On Friday, Nov. 26, the Grammy-winning producer took to Instagram to voice his support for Warner Music Group’s (WMG) recent “disruptive” deal with Suno, part of a lawsuit settlement. Timbaland shared a news report about Suno’s new licensing agreement with WMG, which will train AI models and allow artists to choose whether their work is used in licensed AI-generated music.
While many music fans and creators have criticized the rise of AI acts like Billboard-charting Xania Monet, Timbaland continues to champion the emerging technology.
“Timbaland supporting this is like watching one of your favorite superhero dancing with the bad guys,” one Instagram user wrote.
“Isn’t the point of music making is to enjoy the process? It’s like letting a bot play video games for you lol,” adding someone else.
One fan expressed their disappointment in watching Timbaland “destroy your legacy for a couple of $$.”
Timbaland partnered with Suno in October 2024, joining as a strategic advisor. Earlier this year, the “Cry Me a River” hitmaker also launched his own AI artist, TaTa Taktumi, despite facing criticism.
“By combining forces, we have a unique opportunity to make AI work for the artist community and not the other way around,” Timbaland said at the time the partnership with Suno was announced. “We’re seizing that opportunity, and we’re going to open up the floodgates for generations of artists to flourish on this new frontier.”
Suno’s partnership with WMG is part of a settlement resolving WMG’s copyright infringement lawsuit against the AI platform. Under the deal, Suno will use WMG’s licensed music to train new AI models, set to replace the current version in 2026.
Artists and songwriters can opt in to allow their name, image, likeness, voice, and compositions to be used in AI-generated music. The settlement also includes platform updates, such as paid downloads for select tracks and a commitment to fully licensed AI models in 2026.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Returns To Morris Brown College After 23-Year Hiatus
The Gamma Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has officially returned to the HBCU
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first Black Greek-lettered sorority, has officially returned to Morris Brown College after more than 20 years away from the historic HBCU.
A Nov. 23 ceremony marked the official return of the Gamma Gamma Chapter to Morris Brown after 23 years, the chapter shared on Instagram.
“Rechartered 2025 by the awakening of 14 Pearls of Restoration,” the AKA for MBC Instagram wrote in its bio.
Video captured the new Gamma Gamma initiates dressed in all black with white sunglasses, surrounded by sorors in matching pink trench coats and green berets, proudly welcoming them into the sisterhood.
“The Alpha train is a slowly coming, gotta keep on pushing,” the sorors sang in unison.
Morris Brown’s loss of HBCU accreditation in 2002 led Alpha Kappa Alpha to close its chapter on campus. Even without an active presence, the sorority continued its support, including a $100,000 donation in 2022 to help fund scholarships and operations when the college regained accreditation.
AKA is the latest Divine Nine organization to make its return to Morris Brown following the college’s restoration of its HBCU accreditation. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.—the first Black Greek-lettered fraternity—reestablished its Iota Chapter on campus in November 2023. In March 2024, Sigma Gamma Rho became the first sorority to return when it revived its Beta Lambda Chapter.
Morris Brown, founded in 1881 as Georgia’s first college owned and operated by African Americans, has recently reinstated several student organizations, including its choir, fashion club, and honor societies. The school also plans to revive its Marching Wolverines Band, which was disbanded in 2003.
Last month, President Kevin E. James noted that rebuilding a 100- to 200-member band for three to four years would require a donation of at least $5 million. The college is calling on alumni and supporters to help fund the effort.
“Hopefully we’re coming back,” said former majorette Katherine Callahan. “And when we’re coming back, everybody needs to get ready.”
Boost In Black Friday Sales Show Lackluster Economy Isn’t Slowing Americans Down
The White House is looking at these numbers as evidence of a thriving economy; however, others see signals of weak consumer confidence.
The numbers are in from the 2025 Black Friday shopping holiday, and it’s raising eyebrows on where American consumers actually stand on the economy, which is battling inflation, CNN reports.
