by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 17, 2025

Megan Thee Stallion Missed Out On Google Brand Deal Bag Due To Milagro Gramz Harassment

The new memorandum lists several big companies that Megan had to forego partnerships with amid the harassment.

Megan Thee Stallion is sharing more into how the emotional toll of Milagro Gramz’s reported harassment messed up her own bag.

In a new memorandum sent for her lawsuit against Gramz, whose real name is Milagro Cooper, Megan’s attorneys listed Google as one of the companies the Houston rapper could not move forward with due to the harassment she faced online. The Docket Diva, a gossip blog, shared screenshots of the legal documents.

Megan initially filed a defamation lawsuit against Gramz in October 2024. Her legal team recently sent over emails confirming that a brand partnership with the tech giant was initially in the works.

However, Megan, real name Megan Pete, had to miss out on the opportunity as the incessant online bullying took a toll on her mental health. Now, she is seeking damages, using these emails to calculate an accurate amount of potential gains lost.

Her lawyers say the targeted campaign against her, allegedly fueled by Milagro Gramz, made Megan take a major backseat from the public eye. The slew of misinformation spewed by Gramz through her public platforms heightened the hatred against Megan, especially in the midst and aftermath of Tory Lanez’s trial for shooting her in the foot.

“Central to Ms. Pete’s case are the emotional damages suffered as a result of Ms. Cooper’s defamatory statements, the coordinated social media campaign with Daystar [Lanez] and Sonstar Peterson, and the promotion of the June 8, 2024, deepfake porn video.”

While a jury found Lanes guilty of the assault, as he subsequently went to prison, he reportedly paid out the celebrity blogger to continue her tirade against Megan to discredit her story and integrity. Megan’s team also asserted that Gramz’s false reporting ruined Megan’s marketing appeal to major companies, while putting future deals with Google, Activision, and the U.S. Soccer Delegation on hold as well.

“These were career-amplifying opportunities that were available to Ms. Pete, but she could not capitalize on, as she was unable to be fully present in her career due to the ongoing campaign of harassment that persisted for years.”

The Grammy winner also claimed that the online turmoil left her unable to perform for shows, a major part of her career advancement and money generation. Megan has since taken back her own narrative and brand, and now wants Gramz to pay up for her role in jeopardizing her career and mental state.

The jury trial officially begins Nov. 17 in Florida, with both Gramz and Megan expected to testify.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 17, 2025

Trina Braxton’s Journey Into Real Estate Has Been ‘Challenging But Fun’

Trina Braxton is opening up about her "challenging but fun" venture into real estate.

Trina Braxton is sharing how her move into real estate has pushed her beyond her usual celebrity comfort zone.

Season two of WeTV’s The Braxtons has been following Trina’s move into real estate, and the Nov. 14 episode featured her first home showing with friend and actor Faizon Love.

“I think it’s a little different for me only because—and I’m not going to say it has anything to do with celebrity—but I have to decipher through,” Trina Braxton shared with People. “Because you have your cards and you have your telephone number and stuff on there, and then you’ll get people calling, ‘Oh my gosh, is this really Trina?’ I’m like, ‘Dude, you trying to buy or what?’”

Trina says the job comes with plenty of perks, including meeting new people and stepping into a field she won’t age out of.

“If WeTV decided tomorrow, ‘Well, we’re going to cancel the show…’— you guys better not cancel the show—but if they say, ‘We’re going to cancel the show,’ I am still a real estate agent,” Trina Braxton said, referring to her and her family’s revamped realty series.

She also plans to pursue her passion for cooking next. “I’m still a Realtor, and I’m also going to be licensed in culinary arts,” she added. It’s important for her to explore new ventures and pursue opportunities beyond reality television.

“I’m not going to allow myself to be pigeonholed into something that I do enjoy, by the way, but if they decide that they no longer want to continue on with doing The Braxtons as a show, I’m creating other shows, I am being a Realtor, I am a culinary artist reopening up a bar because I was very successful,” she said. “I’m just one of those people. I look toward the future. I can’t sit in the right now.”

by Kandiss Edwards

November 17, 2025

NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Stands With Striking Starbucks Workers, Supports Boycott

In a post on X, Mamdani supported workers' rights to fair labor and fair contracts.

