‘Keep Sapelo Geechee’: Voters Strike Down Rezoning Laws Threatening Gullah Geechee Land
It's a victory for the Gullah Geechee residents living in the Hogg Hammock community of Sapelo Island.
Voters in coastal Georgia rejected an ordinance that would have allowed the construction of larger homes on Sapelo Island, one of the few remaining communities founded by the Gullah Geechee people—descendants of enslaved Africans living along the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia, and northern Florida.
The Jan. 20 vote on a referendum organized by Sapelo Island residents successfully reversed McIntosh County commissioners’ 2023 decision to double the size of homes allowed in Sapelo Island’s predominantly Black Hogg Hummock community.
Supporters of the referendum argued that letting wealthy outsiders build large vacation homes could raise property taxes, making them unaffordable for local residents and possibly forcing them off their land.
Island residents said they were blindsided in 2023 when commissioners attempted to weaken a special zoning ordinance enacted 30 years earlier to protect Hogg Hummock landowners from significant tax increases. The commissioners voted to increase the maximum size of homes in Hogg Hummock from 1,400 to 3,000 square feet (130 to 278 square meters). They said the changes would allow more living space for families and claimed they had no intention of displacing Black landowners.
Gullah Geechee residents mobilized voters through a petition with 2,300 signatures and challenged commissioners in the Georgia Supreme Court to secure a special election. Unofficial returns showed that roughly 85 percent of voters who cast ballots supported the referendum, according to WTOC News. According to reports, only about 19 percent of the island’s registered voters took part in the special election.
Located about an hour’s drive south of Savannah, the state of Georgia owns most of Sapelo Island’s 30 square miles, and there are no roads connecting the island to the mainland. Hogg Hummock, also known as Hog Hammock, encompasses approximately one square mile. About 30 to 50 Gullah Geechee residents still live in homes along dirt roads in the community.
In 1966, Hogg Hummock was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of treasured U.S. historic sites. But efforts to preserve the community ultimately depend on the local government in McIntosh County, where white residents make up 65% of the county’s population.
“People worked hard to get this land on Sapelo, and they worked hard to preserve who they are,” Maurice Bailey, a Sapelo Island native, told the Associated Press.
“Without this land, all of our descendants lose their connection,” added Bailey, the founder of Save Our Legacy Ourselves (SOLO), which aims to preserve Gullah Geechee history and culture through farming, told the outlet.
Nigerian Designer Temi Coker Drops New Home Collection For Walmart
The designer says that the partnership represents a "full circle" moment.
Multidisciplinary artist Temi Coker has teamed up with Walmart to launch a new vibrant home decor collection.
“My children are the product of two cultures – African and African American. I wanted to create heirlooms that celebrate the beauty in that duality,” said Coker, who lives in Dallas and was born in Nigeria, said in a press release.
“This collection honors the vibrant textiles, colors, and culture of my Nigerian childhood while embracing my wife’s African American heritage, creating pieces that speak to both identities.”
The collection includes rugs, throws, pillows, and vases with deep meaning. The textured pieces symbolize curls, coils, and braids of textured hair belonging to people of African descent. The designs are also inspired by the vibrant colors often seen in Nigerian culture.
“I just love how loud Nigeria was, and in loudness there is a lot of joy,” he said.
Coker describes his partnership with the retail giant as a “full‑circle” moment. He said his very first pair of shoes came from Walmart, and because so many people in his community shop there, launching his home collection in the store feels “extremely special.”
Creighton Kiper, senior vice president of home at Walmart U.S., said this partnership helps the retailer fulfill a mission.
“We are on a journey to democratize style, and our new Temi Coker collection is an exciting opportunity to bring his authentic perspective and bold, beautiful designs exclusively to Walmart customers,” Kiper said in the press release. “Partnering with artists and creators like Temi Coker allows us to uniquely deliver style and joy to every space, effortlessly and affordably.
Coker notes that in Nigerian culture, the living room often serves as the main gathering place, and through his designs, he brings the vibrancy of that tradition into the space while keeping it affordable and accessible to the masses, with items ranging from $14 to $ 320.
The designer has worked on projects with notable clients such as AT&T, The Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, Peloton, and Adobe
Shoppers can purchase products from the Temi Coker Collection exclusively on the Walmart Website.
Privilege At Its Peak: White Students Who Gifted Black Peer Fried Chicken And Watermelon Now Suing For $10M
The suit claims that Kellam High Principal Ryan Schubart, the superintendent, and the chief of schools put out a false narrative of the initial incident.
