by Sharelle B. McNair

December 10, 2025

USPS Ruins Christmas For Military Members After 800 Holiday Care Packages Returned to Nonprofit

The nonprofit spent $10,000 to have the packages shipped toward the end of November.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) ruined an annual holiday care package surprise from a nonprofit to U.S. military members overseas due to a technicality with labels, the New York Post reports.

A total of 884 care packages curated by Boxes to Boots, a Connecticut-based nonprofit, were flagged and returned after being cited for “incomplete forms.” A majority of the returned parcels had the word “toiletries” circled on their labels.

“More detailed descriptions are now required for all international packages, so it’s important not to use generic terms,” USPS strategic communications specialist Amy Gibbs said. “It is important for customers to know that incorrect or incomplete data can prevent the Postal Service from detecting potential violations of federal export laws.”

The postal agency also mentioned a requirement for all international parcels to include a specific tariff code as of Sept. 1. Organizers of the nonprofit say each care package—a total of 1,139 were originally mailed out—had the corresponding six-digit key.

The nonprofit spent $10,000 to have the packages shipped toward the end of November.

Boxes to Boots hosts an annual drive in an effort to collect snacks and toiletries for overseas U.S. military member. The organization also put on a $75,000 fundraiser to cover the hefty shipping and operational costs.

Now, there is no way the packages will reach the troops on time, infuriating the organization’s president, Kristen Gauvin.

“They’re clearly marked for our U.S. military,” Gauvin said, according to NBC Connecticut. “As far as I’m concerned, in New York [where the boxes were flagged, someone] could have put these boxes, hundreds of boxes on the side, asked a supervisor what we should about these, perhaps call Boxes to Boots, explain the issue, and taken care of it right then and there.”

Gauvin said she is “losing sleep” over the matter.

“I heard from a service member weeks ago saying he was looking for support. He needed support. He’s having a tough time during his first deployment,” she said. “His box is sitting there in the office on the floor, and I can’t get that over to him…We need some answers. We need some solutions here. This is ridiculous.”

For those looking to support military members missing their loved ones this holiday season, USPS offers a Military Care Kit that contains a number of shipping items, including several Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes, Priority Mail Tape, address labels, and customs forms envelopes—all for free.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 10, 2025

Kevin Hart’s The Coramino Fund Announces Latest Recipients Of $10K Grants

'Our vision with The Coramino Fund is to lift up the hard-working entrepreneurs who keep our communities strong.'

Gran Coramino® Tequila, which is owned by Kevin Hart and Juan Domingo Beckmann, just announced the latest recipients of $10,000 grants from The Coramino Fund.

The Coramino Fund is a small-business initiative founded by the brand that has partnered with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). To date, they have awarded more than $1.5 million to budding entrepreneurs, supporting community initiatives and helping small businesses thrive.

“Our vision with The Coramino Fund is to lift up the hard-working entrepreneurs who keep our communities strong,” said Hart in a written statement. “This next group of grantees is a perfect example—they’re building businesses with purpose, and that’s the kind of leadership we want to celebrate and support.”

The Coramino Fund has helped over 150 businesses since its inception.

The third cohort of Coramino grantees participated in a three-part series of interactive AI training sessions led by 1st Street Partnerships and CEO and Co-Founder Monk Inyang. These sessions gave entrepreneurs the knowledge to improve their operations, differentiate their businesses in competitive markets, and unlock new growth opportunities.

Michael T. Pugh, president and CEO of LISC, said, “Small businesses are the economic heart of our country and the drivers of community prosperity. The 2025 grantees reflect the resilient nature of small business owners, and we’re proud to work in partnership with The Coramino Fund to help support these innovative community leaders.”

After launching the initiative in November 2022, The Coramino Fund received more than 35,000 grant applications from businesses across retail, transportation, food services, education, and other sectors. Most recently, the fund has awarded $10,000 in grants to these small companies. Last year, among businesses receiving funds, 52% were Black-owned, 36% were Latinx-owned, and 12% were Black- and Latinx-owned. Sixty-seven percent of them are women-owned businesses.