New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani publicly urged a boycott of Starbucks in solidarity with striking baristas.

Mayor-elect Mamdani’s support for Starbucks employees aligns with the progressive, pro-labor stance he touted during his campaign. In a post on X, Mamdani supported workers’ rights to fair labor and fair contracts.

“Starbucks workers across the country are on an Unfair Labor Practices strike, fighting for a fair contract. While workers are on strike, I won’t be buying any Starbucks, and I’m asking you to join us. Together, we can send a powerful message: No contract, no coffee,” he wrote on Thursday, Nov. 13.

Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist and longtime labor advocate, has aligned with other known advocates Elizabeth Warren and Lina Khan.

Starbucks workers across the country are on an Unfair Labor Practices strike, fighting for a fair contract.

While workers are on strike, I won’t be buying any Starbucks, and I’m asking you to join us.

Together, we can send a powerful message: No contract, no coffee. https://t.co/Cw0WMf2hVW
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 14, 2025

The strike, organized by Starbucks Workers United and timed to coincide with Starbucks’ annual “Red Cup Day” promotion, began with about 1,000 employees. Over 65 Starbucks locations were affected by employee walkouts; the number could expand to more than 500 stores. The union accuses Starbucks of unjust labor practices and stalled contract talks.

Starbucks, which operates nearly 17,000 stores in the United States, said the action affects roughly 4 percent of its retail labor force. Jaci Anderson, Starbucks Director of Global Communications, told Fox Digital the company was unaffected by the dissent.

“In terms of our annual Reusable Red Cup Day—we actually had a great day—99% of our coffeehouses remained open and welcoming customers and we exceeded our sales expectations across company-operated coffeehouses in North America, making it the best Red Cup Day ever.”

Red Cup Day was on Thursday, Nov. 13.

Some unionized Starbucks locations have alleged retaliation and closures tied to their organizing efforts.

India Arie, natural hair, Michelle Obama

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 17, 2025

India Arie Joins Threads Debate Over Michelle Obama’s Comments On Black Hair

India Arie weighed in on the ongoing debate sparked by Michelle Obama’s remarks about Black women straightening their hair.

India Arie jumped into a Threads discussion about Michelle Obama’s recent comments on Black hair, reminding everyone she’s been championing natural hair for over 20 years.

Debates around Black women’s hair heightened over the weekend after Michelle Obama, during a book tour stop with Tracee Ellis Ross, urged white people to recognize the extreme measures Black women take to straighten their hair and conform to Eurocentric beauty standards.

“Let me explain something to white people. Our hair comes out curly. When we straighten it to follow your beauty standards, we are trapped by the straightness,” Obama said in a clip shared on X.” That’s why so many of us can’t swim, won’t go to the gym because we’re trying to keep our hair straight for y’all!”

Dear White People
Please leave Black Women’s hair alone.
Sincerely,
Michelle Obama pic.twitter.com/VQ1lS8fgkm
— greg (@mistergeezy) November 15, 2025

The discussion carried over to Threads, where a user named Chanel Coco Five shared a now-viral post explaining why she disagrees with the former first lady’s stance on Black women straightening their hair.

“Dear Michelle Obama, newsflash, Black women do not straighten their hair because of white people’s beauty standards,” the Threads user wrote. “As a Curly natural myself, most black women straighten their hair because they choose to, and it’s easier to manage for them. Let’s drop this narrative that we do anything for the white beauty standard; black women are the true beauty standard. Why get on stage and say that nonsense?”

The post sparked a major debate, racking up more than 6,000 comments and over 2,000 likes. As reactions poured in, many users tagged “I Am Not My Hair” singer India Arie, prompting her to join the conversation. While Arie appreciates seeing the natural hair discussion persist nearly two decades after her 2006 hit helped elevate the topic, she suggested that Chanel Coco still has more to understand.