Five white high school students from Virginia have filed a $10 million civil lawsuit claiming defamation against the principal who suspended them after they allegedly gifted fried chicken and watermelon to a Black special education student, Blavity reports.
Six students were involved, according to reports, but only five filed lawsuits, including petitions for judicial review of three students’ suspensions and a $3 million lawsuit.
As the incident happened in March 2025, initial lawsuits were filed over the summer. But recent litigation alleges that Kellam High Principal Ryan Schubart, the superintendent, and the chief of schools put out a false narrative of the initial incident, resulting in immense damages, including harm to students’ reputations.
According to The Virginian-Pilot, on March 12, 2025, the special education student was presented with a birthday card full of handwritten well wishes and other gifts, including candy, a bag of fried chicken, watermelon, and grape Kool-Aid.
School security cameras captured students hugging and laughing after the gift exchange. The teacher felt Schubart needed to be aware that the kids who gave the fried chicken were white; the student was Black.
The white teens told the principal it was just a joke, that the birthday person thought it was funny, and even requested the gift. Schubart sent a notice to the students’ parents, making them aware of the incident and the consequences of suspension.
According to the lawsuit, Schubart’s initial memo contained “reckless disregard for the truth,” causing harm to the plaintiffs’ “reputations, emotional well-being and prospects.” The suit claims the students have been physically threatened, stalked, and confronted by strangers and that they have suffered damage to their property.
“These statements falsely accused the minor Plaintiffs of engaging in racist harassment, despite evidence to the contrary, including video footage and the context of the events in question,” the lawsuit said.
There have been conflicting accounts of what happened that day, with a witness claiming the receiver said, “You’ve got to be kidding me” after receiving the “gift.” The same report alleged that the birthday person described the gift as “Black people’s food.”
Tim Anderson, who is representing the student plaintiffs, released a statement claiming that the victim “thought the card was funny.”
“They gave their friend a birthday gift, and in hindsight, was it the smartest thing to do? No. But these are ninth graders, and ninth graders don’t make the best judgment, so the context matters,” Anderson said.
Hours after the issue, community and school board members, as well as NAACP representatives, contacted the school.
“While the perpetrators were children, they must be taught that these egregious acts will not be tolerated in Virginia Beach or at Kellam High School,” Virginia Beach School Board Member Melinda Rogers wrote in a lengthy Facebook post, saying she was “sickened, disgusted, and heartbroken” by the incident.
“I urge the Kellam community to speak to their own children this evening and reinforce why these racist actions are wrong and why they must never be complicit in them,” Rogers added.
Ghanian authorities arrested 53 Nigerian nationals suspected of being involved in a massive cybercrime network.
Ghanaian authorities have confirmed the arrest of 53 Nigerian nationals linked to a cybercrime operation based in and around the capital, Accra, with officials saying some were suspects while others may have been victims.
On Jan. 18, Communications Minister Sam George confirmed the arrests in a post on X, saying the operation was carried out jointly by multiple agencies, including the Cyber Security Authority. He said 44 Nigerian men were trafficked to Ghana and forced to carry out cybercrime activities at offices across Accra.
”All the arrested individuals have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and further investigations,” the minister tweeted. “We caution foreign nationals invited to Ghana to verify claims made by their fellow nationals to lure them here.”
Nine Nigerians were arrested after a two-day, intelligence-led operation that raided multiple sites, seizing 62 laptops, 52 mobile phones, and two pump-action guns. Authorities say the 44 victims were lured to Ghana with promises of high-paying jobs, then confined to gated compounds, stripped of their documents, and forced into cybercrime.
The cybercrimes included romance scams, in which victims are persuaded to send money to a fictitious partner they believe is real, and business email compromise schemes, where perpetrators impersonate employers to steal funds or sensitive information.
The minister said suspects arrested in recent operations have either been handed over to Nigerian authorities or are facing prosecution in Ghana. The arrests come amid intensified efforts by the CSA and partner agencies to crack down on cybercrime, including coordinated operations with U.S. law enforcement to target high-profile offenders.
Recent cases include the arrest of Ghanaian social media influencer Abu Trica, born Frederick Kumi, who is accused of stealing $8 million (£5.9 million) from vulnerable Americans through a romance scam, as well as the takedown of a syndicate that defrauded more than 200 victims of $400,000 (£300,000).
Pastor Michael Todd Calls Druski Skit Weapon ‘Of Mass Distraction’
"The thing that I was most taken aback by was how much frustration it created in people."
Pastor Michael Todd is addressing being linked to Druski’s recent skit poking fun at megachurch pastors, saying that while he found it “hilarious,” he also believes it serves as a “weapon of mass distraction.”
