The University of the District of Columbia (UDC)|Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 15, 2025

University Of District Columbia’s Rank Reflects Renewed Focus On Equity And Excellence

The University of the District of Columbia soars in HBCU rankings, redefining access.

Written by Sean Mitchell

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC), Washington, D.C.’s only public university and the nation’s only urban land-grant HBCU, has achieved a major milestone — ranking No. 18 among all historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and No. 9 among public HBCUs in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 rankings.

The leap marks UDC’s highest placement to date, reflecting significant gains in student success, research innovation, and affordability. The university credits its focused strategy on expanding access and aligning programs with the workforce needs of Washington, D.C.

“This recognition reflects the incredible progress we’ve made toward delivering a high-quality, affordable education that empowers our students and serves our city,” said UDC President Maurice D. Edington in a university statement. “We’re proud to represent what an urban, public HBCU can achieve when given the opportunity to grow.”

The university’s rise is no small feat. Just five years ago, the university ranked in the lower third of the U.S. News HBCU list. Since then, new academic programs, increased research funding, and targeted investments in student support have driven improvement.

Key initiatives include the launch of UDC’s new Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning (WDLL) division, which has trained more than 20,000 D.C. residents in high-demand fields such as cybersecurity, green infrastructure, and healthcare. The expansion of undergraduate research through the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences also positioned UDC as a hub for applied innovation.

In interviews with local media, Edington emphasized the university’s mission-driven approach: “We are an anchor for Washington, D.C.—a place where education, equity, and community meet.”

Students say the university’s culture and affordability are key to its success. “I could’ve gone out of state, but UDC offered me the same quality of education for a fraction of the cost,” said senior biology major Aaliyah Green. “It feels good knowing my school is finally getting the recognition it deserves.”

The average in-state tuition at UDC is under $7,000, making it one of the most affordable four-year institutions in the region. Combined with a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and robust internship pipelines with local agencies, the university’s offerings are increasingly competitive. Experts say UDC’s rise also signals a shift in how urban HBCUs are perceived.

“UDC’s progress shows that public investment and visionary leadership can transform outcomes for historically underfunded institutions,” said Dr. Crystal Moore, a higher education policy analyst at the Brookings Institution.

“It’s not just about rankings — it’s about access and impact.”

As D.C. continues to evolve economically and demographically, UDC’s growth represents more than academic success — it’s a story of resilience and reinvention.

“When our students succeed, the city succeeds,” said Edington. “We’re building the next generation of leaders right here in the nation’s capital.”

RELATED CONTENT: Tennessee Owes Its State HBCU More Than Half A Billion Dollars

Chris Paul, Ball on a Budget
by Janee Bolden

November 15, 2025

Chris Paul Says His Parents Made His Money Mindset

In a recent episode of Chime’s 'Ball on a Budget' series, Chris Paul reveals his family played a huge role in his financial discipline.

Chris Paul got his CP3 moniker when he became the third in his family to bear the initials, and in a recent episode of Chime’s new “Ball on a Budget” series, the future Hall of Famer reveals his family also played a huge role in his financial discipline.

The series is a partnership between Chime and Complex. The episode, which was posted Oct. 29, pairs Paul with Complex’s Ashley Nicole Moss as he takes on a $300 style challenge to find an entire outfit for a team dinner without going over budget. For Paul, it’s a chance to show how much he’s learned since the days when he was a broke college kid praying his debit card wouldn’t decline.

“I was in college. I had $151 in my bank account,” Paul recalls. “I declared for the draft, and my agents asked if I wanted $100,000 of upfront money. I was 19. I said, ‘Yeah, run that.’ But my parents said $25,000 would be enough.” The moment stuck with him: “I went to the bank, put my card in, and it said $25,151 just like that.”   

Chris Paul, Ball on a Budget
Chris Paul on “Ball on a Budget,” courtesy of Chris Paul

It’s a perfect snapshot of how Paul learned to move smart, treating budgeting, investing, and financial literacy like a team sport. With nearly $400 million earned across his 21-year NBA career, according to Forbes, stakes in 29 companies, and the launch of the Chris Paul Collective, he’s built a business empire without losing his grounding. Even with all of that success, he doesn’t equate wealth with wisdom — or style.

“You do not have to have money to have style,” he tells Moss during the episode. “Sometimes when you got money, it can absolutely show that you don’t have any style. You got to wear the clothes and not let the clothes wear you.”  