“I want to thank everybody in these comments who is trying to educate this woman,” Arie wrote. “I did my 25-year bid of trying to help people awaken. Maybe the path we laid made it too easy to walk down. But I’m gonna thank y’all for doing this work. As far as I’m concerned, she can be rude and miseducated in peace. And I, too, will remain …. in peace. She’ll learn when she learns. I guess it won’t be today.”

After a brief exchange, Arie and Chanel Coco agreed to disagree with respect and sisterhood. Chanel Coco even showed support by buying Arie’s latest single and urging others to do the same.

Louisiana, courthouse, New Orleans, Clifton Davis

by Kandiss Edwards

November 17, 2025

Exonerated Man Now Clerk Of Criminal Court In New Orleans

Duncan believes time is of the essence to many inmates when dealing with documents that can assist in exonerations.

Calvin Duncan, who spent more than 28 years in prison before his murder conviction was overturned, was elected as Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk by the citizens of New Orleans.

Duncan, an advocate and attorney, secured 38,681 votes, about 68% of the vote, in the Nov. 15 run-off election, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office.

Duncan said he ran for clerk because he saw first-hand how long it took incarcerated people to get basic documents and to have their cases reviewed.

In a press conference, he spoke candidly about his time as an inmate and the difficulties he faced while navigating his case. Duncan believes time is of the essence to many inmates when dealing with documents that can assist in exonerations.

“Tonight is a dream that’s been 40 years in the making,” Duncan said. “I hope that all those people who died in prison because we couldn’t get their records are looking down now. I hope they’re proud of me. We never stopped fighting for each other’s rights, and I will never stop fighting for yours. Thank you for this privilege.”

Incumbent Darren Lombard quickly conceded the race on election night.

“I want to congratulate Calvin Duncan on his victory,” Lombard said. “I stand ready to support a smooth and professional transition so that the important work of this office continues without interruption.”

Duncan spent decades fighting to clear his name in a 1981 fatal shooting, all while maintaining his innocence.

After years of searching, Duncan and other investigators uncovered evidence that police officers lied in court. His conviction was tossed by a judge in 2021. Duncan has since become known for helping fellow inmates file their appeals and understand court procedure.

In 2020, his advocacy helped drive the Supreme Court decision that ended non-unanimous jury convictions in Louisiana and Oregon. The states were the last two states that still allowed the Jim Crow–era practice.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 17, 2025

West African Woman Attempted Suicide After Deported To Non-Native Country Under Trump Order

The woman reportedly feared for her life as she was forced into a detention center upon arriving to Ghana.

A West African woman reportedly tried to commit suicide after being deported to a non-native country in the region due to a Trump order.

The woman reportedly attempted to take her own life while she was in custody for the forced deportation to Ghana, despite not being a native citizen. Her deportation follows a growing list of others, particularly Black migrants, removed from the United States under the Trump administration’s sweeping deportation efforts.

Immigration officials have signed deals with several African nations, including Ghana, Rwanda, and South Sudan, to facilitate the passage of African migrants through their territories. However, the Trump administration has garnered significant backlash over its alleged handling of migrants, including shipping them off to these countries regardless of their native roots.

This third-country deportation program has already sparked international concern by global human rights organizations, especially as some deportees are imprisoned in these nations’ jail systems upon arrival. Furthermore, concerns about their safety if returned to these nations have led U.S. judges to impose legal blocks.

Several other fellow deportees taken with the woman have also endured transfers in secret, according to Ana Dionne-Lanier, an attorney for one of the deported people.

While countries that are part of these agreements promised to ensure deportees’ safety within their borders, Dionne-Lanier told Capital B News that this is an unregulated provision. Upon arriving in Ghana, her clients and the woman stayed in a hotel with limited phone access before being taken to a detention camp.

Given the alleged conditions and safety concerns of this classified deportation measure, the West African woman opted to no longer be on this earth than stomach the inhumane ordeal. The woman was immediately hospitalized following the attempt.

Dionne-Lanier also suggested that the woman drastically feared for her life once she returned.