The Transformation Church leader took to the pulpit on Jan. 18 to issue his response to the memorable skit, which highlighted a megachurch pastor decked out in a Christian Dior suit and Christian Louboutin shoes who danced around on stage and demanded donations from his congregation.
While Todd acknowledged that the skit was “hilarious” and genuinely funny, he said the real issue isn’t whether Druski “went too far,” but how the viral moment pulled people into constant watching and reacting, distracting them from their greater purpose.
“The thing that I was most taken aback by was how much frustration it created in people,” Todd said in a clip shared online. “Like, I was literally watching people go back and forth with people and denounce people and call people names and do stuff. And I stepped back for a second. I said, ‘Oh my gosh.’ All this was was an attack on people’s lives of distraction.”
Pastor Mike Todd talked about druski’s church skit and claims it was all a distraction
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) January 19, 2026
After citing examples of people neglecting their homes and children while arguing with strangers online, Todd said the reaction to the skit reflects yet another distraction pulling people away from their God-given work. “And you thought it was some attack on the church,” he explained. “No, it was an attack on your focus.”
Todd also lightly addressed the “luxury pastor” narrative Druski highlighted in the skit, saying he was unaware of the online debate because he hasn’t been on social media.
“A few people told me what was going on,” Todd said. “That’s crazy—I don’t even have a Rolls-Royce.”
He also called out an AI-generated image showing him wearing the same Christian Dior suit Druski wore in the skit, joking that “I don’t remember being that big.”
White House Fuming Over Jeffrey Epstein Birthday Card On The Mall
The White House doesn’t seem too happy about the larger-than-life replica of a birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein, with a sexually suggestive drawing of a naked woman’s torso with what appears to be President Donald Trump’s signature, that was placed on Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, the Daily Beast reports.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson released a statement pointing the finger at Democrats for the installation, made by the anonymous collective the Secret Handshake. “Kudos to these Trump Deranged Liberals for constantly inventing new ways to light Democrat donor money on fire by spreading fake news,” Jackson said while questioning when Democratic leaders with Epstein ties will be put on blast.
The 10-foot-tall replica appeared late Jan. 18, close to the United States Capitol, just days before Jan. 20 — which would have been the convicted sex offender’s 73rd birthday. A box of Sharpies was included with the installation, inviting tourists and visitors to sign the “card to the administration,” which seemed to feature negative messages.
“Happy Birthday To A ‘Terrific Guy!,” the mock card read, according to the New York Times, a reference to Trump’s 2002 description of the disgraced financier. The other side features a drawing of a female torso, with “Donald” written just below the waist and the cryptic message, “may every day be another wonderful secret.”
A giant twelve foot tribute to Jeffrey Epstein-Donald Trump’s infamous birthday card has been erected in the National Mall, Washington. pic.twitter.com/9uI3MBYJTe
Trump has repeatedly denied writing, drawing, or having anything to do with the note, despite his very distinctive signature at the bottom. The president once sued The Wall Street Journal and its parent companies for bringing the card to light.
Some may look at the card as a shot at lawmakers for failure to release all the Epstein files, which they had a duty to do in 30 days under the bi-partisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law Nov. 19. Spouting duties of being transparent, the Department of Justice, whose director Pam Bondi once said the files did not exist, disappointed the American people by disclosing only a fraction of the documents.
While the White House may hope people forget about it, others are celebrating the artists for keeping their foot on Trump’s neck and keeping the issue front and center.
“Looking forward to your jail sentence, DJT!” one card message read, while another said, “The people will rise. We already are.”
Susan Fritz, a D.C. resident, said she likes how the artists “didn’t have to make anything up.” “They just had to blow it up and put it out here,” the 61-year-old said.
This isn’t the first time the Secret Handshake has reminded the people of Trump’s alleged relationship with Epstein in a very public and bold way. In September 2025, in honor of “Friendship Month,” a 12-foot bronze statue painted in Trump’s likeness appeared in the same spot, depicting Trump and Epstein holding hands and skipping.
Morris Brown Reinstates President A Week After Abrupt Firing As New Allegations Emerge
New allegations have come to light accusing the reinstated president of sexual harassment, misuse of authority, and more.
Morris Brown College has reinstated its longtime president, but new allegations have popped up amid his return to the position.
Covered onBLACK ENTERPRISE last week, the Morris Brown Board of Trustees announced the transition of leadership from President Dr. Kevin James to an interim placeholder. As the news made headlines, James denounced his termination, citing accomplishments such as the HBCU’s reaccreditation since he became president in March 2019. In a public social media post, James also threatened legal action over the contractual obligations to fulfill his term.
