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.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 12, 2025

HBCU President Grateful After Kidney Transplant Following Commencement Plea For A Donor

Livingstone College President Dr. Anthony J. Davis is thriving after his Nov. 13 procedure.

Livingstone College President Dr. Anthony J. Davis had a successful kidney transplant last month following his heartfelt public appeal for a donor at the HBCU’s 2025 commencement.

Davis has had a challenging year battling stage 5 kidney disease, spending 18 months on dialysis and at times relying on golf carts to get around campus. His life turned around after an anonymous donor answered his public plea at the May 5 commencement.

“How do you ask somebody to give something as vital as a body part?” he told HBCU Gameday. “It was humbling. The hardest season of my life.”

He also thanked the HBCU-focused publication for sharing his story, which ultimately caught the eye of his anonymous donor. “Had you not pushed it out,” Davis said, “I wouldn’t be sitting here today on the other side of transplant.”

His surgery was scheduled for Nov. 13, a fitting date. “I’m the 13th president. And it happened on the National Day of Giving,” he said. “Seven days later, all my kidney markers were normal.”

He praised the Livingstone College community for supporting him throughout 18 months of dialysis, during which he battled fatigue, nausea, anemia, and weight gain while still leading the college. Toward the end, he often relied on a golf cart when walking became too difficult.

Davis credited the community’s encouragement for helping him persevere.

“Students would stop me, circle the golf cart, and pray for me,” Davis said. “Young brothers grabbing my hands in the cafeteria… bishops in the AME Zion Church—everywhere I went, people were praying.”

“I believe God heard all those prayers and said, ‘Let me hurry up and bless this guy,’” he added with a laugh.

Now restored and reinvigorated, Davis says he’s ready to continue the work he feels called to do. “If service is beneath you, leadership is beyond you,” he said. “I’m here to serve.”

But there’s more to celebrate than his health recovery. During his journey, Livingstone College saw a 43.5% enrollment increase over three years, with 51% male students—a rare occurrence in higher education. Retention is also rising, with 76% of freshmen returning and 92% of upperclassmen persisting.

“We’re not just growing numerically, we’re growing in quality,” Davis exclaimed. “Students are making Livingstone College their first choice.”

Davis confirmed that following another $5 million gift from the anonymous donor, a major angel investor is planning a $225 million campus overhaul, including a new 350-bed residential quad, a four-star college-operated hotel, expanded solar energy, and comprehensive campus-wide modernization.

“Livingstone College will not look the same,” Davis said. “We will be a different HBCU—still affordable, still mission-driven, but competitive with the higher-echelon schools.”

by Kandiss Edwards

December 12, 2025

Tax Refunds Up To $2K Could Be On The Way

Only time will tell if the money is coming.

Americans could receive large federal tax refunds early next year because of recent tax law changes.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that some households will receive up to $2,000. Bessent because of tax cuts included in the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sprawling tax and spending law enacted in July.

“I think we’re going to see $100-$150 billion of refunds, which could be between $1,000, $2,000 per household,” when asked about refund expectations in an interview with NBC.

As many working Americans have not changed their federal tax withholding rates since the law took effect, they have likely paid more taxes than required. That, he said, should lead to “very large refunds” early in 2026 when taxpayers file their 2025 returns.

🚨BREAKING:

TREASURY SEC SCOTT BESSENT SAID: "$150B IN TAX REFUNDS WILL HIT US IN 2026, $2K PER HOUSEHOLD" pic.twitter.com/yKTtOYFl59
— symbiote (@cryptosymbiiote) December 12, 2025

The secretary said after refunds are issued, taxpayers are expected to adjust withholding so “less tax is taken from each paycheck,” a step Bessent said will lead to what he described as a “real increase” in take-home pay.

White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett made similar remarks earlier this week.

“We’re going into next year, where the typical person who’s got no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, is probably going to see an extra $1,600 to $2,000. A lot of that will come as tax refunds at the beginning of the year,” Hassett said.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes hundreds of provisions affecting tax rates, deductions, and credits for individuals and businesses, and was signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4.