Data released from Mastercard SpendingPulse shows retail sales on the busiest shopping day of the year increased 4.1% in comparison to 2024. The numbers were even higher online, with shoppers spending $11.8 billion — a 9.1% jump from 2024 — according to Adobe Analytics.
However, economists say the numbers don’t account for rising goods costs due to inflation, so The Pinpoint Press economy writer Rick Newman says that, in reality, spending could be flat. “We have 3% inflation, so maybe (the 4.1% increase in spending) is a real increase of just 1% or so, which is not that much of an increase,” Newman said. National consumer expert Claudia Lombana agrees, given data from the Federal Reserve’s “Beige Book.”
The collection of anecdotes surrounding the economy revealed that consumer spending for low- and middle-income consumers is declining. But the upper class and big spenders haven’t slowed down, including spending on luxury items and travel. “The ones that have higher income are spending at will, but those who are less affluent are budgeting,” Lombana revealed.
The concept is part of the K-shaped economy, where higher earners see a boost in their earnings from stock market investments and home valuations, helping them to use hefty paychecks to shop. For earners on the lower end, they seem to live paycheck to paycheck and seek out discounted deals.
According to Newsweek, the White House is looking at these numbers as evidence of a thriving economy; however, others see signals of weak consumer confidence and the starting line of financial hardships revving up as consumers continue to shop. Consumer spending accounts for roughly two-thirds of economic activity, and the holiday season is often seen as an important barometer of how financially stressed shoppers are coping with the current economic climate.
Job security is another reason why economists don’t believe this year’s Black Friday uptick matches the reality that shoppers are facing. Several struggle to know where their next paycheck is coming from, as jobs are scarce and the cost of necessities like groceries and heat continues to rise. “I think those people are going to be pinching pennies this holiday season,” Newman suggested, highlighting the need to be slightly frugal with gift purchases this holiday season.
It’s not just consumers who are suffering. Some major retailers are also struggling to meet shoppers where they are — caught between customer satisfaction cost-wise and President Donald Trump’s war on tariffs. The National Retail Federation says 85% of consumers expect higher prices because of Trump’s tariffs, causing consumers to be more selective about where they shop.
Economy-savvy retailers like Walmart and T.J. Maxx are benefiting, while Target and Bath & Body Works have struggled this holiday season.
Damon Dash Disses 50 Cent After Trailer For Diddy Documentary Released
'Never trust a black man that will make a documentary tearing down another black man for a white man … that’s nasty work'
With the announcement that the Diddy documentary that G-Unit owner 50 Cent has been working on will debut Dec. 2, former Roc-A-Fella co-owner Damon Dash took to social media to diss the Power television executive.
Netflix has released the debut date of the Diddy docuseries, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, which 50 started talking about almost immediately after Diddy was arrested on RICO charges (the entertainment mogul was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution in July and then sentenced to 50 months in prison in October). Now that the world knows that the completed project will be airing soon, Dash went on the attack, accusing 50 of “tearing down another Black Man” for a white man.
“Never trust a black man that will make a documentary tearing down another black man for a white man … that’s nasty work.”
“I’m not playing these ghetto games, that’s played out.”
Dash, who has been in the news lately for his beefs with other Black men, like Cam’ron, Charlamagne tha God, and others, has been feuding with 50 as recently as September.
The furor towards 50 was inflamed after Netflix recently posted a trailer for the docuseries.
50 has been throwing shots and trolling Diddy for years now, and seemed hell-bent on getting this documentary done to expose the allegations against the No Way Out producer. In the documentary, people who were affected by Diddy in some way spoke about him in front of the cameras. Former recording artists who were signed to him, like Aubrey O’Day, Mark Curry, Brooklyn Babs, and members of Day26, as well as former law enforcement agents, Greg Kading and Derrick Parker, and even ex-employees of the mogul, like Kirk Burrowes and Capricorn Clark, are featured in the doc.
