ON THIS DAY: July 29, 2008 Congress Issued Apology For Slavery

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

July 29, 2026

ON THIS DAY: July 29, 2008 Congress Issued Apology For Slavery

The apology did not establish monetary compensation or financial reparations to the descendants of enslaved individuals.

The United States House of Representatives fundamentally reshaped the nation’s political landscape on July 29, 2008, by formally approving a historic non-binding resolution that acknowledged the profound horrors of chattel slavery and systemic Jim Crow segregation. Introduced by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)—a white lawmaker serving a majority-Black constituency in Memphis—House Resolution 194 marked the very first instance in American history where a branch of the federal government issued an official apology for the institutional enslavement of African Americans.

What Is House Resolution 194 and How Did It Pass?

House Resolution 194 was officially introduced to address centuries of unacknowledged systemic harm perpetrated against millions of African Americans. Passed via a simple voice vote in the House of Representatives, the historic document explicitly outlined the brutal realities of chattel slavery and the subsequent legal frameworks of segregation that systematically denied Black Americans basic civil liberties, economic independence, and voting rights between the late 19th and mid-20th centuries.

Rep. Steve Cohen crafted the legislation to ensure that the federal government acknowledged its role in permitting state-sanctioned oppression. While individual states like Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina had previously passed similar measures at the local level, House Resolution 194 elevated the historic effort to the federal stage, securing bipartisan approval without requiring a formal roll-call vote.

Why Did House Resolution 194 Omit Financial Reparations?

Despite its unprecedented nature, House Resolution 194 remains a subject of intense political analysis due to its deliberate legal boundaries. As a nonbinding resolution, the measure served exclusively as a symbolic federal acknowledgment rather than a binding statute. It carried no enforceable legal liability for the U.S. government, nor did it establish any framework for monetary compensation or financial reparations to the descendants of enslaved individuals. The language of House Resolution 194 specifically focused on moral accountability, stating that the long-term economic, psychological, and social vestiges of Jim Crow persist today. While community advocates and civil rights leaders emphasized that symbolic gestures must eventually translate into material policy solutions, lawmakers designed the nonbinding resolution to focus on historical reconciliation, preserving a distinction between institutional repentance and legal financial obligations.

How Does House Resolution 194 Impact Contemporary Restorative Justice?

The passage of House Resolution 194 catalyzed subsequent legislative actions across Capitol Hill, including the Senate’s companion measure, Senate Concurrent Resolution 26, passed in June 2009. By embedding an official acknowledgment of historic atrocities into the Congressional Record, House Resolution 194 established an foundational baseline for ongoing debates surrounding H.R. 40—the federal proposal to establish a commission studying reparations and national truth and reconciliation efforts.

Ultimately, House Resolution 194 remains a pivotal milestone in American political history, demonstrating how legislative actions shape national memory, public education, and the ongoing quest for racial justice.

by Sidnee Michelle

July 29, 2026

‘Just For Teens’ Skincare Brand Expands To Nearly 10,000 Dollar General Stores

The expansion marks another step in the company's retail growth strategy after its products demand increased.

Black-owned skincare company Just for Teens will expand its national retail footprint to nearly 10,000 Dollar General stores by September 2026, giving the Atlanta-based brand broader access to consumers through one of the nation’s largest discount retailers, The Atlanta Voice reports.

Just for Teens partnered with Dollar General, which serves thousands of rural, suburban, and underserved communities — a decision that has helped keep prices low while expanding access during one of the year’s busiest shopping seasons.

The expansion marks another step in the company’s retail growth strategy after its products increased from approximately 4,000 Dollar General locations in September 2025 to more than 8,000 stores today. Founder Brian Reynolds said the latest rollout will include the company’s scented pimple patches, which are scheduled to arrive in stores in September.

Reynolds said the opportunity stemmed from participating in Dollar General’s small-business supplier program, which helps emerging businesses secure shelf space with the retailer.

