Gas Prices Reach Lowest Average Of Under $3 A Gallon Since Pandemic Era
Gas prices are even cheaper at around $2.75 a gallon in some states.
Despite inflation, layoffs, and other economic woes, Americans can rejoice about one silver lining amid the lulls.
Gasoline prices have reached their lowest average peak of under $3 a gallon since the pandemic year of 2021. The news comes as Americans continue to grapple with a rising cost of living.
The price reached this new low on Dec. 2, hitting an average of $2.998 across the United States. Gas prices have not seen a low like this since May 2021, when the pandemic was still in full swing.
CNN also reported that the year-over-year comparison showed gas at a slightly lower price rate than in 2024. Albeit by only a few cents, last year’s December average held at $3.05 a gallon.
However, gas averages sit even lower in some states across multiple regions. States varying from New Mexico to South Carolina and Colorado are enjoying an average of $2.75 for one gallon.
The low prices may stem from Donald Trump’s policy of deregulating fossil fuel extraction and non-renewable energy production. In his second term, he promised to keep gasoline prices low through these deregulation efforts.
Despite the lower cost at the gas pumps, Americans are still dealing with inflated prices for groceries and other living costs, marking a new affordability crisis in the nation. Inflation remains steady but still relatively high at around 3% as well, according to Nerdwallet.
Another contributing factor to the low cost lies outside of Trump’s own doing, as the rate for barrels of crude oil is significantly lesser than previous years. While barrel costs skyrocketed over Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, they have decreased from $81 to a current rate of $59.
Furthermore, OPEC and the U.S. have both ramped up oil production, making supply outpace demand. If this trend continues, crude oil barrel prices could go even lower, making one’s next trip to the gas station even cheaper.
Diddy Won’t Stop Criticizing The 50 Cent Docuseries ‘Sean Combs, The Reckoning’
Combs’ legal team argues that the documentary relies heavily on “private recordings and personal content that were never cleared for public release.”
Representatives for Sean “Diddy” Combs have denounced the new four-part Netflix documentary, Sean Combs: The Reckoning.
In a statement, lawyers for the Combs have called the project “illegal,” “misleading,” and “a shameful hit piece.” The docuseries, executive-produced by rapper Curtis “50 Cent “Jackson, is scheduled to debut on Dec. 2. According to reports, the docuseries promises an inside look at decades of allegations against Combs for sexual misconduct, abuse, and other criminal activity.
Sean Combs’ legal team argues that the documentary relies heavily on “private recordings and personal content that were never cleared for public release.” Those recordings reportedly include hotel-room video, internal legal discussions, and other long-archived footage originally meant for a personal, self-authorized project, the Guardian reported.
The statement alleges that Netflix intentionally disregarded consent and context. Furthermore, the complaint states that Jackson’s involvement only perpetuates a personal vendetta.
“It is equally staggering that Netflix handed creative control to Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson, a longtime adversary with a personal vendetta,” the statement read. They further alleged that editing choices were designed to present Combs “in the most damaging and dishonest light possible.”
The trailer dropped recently and features interviews with accusers and footage from Combs’ past — including what is described as a tense call to his lawyers just days before his 2024 arrest.Sources close to the mogul assert that some footage was recorded with the understanding it would remain private or be used for a different purpose.
Despite the backlash, 50 Cent and the production team say the project was legally cleared and aims to let “a broader narrative” emerge. A narrative that includes the stories of alleged victims and gives viewers a fuller account of systemic issues within the music industry. The Get Rich Or Die Trying rapper says he has a duty to speak out against Combs’s actions. In an interview with Good Morning America, Jackson said someone in the hip-hop community should speak out against Diddy’s actions. If not, silence can be interpreted as complicity.
“If I didn’t say anything, you would have interpreted it as hip-hop is fine with his behaviors. There’s no one else being vocal. . . It would allow the entire culture to register as if they’re for that behavior.”
For those interested in the stories told by victims and bystanders alike, Sean Combs: The Reckoning is now streaming on Netflix.
The Social Security Retirement Age Rises Close To Average Life Expectancy
Increases to the full retirement age will continue eventually reaching the age of 70.
