by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 9, 2025

Melee In The Motherland: Tyson Vs. Mayweather Showdown Set For March In Historic Africa Bout

'It’s going to be one of the biggest events in the history of the sport.'

The youngest heavyweight boxing champion in history, Mike Tyson, has recently revealed that the bout against undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather will take place in Africa next year, in March 2026.

During an on-stage appearance with “An Experience With,” he stated that the two fighters will “break all records” when the fight takes place. He did not provide any additional details, except for the continent and month. The boxing exhibition was initially announced in September, with the 59-year-old Tyson, who lost his last fight by decision to Jake Paul, to take on the 48-year-old undefeated Mayweather, who beat John Gotti III in his previous bout.

“It’s going to be in March, and it’s going to be in Africa,” Tyson said on stage. He promises that the match will be one of the “biggest” events in boxing history.

“This is going to be incredible. We’re going to break all the records. It’s going to be one of the biggest events in the history of the sport.”

‼️ Mike Tyson says his fight against Floyd Mayweather will take place in Africa in March 2026 🥊🌍

[Via – O’CombatSports on TT] pic.twitter.com/Ay5mEsp0Hp
— IFN (@IfnBoxing) December 7, 2025

Tyson initially said he was in disbelief that the fight would take place, but he predicts fans will be in for a great exhibition.

“When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather,” said Tyson in a written statement. “I thought, ‘No way this happens,’ but Floyd said yes. This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable—and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed, and it’s happening!”

What is unclear is whether there are weight restrictions, since both fighters have fought in different weight classes throughout their careers. Tyson has always fought at heavyweight, while Mayweather has fought at junior lightweight to junior middleweight. (five different weight classes in between)

Tyson’s professional record is 50-7, with 44 knockouts (KOs), while Mayweather is unbeaten at 50-0, with 27 KOs.

by Mitti Hicks

December 9, 2025

DOE Asks Fired Employees To Return To Tackle Civil Rights Backlog

A spokesperson said there are no plans to permanently rehire laid-off staff, despite the department's legal challenges over the March firings.

The U.S. Department of Education is asking hundreds of employees it fired back in March to return to work temporarily. The request from the Education Dept. comes as the agency faces a backlog of school discrimination cases.

In an email obtained and first reported by USA Today, the Education Department is asking around 250 fired employees in the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to return around Dec. 15, acknowledging that it’s facing a sizeable caseload of civil rights complaints. The OCR is responsible for investigating discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, and national origin.

When President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January, the OCR had a backlog of 20,000 discrimination cases, according to the Federal News Network. Since then, the department has shrunk by 4,100 workers as Trump made good on his campaign promise to reduce the federal workforce.

A spokesperson said there are no plans to permanently rehire laid-off staff, despite the department’s legal challenges over the March firings.

“The Department will continue to appeal the persistent and unceasing litigation disputes concerning the Reductions in Force, but in the meantime, it will utilize all employees currently being compensated by American taxpayers,” Julie Hartman, spokesperson for the department, told the Federal News Network in a statement.

Education Department Dismisses Thousands of Civil Rights Complaints

Civil Rights advocates and former department officials have sounded the alarm since the layoffs at the Education Department, following the agency’s dismissal of thousands of civil rights complaints at a rapid rate earlier this year.

As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, the department dismissed more than 3,000 civil rights complaints between March 11 and June 27.

OCR received 4,833 complaints, opened 309 for investigation, and opened 26 directed investigations. Court documents reveal that nearly 100 of the complaints were resolved due to insufficient evidence during the investigation. An additional 290 complaints were resolved through voluntary agreements, settlements, or technical assistance.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 9, 2025

‘Porch Pirates’ Jamming Wi-Fi So Doorbell Cameras Can’t Record Packages Stolen From Doorstep

The thieves are using modern-day tech to get away with their heists.

New-age thieves, dubbed “porch pirates,” are using technology to evade capture as they steal packages from homes this holiday season.

