Republican Party, U.S. Congress — Photo by Gage Skidmore/flickr

by Mitti Hicks

April 28, 2026

The GOP Has A Black Problem As Every Black Republican House Member Leaves Congress

While Democrats struggle with the older Black generation resisting calls to leave Congress, younger Black House Republicans are leaving Capitol Hill.

All four Black Republicans in the House of Representatives are leaving Congress. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas, Rep. John James of Michigan, and Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah. There are only five total, when including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

According to The New York Times, the four men were elected after then-House leader Kevin McCarthy set out to recruit more Black Republicans to run for Congress. He wanted the Republican Party to look more like the Democratic Party in terms of diversity.

“When you look at the Democrats, they actually look like America,” said McCarthy after leaving Congress in 2023. “When I look at my party, we look like the most restrictive country club in America.”

McCarthy’s progress could soon be erased.

While Democrats struggle with the older Black generation staying in power and resisting calls to leave Congress, younger Black House Republicans are leaving Capitol Hill. Rep. John James of Michigan notably flipped a district to red in 2022. He is now running for governor of Michigan. Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who won his first election to the House in 2020, is also running for governor of Florida.

Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas, a West Point graduate who McCarthy recruited in 2022, was defeated in the state’s Republican primary last month. Meanwhile, Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah, a former NFL player, chose not to seek re-election after a court-ordered redrawing of his district in the state, where it’s Democratic-leaning.

Many saw them as the antidote to those who criticize President Donald Trump and call him a racist.

“I ran in a primary against nine other white guys and beat my nearest competitor by more than 25 points,” Hunt said during an interview with Fox News. “The left can claim the Republican Party is racist, but my story says otherwise.”

However, with all but one Black GOP leader leaving Congress, it’s hard for Republicans to refute those racist claims.

How Black Voters Are Feeling

Their exit comes on the backdrop of what many see as a hostile takeover of policies and initiatives that have leveled the playing field for people of color and women. Within his first days in office, President Trump signed an executive order that has effectively banned DEI efforts in public schools, higher education institutions, and within corporations.

During an interview with The New York Times, Nebeyatt Betre, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Republicans have pushed policies that have hurt Black Americans, including slashing healthcare programs, backing tariffs that have increased the prices at the grocery store, supporting the war in Iran, and gerrymandering in states that have limited Black representation in Congress.

Exit polling data from the 2024 election revealed that over 90% of Black women voted for then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Over 70% of Black men voted for her.

AI, artificial intelligence, trends, technology, skills, wages, career advancement — (Image: iStock)

by Black Enterprise

April 28, 2026

7 Black-Founded Platforms Thriving In The AI Industry

The following seven companies represent the vanguard of this movement

The global industrial landscape is undergoing a profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence. At the forefront of this shift, Black-founded platforms are asserting significant influence across the entire AI ecosystem — from engineering enterprise infrastructure and pioneering ethical governance to refining developer tooling and deploying sophisticated machine learning solutions.

The following seven companies represent the vanguard of this movement, driving the industry’s technical and strategic evolution:

Career Karma

Ruben Harris, Artur and Timur Meyster founded Career Karma in 2018. The company’s recommendation engine conducts a detailed analysis of user objectives, backgrounds, and career aspirations to create customized reskilling pathways.

Edlyft

Founded by Erika Hairston and Arnelle Ansong, Edlyft uses AI-driven analytics to support STEM education outcomes. The platform applies machine learning to identify student learning gaps and personalize academic support for technical subjects such as computer science.

Blackbird.AI

Wasim Khaled and Dr. Naushad UzZaman established Blackbird.AI in 2017 to use AI-driven narrative intelligence systems to detect misinformation, disinformation campaigns, and online manipulation. The platform’s machine learning models examine language patterns, network behavior, and content propagation.

PopCom

Established in 2016 by Dawn W. Dickson, PopCom specializes in automated vending kiosks that combine facial recognition technology with data analytics and blockchain-based transaction tracking. The kiosks use AI to study customer behavior and monitor engagement to optimize retail distribution without requiring human staff.

Gro Intelligence

Founder Sara Menker launched Gro Intelligence in 2014 as an AI-driven platform specializing in global agriculture, food systems, and climate risk forecasting. Through its machine learning models, the company analyzes datasets to forecast food insecurity.