Such is the mission of “Ball on a Budget,” which has also featured Teyana Taylor, Joey Bada$$, and celebrity jeweler Greg Yuna in previous episodes. 

For Paul, authenticity has always been non-negotiable. Even as his portfolio and tailored wardrobe have grown, his love for Jordans hasn’t wavered.

“My shoes have stayed consistent,” he says. “I’ll walk into rooms with very high-up people, and they’re dressed to the nines, and I’ve got on 1’s. A lot of times, they say they wish they could wear ’em. Ultimately, people want you to show up as who you are.”  

The conversation also opens a window into Paul’s money mindset. When Moss probes Paul about his impressive business portfolio, asking what’s next in his financial progress journey, the Point God reveals he plans to continue seeking greater knowledge. 

“Keep learning. You don’t know what you don’t know,” he says. “The biggest thing is to keep passing along the knowledge to younger players, but also my family. A lot of people in my support system never had an opportunity to learn about investments or budgets.”

For Paul, building wealth has never been just about him. It’s about bringing the information back home, just like his parents did for him.

The episode also taps into Paul’s sentimental side. When Moss asks what he splurges on, he doesn’t hesitate: “Watches.” Forever a family man, he reveals that his late grandfather wore a gold wristwatch every day. “When I saw this Vacheron,” he says, pointing to the timepiece on his wrist, “it keeps me connected to my grandfather.”  

Even in the fun moments, like when Paul reveals how NBA vets rig credit card roulette to make sure rookies pay the team dinner bill, he finds a way to bring the lesson back to finances. “No one wants to have to budget,” he says. “But it’s part of life.”  

And when he and Moss hit the racks to assemble his under-$300 outfit—a clean Canadian-tuxedo-inspired look — he nails the assignment with money left over. 

At this stage in his life and career, Paul says every decision is about alignment and intention, especially when it comes to family and time. “I’ve been blessed to play 21 years,” he says. “But time is the most valuable thing. That’s the one thing you can’t budget with.”  

Chime’s “Ball on a Budget” spot shows Paul in his element: part athlete, part businessman, and still very much the kid from North Carolina who remembers exactly what it felt like to see his balance jump from $151 to $25,151.

RELATED CONTENT: Chris Paul and Avon Team Up to Launch “Untouchable” Cologne

YFN Lucci Bringing Heat To Hawks Halftime Show
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 15, 2025

YFN Lucci Bringing Heat To Hawks Halftime Show

'Performing in my city is always a good time,' YFN Lucci said.

Atlanta hometown hero and recording artist YFN Lucci is scheduled to hit the basketball court as a performer at the State Farm Arena, Nov. 18, when the Atlanta Hawks host the Detroit Pistons.

The Hawks announced the halftime act for the team’s first City Edition home game of the season. On this night, the Hawks will also unveil their 2025-26 Nike NBA Peachtree City Edition uniform.

“It feels good to be back here at the arena, especially for the unveiling of the Hawks’ Peachtree City Edition uniforms and the new court,” said YFN Lucci in a written statement. “Performing in my city is always a good time.”

YFN Lucci has just released his latest album, “Already Legend,” on Sept. 26; chart data announced in October that, after debuting the project, it sold 29,000 units and charted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 in its first week.

This is a return to the State Farm Arena after the rapper held a “Welcome Home” concert there after being in prison for four years, according to Fox 5. He was released after serving nearly four years in connection with a 2021 murder case. He had been charged with racketeering, violating the state’s anti-gang law, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. In January 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of violation of Georgia’s Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

The concert featured several acts, like Rick Ross, Quavo, Latto, Trey Songz, Lil Boosie, and Dreezy.

Any information and tickets for the Nov. 18 game can be purchased on the Hawks’ website,  Hawks.com/tickets. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

RELATED CONTENT: Elevate Your Excellence: Rep. Justin J. Pearson Goes From Memphis Activist To Congressional Candidate

Sebastian Telfair, documentary, Brooklyn projcts
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 15, 2025

NBA Star Sebastian Telfair Returned To Brooklyn Projects, Documentary Shows

The former Portland Trail Blazers' player is currently incarcerated.

Former NBA player Sebastian Telfair, who hails from Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y., has gone from rags to riches and is now back in the projects where he grew up, as a documentary was recently released showing him living there again.