Starting in 2026, the normal retirement age for Social Security benefits will increase to 67 for Americans born in 1960 or later.
The full retirement age increase ends a long-running phase-in that has gradually raised the threshold since the 1980s. Because of the change, many workers nearing retirement should carefully review timing if they plan to claim benefits. For those born in 1959, 2025 is the last year their full retirement age will be 66. Increases will continue until the age of 70. Claiming benefits too early will permanently reduce monthly income. According to official guidelines from the Social Security Administration (SSA), beneficiaries can start collecting as early as age 62, but the monthly benefits are reduced for each month before the federal retirement age.
Among the changes announced in 2026:
Individuals born in 1960 or later will only be eligible for full benefits at 67. The phase-in that began in 1983, slowly raising the FRA from 65, will end.
Those who opt for early retirement face deep reductions over the lifetime of their benefits. For decades, a gradually increasing full retirement age has reflected longer life expectancy and rising financial pressure on the Social Security trust fund. Still, the change could complicate retirement planning for many Americans. With full benefits delayed, people may need to budget meticulously, rely longer on savings, or work for longer than previously expected.
Delaying claiming benefits beyond full retirement age continues to guarantee higher monthly payments. Waiting beyond 67 up to age 70 can increase monthly benefits substantially. Unfortunately, many Americans cannot afford to take the financial blow associated with receiving early benefits.
Though the age of life expectancy has risen, the Center for Disease ControlAnd Prevention calculates that the average life expectancy is 78 years old. Waiting to receive full retirement benefits puts the average retiree at an extreme disadvantage, leaving less than a decade of rest.
The billionaire pop star took to Instagram on Nov. 30, sharing intimate moments from Barbados in commemoration of the island’s 59th Independence Day and fourth anniversary as a Republic. The photo slideshow highlighted some of her cherished moments on the island, featuring personal snapshots with her sons, Rza, 3, and Riot, 2.
“Congratulations to Barbados, MY HOME, on our 59th year of Independence and our 4th year as a Republic!” Rihanna wrote in the caption, while giving honorable mentions to Barbados’ President, Jeffrey Bostic, and Prime Minister Mia Mottley. “Barbados, I L🇧🇧VE YOU!!!!” she added.
The intimate snapshots captured mouthwatering meals and mangos Rihanna has enjoyed in Barbados, her striking Kadooment costumes, and cherished moments with her sons and partner A$AP Rocky, including memories from her pregnancy with daughter Rocki, born in September.
The photos showed RZA on her lap inspecting a piece of sugar cane, paired with a throwback of Rihanna on a lawn with A$AP Rocky and RZA while pregnant. The Grammy-winning singer’s heartfelt post celebrated her family and her beloved home country.
Since welcoming daughter Rocki, Rihanna has returned to the public eye, making her first postpartum red carpet appearance at the 2025 CFDA Awards in New York City on Nov. 3. She attended in support of A$AP Rocky, who was honored at the event, wearing a floor-length black Alaïa trench coat over white draped pants, paired with a black turtleneck and heels, calling it a “postpartum-forward look.”
African Nations Push For Reparations For Victims Of Colonialism
African nations are intensifying efforts to secure reparations for the colonial-era crimes that caused widespread devastation across the continent and beyond.
On Nov. 30, African diplomats and leaders met to advance an African Union resolution introduced earlier this year that calls for justice and reparations for the harms of colonialism, the Associated Press reports.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf cited his country’s experience under French rule, emphasizing that true accountability requires compensation and the return of stolen property. Such restitution, he said, is “neither a gift nor a favor.”
“Africa is entitled to demand the official and explicit recognition of the crimes committed against its peoples during the colonial period, an indispensable first step toward addressing the consequences of that era, for which African countries and peoples continue to pay a heavy price in terms of exclusion, marginalization, and backwardness,” Attaf said.
The renewed push for reparations builds on discussions from the African Union’s February summit, where leaders backed a proposal to establish a unified stance on reparations and to officially classify colonization as a crime against humanity.
The effort reflects international norms that ban slavery, torture, and apartheid, and prohibit the seizure of territory by force under the UN Charter. However, the Charter does not explicitly address colonialism.
