Is The Kennedy Center Canceling Black History Month? No BHM Events Scheduled
In previous years, the Kennedy Center regularly hosted Black History Month concerts, tributes, and performances honoring African-American history and culture.
While museums and cultural institutions nationwide roll out programming to mark Black History Month, the Kennedy Center’s public calendar currently lists no events dedicated to the annual observance, following a wave of cancellations and artist departures tied to changes in leadership under the Trump administration.
In previous years, the Kennedy Center regularly hosted Black History Month concerts, tributes, and performances honoring African-American history and culture. That tradition now seems to have come to an end. Choirs and organizations that long-anchored those events moved their programming elsewhere after President Donald Trump reshaped the center’s board of trustees in 2025. No comparable programming has been added to replace what left, The Washington Post reported.
Past BHM events and performances can still be found on The Kennedy Center website.
The shift follows a turbulent year for the nation’s premier performing arts venue. After newly installed trustees elected Trump as chairman and named his ally Richard Grenell as president, a number of artists withdrew from scheduled performances and ticket sales reportedly declined. In December, the board voted to rename the institution “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,” prompting additional cancellations.
The upheaval has had ripple effects across the center’s programming and staff, breaking with long-standing traditions. In past years, Black History Month events were clearly labeled on the center’s website. This year, no such designation appears. The Kennedy Center did not respond to The Washington Post to requests for comment.
One of the most notable departures is “Living the Dream … Singing the Dream,” a Black History Month concert that has been presented for decades at the Kennedy Center by Washington Performing Arts and the Choral Arts Society of Washington. Its 38th edition will take place instead at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.
Chicago Rapper And Streamer Aspen Kartier Arrested In Georgia On Animal Cruelty Allegations
Authorities say a viral video led investigators to the 19-year-old’s home, where a puppy was recovered and placed in protective custody.
Chicago-born rapper and online streamer Aspen Kartier has been arrested in Georgia following allegations of animal cruelty tied to a video that spread rapidly on social media, according to local authorities.
Complex reported that the 19-year-old artist, whose legal name is Aspen Easterling, was taken into custody Jan. 30. Investigators say the arrest stemmed from live stream footage that appeared to show Easterling mistreating a Maltipoo puppy.
Police identified Easterling as a suspect after confirming the address seen in the video matched her residence on Town Boulevard. Officers then secured a search warrant and arrested her at her home shortly after 9:30 p.m., authorities said.
During the search, officers located the three-month-old puppy featured in the video. Police noted the dog appeared to be in good condition at the time. The animal has since been placed in the care of DeKalb County Animal Control “for protection,” while Easterling remains held at the DeKalb County Jail.
Easterling, who performs under the name Aspen Kartier, has built a sizable following online, including more than 71,000 followers on Twitch. Her channel, however, has since been listed as “temporarily unavailable.” The status change followed public criticism and calls for action after the video circulated.
According to TMZ, the clip appears to show Kartier grabbing the puppy and tossing it by the nape of its neck, an action animal welfare experts warn can cause serious pain or injury. In a subsequent video, Kartier denied harming the dog and suggested viewers were misinterpreting what they saw.
“Tell them that you’re fine. Tell them right now,” Kartier said in the clip, addressing the puppy, which could be heard whimpering. Animal rights organization PETA weighed in after the footage gained attention. When contacted by Complex, a PETA spokesperson said that Twitch “was right” to take action regarding Kartier’s account, though the platform has not detailed the nature or length of any suspension.
“People are rightly horrified by the video in which Aspen Kartier raises her arm several times and appears to strike her dog as he wails, before moving off camera while the sounds of the dog’s distress continue,” the PETA representative told Complex.
The spokesperson added, “Anyone who would beat and terrify their dog should never go near one. Twitch was right to suspend this account. Now we urge authorities to immediately investigate, prosecute if appropriate, and, hopefully, seize this dog so that nothing like this ever happens again and the dog gets a chance at a loving home.”
The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet announced whether additional charges could follow.
Welp…White House Says Nicki Minaj’s ‘Trump Gold Card’ Is Just A Souvenir, Not A Citizenship Fast Pass
Officials clarified the rapper’s viral post, saying the gold-colored card carries no legal status and does not affect her path to U.S. citizenship.