“The risk of being removed back to her own country was too much for the person,” explained the attorney.

However, her client had legal cause to be in the U.S. without typical immigration documents. He had won a “withholding for removal” before an immigration court, as he proved that he would face potential persecution or torture if returned to his native country. Under U.S. law, the government cannot return individuals to countries under these stipulations.

However, the Trump administration has allegedly been bypassing this order to continue its mass deportation policies. Sweeping criticism of the new policy, including concerns about constitutional violations and safety risks to migrants, continues in the U.S. and West Africa.

model, stabbing, nyc, ice cream truck, Detroit,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 17, 2025

New York Jets’ Kris Boyd Shot Outside Popular Manhattan Restaurant

He is currently in critical and stable condition.

New York Jets player Kris Boyd was shot Sunday, Nov. 16, outside Sei Lee, a popular midtown Manhattan restaurant.

He is presently at Bellevue Hospital in critical but stable condition.

According to The New York Post, Boyd, 29, was hit in the abdomen.

“We are aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time,” a rep from the Jets said per the paper.

Police officials said two gunshots were fired. It was not clear if Boyd was the intended target.

Witnesses weren’t forthcoming with information on what took place, but sources said the suspected gunman left the scene in a BMW X6 SUV. Reportedly, another vehicle, a silver Mercedes-Benz Maybach, left the scene shortly after the shooting.

Before being taken away from the scene, Boyd lapsed in and out of consciousness. The incident occurred just after 2 a.m.

Authorities said the shooting is under investigation and there have been no arrests. The New York Police Department released a video/photo of the man suspected of shooting Boyd.

“SUSPECT WANTED: The NYPD have released new surveillance video showing the person they believe shot New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd in Midtown.”

SUSPECT WANTED: The NYPD have released new surveillance video showing the person they believe shot New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd in Midtown. – https://t.co/4p0qNuor9e pic.twitter.com/7TmZRybrHV
— News 12 New York (@News12) November 17, 2025

Sei Less, an Asian-fusion spot, is popular among the hip-hop and sport celebrity crowd.

Boyd, a cornerback, was placed on injured reserve Aug. 18 after injuring his shoulder in the preseason. Surgery ended his first season with the Jets. Boyd has also played for the Minnesota Vikings, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Houston Texans since 2019.

Urban Resource Institute CEO, Nathanial Fields

by Mitti Hicks

November 17, 2025

From Prevention To Empowerment: Inside URI’s Holistic Fight Against Domestic Violence

Located in New York City, URI is the country’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services.

On average, national data shows that more than three women are murdered by their husbands or partners in this country every day. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but for staff at the Urban Resource Institute (URI), the mission to prevent the prevalence of domestic violence cases is a year-round endeavor.

Located in New York City, URI is the country’s largest provider of domestic violence shelter services. The team serves more than 40,000 people annually, and on any given night, 4,000 people sleep in one of its safe beds. The experts at URI say domestic violence is not only a crisis of safety but one of economics and multigenerational trauma.

“There are many misconceptions when it comes to domestic violence,” Nathanial Fields, URI CEO, tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “It’s believed that women are the overwhelming victims of domestic violence, but what we know is that 1-in-4 women and 1-in-7 men are impacted by domestic violence.”

Another misconception is that domestic violence is physical because those bruises can be seen. However, there are other forms of domestic violence, including psychological abuse, emotional abuse, and economic abuse.

Economic Abuse: The Hidden Crisis Affecting 98% of Domestic Violence Victims

The staff at URI works with numerous individuals who’ve been impacted by economic abuse, which involves exerting control over income, spending, bank accounts, and other financial assets. Abusers can also maintain control by taking identification cards, documents, or taking out lines of credit or debt to prevent victims from leaving.

“About 98% of victims of domestic violence are impacted by economic abuse,” says Fields. “About $3 to $5 billion is lost in the United States on healthcare, other expenses, and loss of productivity because of domestic violence. Eight million people miss work, and half of the survivors are forced to quit their jobs.”