THE CORAMINO FUND 2025 GRANTEES

4 Grands Piano

7Studios

A.M. Janitorial & Maintenance Aide Services

About Town

Bark Bodega

Beautiful Amore Skincare

Beebe Luxury Auto Detail

Breezys Reseda

Bright Tax Services Corporation

CAFÉCTO

CAJEME Taco Bar

CDX Tacoma, Washington

Chamblissnation Apparel

Chicago Body Shop

Declared Marketing

De’Twah Luxury Eyewear

El Guero Y La Flaca

FIT CULTR Rio

Fleurish Chicago

Flo Art

Friends and Family Circle of Love

Gneiss Sounds

HelpMatch

Journee’s Roses

By Kamilah Brown

La Ingrata

LaundroLab

Make My Cake

Melted Moments by B Co.

Milly Mealz Country Kitchen

Miradela

Mood Board Studios

Neighbors and Friends

Niema Gallery

The NORM CLT Transportation

Nu’Visionz

NYCakes Boutique

OCOA OSO Coffee Co.

Preparedness Consulting Services

Poopdoody Pretty Little Me Spa

PrinceWilson Auto Service

The Rustic Brush

The Woodlands She-Pop Popcorn

Tennis Elbow Queen

Watson Gear

WB Inspirations

Wisdom Senior Care

Yilena Mendoza PA

Hart recently returned to the front of the camera, alongside Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black, to film the next installment in the Jumanji franchise, slated for release Dec. 11. 2026.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 10, 2025

FBI Agents Sue To Get Jobs Back After Being Fired For Kneeling At George Floyd Protest

The ex-agents said kneeling was "a considered tactical decision."

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents are suing director Kash Patel to get their jobs back after they were fired for kneeling at a George Floyd protest in 2020, CNN reports.

The group, who alleges their constitutional rights were violated, say the call for their termination was handed down by the White House, and that Patel had decided to follow through before he joined the agency after being appointed by President Donald Trump.

The lawsuit, filed by three unnamed men and nine women on Dec. 8, says the FBI agents “made a considered tactical decision” to kneel during the 2020 protest as a way to de-escalate a mob that confronted law enforcement officers, including the agents.

The agents claim they were let go from the agency because Patel and other leaders deemed the picture and the agents’ actions weren’t affiliated with Trump’s ideologies. If so, the termination was a First Amendment violation. When Patel asked for the names of the kneeling agents, Steven Jensen, who at the time served as assistant director in charge for the DC field office, suggested a standard internal investigation.

Jensen was later fired by Patel after he was reinstated. He also has a lawsuit against the controversial director.

According to USA Today, there are a slew of lawsuits heading to the FBI director’s desk—and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is listed as a defendant. One is from former Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll, who is suing for wrongful termination. He said he was let go as a result of a “campaign of retribution.”

The former agents request to be reinstated to their former posts in addition to a jury trial and additional relief and damages.

The letter handed to them by Patel at the time of the firing claimed the group “demonstrated unprofessional conduct and a lack of impartiality in carrying out duties, leading to the political weaponization of government.”

The plaintiffs believe material from internal investigations says otherwise.

The agents believe they were fired because the Trump administration saw the group as being “perceived as opposed to, or otherwise not affiliated with, President Trump.”

AI, artificial intelligence, trends, A.I., journey, technology, DryMerge, AI, job interview

by Mitti Hicks

December 10, 2025

Democrats Reintroduce AI Civil Rights Act To Eliminate AI Discrimination

The Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act aims to put strict guardrails on companies’ use of algorithms for consequential decisions, ensure algorithms are tested before and after deployment, and help eliminate and prevent bias.