Bessent did not provide a specific date for when refunds would be issued, but indicated most would arrive during the first quarter of tax filing season.

by Kandiss Edwards

December 12, 2025

Scammer Alert! ‘Atlanta’s Veneer Specialist’ Indicted On Over 100 Criminal Charges

Dillard performed cosmetic dental procedures without a license.

A man who promoted himself as “Atlanta’s top veneer specialist” has been indicted on more than 100 criminal counts.

Brandon Dillard was charged with performing cosmetic dental procedures without a license and other related offenses. Fulton County investigators say Brandon Dillard, operator of “A List Smiles Atlanta,” made millions from offering dental veneer procedures and training others to do the same without the required licensure. Though his initial arrest happened on Oct. 3, records show a grand jury returned an indictment on Nov. 21 containing 113 counts. Charges include violations of the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, 54 counts of theft by deception, and practicing both dentistry and medicine without a license, WSB-TV reported.

“He’s never been a dentist. And as much as he may want to play one on Instagram, he is not one,” Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Will Wooten said to the outlet.

The indictment spans alleged conduct from 2021 through late 2024. Prosecutors also allege Dillard offered training courses for aspiring “veneer specialists,” charging participants several thousand dollars each despite no such credential or legal category existing in Georgia.

Self-proclaimed top Atlanta veneer specialist Brandon Dillard was indicted on 113 counts for allegedly running a multimillion-dollar unlicensed dental operation.

He faces RICO, theft, and unlicensed practice charges, with arraignment in January. pic.twitter.com/ri089HHuPZ
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) December 11, 2025

A customer who paid about $3,000 for partial veneers told WSB-TV that her regular dentist immediately flagged the work as problematic during a subsequent visit.

“He kept asking who did this. You need to be careful,” she said. She added that she did not notice a dental license before initially paying for the procedure.

The indictment also includes charges of battery, possession of dangerous drugs, and conspiracy to defraud a political subdivision, reflecting prosecutors’ view of the alleged misconduct as extensive and systemic.

Authorities say misuse of dental instruments or improper application of veneers can lead to serious health risks, such as infections, nerve damage, and long-term tooth decay. Licensed dentists and dental boards have issued warnings nationwide about “veneer techs” and others who advertise cosmetic dental work without proper training or oversight.

Dillard’s arraignment is scheduled for January 2026. State regulators and prosecutors are urging patients who received services from this provider or participated in his training to contact the Fulton County District Attorney’s office. Prosecutors stress that anyone performing dental procedures without proper licensure could face separate criminal charges.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 12, 2025

Shedeur Sanders Named NFL Rookie Of The Week

Sanders had a stat line of 23-for-42 passing for 364 yards and three touchdowns, while adding a team-high 29 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

The season for Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders keeps getting better as the season nears its end, with the quarterback winning the NFL Rookie of the Week Award for Week 14.

The team announced good news that could give it a much-needed spark heading into this week’s contest against the 9-4 Chicago Bears.

had this award on lock. 12 is just getting started ⌚️@ShedeurSanders | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/k3vWEjQCSV
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 11, 2025

Although the team lost to the Tennessee Titans 31-29, his stats were the highlight that made his play stand out. Sanders had a stat line of 23-for-42 passing for 364 yards and three touchdowns, while adding a team-high 29 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. With those numbers, he became the first Browns player to throw for at least 300 yards and have at least three touchdown passes and one rushing touchdown in a game. Quite impressive for a first-year player.

The 364 passing yards Sanders had for the game were tied for the third-most by a Browns rookie in a game. And his three touchdown passes tied for the second-most.

After the game, he was given the starting quarterback role for the rest of the season.

After seemingly having a public dislike for Sanders from the time he was drafted, head coach Kevin Stefanski has been impressed with the progress of the 144th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.

