

“A portion of the seized funds will then be used as restitution for victims of these illegal and unjust policies, policies that hurt our country so badly,” Trump said. “Colleges have gotten hundreds of billions of dollars from hardworking taxpayers, and now we are going to get this anti-American insanity out of our institutions once and for all. We are going to have real education in America.” 

Social media users reacted to Trump’s rhetoric. “The second season of this reality show just scares me minute by minute,” @onestpress said. 

“Biden’s investments in HBCUs will be gone. Pell grants, gone, grants to schools to fund special need services, gone,” @msgrumpybunny wrote. “And white people are stupid if they think they’ll get reparations – money will be going into Trump’s pockets.”

https://twitter.com/msgrumpybunny/status/1856427224540557424

@HarkemJ11 blamed the Black voters who elected Trump.

https://twitter.com/HarlemJ11/status/1856417611208097832

The video correlates to Trump’s idea of eliminating the Department of Education, which he discussed heavily on the campaign trail. According to the Washington Post, the President-elect continuously promised to “return” the education responsibility to the states. State and local governments have been responsible for providing nearly 90% of school funding.

Also, the DOE does not identify curriculum or have a hand in most school policies. It administers federal grant programs such as the $18.4 billion Title I program that gives funding to high-poverty K-12 schools and the $15.5 billion program that assists with the cost of education for students with disabilities. The $1.6 trillion federal student loan program is also supported by the department and sets rules for what colleges must do to participate.

However, to close the department, which was established in 1979, Trump would need congressional approval, which is unlikely.

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7-Year-Old Girl Shot In Harlem; 2 Teenagers Arrested, Charged with Attempted Murder

Two alleged gang members were charged with attempted murder.


A 7-year-old girl was shot in the stomach after reputed gang members started shooting in the middle of the day on a Harlem street, ABC 7 NY reports. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Nov. 11. The girl was riding a pink scooter near West 145th Street and Bradhurst Street; her father was walking alongside her.

Police arrested 19-year-old Daniel Idowu and an unidentified 17-year-old. They have been charged with attempted murder.

The little girl, identified by police as Fatou Keita, was taken to nearby Harlem Hospital in a police vehicle, and officials stated that she arrived there in stable condition. A video reveals Keita’s father picking her up after she was struck by gunfire as the shots continued to fly.

“She was just in total shock looking down at her wound, it was just crazy,” witness Angel Casanova told ABC 7. “Her dad was inconsolable, he was saying that he wished it was him who was shot.”

Authorities said that nine rounds were fired but did not hit their intended target. The shooting was between rival gang members. The suspects came out from behind a parked car and started firing into the street.

CBS News reported that  Idowu was also charged with four counts of criminal possession of a weapon. A gun was recovered at the scene.

“It is never a good thing when a child is a victim of a shooting,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. “It’s never good when any innocent bystander is a victim. But, again, I want to commend the quick response from the 30th and 32nd precincts.”

Community leader Dr. Iiesha Sekou said the girl was OK.

“They were distraught, very upset,” Sekou said. “She’s out of surgery. She’s stabilized. It’s not a perfect situation, but she’s doing well … to have endured the kind of trauma to a body that a bullet brings to a child.”

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Alexis Donald Becomes The First Medical Doctor And Published Author In Her Family

'Mommy, I Want to be a Doctor,' a children's book, is out now.


Alexis Donald, M.D., a trailblazing African American medical doctor and advocate for empowering young minds, is thrilled to announce the release of her highly anticipated children’s book, Mommy I Want to be a Doctor. Based on her own remarkable journey, this captivating story encourages children to dream big, believe in themselves, and fearlessly pursue their aspirations.

As the first medical doctor in her family, Dr. Alexis has always been driven by a passion for medicine and a desire to make a difference in the world. Her inspiring tale begins with her childhood dreams and takes readers on a heartfelt journey of determination, resilience, and triumph.