URI has developed innovative programming that provides victims with tools for financial empowerment, including financial coaching, credit repair, and career pathways. Through its economic empowerment center, the team works with individuals in shelters as they heal by assessing their interests and connecting them with opportunities through community partnerships and educational institutions.

“We provide internship opportunities with entities around the city, and we have relationships with job placement centers for individuals moving forward with their lives,” says Fields.

“When I was at URI, I was at a survival stage. When I left URI, I was able to save money. I saved over $10,000 and … [eventually] started my own business,” said Obina Escort, a domestic violence surivivor.

The team is also out in the community, educating younger generations and abusers about domestic violence to help break the generational cycle.

How URI Is Breaking the Domestic Violence Cycle With Early Intervention

A key component of prevention in URI programs is targeting middle- and high-school-aged students and teaching them about healthy relationships. The organization has educated thousands of young people about the behaviors consistent with domestic violence, so they can avoid these kinds of relationships or obtain the help they need if they are involved in an abusive relationship.

URI also tackles the problem head-on by educating abusers and working with those who have caused harm.

“We can’t end domestic violence unless we work with those who harm,” Fields adds.

As for what’s next for URI, Fields hopes they can continue to be at the forefront of groundbreaking initiatives. Recently, the organization became the only domestic violence provider that accepted people with pets. Fields hopes URI continues to inform policy for New York City as it did with the Paws Act of 2018, New York State, and beyond.

Currently, URI is working to have polices and laws passed so victims are not held accountable for debt that their abusive partner exposed them to.

“As we move forward, we want to continue to raise awareness around domestic violence,” says Fields. “We know it’s underreported. We want people to know that there are resources and know how to get help.”

by Mitti Hicks

November 17, 2025

GŪD Essence: Inside The New Black Woman-Owned Retail Dispensary In Clearwater, Florida

A recent analysis revealed that Black people own less than 2% of all national dispensaries.

The Black woman-owned medicinal cannabis brand, GŪD Essence, has opened its first retail dispensary in Clearwater, Florida. Jasmine Johnson, the founder of the brand, says that opening the first retail space is more than a milestone, but a homecoming for the born-and-raised Floridian.

“This is very big,” says Johnson. “Getting into Florida is one of the most difficult markets to break into … I’m really proud to be able to do this with my family support, my parents, and also not to have outside dollars interrupt the integrity of what we’re trying to do here.”

While the exact numbers are difficult to pinpoint due to the evolving nature of the industry, a recent analysis revealed that Black people own less than 2% of all national dispensaries. In Florida, where medical marijuana and low-THC cannabis are permitted, Shop Cuzzies reveals that there are fewer than five Black-owned dispensaries. High entry costs are one factor contributing to the lack of retail diversity, along with the challenges faced by equity candidates without significant corporate backing.

Johnson has had her fair share of setbacks.

Pivoting After Denial by the State of Florida

Johnson says the first round of licenses awarded felt like a mystery. It was only after the first five licenses were awarded around 2017 that she realized an application was needed to apply. She and her team thought the next round of applications would open up in less than a year, but the opportunity to apply again was a 7-year wait.

After spending $148,000 on the application fee and dedicating time to a 750-page application, she was not awarded a license. Florida hadn’t reopened its application since she applied, so she went in a different direction, involving a partnership and an acquisition.

“Right now, we are waiting on the license to be awarded,” says Johnson. “There were 22 notices of intent to award. We have entered a purchase agreement to purchase one of those licenses.”

She adds, “It has been ups, downs, and all arounds, but it has never been, ‘Let’s give up or look at a different state.’”

What To Expect Inside GŪD Essence Dispensary

What sets GŪD Essence apart from its competitors is that Johnson prioritizes the “good part” of the cannabis industry and its culture. The “Ū” in her brand represents unity.

Johnson wants people to focus on centering themselves and understanding why they are consuming the cannabis plant, what they want their experience to be, and ultimately, what they want to gain.

“It’s not about getting high. It’s beyond that,” says Johnson. “Our model is all things cannabinoids. For example, some cannabinoids are a bit stronger than Ozempic. If people are looking for an Adderall version, there’s a cannabinoid for that.”