HacWare

Founded by Tiffany Ricks, HacWare is a cybersecurity awareness platform that uses AI to automate phishing detection training and employee risk assessment. The system uses behavioral analytics and machine learning to create simulated cyberattacks.

AI Squared

Benjamin Harvey established AI Squared to enable the integration of machine learning models into existing software solutions. The platform allows businesses to utilize AI results directly without reconstructing legacy systems.

Jetblue — 12anonymoususer34 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 28, 2026

Lawsuit Accuses JetBlue Of Using Flyers’ Personal Data To Set Ticket Prices

The carrier denied using personal information or web browsing history as a way to set individual pricing, a concept known as “dynamic surveillance pricing,” but the accuser said he has proof.

Airline JetBlue is facing a new lawsuit after being accused of tracking flyers’ personal data as a way to set ticket prices, NBC News reported.

In a lawsuit filed late April in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the Queens-based airline has been accused of offering different fares to different customers based on certain factors such as internet history and other demographic information. The suit comes from Andrew Phillips, a NYC native, who claims he was “entirely unaware that he was being tracked for the purpose of setting pricing” after booking a December 2025 flight with JetBlue.

He also alleges in the complaint that JetBlue failed to inform him that his private information was being monitored or sold to third parties.

“It allows the defendant to manipulate prices in real time in order to make as much money as they can on fares for airline tickets, which are priced differently for consumers based on their private information, which they did not consent to surrender for this purpose,” the complaint states, in reference to the alleged practice.

The carrier denied using personal information or web browsing history to set individual pricing, a practice known as “dynamic surveillance pricing,” according to The Hill. “JetBlue does not use personal information or web browsing history to set individual pricing,” the airline said in the statement.

“Fares are determined by demand and seat availability, and all customers have access to the same fares on jetblue.com and our mobile app.”

However, Phillips said he has proof that the company used “cookie-collected data.”

“I love flying @JetBlue but a $230 increase on a ticket after one day is crazy,” he wrote on X. “I’m just trying to make it to a funeral.”

In a now-deleted response, JetBlue said, “Try clearing your cache and cookies or booking with an incognito window.”

“We’re sorry for your loss,” the airline continued.

Phillips is accusing the airline of violating New York consumer protection laws and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act while seeking to expand his lawsuit into a class-action suit and receive unspecified damages. “Consumers should not have to have their privacy rights violated to participate in Defendant’s digital rat race for airline tickets, which should cost the same for each similarly seated passenger,” the lawsuit states.

The social media banter caught the attention of elected officials such as Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). The Democratic leaders sent a letter to JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty demanding information on “how JetBlue is defining personal data and whether personal data is used in any capacity to inform prices,” expressing concern.

“We are especially concerned that customers could be charged different prices for the same flight based on their need for travel, such as attending a funeral,” the congressional leaders wrote.

Beyonce, Unreleased music, jury trial — (Photo: Getty Images)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 28, 2026

Former St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Sues District For Wrongful Termination

Dr. Keisha Scarlett, the former Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, is suing the district for alleged wrongful termination.

Nearly two years after her sudden departure as Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools, Dr. Keisha Scarlett is suing the district for wrongful termination.

Scarlett filed the lawsuit on April 20 after being placed on leave and later fired in October 2024 amid concerns over hiring, salaries, and spending that allegedly lacked school board approval, Spectrum News reported. The suit, which seeks at least $25,000 in damages, also accuses former board member Matt Davis of defamation and claims she had ongoing communication with board leadership about hiring and compensation decisions.

“As a superintendent, I can make recommendations, but final decision-making rests with the governing body,” Scarlett said in an interview earlier this month.

The former Superintendent claims the district fired her to deflect blame and retaliate for reporting alleged misconduct. Hired in July 2023 at a $268,000 salary, she was placed on leave in July 2024 and terminated in October after the board said she bypassed hiring rules by approving high-salaried contracts without approval. An audit also alleged misuse of public funds, including unauthorized spending on food delivery and retail purchases.

The lawsuit claims the board never raised concerns about Scarlett’s leadership or hiring practices before placing her on administrative leave, which she says also violated her contract and limited her ability to prepare for a hearing. She alleges she was barred from accessing key documents, including her email and laptop.

Scarlett further claims the district violated the Missouri Whistleblowers Act after she reported roughly 2,000 unpaid vendor invoices. She is also pursuing a defamation claim against former board vice president Matt Davis, accusing him of making false statements to the public and media.