At the February summit, leaders explored a plan to establish a unified stance on reparations and formally classify colonization as a crime against humanity. They emphasized the enormous economic toll of colonial rule, estimated in the trillions, as European powers extracted vast wealth from Africa’s natural resources through violent exploitation, leaving communities impoverished.
Attaf emphasized that hosting the conference in Algeria was intentional, given the country’s history of brutal French colonial rule and its bloody struggle for independence. He noted that Algeria has long advocated for addressing colonialism under international law, while carefully navigating tensions with France, where the war’s legacy remains politically sensitive.
“Our continent retains the example of Algeria’s bitter ordeal as a rare model, almost without equivalent in history, in its nature, its logic and its practices,” Attaf said.
GivingTuesday: 4 Causes Worth Supporting These Black Nonprofits
Food, Shelter, Clothing and Education
GivingTuesday serves as an annual reminder that community is one of our most valuable assets. GivingTuesday serves organizations that support a range of causes and communities. It’s an opportunity to fill the gaps experienced by those who are marginalized and less fortunate. Black-led nonprofits continue their essential work to provide food and housing security, clothing, and educational opportunities. Here are four important causes and eight organizations that create substantial change in communities and have a human impact that extends beyond one day of giving.
Food
Umi Feeds
The nonprofit organization Umi Feeds, founded by Erica “Umi” Clahar, began in 2015 to rescue food and distribute meals to hungry and homeless people using surplus food to prepare healthy home-cooked meals. Umi Feeds provides hot meals, hygiene products, and clothing, and occasionally offers barber services and yoga sessions to hundreds of people primarily in Atlanta, as well as New York, Miami, and other locations across the country. The organization distributes free meals during regular mobile-market events and through outreach efforts to neighborhoods that lack sufficient food resources. People can support the organization through donations, volunteering, and financial support for their capacity expansion projects.
The National Black Food & Justice Alliance (NBFJA) comprises Black-led organizations, including Black farmers, land stewards, and food-justice activists. The organization works to achieve Black food sovereignty and land justice through its coordination of policy advocacy, resource-sharing, and institution-building efforts, which enable Black communities to control food systems. The NBFJA was founded in 2014 and operates across the United States by working with Black farmers and food justice organizations serving urban and rural areas. Their goal focuses on healing the racial oppression that Black communities faced in U.S. food and land systems by advancing self-determination for Black communities.
The nonprofit organization Black Veterans for Social Justice (BVSJ) was established in 1978 to assist Black veterans who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. The organization exists to deliver vital emergency housing, transitional housing, job support, and counseling services to Black veterans who lack adequate support. BVSJ operates from Brooklyn, providing services throughout the New York City region.
Well Cloth’d, Inc., founded by Leetah McGee and Jenne Richardson, is an organization based in Brooklyn, New York, that creates and delivers clothing and toiletry care packages while operating pop-up shops and personalized care drives to address actual needs. Well Cloth’d, Inc. started in 2017 and developed into a registered nonprofit through its ongoing donation programs and events. Its goal is to transform donating from random drop-offs into a dignity-centered, tailored distribution that helps recipients.
The 100 Black Men of America organization runs Tommy’s Closet to gather and distribute professional and business clothing, along with toiletries and other essentials, to HBCU and other Black students in need. The program operates across the country through its local chapters and HBCU partnerships while conducting campus drives and seasonal campaigns. The program’s mission is to eliminate barriers to student success by providing professional attire for interviews, internships, and campus opportunities to help Black students prepare professionally.
EDUCATION & OPPORTUNITY
United Negro College Fund
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) stands as the largest private organization that awards scholarships to Black students. Since 1944, UNCF has supported HBCUs through funding, scholarships, mentorship programs, and college readiness initiatives. UNCF functions from its Washington, D.C., headquarters to eliminate financial obstacles that prevent Black students from accessing educational degrees and career opportunities.
The Black-founded nonprofit Linden AI Institute leads initiatives for AI literacy and equal access to technology education. The organization delivers workshops, youth programs, teacher training, and community education around AI. The institute started operations in 2025 and delivers programs through remote access. Its mission focuses on keeping Black and marginalized communities from falling behind in the expanding AI economic sector. To donate for Giving Tuesday, follow this link.