As James and fellow community members condemned the Board’s decision and lack of transparency, the Board reversed the removal, reinstating James to his seat of power. James and local Atlanta news outlets also confirmed his return, as the academic leader called his reinstated appointment “The Hard Reset II.”
Although James seeks to continue his mission to strengthen Morris Brown and its revival, new allegations have emerged amid the controversy. WSB-TVreportedly obtained internal documents that accused the re-established leader of sexual harassment, abuse, and threats.
According to the news outlet, James’ initial firing came just a few months after he was suspended over multiple staffers’ grievances against him. Of the many accusations, James reportedly misused his authority, created a hostile and discriminatory work environment, and mishandled sexual reports while engaging in retaliatory treatment.
One of the grievances also called out James’s character and professional aptitude, stating he is “impulsive, tone deaf, lacks professionalism, displays severe issues of moral turpitude, and is such a dysfunctional character.”
While the Board cut off James’ tenure in light of these grievances, they acknowledged that their initial path to doing so did not fully resolve the workplace and administrative issues raised.
“…The board deeply regrets the harm this has caused our institution, students, families, donors, supporters, and Dr. James. While correcting a governance and process failure is necessary, the Board recognizes that this action alone — does not resolve broader concerns that have been raised regarding workplace culture, trust, and the experience of employees…,” wrote the board in a new statement.
However, as James returns to his desk, displeased administrators and shocked community members now have more questions on the HBCU’s future.
James responded, telling BE, “We will continue to operate with integrity at Morris Brown College and I will continue to have good character and lead effectively,”
A$AP Rocky Covers Rent For Residents In Old Harlem Neighborhood
"I wanted to do something that felt like giving back."
While discussing his latest album on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, A$AP Rocky revealed that he paid the rent for all the tenants in a building in his old Harlem neighborhood.
Rocky told Fallon that he was homeless growing up in New York City. Those struggles played a part in his generosity toward the residents where his grandmother lived.
“Well, some people might not know much about my early days, my past, and my background,” Rocky told Fallon. “So I grew up in the homeless shelter system, me and my family. And for me, when I look online and stuff, and I see TikToks of people doing things like donating to homeless people, it’s usually with a camera there. And for me, that’s a little pretentious. Or like, you know, it’s a little embarrassing for the recipient. So I wanted to do something that felt like giving back, but without trying to be too much, like, flashy about it.”
Before the release of his current album, Don’t be Dumb, the Harlem rapper announced a partnership with Bilt. On a special edition of the platform’s monthly game show, Rent Free, Rocky will appear as a contestant.
Members nationwide can win free rent payments of up to $2,500. The top 10 winners will receive signed copies of the exclusive vinyl edition of Don’t be Dumb. Hundreds of members will have more opportunities to earn bonus Bilt points through participation.
Don’t Be Dumb was released Jan. 16 and is available online.
‘Good and Nice:’ Dr Pepper Turns Fan’s Viral TikTok Jingle Into CFP National Championship Ad
The commercial ran twice during the Jan. 19 contest.
When Romeo Bingham created a catchy hook for Dr Pepper, they never expected the video to go viral beyond the internet. Now, the hit has gone from TikTok to national television as the soda brand used the tune in its ad campaign for the Football Playoff National Championship.
As a major fan of Dr Pepper, Bingham first made the video signaling their love for the soda Dec. 23. It swiftly went viral, garnering tens of millions of views for its homemade appeal. The video sparked its own trend as fellow creators and Dr. Pepper enthusiasts joined in with their own remixes of the soon-to-be jingle.
Dr Pepper also joined in on the craze in a major way by including the jingle in its commercials for the Jan. 19 championship. Co-produced by creative agency Deutsch, the ad gives the 25-year-old, known on TikTok as @romeosshow, rightful credit for the song at the bottom of the feature.
The 15-second ad twice during the championship game.
“Rather than overcomplicating the idea, we focused on honoring what made the jingle special in the first place. We kept the execution simple, built around the original hook, and let the earworm lead,” explained Deutsch’s co-chief creative officer Ryan Lehr, as reported by Bandt.
Since the ad’s airing, the Washington-based content creator will continue working with their favorite soda company to create more social content. Bingham’s viral hit is also proof of an evolving landscape for advertising, proving the power of diverse creators to further engage audiences.
Dr Pepper also acknowledged this untapped potential and influence of content creation in marketing efforts.
“…You can’t lose sight of what people are just telling you,” said Ben Sylvan, senior VP of connected media for Dr Pepper. “If you have tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people telling you that this is resonating, it’s telling you this is powerful content, and could be really impactful for your brand.”