An audit flagged about $26,500 in questionable charges on cards tied to Scarlett, including gifts, food, and retail purchases, as well as vehicle-related costs, despite her $800 monthly car allowance. It also cited $146,000 spent on pre-start contracts for top hires and nearly $95,000 in retroactive payments to senior staff.

Scarlett first brought in Dr. Millicent Borishade, Manal Al-Ansi, and Fatimata Sow, and later added at least five more senior administrators. Borishade — her deputy assistant who joined from Tukwila (Washington) Public Schools — ultimately stepped in to lead the district after Scarlett’s removal.

Scarlett defended her decisions, saying her hiring and compensation choices were made with board knowledge and aimed at attracting competitive talent. She also argued the district lacked a clear pay structure and said credit card use stemmed from a broken procurement system — issues she claims she raised with the board.

Davis has since released a statement accusing Scarlett of filing a “baseless” lawsuit.

“The lawsuit filed by Keisha Scarlett is entirely without foundation, and the St. Louis Public Schools Board acted lawfully, transparently and in full compliance with the superintendent’s contract,” Davis said. “The defamation claim is baseless as a matter of fact and law, and I will forcefully defend against these ridiculous allegations.”

Scarlett is seeking damages, along with lost wages and benefits. Her three-year contract with SLPS began in July 2023 and carried an annual salary of $268,000.

Terry rozier — Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 28, 2026

Additional Charges Filed In Terry Rozier Gambling Case

Prosecutors intend to present the charges to a grand jury

Federal prosecutors plan to introduce additional charges in NBA player Terry Rozier’s alleged NBA gambling scandal.

According to The Athletic, an attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York informed the court that it plans to file a superseding indictment against the Miami Heat player, alleging that he “solicited and accepted a bribe.” The information was revealed on April 27 when Rozier’s lawyers asked the court to dismiss the case.

Jim Trusty, Rozier’s attorney, said that prosecutors told him earlier that day they would bring new charges.

Prosecutors intend to present the charges to a grand jury. They say that they plan to argue that he committed sports bribery and honest services fraud. They accuse him of depriving “the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets of Mr. Rozier’s honest services.”

According to ESPN, Trusty gave the media outlet a statement regarding his client’s court case:

“Our motion to dismiss is based on the idea that they picked an invalid legal theory to prosecute Terry Rozier,” Trusty said. “We’ll see what they do to try to fix that in the superseding indictment, but I expect we’ll have problems with it.”

Federal prosecutors claim that Rozier told co-defendant and childhood friend Deniro Laster that he would take himself out of a game while he was playing for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans. The game took place on March 23, 2023. Laster was believed to have sold that information to bettors, who used it to bet on the game based on Rozier’s stats.

Rozier was arrested on Oct. 23, 2025, after being accused of sharing information about players on a team’s roster with bettors before games. The government charged him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Rozier was then suspended by the NBA and placed on leave after he was indicted.

Black Boys, Maryland, graves, investigation — (Photo: Mike Bird/Pexels)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 28, 2026

Texas Mom Arrested For Exhuming Infant’s Remains

Naysayers called out the police's public post of the woman, noting how she might be experiencing postpartum psychosis.

A Texas mother now faces a felony for digging up her newborn child’s grave and removing the remains.

Tamisha Cheyniece Drake currently sits behind bars at the Angelina County Jail for the grave robbery. Police arrested and booked the 33-year-old on a charge of abuse of a corpse, according to jail records obtained by KTRE.

Police located Drake days after the cemetery, Davis Memorial Gardens, reported a disturbed gravesite on April 23. Officers reported that the deceased child’s grave was opened, with the container holding the infant girl’s body also missing.

An investigation led deputies to Drake, the child’s mother. During an interview, she admitted to digging up her child’s grave. She also told authorities that she left the container holding the body in the driveway of a vacant home. Upon admission, the police found the container and the child’s remains there.

According to police reports shared by Cleveland.com, the infant had not survived childbirth, dying in February. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office posted a description of the incident, which went viral for its unusual details and alleged insensitivity.

Commenters urged the Sheriff’s Office to take down the post, particularly for its inclusion of Drake’s mugshot, over concerns that she is experiencing postpartum psychosis. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the rare mental health condition can trigger hallucinations, delusions, and erratic behavior in women, specifically after giving birth.

