by Sharelle B. McNair

January 20, 2026

Trump Uses Nobel Prize Snub As Leverage To No Longer Take Over Greenland ‘Peacefully’

The Norwegian leader says he has reminded Trump a number of times that the government has nothing to do with the prizes despite Trump claiming otherwise.

President Donald Trump is using his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize to amplify his desire to take over the nation of Greenland; but he claims it will no longer be done “peacefully,” the New York Times reported.

In a text message to Norway’s leader, Jonas Gahr Store, Trump questioned Denmark’s claim to the nation, saying there are “no written documents,” and since Norway failed to award him, the U.S. will move forward with the alleged takeover. “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America,” the president texted.

“…The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you!”

The prestigious Nobel Peace Prize and Greenland have been at the top of Trump’s agenda for months. He campaigned for the award in 2025, falsely claiming he should be awarded since he ended eight wars. However, the Nobel Committee selected Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. After pushing for her to give the award to him, Machado met with Trump at the White House in early January 2026 to present him with the award.

However, it doesn’t count, since the committee has openly reiterated that the award cannot be transferred.

In a statement to The Hill, Store said he has reminded Trump a number of times that the Norwegian government has nothing to do with the prizes and has explained where the text originated, despite the president claiming otherwise. “Regarding the Nobel Peace Prize, I have several times clearly explained to Trump what is well known, namely that it is an independent Nobel Committee, and not the Norwegian government, that awards the prize,” the leader said.

Trump: If anybody thinks that Norway doesn't control the Nobel prize, they're just kidding. They have a board, but it's controlled by Norway. And I don't care what Norway says pic.twitter.com/fyM9vxdjYi
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 20, 2026

The Norwegian leader says the response came after he initially contacted Trump to speak with him about the Greenland crisis and his tariff threat in an effort to pressure Denmark into selling Greenland, with 10% tariffs starting Feb. 1 and 25% levies beginning June 1, something Denmark has refused to do. However, Trump is still leading efforts and creating a narrative that it will happen one way or the other.

https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2013592166795260232

His efforts to acquire Greenland have ramped up in the new year, projecting a claim that U.S. ownership is a matter of national security, calling it imperative. Of course, he pats himself on the back, claiming he has done more for NATO, and that it’s time for them to do their part.

“Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway? There are no written documents; it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also,” Trump wrote to Store.

“I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 20, 2026

WBA Strips Gervonta Davis Of Title Amid Domestic Violence Arrest And Allegations

Davis has yet to turn himself in on the warrant and police officials are looking for him

The troubles keep mounting against undefeated boxer Gervonta “Tank” Davis, as it was announced that the fighter has been stripped of his World Boxing Association lightweight title shortly after police officers in Florida issued an arrest warrant for a domestic violence accusation.

WBA President Gilberto Mendoza went on ESPN KnockOut and informed the audience that Davis is no longer the titleholder, but has been given the title of “champion in recess.”

⚠️⚠️⚠️ WBA: Viene una decisión dura sobre Gervonta ⚠️⚠️⚠️

El presidente de @WBABoxing, @GilberticoWBA, charló en exclusiva con @ESPNKnockOut respecto al caso de Gervonta Davis. Por ahora será nombrado campeón en receso, pero… pic.twitter.com/p20V17Lz7y

— Salvador Rodriguez (@ChavaESPN) January 16, 2026

According to The Baltimore Sun, the “champion in recess” title is given when fighters are unable to box because of injury or inactivity. He would be eligible to fight for the title when (or if) he returns to action. Davis, who has a record of 30-0-1, with 28 knockouts, has not fought since a controversial majority draw in March 2025.

The Miami Gardens Police Department issued an arrest warrant for the boxer for charges of attempted kidnapping, battery, and false imprisonment. The charges stem from an incident that took place in October 2025. The Baltimore resident has been labeled a fugitive and has not been seen recently as Miami police officers search for him.

