Photo credit: courtesy of Offscript, 3BLACKDOT, revolt

by Kandiss Edwards

March 13, 2026

Offscript Worldwide Debuts New Direction of 3BLACKDOT At SXSW

3BLACKDOT is transitioning from a behind-the-scenes creator network into a consumer-facing powerhouse.

Offscript Worldwide, the parent company of Revolt, will publicly debut 3BLACKDOT as a centralized gaming media destination March 14 at Revolt House during the 2026 SXSW festival.

Following Offscript’s acquisition of the gaming media firm in June 2025, the brand is transitioning from a behind-the-scenes creator network into a consumer-facing company.

The launch aims to bridge the gap between individual gaming creators into a hub that spans distribution, original programming, and live experiences.

“Gaming is now one of the dominant ways to connect with youth culture,” Offscript Worldwide and Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels said. “With 3BLACKDOT, we’re bringing creators who once lived only across individual YouTube and social channels into a unified media platform.”

The debut at SXSW will feature the premiere of the platform’s flagship show, 3BD Weekly, filmed before a live audience. The event is scheduled to include creator-led segments such as an anime dub collaboration titled “Reel Ones” by RabSoPetty and ClassicmanD. Attendees will also witness live gameplay demonstrations of SEGA’s “Virtua Fighter 5.”

Reginald Cash, general manager of 3BLACKDOT, told Revolt in 2025 that the platform is designed to provide gaming culture with the scale it has historically lacked in traditional media. By consolidating a network that already generates over 20 million monthly watch hours on YouTube, the company intends to offer advertisers a more reliable way to engage with the $347 billion global gaming market.

“What’s been missing are the stages that reflect its scale,” Cash said. “By premiering creator-led content in live environments and distributing it across every screen where fans gather, we’re giving gaming culture the platform it deserves.”

The SXSW takeover will also include appearances by StorymodeBae and a high-energy evening headlined by Harlem rapper Max B.

Alabama A&M logo

by Jameelah Mullen

March 13, 2026

Put Some Respect on It! HBCU Duo Ends Losing Streak While Fasting For Ramadan

Black excellence, even during Ramadan.

While fasting for Ramadan. Bilal Abdur-Rahman and Sami Pissis helped Alabama A&M defeat Texas Southern 85–74 in overtime on March 12, snapping the Bulldogs’ 23-game losing streak to the Tigers and advancing in the SWAC Men’s Basketball Tournament.

During Ramadan, practicing Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, for a month. Abdur-Rahman and Pissis have leaned on each other for support.

“Sami and I stayed together in the hotel, so we’ve been helping each other,” Abdur-Rahman told HBCU Gameday “It’s a lot physically to deal with, but you’ve got to win the mental battle and recover when you can so you’re ready for the next one.”

Texas Southern led 31–27 at halftime, but Alabama A&M responded to tie the game at 66 at the end of regulation. In overtime, Alabama A&M easily outscored Texas Southern, 19–8, to seal the victory.

“Tough, hard-fought game against TSU, man. That’s a championship program,” Alabama A&M head coach Donte Jackson said. “A lot of respect for Coach Jones… whenever we go play them, I know it’s going to be a battle.”

Pissis said that the high-pressure game made him feel like he was in his element.

“It’s a big game. I consider myself a big-game player,” Pissis told HBCU Gameday. “This is what you play college basketball for-these big moments. I play fearless and shoot everything with confidence.”

He and Abdur-Rahman combined for 28 points and 11 assists in the victory.

Pissis also credited Jackson for driving the team’s victory, saying Jackson’s intensity in the huddle motivated him to match that energy.

Ramadan 2026 started around the evening of Feb. 17 and will end around March 20. The fasting athletes and their teammates will face Prairie View A&M on March 13 at 2 p.m. EST.

Pras Michel, lauryn Hill, lawsuit — (Photo: Hamit Huseyin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

March 13, 2026

Fugees Member Pras Michel Drops Lawsuit Against Lauryn Hill

Pras' lawsuit stemmed from the cancellation of the Fugees’ 2023 25th-anniversary tour and the subsequent management of the group's 2024 international dates.