“I’ve been really impressed by his work ethic. And that’s going back to since the moment he got here,” Stefanski said. “He’s still very early into his career, and he would tell you the same. You want to have constant improvement in everything you’re doing. There’s moments in these games that come up that are hard to replicate in practice. You can talk through them on tape, you can talk through them in a walk through, and then you get the rep in a game, and that’s the most valuable learning tool you can have. And I think he will only take all of that and use that to his development moving forward.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 12, 2025

NOBODY Asked For This! Environmental Group Sues To Stop Trump’s Face From Appearing on Park Passes

Set to change Jan. 1, 2026, the Department of the Interior announced Trump will appear on the passes alongside the nation’s first president, George Washington.

A lawsuit from the Center for Biological Diversity, a Washington, D.C.-based environmental group, is suing to block the face of President Donald Trump from being placed on the 2026 Annual America the Beautiful Pass, which grants entry to national parks, NBC News reports.

The Dec. 10-filed lawsuit alleges the move violates the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), which requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to host an annual photography contest to determine which photo appears on the passes.

“The official rules governing the contest require that ‘the photo must be taken on federal public lands or waters’ and any submissions that ‘are highly controversial, inappropriate, indecent or obscene’ are disqualified,” the attorney for the group said in the suit.

“The rules allow disqualification of images that have been ‘noticeably and/or excessively altered.’”

Set to change Jan. 1, 2026, the Department of the Interior announced Trump will appear on the passes alongside the nation’s first president, George Washington. “It is the department’s honor to showcase the America the Beautiful pass honoring America’s 250th anniversary and the generations who have protected our lands,” Secretary Doug Burgum said in a video announcement, according to CNN.

The winning image was one of Glacier National Park in Montana. The center’s executive director, Kierán Suckling, called the move “disgusting.” “Blotting out the majesty of America’s national parks with a closeup of his own face is Trump’s crassest, most ego-driven action yet. It’s disgusting of Trump to politicize America’s most sacred refuge by pasting his face over the national parks in the same way he slaps his corporate name on buildings, restaurants, and golf courses,” Suckling said.

“The national parks are not a personal branding opportunity. They’re the pride and joy of the American people.”

The group is asking for a federal judge to step in to prevent Trump’s image from being showcased, claiming it violates the legislation. “The Interior Department’s bait-and-switch betrays the expectations of the thousands of people who participate in the contest and is directly at odds with the public participation mandates of the statute,” the suit added.

“It also undermines the stability of this well-established program and the conservation, recreational, and educational outcomes FLREA provides.”

Recently, the Trump administration has made questionable moves that put the 47th president in the forefront. In early December, it was announced that free admission to the parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth was ending while admission fees would be waived on Trump’s birthday, June 14, which happens to also be Flag Day.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 12, 2025

Black Gen-Z Founders Share Vision Behind Their $40M ‘TikTok For Events’ Platform

The duo made Forbes' 30 Under 30 for creating POSH, a TikTok-style, upscale platform that reimagines how people discover events.

Gen Zers Avante Price and Eli Taylor-Lemire, then NYU students, created POSH to improve the event experience for both organizers and attendees after noticing gaps on existing platforms. What began as a “Shopify for all events” quickly evolved into a TikTok-style, algorithm-driven feed that curates events based on users’ interests.

“In the beginning, the analogy we always used was we wanted to build Shopify for events. The analogy has really expanded from Shopify to TikTok,” Price told Forbes. “You open the POSH app, and you see this one-by-one feed similar to TikTok of personally curated recommendations based on your past event attendance, where people in your contacts are going, and all these other social and demographic-based profile creators.”

When they launched POSH in 2019, Price and Taylor-Lemire, who met working at events, aimed to provide a “posh, upscale experience” for NYU and Columbia students looking for where to hang out. Frustrated by the limited options and restrictive user experience of platforms like Eventbrite, they set out to create something more tailored and engaging.

“There was not a lot of tools to create our own brand and messaging through these products, right? It was very branded to the platform,” Price explained. “There were not a lot of marketing tools. There were not a lot of ways to access new audiences or re-engage our current audience. And so Eli actually originally just built a software product for our own event brand, and we were just using this tool as an internal product for our own events.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Price and Taylor-Lemire used the downtime to study the market and gather feedback from consumers and organizers, ultimately reimagining POSH to make events more accessible for both attendees and hosts.

