Melanated Moments: July Was Filled With Vibes And Vision
Peep these events that went down in Atlanta and New Orleans.
The month of July rolled in, bringing heatwaves for much of the country. However, steamy weather and rainstorms didn’t put a damper on the following events. Peep these melanated moments from New Orleans to Atlanta.
Essence Festival of Culture
Shine City, the festival’s largest interactive activation to date, went down at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Festival-goers got to experience music, wellness, entrepreneurship, and meaningful community connection.
Global Black Economic Forum
This powerful forum brought the panel, “Sistas, Say It Louder: Reclaiming Power, Pleasure, and Protection in Black Women’s Health,” an important discussion on the health of Black women to Essence Fest.
DUNKMAN
Shaquille O’Neal’s DUNKMAN, the world’s first professional dunk league, jumped off in Atlanta. The inaugural season of Dunkman showcases the world’s top dunkers competing for a $500,000 grand prize.
The White Dress Project
July is Fibroid Awareness Month. The 2026 Empowerment Experience ushered in a weekend-long initiative and theme around: “The Softness We Deserve: The Healing Power of Our Stories.” in support of those impacted by fibroids.
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Brooklyn Will Host NYC’s 1st Parade Dedicated To Jamaica
The free event will kickoff at Bob Marley Boulevard at the intersection of Church and Flatbush Ave.
Organizers say New York City will host its first parade dedicated exclusively to celebrating Jamaican heritage when the inaugural Jamaica Rising Day Parade steps off in Brooklyn Aug. 8, highlighting the borough’s deep ties to one of the nation’s largest Jamaican communities, PIX 11 reports.
The free event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at Bob Marley Boulevard, located at the intersection of Church and Flatbush avenues, before proceeding north along Flatbush Avenue through central Brooklyn.
Organized by the Jamaica Rising Day Parade organization, the celebration is expected to draw thousands of attendees under the theme, “Jamaica Rising: One People. One Legacy. One Future.”
Participants will include cultural organizations, schools, churches, youth groups, elected officials, athletes, entertainers, and marching bands. Local vendors will also offer Jamaican food and other goods throughout the day.
Organizers say the parade is designed to recognize Jamaica’s cultural contributions while celebrating the history and influence of the Jamaican diaspora in New York City. Brooklyn is home to one of the largest Jamaican communities outside of Jamaica, making the borough a natural setting for the inaugural event.
The celebration comes as Jamaican communities around the world mark Jamaica’s independence, which the Caribbean nation gained from the United Kingdom Aug. 6, 1962. While New York City’s annual West Indian American Day Carnival has long celebrated the broader Caribbean community, organizers say the Jamaica Rising Day Parade is the first event in the city dedicated solely to Jamaican heritage.
The parade will transform a stretch of Flatbush Avenue into a showcase of Jamaica’s national colors — black, green, and gold — while highlighting the country’s music, food, traditions, and community organizations.
The Jamaica Rising Day Parade is free and open to the public.
Alcorn State University Professor Catches 32 Students Using AI Chatbots On Midterm
The discussion comes as colleges and universities continue to grapple with AI's growing role in the classroom.
A history professor at Alcorn State University is drawing national attention after a hidden prompt embedded in a summer midterm revealed that nearly every student across two classes relied on artificial intelligence to complete part of the assignment,Afrotech reports.
Dr. Jason Gibson, who teaches history at the Mississippi HBCU, said 32 of his 35 students failed a portion of their midterm after using AI to generate their responses without reviewing the final submissions.
The assignment asked students to compare the Industrial Revolution with the modern digital age. Unbeknownst to students, Gibson embedded the word “Madagascar” in white text within the essay prompt. Students who copied and pasted the instructions into an AI chatbot and submitted the generated responses without reviewing them unknowingly included the hidden word in their essays.
“Thirty-two of my 35 students between two classes failed a portion of their midterm because they all used AI to generate their entire response,” Gibson said in a TikTok video explaining the assignment. “Apparently, they didn’t proofread it.”
