Biology Student From Antigua Makes History As Hofstra University’s First-Ever Rhodes Scholar
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 17, 2025

Biology Student From Antigua Makes History As Hofstra University’s First-Ever Rhodes Scholar

Nelson's research in sustainable energy uses her home country's native resources.

An international student has made history at Hofstra University as the college’s first Rhodes Scholar.

Resa Nelson of Antigua has become Hofstra’s first recipient of the coveted scholarship. Nelson has also made history for Antigua, becoming the second Rhodes Scholar to hail from the Caribbean nation.

The Rhodes Scholarship offers students a post-graduate award to the University of Oxford in England. Candidates are selected from thousands of applicants, chosen based on criteria such as academic excellence, moral character, and “devotion to duty,” as reported by Forbes.

Majoring in biology, the college senior stood out for her research that focuses on sustainability in her home country. According to ABC7, her work focuses on transforming local seaweed in Antigua into sustainable biofuel.

She now takes her place with the cohort selected for the class of 2026. One of the most prestigious honors in academia, Rhodes Scholars alums include former presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and acclaimed scientists.

“I would not be surprised if we’re talking about Resa becoming not only a Rhodes Scholar, but the president of a corporation or a Nobel Prize winner at some point,” shared Dr. Javier Izquierdo, a professor at Hofstra and mentor to Nelson. “She’s someone who is dedicated to doing positive things for our world.”

Nelson originally hoped to obtain a medical degree. However, she discovered her passion for research, leading her to a new career path that may revolutionize her country’s energy resources.

“I realized I loved the act of discovery, the process of asking questions, and finding answers,” she said.

Nelson also recognized how many from her background lack representation in the sciences, an issue she hopes to dismantle. A mentor to her community, she also supports the youth as they develop their own academic passions.

Beyond environmental sciences, Nelson also has a knack for medical research, particularly in stem cell development. She hopes her time at Oxford will further this mission to help transform the health of Afro-Caribbean people.

“I see myself developing the first Afro-Caribbean stem cell line, that’s my big dream that we can take a stem cell and turn it into anything, and then that can be used as a diagnostic tool,” Nelson said.

As she prepares for her time at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, Nelson has already made history with a mission to break even more barriers for Afro-Caribbean women in bio-research.

RELATED CONTENT: 7 African American Rhodes Scholars Set a Record

Virginia Lottery Plans $43M In 2026 Spending With Minority Firms, Including Black Businesses
by Jeffrey McKinney

November 17, 2025

Virginia Lottery Plans $43M In 2026 Spending With Minority Firms, Including Black Businesses

A focus on transparency and equitable community engagement will be among tools used to broaden activity and business relationships.

Several reports claims that state lotteries can have drawbacks for Black Americans. Research has shown that Black people spend much more on lottery tickets than other minority groups, including the total dollar amount and percentage of income.

However, from a business perspective, Khalid Jones is taking action to provide minorities, including Blacks with favorable outcomes as executive director and CEO of the Virginia Lottery. He told BLACK ENTERPRISE that he aims to spur change by focusing on transparency and  equitable community engagement.

For its fiscal 2025, he helped the lottery achieve record revenue of over $5.7B. That windfall shows it truly has the capital to boost business prosperity.

Its revenue mostly stems from instant in-state draw games, online lottery games, virtual sports, and national jackpot games like Powerball and Mega Millions. The lotto revealed that all its  $901M in current profits supported K-12 public education. Jones was appointed the lottery’s top leader in April 2024.

Simultaneously, Jones stressed that the Virginia Lottery highly emphasizes responsible gaming, reinforcing that through advertising efforts, community events, and direct outreach.

While his lottery’s research shows people from all socioeconomic levels gamble, Jones says he strongly urges  them never to play beyond their means or budget. “We understand that the lottery has critics, and as any organization should, we are always committed to listening to ways that we can improve what we do for our players, retailers, and our beneficiaries.”

Commerce-wise, Jones says his goal is to ensure that all businesses have access to the lottery’s resources, including partnership and procurement opportunities.

 He laid out several of his initiatives that include:

  • Expanding a procurement awareness program to elevate prospects for small, women-owned, and minority (SWaM) businesses. “We anticipate a total of $180M in total procurement spending by next year, of which we expect roughly $43M to go to SWaM businesses.”

He added that the lottery connects with local chambers and other trade groups to inform how SWaM vendors can more effectively work with the enterprise. “I want to make sure that lack of knowledge of opportunity is never an impediment to working with us.”