While it is unconfirmed if Drake is actually experiencing a mental health emergency, Black maternal health advocates have called out the Sheriff’s Office for their lack of empathy toward the woman losing her newborn.

“They decided to plaster a mugshot of a mother who recently lost her child during birth,” shared one woman in another post, tagging the police department. “The mother is going through it and went and got her baby’s remains from the cemetery. They ARRESTED HER instead of getting her help, showing grace or compassion, or having any sort of Human nature in them, they put her behind bars, then posted it on Facebook!”

While supporters call for grace and understanding for Drake’s loss, the bereaved mother remains in custody. If found guilty of the charge, she could face 180 days to two years in a state jail facility and a $10,000 fine.

Jam Master Jay, trial, murder, 2, defendants, guilty, murder, Jordan, Washington — Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 28, 2026

Third Man Charged In Jam Master Jay Killing Pleads Guilty After Decades-Long Case

Bryant faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and up to 20 years for his role in the murder.

Jay Bryant has pleaded guilty to his role in the 2002 murder of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay, bringing a key breakthrough in a case that remained unresolved for more than two decades.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York, Bryant faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and up to 20 years for his role in the murder. Bryant entered the plea on April 27 in Brooklyn federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg.

The plea also covers separate narcotics trafficking and firearms charges Bryant admitted to in December 2023.

“More than two decades after the cold-blooded, execution-style killing of Mr. Mizell, an exhaustive investigation revealed Bryant’s role, and today he finally admitted his guilt,” said United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., in a written statement. “The prosecutors in our Office and our law enforcement partners never give up, no matter how long it takes, in the pursuit of justice for the victim and the victim’s family.”

Bryant originally pleaded not guilty to the murder charge in 2023, but prosecutors informed the court that he would be accepting a plea deal.

He was charged alongside co-defendants Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington with killing Jason Mizell, known to the world as Jam Master Jay. Jordan and Washington were convicted in February 2024. In December 2025, a judge overturned Jordan’s conviction.

Bryant was indicted nearly three years after Jordan and Washington, after officials said that they found his DNA on a hat in Jay’s recording studio. Prosecutors said witnesses said Jordan was the shooter while Washington blocked the door during the shooting.

Prosecutors argued he helped the gunmen enter the building by opening a back door, though no witness placed him inside the room during the shooting.

Prosecutors suggested that Bryant touched the hat, leaving his DNA, and that Jordan or Washington then carried the hat into the studio and dropped it. Yet, neither Washington’s nor Jordan’s DNA was found on the hat. Prosecutors said the killing stemmed from a drug dispute after Mizell was cut out of a deal involving 10 kilograms of cocaine. Washington and Jordan were brought in on the deal.

After a disagreement between Washington and another person, Jay cut Washington and Jordan out of the deal, leading to the killing of the popular DJ.

No court date was revealed for Bryant’s sentencing.

Trump, ape post, Barack Obama, — Photo by MENELAOS MYRILLAS/SOOC/AFP via Getty Images

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 28, 2026

Can’t Please Everyone: Barack Obama Condemns Shooting At White House Correspondents’ Dinner And MAGA Is Big Mad

It's not uncommon for the Nobel Peace Prize recipient to condemn violence on any level

Following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD), former president Barack Obama spoke out, condemning violence and alleging the motive was “unclear,” sending conservatives and supporters of President Donald Trump over the edge.

“Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night’s shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all of us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy,” Obama wrote on X. “It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice that the U.S. Secret Service Agents show every day. I’m grateful to them – and thankful that the agent who was shot is going to be okay.”

Although we don’t yet have the details about the motives behind last night's shooting at the White House Correspondents Dinner, it’s incumbent upon all us to reject the idea that violence has any place in our democracy. It’s also a sobering reminder of the courage and sacrifice…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 26, 2026

Somehow, conservatives and MAGA loyalists like former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, misinterpreted the statement as being “divisive” and failing to condemn “the left after the left tries to kill a President.”

“This is another example showing how Barack Obama is one of the most divisive figures in American politics today. So many of our divisions were caused by the smug, demeaning and narrow-minded way he treats his opponents. Here, he pretends to not know the truth about the would-be assassin, although the facts of his left wing views were public hours before Obama’s tweet. It’s classic Obama – pretend to be conciliatory while he is the one who creates the divide,” the former white house employee wrote in response.