These “high-tech” robbers are using Wi-Fi jammers to disrupt doorbell camera footage. The ruse helps them approach front doors to steal delivered packages without being seen. The scheme has grown in popularity as thieves tap into their skills beyond swiping to take these pricey goods.

According to NBC News, some of these “porch pirates” use Wi-Fi jammers to disrupt security footage and conduct their robberies. With the video muddled, thieves can perform the crime knowing video evidence is compromised.

The jammers also seem like a good investment for a high-stakes heist. Some Wi-Fi jammers cost as little as $60 or $70, making them even more ideal for seasoned thieves to get away with their schemes.

Although these jammers do exist and remain readily available, homeowners do not have to submit to this fate. There are steps homeowners can take to help combat this new tech. For prevention, homeowners can have separate networks with different doorbell cameras on each, so robbers cannot disrupt both networks.

However, for those not trying to have multiple networks, incorporating a hard-wired system can make it much harder to jam. Because the hard-wire system is not reliant on Wi-Fi, the jammers are unhelpful to potential robbers. Also, understanding one’s Wi-Fi bandwidth can help measure its resilience to jamming. If Wi-Fi still gets disrupted, choosing cameras with an SD card backup option ensures the crucial footage is still recorded.

Other advice includes picking one delivery day when someone will stay home to bring the items inside. Leaving packages on one’s doorstep for days can entice robbers to a home. A locked drop box can also ensure that no robbers can break in and steal one’s gifts.

In homes across the United States, from Chicago to Houston, online shopping is dominating the holiday season. According to Consumer Affairs, 65% of shoppers say they use Amazon to complete their wish lists. With more people expecting packages, this awareness and prevention can ensure all their gifts stay safe this year.

Breonna Taylor,charges, police reform,Louisville

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 9, 2025

Kentucky Rep To Reintroduce The Justice For Breonna Taylor Act

Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey is renewing his effort to pass the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, which would ban no-knock warrants nationwide.

Kentucky Rep. Morgan McGarvey has announced he will reintroduce the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, which aims to ban no-knock warrants permanently.

The Congressman shared the news on Dec. 8, noting he will formally reintroduce the bill on Dec. 10, WHAS11 reported. Named for Taylor, who the Louisville Metro Police killed during a botched 2020 raid, the legislation would prohibit no-knock warrants nationwide.

“We are lining up bipartisan support across the aisle,” McGarvey said. “This is something we’ve done in Kentucky. When I was in the general assembly, the general assembly passed a ban on no-knock warrants. And I think we can show how we came together in Kentucky to keep people safe and use it as a template for the rest of the country to continue to make sure everybody is safe as well.”

Although Kentucky banned no-knock warrants statewide with Senate Bill 4 in 2021, the newly reintroduced legislation aims to outlaw them nationwide. McGarvey pointed out that Sen. Rand Paul first introduced the measure in 2024, and it never advanced.

He will reintroduce the bill at the House Triangle in Louisville, joined by Breonna Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, along with Sens. Rand Paul and Cory Booker, and Reps. Yvette Clarke and Jasmine Crockett. While progress in Washington can be slow, McGarvey said, his team is working to ensure lawmakers recognize how widely this issue can affect communities.

“That’s why we have Republicans and Democrats coming together saying, ‘Let’s look at this practice, let’s see if this is something that’s really necessary and if it’s actually keeping people safe,” he said.

The bill’s return comes more than a year after a federal jury convicted former Louisville Metro Police officer Brett Hankison of using excessive force with intent to kill for firing 10 rounds into the side of Breonna Taylor’s apartment during the 2020 raid. None of the bullets struck Taylor. In July, he was sentenced to 33 months in prison, despite the DOJ’s recommendation for a 1-day sentence. Hankison is currently held at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

Two other former officers — Kyle Meany and Joshua Jaynes — still face federal misdemeanor charges tied to the case. Jaynes is charged with conspiracy and falsifying records, while Meany is accused of giving a false statement to federal investigators.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 9, 2025

A Second Chance Looks Good On Mysonne As Rapper-Turned-Activist Is Appointed Mamdani Crime Advisor

Mysonne's advocacy efforts have landed him a spot on Zohran Mamdani's mayoral transition team’s “criminal legal system” committee.