Mommy I Want to be a Doctor is a beautifully illustrated book that captures the essence of Dr. Alexis Donald’s true-life story. Through relatable characters and engaging storytelling, young readers will be inspired to embrace their own dreams, no matter how big or audacious they may seem.

This enchanting book not only highlights Dr. Donald’s personal achievements but showcases her exceptional academic accomplishments. As the valedictorian of her high school, she became the first person in her high school’s history to be awarded the prestigious Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship. Undeterred by challenges, she continued her educational journey, graduating fromJackson State University for undergrad and Meharry Medical College for both her master’s and medical degrees.

Now a successful family medicine physician, Dr. Donald is on a mission to inspire the next generation to dream big, believe in themselves, and fearlessly pursue their passions. Through Mommy I Want to be a Doctor, she hopes to instill in young minds the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and the limitless possibilities that await them.

With its powerful message and captivating illustrations, Mommy I Want to Be a Doctor is poised to become an instant favorite among children, parents, and educators alike. This heartwarming tale serves as a reminder that dreams can come true with dedication, hard work, and unwavering determination.

Dr. Donald invites readers of all ages to join her in celebrating the release of her children’s book. This extraordinary book is now available for purchase at leading bookstores and online retailers.

For more information about Dr. Alexis, her inspiring journey, and her mission to empower young minds, please visit AuthorAlexisMD.com

Her book is available on Amazon.

This story was first reported on BlackNews.com

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Hollywood sign, hodges
Photo credit: DmitryRogozhin, Wikimedia Commons

Hollywood And The Ongoing Battle For Black Narratives In Film

Contemporary sources paint a complicated picture.


Written by Julianne Malveaux

When former NBA player and longtime civil rights activist Craig Hodges signed a deal with a Hollywood production company called Wayfarer Studios to document his life story—which involves fervent activism for Black rights and eventual ostracization from the league—he surely could not have expected to find himself blackballed yet again. But that’s exactly what’s happened.

As is often the case, the past shapes the future –- and this new dispute, while seemingly minor, betrays how racial identity, principled politics, and outspoken activism can still create a toxic cocktail for Black Americans in Hollywood.

Hodges and Wayfarer originally signed a deal in 2021 to turn Hodges’ book –- Long Shot: The Triumphs and Struggles of an NBA Freedom Fighter -– into a documentary. The book provides an alternative and complicated look at the same era of Chicago Bulls basketball that ESPN’s pandemic smash hit The Last Dance covered. The success of that series prompted a new wave of sports documentary fever in America.

Wayfarer smartly wanted to join the cause, but it appears that they misunderstood the story Hodges wished to tell.

Hodges, a former Chicago Bull who helped the team win two of its six NBA titles in the 1990s, has long been a controversial figure who unsuccessfully encouraged his more famous teammates like Michael Jordan to speak up on political issues, including the Gulf War and the beating of Rodney King. After the Bulls won the 1992 NBA Finals, Hodges wore a dashiki to the White House and handed President George H.W. Bush a letter that “asked him to do more to end injustice toward the African American community.”

The Bulls waived Hodges that same year, and he never played in the NBA again. Despite his efforts and those of his agent, who collectively “called every team in the NBA,” he never received another workout. As such, Hodges sued the NBA in 1996 for “blackballing” him from the league as a result of his activism and association with the Nation of Islam.

Contemporary sources paint a complicated picture. A Cleveland Cavaliers executive noted at the time that “he never heard of any conspiracy” against Hodges and that “in a league with about 80% Black players, it’s hard to charge racism.”

Buck Williams, a Knicks player and, at the time, head of the Players’ Association, however, had a different view. “It is well known through the league that there may be repercussions if you speak out too strongly on some sensitive issues,” Williams told The New York Times, and “it is a burden when you carry the militant label he has.”

From this alone, it’s clear that this is a story worth telling, particularly as the NBA’s place in modern society continues to evolve and become associated with activism and Black civil rights. Hodges is a historical antecedent to a modern trend in one of the country’s biggest sports leagues. It is also clear that Hodges is a deeply principled man who will not betray his morals or instincts to tell a story different from the one he envisions.