A White House official says the “Trump Gold Card” recently displayed online by rapper Nicki Minaj is not a valid immigration document but a keepsake with no legal standing, contradicting claims the artist made on social media.
Trinidad-born Minaj has lived in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident for about two decades, despite indicating she was initially brought to the country as an illegal immigrant. Recently she shared photos of a gold-colored card bearing President Donald Trump’s image. The card has been marketed by the White House as a fast-track path to American citizenship for individuals willing to contribute $1 million to the U.S. Treasury and pay a $15,000 nonrefundable processing fee. In a separate post, Minaj suggested she received the card “free of charge.”
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A White House official, speaking anonymously to The New York Times, dismissed those claims, explaining that Minaj was given only a novelty item. According to the official, the rapper has been a legal permanent resident for roughly two decades and is already in the process of applying for citizenship, making any expedited immigration program unnecessary in her case. The official added that the gold card she received “serves little value” beyond being a memento.
Minaj’s posts followed her appearance at a White House event earlier this week promoting children’s investment accounts created under a Trump-backed spending package. During the event, the president praised the rapper, calling her “the greatest” and “the most successful female rapper in history.”
Trump also highlighted her financial support for the initiative, saying, “Nicki makes a lot of money, and she’s generously stepping up. She’s investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in Trump accounts to support the children and really, really the children of her incredible fans.”
The artist, who in 2024 became the first female rapper to earn Diamond certification for two songs from the Recording Industry Association of America, has increasingly aligned herself with Trump and the MAGA movement. Trump described Minaj as “a big Trump supporter and a Trump fan” who has taken “a little heat on occasion” but remains “an unbelievable supporter.”
Appearing alongside Trump in a white fur-trimmed coat, Minaj told the audience she was unsure what to say but declared herself the president’s “No. 1 fan.” She insisted her support was unwavering, adding, “And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more, and it’s going to motivate all of us to support him more.”
“We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him and you know, the smear campaigns, it’s not going to work,” she continued. Minaj also said she believes “God is protecting” the president.
While Minaj’s political turn has drawn criticism from fans, LGBTQ advocates, and civil rights groups, the White House made clear that her much-discussed gold card is symbolic only — and not a shortcut through the U.S. immigration system.
Grand Rapids Reaches Settlement With Family Of Girl, 11, Handcuffed During 2017 Police Encounter
Grand Rapids has agreed to pay $285,000 to the family of Honestie Hodges.
By Robert Hill
The city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has agreed to pay $285,000 to the family of Honestie Hodges, an 11-year-old Black girl who was held at gunpoint by police.
In Dec. 2017, Hodges, who was 11 years old at the time, was handcuffed, held at gunpoint, and placed in a police cruiser outside of her home by police officers. The officers were allegedly searching for Hodges’ aunt, who was involved in a domestic assault.
Hodges later passed away in November 2020 at the age of 14 due to complications from COVID-19.
In Nov. 2023, Whitney Hodges, Honestie’s mother, filed a lawsuit against the city and the three Grand Rapids police officers involved in the incident.
In the lawsuit, the family alleged that officers violated Hodges’ constitutional rights by detaining her at gunpoint without justification. The lawsuit also stated that she was the victim of unreasonable search and seizure, false arrest, excessive force, assault and battery, and negligence.
Because officers were required to wear body cameras, video of the encounter later circulated publicly, and the footage garnered national attention and sparked criticism of police conduct involving minors.
During the encounter, Honestie could be heard pleading with officers to stop. The Guardianreported, “Police body camera footage from the incident showed Honestie crying and screaming, ‘No, please,’ as officers handcuffed her.” The officers involved were not disciplined because they were found not to have violated any department policies.
However, Hodges’ legal team emphasized that the encounter caused emotional trauma and raised concerns about the treatment of children during police operations.
As a result of an internal investigation conducted in 2017, the Grand Rapids Police Department implemented the Honestie Policy, which was revised to provide more straightforward guidelines for handcuffing and detaining youth.
Although the city has agreed to the settlement, the $285,000 payment must still be approved in court.
Former Bears Star Charles Tillman Walks Away From FBI Over Trump-Era Immigration Tactics
His decision to leave followed the Trump administration's deployment of ICE agents to Chicago.