After grading the exams, Gibson showed students how the hidden text had been embedded in the prompt and invited anyone who believed they had been unfairly affected to appeal their grades.
One student’s score was later adjusted after she explained that her device’s dark mode prevented the hidden text from appearing on her screen, Gibson said.
While Gibson acknowledged that some instructors take satisfaction in catching students cheating, he said his goal was to encourage responsible AI use rather than punish students.
“I get no gratification out of seeing students fail,” he said. “It’s not my intent to see you fail.”
Gibson said the assignment was designed to demonstrate why AI-generated work should never be submitted without careful review.
“You would be amazed at the bizarre usage of the word ‘Madagascar’ that I saw in these students’ assignments,” he said. “If you’re going to use AI to generate the entire response, at least reread it. At least try to ensure that it makes a little bit of sense. Try to put it in your own words.”
Gibson’s videos have garnered millions of views across TikTok and other social media platforms, fueling debate over students’ reliance on AI and how colleges should respond.
The discussion comes as colleges and universities continue to grapple with AI’s growing role in the classroom. According to a February 2026 College Board survey of more than 3,000 faculty members, 74% of respondents said students use AI to draft essays or papers, while 67% reported students use the technology to rewrite or paraphrase text. Nearly half estimated that at least 50% of their students rely on AI for writing assignments.
“Faculty are navigating this critical transition, as AI rapidly expands in higher education,” Dr. Jessica Howell, the College Board’s vice president of research, said in a statement. “This research shows that faculty have serious concerns about AI’s impact on critical thinking, original writing, and academic integrity.”
Judge Orders Northwestern Mutual To Hand Over DEI Records In EEOC Probe
The ruling marks another legal test of corporate DEI programs as federal regulators increase scrutiny of workplace diversity policies
A federal judge has ordered Northwestern Mutual to comply with a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission subpoena seeking records related to the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, allowing the agency to continue investigating a workplace discrimination complaint, Bloomberg Law reports.
The July 30 ruling marks another legal test of corporate DEI programs as federal regulators increase scrutiny of workplace diversity policies and whether they comply with federal anti-discrimination law.
U.S. District Judge Brett H. Ludwig rejected the Milwaukee-based financial services company’s request to block the subpoena, finding the EEOC is entitled to information that could be relevant to its investigation. The court also approved a protective order designed to safeguard confidential employee information while allowing the agency to obtain the requested records.
The investigation stems from a discrimination complaint filed in March 2025 by a Northwestern Mutual employee who alleged he was denied a promotion because he is White and later faced retaliation after raising concerns about the company’s DEI initiatives. According to court filings, the employee contends the insurer’s diversity efforts improperly influenced promotion decisions.
The company argued the EEOC’s subpoena sought records that were overly broad and unrelated to the employee’s complaint. Ludwig disagreed, concluding the requested documents could be relevant to the agency’s investigation and ordering Northwestern Mutual to comply with the subpoena while preserving confidentiality protections for sensitive employee information.
The case comes as the EEOC, under Acting Chair Andrea Lucas, has stepped up scrutiny of corporate DEI programs following executive actions from the Trump administration aimed at eliminating what it describes as unlawful workplace preferences.
Ask for the Raise, or Start Looking? Run This Playbook First
When professionals decide they want to make more money, most assume there are only two options: ask for a raise or quit.
Career coach Joyel Crawford, the Fairygodmentor, says the raise conversation and the job search are both negotiations. Before you pick one, gather your evidence.
When professionals decide they want to make more money, most assume there are only two options: ask for a raise or quit. Career and leadership coach Joyel Crawford, the voice behind BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Ask Your Fairygodmentor column, starts her clients somewhere else, with a harder question. Has your value outgrown your paycheck, or has your workplace outgrown its willingness to pay for it?
The answer determines your next move. A raise conversation and a job search campaign are both negotiations. One happens with your current employer; the other happens in the marketplace. Before you commit to either, Crawford recommends three action steps.
Step 1: Conduct a value audit
Most people walk into salary conversations guarded and all in their feelings. What you need to walk in with is evidence. Or, as Crawford puts it, receipts. Ask yourself:
Have my responsibilities increased?