Davis’s former girlfriend, Courtney Rossel, filed a civil lawsuit against him in November, accusing him of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A report was filed on Nov. 3, with the Miami Gardens Police Department claiming that Davis allegedly assaulted the woman at a gentlemen’s club named Tootsie, where she worked as a VIP cocktail server. The alleged incident occurred in a back room of the club where there were no cameras. She stated that she was dragged through a stairwell, kitchen, and the back exit before being physically assaulted in the parking garage.

If convicted, once he is found and has a court date, he faces up to a year in prison and/or probation for battery, five years for false imprisonment, and a felony carrying a maximum 15-year sentence for attempted kidnapping, with aggravating factors possibly increasing the penalties.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 20, 2026

Rev. Al Sharpton Takes Stand With NYC Nurses As Historic Strike Continues In MLK Day Rally

The MLK Day rally highlighted the late civil right activist's fight for healthcare justice.

Rev. Al Sharpton stood with striking New York City nurses at a rally in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The civil rights leader joined the New York State Nurses Association for the Jan. 19 event. It not only honored King’s legacy of equality in all forms but also highlighted these values in NYSNA’s ongoing fight for healthcare justice.

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Nearly 15,000 medical professionals and Sharpton joined the demonstration with the family-focused event at Mount Sinai Morningside. During the event, the NYSNA member nurses also performed free community health screenings, helping neighboring NYCHA residents at the George Washington Carver Houses.

Sharpton appeared as a pillar of support for the nurses as they entered the 2nd week of the largest strike in history. As the NYSNA continues talks with hospital executives in the city, Sharpton’s presence added to their plight for healthcare justice.

Aligned with Dr. King’s support for healthcare equity, the rally addressed nurses’ concerns about quality healthcare services for patients in diverse neighborhoods. In their ongoing demonstration, NYSNA members hope to address inadequate staffing, increased workplace violence, and their concerns about healthcare benefits.

“Nurses honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his commitment to racial and economic justice by fighting for every patient to be treated like a VIP regardless of the color of their skin or their ability to pay,” wrote the NYSNA in a statement. “We are on strike for patient and nurse safety. Our patients can’t get the safe, quality care they need when there aren’t enough nurses at the bedside, when we don’t have protections from violence in our hospitals, or when nurses can’t access their own healthcare to stay well on the job.”

Exemplifying Dr. King’s methods of direct, nonviolent action, the nurses also spent the MLK weekend calling on hospital executives to progress negotiations for fair contracts to provide the best care for each patient. As for Sharpton, he recalled Dr. King’s final moments advocating for fair wages for city workers, noting how this same spirit applies to healthcare workers.

“Martin Luther King died in Memphis fighting for workers for garbage workers, and I believe he would want those of us who come in his tradition to be standing with nurses,” he told the crowd at the rally, as detailed by NewsNation.

Despite the public figure’s support, the strike continues to make little headway as negotiations remain stalled. That same day, the CEO of Mount Sinai Health delivered an unfortunate update regarding the talks with NYSNA leaders.

“As of today, despite our best efforts to negotiate, a near-term path to an agreement is very unlikely,” wrote Mount Sinai CEO, Brendan Carr. Over the weekend, our operational teams extended our plans to run the Health System without the support of the nurses, and NYSNA leadership has convinced to strike.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 20, 2026

Damien ‘E-Love’ Matthias, Figure In Public Enemy Iconic Logo & LL Cool J’s Righthand, Dead At 58

E-Love was the inspiration for the Public Enemy logo

Hip-hop has lost another figure with the death of Damien “E-Love” Matthias, who entered the hip-hop industry alongside childhood friend James Todd Smith, AKA LL Cool J. He was 58.

According to AllHipHop, E-Love died Jan. 17, but no cause of death has been revealed. He was a former hype man and producer for the Queens-bred emcee who helped hip-hop gain the commercial success it still has today. E-Love worked alongside LL as a co-producer on his seminal debut album, Radio. He was still active with LL years into his career when the Rock the Bells emcee started to rise in Hollywood.