“You would hope that Obama would condemn the left after the left tries to kill a President. But that’s too much to ask. Once again, Obama proves himself to be a classless divider of our country.”

This is another example showing how Barack Obama is one of the most divisive figures in American politics today. So many of our divisions were caused by the smug, demeaning and narrow-minded way he treats his opponents.

Here, he pretends to not know the truth about the would-be… https://t.co/p3lmJa3BVl
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) April 27, 2026

It’s not uncommon for the Nobel Peace Prize recipient to condemn violence on any level, often offering condolences and a sense of decorum on social networks. So it was no different for his comments to come after Cole Allen, the shooting suspect, stormed the Washington Hilton Hotel in D.C. to allegedly harm members of the Trump Administration — and before the manifesto was revealed.

In a lengthy manifesto, Allen expressed disdain for the Trump crew and described his reasoning why. “I’m no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” Allen wrote.

However, conservative leaders felt that Obama misspoke in his comments. “Let’s not pretend to be this clueless about motive,” Lee Zeldin, Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency administrator, wrote in a X post.

“The attempted assassin put out an anti-Trump manifesto about wanting to kill Trump Admin officials, minutes before trying to storm a ballroom filled with the President, VP, Cabinet, and many others from his Admin.”

Let’s not pretend to be this clueless about motive, @BarackObama

The attempted assassin put out an anti-Trump manifesto about wanting to kill Trump Admin officials, minutes before trying to storm a ballroom filled with the President, VP, Cabinet, and many others from his Admin. https://t.co/GvpJ6cJuUK
— Lee Zeldin (@LeeMZeldin) April 26, 2026

Since this is the alleged third assassination attempt on President Trump’s life, Democratic leaders — despite being the continuous target of the leader — have already pushed to put an end to political violence instead of bashing former leaders on social media. According to The Hill, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) proposed to create a bipartisan national commission on political violence, citing social media as another reason why.

“We should look at social media. We should look at mental health issues. We should look at language. But we need to do something to bring the temperature down,” the congressman said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.

North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis shared similar sentiments but urged leaders to be cautious with their words these days. “Our words matter. The weight of our words matter, and we need to be very measured in the way that we use them,” the outgoing senator said during an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker.

Generations Community Bank Is Indiana’s First Minority Depository Institution — Organizers Exceed Fundraisng Goals

by Mitti Hicks

April 28, 2026

Generations Community Bank Is Indiana’s First Minority Depository Institution — Organizers Exceed Fundraisng Goals

Generations Community Bank will be the 155th MDI bank in the United States.

Two branches of Indiana’s first minority depository institutions are opening in Indianapolis. In an effort led by Evansville-based Old National Bank, Generations Community Bank is also the first-of-its-kind collaboration.

According to BizJournal, this Minority Depository Institution (MDI) is a collaboration between communities, corporations, and banks. Generations Community Bank will serve minority, low-income, and underserved communities by providing crucial financial services, addressing historical inequities, and fostering economic opportunities where mainstream banks fall short.

Now that it’s open, Generations will be the 155^th MDI bank in the United States.

“Generations Community Bank has a separate board, charter, and CEO,” Rafael Sanchez, chief impact officer and market president for Old National, told the publication. “Generations is a completely separate institution. We’re just helping get it organized and started.”

The Makings Of Generations Community Bank

The bank has been four years in the making, following Old National Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan’s discussion of getting involved in an MDI. After researching MDIs for nearly a year, Ryan decided to move forward with building one in his own community rather than elsewhere.

Financial industry veteran Al London will serve as president and CEO of Generations. So, the bank has been well-received by the community and investors alike. Bank leaders have raised $29 million in startup capital. The original goal was $24 million.

Twelve other banks from Indiana have joined Generations Community Bank as investors, along with Old National. The other banks include Lake City Bank, Community Bank, First Farmers, North Salem Bank, First Financial, and more.

“We’re not here to reinvent banking. We’re here to give the people the tools and resources they need to experience financial success,” London said.

One branch will be located at 2110 N. Illinois Street, a former Indianapolis Power and Light facility just north of downtown Indianapolis. The other branch is opening at 7900 Shelby Street, inside the Arthur Baxter YMCA on Indianapolis’s south side.