  • Boosting diversification among the lottery’s game providers. As of now,  Jones says there are zero Black-led or -owned game providers who supply content to the lottery. Jones says he is making it a point to get those providers on the pipeline. He says that’s a big deal as the Virginia Lottery operates the largest digital lottery platform in America. “I think there is uncovered content we can unlock if we can introduce different voices into the game creation itself.”
  • Escalating spending with various Black organizations. That includes advertising more in Black-owned newspapers like the Richmond Free Press and being a sponsor for the Richmond Jazz & Music Festival. Jones plans to maintain partnerships with Norfolk State University and Virginia State University and extend relationships to other HBCUs statewide.
  • Continuing a community partnership in supporting the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men Scholar’s Breakfast. He says the annual event backs young Black men from the seven cities of Hampton Roads who graduate with a 3.0 or higher. This past year, Jones was the keynote speaker, a first for a lottery director with the group. “It shows the lottery is committed daily to supporting students, teachers, and school personnel in all parts of Virginia.”

Jones’ background includes over 20 years of experience applying business growth and expanding strategies in the lottery, gaming, and sports industries. Among his stints: A partner in a licensing consulting firm and a lawyer working on large-scale government investigations.

Further, his lottery agenda consists of focusing on attracting a younger audience and higher-valued players. He, too, is tapping into innovative technology, such as implementing AI-powered tools to streamline operations.

He has adopted some tactics from casual gaming platforms like Candy Crush to entirely reimagine how players interact with lottery products.

Altogether, his efforts to share wealth with the Black community and change the lottery could be transformative for the enterprise.

“My charge is to provide funding to K-12 public education,” he says. “I think that we can do that best when we expand opportunities to all communities and avoid exclusivity.”

RELATED CONTENT: Shaq Connects With New Jersey Lottery For $5 Scratch-Off Game

NFL, Laveranues Coles, Jacksonville Police Officer
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 16, 2025

Sports World Calls Out Cop At Texas A&M Game For Bumping, Yelling At South Carolina Player

The Texas Department of Safety trooper was relieved of his gameday duties.

Sports legends and enthusiasts joined the growing opposition against a state trooper at a Texas A&M-hosted football game on Saturday who bumped into and then berated University of South Carolina players.

In the now viral footage, a white Texas Department of Public Safety trooper yelled at South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor after he scored a touchdown, which put South Carolina up 20-3 with under a minute left in the second quarter.

Following the TD, Harbor entered the tunnel. As Harbor and his teammates began to walk back to the field, the trooper bumped past them and began angrily pointing his finger at the players. The players, who appeared confused by the act, walked away.

As the incident made waves on social media, the internet began to condemn the man for his own unnecessary roughness. LeBron James called the trooper’s action “premeditated” and “corny [as f-ck].”

“That A&M cop needs to suspended! That was premeditated and corny AF!! . He went out his way to start some sh*t. Do better man,” shared the NBA star.

Texas A&M Police announced that the state trooper would be “relieved of his game day assignment.” The Texas Department of Public Safety added that officials sent the trooper home from the game afterward. The Office of Inspector General (OIG) will also reportedly look further into the issue.

However, the altercation also speaks to the treatment of young Black men by law enforcement even when on the world’s biggest fields.

Texas A&M won the game, 31-30.

RELATED CONTENT: Miami Dolphins Star Tyreek Hill Cuffed Before Season Opener; Cop Put On Administrative Leave

lowcountry
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 16, 2025

Avery Research Center Marks 160 Years Of Preserving Black History In South Carolina’s Lowcountry

The research center hosts an extensive collection of archives surrounding Black Lowcountry culture.

The Avery Research Center, focused on Black life in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, has reached a milestone.

Around 160 years ago, the Avery Normal Institute was founded to educate formerly enslaved Black people in the Lowcountry region, a coastal area in the southeastern United States, to Black people there learn new careers and livelihoods post-slavery.

Later, it educated the children of formerly enslaved people as a traditional private school. Now a part of the College of Charleston, it was officially renamed the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture at the College of Charleston. It serves as a holding place for many of the archives surrounding this lesser-known part of history. Those seeking to reconnect with their familial or cultural heritage tied to Lowcountry often look to the Avery Research Center.

“Whenever you come into the Avery, we’re always going to tell you welcome home. No matter who you are. Because you will be able to find yourself. You’ll be able to find your family. You’ll be able to find anything within our building,” said Daron Lee Calhoun II, a leading figure at the center, to WCSC.

