by Kandiss Edwards

May 1, 2026

Megan Thee Philanthropist Teams Up With Habitat For Humanity

Since its launch, the Pete and Thomas Foundation has focused on education, housing, supporting the elderly, and health.

Grammy-winner and philanthropist Megan Thee Stallion has announced her next charitable efforts through a new partnership between her Pete and Thomas Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.

The collaboration, unveiled on April 30, focuses on a significant housing initiative in her hometown of Houston, specifically designed to provide sustainable, high-quality housing for senior citizens and veterans in underserved communities. This initiative marks a deepening of the artist’s commitment to her “H-Town” roots, leveraging the resources of her foundation—named in honor of her late parents, Holly Thomas and Joseph Pete Jr.—to address the city’s affordable housing crisis.

The partnership aims to construct several new residential complexes that prioritize accessibility and wellness for the elderly. Megan, who has frequently spoken about the influence of her grandmother and her parents on her career, emphasized that this project is about giving back to the people who built the community. The initiative includes senior-centric designs with universal features that enable aging in place, such as walk-in showers and emergency response systems. Furthermore, a portion of the homes will be reserved for military veterans, and the developments will include community gardens to foster intergenerational connection.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pete & Thomas Foundation (@petethomasfdn)

Since its launch, the Pete and Thomas Foundation has focused on education, housing, support for the elderly, and health. This latest venture with Habitat for Humanity follows Megan’s previous efforts to provide relief after the Texas freeze and her ongoing mental health initiatives. Habitat for Humanity officials praised the partnership, noting that Megan’s involvement brings vital attention and funding to housing insecurity, allowing the organization to reach a new generation of donors and volunteers while providing safety and dignity for Houston residents for decades to come.

While Megan continues to build a lasting legacy through physical infrastructure in her hometown, she is also making waves in the world of high-stakes performance art. The Houston native recently made her highly anticipated Broadway debut in the hit musical Moulin Rouge! Her transition to musical theater further cements Megan’s status as a versatile, multihyphenate entertainer capable of dominating the charts, stage, and business.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 1, 2026

GoFundMe For Ashlee Jenae’s Family Surpasses $50K Goal As They Prepare Funeral Arrangements

The GoFundMe for the family of Ashlee Jenae has surpassed its $50,000 goal as they prepare funeral arrangements following the return of her body from Tanzania.

The body of American influencer Ashlee Jenae has been returned to her family after her sudden death in Tanzania, where she celebrated her 31st birthday with a proposal from her fiancé. After surpassing a $50,000 GoFundMe goal, her loved ones are now preparing for her funeral.

Jenae’s father, Harry Robinson, said her remains were returned to the family in New Jersey on April 24, but without her personal belongings, including her engagement ring, TMZ reports. He said the family is unsure if or when those items will be returned, believing they are still being held as the investigation remains active.

The family is now planning a funeral service in New Jersey for early next week and has received an outpouring of support through a GoFundMe launched after her death.

“As we grieve, we are also navigating an ongoing investigation and the challenges of being thousands of miles away while trying to bring Ashly home with dignity and seek answers,” Jenae’s parents, Harry Robinson and Yolanda Denise Endres, wrote on the campaign page. “This fund is in response to those asking how to help and will support travel costs, arrangements, and unexpected expenses during this time. Thank you for standing with our family.”

As of April 30, the fundraiser for Jenae, real name Ashly Robinson, had climbed to nearly $64,000, surpassing its $50,000 goal as support poured in following widespread media coverage. She and her fiancé, Joseph McCann, had checked into a hotel April 6, but she was found unconscious two days later and pronounced dead April 9. Staff at Zuri Zanzibar reportedly separated the couple into different rooms after an argument, though the reason remains unclear.

In the days before her death, Jenae shared moments from the trip, including her engagement. Authorities in Zanzibar have said she died by suicide, while her fiancé was questioned as a witness. Her sister, Alyssa Endres, said the family disputes that claim, describing Jenae as happy and excited about her future.