“I’ve been committed to real storytelling for years through G-Unit Film and Television,” 50 said in a written statement. “I’m grateful to everyone who came forward and trusted us with their stories, and proud to have Alexandria Stapleton as the director on the project to bring this important story to the screen.”
Fulton County Under ‘Domestic Violence Epidemic’ With Nearly 1,000 Cases In Metro Atlanta
Fulton County DA Fani Willis has deemed the rise in cases as a "epidemic."
Fulton County, Georgia, is experiencing what its district attorney calls a “domestic violence epidemic” as cases soar in the area.
Located within Metro Atlanta, the county has logged nearly 1,000 pending felony cases of domestic abuse. Its DA, Fani Willis, has called the matter a growing issue that must be addressed for the safety of its residents.
“We are absolutely in a domestic violence epidemic,” stated District Attorney Fani Willis, as reported by WSB-TV.
In light of these pending cases, the District Attorney’s Office’s Domestic Violence Division has scaled up efforts to get justice for victims. However, obtaining this justice remains fraught with obstacles, particularly during the trials.
The news outlet reported that convictions have stalled due to hung juries and mixed verdicts. One victim, Troy King, spoke about the fear he felt when his assaulter, Darrius Berry, underwent three trials before being convicted of felony aggravated battery.
“I was quite sure I was gonna die that night,” King said.
However, the DA’s office remains steadfast in ensuring abusers are held accountable for their attacks on victims.
“That attack was so bad, and we were not going to give up until we reached justice,” shared Assistant D.A. Jazmin Dilligard.
Another challenge in dismantling domestic violence at home also comes from the unwillingness of the victim to speak out of fear and manipulation by the abuser. Suppose a victim refuses to testify, especially given the vulnerable nature of these dynamics. In that case, this leaves prosecutors to seek evidence through camera footage or 911 calls to verify that the defendant has caused harm to others.
“Victims are under the power and control of their abuser,” explained Deputy DA Asia Baysah.
According to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, there were over 42,000 incidents of family violence reported last year. These incidents have also increased by 23% since 2023, with women accounting for 70% of the victims reported. On a national level, around 41% of women experienced intimate partner violence. This includes sexual and physical violence, as well as stalking and harassment.
This news is especially relevant for Black women. Black people account for 42.6% of Fulton County’s population, according to Data USA. The Institute for Women’s Policy Research also noted that more than 4 in 10 Black women will face intimate partner violence during their lifetime. A 2015 study even found Black women face higher threats of being killed by their partners than their white counterparts.
Given these statistics and the local rise in these cases, the Fulton County DA’s office wants to ensure fair and efficient trials to grant victims justice and safety from their abusers.
Michael Jordan’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against NASCAR Gets Started
23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, along with Front Row Motorsports (FRM), owned by Bob Jenkins, will meet their adversaries in court
23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), owned by Bob Jenkins, filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and CEO Jim France, and, after a failed mediation attempt, will finally meet in court on Dec. 1.
The trial is about what the two teams view as a monopoly held by the race car organization. They take issue with 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 chosen by NASCAR. Another point of contention is not allowing teams to participate in other stock car races.
In October 2024, CNBC reported that the lawsuit alleged that NASCAR, along with its CEO, operates the business without transparency and in a way that doesn’t benefit team owners, drivers, sponsors, partners, and fans.
“We need a more competitive and fair system where teams, drivers, and sponsors can be rewarded for our collective investment by building long-term enterprise value, just like every other successful professional sports league,” Jenkins stated in the lawsuit.
A mediation took place Oct. 20 and 21, led by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell and Jeffrey Mishkin, a former executive vice president and chief legal officer of the NBA.
The two days of mediation focused on NASCAR’s bid to narrow the scope of damages the two teams say they are owed. The league accused 23XI and FRM of manipulating the other teams and conducting themselves with “classic cartel behavior, ultimately because they received less than they would have,” under the charter extensions signed last year.
The mediation provided no relief or agreement between the parties, setting up the court date.