BLACK ENTERPRISE Kicks Off ‘12 Days Of Christmas’ Gifts With Black-Owned Handbags
These designers create community by designing with purpose
The holiday season has arrived, and intentional shoppers, particularly pocketbook lovers, might want to begin their journey with Black-owned handbag brands. These emerging designers create community by designing with purpose. They tell stories, spark conversations, and drive cultural progress in the fashion accessories industry, all with a touch of luxury.
Our 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Gift Guide starts with 10 handbag designers whose craftsmanship, innovation, and social impact are gifts all on their own. These Black designers demonstrate through their work that investing in our own continues to be both stylish and strategic, with iconic staples, bold mini bags, and statement pieces with meaning.
The “Shopping Bag” from Telfar, nicknamed the “Bushwick Birkin,” features a 100% vegan leather design with the brand’s distinctive “T” logo. The bag debuted in 2014 but gained widespread popularity in 2017 after winning a fashion fund award. The bag, which was created in New York City, is available worldwide through online sales and brand drop events. Telfar represents “fashion democracy” by delivering a luxury experience through its affordable price while maintaining cultural significance.
The brand Brandon Blackwood was started in 2015 by American designer Brandon Blackwood. Its collection of modern luxury handbags and accessories features vibrant shoulder bags, totes, and statement pieces. The brand became well-known in 2020, after its socially conscious designs went viral. Celebrities have worn Brandon Blackwood bags, while fashion media worldwide have featured them. The brand creates high-fashion aesthetics and aspirational luxury, making it ideal for gifts that deliver a polished, elevated, runway-ready look.
Lola Banjo founded Silver & Riley Leather Bag, a Black-owned luxury handbag brand that creates Italian-made travel-ready leather products. The bags offer durable elegance and functional design for work, travel, and everyday use. Customers can choose from a variety of sizes, styles, and functional elements at Silver & Riley. The brand demonstrates its commitment to social impact through the “Buy 1, Give 5” initiative. These bags serve the needs of travelers, commuters, and luxury-item enthusiasts who want durable products.
ZARACHIOMA creates stylish mini handbags and accessories for customers seeking everyday luxury. The brand offers compact, clean-lined designs at affordable prices that suit casual outings and date nights and make great statement pieces. ZARACHIOMA delivers stylish, affordable handbags through its online platform.
The Black-owned brand Glam-Aholic Lifestyle sells fashionable everyday handbags, including totes, shoulder bags, and travel accessories. The brand creates functional, stylish products and actively releases seasonal and holiday collections. Glam-Aholic Lifestyle serves shoppers throughout the United States and provides affordable luxury products that deliver everyday glam without high prices. These stylish bags make ideal gifts for functional fashion lovers because they can transition seamlessly from day to night and travel to brunch without any hassle.
Blake Van Putten founded the Los Angeles-based brand CISE to create bags with social-justice messages such as “PROTECT BLACK PEOPLE / PROTECT BLACK WOMEN.” CISE gained popularity in 2020 through its statement bags, which combine fashion with activism and support community initiatives with proceeds. CISE bags make meaningful gifts for individuals who appreciate stylish accessories with purposeful intent, as they hold more than just essentials.
In 2013, Aurora James established Brother Vellies to develop a high-end handbag and accessory brand that safeguards traditional African craftsmanship. The business of Brother Vellies began in 2013 and introduced handbags in 2015, before adding footwear and accessories to its collection. Through its designs, Brother Vellies collaborates with artisans worldwide to incorporate global craftsmanship traditions. The brand employs artisans to create wearable art instead of producing mass-market products. Brother Vellies suits people who value artistic expression, cultural significance, and ethical luxury products.
The New York-based brand ASHYA was established in 2017 by designers Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece and produces handmade travel bags and structured accessories that draw inspiration from global designs, featuring minimalist aesthetics and unisex appeal. The brand creates refined travel-ready pieces designed in New York and sold directly online to customers who lead cosmopolitan lifestyles. ASHYA blends functional design with elegant style to serve travelers, commuters, and individuals who want stylish versatility for urban environments.