“She was so ready to take the next steps with who she thought was the love of her life,” she said. “She was so happy with the choices that she had made and in the places that she was. She was happy.”

The family has since ordered an independent autopsy, with results still pending. They say they’ve had limited contact with McCann and are working to obtain hotel surveillance footage in hopes of clarifying her final hours. They are also considering traveling to Tanzania to meet directly with officials as they continue seeking answers.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 30, 2026

Side Hustlers On Taskrabbit Can Earn Up To Six Figures A Year, CEO Says

Amid a cooling job market, Taskrabbit’s CEO is highlighting the platform’s strong earning potential for job seekers.

Amid a slowing job market, side-hustle platforms are seeing renewed demand, with some users earning as much as six figures annually, according to one CEO.

With the rise of AI, economic uncertainty, and high living costs, job seekers are facing a tough landscape. But Ania Smith, CEO of Taskrabbit, says the platform continues to offer a path to extra income. Since taking the helm in 2020, she has focused on better matching supply and demand, and has seen a recent graduate in New York City earn more than $200,000 in his first year on the platform.

“He was a student at NYU who was just graduating and didn’t yet have a full‑time job,” Smith shared with Entrepreneur. “He had heard of Taskrabbit, figured out how to mount TVs and knew Manhattan really well. Also, he got a mini scooter so he could get around quickly. Sometimes he could do two TV mountings an hour, sometimes even three, and he would group jobs close together. He made well over $200,000 on the platform, even in his first year. There are many success stories like that.”

Earnings on Taskrabbit vary by location and type of work, with different markets commanding different hourly rates. Smith said the U.S. average is around $50 an hour, while in places like New York City, it can reach about $55 an hour.

With multiple ways to earn on Taskrabbit, Smith says success ultimately comes down to a user’s skills and what they aim to get out of the platform.

“They can focus and become great at one category, or expand into multiple categories; they can focus on one geographic area or expand their area,” she said. “They can decide whether they want to do more jobs at a lower base rate, or fewer jobs at a higher base rate, depending on their skills. There are many ways to think about maximizing earnings on our platform.”

Amid a shifting U.S. job market — where growth is concentrated in sectors like healthcare and worker confidence is declining — side hustles are gaining traction again. An estimated 33% to 45% of Americans, or roughly 70–80 million people, rely on them to supplement income, with 44% saying they’re essential for financial survival. While many use the extra earnings (averaging $885 to $1,215 a month) to cover expenses, others put it toward savings or turning hobbies into businesses.

For those considering trying out TaskRabbit to earn extra income, Smith offered some advice.

“I would say first, sign up. Look on the platform and see the types of jobs that are available and the categories we provide services in,” she said. “Understand your skill set and think about how to best market yourself. We allow you to add photos and describe your skills. Be prompt in responding to job requests, be reliable so you’re there when you say you will, and set your hourly rate within the right range so people want your services. And then be good and courteous when you show up and do the job well.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 30, 2026

Black Woman-Owned Mocktail Brand Rebounds With New Investment After Co-Founder’s Death

Monica Cornitcher, founder of MEDASE Cocktails, shares how she rebuilt the business after a hiatus following her co-founder’s death from breast cancer.

MEDASE Cocktails is approaching one year since its relaunch following the death of co-founder, Inga Dyer, from breast cancer. Determined to honor her late friend, sorority sister, and business partner, Monica Cornitcher is opening up about how she rebuilt the business and is carrying the brand forward.

Launched in 2023, MEDASE Cocktails entered the growing non-alcoholic market, appealing to Gen Z, expectant mothers, and others seeking a sober social experience, AfroTech reported. The idea came from two Howard University alumni and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. sisters who reconnected in California and wanted alcohol-free options while socializing.