According to Johnson, Florida has one of the largest patient markets in the world for medicinal cannabis, and she feels cannabinoids don’t get the attention they deserve for their medicinal value. While educating people about the benefits is a priority for anyone who walks through her doors, she hopes the dispensary’s bold, bright colors serve as an invitation to those seeking a welcoming space.

“That’s something I think is desperately needed in the cannabis space. Cannabis is supposed to be a fun, friendly experience,” says Johnson, who also has a background in hospitality and tourism management. “We’re here to bring the color back, along with the warmth and hospitality.”

A medical patient card is not required, as the products at the Clearwater location are available to both patient and non-patient cardholders.

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Maryland Sisters, Reclaim Ancestral Land

by Mary Spiller

November 17, 2025

Maryland Sisters Lead Bold Fight To Reclaim Ancestral Land Taken From Their Family

Descendants of William Dove, the Gasaway sisters, are building economic power, community coalitions, and a vision for affordable housing on the land.

In the late 19th century, William Dove—a man born into slavery—made an extraordinary investment in his family’s future when he purchased 36 acres in what is now Potomac, Maryland, for $210. Though Dove never lived to see the lasting impact of that choice, his descendants grew up understanding its meaning. Over time, that land was stripped away through eminent domain and the discriminatory systems routinely used to dispossess Black landowners. By the time Dove’s great-great-granddaughters were born, every acre had been absorbed by Montgomery County and private developers.

In an interview with Essence, LaTisha Gasaway-Paul, Teresa Gasaway-Gleaton, and LaTrice Gasaway-Johnson, known locally as the Gasaway sisters, were raised on those stories. “I could hear the pain in her voice,” LaTisha recalls of their grandmother’s retellings. “But I also heard something else: determination. She made us promise we wouldn’t forget.” They kept that promise—and turned it into a mission.

Today, the sisters operate Montgomery County’s largest Black-owned childcare company and host the region’s biggest Juneteenth festival, which has drawn thousands since 2021. Their most ambitious effort, however, is a plan to reclaim county-owned parcels that once belonged to Dove and develop affordable homes for families descended from those displaced. It is, they acknowledge, a lofty undertaking. But their approach has been steady and intentional.

Teresa emphasized the strategic power of their business success. “The business has given us something our ancestors didn’t have: economic power,” she said. Revenue from childcare helps fund their Juneteenth festival and supports their long-term fight for the land. “William Dove may have lost his land, but he gave us something more valuable. He showed us that ownership is power.”

That philosophy guides the sisters’ work in Scotland, a historic Black settlement founded by formerly enslaved residents. Dozens of such communities once existed across Montgomery County; many have disappeared entirely. The sisters hope to reverse that cycle of erasure. LaTrice envisions homes where descendants can put down lasting roots. “When I envision that reclaimed land, I see homes,” she says. “This won’t look like every other development. It will look like us.”

Their advocacy has drawn recognition from Montgomery County leaders, Gov. Wes Moore, Congressman Jamie Raskin, and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks. But progress has demanded years of meetings, planning, and persistence.

“Let me be clear: it isn’t easy, and it isn’t a handout,” Teresa notes. “We’re fighting this fight every single day. But we’re powered by attorneys, architects, and our village, and we’re one step closer.”

Their Juneteenth festival has become central to community mobilization. “When you celebrate together, you build power together,” LaTisha says. Those who gather for music and food often become the same supporters who sign petitions or attend public hearings.

Momentum grew further in 2024 when Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church received a $1 million donation from the Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

This year, the sisters brought together more than 10 historic Black communities for what they believe is the first “Kinship Communities Dinner.” The gathering revealed the scale of shared struggles—and the strength in collaboration. One elder told them he had “never seen anything like it.”

For the Gasaway sisters, reclaiming Dove’s land is about more than recovery—it is about rewriting what the future looks like.

“Our great-great-grandfather invested $210 in our future,” LaTisha says. “We’re investing everything—our time, our resources, our very beings—in making sure his investment pays dividends for generations to come.”