The brand Homage Year, founded in 2014 by designer Antoine Manning, produces unique vegan leather bags that convey sociopolitical and cultural messages. The brand continues to expand through new collections and innovative design methods. Homage Year sells its products through online platforms to buyers who want distinctive accessories. The brand creates manifestos through handbags, combining cultural reflection with personal expression and meaningful commitment rather than following trends. People who view handbags as statements of artistic identity will find the brand an ideal gift choice.
Afroyla creates leather handbags and wallets that are inspired by Black women’s pride and empowerment. Afroyla turns handbags into symbols that enable Black women to carry pride and resilience throughout their day. As a powerful gift, it reflects identity and confidence while paying homage to Black womanhood. The brand is based in the United States and offers online shipping to customers seeking Afro-centric accessories.
The Stephen Curry and Seth MacFarlane-executive-produced comedy series was among the latest round of animated series to get the axe, What’s On Netflix reports. The Good Times reboot, which premiered in 2024, garnered over 5 million views and featured a star-studded cast, but that wasn’t enough to secure a second season.
The show’s cancellation wasn’t unexpected, as Good Times Black Again—voiced by J.B. Smoove, Marsai Martin, Jay Pharoah, Yvette Nicole Brown, Tisha Campbell, and Wanda Sykes—faced more criticism than praise. Marketed as a modern take on the 1970s classic, the series struggled to resonate with viewers and longtime fans, with critics accusing it of leaning on racist stereotypes and failing to capture the original’s humor, humanity, and cultural insight.
In March, protestors even gathered outside Madison Square Garden demanding its cancellation. The Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People (CEMOTAP) led the opposition, calling the reboot a “racist cartoon” reminiscent of historically offensive tropes.
In an open letter to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, CEMOTAP co-chairs Dr. James McIntosh and Betty Dopson blasted the series for depicting Black characters as “unintelligent, violent, simian, and hypersexual,” criticizing its use of slurs, obscenity, and harmful stereotypes. They urged the public to boycott Netflix until the show was removed.
“We can’t think of anything that is more offensive than having toddlers with machine guns throwing menstrual blood in children’s faces…all those are the types of things that are in this cartoon,” McIntosh wrote.
The group also staged protests outside Netflix’s Manhattan headquarters and handed out leaflets to raise awareness about their concerns. CEMOTAP members even attended Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors games in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago to draw attention to their opposition to the show and his involvement.
The series reportedly earned 3.3 million views in the first half of 2024, with an additional 2.1 million by mid-2025. Despite totaling 5.4 million streams, the numbers weren’t enough to justify a second season. Coupled with ongoing controversy and declining viewership, Netflix has decided to cancel the “Good Times” reboot.
Platinum Rapper Toosii Pauses Rap Career To Play Football At Syracuse University
A platinum rapper, Toosii, with a Top 5 Billboard Hot 100 hit, has decided to put his recording career on hold to pursue a collegiate football career at Syracuse University.
According to The Athletic, the 25-year-old athlete, nee Nau’Jour Grainger, has signed a commitment letter to play at the NCAA Division I school. He will be joining a team that just finished a losing season with a 3-9 record, winning only one conference game (Atlantic Coast Conference).
The rapper-turned-athlete posted a message on Instagram, announcing his next career move to his nearly 5 million followers.
“COMMITTED 🙏🏽 For every kid who ever had a dream, make it reality. God’s will is the way, and no one can stop it, not even the devil. I wanna thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for even giving me the strength to chase what I believed when so many people told me I couldn’t.”
This is a homecoming of sorts for the rapper, as Toosii was born in Syracuse, New York. Growing up in North Carolina, he played the wide receiver position at Rolesville High School in Raleigh. He embarked on a music career and had a platinum (1 million units sold) hit with “Love Cycle” in 2020, while also earning a gold record (500,000 units) with “Poetic Pain.” His 2023 single, “Favorite Song,” became a viral TikTok hit and went double platinum.
Earlier this summer, he took to X to announce that he was putting the lyrics down while visiting several schools (Syracuse, North Carolina State, and Duke) and receiving a scholarship offer from Sacramento State.
Get Into This Black-Owned Gifts Guide For Black And Brown Children
This guide emphasizes two essential principles:giving children the gift of pride in their identity and supporting Black businesses through purposeful spending.