Links, golf, philanthropy — Courtesy of Dr. Dionne Mahaffey

by Black Enterprise

April 28, 2026

From Exclusion To Empowerment: The Evolution Of Black Golf Philanthropy

On the Green and In the Community

Written by Dr. Dionne Mahaffey

Golf has long been associated with exclusivity, quiet greens tucked behind gates, and a culture that did not always welcome Black players. But over time, that narrative has shifted. Today, golf is not only a growing recreational outlet within the Black community but also a powerful vehicle for philanthropy, connection, and economic impact. Across the country, Black organizations are increasingly turning to golf tournaments as a cornerstone of their fundraising, blending tradition with purpose in ways that resonate across generations.

The Legacy of the Fairway

To understand the significance of this moment, you have to look back. Golf was once a symbol of exclusion. Players like Charlie Sifford broke barriers in the 1960s as the first Black golfer to earn a PGA Tour card. Lee Elder made history in 1975 as the first Black man to compete in The Masters Tournament, while Althea Gibson transitioned from tennis greatness to the LPGA. Their presence carved out space where none had existed before.

Today, that legacy is being expanded in meaningful ways. A new generation of Black golfers is stepping onto the course, supported by organizations that are intentionally dismantling barriers to entry. Groups like Black Girls Golf, We Black -We Golf, and The First Tee are introducing the game to youth, women, and beginners who may have never considered golf accessible. These organizations are not just teaching swing mechanics. They are building confidence, community, and exposure to networks that extend far beyond the fairway.

Why Golf Tournaments Win as Fundraising Tools

That sense of community is precisely why golf tournaments have become such an effective fundraising tool for Black organizations. Unlike traditional galas or ticketed events, golf tournaments create a full-day experience. They offer space for relationship building, intergenerational connection, and strategic networking, all while supporting a cause. Sponsors gain visibility. Participants feel engaged rather than obligated. And organizations benefit from multiple revenue streams, including sponsorships, player registrations, on-site fundraising, and donor cultivation.

From historically Black Greek-letter organizations to civic groups and nonprofits, the golf tournament has become a staple. These events reflect a broader shift toward experiential fundraising, where engagement drives giving.

Case Study: “The Links on the Links” Charity Tournament

That impact was on full display at the inaugural “The Links on the Links” charity golf tournament hosted by The LaGrange (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Held at Point University Golf Club, the event brought together community members, sponsors, and supporters for a day that extended well beyond the game itself.

Participants had the option to play a full round of golf in the shotgun-style tournament or take part in skill-building experiences. A golf clinic led by Quincy Heard, PGA Professional and Head Golf Coach at Alabama State University, offered hands-on instruction for beginners and those looking to refine their game. In a nod to accessibility and inclusivity, the event also featured a pickleball clinic, introducing attendees to another growing sport and expanding the day’s appeal.

Integrating Community Wellness: The Black K.A.R.E. Partnership

But the day was about more than sport. It was also about health. The chapter intentionally integrated kidney health awareness into the experience, highlighting the importance of physical activity and education in improving long-term outcomes in the Black community. Through resources and information shared in partnership with Black K.A.R.E., powered by Vantive, attendees were exposed to critical insights around kidney disease prevention, early detection, and the role that movement, including activities like golf and walking, can play in supporting overall wellness.

A Model for Future Impact

For Chapter President Linette Horris-Ward, the event was about more than recreation. It was about impact.

“We were intentional about creating an experience that brought people together while supporting the work we do in the community,” Horris-Ward said. “This tournament reflects our commitment to service, to wellness, and to ensuring that our programs continue to uplift those we serve.”

Proceeds from the event support The Links Foundation, which helps fund the chapter’s local programming across the arts, youth services, health and human services, and initiatives addressing national and international trends. It is a model that blends purpose with participation, demonstrating how thoughtful event design can translate into meaningful outcomes.

In many ways, the rise of golf tournaments as a fundraising tool speaks to a larger truth. Black organizations are continuing to innovate, finding ways to meet the moment while honoring tradition. Golf, once a symbol of exclusion, is now being reclaimed as a space for empowerment, visibility, and economic growth.

And in this day and time, our community has to focus on creative fundraising to generate the resources needed to elevate our own communities.

Dr. Dionne Mahaffey is an award-winning entrepreneur, journalist, professor, technologist, organizational psychologist, and licensed professional counselor licensed in Alabama, California, and Georgia.