And that, it seems, is the trouble. Problems arose with Hodges and Wayfarer butting heads over who was best fitted to tell the basketball player’s story. Hodges wanted British-Indian producer Jivi Singh to be the one to tell his story, but Wayfarer’s Justin Baldoni and Jamey Heath disagreed.

Wayfarer allegedly demanded that a Black director be used to cover “blind spots” that Singh would have related to telling a story about Black Americans. Hodges and Singh disagreed, and the project stalled and is now in limbo.

There is a valuable discussion to be had here about representation in Hollywood and who should tell certain stories. It is my hope that this dispute will elevate this conversation and cause some reflection on both sides.

At the same time, though, it is sadly ironic that Wayfarer –- and Justin Baldoni –- find themselves mired in this dispute. Baldoni, an actor-director most famous for Jane the Virgin and his recent fight with Blake Lively –- founded Wayfarer in 2019 to “disrupt for good” and “champion inspirational stories which unite as true agents for social change.” Baldoni himself has written a book surveying traditional masculinity that includes a chapter on white privilege and allyship. He has also frequently painted himself as an anti-racist, particularly in 2020 and on social media.

However, it has become apparent that much of this is mere lip service and rhetoric intended to sound good—it is all bark, no bite.

By insisting that a Black director tell a story that a Black man wrote, lived, and experienced—against the subject’s wishes—Wayfarer and Baldoni have used empty talking points to effectively silence a remarkably timely story about political activism in the NBA. It’s yet another example of how empty politics hold back Black storytelling—and when that happens, we all suffer.

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Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and educator.

New York City jobs
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Here Are Some Entry-Level New York City Jobs That Pay $75K And Over

Looking for work in NYC?


There are new job listings in New York City that show entry-level positions with starting salaries of $75,000 and above, according to WPIX.

The media outlet stated the jobs were listed on the JobsNYC website, and some of the available positions do not require a civil service exam: for example, a Value Engineering Project Manager that was listed by the Office of Management and Budget. Job duties include monitoring capital construction plans and providing technical support to OMB and other City agencies.

A bachelor’s degree is required for this position.

The Office of Management and Budget is looking to hire a network analyst based in Manhattan. The job entails administering and maintaining server hardware and software and operating as the agency’s cybersecurity liaison. The listed salary range is $74,893 and $84,257. Again, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is warranted, although no civil service exam is required.

The New York City Department of Transportation has placed an opening for a security analyst for the IT & Telecom division. The salary range is $78,795 to $113,300. Job requirements include performing application and systems vulnerability scans, and also installing, configuring, and updating security software applications. It is an entry-level cybersecurity role that is based in Manhattan. This position may require a civil service exam.

WPIX previously reported that more than 80% of jobs in city government require applicants to take a civil service exam, according to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services. There are typically more than 110,000 candidates who take the exam annually. People interested in taking a test can access the Online Application System website to apply. If you choose to do so in person, you can go to one in any of the five boroughs.

The testing centers are located at:

  • Bronx CTAC: 1932 Arthur Ave., 2nd floor
  • Brooklyn CTAC: 210 Joralemon St., 4th floor
  • Manhattan CTAC: 2 Lafayette St., 17th floor
  • Queens CTAC: 118-35 Queens Blvd., 5th floor
  • Staten Island CTAC: 135 Canal St., 3rd floor

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mental health, Atlanta Hawks, Kaiser Permanente, Men's Mental Health Summit
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Honour Sithole Came To U.S. With $100, Now He’s An Award-Winning Mental Health Expert Helping Thousands

Honour Sithole's remarkable American story began less than 25 years ago.


Meet Honour Sithole, a renowned Black mental health advocate and Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, who immigrated to the United States in 2000 with only $100 in his pocket. Now, he has released a compelling new book entitled Dare to Be, chronicling his remarkable journey as an immigrant from Zimbabwe to becoming one of America’s most influential mental health professionals.