“Success is measured by how many customers and families you can serve and positively impact their lives,” Reynolds said. “We wanted a young person in a small town to have the same access to quality skincare as someone shopping at a specialty beauty retailer, and parents shouldn’t have to pay premium prices to help their kids feel confident.”

Founded in 2020, Just for Teens develops skincare products designed for younger consumers, including facial cleansers, moisturizers, mineral creams, pimple patches, sun patches, and bite patches. Reynolds said the company’s retail presence has accelerated over the past 18 months as it expanded into major chain stores.

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Dollar General operates more than 20,000 stores nationwide, including more than 1,130 locations in Georgia — its second-largest market by store count behind Texas, according to the retailer. The company has a market capitalization of about $26 billion, according to CompaniesMarketCap.

For Reynolds, securing shelf space with a national retailer has allowed the brand to reach customers in communities that extend far beyond its Atlanta roots.

“It’s fascinating to go into random stores in small towns and see your products on shelves,” Reynolds said.

He recalled learning that a friend found Just for Teens pimple patches at a Dollar General outside St. Louis, highlighting the brand’s expanding national reach.

“We’re growing really quickly,” Reynolds said.

The September rollout is expected to further increase the company’s visibility as Just for Teens continues to compete for market share in the growing skincare industry while demonstrating how national retail partnerships can help Black-owned consumer brands scale their businesses.

“It’s not just young people who love our products. Parents tell us they appreciate the value, and many use the clear patches too,” Reynolds said. “We designed something that makes skincare fun for kids while offering something practical enough for the whole family.”

XCEL Summit for men, Dexter Brown — Courtesy of Dexter Brown

by Kenneth Meeks

July 29, 2026

The Secrets Behind Dell Technologies’ Use of Artificial Intelligence

Vice President Dexter Brown Shares Insight into the Strategy to Make A.I. the Fabric and Backbone of the Corporation

BLACK ENTERPRISE proved that Artificial Intelligence is no longer limited to research labs or specific industries. It’s being incorporated into products, services, and processes in areas ranging from healthcare and finance to transportation and entertainment, transforming how we live, work, and lead. Dell Technologies is also taking away the human touch when it comes to collecting and storing customer information. According to Dexter Brown, vice president of Global Customer Delivery at Dell Technologies, the impact AI has on Dell is impressive. It is a tool to help agents become more efficient and accurate in its data collection. And it isn’t for the agent’s benefit; it’s for the customer.

At the 2025 XCEL Summit for Men, Brown told a conference of young professional men of color that the use of AI technology is the future. And now more than ever, establishing a reputation for understanding the opportunities and risks associated with the rapid development and widespread integration of AI is critical to your career success. And while different AI models are applied to difference departments, Brown shares how AI is used in customer service. As we approach the 10^thanniversary of the summit this fall, BE reminds these young professionals that if you are considering a career in AI, then stand out as a top performer and effective leader in the age of AI. Hear it from Dexter Brown himself in this short video clip.

Aliko Dangote Joins The $30 Billion Club, First African To Do So — Investment Corporation of Dubai, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

by Sidnee Michelle

July 28, 2026

Africa’s Richest Man Aliko Dangote Secures Record $2.5B Investment Ahead Of Refinery IPO

The fundraising attracted several institutional investors, including the Africa Finance Corporation and African Export-Import Bank.

Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote, has secured a record $2.5 billion private capital investment for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, providing new funding to expand the facility and advance plans for a future initial public offering, Business Africa reports.

The financing, announced by Dangote Industries, is being described as the largest publicly disclosed private capital raise in Africa. The investment will help increase the refinery’s processing capacity from 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028, further expanding one of the continent’s largest energy infrastructure projects, according to the Financial Times.

The fundraising attracted several institutional investors, including the Africa Finance Corporation and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), reflecting continued investor interest in the refinery as it prepares for a planned listing on the Nigerian Exchange.

In a statement, Dangote Industries said the investment underscores confidence in the company’s long-term vision for expanding fuel production across Africa.

“This capital raise demonstrates global investor confidence in our vision to transform Africa’s energy landscape through world-class infrastructure,” the company said.