Since its inception, generative AI has evolved with no signs of slowing down. Within the next 10 years, AI will become a significant fixture in our personal and business lives. That’s why Congressional Democrats are reintroducing a bill to eliminate discrimination in the use of AI.

Authored and introduced by U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), the Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act will put strict guardrails on companies. It aims to prevent companies from using AI-powered algorithms to make critical decisions in Americans’ lives, and will ensure that algorithms are tested before and after deployment. The legislation also helps to prevent bias and renew Americans’ faith in the accuracy and fairness of complex algorithms.

“Artificial intelligence is the hottest topic of the year, but these complex algorithms have a darker side as well. One that has real consequences for everyday people, especially marginalized communities,” said Sen. Markey. “I am introducing the Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act to ensure that the AI Age does not replicate and supercharge the bias and discrimination already prevalent in society today.”

Americans Do Not Trust AI

According to PwC’s Global Artificial Intelligence Study, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Even with the expected growth, Americans remain wary of AI.

A 2024 Gallup poll found that most Americans view AI’s potential impact negatively. Seventy-seven percent of people distrust businesses and the government to use AI responsibly, and 72% believe AI will help spread false information. Even more concerning is that Americans believe AI will reduce jobs in the next decade. During a House Oversight Committee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) echoed the sentiments of mistrust, stating that Black and marginalized communities are at risk of exploitation with AI regulations.

“As AI innovation grows, it is incumbent on us all to prioritize the safety, rights, and opportunity of all people—especially the Black, brown, and marginalized communities who disproportionately bear the burden of biased and discriminatory systems,” Rep. Pressley, a co-sponsor of the bill, stated.

She added, “We cannot allow AI to be the latest chapter in America’s history of exploiting marginalized people. That is why the AI Civil Rights Act is necessary—to invest in an approach rooted in equity that safeguards all of our civil rights and liberties.”

President Donald Trump has promised to sign an Executive Order that would nullify individual state laws and instead create a federal order governing rules and approvals for A.I., eliminating a patchwork of state laws that have emerged in recent years, according to The New York Times.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 10, 2025

Americans Don’t Think College Is Worth The Cost, Poll Shows

Faith in the American Dream is fading as a new poll shows more Americans believe college isn’t worth the cost.

A new poll reveals declining confidence in college, with two-thirds of registered voters saying a bachelor’s degree isn’t worth the cost.

Only 33% of voters believe a four-year college degree is “worth the cost” for better job prospects and higher lifetime earnings. In comparison, 63% agree it’s “not worth the cost” because graduates often lack specific job skills and face significant debt, according to a new NBC News poll.

In 2017, U.S. adults were nearly evenly divided on whether a college degree was worth the cost, with 49% saying yes and 47% saying no. In 2013, CNBC’s All American Economic Survey found 53% believed a degree was worth it, while 40% disagreed. Today, as the labor market faces challenges from AI growth and trade tensions, confidence in the value of a four-year college degree is declining.

Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates, who surveyed with Republican pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies, says the sharp decline reflects a major shift in Americans’ belief that higher education is a pathway to the American dream.

“It’s just remarkable to see attitudes on any issue shift this dramatically, and particularly on a central tenet of the American dream, which is a college degree,” Horwitt said. “Americans used to view a college degree as aspirational — it provided an opportunity for a better life. And now that promise is really in doubt.”

Beyond a softening economy and job market, the high cost of college is a key factor. While tuition has dipped slightly in some areas over the past decade, College Board data shows that, adjusted for inflation, the average in-state tuition at public four-year colleges has doubled since 1995. Tuition at private four-year institutions has risen 75% over the same period.

Jacob Kennedy, a 28-year-old server and bartender in Detroit, said he believes “an educated populace is the most important thing for a country to have,” but carrying massive student debt diminishes the value of a degree. Kennedy, who holds a two-year degree, noted that many people he’s met in the service industry with four-year degrees often quit their “grown-up jobs” within a year to return to the work they had before graduating.