Sithole, founder and CEO of Inside Fitness 360 Professional Counseling and Life Coaching, has had his own practice for more than 10 years and has transformed over 30,000 lives through counseling sessions and established himself as a leading voice in mental health advocacy. His practice was recognized as the Face of Mental Health in 2018 for its innovative approach and exceptional impact, and in 2022, he was a featured guest on the Dear Future Wifey podcast.

Dare to Be weaves together Sithole’s inspiring personal narrative with practical strategies for personal transformation. The book offers readers a comprehensive roadmap for success, focusing on self-discovery, mind-body-spirit harmony, and authentic living.

“My journey from arriving in America with just $100 to building a successful practice and receiving recognition from the Texas State Senate taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance and personal growth,” says Sithole. “Through Dare to Be, I’m sharing these insights to help others overcome their own challenges and achieve their dreams.”

Sithole’s expertise has earned him numerous accolades, including:

• 2023 Professional Excellence Immigrant Award

• Named among the top 100 Black therapists by the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (2022)

• Texas State Senate Proclamation for supporting men’s mental health

• 2020 Richard E. Hopkins “Torch” Award

Corporate Impact and Leadership Development

Dare to Be extends beyond personal development to address crucial workplace wellness strategies. Sithole’s corporate training programs have helped organizations create psychologically safe environments, resulting in:

• Enhanced employee satisfaction and retention

• Improved team communication and collaboration

• Reduced workplace stress and burnout

• Development of emotionally intelligent leadership

As a trusted advisor to government entities, professional athletes, and corporations, Sithole brings over 20 years of executive leadership experience to his work in mental health advocacy. His approach to corporate wellness and leadership development has revolutionized how organizations address employee mental health, creating psychologically safe workplaces where teams can thrive.

The book is available on Amazon.

This story was originally reported by Blacknews.com

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AI Is Now Being Used To Conduct Job Interviews

AI avatars are now conducting job interviews.


Artificial intelligence usage is on the rise. One of AI’s newest applications is interviewing job applicants. Some people are disturbed. 

404 Media reported on one interviewee’s experience with the technology. Jack Ryan was an unimpressed interviewee when he had to speak to the non-humans.

In a short online clip, Ryan was observed speaking to an AI “woman” avatar on a webcam. 


The red-haired avatar prompts Ryan to answer interview questions in a specific way to aid with the technology’s process. 

“I find it helps when candidates tell me a story in answering the questions.”

The technology continues with standard interview questions,” I’m looking for examples from your work experience.”

 Ryan is seemingly uncomfortable with the interaction. He worries that, as a person with disabilities, he may not get a fair shake without human interaction. Ryan believes that being evaluated on answers only may immediately disqualify some candidates like him. The job-seeker spoke about his apprehension when answering questions about his health.

“As a disabled individual who is reliant on remote work, I am already concerned about openly stating I am disabled in the forms that companies put at the end of their job applications,” he explained to 404. “To add an AI component into this mix, I imagine, would have the opposite effect of [diversity, equity, and inclusion].”

Ryan’s concerns are valid, as the public has little data available on how using AI in this manner affects potential workers. 

On the opposite side of the spectrum, a social media user posted about applicants using AI to answer interview questions. As many places of employment still offer human-to-human interaction, the user warns against using AI for an interview.

The post stresses the importance of intonation and facial features as indicators employers use to decide on a potential new hire. The caption reads as a message to applicants:

Dear Applicants:

“We can tell when you’re reading right from a script that AI created for you during the interview, and it’s weird. We want to hire a real person and hear how you really speak on the fly with words and cadence from your own brain.”

https://twitter.com/worldwideboss_4/status/1856388144066634151?s=46

AI technology appears to be here to stay. The technology is currently being used to summarize college lectures, create notes, write Sports Illustrated articles, and function as personal assistants, among other things. It may be time to stop resisting and hop on board.

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