According to Complex, Telfair, who is currently in prison after being one of 18 former NBA players charged and convicted in an insurance scheme, is the subject of a doc that shows him back in the place he was raised, Mermaid Houses. The film’s title is “Sebastian Telfair: Final Days of Freedom.” Telfar is serving a six-month prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix in New Jersey, and is expected to be released in early 2026.

Teflair, who is also the cousin of another former NBA player, Stephon Marbury, who also hails from Brooklyn, was one of the great stories of talented basketball players from New York City (Rod Strickland, Kenny Smith, Malik Sealy (R.I.P.), Mark Jackson, to name a few), who made a name for themselves and went to college and then to the NBA to have succesful careers making millions of dollars in the process.

The Coney Island product played for at least eight NBA teams between 2004 and 2014 (including the Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns). The film does a good job documenting his career. In the documentary, he reveals how certain circumstances led him to return to the projects before serving his prison term at FCI Fort Dix, at the same facility where Diddy is currently serving his sentence.

“The day I picked up a basketball was the day I was for sure knowing I was going to make it out,” Telfair said in the episode. “After being the No. 1 player in New York City history, I turned that dream into a reality. I played over 10 years in the NBA and made tens of millions of dollars. I had everything I ever dreamed of.”

He cops to having several issues in his personal life that have brought him back “home.”

“But after a series of legal issues and personal problems, my life has become something I could never imagine. I’m right back to where it all began. Back in Coney Island, back in the projects, back in the fire.”

You can view the trailer for the documentary below:

RELATED CONTENT: Former NBA Player Sebastian Telfair Asks Trump For Pardon Before 6-Month Prison Sentence

The Weekend
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 15, 2025

The Weeknd Donates $350K Toward Hurricane Melissa Relief In Jamaica

The Weeknd is contributing $350,000 to support Hurricane Melissa relief efforts in Jamaica.

The Weeknd has joined in on relief efforts to aid Jamaica after the devastation caused by Category 5 storm Hurricane Melissa.

The Grammy-winning singer donated $350,000 via his XO Humanitarian Fund to support the World Food Programme’s emergency relief in Jamaica, TMZ reports. The donation will help provide food kits for 200,000 residents affected by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on Oct. 28.

The Weeknd joins a line of celebs who have made hurricane relief donations to the Caribbean island, including Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, and Shaggy, who helped coordinate some of the first planes to deliver critical supplies to some of the hardest hit communities. The relief efforts continue to pour in as Jamaica recovers from the Category 5 storm that killed at least 45 people and left thousands homeless.

Relief agencies continue to prioritize urgent food and water needs for the roughly one million people affected by the storm. Officials say efforts must soon shift to rebuilding homes for those left homeless, a massive task that will require support from international aid groups, the U.S., and countries across Europe and Asia.

Around 146,000 structures in Jamaica suffered major damage, including lost roofs or walls, severely affecting at least 90,000 families, said Alvin Gayle, commander of Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management. He added that the number of damaged buildings continues to rise as assessments progress.

Officials estimate storm damages could reach $7 billion. Along with numerous homes suffering severe or catastrophic damage, large areas of the country remain without power and water.

“It’s essentially about a third of the country that is impacted significantly,” said Dana Morris Dixon, minister of education, youth, skills, and information. “We are just under three million population — to have that many people be affected is huge.”

Morris Dixon stressed the urgent need for shelter, noting that the government’s initial focus was on providing water and clearing roads to reach isolated communities. With the rainy season ongoing, many residents remain exposed, living among the ruins of their homes.

RELATED CONTENT: The New WAY Campaign Empowers Youth At The Weeknd’s “After Hours Til Dawn” Tour

Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Tackle ,Kevin Johnson, Killed, Los Angeles
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 15, 2025

NFL’s Mack Hollins Displays Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Number Week After Marshawn Kneeland’s Death

"It's OK not to be OK."

A week after Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland committed suicide, New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins spread the word about suicide prevention as he entered the stadium before Thursday night’s home game against the New York Jets.

According to Yahoo Sports, Hollins was seen with a T-shirt that had the phone number for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on it. The front of the shirt had “988” written on it, the number anyone can call or text to get help. On the back, the phrase “You are worth it!!!” was written as a message.

As the wide receiver approached the entrance at Gillette Stadium, he turned his body around so everyone could see the writing. Several words were spread out across the white T-shirt: “alone,” “scared,” “strong,” “seen,” “loved,” “happy,” healed,” and “vulnerable,” among others.