Outside of his accomplishments in the industry, Public Enemy’s Chuck D stated that E-Love is the iconic figure seen in his group’s logo. In a social media post, a story of how the logo was created is shown. Chuck D, an avid artist, used a photo of E-Love as a backdrop. After making the changes based on the photo for the logo, he originally did this for a group named “Street Force.” But later used it for Public Enemy.

Rest in beats… E love ⁦@hiphopgods⁩ pic.twitter.com/JzlTZp5Egv

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) January 18, 2026

RIP E LOVE,,, the man in the Iconic Public Enemy logo pic.twitter.com/IvrcEQ7aEm

— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) January 19, 2026

The work E-Love did with LL, including Bigger and Deffer, the follow-up to the debut album, earned him recognition from the industry, including nominations from several award shows, including the American Music Awards and the Grammy Awards, for the 1987 album that sold three million records.

Complex reported that, as a writer, producer, and director, his work has sold more than 35 million records. He was involved in grassroots marketing efforts that helped put Def Jam Recordings on the map during the label’s early years. His contributions to the culture also include helping open doors for artists like Tupac Shakur and John Forte.

by Mitti Hicks

January 20, 2026

Defense Secretary Announced Pentagon To Take ‘Sledgehammer’ To ‘Oldest DEI Program’ For Federal Contracts

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), the program provides eligible small businesses with access to contracting opportunities in the federal marketplace.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has announced plans for the Pentagon to “sledgehammer” the 8(a) Program, a federal contracting program that has aimed to assist socially and economically disadvantaged small business owners since it was created in 1978. In the Trump administration’s priority of dismantling programs and initiatives geared toward historically marginalized Americans, Hegseth called the program the “oldest DEI program in the federal government.”

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), the program provides eligible small businesses with access to federal contracting opportunities. The program also provides businesses that participate in the program with training and technical assistance designed to strengthen their “ability to compete effectively in the American economy.”

For small businesses to be eligible to participate, they would have to be majority-owned by U.S. citizens who are socially and economically disadvantaged.” In FY2019, the SBA awarded firms $30.3 billion in federal contracts, including $9.5 bullion in 8(a) set-aside funding.

According to ESG Today, Hegseth called the program’s initiative to provide opportunities for small businesses “a laudable goal,” but claimed the program has “morphed into swamp code words for DEI, race-based contracting.”

He also alleges that “in many, many instances,” the businesses that benefit from the program don’t actually perform the contracted work, even claiming the program is a “breeding ground” for fraud.

What Small Businesses Can Expect Moving Forward With Hegseth, Pentagon

In his new initiative, Hegseth said he is ordering a line-by-line review of every small-business, sole-source 8(a) contract over $20 million.

“If a contract doesn’t make us more lethal, it’s gone. We have no room in our budget for wasteful DEI contracts that don’t help us win wars.”

Hegseth, who some organizations have deemed unfit to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Defense because of his lack of senior leadership and bureaucratic experience compared to his recent predecessors, added that the goal is to spend taxpayer dollars to build “our defense industrial base with businesses large and small that share our mission.”

He said money will not be used to “line the pockets of beltway fraudsters, or to advance the agenda of DEI apologists. Only lethality.”

LSU Dance, Team, Tigers, Kendrick Lamar, Championshjps

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 20, 2026

The Kendrick Effect: LSU’s Viral Hip-Hop Set Breaks The Internet

The team took home 2nd place for their Kendrick-inspired hip-hop set.

The Louisiana State University Dance Team is coming off a season with major wins for their hip-hop and Jazz performances.

As the routines made waves on social media, the hip-hop performance received major love, drawing inspiration from another viral showcase: Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. They saved their catchy performance for the 2026 UDA College & Dance Team National Championships, which took place Jan. 18.

The collegiate rendition went viral for paying tribute to the “Not Like Us” rapper’s historic set.