Fugees member Pras Michel has voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against bandmate Lauryn Hill, five months after Michel filed the complaint in the Southern District of New York, alleging breach of contract and fraud.

Pras’ lawsuit stemmed from the cancellation of the Fugees’ 2023 25th-anniversary tour and the subsequent management of the group’s 2024 international dates.

Michel had accused Hill of gross mismanagement, claiming that Hill had unilaterally taken control of the tour’s finances. He further alleged that Hill’s chronic tardiness and the tour’s abrupt cancellation caused him significant financial losses.

Michel’s legal team sought to drop the suit “without prejudice,” Billboard reports. The resolution may suggest an out-of-court settlement or a private deal between the two artists, but no terms were disclosed.

“Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel have reached an amicable resolution to their recent legal dispute,” a representative for the group said in a statement. “Both parties are committed to moving forward with mutual respect and focusing on their shared musical legacy.”

Pras has dropped his lawsuit against Lauryn Hill, in which he accused her of “misrepresenting financial information” as part of a “veiled and devious attempt to make a big score for herself.”

A March 11 filing reads: “The … action [is] dismissed without prejudice, with each… https://t.co/HeqbgtCmRB pic.twitter.com/vU8OVwbasj
— Block Topickz (formerly Glock Topickz) (@BlockTopickz) March 13, 2026

The claims by Pras became public when Hill responded to Michel’s initial filing by calling it “baseless” and “full of false claims.” Hill maintained that the tour cancellations were due to serious vocal strain and necessary medical recovery. She vehemently denied claims of mismanagement.

Additionally, Hill noted that Michel had been advanced significant funds to assist with his ongoing legal expenses related to his federal conspiracy trial.

“It is unfortunate that private business matters were aired in such a public and distorted fashion,” Hill said through a spokesperson. “My priority has always been the integrity of the art and the well-being of the fans.”

Dropping the suit is one less matter for Michel to worry about while he serves federal prison time. In 2023, the rapper was convicted of illegal lobbying, and campaign finance violations and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. He was ordered to report to prison Jan. 27.

GLAAD, ‘Generation Z & HIV: HBCU Tour,’ Morehouse College — (Photo: Joi Stokes/Getty Images)

by Jameelah Mullen

March 13, 2026

GLAAD’s ‘Generation Z & HIV: HBCU Tour’ Heads To Morehouse College

The tour hopes to empower students with resources to reshape how Gen Z understands HIV.

The push for HIV awareness among Generation Z continues as GLAAD brings its Generation Z & HIV: Human Issue and Southern Solution HBCU Tour to Morehouse College.

The event, in partnership with Gilead Sciences, will take place on March 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. Attendance is open to Morehouse College and Atlanta University Center students and faculty.

Hampton University athlete Byron Perkins Jr. will join GLAAD’s Darian Aaron, director of local news, to discuss sexual health, stigmas around sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and the benefits of the HIV prevention drug PrEP.

A 2024 GLAAD study revealed that the South has the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses and that Gen Z is often the least informed about the condition.

Perkins said HIV remains a serious concern in Black communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or number of partners. He noted that the tour is equipping at‑risk youth with the information and tools they need to protect their health.

Rashad Burgess, vice president of corporate responsibility at Gilead Sciences, echoed Perkins’ sentiments, noting that the purpose of the tour is to make information understandable and normalize testing and other prevention methods.

Morehouse College marks the third stop of the tour. The Generation Z & HIV tour started at Jackson State University in October 2025, with special guest Snoop Dogg. The rapper spoke about his friend_,and former Death Row Records label mate Eazy-E, who died of AIDS-related complications in 1995. He acknowledged that he and his peers lacked education about HIV and AIDS during the early days of the disease.

“There was no medical information to let us know what was going on. We were so scared we stopped everything,” the actor noted.

At Alabama State University on Feb. 5, students were asked how organizations can best reach and engage them.

“Putting a banner on your table is not going to get me to take heed to your message. When things like TikTok are what is getting a lot of our attention. You have to find mechanisms that make it relatable to us as the new generation, one student said.