According to The Associated Press, the charter system started in 2016 and is the league’s version of the franchise model used by most professional sports leagues. Having the charter guarantees that a team has a place in the 40-car field for all 38 races throughout the season, as well as a defined payout from the weekly purse. However, the two plaintiffs have claimed that the revenue model is not viable, while the teams sought to have the charters become permanent and receive a larger share of revenues and a voice in governance.
23XI and FRM refused to sign the current charters that the other teams signed off on.
Now, the two teams are seeking a large monetary sum from NASCAR to cover their legal fees, the financial losses suffered this year from not being chartered, and the lawsuit.
Hamlin took to social media and is looking forward to the fight.
Our fans have been brainwashed with their talking points for decades. Narratives pushed by media who are intimidated by them. Lies are over starting Monday morning. It’s time for the truth. It’s time for change.
The Crisis Facing Black Workers and America’s Economy
Black workers have lost jobs at an alarming rate.
Written by C08
Black people in America are facing an employment crisis, one that the Trump administration helped to create and deliberately worsened. Early promises of “efficiency” and “cutting waste” have instead masked an orchestrated assault on Black workers and on the fundamental truth that a diverse workforce strengthens our economy.
Since the start of 2025, Black workers have lost jobs at an alarming rate, and new employment opportunities have been scarce. Although the shutdown has ended, the delay in new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics means we are still operating without a full picture of the labor market. But what we do know is that Black unemployment climbed this year to its highest level since 2021, when the country was still in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Behind every data point are families struggling to pay rent, graduates entering a stalled job market, and entrepreneurs watching years of work evaporate.
At the same time, the nation faces a widespread labor shortage. Sidelining Black workers deepens that shortage, slows productivity, and leaves employers without the talent urgently needed. Black households also drive more than $2 trillion in consumer spending, meaning every job loss drains essential demand from the broader economy, an impact clearly visible in this year’s Black Friday performance.
This is not abstract: Black Friday is the most consequential consumer weekend of the year, when retailers, restaurants, and small businesses depend on household purchasing power to stay afloat. When Black workers lose income, they are forced to pull back on spending, and that contraction reverberates across sales floors, service industries, supply chains, and revenue streams nationwide. Further, as a result of the administration’s policies and corporations’ misguided reactions to them, many Black people are choosing to divest from entities that support policies that are anathema to the well-being of Black communities.
As leaders of legacy civil rights organizations, we will not be silent while this Administration wages an economic war on the Black community and dismantles a federal workforce that has long served as a pathway to stability and mobility for Black communities. Pushing Black workers out of the labor market not only harms families, it also weakens the American economic engine upon which businesses — small and large —depend on during the most crucial shopping period of the year.
The Assault on Black Jobs:
In recent years, Black people in America experienced some of the best economic conditions in generations. With lower unemployment and poverty rates, median Black household wealth reached the highest level on record. While these gains have been blunted by rising wealth inequality, cost of living issues, and long-standing barriers to opportunity, it offered the possibility of stability and progress.
That momentum has been reversed. The Trump Administration’s first assault was the elimination of federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs, which were rebranded as “divisive” or “woke,” and was followed by the termination of thousands of federal employees because their roles touched or were perceived to involve equity or inclusion. Then, the administration gutted agency staffing, leaving hundreds of thousands jobless. During the nation’s longest government shutdown, at least seven different agencies tried to lay off more than 4,000 federal employees[5], in violation of well-established law.
For decades, the federal government has served as a ladder to economic success, building a strong Black middle class for workers shut out of the private sector. Removing Black workers from federal roles shrinks that pathway and strips critical capacity from an economy that already cannot fill open jobs.
The damage is not limited to the public sector. Under pressure from opponents of civil rights and the Trump Administration, many corporations have abandoned the commitments they made in 2020, following the murder of George Floyd. Over 2,600 employees working on corporate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives have been let go. Even more employees may find their opportunities diminished as corporations end programs that helped level the playing field and the Trump Administration halts efforts to address workplace discrimination.
