by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 20, 2025

Shilo Sanders Sued By Former Law Firm For $164K For Unpaid Bill

'The total of the Invoices that Mr. Sanders currently owes Plaintiff is $164,285.55, including $10,967.91 in interest for the services provided and costs incurred.'

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tryout Shilo Sanders has been sued by a law firm that represented him in a case that led to his bankruptcy filing, and the firm claims he has not paid the fees it charged him.

According to USA Today, Barnes & Thornburg LLP filed a lawsuit against Sanders Nov. 17, stating that he owes the firm nearly $165,000 for services rendered. The athlete retained the firm’s services after he was sued by a security guard in 2016, related to an incident when the guard, John Darjean, claimed that he was injured during a confrontation with Sanders at his high school in 2015.

They also claim to have performed work for Sanders when he filed for bankruptcy.

Shilo Sanders sued over $164K unpaid legal fees. Read more: https://t.co/rE8Zvl7lzp pic.twitter.com/ieMokRVOrW

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) November 19, 2025

The lawsuit states that the firm “delivered the legal services and incurred the costs reflected in the Invoices between May 1, 2024, and August 26, 2024, based on the Agreement,” according to the document filed in federal court in Dallas. “Mr. Sanders, however, failed to pay the amounts reflected in the Invoices presented to him, and has not tendered payment in response to Plaintiff’s efforts to obtain payment on the outstanding Invoices.

The total of the Invoices that Mr. Sanders currently owes Plaintiff is $164,285.55, including $10,967.91 in interest for the services provided and costs incurred.”

The complaint says that in August 2024, the attorney working on his legal matters, Victor Vital, was leaving the firm to join another firm, Haynes Boone. However, Sanders would still be responsible for any outstanding amounts owed for legal work done on his behalf. Sanders eventually terminated his arrangement with Barnes & Thornburg and followed the attorney to the new law firm.

Sanders, who was cut from the Buccaneers right as the NFL preseason ended, was recently accused of making unauthorized bank transfers totaling approximately $250,000 from his bank account as his bankruptcy case is ongoing. According to USA Today Sports, the Trustee, David Wadsworth, made the accusation in a court filing on Oct. 22. He is looking for the return of the money allegedly transferred from the account. Wadsworth claimed that Sanders violated bankruptcy laws when he made the transfers.

Because of this, Wadsworth is seeking “turnover all revenue and proceeds of any prepetition NIL contracts entered into by the Debtor and the other Defendants, whether that revenue was entered into before or after the Petition Date.”

Sanders is not on any NFL roster after being released by Tampa Bay.

by Mitti Hicks

November 20, 2025

Saint Augustine University Is First HBCU To Support Trump Administration’s Academic Program

The compact has outraged civil rights groups, higher education associations, and academic freedom experts.

Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) is the first HBCU to publicly support the Trump administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.

As Campus Reform pointed out, Ivy League schools such as Brown and Dartmouth have rejected the compact, and many other schools remain undecided. However, in a letter first obtained by Fox News Digital, the school has expressed interest in participating in the program.

“As one of the nation’s oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities, with a 158-year legacy of expanding educational opportunity and transforming lives, we support the Compact’s broad goal of strengthening academic excellence, accountability, and transparency across American higher education,” the letter says.

Verjanis Peoples, the interim president of St. Augustine’s, and Sophie Gibson, chair of the school’s board of trustees, reportedly signed the letter.

What To Know About The Compact

Earlier this year, the Trump administration initially asked nine universities to review the proposal and offer “limited targeted feedback” by Oct. 20 on a wide-ranging plan that would give them preferential funding if they enacted several policy changes. Before all nine had provided feedback, President Trump invited all colleges that were interested in returning to the “pursuit of Truth and Achievement” to sign the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.

Six of the nine original institutions rejected the deal, Inside Higher Ed reported. The compact would require schools to ban consideration of race or sex in hiring or admissions processes; freeze tuition for five years; limit international undergraduate enrollment to 15% of the student body; commit to institutional neutrality; require applicants to take standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT; define and interpret “male,” “female,” and “man,” according to reproductive function; shut down departments that “spark violence against conservative ideas,” and more.

The compact outraged civil rights groups, higher education associations, and academic freedom experts.