Their responses underscored a generational gap in communication and the importance of creating inclusive conversations that meet students where they are.

Civil Rights Lawyer, Michele Jawando, CEO, Omidyar Network,AI — Michele Jawando, Omidyar Network

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2026

Civil Rights Lawyer Michele Jawando Elevated To CEO Of Omidyar Network, Vows More Inclusive AI Future

“I just want people to feel agency and power in this moment,” Jawando said. “I hate the fact that most people feel like this technology is happening to them.”

Civil rights attorney Michele Jawando has been promoted from president to CEO of Omidyar Network, where she aims to bring greater inclusivity to the rapidly evolving AI era.

On March 11, the philanthropic group founded by billionaire eBay founder Pierre Omidyar announced that Jawando will begin her new role as CEO next month, the Associated Press reports. “Our focus will be making sure that there is a much more diverse set of views and people and coalitions and voices shaping the moments, the opportunities, and the rules for the AI era,” Jawando said in a statement.

A civil rights lawyer and former Google executive who oversaw the company’s public policy partnerships, Jawando will now lead one of the best-funded technology organizations working to broaden influence over how artificial intelligence is developed, deployed, and regulated beyond Silicon Valley.

“I just want people to feel agency and power in this moment,” she said. “I hate the fact that most people feel like this technology is happening to them.”

Jawando’s appointment comes at a time when the philanthropic sector has been watching closely as the Trump administration clashed with Anthropic after the firm declined to allow the federal government unrestricted military use of its technology. The dispute highlights Jawando’s view that a small group of companies should not be responsible for setting the guardrails around what she described as “really powerful super-tools.”

Omidyar Network has recently sharpened its focus on artificial intelligence, launching a $30 million generative AI portfolio to address what leaders see as gaps in philanthropy’s engagement with the rapidly evolving technology. While philanthropic groups often lack the financial power and political influence of AI companies valued in the hundreds of billions—many of which have secured favorable policies under Trump—Jawando said her role will be to build stronger connections across philanthropy and ensure the perspectives of working people are included in shaping the future of AI.

“The responsible and safe use of AI shouldn’t be just one company’s mantra,” Jawando said. “It’s not that some companies are too responsible and others aren’t. It’s just that we don’t have a public governance framework.”

Outgoing CEO Mike Kubzansky praised Jawando’s appointment, highlighting her role as co-chair of a philanthropic coalition committing $500 million to AI initiatives that prioritize the public interest. He also credited her with bringing new funders into the space, including the Doris Duke Foundation and the Lumina Foundation.

“She rarely jumps to the oppositional card first,” he said. “She finds new partners for us and she brings people along.”

trump,dei, federal contacts, report — Photo by Markus Winkler: https://www.pexels.com/photo/diversity-equity-inclusion-concept-with-letter-tiles-30901634/

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 13, 2026

Deposition Video Exposes DOGE Staffer Not Knowing What DEI Is After Being Tasked With Eliminating DEI Grants

"Yeah, my understanding was exactly what was in the EO.”

An awkward deposition exposed a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff member not being able to give a definition of DEI—which is diversity, equity and inclusion—after his main task was eliminating grants deemed as DEI opportunities.

The depositions were part of a lawsuit from various organizations such as the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), and American Historical Association (AHA), People reports. The lawsuit claims the federal agency, under the leadership of Elon Musk, used flawed and discriminatory methods in order to target which grants and programs should be eliminated.

Some of the videos from the deposition were released, including one featuring DOGE staffer Justin Fox.

“How do you interpret DEI?” a lawyer asked.

“The EO (executive order) explicitly laid out the details…I don’t remember it off the top of my head,” Fox said.

“I’m asking for your understanding of it,” the lawyer responded.

Fox said, “Yeah, my understanding was exactly what was in the EO.”

When asked if he understood what DEI is “right now,” Fox said, “Yeah… it was exactly what was written in the EO. So anytime that we would look at a grant, through the lens of complying with an executive order, we would just refer back to the EO and assess if this grant had relation to it.”