Am I performing work above my current level?
Have I improved the bottom line: led projects, improved processes, increased revenue, reduced costs, trained others?
When was my last significant pay increase?
Her tool for keeping those receipts current is a DIG folder, short for Damn, I’m Good: a running log of every measurable contribution from the last 12 to 18 months. If you can’t clearly articulate your value, your employer won’t be able to either.
“Your salary should reflect the value you create today, not the value of the person they hired several years ago.”
Step 2: Research your market value
Before asking for anything, do your homework. Research roles comparable to yours, current salary ranges, industry benchmarks, and compensation at competing companies. Many professionals discover they are underpaid only after seeing what other employers are offering.
The goal is sizing, not threatening. If the gap between your pay and the market is small, it may be negotiable internally. If it is large, changing employers may be the fastest path to higher earnings. Crawford is direct about the trade-off: it is admirable to be loyal, but blind loyalty can be expensive.
Step 3: Read the response, not just the answer
If you decide to ask, listen carefully to how leadership responds. A “not right now” is not always a no. Probe further: What would need to happen for a raise to be approved? What timeline should I expect? What measurable goals would justify an increase?
A healthy employer will explain a path forward. An unhealthy one will change the subject, move the goalposts, or expect you to keep doing more for the same pay, indefinitely. The conversation itself often tells you whether to stay or go. Sometimes, the most valuable thing you leave the room with is information.
You can do both
Crawford’s last piece of advice dissolves the either-or framing entirely. You don’t have to choose between asking for a raise and exploring new opportunities; the smartest professionals often do both. Gather your evidence, understand your market value, have the conversation, and let the response guide the decision.
Key takeaways
Keep a DIG folder: log every measurable win from the last 12 to 18 months before you need it.
Research comparable roles and ranges first; the size of the gap tells you whether to negotiate or move.
Judge the response, not just the answer: a healthy employer explains a path forward.
The goal is a career in which your compensation truly reflects your contributions. You’ve earned the right to know your worth and be paid accordingly. The question, Crawford reminds her readers, is whether your current employer agrees.
Source: Ask Your Fairygodmentor, BlackEnterprise.com.
Reputation, Not Resumes, May Unlock Better Career Opportunities
Her perspective comes as many mid-career employees report feeling stuck.
On the surface, earning another certification or graduate degree may seem like the logical solution for professionals whose careers have stalled. But career strategist Ilana Golan argues that experienced workers may benefit more from strengthening their professional reputation and networks than adding another credential, Entrepreneur reports.
Her perspective comes as many mid-career employees report feeling stuck. A recent New York University study found nearly 1 in 4 white-collar professionals has gone at least five years without receiving a meaningful promotion or pay increase, a trend researchers described as a “mid-career stall.”
According to Golan, experienced professionals often respond by pursuing additional certifications or technical skills. While that approach may help early-career workers compete for entry-level roles, she argues it has less impact later in a career because executive consulting work, advisory positions, board appointments, and other high-value opportunities frequently develop through professional relationships rather than traditional hiring channels.
Golan said she learned that lesson after unexpectedly leaving a startup she co-founded. She wrote that rebuilding her career led to advisory positions, investments, podcast opportunities, and eventually the launch of Leap Academy — none of which resulted from submitting job applications.
She encourages professionals to identify the unique business problems they solve rather than define themselves by a job title or employer. She also recommends building relationships before they become necessary during a job search by maintaining industry connections, seeking mentorship opportunities, and increasing visibility outside their current organization.
While credentials remain valuable, Golan contends that long-term career resilience increasingly depends on developing portable professional capital — including trust, credibility, and relationships — that can create opportunities regardless of changes within a single employer.
Financial experts say the increase does not necessarily signal a weakening economy.
More Americans are turning to personal bankruptcy as mounting debt, elevated borrowing costs, and the expiration of pandemic-era financial assistance continue to strain household finances, according to new federal court data, NPR reports.