Black Women Hit the Hardest:
Black women have borne the brunt of these attacks. Between February and July of this year, Black women lost 319,000 jobs across the public and private sectors, the only major group of women to experience such a significant loss. These cuts hit crucial roles in education, healthcare, and community service, where Black women serve as essential pillars. Black women are among the nation’s most educated, entrepreneurial, and economically productive groups. Their job losses don’t just destabilize families; they weaken the broader economy, reduce small business growth, and shrink community buying power.
The Next Generation Blocked:
The administration has also attacked programs that provide pathways for new graduates to serve their communities, particularly at organizations that advance racial justice. For decades, programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) have been essential in attracting graduates to roles in government and nonprofits by promising debt forgiveness after a decade of service. This program has already brought relief to over 1 million public service workers, many of whom are Black. But new Department of Education rules threaten PSLF eligibility for employers deemed to be engaged in “illegal activity,” including advancing racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, or immigrant protections. This move discourages young professionals from entering public service at a moment when communities desperately need teachers, nurses, social workers, and first responders. Black graduates, who carry higher student debt burdens, will be disproportionately pushed away from these careers.
A National Economy at Risk:
The Trump administration promised prosperity. Instead, jobs are disappearing, costs are rising, and pathways to stability are closing. For federal employees, corporate workers, entrepreneurs, and recent graduates, the dream of economic security is slipping out of reach. The prosperity of Black people in America is inseparable from the prosperity of the nation. When opportunity for Black workers is blocked, the entire economy slows, with fewer services, less innovation, and weaker growth.
This year’s Black Friday made clear the simple reality: that reducing Black employment directly weakens one of the country’s most powerful consumer bases and dampens economic momentum when it matters most.
Now is the time for lawmakers and corporate leaders to reverse the assault on the Black workforce, restore programs that advance equal opportunity, protect public service employment, and rebuild a federal workforce that truly reflects and strengthens the nation.
When we fight for Black workers, we fight for America’s economic and democratic future
C08 a coalition of 8 current, legacy civil rights leaders who work to address contemporary issues, to support the work of lawmakers, advocates, and communities across the country.
Chadwick Boseman’s Brothers Speak On The Star’s Life Amid Hollywood Walk Of Fame Induction
To his brothers Derek and Kevin Boseman, the Walk of Fame honor calls forward something deeper than his film career.
Chadwick Boseman’s newly unveiled star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame sets his place in entertainment history in stone, literally. Famous coworkers and friends including Michael B. Jordan, and Ryan and Zinzi Coogler, showed up to give personal testimony on a short life well-lived. Among the high-profile attendees were his family members, people who knew more than just the public face of the man.
To his brothers. Derek and Kevin Boseman, the Walk of Fame honor called forward something deeper than his film career. It pulled them back to who he was before the world knew him. While the Boseman family has remained private in the five years since his passing, his brothers spoke with BLACK ENTERPRISE about their personal interactions, upbringing, and how they plan to keep Boseman’s legacy alive.
When asked what stands out most when they reflect on Chadwick as a man, not a movie star, Derek did not hesitate. “He left movies. That’s for the public,” he said. “His memory would be his character, the way he handled people with kindness. He always honored our parents. He was a mama’s boy.”
The brothers agree that fame never altered his spirit. “Even though he was famous, he didn’t act like it at all. He acted like a normal dude and he wanted to be treated as such,” Derek said. “He remained the exact same person from the time he was a kid until the day that he died. He never acted like he was above anybody else.”
Kevin echoed that foundation, crediting the way they were raised. “It all really began at home. It began with respect for our elders,” he said. “We come from really humble beginnings, not poverty, but definitely not wealth. My father was a factory worker. My mother was a nurse.” The values that shaped their family, he said, were rooted in responsibility, faith, and belief in one’s calling.
“We were taught to carry ourselves knowing that we could become anything we wanted to be because it was in us,” he told BE.