By Robert Hill
Former Chicago Bears star cornerback Charles Tillman has resigned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation amid concerns about President Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration policies.
Tillman retired from the National Football League in 2016 and joined the FBI two years later, citing a sense of civic duty and a desire to continue serving the community. His decision to leave followed the Trump administration’s deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Chicago in January 2025.
Tillman said his decision to resign came after learning more about the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. He recalled a briefing in which agents were informed that White House border czar Tom Homan and television personality Dr. Phil McGraw would be coming to Chicago alongside ICE during immigration enforcement operations.
When he first started, he enrolled in the FBI’s 20-week training program, where he worked as an agent in downtown Chicago while also investigating drug and human trafficking.
Tillman said he was instructed to participate in arrests that extended beyond violent offenders. Daily Mail reported that Tillman described a broken system stating, “It was, ‘Some guys are working on a house outside. Let’s go sweep them up, and it will count for the quota system. To me, it felt political.”
Tillman said he chose to step away from the operation and attend Tessa, his 13-year-old daughter’s basketball game. He later decided to resign from the FBI.
Tillman’s interest in public service was influenced by his father, Donald Tillman, who served for 20 years in the United States Army as a military police officer, supply sergeant, and platoon sergeant. That background helped shape Tillman’s decision to major in criminal justice while playing football at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he also developed his signature “Peanut Punch.”
During his final years with the FBI, Tillman served as a firearm’s tactical instructor, training agents in firearm safety and tactical operations.
Disney Parks Unveil ‘Celebrate Soulfully’ Events To Honor Black History Month
From gospel concerts and heritage exhibits to special cuisine and parades, Disneyland and Walt Disney World plan weeks of programming spotlighting Black culture, history, and creativity.
Disney Parks are preparing to mark Black History Month in 2026 with an expanded lineup of experiences designed to highlight Black culture, artistry, and history across both coasts. The annual “Celebrate Soulfully” initiative will return to Disneyland Resort in California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, offering live music, food, exhibits, and performances throughout February.
At Disneyland Resort, the popular “Celebrate Gospel” concert series will return for two weekends — Feb. 20–21 and Feb. 27–28 — bringing Grammy Award–winning gospel artists to the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage. Bishop Hezekiah Walker is set to headline on Feb. 21, followed by Yolanda Adams on Feb. 28. The free concerts, which do not require park admission, will also feature community choirs from across Southern California, continuing a tradition of uplifting performances tied to Black History Month.
In addition to live music, Disneyland will debut a new heritage trail featuring interactive displays throughout the resort. The exhibits will honor influential Black leaders, artists, and innovators past and present, with installations spanning Frontierland to Hollywood Land. Guests can expect tributes to figures such as Leah Chase at Tiana’s Palace, Martha Blanding on Main Street, U.S.A., and animator Floyd Norman on Buena Vista Street.
Food offerings will also play a central role in the celebration. Limited-time menu items inspired by Black culinary traditions will be available from late January through early March. At Tiana’s Palace, guests can order a French Quarter fried chicken bowl featuring spicy honey-glazed chicken, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens. Lamplight Lounge will serve New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp paired with cheesy polenta and a Cajun butter sauce.
As reported by Disney Parks Blog, the celebration extends beyond Disneyland. At Walt Disney World, Black History Month festivities will officially begin Feb. 9 with a special parade moment at Magic Kingdom, led by Toya Johnson-Rushing as honorary grand marshal. The afternoon procession will feature Disney characters, music, and high-energy performances.
Throughout February, EPCOT will spotlight Black artists during the International Festival of the Arts, showcasing works by creators including Yesenia Moises, Ryan Riller, Larissa Brown, and Mark Page. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, guests can experience Caribbean-inspired performances from Viva Gaia and the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe.
Additional offerings include appearances by Princess Tiana, jazz performances inspired by Pixar’s “Soul,” and interactive experiences tied to Marvel’s Dora Milaje. Disney officials encourage guests to explore these programs as part of a broader effort to recognize Black heritage year-round, with ticket and hotel discounts also expected in early 2026.
Swishahouse Co-Founder Michael ‘5000’ Watts Dies At 52, Leaving Lasting Legacy In Houston Hip-Hop
Watts died after developing torsades de pointes, a rare and dangerous heart rhythm that can cause sudden cardiac death.