“It really strikes at the fundamentals of higher education, and that is why you’re seeing such a vocal response,” Adam Harris, a senior fellow with the education policy program at New America, told Inside Higher Ed. “This is the executive branch trying to circumvent and go around Congress, like, plain and simple … to change the agreement with higher education.”

A Conflict of Interest Between Saint Augustine’s and the Trump Administration?

In its letter to the Trump administration, Saint Augustine’s recognized the challenges posed by the compact for HBCUs, including the ban on race-conscious admissions and on international partnerships.

But the university is in a tough spot, continuing to face an uphill battle with its finances. The school recently secured a preliminary injunction to maintain accreditation after losing it earlier this year, as legal proceedings continue. The university previously lost its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) due, in part, to its financial crisis.

The IRS has filed multiple tax liens against the university, totaling nearly $10 million, with one lien alone for approximately $7.9 million for unpaid taxes dating back to 2020.

Still, SAU leaders claim they see alignment between the compact’s goals and their mission of academic excellence and transparency.

“We fully support efforts to raise the bar on academic excellence nationwide, but those efforts must recognize the unique role HBCUs play in expanding opportunity,” the letter reads. “Saint Augustine’s University is eager to collaborate on a grant that is rigorous, mission-aligned, and reflective of America’s diverse higher education landscape.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 20, 2025

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Named Entertainment Icon For Upcoming ABFF Honors

The presentation will take place at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, Monday, February 16, 2026

Wrestling legend and popular action movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be honored as an entertainment icon when the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) celebrates him and other honorees in February.

Nice Crowd announced that the presentation will take place at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, Monday, February 16, for the 8th American Black Film Festival Honors. The ceremony will celebrate several individuals who have excelled at their craft in the film and television industries. The ABFF Honors is an annual event founded by ABFF founder Jeff Friday in 2016.

Dwayne Johnson will receive a top accolade at the ‘8th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors’, set for February 16, 2026, at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. The Smashing Machine star will be presented with the ‘Entertainment Icon Award’, organizers Nice Crowd announced.… pic.twitter.com/CFQ2F1OcmU
— United News of India (@uniindianews) November 19, 2025

“Dwayne Johnson is the very definition of an entertainment icon,” said Nice Crowd CEO and President, Jeff and Nicole Friday, in a written statement. “From his trailblazing career in sports entertainment to his extraordinary success in film and television, he has become one of the most influential and beloved figures in global culture. His journey embodies the power of perseverance, authenticity, and charisma — values that reflect the spirit of ABFF. We are thrilled to honor him with this year’s Entertainment Icon Award and to celebrate his incredible contributions to the world of entertainment.”

The ABFF Honors Entertainment Icon Award is presented to an acclaimed artist to recognize their commercial success in multiple entertainment disciplines, including television, film, and live performance.

Also being recognized are Jennifer Hudson, singer and host of her self-titled talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, who will accept the Renaissance Award; director and executive producer Salli Richardson-Whitfield (The Gilded Age), who will receive the Evolution Award; and actor Damson Idris (Snowfall), who will accept the Horizon Award.

A planned tribute to the creative team behind the critically acclaimed horror film Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, will also take place. Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian will be honored at the ceremony hosted by New York Times best-selling author and award-winning comedian KevOnStage.

“The Rock,” along with Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black, is currently filming the next installment of the hit movie series Jumanji.

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RELATED CONTENT: Inaugural Artist In Residence Dr. Yaba Blay and Most Incredible Studio Create ‘The BAMBOO,’ Elevating Icon to Cultural Artifact

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick FEMA, FUNDS,Florida

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 20, 2025

Florida Democrat Accused Of Stealing FEMA Funds To Support Campaign

Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been federally charged with fraud for allegedly diverting FEMA funds to support her congressional campaign.

Florida Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been federally indicted on charges of allegedly stealing disaster relief funds to support her 2021 campaign.

On Nov. 19, the Department of Justice announced a federal indictment against Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, alleging they conspired to launder $5 million from a FEMA contract awarded to a family business, Politico reports. Prosecutors say a “substantial portion” of the funds was allegedly used to support the lawmaker’s 2021 congressional campaign.

The Miami grand jury indictment also alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick used straw donors to move FEMA funds to friends, who then contributed to her campaign. She is additionally charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return.

“This individual and her family allegedly stole money from FEMA and then laundered it through friends toward her own personal benefits — including her campaign accounts. Today, the FBI and partners at @TheJusticedDept took action,” FBI Director Kash Patel tweeted in response to the indictment.