Books, clothes, and toys need representation, especially for Black children. Children who see their reflection in items they own and use develop self-esteem, cultural pride, and a sense of belonging. Purchasing holiday gifts from Black-owned children’s brands not only uplifts young people but also directs economic resources to businesses and communities that have faced historical marginalization. This gift guide emphasizes both essential principles: giving children the gift of pride in their identity and supporting Black businesses through purposeful spending.
Brown Toy Box — STEAM Kits & Educational Play
Atlanta-based entrepreneur Terri Nichelle Bradley established Brown Toy Box in 2017 to create STEAM toys that feature African diaspora characters. The brand operates both an online and a physical store location in Atlanta. The brand delivers educational value through quality STEM content while representing cultural identities. The kits are an ideal gift for parents seeking STEM education that reinforces identity. Children aged 5 and up will benefit from the “Architecture & Engineering STEAM Kit” together with the “Coding & App STEAM Kit” as holiday gifts.
HarperIman Dolls — Dolls That Reflect Black Beauty & Identity
The mother-daughter team behind HarperIman Dolls created their brand to solve the problem of unrealistic Black skin tones and hair textures in dolls. The brand sells handmade linen/plush dolls featuring multiple skin tones and hair textures, and includes backstories that encourage positive self-image. The brand gained popularity in 2017–2018 through online sales with major retailers and remains a popular choice for inclusive dolls. Through imaginative play, these dolls provide representation that helps children recognize their beauty, affirm their identity and worth, and support their emotional and social development.
Puzzle Huddle — Representation-Focused Puzzles & Learning Games
The Black family founders of Puzzle Huddle create culturally affirming puzzles and educational games that depict Black children and professionals. The educational games work to establish Black excellence and aspirational representation as normal experiences. Puzzle Huddle’s collections are available online and across the United States. The company started operations in January 2018 and has gained recognition as a top choice for Black-owned children’s gifts. These puzzles depict Black children and serve as educational tools to develop identity and creativity and to expand children’s imagination. These educational tools target children between four and 10 years old and serve as meaningful holiday presents.
Ade + Ayo — African-Inspired Clothing & Lifestyle for Kids
Ade + Ayo is an African-inspired children’s clothing and lifestyle brand created by Temidayo Adedokun. The brand produces garments, accessories, and décor items that draw their inspiration from African textiles and aesthetics to deliver cultural representation beyond traditional toys. A growing number of Black-owned children’s apparel lines includes Ade + Ayo among emerging brands.
Melissa and Esi Orijin started Orijin Bees to make dolls that reflect the skin colors and hair types of Black and Brown children. The Baby Bee collection features soft dolls that promote diverse, natural play experiences. Orijin Bees expanded their market after establishing an online store and an Amazon retail partnership. The dolls serve as thoughtful gifts that help children recognize themselves, building self-esteem and cultural pride.
The Fresh Dolls — Fashion Dolls With Realistic Diversity
The Fresh Dolls is a Black-owned brand that produces dolls that showcase diverse skin tones, hair textures, and body shapes, which are rarely seen in popular dolls. The dolls and their associated clothing and accessories create both representation and normalization. The dolls can be purchased through online platforms. Fresh dolls make excellent gifts for children between preschool and elementary school age.
Little Muffin Cakes — Clothing, Bedding & Decor for Kids of Color
The Black-owned lifestyle brand Little Muffin Cakes offers clothing, along with bedding and decor specifically for kids of color. Their product range features apparel, blankets, pillows, quilts, and other lifestyle items designed to suit diverse skin tones and cultural patterns. Little Muffin Cakes delivers its products nationwide through online shipping and has gained recognition as one of the leading Black-owned baby/kids brands. The brand’s regular merchandise makes an ideal gift for newborns and toddlers.
The Magnus Company — Story-Driven Toys & Dolls For Kids Of Color
The Magnus Company, which is Black-owned, produces toys and stories that enhance the lives of children of color through storytelling. Their dolls and toys, along with story-based play items, focus on children of color to create a play experience that celebrates cultural pride and identity. The Magnus Company sells its products through Black-owned online toy shops. These toys serve two purposes: They entertain while boosting self-esteem.