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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

The routine transitioned through Lamar’s recent hits as the dancers showcased hip-hop elements. From “Squabble Up” and “TV Off” to his infamous diss track against rap adversary Drake, the performance delighted audiences and the internet alike. The team even included Samuel L. Jackson’s audio from the Halftime show, adding to the set’s theatrics.

Their outfits also paid homage to the West Coast rapper. Underneath their dazzling denim-blue sets, the team rocked briefs with “be humble” written along the front. The phrase had become synonymous withLamar’ss brand since his 2017 album “DAMN””

Now, the LSU dance team has something to brag about: they secured second place, their highest ranking ever, in both the Lamar-inspired set and the jazz routine. However, the hip-hop set’ss scores were just short of beating the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the standings.

While the LSU dance team did not take home first place, the internet declared them the people’s winner of the night. Commenters flocked to viral clips of the performance to give the talented dancers their flowers, crowning them for their tribute performance.

One user wrote, “They should’ve taken first place! Hands-down, best hip-hop routine””

Another wrote, “This was insane, they deserved 1st place!!””

Although the team did not take home the top prize, they brought back the cultural moment that continues to inspire performers across stages.

As performance views keep climbing, dance enthusiasts can keep the debate going by watching the LSU Dance team’s hip-hop routine below.

Angela Bassett, women of power, Awards, iconic

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 20, 2026

Angela Bassett To Be Celebrated At BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit 2026

Angela Bassett's remarkable legacy will take center stage at the 2026 BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit.

Angela Bassett’s trailblazing film and television career will take center stage at the 2026 BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit.

The Honorary Oscar recipient and Emmy-winning actress is being recognized as one of this year’s Legacy Honorees for her impactful contributions across the business of entertainment. Bassett will be honored before a room of influential women, celebrating more than three decades of her groundbreaking work as an actress, director, and executive producer.

From iconic films like What’s Love Got to Do with It, Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, and Black Panther, to her award-winning work on 9-1-1 — which she also executive produces — Bassett has captivated audiences for more than four decades. Her appearance at this year’s Women of Power Summit celebrates a career that began in the 1980s and includes Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and an Honorary Academy Award.

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A post shared by Black Enterprise (@blackenterprise)

Bassett is joined among this year’s Legacy Honorees by Carla Harris, senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley; Shellye Archambeau, advisor, author, and former CEO of MetricStream; Rosalind ‘Roz’ Brewer, interim president of Spelman College; and Bennie Wiley, director on the boards of BNY Mellon Mutual Funds and CBIZ. Collectively, the honorees are being celebrated for their exceptional leadership and influence across business, the arts, education, government, and other key sectors.

The Luminary Honorees join this year’s Legacy Honorees, recognized for their cross-sector impact and leadership as the next generation of Women of Power. The 2026 Luminary recipients include Shelly Cayette-Weston, president of business operations for the NBA’s Hornets Sports & Entertainment; Jotaka Eaddy, founder and CEO of Full Circle Strategies; and Sandra Douglass Morgan, president of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Beyond celebrating Black women leaders, attendees will be energized through dynamic panel discussions, powerful keynotes, and engaging fireside chats. With professional development panels, skills workshops, work-life strategy sessions, meaningful networking, and candid conversations with top industry leaders, the Women of Power Summit is designed to equip women with the tools to grow their careers and drive impact at every level of leadership.

This year’s Summit is especially meaningful as it marks 20 Years of Power! Register for the BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit 2026 HERE.

RELATED CONTENT: Angela Bassett to Direct Whitney Houston Biopic

Registered Nurse, 69-Year-Old Grandmother , Career, Hospital, Doctor

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 20, 2026

Fulton County Jail Nurse Gets Arrested After Sneaking Drugs And Wings To Inmates For Cash

An explicit note led to the downfall of the jail nurse's lucrative scheme.

A nurse at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta got herself into legal trouble for unlawfully holding down her incarcerated patients.

The contract nurse allegedly snuck marijuana, jewelry, and a popular Atlanta food staple into the correctional facility to make some extra cash. Naomi Marie Anthony was promptly arrested Jan. 15 while reporting to work as the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office uncovered the scheme.