“No one is above the law,” he added.

This individual and her family allegedly stole money from FEMA and then laundered it through friends toward her own personal benefits – including her campaign accounts. Today the FBI and partners at @TheJusticeDept took action.

No one is above the law. https://t.co/ORFrKpTQl6
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) November 20, 2025

Eyes have been on Cherfilus-McCormick after she won her seat after narrowly defeating Dale Holness by five votes in the 2021 Democratic primary to replace the late Rep. Alcee Hastings. She heavily outspent her rivals, loaning her campaign $3.7 million, and later won the 2022 general election in a landslide.

In 2023, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into possible campaign finance violations, uncovering additional concerns flagged by the Office of Congressional Conduct.

“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said after Cherfilus-McCormick’s indictment. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.”

Attorneys for the Florida congresswoman said she is “a committed public servant, who is dedicated to her constituents” and will “fight to clear her good name.”

Atlanta,Trilith Live,entertainment complex

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 20, 2025

Black Women Kicked Out Of A Chesapeake Steakhouse, Told It Was ‘Because You All Like To Fight’

The restaurant is facing accusations of removing a group of Black women, allegedly telling them it was “because you all like to fight.”

A group of Black women said a Chesapeake, Virginia steakhouse discriminated against them by removing them from the restaurant after alleging that Black people “all like to fight.”

Nine friends, all Black women, went out to the Cork and Bull Chophouse Nov. 6 to enjoy a Friendsgiving gathering. But, what was meant to be a night of sisterly fellowship “turned into a night of hurt, embarrassment, and pure humiliation,” local resident Shakoya Holt told WAVY.

A fight broke out between two women who were not part of their group, but even though the nine friends had no involvement, they were still told to leave. The women who actually fought exited before authorities arrived, yet staff allegedly assumed the group was connected to the incident, and a manager asked them to leave as well.

“I asked why and he responded, saying, ‘because you all like to fight,’ and they made us leave and get up in front of all the other patrons in the restaurant,“ Holt said.

“We were all put in a negative spotlight in that moment. It was all eyes on us, very embarrassing,” added Ashley Pickens.

The women have now hired a lawyer and plan to sue the restaurant for discrimination.

“Just because you have employees that might’ve made a bad judgment one night, that can turn into two nights, three nights, four nights, it has to stop,” said lawyer Joyvan Malbon-Griffin. “All nine of these women were treated more harshly than the two people who were actually engaged in the misdemeanor action.”

The women said the restaurant has not contacted them with an apology or any updates. Malbon-Griffin said they are seeking accountability and justice.

“We can say this is discrimination, we can say this violates the equal protection clause,” Malbon-Griffin said, “They have said enough is enough and we are not going to take it.”

“Treat your customers with dignity and respect,” Holt added.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 20, 2025

Black College Football Player Withdraws From School Amid Racist Threats

The former Aurora University student forfeited his $60K scholarship after leaving the school, citing safety concerns.

A Black college football player says he was forced to leave his former school and team after facing racism from his teammates.

Brook Williams, 18, a former student at Aurora University, said that two of his teammates called him racial slurs and made threatening comments referencing George Floyd. Williams expressed his disappointment with the negative experience at his top-choice school.

“I was so stuck on Aurora and like the picture they painted of the brotherhood,” the athlete told ABC News 7. But Williams said that he learned that the “brotherhood” didn’t apply to him.

Williams said he moved in with a teammate’s family to save time commuting to school, where he experienced harassment from other teammates at the house.

“One of my teammates had called me the n-word and was like, ‘You better not go in my room,’” the teen told ABC 7 News.

When one of his teammates mentioned George Floyd, Williams took it as a threat and reported the incident to the school.

Aurora University initiated an investigation and interviewed multiple witnesses.

The school’s report, obtained by ABC7 News, determined that the “conduct is found to constitute hostile environment harassment based on race.” However, the University did not release the names of the accused due to federal privacy laws.

“While federal law prevents the university from sharing details about specific student or employee matters, including internal investigations or outcomes, the university follows established policies and procedures when reviewing and evaluating reports such as these to ensure an expeditious and thorough review,” The school said in a statement per ABC 7 News.

Williams and the two accused players remained on the team during the investigation. According to the victim’s mother, Aisha Williams, the coach allegedly told players to “be humble” and that the situation would “blow over.”