National DJ Day: A Shout-Out To The Talent Behind the Turntables
Black DJs helped craft music culture.
Black disc jockeys have crafted music culture through their ear for sound, crowd control, and the creation of atmosphere, long before automated playlists and streaming platforms entered the ecosystem. The pioneers, who started in Bronx recreation centers, Chicago warehouses and basements, turned turntables into musical instruments while becoming cultural brokers.
The nation paid homage to the innovators—who established DJ’ing as a foundation of hip-hop by reimagining jazz, R&B, reggae, and soul—on January 20, National DJ Day.
Here are 13 DJs who paved the path to what we hear today.
DJ Kool Herc
During the 1970s, DJ Kool Herc revolutionized Bronx block parties by extending break sections from funk and soul records. This wizardry gave dancers extra space to dance and emcees more time to interact with the crowd. A 1973 party hosted by Herc is recognized as the event that transformed DJing from basic music playback into an artistic act—through his focus on rhythm and community, Herc established the foundation for hip-hop’s four essential elements, which initiated a cultural movement that transformed global culture.
Afrika Bambaataa chose to focus on structure instead of sound. In the mid-1970s, in the Bronx, he led the Universal Zulu Nation, which united DJs, dancers, and artists to create hip-hop as a worldwide cultural movement. Through his musical fusion of funk and electronic music with Afrocentric elements, he extended hip-hop’s influence and DJ culture well beyond New York.
Kool DJ Red Alert
Starting in the late 1970s, Kool DJ Red Alert introduced hip-hop to commercial radio stations, including 98.7 Kiss FM and WBLS, which amplified hip-hop artists and cemented DJ culture outside club and party settings. Through his mixtapes and radio shows, Red Alert connected the underground hip-hop scene with the music industry, widening hip-hop’s audience.
DJ Kid Capri
During the late 1980s, the Bronx’s DJ Kid Capri gained fame for his exceptional skill in managing large crowds at clubs, on national television, and at tour events. Through his appearances on Def Comedy Jam and major award shows, Capri demonstrated that DJs could command the audience’s attention, helping advance DJ culture from the booth to center stage.
The influence of DJ Clark Kent is usually experienced rather than observed. Starting his career in Brooklyn during the late 1980s, Kent transitioned smoothly between DJ booths and recording studios while making musical contributions and linking artists with executives. Through his work, he connected DJ culture with the growth of the hip-hop business to show that DJs could influence the industry through sound and strategy.
Frankie Knuckles
While hip-hop developed in New York, Frankie Knuckles created a different musical movement in Chicago. At the Warehouse, Knuckles created house music by blending disco, soul, and electronic sounds in his extended emotional mixes. His method transformed club culture and set a global standard for DJs, which continues to shape dance floors today.
DJ Screw
Through his work in Houston, DJ Screw transformed Southern DJ culture by slowing down record speeds and emphasizing deep bass, which led to the development of the “chopped and screwed” musical style. During the 1990s, Screw distributed his mixtapes through underground channels. That developed into a regional movement that eventually impacted artists nationwide. The South established its position as a hip-hop cultural innovator through Screw’s work.
DJ Jubilee
DJ Jubilee emerged as one of the most recognizable voices and DJs of New Orleans bounce music. Jubilee developed his fast-paced call-and-response style through his work at block parties and local radio, which reflected the communal nature of Southern DJ culture. Through his work, he preserved bounce as a regional sound and introduced it to broader audiences.
DJ Toomp
From Atlanta, DJ Toomp began his career in Southern mixtape and DJ circuits before rising to become a major producer during the city’s hip-hop explosion. Through his DJ experience, Toomp developed his signature minimalist bass-driven production style, which he demonstrated in his work with T.I. and Kanye West. Toomp helped turn regional hip-hop into national powerhouses during the 2000s.
Dr. Dre started his career as a Los Angeles club DJ specializing in electro-funk and radio culture before becoming one of hip-hop’s most influential producers and executives. The World Class Wreckin’ Cru gave Dre his first experience in West Coast DJing while he developed his futuristic sound. Dre transformed DJ culture into a funk production-driven force through his work with N.W.A., which cemented the West Coast hip-hop sound and created future hip-hop legends.
Spinderella
Through her role as the turntable backbone for Salt-N-Pepa, Deidra “Spinderella” Roper established hip-hop historical significance while making strides against male dominance in DJing. She joined the group during her teenage years to help create “Push It” and “Whatta Man.” In 2025, she became the first woman DJ to enter the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