According to Fox 5, Anthony would smuggle tobacco products, marijuana, and even chicken wings from American Deli to keep inmates feeling at home. As detailed in the discovery, the ruse initially began when Anthony sparked a romance with one of the inmates.

Staffers later found an incriminating note detailing the illegal plan. The letter explicitly mentioned the plan for Anthony to smuggle in marijuana, using desperate measures to carry it out. It also seemingly referenced the sexual relationship between her and one of her inmates-turned-clients, Antoine McCray.

“Bring in weed, food put in trash for inmate, sexing in nurse station, McCray Antoine Feti BK# 2407249, Nurse Anthony, pays her $1300 through Cash App,” detailed the note obtained by WSB-TV.

The note, however, only uncovered the surface of Anthony’s dedication to the ruse and McCray. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat told the news outlet of the “matching rings” she bought for her incarcerated lover.

As the note prompted an investigation into Anthony’s actions, subsequent surveillance footage appeared to confirm her involvement. The footage exposed Anthony as she passed out the items to some inmates inside the jail, a final blow that led to her warrant.

Anthony now faces a felony charge of obtaining, procuring, or giving an inmate tobacco products without authorization. However, it remains undisclosed how much money the jail nurse earned from her unusual services, most of which came from CashApp payments.

In light of the shocking discovery, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has announced the deployment of new security technology as officials report for duty. The X-ray detection machines aim to stop the smuggling of illegal items so that schemes like Anthony’s don’t get past the bars. In the affidavit, prosecutors also alleged that the woman snuck the items up her private parts to get past security.

However, it remains unclear how large the scheme had become or whether other officials received the items and conducted payouts.

by Keka Araújo

January 20, 2026

Compassion Vs. Contract: Florida Bride Battles Venue For Refund After Fiancé’s Unexpected Death

According to Florida law, she may still be on the hook for the money.

Tye Hinson and William Coney’s love story began two decades ago at an Orlando shopping mall. It was supposed to culminate this May at a ballroom in Lake Mary. Instead, Hinson is navigating the aftermath of a fatal heart attack that claimed her fiancé’s life at age 42, and a legal stalemate with the venue meant to host their celebration.

Hinson is currently fighting to recover $7,609 paid to the Crystal Ballroom in Lake Mary, Florida, a suburb of Orlando. The venue, citing a strictly enforced non-refundable contract, has declined the request.

“I called them two days after he passed away to make them aware,” Hinson said. “This wasn’t like a cancellation. This was a person dying.”

The couple, who met at Fashion Square Mall while Coney was a student at Full Sail University, selected the all-inclusive space to accommodate their guest list. Hinson made her final payment just forty-eight hours before Coney’s sudden death, shortly before Thanksgiving.

According to Hinson, a ballroom employee suggested she use the $7,600 balance to host a memorial service on what would have been her wedding day—a suggestion Hinson found deeply distressing.

Lukasz Rogowski, the owner of Crystal Ballroom, expressed sympathy but stood firm on the company’s fiscal policies. He noted that the contract explicitly discloses its non-refund policy and encourages clients to purchase third-party cancellation insurance.

“Offering compassion and offering refunds are not the same thing, and both must exist within a framework that is fair, transparent, and consistent for all clients,” Rogowski told News 6. He argued that a full-service venue incurs overhead and staffing costs months in advance, unlike individual vendors who may have more flexibility.

Hinson, a cosmetologist who handles makeup for weddings, says she understands contracts but believes extreme circumstances warrant exceptions. She noted that she once issued a refund when a hurricane destroyed a client’s home.

“My compassion as a human being carries over into my business,” she said.

Hinson says all her other wedding vendors—including photographers and florists—refunded payments and voided contracts despite having similar non-refundable clauses. Rogowski, however, maintains that the venue’s policies protect the business and its staff from the financial volatility of life events.