(Photo by Arnold Turner/Eclipse Content 4 Boseman Family)
Both brothers described Chadwick as someone who was disciplined and engaged on an ever-evolving journey of discovery. The discipline extended to how Chadwick studied and built characters. Kevin described him as a lifelong student.
“He always carried a notebook. He was always taking notes,” he said. “He was always in process. That was the kind of artist that he was.”
Kevin added that every conversation led him to a new discovery. “I would walk away going, ‘Okay, I have to look up like two words in this conversation,’” he said. “He was incredibly brilliant and dedicated to continual study. He never arrived.”
Since his passing, the Boseman family has guarded their privacy while continuing to honor his memory in intentional ways. They plan to further that commitment by launching the Chadwick Boseman Family Foundation. The concept behind the foundation includes more than supporting those seeking formal education. It will extend support for childcare, education, wellness, literacy, and financial literacy.
(Photo by Arnold Turner/Eclipse Content 4 Boseman Family) Boseman extended family
Kevin said the family will continue showing up publicly to preserve Chadwick’s influence while creating space for the next generation.
“We will continue to celebrate his work, his artistry, his craft,” he said. “It will be interesting to see in his absence what young artists create. ‘Look at all of the things that this person accomplished. What stories do I have to tell?’”
What the world saw on screen, his brothers said, is inseparable from the person they knew. “People saw themselves in him,” Kevin said. “That’s why he was so important.”
Both Derrick and Kevin are continuing their work promoting the legacy of Chadwick. Deep Azure, a play written by the late actor, will open in London February 2026. Additionally, Derrick is working on an upcoming book which includes life lessons and conversations between himself and his kin. On Nov. 17, Kevin premiered the Dark Mondays With Kevin Boseman podcast, examining theater through a “social, cultural and political lense.”
Tabitha Brown Clarifies Her Stance On Target Boycott Amid Backlash, Says ‘I’m Not The Enemy’
Brown admitted to having to heighten her security team over the backlash she received.
Tabitha Brown is speaking out against the backlash she received over her response to the Target boycott.
The content creator and entrepreneur reportedly had to ramp up security after her input got caught in the crossfire of the protest against Target. Many in the Black community called out the retailer for its scaling back on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives earlier this week.
While supporters of the boycott followed suit, Brown took a different view of the demonstration. Brown emphasized how the refusal to shop at Target would hurt the Black and Brown business owners whose products were still on its shelves. According to Afrotech, Brown also has a licensing deal with Target for her haircare line, which is stocked in stores.
Although Brown felt she was advocating for small businesses, others called her perspective tone-deaf. She has since clarified her take on the matter on iHeart’s “Not My Best Moment” podcast, hosted by fellow influencer and comedian, KevOnStage.
“I own multiple businesses. Don’t worry about me. But these other people, and I said this in the video, some of these Black-owned businesses, it’s their first time being in the store. This is why I was really so upset because Target, y’all really did this right before the Black History Month launch. Y’all know what it’s going to do to these businesses. You know how long it take to get in there,’” she explained.
She wanted to be a voice for the other side of the coin if the mass protests did occur. She warned that if sales for these companies looked abysmal, Target could take them off the shelves, thus snatching this exposure opportunity.
“I was trying to educate people on this is what’s going to happen for these small businesses. ‘Cause some people are like, “I ain’t boycotting.” I’m like, “Listen, I understand. But if you do, great. If you decide not to and you still go in Target, please only buy Black. Only support those businesses because the numbers don’t lie.’”
She called out the misinformation spread about Black businesses in Target, while wanting to convey an apparent reality if Buy Black supporters did not patronize these companies.
“There was like a lot of lies going around saying like, ‘They just took all the Black businesses out of Target’. I was like ‘No, they didn’t do that yet,’” continued Brown. “They didn’t do that because they can’t legally, but they can when the fiscal year rolls around, and they start looking at the numbers, say, ‘Oh, this was your forecast, and this is where you came in. You didn’t meet the numbers.’ Now, they have reason to remove them. That’s what I tried to convey.”