“POSH was born to democratize the ability for any fan with a passion for live events to get involved in the space with as little friction as possible,” Price told AfroTech in 2023. “Simply put, our mission is to democratize the ability for anyone to earn capital through live experiences.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Eli (@elitaylorlemire)

Now boasting nearly 6 million users and close to 50,000 organizers, POSH has driven over $300 million in ticket sales, with 10% retained by the platform. The founders raised $40 million in funding, generated $10 million in 2024 revenue, and capped 2025 by earning spots on Forbes‘ 30 Under 30.

Sherrone Moore, Michigan football, Arrest

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 12, 2025

Sherrone Moore Placed In Mental Health Protective Custody Following Firing and Arrest

Former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was reportedly placed in protective custody after his arrest.

Recently axed University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was reportedly placed in protective custody by mental health professionals after his firing and arrest stemming from allegations of an inappropriate relationship with his assistant.

Authorities say Moore was placed in protective custody overnight following his Dec. 11 arrest, the New York Post reports. His detainment came just before his scheduled Dec. 12 court hearing on charges that he allegedly broke into the home of his executive assistant, Paige Shiver, with a knife less than an hour after being fired.

In the 911 call, Shiver reported that Moore threatened both her and himself, and dispatchers noted he appeared to be “suicidal.”

“It’s gonna be at the Well Church, 211 Willis Road … suicidal … driving a black Chevy Tahoe blacked out,” the Washtenaw County police dispatcher can be heard saying.

Following the incident, John Bacon, a University of Michigan instructor with deep ties to the school’s football program, claimed Moore “broke into an employee’s home in Pittsfield Township … grabbed a knife, and threatened to harm her and harm himself.”

According to Bacon, Moore was being held in protective custody “surrounded by mental health professionals.”

The arrest came shortly after Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel revealed Moore — who is married and has three daughters — had been dismissed as head coach, a role he assumed in 2024 following Jim Harbaugh’s national championship departure.

“U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately,” Michigan announced in a statement. “Following a University investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of university policy, and U-M maintains zero tolerance for such behavior.”

Being fired for cause could leave Michigan with no obligation to pay the remaining estimated $14.5 million to $16 million on Moore’s contract. Though it was not confirmed at the time, Shiver is believed to be the woman who reported to a 911 dispatcher that Moore was armed with a knife and had been stalking her “for months.” The audio indicates Moore threatened to harm himself before fleeing on foot and being arrested at a nearby church.

The dispatcher said the caller reported Moore had brandished a knife, then dropped it and ran. The university had previously investigated allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, which Moore denied. He was ultimately fired after the staffer came forward with evidence of the affair after he fired her, according to reports.

Michigan football insiders also said Moore had been “acting strange” and berating assistant coaches in the weeks leading up to his termination. Authorities say Pittsfield Township Police are investigating an assault case involving Moore, though he has not yet been formally charged. The department confirmed the case remains under review by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office.

Michael Jordan, lawsuit, NASCAR, antitrust

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 12, 2025

Michael Jordan Emerges Victorious As NASCAR Agrees To Settle Antitrust Lawsuit

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed

NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan has made strides since joining NASCAR and, after filing a lawsuit against the racing giant, emerged victorious, along with another team, to gain permanent charters for all teams involved in the league.

According to The Associated Press, after Jordan and Denny Hamlin, co-owners of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), owned by Bob Jenkins, filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, stating that the league used anticompetitive practices to prevent fair competition in the sport, the sides agreed to a settlement to end the legal fight.

“Like two competitors, obviously we tried to get as much done in each other’s favor,” Jordan said after the trial, while standing with his former nemesis, NASCAR chairman Jim France.