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is drawing media attention for his recent decision to appoint rapper-turned-activist Mysonne to his mayoral transition team’s “criminal legal system” committee.

On Nov. 26, Mysonne, born Mysonne Linen, revealed on Instagram that he and other leaders from his activist group Until Freedom, which focuses on fighting systemic racial injustice, had been tapped to serve on the Mayor-elect’s criminal justice committee as part of the transition team.

“We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team on committees for public safety and criminal justice, respectively,” the post announced.

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A post shared by Until Freedom (@untilfreedom)

“This is a testament to our decades of work advocating on behalf of Black and Brown communities and our expertise in gun violence prevention, legislative advocacy and criminal justice reform,” the post added. “We are building something different.”

Fans and supporters of the criminal justice reform group, led by Mysonne, Tamika D. Mallory, and Angelo Pinto, took to the comments to applaud the group, including Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, who left hand-clapping emojis.

“Wow, this is amazing,” one person wrote.

“Congratulations,” added another.

But just weeks after sharing the news, Mysonne, 49, came under fire from conservatives who resurfaced his criminal history and the seven-year prison sentence he served for armed robbery.

“It is both disheartening and deeply disturbing that individuals who are convicted felons and have a history of breaking the law are being given the opportunity to help shape the future of New York’s criminal justice system,” Benny Boscio, president of the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, told the 20-member Committee on the Criminal Legal System.

“Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani just appointed a convicted armed robber to help shape NYC’s crime and policing policy,” Jews Fight Back tweeted.

Linen was convicted in 1999 for allegedly taking part in two taxi robberies in the Bronx — one on June 8, 1997, involving driver Joseph Exiri, and another on March 31, 1998, involving driver Francisco Monsanto. Mysonne has long maintained his innocence and denied committing the robberies.

After rejecting a plea deal and taking the case to trial, he was found guilty of three robbery counts, weapons possession, and possessing stolen property. This verdict arrived just as his planned Def Jam debut album was set to be released. Following his incarceration, Mysonne reinvented himself as a vocal activist and has since become a prominent figure in social justice movements.

His work includes founding Rising Kings, a nonprofit that provides classes for inmates at Rikers Island, teaming up with Mamdani adviser Linda Sarsour to launch the advocacy group Until Freedom, and authoring two children’s books: I Know My Rights and Raising Kings: 10 Principles of Manhood.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 9, 2025

Metro Atlanta Mother Defends Video Of Son Body Slamming A Female Classmate

The mother says the girl hit her son multiple times before he retaliated.

The mother of a middle schooler in Metro Atlanta is speaking out after a video revealed her son body slamming a female classmate.

The video shows the student at Snellville Middle School seemingly flipping the girl into several desks before he walked out of the classroom. As news outlets received the footage, the mother of the boy spoke out against the assumption that her son started the violence.

Adrianna Cotton told 11Alive that the girl actually started the physical altercation. Additional footage showed the girl in question smacking Cotton’s son, Derek, after he touched her hair. The slap seemingly prompted him to pick her up and throw her over some desks and chairs.

Cotton explained that the girl proceeded to slap and hit her son multiple times before he became fed up and reacted.

“I guess it was a slap in the face the first time,” said Cotton about the incident.” Something was said, and after that, he just scrolled on his phone. It happened a few more times where she hit him repeatedly.”

The upset mother added, “The part of the video that I showed you was the last slap that she did before he finally retaliated.”

However, the news outlet also spoke to the female student for her recount of the incident. Her family also gave the news outlet part of the footage. Their clips show Cotton’s son slamming her into the ground.