“The cost overwhelms the value,” he said. “You go to school with all that student debt — the jobs you get out of college don’t pay that debt, so you have to go find something else that can pay that debt.”

Jessica Burns, a 38-year-old Iowa insurance worker with a bachelor’s degree, says millennials are “now saddled with a huge amount of debt, even as successful business professionals,” which will likely shape how they fund their children’s college. Gallup polls also show a notable decline in public confidence in higher education over the past decade, with a slight uptick in the past year.

“This is a political problem. It’s also a real problem for higher education,” Horwitt said. “Colleges and universities have lost that connection they’ve had with a large swath of the American people based on affordability. They’re now seen as out of touch and not accessible to many Americans.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 9, 2025

Content Creator Gets An OG Check For Playing In Busta Rhymes’ Face

The 53-year-old educated the creator.

An unidentified content creator learned a lesson on disrespecting legends after Grammy Award-winner Busta Rhymes checked him for referring to him as comedian Tracy Morgan during a photo op.

Before stepping away, the creator was heard saying, ”It’s Tracy Morgan out here,” while Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr., was visibly upset. He asked the young kid to repeat himself, as people chimed in to remind him that he messed up.

Rhymes didn’t back down until the creator offered an explanation.

The artist was heard asking him, “Who is Tracy Morgan?”

“You’re not Tracy Morgan?”

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Someone in the crowd tried to educate the creator: “That’s Busta Rhymes, n***a.” Spectators started to notice what was going on.

Later in the video, the 53-year-old “Touch It” rapper educated the creator . “You don’t play with no grown man, little boy. You can get f***** up for that,” he said.

Several alleged content creators have come under fire for “pranking” high-profile celebrities over the years. In 2012, Will Smith made headlines after slapping a journalist for attempting to kiss him on the lips while walking on the red carpet ahead of the Moscow premiere of Men in Black 3.

Most recently, singer and actress Ariana Grande had a fan jump on the yellow brick road carpet during the November 2025 Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good.

According to People, a man in a white shirt and shorts sprinted toward Grande and tried to pull her close. A visibly frightened Grande tried to get away from him. Co-star Cynthia Enrivo also tried to shield her friend.

In the comment section of the now-viral Busta video, people seemed to be in support of the rapper schooling the kid.

“It doesn’t matter how old he is. These young people get too comfortable disrespecting ppl for views/likes/content. If you don’t check them early on, they’ll think it’s ok and then do it to the wrong person…”@21lola_rebma wrote on Instagram.

Those who follow the Brooklyn-born artist know that he isn’t one to take feeling violated lightly. In 2023, Busta threw a drink in a woman’s face after she grabbed his rear end in an attempt to get his attention for a photo.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 9, 2025

Singer Alexander O’Neal’s Home Catches Fire Hours After Return From ICU Stay

"We are so happy to be alive," O'Neal wife, Cynthia, told TMZ.

Singer Alexander O’Neal, a founding member of soul funk band The Time, was sent back to the hospital hours after returning home from the ICU.

O’Neal, 72, and his wife, Cynthia, were hospitalized Dec. 5 following a fire at their Burnsville, Minnesota, apartment, TMZ reports. The fire, which began in a third-floor unit, spread through four apartments at the Willoway complex around 1:30 a.m., leaving them homeless.

“We are so happy to be alive,” Cynthia told TMZ. “We may not have a toothbrush, but we have a car! Our spirits remain good, and we are moving forward.”

O’Neal had come back home after being hospitalized for a rare bacterial pneumonia and an enlarged heart that required life support. Cynthia said O’Neal woke her with “his arms in the air.” She saw two separate blazes: one “bubble of fire” on a cord connected to O’Neal’s oxygen machine and another on the floor.

The musician burned himself trying to stomp out the flames with his bare feet, she said. When the fire spread to a mattress, they called 911 and began to evacuate, moving slowly because O’Neal couldn’t walk far.