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The EO, titled “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing,” pushed for agencies to “coordinate the termination of all discriminatory programs, including illegal DEI and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility’ (DEIA) mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities in the federal government, under whatever name they appear.”

As a result, positive programming and grants for Black women, like the Fearless Fund, were cut.

Fox specifically focused on women when the lawyer asked for the reasoning behind a documentary on female Holocaust survivors being labeled as DEI.

“It’s the gender-based story; that’s inherently discriminatory to focus on this specific group,” Fox said. “It’s focusing on DEI principles, gender being one of them… specifically focused on Jewish cultures and amplifying the marginalized voices of the females in that culture. It’s inherently related to DEI for those reasons.”

The comments section of the Instagram video from The Neighborhood Talk didn’t take too well with his lack of knowledge. “DEI to them means Black people,” @thejcole22 said.

“They can never answer a simple question. Did he pass high school?” @jeannet_genie said.

At the hands of DOGE leaders, a number of people lost their businesses and their jobs because of the war against DEI. @xojennjones highlighted that not giving an answer sets a tone. “This is not ok. Many people lost their livelihood, and people didn’t get the resources that they needed because of this ignorance,” the user wrote.

It didn’t just stop there. Another staffer, Nathan Cavanaugh, admitted under oath that humanities grants with references to the LGBTQ+ community were flagged simply for using the term, according to the Advocate.

One grant that was highlighted pushed for a public discussion series titled “Examining experiences of LGBTQ military service,” with the goal of bringing veterans and community members together to discuss experiences of marginalized service members, such as women, Black veterans, Native Americans, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ people.

Cavanaugh was a little more blunt with his reasoning. When asked why the project was flagged, he said, “Because it explicitly says ‘LGBTQ.’”

Earl G. Graves School Of Business, Dean, Royce Burnett, Oklahoma State Accounting Hall Of Fame — Royce Burnett, Morgan State University

by Jameelah Mullen

March 13, 2026

Earl G. Graves School Of Business Dean, Royce Burnett, Inducted Into Oklahoma State Accounting Hall Of Fame

Dr. Royce Burnett has served as dean of the school at Morgan State University since 2024.

Dr. Royce Burnett, Ph.D., dean of the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management at Morgan State University, has been inducted into the Wilton T. Anderson Accounting Hall of Fame at Oklahoma State University (OSU). The award recognizes OSU alumni for their outstanding contributions to the accounting profession.

“Receiving this recognition is one that is deeply meaningful to my professional and academic journey as an accountant and higher education administrator,” Burnett said in a statement. “To be recognized in this way affirms the work I’ve dedicated to the accounting profession, my students, and the broader business and social communities. This honor motivates me to continue striving to bring excellence to the classroom and to remain committed to mentoring the next generation of professional and academic accounting leaders, both of which will, undoubtedly, prove instrumental in serving the community with integrity and purpose.”

Since taking on the role at Morgan State University in 2024, Burnett has elevated the HBCU’s business school on the national stage, positioning it as a premier destination for students seeking top-tier education and mentorship in business and finance.

Under his leadership, Graves School has become Morgan’s most highly enrolled institution. The school’s MBA program is ranked No. 54 nationally, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. The HBCU recently formed a partnership with UNCF’s ACCLAIM (Accelerating Learning in Asset Investment Management) project, which aims to prepare students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities for leadership roles in the finance sector.

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Prior to earning his Ph.D. in accounting from OSU in 2003, Burnett worked in public accounting and corporate finance. He worked at two Big Four accounting firms and two Fortune 500 companies. Prior to his appointment at Morgan, Burnett served at Old Dominion University, where he held the positions of professor and chair for the Strome College of Business’s School of Accountancy. He has also held administrative and faculty positions at Southern Illinois University, University of Miami, and Oklahoma State University.