Under Florida law, the death of a party rarely serves as an automatic “kill switch” for a contract. Under Florida law, death generally doesn’t void an agreement unless it’s for “personal services.” Instead, the deceased’s estate typically steps in to handle liabilities. General contract law holds that personal representatives must fulfill non-personal duties, with estate assets handling the costs.

While specific statutes like F.S. 489.121 govern construction completion and F.S. 768.19 handles wrongful death, probate laws like F.S. 733.104 confirm that contract claims generally survive the individual. In essence, death transfers contractual obligations to the estate rather than terminating the agreement, leaving the agreement’s survival dependent on specific terms and the feasibility of performance.

The dispute has grown increasingly tense as Hinson’s wedding planner, Patricia Aro, claims the venue has communicated more readily with the media than with the grieving bride.

“We are concerned to note that the owner of Crystal Ballroom Lake Mary was able to respond promptly to News 6 yet has still not provided any written or verbal response directly to Tye’s cancellation notice or our team,” Aro said.

To support Hinson, Aro launched a GoFundMe campaign titled “Support for Tye After Tragic Loss,” which highlights the financial burden Hinson now faces.

“What was meant to be a season of celebration has become a time of unimaginable grief, heartbreak, and painful readjustment,” the campaign states. “While we understand contracts and policies exist, we believe compassion and care should always lead the way, especially after such a tragic loss. We are hoping that Crystal Ballroom will choose empathy and do the right thing for someone who has already lost so much.”

The campaign also clarifies that until the venue chooses to “do the right thing,” the funds raised will help support the bride as she awaits a compassionate response. At the time of publication, the campaign has raised more than $5,000.

News 6 discovered Rogowski’s name among the list of donors to that GoFundMe. The ballroom owner did not publicize his $525 contribution until a reporter contacted him. Rogowski indicated that he made the donation in his personal capacity, not on behalf of Crystal Ballroom.

For Hinson, the $7,609 represents more than just a lost investment; it is a painful reminder of a future that vanished in an instant. She remains hopeful the venue will recognize that a person’s death is not a mere cancellation, but a tragedy that requires a shift in the standard rules of business.

by Mitti Hicks

January 20, 2026

African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Awards $5M To Historically Black Churches

The fund, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is awarding $1 million to each church.

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund has awarded $5 million in grants to five historically Black churches. The fund, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is awarding $1 million each to First African Baptist Church in Beaufort, South Carolina; Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago; Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles; Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia; and Brown Chapel AME Church in Selma.

“These churches represent multifaceted legacies spanning critical moments in American history and culture,” said Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. Leggs announced the funding on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. He adds, “Thanks to generous funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and our team’s strategic partnership, the Action Fund is ensuring that these historic churches can continue to exist as civic spaces of faith, education, beauty, and belonging for generations to come.”

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to protect historic landscapes and buildings that represent America’s diverse cultural experience. Chartered by Congress in 1949 as a privately funded organization, the National Trust is committed to honoring the histories of all Americans and partners with allies to save places, educate the public, and use preservation to address urgent challenges and serve communities today.

The Role Of Historically Black Churches

Historically Black churches have played a vital role in shaping American history and civil rights. Black churches have long served as the cornerstones in the communities beyond faith. They are often the headquarters of social change and stand as symbols of resilience and cultural achievement.

Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles, for example, has long been a hub for community organizing, faith leadership, community service, and civic engagement. The church has hosted several NAACP national conventions and has welcomed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X into its doors.

In Chicago, the first bricks of Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ were laid by Bishop William Roberts and his deacons in 1922. Decades later, the church hosted the funeral of 15-year-old Emmett Till in 1955.

Mother Bethel AME Church currently sits on the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by Black Americans in the U.S. Built in 1794, it is the birthplace of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination, founded by Rev. Richard Allen.

“We are profoundly grateful for this generous $1M grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, which will empower Mother Bethel to continue its vital work in the community and preserve our rich African American history,” Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness, the pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church, said in a statement. “This contribution demonstrates the commitment to the historical significance of this landmark as a beacon for social justice and a critical institution in the founding of America.”