They self-funded the launch of the premium, organic, zero-proof brand — named after “medaase,” meaning “thank you” in Ghana’s Asante Twi — and debuted with two flavors: Hello Sunshine Margarita and Goodnight Moon Moscow Mule, developed with a Black female chemist. But just one year into launch, Dyer passed away from breast cancer, leaving Cornitcher to carry the vision forward.

After taking time to regroup, she has since relaunched the brand, continuing to honor her partner’s legacy.

“Do I keep moving on? There was also a lot of emotional things that I was going through around the death of a friend,” Cornitcher recalled of how she felt at the time Dryer passed. “Inga wasn’t the first person who passed in my life of cancer. Both of my parents passed of cancer, my brother passed of cancer… I had to sit with myself for a couple of months to figure out what am I gonna do? Am I gonna keep moving forward? And towards the end of the year, I said, ‘You know what? Let me pick myself up, brush myself off, and let me restart again.’”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Medase Non-Alcoholic Cocktails (@medasecocktails)

In June 2025, Cornitcher relaunched MEDASE Cocktails with an expanded lineup, adding four new flavors rooted in a vision she and her late co-founder had outlined in a detailed 60-page plan.

“We had a very, very detailed end-to-end business plan… So it was not a surprise to me that our next flavors [were] gonna be a Jamaican Rum Punch, Lemon Drop, Old Fashioned,” Cornitcher said.

Just a year after its relaunch, MEDASE Cocktails is gaining momentum. Cornitcher is elated after securing a strategic investment to expand distribution, operations, and marketing, and help lower prices and position the brand for potential $20 million in annual sales.

With presence on Amazon, TikTok Shop, and its website, as well as in select retail locations and hospitality venues, MEDASE is in expansion talks with eyes on its key markets, including Chicago, Atlanta, the D.C. area, and Texas.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Medase Non-Alcoholic Cocktails (@medasecocktails)

MEDASE is also targeting younger consumers through a student ambassador program and campus pop-ups, tapping into Gen Z’s growing interest in mocktails, with a full rollout planned for fall 2026.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 30, 2026

Serena Williams Honored With Custom Lincoln Navigator Featuring Rose Design

The vehicle marks her nearly three-decade relationship with the flagship SUV.

Lincoln has unveiled a one-of-one bespoke Navigator for longtime brand ambassador and tennis icon Serena Williams, celebrating her nearly three-decade relationship with the flagship SUV.

The custom build, revealed April 29, was developed in collaboration with Galpin Lincoln and features “Perfect Rose” exterior paint. The shade is a shimmering, warm copper-pink finish that pays homage to Williams’ favorite flower. The vehicle is accented with Satin Rose Copper and Satin Obsidian details, including a custom heart-shaped petal rose emblem on the B-pillar and rear split gate.

The interior, designed to feel like a “warm, cozy hug,” introduces a “Clay Court” and “Afterglow” two-tone leather theme, nodding to Williams’ early-career success on clay surfaces. Intricate details include a subtle perforation pattern resembling a tennis ball on the seats, sheepskin carpeting, and hand-painted depictions of the Big and Little Dipper constellations on the center console, Detroit News reported.

In a deeply personal touch, the door sill plates are laser-engraved with Williams’ personal mantra, “Keep going,” alongside the birth years of her family members.

See Serena Williams’ specially designed pink Lincoln Navigator https://t.co/9XHcM5bpLZ

— The Detroit News (@detroitnews) April 29, 2026

Williams, who famously purchased her first Navigator with prize money from her first major tournament win in 1998, worked closely with Lincoln Global Design Director Christine Park Cheng to ensure the vehicle reflected her evolution as an athlete, mother, and entrepreneur. Hidden storage areas, including the glovebox and center console, are lined in hot pink, a nod to her favorite color. The SUV serves as a symbolic celebration from the brand to its most prominent advocate.