Parts of its initial schooling house remain intact, including the pillars that helped its foundation stand. Built by the community of formerly enslaved Black people it once served, the fingerprints of these builders are also visible.

Many come not only to discover more about African American history, but to reconnect with their own. With its extensive archives, visitors can discover their own family records if they are tied to this land.

Its vast collection of documents has inspired the travels of many scholars, including famed writer and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois and civil rights activist Septima Clark, an alumnus of the original school. Clark kept some timeless artifacts at the institution, including handwritten papers and a personal note from Langston Hughes.

“We are not gatekeepers of history, but we are here to share the history with the world,” Calhoun said.

To mark its generational legacy of preserving Black life in the Lowcountry, the Avery Research Center will host a 2025 Avery Family Reunion. The communal celebration, which will take place Nov. 16, includes live music and traditional storytelling.

RELATED CONTENT: Legislation For Florida Museum Of Black History Moves Forward

Spike Lee, knicks, pope
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 16, 2025

In True New York Fashion, Spike Lee Gives American Pope A Personalized Knicks Jersey

The Knicks superfan gifted Pope Leo XIV his own special jersey.

Spike Lee wanted Pope Leo XIV, the world’s first American Pope, to have a gift to remember U.S. sports culture. So on his visit to the The Vatican, the New York filmmaker and NBA super-fan gave him a New York Knicks jersey.

After the Pope spoke, Lee shook his hand and bestowed him the customized present, according to Sports Illustrated. The jersey not only featured the classic Knicks colors, royal blue and orange, but also “Pope Leo” on the back along with the number 14.

Catholic Sat reposted the footage as the duo showed off the very exclusive jersey.

Lee was among many leaders in the film industry, including actress Cate Blanchett and actor Viggo Mortensen, invited by the pope to the Vatican.

Pope Lo, a Chicago native, spoke of the importance of cinema as it connects the world through storytelling.

“When cinema is authentic, it does not merely console, but challenges,” he said. “It articulates the questions that dwell within us, and sometimes, even provokes tears that we did not know we needed to express.”

While a longtime fan of the Knicks, Lee has also become a new fan of the recently-appointed Pope Leo. Lee also took the historic moment as a sign that his Knicks will finally win another championship.

On the other hand, Pope Leo remains loyal to his own sports teams in Chicago. The modern pope has become a worldwide phenomenon for his traditional American upbringing, including his own college years at Villanova, the alma mater of current Knicks players Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges.

RELATED CONTENT: Henry Louis Gates Jr. Presents Pope Leo XIV With Family Tree Tracing His Black Ancestry

Nick Cannon, Mariah Carey, Monroe
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 16, 2025

Mariah Carey’s Daughter Says She Only Has One Brother From Dad Nick Cannon, Father of 12

The 14-year-old spoke on why she considers her twin to be her only sibling.

Mariah Carey’s daughter, Monroe Cannon, has her own take on her blended family.

The 14-year-old took to Instagram to share more insight on her family dynamics. She told her followers that she only has one brother, twin Moroccan Cannon, that she formally recognizes from her dad, Nick Cannon.

“Clearing something up guys,” she began, according to People. “i only have ONE brother who is @moroccan.cannon. i do have other half siblings from my dad but they are all many many years younger than me!”

Cannon has 12 children with multiple women, leaving Monroe and Morrocan with a lengthy roster of half-siblings.

Despite his busy co-parenting schedule, Cannon keeps a close relationship with his two oldest children. His ex-wife, Carey, gave birth to the twins in 2011 before Cannon filed for divorce in 2014.

He fathered a third child, Golden Cannon, with model Brittany Bell, in 2017. The 45-year-old went on to have two more with Bell. He had two other children with Alyssa Scott, including Zen Cannon, who died at 5 months from brain cancer in 2021.

Cannon went on to grow his legacy with several other children. However, he still looks to his first set of twins to keep him grounded.

“My daughter, really, she’s so in tune and in line and wise beyond her years,” he previously told People about his relationship with Monroe. “I got a lot of therapists, but she’s probably my best therapist.”

“She keeps me in check. She’s so pure and honest. […] She’s my oldest child. Even though they’re twins, she came out first and she lets everybody know it. She’s helped me keep it strong.”

As for he and their superstar mom, that relationship remains under wraps as Carey opts to not speak about her ex-husband and children’s father.