More than 574,000 personal bankruptcy cases were filed during the 12-month period ending March 31, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. That marks a nearly 12% increase from the previous year and almost a 50% jump compared with three years earlier, though filings remain below pre-pandemic levels.
Financial experts say the increase does not necessarily signal a weakening economy. Instead, it reflects that more consumers facing prolonged financial hardship have reached the point where bankruptcy has become their most practical option.
“It’s telling us that consumers are having a harder time coping with their financial obligations,” Sasha Indarte, a finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, told the outlet.
Personal bankruptcy allows individuals who can no longer meet their financial obligations to seek court protection while restructuring or eliminating qualifying debt. Depending on the filing type, consumers may enter a court-approved repayment plan or have certain debts discharged. Filing also triggers an automatic stay that temporarily stops most collection efforts.
“Possibly the biggest benefit of petitioning the court for bankruptcy is that all your creditors then have to stop harassing you,” Mary Eschelbach Hansen, a bankruptcy economist at American University, said.
While bankruptcy remains on a consumer’s credit report for years, researchers say many people overestimate its long-term effect. Samuel Antill, an assistant professor at Harvard Business School, found that most filers begin rebuilding their credit within about a year after filing.
Experts note that bankruptcy filings plunged during the COVID-19 pandemic as stimulus payments, expanded unemployment benefits, and other federal relief programs helped many households stay afloat. As those programs ended and consumers continued grappling with inflation, higher interest rates, and accumulated debt, filings gradually returned to more typical levels.
Still, economists caution that bankruptcy filings should not be viewed as a standalone measure of the economy because they represent consumers experiencing the most severe financial distress rather than the financial health of households overall.
For some Americans, however, bankruptcy provides a path toward financial recovery instead of failure. Oklahoma City resident Rebecca Lessley, who filed for bankruptcy after losing her job and falling behind on debt payments, said learning that several friends had gone through the same process helped erase much of the stigma.
“I, in a way, feel a sense of relief,” Lessley said. “Maybe this is what I needed to get me back into a better position and to have a little bit more financial success.”
Beyond The Plate: ‘A Taste Of Black Cleveland’ Drives Economic Impact For Local Entrepreneurs
The annual culinary showcase demonstrates the commercial benefits of sports partnerships.
Partnerships among corporate sports franchises, advocacy groups, and local entrepreneurs generate economic momentum beyond the arena. This was clear at Rocket Arena on July 16, where the eighth annual Taste of Black Cleveland: The Food Showcase featured more than two dozen Black-owned food businesses and drew a sold-out crowd of more than 1,100 attendees.
Events like this are more than cultural celebrations; they are essential for scaling small businesses, securing capital, and forming institutional partnerships. In a market where Black founders often face barriers to visibility and funding, corporate-backed initiatives with multiple stakeholders provide a proven basis for sustainable growth.
The event was produced through a partnership among the Cleveland Cavaliers, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, the Cleveland NAACP, and Black CoLabs. Offering premier arena facilities and direct consumer access, this partnership connects grassroots food vendors with large-scale exposure.
Congratulations to our 2026 A Taste of Black Cleveland 8.0 winners! ✨
These talented chefs wowed our guests with thoughtfully curated culinary creations, showcasing the incredible flavors and culture that make Cleveland’s Black-owned food scene so special! pic.twitter.com/4MArjzBP3r
“Each year, A Taste of Black Cleveland shines a light on the rich culinary scene our city has to offer, and this year’s expanded voting categories reflect just how much our Black-owned business community has grown,” said Kevin Clayton, executive vice president and chief impact and equity officer of the Cleveland Cavaliers. “This event only happens because of the hard work chefs and business owners put in every day, and tonight is a chance to celebrate them and show why Cleveland is becoming a true culinary destination.”
Organizers sold 1,150 tickets out of a 1,200-person capacity, ensuring strong customer turnout for participating brands. In addition to marketing exposure, the event provided direct financial support. Winners in six categories each received $1,500, and remaining proceeds were reinvested in participating restaurateurs, the Cleveland NAACP branch, and the Cavaliers Community Foundation.