The girl, named Paradise Muhammad, asserted that she did not slap the boy multiple times to spark his response. While she denies hitting the boy first, others say that his retaliation did not match the assault.

When asked whether her son had taken things too far, Cotton responded, “Absolutely not.”

“And I say that because I teach my girls to keep their hands to their selves,” she added. “If they were to hit a male, you know, expect to get hit back like one. “That’s how I was raised. “

The mother continued, “And when it comes to my men, my young boys becoming men… If a female [puts] their hands on you, and you have all right to defend yourself. [But] don’t hit them back because you can seriously hurt them. Restrain them, somehow, someway, and then walk away.”

She further asserted that her son did precisely that. Both families differ on how the situation came about. However, they both agreed that a teacher or an adult should have prevented the situation from escalating.

The middle schooler and the Gwinnett County School District both confirmed that a teacher was present in the room at the time.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 9, 2025

As The ‘Quarter Zip’ Gains Popularity, Chicagoans Debate Trend’s Impact On Black Men

The trend has grown in popularity as it becomes the male youth fashion staple of the moment.

The quarter-zip sweater has grown in popularity since the trend took off on social media.

Black men and male youth have caught onto the fashion wave by posting about their own “quarter zips and matcha.” As an overall lifestyle, participants drink the green tea latte as they don a more professional look. The trend has highlighted a breakaway from more culturally-recognized outfits such as Nike tech suits and Jordans.

However, the trend has made some who usually rock the “YN” aesthetic to instead put on sweaters. As the trend refuses to lose steam, some Chicagoans are breaking down its greater impact on the Black community, especially its boys and young men.

Younger Chicago residents put on their finest quarter-zips for a supportive event at a local ice cream spot Dec 7. Deemed the Chicago Quarter-Zip Link-Up, the event sought to support businesses in one neighborhood that suffered from break-ins last month. There, they discussed what putting on the soft-knit sweaters means to them.

“I feel proper when I wear a quarter-zip,” said a 14-year-old Lake Rome to WBEZ. “I’m a Whitney Young [High School] student, so I pride myself on nothing less than excellence.”

Another teen, a 19-year-old college student named Raymond, said his own quarter zip helps him feel “fancy” and “professional.” A prominent city leader also showed up with his own quarter-zip to mark the occasion. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson appeared to, rightfully so, sip matcha with his Black male constituents.

As tens of participants came, it not only showed support for local businesses but also served as a testament to the quarter-zip trend’s impact.

“This quarter-zip meetup is bigger than just about what you’re wearing,” said Corey DooleyJohnson, one of the event’s organizers. “It’s about how you’re living. It’s about community service and brotherhood. What we want to do is bring that holistic community feeling back. We want to create a positive network among young Black Americans, especially young Black Chicagoans.”

While the quarter-zip trend aims to promote seemingly positive traits among this demographic, some critics worry its effects could harm the community. The “Quarter zip” could come across as a symbol of respectability politics, playing into the look of the “tech bro” by appearing more white.

The trend, initially a joke on social media, caught on like wildfire amongst the TikTok-focused youth of America. Now, Black boys are trying matcha to match their fashion aesthetic. More importantly, they are using the moment to maintain a professional outlook on how they conduct themselves.

“It started as something kind of funny,” added Corey Phillips, another event organizer. “But I think it’s something positive. We see a lot of trends that promote a lot of negativity, like youth doing things that aren’t productive. You haven’t seen many times where the media showcases young men of color coming together.”

However, naysayers warn that the trend could make those not wearing the quarter-zip seem “unprofessional,” although one’s clothes should not determine their behavior. Wanting to shy away from deeming one outfit more “dangerous” than the other, critics urge Black men not to view such indicators to prove their worth in society.

“I’ve seen some people online say, ‘You’re just culture-appropriating or you’re trying to fit into the white man’s box,’” DooleyJohnson told the Chicago Sun-Times. “But that’s not true because Black Americans have always had a sense of style, and that has a wide variety. But I have seen some people say we’re trying to conform to white supremacy. But I don’t believe that’s true.”