Beyond her decades-long partnership with Lincoln, Williams has significantly expanded her footprint in the business world. BLACK ENTERPRISE covered one of Williams’ latest acquisitions in the sports world. A coalition of high-profile Black athletes and entertainers, including Serena Williams, Russell Wilson, and Ciara, has joined a growing list of investors backing the NFL’s new professional flag football league.

For investors like Wilson and Williams, this move further solidifies their status as major players in the sports business. The Wilsons already hold ownership stakes in the Seattle Sounders FC. At the same time, Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, are the principal owners of the Los Angeles Golf Club and investors in Angel City FC.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 30, 2026

Mopreme Shakur Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit For Tupac’s Murder

Mopreme Shakur’s team argues that a "wall of silence" and investigative negligence prevented the family from seeking justice,

Tupac Shakur’s stepbrother, Maurice “Mopreme” Shakur, has filed a high-profile wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court nearly three decades after a drive-by shooting claimed the life of the hip-hop legend.

The wrongful death lawsuit targets several individuals and entities involved in the tragedy. Mopreme alleges that recent developments in the criminal investigation, specifically the 2023 indictment of Duane “Keefe D” Davis, have provided the missing links necessary to hold parties civilly liable for the 1996 murder. Mopreme Shakur’s legal team argues that for years, a “wall of silence” and investigative negligence prevented the family from seeking justice, according to The Los Angeles Times.

The complaint alleges that the “complex conspiracy” to kill Tupac involved a larger network of individuals than previously acknowledged by investigators. It suggests that certain parties provided the resources and logistical support that allowed the shooters to carry out the ambush on the Las Vegas Strip and subsequently evade capture for nearly 29 years.

The family of Tupac Shakur has filed a new wrongful death lawsuit against the man charged with the rap icon’s murder.

On Wednesday (April 29), the Los Angeles Times reported that 2Pac’s stepbrother, Maurice “Mopreme” Shakur, has sued Duane “Keefe D” Davis and dozens of… pic.twitter.com/Hbz9TkPdtl

— Headlines (@headlines_blog) April 30, 2026

Wrongful death suits typically face strict statutes of limitations; however, Mopreme’s attorneys are invoking the “discovery rule.” They argue that the clock for filing should only have started when the new, critical evidence regarding the conspiracy was unsealed and made public following Davis’s arrest.

“This is about more than just a settlement; it is about a full accounting of the truth,” Mopreme Shakur said in a statement. “For 29 years, my family has lived with unanswered questions. The recent revelations in the criminal case have opened a door that we cannot, in good conscience, leave closed.”

The estate of Tupac Shakur is not listed as a primary plaintiff, as Mopreme is filing as an individual heir. While the criminal trial for Duane Davis is set to begin later this year, this civil suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. Legal experts suggest the discovery phase of the lawsuit could force the disclosure of long-hidden records from the original Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigation.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 30, 2026

Former BET CEO, Debra Lee, Turns A New Leaf With Namesake Collection Of Luxury Handbags

Former BET CEO, Debra Lee, is pursuing a lifelong passion for fashion with the launch of a namesake luxury handbag collection.

After years of leadership in the boardroom, Debra Lee has launched a designer handbag line that fellow women powerhouses can align with.

On April 29, the former CEO of BET unveiled The Debra Lee Collection, a new line of luxury handbags featuring four styles — the Debi, Ava, Billie Mini, and Quinn. All crafted from sustainable calf leather, the collection marks a bold new chapter after her decades-long career steering a media juggernaut.

“This collection represents a meaningful pivot in my life and career,” Lee told The Hollywood Reporter. “After decades spent building organizations and supporting culture and creativity through my work, this is an opportunity to create something personal. More than that, I hope it inspires women to follow their passions, even if the path isn’t always direct.”

Crafted in Italy, the line is designed with the “accomplished woman” in mind, offering pieces meant to move seamlessly through every aspect of her life. Featuring four signature styles made from sustainable calf leather and offered in seasonal colors, The Debra Lee Collection brings fresh options to the luxury handbag market, with prices ranging from $900 to $2,300.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Debra Lee (@iamdebralee)

It’s a true passion project for Debra Lee, rooted in a dream she first had in college before her career took her into the executive world. Raised by two seamstress grandmothers and a mother who taught her to sew, she had early ties to fashion.