“It’s OK to not be OK,” Hollins said as he walked past the cameras.

https://twitter.com/NFLonPrime/status/1989099886067744848

Hollins wanted to spread the message after Kneeland was discovered dead on Nov. 6 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase, according to Frisco (Texas) Police.

“I think that this topic, especially as a male, can often get pushed aside, can get brushed under the rug as not for men, not for tough guys, not for, I guess, our gender, sex, whatever you want to call it,” Hollins said after the game. “But it happens more than people want to admit it happens, whether it’s older men, younger men, successful men, poor men, rich men. It happens to all men, and it gets pushed under the rug too much.”

The Patriots beat the Jets, 27-14, to improve to 9-2 on the season.

When the Cowboys resume play in Week 11, they will do so with helmet decals remembering Kneeland. They will also wear special T-shirts honoring their teammate, Yahoo Sports reported.

RELATED CONTENT: Dallas Cowboys Player Found Dead After Police Chase

Chadwick Boseman, deep azure, play, dc, Howard university
by Jameelah Mullen

November 15, 2025

Chadwick Boseman To Receive Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Hollywood is giving a Wakanda salute to our forever T’Challa.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor the late Chadwick Boseman with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

“His powerful performances and enduring impact both on and off screen continue to inspire generations around the world,” Ana Martinez, Hollywood Walk of Fame producer, said in a statement. 

The ceremony will be held on Nov. 20 at 6904 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, where Boseman’s star will be located.

Ryan Coogler, who directed Boseman in Black Panther, and Viola Davis, his co-star in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, are scheduled to speak at the ceremony. Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, will accept the award on his behalf.

Boseman garnered global stardom for his role as T’Challa in Black Panther. As the first Black actor to lead a major MCU film, T’Challa became a symbol for Black empowerment throughout the African diaspora.

The film grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide. Black Panther became the highest-grossing film directed by a Black filmmaker. He also played the character in several other Marvel films, including Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

After Boseman died in 2020, Marvel chose not to recast or digitally recreate his role for the second Black Panther film. But the storyline did reflect real life as Wakandans mourned T’Challa’s death and vowed to honor his legacy.  

Boseman portrayed baseball legend Jackie Robinson in the 2013 sports drama 42. He earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. He also played singer James Brown in the 2014 biopic Get On Up. He received several honors for that role, including the Virtuoso Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, but kept his illness private. He was battling the disease while filming his final movie, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The South Carolina native received a posthumous Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for his role as the trumpet player, Levee.

RELATED CONTENT: “Wakanda Forever” Movie Trailer Premieres At Comic Con, Ryan Coogler Honors Chadwick Boseman

kenya
by Jameelah Mullen

November 15, 2025

Miners Discover $5 Billion In Gold In Kenya

This could boost Kenya’s economy, but it could come at the expense of some residents.

Kenya has struck gold, literally. Miners in Kakamega County have discovered extensive underground gold deposits, valued at an estimated $5.29 billion, which officials describe as a historic milestone for the country’s mineral sector.

British mining company Shanta Gold Limited confirmed the discovery of 1.27 million ounces of gold at its Isulu-Bushiangala underground project. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report submitted to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) outlines plans for a large-scale underground mine covering approximatelyblackenterprise.com/78-bodies-south-african-mine-police 337 acres.

“This discovery confirms what many in the field have long suspected, that western Kenya holds world-class gold potential,” mining and mineral processing engineer Brian Mwangi Njoroge told Anadolu Agency. “With the right infrastructure and regulation, Kenya could move from exploration to full-scale production faster than many expect,” Njoroge said.

The project, led by Shanta Gold Kenya Limited, a subsidiary of the London-based company, will use advanced Long Hole Open Stoping technology to extract the precious metal while minimizing surface disruption. The mine’s construction is expected to cost between $170 million and $200 million USD.

Economists believe the mine could boost Kenya’s economy by expanding revenue beyond agriculture and tourism, thereby attracting global investors. Experts also think it will create hundreds of jobs, further strengthening the local economy.

“This may lead to the enhancement of local economic development through job and business opportunities and significant contributions to the government of Kenya through taxes, royalties, and revenue contributions, which are likely to transfer into the local and regional economic growth,” Shanta Gold Limited noted in a statement obtained by The Star Kenya.