Kandi Burruss, Divorce, Todd Tucker — KANDI & THE GANG -- Premiere Event -- Pictured: (l-r) Todd Tucker, Kandi Burruss -- (Photo by: Marcus Ingram/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

by Jameelah Mullen

March 13, 2026

It’s A Wrap: Kandi Burruss And Todd Tucker Settle Divorce After 11 Years Of Marriage

"The Real Housewives of Atlanta" alumna filed for divorce in Nov. 2025.

Kandi Burruss and producer Todd Tucker have settled their high-profile divorce four months after announcing their separation.

According to documents obtained by TMZ, the former couple informed the court that they had finalized an agreement after several disputes over living arrangements, finances, and custody of their two children.

Early court documents revealed that Tucker had previously sought sole custody of their children, Ace and Blaze, citing Burruss’s busy work schedule, which requires frequent travel. Burruss initially requested joint custody but later changed her request to sole custody as the dispute intensified.

Court documents also show that both parties accused each other of failing to meet financial and parental obligations during their separation. They also disputed their prenuptial agreement, with Tucker claiming he signed it under duress.

Tucker and Burruss did highlight the importance of protecting their children and maintaining a healthy co-parenting relationship. After their separation, the former couple gathered on special occasions to support their children.

In Jan. 2025, Tucker posted a photo of himself, Burruss, and their children.

“Happy New Year! Here’s my first SCHEME of 2026! Create and enjoy moments w/ family. The Tuckers,” the movie producer wrote.

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A post shared by Todd Tucker (@todd167)

Although the post sparked speculation that the estranged couple had reconciled, Tucker clarified that he was simply expressing their shared commitment to making this transition as smooth as possible for their children.

Burruss, a singer-songwriter and entrepreneur, met Tucker in 2011 while he was working as a producer on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, where she starred.

Their love story played out on the show, capturing their journey through sometimes tumultuous family dynamics, including Burruss’s mother, Joyce, questioning Tucker’s motives for marrying her daughter. They also addressed their differences in parenting styles and blending families. Both entered the marriage with daughters from previous relationships before having two children together during their marriage. The two later appeared on the spin-off Kandi and the Gang, which featured their restaurant, one of many joint business ventures.

The “Don’t Think I’m Not” singer is currently starring as Angélique in the Broadway musical & Juliet.

Black Women Leaders, Screenings, 'The Perfect Neighbor' — Photo by Bence Szemerey: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-sitting-on-a-movie-theater-7513412/

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2026

Black Women Leaders Host Nationwide Screenings And Conversations Around ‘The Perfect Neighbor’

Black women leaders have hosted 100 watch parties for the Oscar-nominated documentary.

Black women leaders have mobilized ahead of the 97th Academy Awards by organizing community screenings and discussions around the Oscar-nominated documentary The Perfect Neighbor.

Led by Win With Black Women (WWBW), in partnership with the Standing in the Gap Fund, the initiative highlights the ongoing call for justice for Ajike “AJ” Owens, the subject of the documentary.

Using real footage, the film revisits the fatal June 2, 2023, shooting in Ocala, Florida, where Susan Louise Lorincz, a white neighbor, shot and killed Owens. The nationwide screenings and open discussions aim to spark conversations about racial violence, community safety, voter engagement, and laws such as Stand Your Ground.

“Black women have always organized in moments when the nation’s conscience is being tested. These community screenings are about more than a documentary,” said Jotaka Eaddy, founder of Win With Black Women and a 2026 Women of Power Luminary Award recipient. “They are about remembrance, about justice for AJ, and about making sure that our communities are informed, engaged, and prepared to take action—from voting to policy change. When Black women gather, conversation becomes a movement.”

The organization recently celebrated hosting 100 community watch parties centered around the film.

“Since the tragic murder of Ajike “AJ” Owens, Win With Black Women has stood with AJ’s family—lifting her name, advocating for justice, and organizing our communities,” WWBW shared in an Instagram announcement.

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“This moment is about more than awards. It’s about amplification, narrative power, and justice for AJ,” the organization added.

The grassroots watch gatherings range from small living room discussions among friends and family to larger events hosted by community leaders, churches, and civic groups. The film, now streaming on Netflix, is directed by Geeta Gandbhir and produced by Black women, including Alisa Payne and Takema Robinson.