A neighbor also spotted the fire and called 911.

Witnesses saw the couple loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital. Cynthia later confirmed she was released quickly, while O’Neal remained for further testing on his lungs. Cynthia said she and O’Neal inhaled significant smoke while walking three flights of stairs to exit the building.

The Time is know as the funk band closely linked to Prince and featured in the movies Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge. O’Neal was later “fired” by Prince and replaced with Morris Day, one of Prince’s longtime friends. The band then became known as Morris Day and The Time.

O’Neal later enjoyed successful solo R&B career, scoring mid-80s hits such as “Wherever You Will Go,” “Never Knew Love Like This,” and “Sentimental.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 9, 2025

Orlando Magic’s Desmond Bane Fined $35K For Chucking Ball At NY Knicks’ OG Anunoby

This is on the verge of becoming a trend.

The NBA has fined Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane $35,000 for throwing a basketball at the New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby during Sunday’s game at Madison Square Garden.

According to NBA.com, the incident took place with less than seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Bane and two other teammates tried to prevent Anunoby from scoring. As the ball was knocked out of his hands, the Knicks player fell out of bounds. Bane then grabbed the ball and hurled it at Anunoby.

Bane was called for a technical foul after the play.

OG shoves Bane after he fires a fastball at him while he’s on the ground pic.twitter.com/gxLyZ070mN
— KNICKS BEAST (@KnicksBeast) December 7, 2025

The league fined Bane for “throwing the game ball with force at an opponent in an unsportsmanlike manner.” The Athletic reported that there was no bad blood between Bane and Anunoby—the two players laughed and hugged after the play.

The Knicks won, 106-100.

This is not Bane’s first time being penalized for throwing the ball at an opposing player.

In the third quarter of the Magic’s 127-112 Nov. 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, as Onyeka Okongwu tried to score, Bane grabbed his forearm for a hard foul, and the ball went up in the air. Okongwu fell to the floor. While on the ground, Bane threw the ball at him.

After the referees reviewed the play, they ejected Bane, who received a flagrant foul, from the game.

by Ahsan Washington

December 9, 2025

Add A Dab Of Luxe With These Ladies’ Gift Picks

These brands that redefine luxe through their distinctive design

Black-owned brands have carved out their own lane in the luxury market by offering fine goods that cater to culturally diverse customers, with purposeful design and traditional craftsmanship that diverge from conventional Western and European luxury ideals. //

BLACK ENTERPRISE features 7 Black-owned beauty and fashion brands that redefine luxury through their distinctive design approach. The following products showcase that luxury and value stem from their cultural integration and elevated creative development.

Epara Skincare

The luxury skincare brand Epara operates in London and across Africa, combining clinical effectiveness with African botanicals in its high-end skincare collection, which includes serums, cleansers, and body treatments for melanated skin’s dryness and hyperpigmentation. Epara delivers luxurious textures and clinically informed activities through its marula and moringa formulations, which make it a meaningful gift for those seeking results and ritual.

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THIRD CROWN

The New York-based contemporary jewelry house THIRD CROWN creates modern sculptural statement pieces. Their collection of rings, cuffs, pendants, and bracelets includes both fine jewelry and contemporary heirlooms. THIRD CROWN established itself in recent years through consistent editorial exposure and complete online product catalogs. THIRD CROWN offers contemporary craft and signature silhouettes, serving as classic luxury gifts for people who want wearable, gallery-worthy jewelry. Their products are available through their online store and specific retail partners who provide material details and pricing information.

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bütün

The Black-owned fragrance house bütün presents functional, artisanal fragrances, which boutique sellers curate. These perfumes combine artisanal techniques with a wellness-adjacent positioning to create premium scents. For those who seek niche artistic perfumery, bütün is the way to go.