By Robert Hill
Fifty-two-year-old Houston hip-hop legend and Swishahouse co-founder Michael Watts, known as “5000 Watts,” died Jan. 30.
On Jan. 28, Watts was hospitalized due to severe health conditions. He soon passed after developing torsades de pointes, which is a dangerous and rare abnormal heart rhythm, and that this condition led to his sudden cardiac death.
Watts was a respected Houston native who contributed to the city’s hip-hop identity. He co-founded the independent record label Swishahouse with DJ OG Ron C and G Dash, designing a platform that amplified Southern rap and gave local artists national exposure.
Local artists who attribute their success to Swishahouse include Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Slim Thug, and Chamillionaire.
Swishahouse was founded in 1997 and became a bedrock of the Houston hip-hop movement. Watts was credited with popularizing chopped-and-screwed music. The label played a pivotal role in uplifting Houston’s sound.
Watts had many other talents, especially with the turntables. TheGrio reported his star moment: “Watts’ biggest moment on the national scene came in 2004, going into 2005 with the single release of ‘Still Tippin,’ from Slim Thug, Paul Wall and Mike Jones. Watts can be seen early in the song’s music video behind the turntables, steering a classic song into a classic movement for Houston and the South in general.”
Watts was also a radio personality, serving as a late-night host on Houston’s 97.5 The Box, where he played his mixtapes. He demonstrated dedication to the Houston community by using his talents to gain exposure for artists in his hometown’s music industry.
Many tributes have appeared across social media following his death, with fans and members of the Houston hip-hop community commemorating his impact on the culture.
Watts leaves behind his wife, Tammie Watts, five children, and two grandchildren.
Ex-NFL Star Tyrann Mathieu Drank Bleach In Attempt to Beat College Drug Test
"I done tried everything in the books."
On a recent episode of his In the Bayou podcast, former NFL safety Tyrann Mathieu admitted to using several methods while playing at Louisiana State University to pass his drug tests—including, yes, drinking bleach.
“I done tried everything in the books,” Mathieu said. He admitted that he even used other people’s urine and a fake penis.
None, though, seemed to have the effects of drinking something found in laundry rooms and under kitchen sinks from coast to coast.
“I remember one time, to tell you a funny story, not funny, I could have died, but a couple tests before I realized they were gonna kick me out of school, I’m sitting in a circle, and I’m on Google trying to figure out, ‘Man, how the f**k do I pass this test?’ These folks keep threatening me, right?
“I’m just scrolling, and I come across some s**t that said just put some bleach in the top,” Mathieu continued. “Put a little bleach in the top, and put it in your Coca-Cola. And so I did that, and I’m like, ‘Yo, what the f**k.’ It felt like my whole insides were just like erupting. I end up throwing that s**t up, and at that point I’m like, ‘F**k it, I’ve run out of tricks.’”
There was a reason Mathieu was trying to beat the drug test.
At LSU in 2011, according to Apple News, he was suspended for one game. A year later, he was dismissed after multiple test failures and entered a drug rehabilitation program in Houston. He did overcome his drug issues, despite an arrest for marijuana possession following his dismissal.
Things worked out for Mathieu. A third-round draft pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the “Honey Badger” retired in 2024 as a three-time All-Pro selection and a three-time Pro Bowler. He played the Arizona Cardinals, the Houston Texans, the Kansas City Chiefs (where he won a Super Bowl in 2020), and the New Orleans Saints.
Government Grinds To A Halt After Funding Deal Stalls In House, Triggering Partial U.S. Shutdown
Federal agencies furlough workers as lawmakers clash over ICE and budget priorities, with DHS receiving only temporary funding.
A partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government took effect on Jan. 31 after Congress failed to fully approve a last-minute funding agreement, forcing dozens of agencies to halt routine operations and furlough workers nationwide.
The funding lapse began at midnight Eastern time after the Senate approved a stopgap bill to keep most federal agencies operating through September. The measure, however, provides only two weeks of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees immigration enforcement, rather than extending its budget for the remainder of the fiscal year. The House of Representatives has not yet voted on the bill and remains out of session, leaving parts of the government without authorization to spend.
As a result, nonessential federal offices closed immediately, while employees designated as “essential” were ordered to continue working without pay until lawmakers reach a final agreement. The White House confirmed that several departments, including transportation, education, and defense, had been instructed to carry out shutdown procedures.