“I’ve said this from Day 1: The only way this sport is going to grow is we have to find some synergy between the two entities. I think we’ve gotten to that point, unfortunately it took 16 months to get here, but I think level heads have gotten us to this point where we can actually work together and grow this sport. I am very proud about that and I think Jim feels the same.”

Terms of the settlement were not released, but the two teams were seeking a large monetary sum from NASCAR to cover their legal fees, the financial losses they suffered this year from not being chartered, and to make the charters permanent.

France responded after the trial by agreeing with Jordan to get back on track.

“I do feel the same and we can get back to focusing on what we really love, and that’s racing, and we spent a lot of time not really focused on that so much as we needed to be,” France said. “I feel like we made a very good decision here together and we have a big opportunity to continue growing the sport.”

The case was about what the two teams viewed as a monopoly held by the race car organization. They opposed NASCAR controlling all aspects of the business, including buying the racetracks that host its races and allegedly requiring teams to purchase supplies from single-source suppliers selected by the league. Another point of contention is the prohibition on teams competing in other stock-car races.

The Associated Press reported that the charter system, which started in 2016, is the league’s version of the franchise model used by most professional sports leagues. The charter guarantees a team a place in the 40-car field for all 38 races and a defined share of the weekly purse.

NASCAR was scheduling a call with all teams to discuss the revenue-sharing model moving forward.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 12, 2025

Tyra Banks Shares ‘Smize & Dream’ Through Global Pop-Ups, ‘I’m Not Crazy’

Tyra Banks gets quirky while promoting her hot ice cream brand, Smize & Dream.

Tyra Banks hosted a series of global pop-ups to introduce more fans to her hot ice cream brand, Smize & Dream.

Launched in 2024, Banks is using the holiday season to bring “hot ice cream” to the world. Designed as a warm dairy dessert to help small ice cream shops thrive during colder seasons, Smize & Dream offers ice cream lovers a cozy, winter-friendly twist on the classic treat.

“It boggled people at first,” Banks told Forbes. “Knowing I’m taking a hit for my business, for people to think that I’ve lost my mind, that’s part of it. I’m not crazy.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SMiZE & DREAM (@smizeanddream)

The America’s Next Top Model creator promoted her hot ice cream brand, Smize & Dream, with pop-ups in Los Angeles, New York, and Sydney, Australia, donning full Santa Smize attire and releasing the catchy “Santa SMiZE, Santa SMiZE” jingle. Her approach reflects the advice she gave Stanford Business School students in 2024: “Different is better than better.”

“I launched a new product that’s weird and confusing, but super tasty with a wild campaign,” Banks said. “This is a success story, in terms of taste and attention, and we’re in the midst of seeing if the product will catch on at other businesses.”

Banks appears to be embracing confusion in her marketing strategy. She recently went viral in her Santa Smize persona at a pop-up, sharing a playful Santa Claus story that left fans baffled.

Tyra Banks was spotted in Sydney, Australia ranting about Santa Claus on stage with drag queens while promoting her SMiZE & Dream ice cream brand.
pic.twitter.com/1ZJAHlZcNE
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) December 8, 2025

After puzzling fans with her antics, Banks explained that her Santa Smize persona is purely part of her business campaign.

“I just said that I am Santa SMiZE. She had a Southern accent, and people were like, ‘Tyra’s lost her mind,’” Banks explained. “What they didn’t realize was she’s specifically there to bring awareness to ice cream in the winter.”

The supermodel clarified that she and Santa Smize are two distinct personalities with separate traits.

“Now, Santa SMiZE is Tyra’s rival. Tyra’s team hot ice cream. Santa SMiZE is team cold ice cream. So, throughout this winter, this Christmas, this season, you’re going to see their rivalry continue,” she said.

As part of Banks’ global winter campaign for Smize & Dream, NYC fans can enjoy pop-ups through February 2026, featuring unique hot ice cream flavors at locations including ARTECHOUSE, Mr. Purple, Passerine, Jean-Georges T. Brasserie, Serendipity 3, Temple NYC, and a Valentine’s Day collaboration with Chip City Cookies.