However, some critics argue it could also lead to the displacement of residents and environmental damage. The company estimates it will need about 337 acres of land, mostly privately owned, displacing about 800 households. Shanta Gold has identified six potential resettlement sites covering approximately 1,932 acres, giving affected families the option to relocate or receive financial compensation.

RELATED CONTENT: Student-Founded Nonprofit Transforms Communities By Feeding School Children In Kenya

student loan forgiveness, fresh start program, idk, forgiveness, Connecticut student loans
by Kandiss Edwards

November 15, 2025

Student Loan Forgiveness Comes With A Steep Price Tag As Tax Credits Expire

The financial liability is due to a change in tax law scheduled to take effect in early 2026.

Borrowers who believe they are receiving federal student-loan forgiveness could face tax liabilities of up to $70,000 or more.

The financial liability is due to a change in tax law scheduled to take effect in early 2026, according to Forbes.

Under the 2021 American Rescue Plan, forgiven federal student loans were exempt from federal income tax through Dec. 31, 2025. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, without intervention, that exemption may expire. Borrowers whose remaining balances are forgiven after that year could be taxed on the forgiven amount.

According to Protect Borrowers analysis, if a loan is forgiven, and the borrower is pushed into a higher tax bracket, their tax obligation could rise to $14,000-$17,000 or more. The headline figure of $70,000 reflects average loan forgiveness for low-income borrowers under Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans.

On Nov. 10, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other colleagues warned that the expiration of the cuts would adversely impact Americans. Sen. Warren and a group of Democratic lawmakers have urged the Treasury Department and IRS to deploy existing legal authorities.

“If neither the Trump administration nor the Republican-controlled Congress acts soon, families who earn student debt cancellation after paying their loans for decades will be hit with surprise tax hikes — as high as $10,000 in many cases — starting next tax year.”

The risk is especially acute for Black and Latina women, who entered repayment with higher balances. Black and Latina women are a large demographic in defaulted loans that are compounding interest daily.

The legislative clock is running. Congress must act to extend the tax exemption beyond 2025, or borrowers may essentially be handed a debt-forgiveness program that ends up inflating their debt.

Advocacy group Protect Borrowers estimates that a family earning around $50,000 that receives cancellation under an income-driven repayment plan could face additional federal tax liabilities between $5,800 and $10,000, Business Insider reported.

Until Congress acts, borrowers are advised to confirm the timing of their cancellation eligibility and consider tax-planning strategies, as 1.3 million borrowers could reach forgiveness after 2025 and face the tax hit.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Administration Says It Will Cancel Certain Student Loan Debt For Millions

Questlove
by Kandiss Edwards

November 14, 2025

Questlove Teases Posthumous D’Angelo Album

The Roots drummer was both telling and coy.

At the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson hinted that a posthumous D’Angelo album is on the way.

Though details such as a release date and track list haven’t been revealed, insiders say the project was nearing completion before D’Angelo’s death. “With him, it’s always the sound of yesterday, but for the future,” Questlove said. “This record is no different. You’ll see soon.”

D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, died last month at age 51 from pancreatic cancer.

His influence on modern R&B and soul is immeasurable. Fans have waited for new material since D’Angelo’s 2014 album, Black Messiah. The newly teased release is believed to draw from unreleased sessions and demos recorded in recent years.

In September 2024, Raphael Saadiq spoke about his contribution to the in-progress album on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast. “I’m playing bass, D’s playing; me and D is singing backgrounds. It’s funky as hell, too. It’s like, D is a bad boy. … It’s aged well. Good music ages well,” Saadiq said of the song, which was recorded years before. 

Questlove and D’Angelo’s creative partnership spanned decades. The Roots drummer was an integral part in co-piloting sessions for D’Angelo’s debut album, Brown Sugar. He also contributed to the singer’s sophomore follow-up, Voodoo, which has been hailed as a paradigm-shifting album in soul music.

As the singer’s funeral services were private, many were left without a way to celebrate and honor the musical icon. Posthumous releases often walk a fine line between honoring an artist’s legacy and capitalizing on it. For D’Angelo, a perfectionist known for demanding control over his output, the question is, would he have approved the final versions? Fans will have the final say. 

RELATED CONTENT: ‘;A Temple For The Neo-Soul King’ D’Angelo Tribute Unveiled At National Museum Of African American Music

×