While organizers of the boycott, like Pastor Jamal Bryant, spoke out against Brown, she says they falsely claimed that she had more power and agency in her Target deal than she actually did. Brown could not easily remove her products from stores without incurring legal and financial risks. However, the controversy shaped her business savvy moving forward.
Brown also mentioned that she had to ramp up security after people approached her about the boycott. She doesn’t forget her time in the negative light, but still believes that she had good intentions, sticking up for the future of small businesses.
Now, she includes a dual-morality clause in all her contracts, allowing her to legally disassociate from brands that no longer align with her values.
A TikToker From Georgia Wants To Make History As Second-Youngest Black Woman In Congress
The substance abuse counselor and addiction survivor wants to uplift Georgia's rural counties.
Bri Woodson may not be the first media personality to transition into politics, but she intends to be one who brings about change for the better. The TikToker has her sights set on becoming the second-youngest Black woman elected to Congress in 2026. Woodson has already begun her campaign for the midterm elections, raising awareness on her progressive stances to positively impact Georgia’s 12th district, which covers the eastern and southeastern parts of the state.
A self-proclaimed “Daughter Of The Deep South,” Woodson’s rural Georgia roots have shaped her challenges and purpose. Woodson’s triumphant story details her overcoming addiction to become a mental health counselor and advocate, all while creating her own social media presence to shed light on social issues.
“As someone who recognizes struggle and who knows what it means to want to be heard and not be able to, when I think of how I describe myself to others, one word comes to mind: a fighter. I am such an advocate for others. I want to always have my voice be an extension of others,” she shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.
The 31-year-old has already gone toe-to-toe with national policies on TikTok under the handle @thecontroversialblonde. With over 1 million likes on her growing channel, her viral clips, mainly about Black history lessons in jeopardy at public schools, offer insight while directly challenging the current administration.
She added, “You see the changes in the current administration, the fear of it. It was a call to action like I never felt before. I’ve never held public office before, but it was just called to me, and I had to do something. We have to try something different.”
Now, Woodson plans to take her natural speaking skills to the House floor. Already able to build an audience, she hopes to create a new coalition of Georgia voters outside Atlanta to spark progressive change.
She continued, “I want to really highlight the rural counties in District 12. Our rural counties, especially down here in the South, are struggling with infrastructure, access, and funds. They all matter. And I’ve planted myself in rural counties for the majority of my adult life, and it’s something I’m super passionate about.“
Woodson has already held leadership positions in local and national political organizations, including serving as the state lead for the Fight Against Fascism Organization and holding additional positions within the Young Democrats of Georgia. Woodson’s advocacy goes beyond a career in politics, but a years-long dedication to change at a grassroots level.
She hopes that not only her social media presence, but also her background as a substance abuse counselor will help build a connection with future constituents who may disagree with her views.
Of her day job, Woodson adds, “I am in rooms of adult learners every single day. I get the option of saying, ‘Oh, you don’t agree with me…’ I have to figure out how to adjust my language to explain neuroscience of the brain to a former gang leader and a former CEO across the room. So when I realized that I can be the person that bridges the gap, it set off a light bulb, because we need more dialogue over division. And that’s one of my biggest goals.”
Her priority on healthcare and mental health support drives her campaign. Woodson also plans to revive bipartisanship and pass legislation that she thinks both sides of the aisle can get behind.
It’s her influence on social media and her community, however, that makes her stand out among a sea of first-time congressional hopefuls. While not all her followers translate to voters, her continued outreach to diverse people remains a core part of her mission.
“My platform has helped me, first of all, understand the power of the internet and outreach, and that is something that makes my candidacy and my race just historic in and of itself. I’ve learned how to talk to people. And how to present myself as a voice that is strong enough to be a leader. It also helped me understand that my voice is powerful enough to amass a platform of over 100,000 people.”
With the midterm elections a little under a year away, Woodson is preparing for the primaries by hitting the campaign trail to make history in Congress.