RELATED CONTENT: Nick Cannon Is ‘Not Done’ Having Children

O.J. Simpson, , Estate, Goldman
by Mary Spiller

November 16, 2025

O.J. Simpson’s Estate Agrees To Pay Nearly $58M To The Goldman Family

Executor accepts a negotiated settlement as the estate prepares to liquidate assets and prioritize major creditors.

The long-running effort by the Goldman family to collect on their civil judgment against O.J. Simpson has taken a significant step forward. The executor of Simpson’s estate has agreed to honor a multimillion-dollar settlement that could finally deliver a substantial payment nearly three decades after a jury found Simpson liable for Ron Goldman’s death.

In newly filed court documents, estate executor Malcolm LaVergne formally accepted Fred Goldman’s creditor claim “in the amount of $57,997,858.12 (U.S.), plus judgment interest on the approved amount.” Goldman’s original filing sought more than $117 million, but LaVergne told TMZ that the two sides ultimately settled on the lower figure after negotiations, saying he believes Goldman made “a good faith effort” to determine the appropriate total even if the interest calculation was disputed.

LaVergne said the estate intends to pay off as much of the approved amount as possible as it continues selling Simpson’s possessions. Some items, he noted, may have been taken without authorization. He said he is working with attorneys “to regain possession of some of these items.” He also plans to ask a judge to award Goldman an administrative fee for assisting him in navigating the estate’s management — an indication that relations between the two sides have grown more cooperative.

The executor added that the estate has rejected nearly all other creditor claims, except Goldman’s and one filed by the IRS.

According to LaVergne, federal taxes will be paid before any other outstanding obligations, including a claim from the State of California totaling “approximately $636,945,” which he said the state will need to sue to recover.

Simpson was acquitted in the 1995 criminal case involving the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, but the Goldman family won a civil lawsuit the following year, securing a judgment of more than $33 million. Only a fraction was ever collected. Following Simpson’s death last year, LaVergne initially vowed not to approve the family’s claim — a stance he later reversed, leading to the agreement now moving through probate.

RELATED CONTENT: O.J. Simpson Dies From Cancer At Age 76

Ohio, jewelry heist, arrest
by Mary Spiller

November 16, 2025

Former NBA Player Patrick Beverley Arrested In Texas Amid ‘Family Violence’ Allegation

According to the veteran guard, he found his younger sister — a minor — alone with an 18-year-old man.

Former NBA point guard Patrick Beverley is facing legal trouble in Texas after authorities arrested him on a felony assault charge tied to what officials described as a “family violence” situation. The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest and stated that the 37-year-old was taken into custody early Nov. 14 at a residence in Rosharon. His bond was set at $40,000.

Shortly after news of the arrest spread, Beverley addressed the situation online, urging his followers, “don’t believe everything you see on the internet.” He also shared an unsigned statement on his social media accounts that offered additional context about what reportedly led to the altercation.

Beverley’s attorney, Letitia Quinones-Hollins, shared a statement on Instagram. The statement read, “Patrick Beverley has no criminal record. He cares deeply about his little sister – a young lady, a minor.”

“Given that, when he unexpectedly found her alone in the home with an 18-year-old man in the middle of the night, he was understandably concerned, as any brother would be about his sister.”

According to the reposted message, Beverley had unexpectedly come upon his younger sister — a minor — alone with an 18-year-old man. “He was understandably concerned, as any brother would be about his sister,” the statement read. “However, we don’t believe what followed happened the way it’s been described, and we look forward to the opportunity to address that in court.”

Local officials have not publicly disclosed further details about the alleged confrontation, and court records have not yet provided additional information at the time of reporting.

Beverley, known around the league for his intensity and defensive edge, most recently played for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2024 season. Over the course of his 12-year NBA career, he also logged time with several teams, including the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Clippers.

As the case moves forward, Beverley and his representatives appear prepared to challenge the account authorities have laid out, setting the stage for a legal dispute over what transpired inside the Texas home.

RELATED CONTENT: Ex-NBA Player Charged With Felony Theft Over $1,000 In Groceries

Michelle Obama, Becoming, Melania
by Mary Spiller

November 16, 2025

Michelle Obama: America Still ‘Not Ready’ For A Woman President

In a candid discussion about gender, power, and public expectations, the former first lady explained why she has no plans to run.

Former first lady Michelle Obama says Americans continue to struggle with the idea of a woman leading the nation — and that lingering resistance is exactly why she refuses to consider a presidential run. During a recorded conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross, released Nov. 14 on Obama’s YouTube channel, Obama said the United States has significant “growing up to do” when it comes to accepting women in positions of ultimate political authority.