Organizers prioritize long-term wealth building and business retention. In past years, several participating restaurants reported increased revenue and new business opportunities from their involvement in the event. For example, after appearing at Taste of Black Cleveland, previous vendors opened additional locations or secured major catering contracts with community groups. Danielle Sydnor and LaRese Purnell, co-founders of Black CoLabs, emphasized that providing direct commercial opportunities for Black founders is vital for local economic development.
“We are overwhelmed each year by the support and energy in the room; it’s contagious,” Sydnor and Purnell said in a joint statement. “Forty-five percent of the businesses were first-time competitors, and two walked away as first-place winners. This event for us has always been about economic impact, so please support these businesses throughout the year.”
The event’s high attendance provided a valuable setting for customer acquisition and experiential marketing. Business owners used creative branding to stand out. Calvin Willis, owner of No Fork in Beachwood, engaged patrons with handheld marquee signs and lights while offering unique menu items such as chicken alfredo push-pops. Willis noted that high-density events require entrepreneurs to improve differentiation strategies because attention immediately affects sales.
To reflect industry changes, organizers expanded the competition to include catering, full-service dining, food trucks, carryout, vegan options, and desserts. Participating businesses are selected through an open application process held several months before the event. Local Black-owned food businesses can apply online or be nominated by community partners. Selection criteria consider culinary quality, business sustainability, and community involvement.
House of Creole, operated by Miskiri Hospitality Group, won the full-service restaurant category for the second time. We Want Smoke BBQ won the new catering category, recognized for its 17-hour smoked brisket. Soul City B-B-Q earned the top food truck title as a first-time entrant. Mama Joyce’s Soul Food won the carryout division, Freshlyfe took the vegan category with plant-based crab cakes, and Kake Kutters received top honors for dessert.
For House of Creole, winning the prominent industry showcase offers validation. General Manager Roger Gairy stated that customer recognition in major sports venues builds market trust and drives growth opportunities.
Cleveland NAACP Branch President Edwin Hubbard Jr. pointed out the importance of creating lasting, profitable opportunities for Black businesses in major cities. He emphasized that continuous economic support transforms seasonal events into lasting community equity, representing a strong model for urban economic empowerment.
IShowSpeed Reportedly Buys $11M Warehouse To Build Massive Content Creation Studio
The property is expected to serve as a central hub for content production and business operations.
IShowSpeed is reportedly expanding his media business with the purchase of an industrial warehouse near Miami that is expected to become a dedicated production studio as the YouTube star continues building his creator enterprise, Afrotech reports.
According to the outlet, a real estate publication, The Real Deal, reported that the 21-year-old streamer, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., acquired a 26,600-square-foot warehouse on a 1.8-acre property for approximately $10.75 million. The property, located in Miami’s West Little River area, is expected to serve as a central hub for content production and business operations.
The reported purchase represents one of the largest business investments of Watkins’ career and reflects a growing trend among top digital creators who are purchasing permanent production facilities rather than relying on rented studio space. Fellow creator MrBeast has also invested in a large-scale production campus as leading online personalities continue expanding into full-scale media companies, according to the outlet.
Watkins rose to prominence through gaming livestreams before broadening his content to include travel, sports, and real-world challenges. His global broadcasts, including high-profile livestreams across several African countries, have helped him build one of YouTube’s largest audiences, surpassing 50 million subscribers in 2026.
His growing influence has translated into business opportunities beyond streaming. Watkins has secured partnerships with brands including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Beats by Dre, and Doritos. Forbes also included him among its list of highest-paid creators of 2026, estimating his earnings at approximately $30 million.
Watkins’ profile continued to grow during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he collaborated with FIFA throughout the tournament and later appeared during the closing ceremony.
Reflecting on his journey afterward, Watkins encouraged aspiring creators to remain committed to their goals.
“Four years ago, I was in my mom’s house, screaming, barking, ‘Siuuu!’ Cristiano Ronaldo! Siuuu!’… A kid from Ohio … just doing anything, and I just performed at the World Cup final,” Watkins said in a YouTube video. “You can do whatever you want… Just believe.”