“Employees should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities,” a White House memo stated. “It is our hope that this lapse will be short.”
President Donald Trump urged House Republicans, who hold a majority, to approve the Senate-passed deal. The compromise followed tense negotiations with Democrats, who declined to support broader immigration funding after the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis by federal agents earlier this month.
The shutdown highlights unresolved disputes over immigration enforcement, federal oversight and overall spending levels. Republicans backing the standoff argue that the disruption underscores the need for tighter budget controls and policy reforms. Democrats counter that shutdowns are a political tactic that harms federal workers and working families while doing little to solve long-term fiscal issues.
“This is about accountability,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said as negotiations stalled. Referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he added, “We need to rein in ICE and end the violence. That means ending roving patrols. It means requiring rules, oversight, and judicial warrants… Masks need to come off, cameras need to stay on, and officers need visible identification. No secret police.”
Trump and Senate Democrats reached an agreement to fund most of the federal government through the remainder of the year, but the deal briefly stalled in the Senate due to opposition from Sen. Lindsey Graham. The South Carolina Republican blocked a fast vote for nearly 24 hours, calling the bipartisan package a bad deal for ICE officers and other DHS employees. Graham also objected to language that would repeal a provision allowing him and several Republican senators to sue the Justice Department over subpoenaed phone records tied to the investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, NBC News reported.
The consequences of the shutdown are already being felt across the country. Black Americans, who are disproportionately represented in the federal workforce, face heightened economic risk from furloughs and delayed paychecks. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, Black Americans account for about 26% of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants despite making up roughly 12% of the U.S. population, raising concerns that service disruptions could deepen existing inequities.
This marks the second federal shutdown in the past year, coming just 11 weeks after the end of a 43-day funding impasse in late 2025—the longest in U.S. history—which disrupted air travel and left hundreds of thousands of workers without pay. Lawmakers say the current lapse is unlikely to last as long, with the House scheduled to reconvene Monday.
As reported by the BBC, attention has also focused on DHS, with lawmakers planning to use the two-week funding window to negotiate additional conditions tied to immigration enforcement. Both parties have criticized tactics used by federal agents following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse killed during an altercation with Border Patrol officers in Minneapolis. The Justice Department launched a civil rights investigation into the incident on Friday.
Despite signals from both sides that a resolution is possible, negotiations remain tense, with neither party eager to shoulder blame if the shutdown drags on.
Byron Allen And Ava DuVernay Tackle MLK Assassination In New Film
Allen and DuVernay confirmed a new feature film collaboration titled 'King vs. the United States of America.'
By Robert Hill
On Jan. 30, media mogul Byron Allen and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay confirmed a new feature film collaboration titled “King vs. the United States of America.”
The film focuses on Coretta Scott King’s journey and decades-long pursuit to get to the truth surrounding the 1968 assassination of her husband, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who was killed on April 4, 1968, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
The project revisits the longstanding questions surrounding King’s assassination, which was officially blamed on James Earl Ray. However, Coretta Scott King and her family never accepted this conclusion.
“King vs. the United States of America” will analyze Mrs. King’s independent investigation, including a 1999 civil trial where the jury concluded King’s assassination involved a broader conspiracy, hinting at the involvement of government agencies.
The two collaborators bring passion and a sense of truth to their documentation of African American history. DuVernay previously directed the 2014 film “Selma” and created the series “When They See Us,” bringing a long history of telling stories centered on Black history and civil rights. With the help of Allen’s Allen Media Group, he will help expand the company’s presence in film and television productions.
As reported by Deadline, Allen is ready to get to work. “My passion and dedication to exposing the historic secret trial regarding King’s assassination is unshakable.”
Coretta Scott King emerged as a political force like her husband, but in her own right, advocating for civil rights, feminism, and LGBTQ equality following her husband’s assassination.
It takes more than two people to make a film. Other collaborators for “King vs. the United States of America” include producers Carolyn Folks, Jennifer Lucas, Chris Charalambous, and Matthew Signer.
The announcement was shared on a special day for the King family, especially since Coretta Scott King passed away on this day 20 years ago, and as her son, Dexter King, would have been celebrating his birthday.