On the other hand, Black men have used the quarter zip to “repurpose” the “tech bro” aesthetic. Now, they have transformed a traditionally professional clothing option into a way of getting fly.

From the Black dandy until now, Black men have taken charge of their fashion choices. It further shows their ability to make any staple into its own moment.

“There is a long tradition of Black men taking symbols of elite spaces and repurposing them, sometimes just to be humorous, but sometimes [to express] identity and sometimes for defiance,” said Chicago Fashion Coalition President Marquan Jones. “We take something that wasn’t meant for us, and we make it ours, and we make it even more relevant and cool.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 9, 2025

Bout It! Black Woman Road Trips To Confront A Troll For Racist TikTok Comments

The woman had the man recite her provided, pre-written apology over his racist comments.

One Black woman documented her journey to confront a man for his racist moments in a now-viral TikTok.

The content creator, whose account name is @davillainumade, posted the video of her taking a three-hour road trip to confront the person who left racist comments on one of her videos. While many would just make a snarky response in the app, the woman decided to take things a step further by approaching the man, reportedly named Mike, in person.

@darkred_photograp
The innanet is not real!😂
♬ original sound – darkred_photography

The woman, who recently made her account private, showed up at Mike’s work address to talk about the situation head-on.

“Hello, I’m looking for a Mike. Does a Mike work here?” she recorded herself asking cheerfully to someone inside the building.

She started the conversation politely before getting to the “why” for her showing up.

“So, a couple of days ago, you left a comment under somebody’s comment section. Do you remember that by any chance? It was regarding the Tennessee District 7,” she stated on the TikTok.

According to The Root, the TikToker is referring to the heated local race between Republicans and Democrats in the area. Mike’s alleged deleted comments called Black people the N-word while also sharing that he had “Black fatigue.”

Previously covered on BLACK ENTERPRISE, “Black fatigue” is a twist on the initial concept of Black people feeling burnout from white supremacy. Co-opted by an alt-right online group, its new meaning describes racist white people and their stereotypical thoughts of Black people on the internet.

However, the TikToker decided to cut out the fatigue and address the negative commenter face-to-face. She wanted him to realize that his words have real-life consequences. She also made mention of his secrets that she could easily reveal to those he loved most.

“You don’t know me, I don’t know you, but I was that person you commented under. Yes, that’s crazy, right? Crazy world,” she said in a mildly joking manner.

She continued, “But I just wanted you to know…You see how easy I found you? It’s not cool, right? So, I’m going to give you the opportunity to apologize, or I’m going to show your wife the Grindr account I found. How do you feel about that?”

Clearly shaken up, the man agreed to read an already-written apology. Although off-camera, the humiliation clearly worked as he took the accountability she asked for.

“I, Mike, do apologize for my actions. I see the consequences of my actions, and I will not do this to anyone else ever again,” Mike recited.

She then grabbed the note back, maybe to use for the next person who makes racist remarks. The TikTok, reposted on other accounts, has gone viral for the surprising act of getting one’s own justice.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 9, 2025

Amazon Deads Data Center Proposal Citing Lack Of Interest

Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz and Tucson City Councilman Paul Cunningham said multiple sources highlighted the possibility of seven or eight potential end-user tenants.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has dumped plans to be part of the Project Blue data center in Tucson, Arizona, citing a lack of continued interest, but city council members say differently, Data Center Dynamics reports.

The 290-acre strip of land in Pima County, developed by Blue Owl-owned Beale Infrastructure, had plans of hosting up to ten buildings totaling two million sq ft. Reports reveal the lack of interest from AWS comes after a change in proposed cooling technology, calling it unacceptable. The project will now host air cooling instead of water cooling, following complaints from local officials, resulting in denying project access to the city’s reclaimed water system.