But after graduating from Brown University, earning a master’s at Harvard University, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, her focus shifted to business. She joined BET in 1986 as general counsel, rose to president and CEO in 1996, and later became chairman and CEO in 2005 — a role she held until 2018.

“Ever since college, I dreamed of working in fashion. Life took me on a different path, one I’m deeply grateful for, but that dream never left me,” she shared in an Instagram announcement. “Today, I’m proud to introduce the Debra Lee Collection: a luxury handbag line handcrafted in Italy, designed for the woman who moves through many worlds.”

Lee continued. “My mother taught me to sew. Both of my grandmothers were seamstresses. Craftsmanship has always been part of who I am. These bags are the most personal thing I’ve ever created. Sometimes life takes you in unexpected directions. But it is never too late to take a risk and pursue something that excites you.”

Now serving on the boards of Warner Bros. Discovery, Marriott International, and Procter & Gamble, along with founding Leading Women Defined and co-founding Monarch Collective, Lee created her luxury handbag line with the ambitious woman in mind.

“After more than 30 years in business, I feel ready to take this leap and create something entirely my own,” she said. “Handbags seemed like the perfect entry point; a limited collection built on the highest quality — equal parts beautiful and functional — designed for women whose style is as distinctive as their ambitions.”

by Kandiss Edwards

April 30, 2026

Chick-Fil-A Employee Arrested For Stealing $80K Using Mac-N-Cheese Scam

Jones allegedly performed hundreds of suspicious transactions which led to his illicit $80,000 take home pay.

A Chick-fil-A employee has been arrested after allegedly orchestrating an elaborate financial scheme involving the chain’s popular side dishes to embezzle more than $80,000.

Keyshun Jones, a long-time employee at a busy metro Atlanta location, has been charged with property theft, money laundering, and evading arrest. His arrest follows a month-long investigation. According to CBS Texas, Jones allegedly used a “mac and cheese” refund scam to steal thousands from the company.

Investigators allege that Jones, who has been recently terminated, conducted the transactions off the clock to avoid detection. Surveillance video shows Jones ringing up mac and cheese orders and subsequently refunding the purchase to his personal credit card. The franchise owner finally flagged the discrepancy. An investigation was conducted by the Texas Attorney General’s Fugitive Task Force. Jones performed hundreds of suspicious transactions, which led to his $80,000 take home pay.

ALERT: Chick-fil-A employee accused of using mac and cheese to steal over $80,000 from one of their locations in Grapevine, Texas.

A Chick-fil-A owner reported hundreds of phony refunds to the Grapevine Police.

Detectives noticed Keyshun Jones, an employee who was terminated a… pic.twitter.com/b6Bipjtcm1
— E X X ➠A L E R T S (@ExxAlerts) April 29, 2026

While one man is being indicted for stealing from a Chick-fil-A, another is making history within the corporation.

Kareem Edwards has solidified his place in local history as the first Black man to serve as a Chick-fil-A owner-operator in Chicago. Edwards, an entrepreneur who previously held positions on Wall Street and at Google, opened his franchise at the height of the pandemic in January 2021.

The New York native credits his success to a foundation of discipline instilled by his mother and the strategic partnership of his wife, Janelle. Edwards’ operational philosophy extends beyond the kitchen; he manages a team of nearly 100 employees and has implemented diversity-focused vendor policies, including partnering with local Black-owned businesses for essential services. His commitment to Chicago’s South Loop community is evidenced by a $50,000 donation to Just Roots Chicago, a nonprofit urban farming organization dedicated to expanding access to fresh, sustainable food in the city.