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Marie Hunter Beauty

Marie Hunter Beauty, a Black-owned brand, offers luxury candles and home fragrance gifts. The items come in sophisticated packaging, making them both decorative pieces and scent providers. The elevated scent and home aesthetic of luxury candles make them a reliable high-impact gift choice for many recipients.

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Fe Noel

Brooklyn-based designer Felisha Noel established Fe Noel to create luxury women’s clothing that reflects Caribbean heritage through vibrant designs. Starting as a vintage boutique in the early 2010s, Fe Noel has since become a full women’s wear label known for its elegant cultural designs. Fe Noel sells its designs online and through selected retail partners, offering flowing gowns, resort-style dresses, and statement silhouettes with island-inspired prints in vibrant colors. Women who value elegance, movement, and cultural heritage will find their perfect match in the brand’s elevated feminine designs.

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Anima Iris

Wilglory Tanjong established Anima Iris, a Black-owned luxury brand that produces handmade handbags in Senegal. The architectural handbags from Anima Iris showcase vibrant textures and global-inspired silhouettes, which are distinctive statement accessories. Anima Iris received recognition in 2025 for selling luxury products through its official online store. Anima Iris gifts deliver artistic value to customers who seek luxury products with global origins and unique characteristics.

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Hanifa

Anifa Mvuemba, a Congolese-American designer who focuses on elegance and body inclusivity, created Hanifa to deliver bold, inclusive luxury womenswear. The collection includes sculptural dresses alongside sleek ready-to-wear pieces, knitwear, and statement eveningwear, which enhance body types ranging from size 0 to 20. Hanifa started its operations in 2011, but achieved significant growth during its digital runway event in 2020. Hanifa sells luxury fashion pieces directly to customers through worldwide shipping.

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Trump, protections, South Sudan, Migrants

by Mitti Hicks

December 9, 2025

An Archaeologist Is On A Mission To Preserve Sudan’s Art And Heritage Amid War

The war in Sudan started in 2023. Two regional museums in El Geneina and Nyala were almost destroyed. The National Museum in Khartoum, which held over 100,000 objects before the war, was ransacked by militias.

Sudanese archaeologist Shadia Abdrabo is on a mission to preserve Sudan’s art and heritage during war.

Abdrabo, curator from Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM), is working on a yearlong research grant in France to build an online database of Sudan’s archaeological sites, museum collections, and historical archives, the Associated Press reported.

The war in Sudan started in 2023, and museums were looted or destroyed. It’s unclear precisely what’s missing, and now Abdrabo is in a race against time to find out.

“We have to work fast to secure our collections. We’ve already lost two museums, and we don’t want to lose more,” she told the publication.

Two regional museums, in El Geneina and Nyala, were almost destroyed. The National Museum in Khartoum, which held over 100,000 objects before the war, was ransacked by militias. The museum housed some of Sudan’s most precious artifacts, including pieces dating back to prehistoric times. Some of these civilizations include the Kerma Kingdom and the Napatan era, when Kushite kings ruled the region, and the Merotic civilization, which built Sudan’s pyramids.

Some of the most valuable items were mummies dating back to 2,500 B.C., which are reportedly among the oldest and most significant archaeologically in the world, along with Kushite treasures.

The Start of Sudan’s Civil War

The current war in Sudan stems from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) generals. In 2019, the army mounted a coup to get rid of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup in 1989.

A joint military-civilian government was established, but that was overthrown in another coup in October 2021, led by two men: Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s president and head of the armed forces, and his deputy, RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo.

Both men reportedly disagreed on the direction of the country, and shooting between the two sides began on April 15, 2023.

More than 12 million people have fled their homes, and tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict, but these numbers are uncertain.

“From severe droughts to deadly floods, the compounded effects of conflict and environmental instability are pushing communities to the brink, leaving them struggling to survive,” according to the United Nations. “Famine has already been declared in some parts of the country, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and putting millions of lives at immediate risk.”