“As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” Obama said. “That’s why I’m like, don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not.

The discussion, held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, coincided with the rollout of Obama’s new book, “The Look.” Ross asked whether the traditional expectations placed on first ladies — and the role’s ties to “wifedom and femininity” — have shaped the public’s willingness to imagine a woman in the Oval Office.

Obama didn’t hesitate. “So don’t waste my time,” she added. “We got a lot of growing up to do, and there are still, sadly, a lot of men who feel like they cannot be led by a woman, and we saw it. I think we still have growing to do in that regard.”


Although Obama has long been polled as one of the most admired women in America — and at times more popular than President Barack Obama during his administration — she has consistently rejected calls to run for office. A 2024 poll briefly floated her as the only Democrat capable of defeating Donald Trump, fueling fresh speculation, but Obama dismissed the possibility then and has repeated the same message since.

Her comments also acknowledged the reality facing women who have attempted to break that barrier. Two of the Democratic Party’s last three nominees — Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris — were women, and both ultimately lost presidential elections to Trump. Obama campaigned heavily for Harris in 2024, drawing large crowds and urging voters, especially men, to support women’s leadership and reproductive rights.

Despite persistent public fascination with the idea of an Obama presidential run, she made clear once again that she has no intention of entering the race. The deeper concern, she suggested, is not her personal reluctance but the country’s readiness.

The nation, she argued, still has to prove that it is willing to elect a woman at all.

RELATED CONTENT: Michelle Obama Opens Up About Her Iconic First Lady Fashion In New Style Book, ‘The Look’

UK, reparations, Caribbean leaders
by Mary Spiller

November 16, 2025

Caribbean Reparations Leaders Launch First-Ever UK Mission To Press Historic Claims

Caricom delegation begins high-level meetings in London.

The regional body at the forefront of the Caribbean’s push for slavery reparations is preparing for its first official mission to the United Kingdom, a visit leaders describe as a pivotal moment in the campaign for historical redress. From Nov. 17 to Nov. 20, representatives from the Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC) will hold a series of meetings in London with British lawmakers, Caribbean diplomats, academics, and civil society organizations.

As reported by The Guardian, the trip, organized alongside the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, aims to deepen international partnerships and broaden public understanding of the Caribbean’s demands for justice tied to centuries of enslavement and colonial rule.

Dr. Hilary Brown, a member of the delegation and Caricom’s program manager for culture and community development, called the visit “historic,” emphasizing its dual goal of education and advocacy. “The Caricom Reparations Commission advocacy visit to the UK is historic, as it is the first of what we anticipate will be a series of engagements to raise consciousness and awareness, correct misconceptions about the reparations movement and build strategic partnerships to take this critical agenda to right historical wrongs forward,” she said.

Between the 15th and 19th centuries, European powers forcibly transported more than 12.5 million Africans into slavery. For Caribbean governments, that history remains inseparable from modern-day inequalities, fueling demands for formal apologies and tangible forms of reparative support.

CRC Chair Prof. Sir Hilary Beckles, who is leading the six-person delegation, said the visit represents an opportunity to bolster the movement at a global level. “The global reparations movement is entering a new wave of impact, visibility and mobilization,” he noted, stressing that activists and academics in Britain have “a pivotal role to play in amplifying the gains and the message of enlightenment.” Beckles added that the CRC also hopes to express “solidarity and support as together we navigate Windrush and advance the just claim for reparatory justice.”

Reparations debates have intensified in the UK, particularly after the British government last year rejected calls for financial compensation or a formal apology during the Commonwealth leaders’ summit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged that the slave trade was “abhorrent,” but argued that nations should prioritize present-day challenges, including climate change.

Even so, Britain later signaled its openness to discussing non-financial forms of redress, such as institutional reform and debt relief.

Public opinion is shifting as well. A March poll commissioned by the Repair Campaign found widespread gaps in historical knowledge but growing backing for Caribbean demands: 63% of respondents supported a formal apology, and 40% supported financial reparations.

Caribbean states remain firm in their pursuit of justice, guided by the CRC’s 10-point plan, which calls for measures ranging from apologies to debt cancellation.

At their July summit, Caricom leaders endorsed Jamaica’s petition requesting that King Charles seek legal guidance on whether Britain’s forced transport of Africans constituted a crime against humanity—and whether reparations are owed.

RELATED CONTENT: CARICOM ‘Deeply Concerned’ About Coup Threat in Haiti

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