Although the school confirmed that the 18-year-old faced a hostile environment, the university has not specified whether the accused students faced any repercussions for their actions.

Williams decided to leave the team and the school and never played in a game. The former Aurora University student said he sometimes struggles with self-doubt because of the incident. Still, he is relying on his family’s support and looks forward to taking his talent to another team in the future.

The family said they are talking with the NAACP and plan to take legal action against the University in the upcoming weeks.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 20, 2025

Warner Music Group Strikes Landmark Deal To Shape The Future Of AI Music

Warner Music Group’s new deal with Udio signals a future where AI-powered music moves further into the mainstream.

Warner Music Group has reached a landmark deal with AI platform Udio, resolving copyright claims and helping shape the next generation of AI-generated music.

On Nov. 19, WMG and Udio resolved their copyright dispute by partnering on a new AI music platform set to launch in 2026, Reuters reports. The subscription service, trained on licensed and authorized songs, will create new revenue opportunities for artists and protect their work.

“We’re unwaveringly committed to the protection of the rights of our artists and songwriters, and Udio has taken meaningful steps to ensure that the music on its service will be authorized and licensed,” said WMG CEO Robert Kyncl. “This collaboration aligns with our broader efforts to responsibly unlock AI’s potential – fueling new creative and commercial possibilities while continuing to deliver innovative experiences for fans.”

The deal hints at the future of music creation, arriving just an hour after WMG announced a separate partnership with Stability AI to advance responsible AI in music. The settlement follows lawsuits filed by the RIAA against Udio and rival platform Suno for “mass infringement.”

With Universal Music Group having settled with Udio last month and preparing to launch a licensed AI music platform in 2026, signs point to AI-generated music becoming a growing force in the industry. AI music platform Suno continues to face copyright battles with major music companies even as its valuation rises. The company recently raised $250 million at a $2.45 billion valuation and is generating $200 million in annual revenue.

Meanwhile, Udio is resolving copyright disputes through new AI deals and reworking its subscription service to offer tools for creating remixes, covers, and new songs using the voices and compositions of participating artists and songwriters who are credited and compensated, the company said.

The AI music boom is also making its way to the charts as three AI-created songs reached top positions on both Spotify and Billboard charts during the week of Nov. 17. An anti-migrant anthem by JW “Broken Veteran,” protesting the creation of new asylum centers, reached No. 1 on Spotify’s global viral chart around the same time.

The anonymous creator behind the AI-powered act defended their use of the technology, calling it “just another tool for expression, especially for people like me who have something to say but lack traditional musical training,” adding that AI has “democratized music creation.”

Jobs, Workplace, Resenteeism,, federal employees

by Jameelah Mullen

November 20, 2025

Job Seekers Warm Up To Less Desirable Roles Amid Shrinking Job Market

The “great resignation” era might be over.

Employers now hold the upper hand in today’s struggling U.S. labor market, leaving job seekers with far less leverage, a new report suggests. The market slump has pushed some candidates to become less selective in considering new roles.

Marcus Rush, the CEO of AQC Traffic Control in Atlanta, told Bloomberg that interest in the company’s jobs has surged over the past two years.

“When my office phone rings, my ears perk up because I wonder if it’s a new customer,” Rush said. “Now, every time I hear a phone ring, it’s someone calling in to check on a job application. That never used to happen.”

The company hires workers to direct traffic near construction sites. The shifts, which can last up to 12 hours, require employees to stand outside in Atlanta’s hot, humid summers and cold winter weather. Rush says that two years ago, he averaged 10 applications a week, but now he receives as many as 80.

Staffing agencies and employers are seeing an increase in applicants for jobs often turned down because of low wages, irregular hours, or poor working conditions.

Rick Hermanns is the CEO of HireQuest Inc., a staffing company that specializes in recruiting workers for construction, light industrial, and manufacturing roles. He said the company has recently seen increased interest in positions that were “darn near impossible” to fill in 2022.

Employed Americans surveyed in a recent Harris Poll said it would take them more than four months to find a similar job if they lost their jobs today. This gives the upper hand to employers, who previously struggled to fill roles.