Despite the back-and-forth, Beale says Amazon showed interest, but there was never an official contract in place to greenlight the partnership. “Beale can only speak on behalf of our project, and not to the intention of other companies,” the company said in a statement.

“Rather, it is up to any companies seeking to come into a market to announce that for themselves.”

However, there is room for another owner to come in. Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz and Tucson City Councilman Paul Cunningham said multiple sources highlighted the possibility of seven or eight potential end-user tenants.

There is still work to be done on the Amazon project before ground is officially broken, while Beale says an energy agreement isn’t necessary in order for the center to move forward. According to the Arizona Luminaria, state commissioners are expected to vote on a request for Tucson Electric Power to provide hundreds of megawatts of energy to the data center, as Tucson leaders and residents have expressed concerns.

The assistant city attorney to Tucson’s newest top lawyer, Roi Lusk, filed a request for the commission to host a more thorough public hearing on the energy agreement. “The very existence of these terms of the agreement raises the question of the impact of the agreement on the cost of electric power to other customers,” the filing says.

“The Commission should order that a proceeding be opened to consider Company’s request, complete with discovery, sworn testimony, a hearing with cross-examination, and briefing.”

Several residents, including those involved in the No Desert Data Center Coalition, have shown opposition to all large data center projects in the state. “We cannot afford to keep building these profit machines for billionaires that raise our bills and give us nothing in return,” the coalition said in a statement.

“Together as communities, we need to imagine what sustainable economic development projects are that give our families a prosperous and livable future.”

Vacant Historic Black Church, Virginia, Community Learning Center

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 9, 2025

2819 Church In ATL Has Young Christians Waiting Hours In Line To Catch Its Viral Vibes

The church, led by Pastor Mitchell, approaches its sermons in a impassioned, unrelenting way.

One church in Atlanta has seen tremendous growth, with young Christians coming in droves for its Sunday service.

Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell of 2819 Church has seen its congregation grow from a few hundred to several thousand since its establishment a few years ago. The popularity of his no-fluff sermons has made many young adult believers wait hours to snag a seat inside, WABE reports.

Going viral for clips of his preachings, more Atlanta Christians have sought his by-the-word spiritual guidance. Beyond his sermons, the atmosphere of 2819 has established a contemporary approach to Sunday worship. While true to some aspects of traditional church culture, visitors can hear Christian rap through the halls as they wait in line. Young ushers help guide the droves of believers to the hall.

The draw and the difference lie in Pastor Mitchell’s preachings. Unlike other viral preachers who use grander metaphors, Mitchell follows a “tell it like it is” approach to his lessons. While still impassioned, his grounded guidance allows churchgoers of all walks to feel more structured by the word. He wants people to leave with a sense of urgency surrounding their reconnection to Jesus Christ, especially before the Christian belief of his return to Earth.

“It is life or death for me,” Mitchell told The Associated Press. “There are souls that are hanging in the balance. … I think about the fact that in that room somebody might hear the Gospel, and that might be their last opportunity.”

His church’s growth comes at a time when fewer young people attend church. Yet, his style has more young, and primarily Black, adults coming every Sunday. Mitchell is also no saint himself, revealing his own less-than-righteous past to better relate to his congregation. While not sugar-coating the reality of living a life of Christ, his followers say this approach is needed amid the sea of motivational preachers.

“I’m preaching without watering that down, without filtering out things that we think might be too controversial,” explained Mitchell.

2819 Church holds a more conservative view as well, opposing abortion and same-sex marriages. Its pastor has also navigated controversies surrounding his harsher teachings.

Despite this, Mitchell has built a loyal congregation that feels convinced by his rougher but “real” ways of spreading the gospel. Many are often moved to tears by the rawness of the entire worship experience. However, most return each Sunday for a transformation.

“I think that there is a generation that is gravitating towards that authenticity and truth,” added Mitchell. “As a result of that, we are seeing lives being radically transformed.”