It has earned more than 24 award nominations, including the aforementioned Oscar.

Since Owens’ murder in 2023, Win With Black Women—an intergenerational network of hundreds of thousands of Black women leaders across business, politics, culture, and advocacy—has used its platform to push for justice, support Owens’ family, and keep attention on the broader issues her story highlights.

The Standing in the Gap Fund, founded in 2023 in honor of Owens and others lost to racial violence, was created before The Perfect Neighbor became widely known and now leads the film’s impact campaign.

“Every time people gather to watch this film and talk about Ajike, they are honoring her life and helping ensure her story continues to matter,” said Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias. “My hope is that people leave these conversations not just moved, but committed—to voting, to speaking up, and to making sure other families never have to experience what ours has.”

10-Year-Old Sacramento Boy, Sacramento Boy, Indiana, Jarrell Pryor, Alexis Hawkins, Brian Winston, Jr. instagram, father, 26-year-old — (Photo: Andri Tambunan/AFP via Getty Images)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2026

TRIGGER WARNING: Black Man Shot By Police in Connecticut Died After Officer With ‘Mild Anxiety Attack’ Took First Ambulance

Dyshan Best's family is demanding answers after learning he waited 10 minutes for an ambulance after an officer with a “mild anxiety attack” took the first one.

Police in Bridgeport, Connecticut, are facing backlash after newly released reports revealed that a Black man shot by officers who later died had to wait an additional 10 minutes for an ambulance because an officer experiencing a “mild anxiety attack” took the first one that arrived at the scene.

Dyshan Best, 39, was shot in the back by Officer Yoon Heo in March 2025 while fleeing from officers, The Guardian reported. A report released on March 9 by the state’s inspector general concluded the shooting was justified because Best was holding a gun, and Heo feared for his safety.

Controversy has centered on what happened afterward. The first ambulance dispatched to take Best to the hospital arrived at 6:02 p.m., about 14 minutes after the March 31 shooting. But at the urging of other officers, that ambulance transported a white officer, Erin Perrotta, who had taken part in the foot chase and was experiencing what was described as a “mild anxiety attack.”

Paramedics later reported that Perrotta declined treatment while inside the ambulance. (Note: the video below contains violent content.)

#Bridgeport #CT
*potentially disturbing*
‘Bodycam video has been released showing the fatal police shooting of Dyshan Best as the 38-year-old ran up a driveway on Kossuth Street holding what appeared to be a gun in his right hand.’ pic.twitter.com/PESwijMMaw
— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) April 5, 2025

“I’m fine, I just needed to get out of here,” Perrota said, according to the report.

Another officer described Perrotta at the time as “visibly hysterical, crying and breathing rapidly, with blood all over her uniform,” the report noted.

A second ambulance arrived around 6:12 p.m. Hospital records show Best was admitted for treatment at 6:22 p.m., about 14 minutes after Perrotta arrived at the hospital, the report states. He died at 7:41 p.m. while being treated for a gunshot wound that had damaged his liver and right kidney. The report from Connecticut Inspector General Eliot Prescott did not determine whether the delay in waiting for a second ambulance contributed to Best’s death.

On March 10, department spokesperson Shawnna White confirmed that Perrotta has been placed on administrative leave. White also said the March 31, 2025, incident surrounding the death of Best will now be reviewed by the city’s internal affairs office following the conclusion of the state inspector general’s nearly yearlong independent investigation.

“The report and all of the information from the IG’s office is being transmitted and sent over to the city,” White said.

The city did not release further details, including how long Perrotta has been off duty or the specific reasons for the review.

The report’s findings have angered Best’s family. His niece, Tatiana Barrett, told reporters they believe he might have survived if he had been transported to the hospital in the first ambulance.

“Honestly, it’s heartbreaking hearing all these details,” she said. “We were looking for justice. In our community, we don’t know what justice looks like. We want justice for my uncle. We truly believe he was murdered.”

White reportedly declined to comment on Perrotta taking the first ambulance, saying in an email that the police department’s internal affairs division will conduct its own investigation.