The corrections industry, which has historically experienced high turnover, is seeing the same trend. The Georgia Department of Corrections reported receiving more than 1,000 applications in each of the past three months across all roles, including correctional officer positions — up 40% from last year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest data, the overall jobless rate remained at only 4.3%bin August; however, those out of work are staying unemployed longer. Nearly 26% of unemployed workers had been out of work for more than six months.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 20, 2025

Black Thought And Questlove’s ‘Two One Five’ Announces New General Manager Cole Brown

Black Thought and Questlove believe in the "vison and drive" of newly appointed "Two One Five Entertainment" General Manager Cole Brown.

Hip-hop icons and businessmen Questlove and Black Thought announced the addition of Cole Brown as general manager and head of business operations at their production company Two One Five Entertainment.

Brown is well versed in entertainment. He has executive-produced Magic City: An American Fantasy for Starz network and written for CNN and NBC. He is also the author of Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World. In other roles, Brown oversaw scripted development and built brand content strategies. The company has already produced acclaimed works, including Summer of Soul and partnered with companies such as the House of Mouse. They have an upcoming documentary on Earth, Wind & Fire.

Brown will focus on “developing and executing a cohesive business strategy that leverages the company’s storytelling expertise and creative network to reach wider audiences and build enduring cultural impact,” Deadline reported.

“As Two One Five Entertainment continues to grow, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Cole Brown to the family as General Manager and Head of Business Operations,” Questlove and Black Thought said in a joint statement released to Deadline. “With his vision and drive, we are excited to have him aboard to help bring to life the projects we are so passionate about and share these important stories with the world.”

Veterans in music entertainment, Questlove and Black Thought are gaining a strong footing in other creative outlets. Artist-owned companies, like Two One Five, are becoming the norm. Hip-hop artists are scaling multiplatform businesses rather than simply releasing records.

Questlove & Black Thought’s Two One Five Adds Cole Brown In Newly Created General Manager & Head Of Business Operations Role https://t.co/c8guvE79Fx
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) November 18, 2025

Kendrick Lamar, another music titan, also took his expansion into multimedia ventures to the next level. In early 2025, Lamar’s Project 3 Agency launched under his parent company, pgLang, with creative partner Dave Free.

Free once told Fast Company, its “how do we build foundational structures for the business so we can last long term… versus trying to do too much at once and being bogged down.” The move by Two One Five mirrors that long-term mindset.

As the company enters this new phase, industry watchers will monitor how it executes across the converging terrain of music licensing, streaming, branded entertainment, and cultural storytelling. For Questlove and Black Thought, the hire signals a readiness to lead — not just in front of the camera or behind the drum kit, but at the intersection of culture, business, and ownership.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 20, 2025

Robin Roberts To Produce New Roberta Flack Biopic And Documentary

Roberts has previously created films about singers Gloria Gaynor and Mahalia Jackson.

Thanks to Good Morning America host Robin Roberts, the life story of singer-songwriter Roberta Flack is headed to the big screen.

Roberts’ production company, Rock’n Robin Productions, has secured the rights to Flack’s life story and is creating a scripted film and a documentary about the singer’s life and career, which spanned nearly six decades. Roberts and her team are working with Flack’s former managers, Suzanne Mina Koga and Joan Martin, on both projects.

“Roberta was a trailblazer–powerful and purposeful with her music and intention. From the first note of every song, you feel Roberta’s tender heart and powerful soul through the microphone,” Roberts told Deadline. “She taught us that the softest voice can carry the deepest truth. It’s an honor to help share her remarkable life and legacy with a new generation, as her music continues to move and inspire the world.”

The North Carolina native, a classically trained pianist, received a music scholarship to attend Howard University at age 15. While performing at a nightclub in D.C., jazz musician Les McCann signed her to Atlantic Records in 1968.

The following year, Flack released her debut album, First Take, which reached number one on both the Billboard albums chart and the Billboard R&B chart. The album’s breakout single, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” topped the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972.

The singer teamed up with Donny Hathaway for a duet album in 1972. The single “Where Is the Love” earned the artists a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1973.

Flack won Record of the Year in 1974 for “Killing Me Softly,” the hit single from the album of the same name. Lauryn Hill later breathed new life into the classic with her now-iconic uptempo rendition on the 1996 Fugees’ album The Score.

The “Feel Like Making Love” singer died in February due to complications from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She was 88. Rock’n Robin Productions is also behind projects such as the documentaries A King Like Me and Hurricane Katrina: 20 Years After the Storm.