In addition to his role at the restaurant, Edwards actively addresses regional food insecurity through meal donations and an annual back-to-school breakfast program for local educators. By successfully navigating the rigorous Chick-fil-A selection process—where thousands apply for only a handful of openings annually—Edwards has become a prominent figure in the city’s entrepreneurial landscape.

cuba, president. Miguel Canel-Diaz, Trump

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 30, 2026

Trump’s Military Action Against Cuba Receives Greenlight After Rejecting Bid

The Trump Administration has been in talks with the Cuban government in order to lift the close to total blockade from the U.S. on oil in exchange for continuous economic and governance reforms and detainee release.

Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic effort to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to take military action in Cuba, according to USA Today.

The measure, led by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, failed in an April 28 vote after 50 Republicans and one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted to prevent it from advancing. Kaine, who has introduced similar measures related to Iran, said Congress has a duty to check presidential war powers.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky broke with their party to support the measure. Kaine said he made similar attempts in an effort to stop military hostilities from taking place in Iran.

“When there are efforts by an executive to go too far, then it is up to Congress to stand up and provide a check,” the senator said.

The Trump administration has been negotiating with Cuba over easing oil restrictions in exchange for political and economic reforms, including the release of detainees. Cuban officials have rejected those demands.

Democratic leaders like Sen. Peter Welch (Vermont) said he feels the strategy for Cuba “is to crush them into dust.”

“It’s a policy that’s going to result in suffering for even more people,” he said as Trump promised a “new dawn for Cuba.”

“There was a very solid basis for Sen. Kaine’s war powers resolution.”

While Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans, who are the majority, to “do Trump a favor” by voting against him before the vote, according to Politico, GOP Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, home to the largest Cuban population in the country, blamed Democrats for allegedly ignoring human rights violations of Cuba’s government in favor of scoring political points against Trump.

“This president has never said he wants to put boots on the ground,” Scott said.

“This is a complete waste of time, and it is a complete insult to Cubans in Cuba and Cubans in my state.”

As Democratic lawmakers are also attempting to bring a bill to the floor that will pause Trump’s ability to attack Cuba with federal funds, Republican leaders aren’t even clear on the Trump administration’s priorities regarding Cuba, as the Iran conflict has taken precedence.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) said he trusts Secretary of State and Cuban American Marco Rubio to handle issues in the Western Hemisphere.

“They could not have a better point person,” Hoeven said of Rubio.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 30, 2026

A New Initiative Aims To Honor America’s Martyrs

The choice of July 5th intentionally aligns with the anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 landmark speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?,

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4, a new movement is underway to establish July 5th as “Martyrs Day.”

This initiative is spearheaded by Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, an EMMY Award-winning writer, playwright, and social justice attorney who serves as a Professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College (CUNY). She is an author of works such as A Protest History of the United States. Browne-Marshall has previously served as a Resident Fellow and Visiting Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and has litigated numerous civil rights cases.

In a press release, Browne-Marshall spoke about the concept of Martyrs Day. The author believes a key pillar of America is protest.

“The Declaration of Independence is a protest document,” she said. “We are a nation birthed from protest. Since 1776, this country has seen many people lose their lives for the sake of equality under law.”

Professor Browne-Marshall emphasizes the cost many activists have paid to create a better, more equitable nation. Martyrs Day intends to honor that legacy and serve as a national day of remembrance for protesters who gave their lives in the ongoing struggle for justice.

The choice of July 5th intentionally aligns with the anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 landmark speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?. In the speech, Douglas challenged the United States to live up to its founding ideals of freedom and equality.

Beyond a day of reflection, the Martyrs Day movement serves as a vital call to action for communities and organizations nationwide. The day will encourage the public to recognize activists, organizers, and social justice leaders from any era whose work advanced civil rights and equality.

Furthermore, the initiative seeks to foster historical memory and civic engagement through education regarding the long struggle for justice. Browne-Marshall envisions this as a moment to honor the legacy of those who helped make freedom a reality and to recommit to continuing their unfinished work.