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Located in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, Nigeria, the refinery began production in 2024 after years of delays. Since then, it has steadily increased production of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products, helping reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel while supplying customers across Africa and international markets, according to the outlet.

Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest crude oil producers but has historically relied on imported refined petroleum products due to limited domestic refining capacity. Industry observers say the refinery’s continued expansion could strengthen regional fuel supplies while reducing import costs for several African nations.

The latest investment comes ahead of a planned IPO that analysts told the Financial Times could become the largest public offering in African history. The publication reported that the refinery could be valued at approximately $40 billion, although the company has not announced a timeline for the listing.

Dangote, whose business interests include cement, fertilizer, sugar, and energy, has said the refinery is intended to improve Africa’s energy security by increasing domestic refining capacity and reducing the continent’s reliance on imported fuels.

layoffs, Byron Allen, Allen Media Group — Byron Allen, chairman and chief executive officer of Allen Media Group, on Oct. 12, 2023. (Photo by Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

by Selena Hill

July 28, 2026

Media Mogul Byron Allen Cuts 35% Of BuzzFeed Staff

The layoffs mark Byron Allen’s first major restructuring since acquiring a controlling stake in BuzzFeed.

Less than two months after taking control of BuzzFeed, media entrepreneur Byron Allen is making one of his biggest moves yet.

BuzzFeed announced it will eliminate approximately 35% of its workforce, impacting about 180 employees and contractors across BuzzFeed, HuffPost, and Tasty. The restructuring represents Allen’s first major operational overhaul since acquiring a controlling stake in the legacy digital media company in a $120 million deal and being appointed as chairman and CEO. BuzzFeed Founder Jonah Peretti has since been named president of BuzzFeed AI, reports Deadline.

Layoffs And Operations Explained

According to the company’s SEC filing, the layoffs are intended to streamline operations, preserve cash, and move the company toward sustained profitability and positive cash flow. BuzzFeed estimates the restructuring will generate between $29 million and $32 million in annualized savings, though it expects to incur $6.5 million to $8.5 million in one-time restructuring costs, Bloomberg Law reports.

In a memo to employees, company leadership acknowledged the painful decision, writing that the cuts are “required to put our business on a path to profitable and sustainable growth.” Executives also noted they had explored multiple cost-saving measures before eliminating positions.

For Allen, the layoffs illustrate the high-stakes reality of reviving media brands in an advertising market that continues to challenge publishers. The billionaire has made it clear that BuzzFeed, HuffPost, and Tasty will serve as key pieces of a broader strategy centered on free, ad-supported streaming, creator-driven programming, and AI-powered media experiences, reports TheWrap.

The move also highlights a broader trend reshaping the media industry, where owners are increasingly prioritizing operational efficiency while investing in technology and new distribution models. Whether the workforce reductions ultimately position BuzzFeed for a successful turnaround remains to be seen. The company is expected to report its next earnings results on Aug. 4, providing investors with an early look at whether Allen’s transformation strategy is gaining traction.

South Carolina, school, Black Education — (Photos: GlobalStock/Getty Images)

by Sidnee Michelle

July 28, 2026

Georgia District’s 4-Day School Week Draws Interest From Educators Across The Southeast

The additional day away from the classroom provides benefits for students and teachers

A northwest Georgia school district’s four-day school week is drawing interest from educators across the Southeast after district leaders said the schedule has improved student outcomes, boosted staff morale, and reduced discipline issues, WRDW.com reports.

The Chattooga County School District began the 2026-27 school year on Friday, July 24, with students returning to a Tuesday-through-Friday schedule. The district first adopted the four-day instructional week in 2010 as a cost-saving measure and has largely maintained the model since then.

Superintendent Michelle Helie said the district has experienced stronger academic performance, improved employee morale, and fewer disciplinary incidents under the schedule. Although Chattooga County temporarily returned to a traditional five-day week for two years, district officials ultimately reinstated the four-day calendar after evaluating its results.

Helie said the additional day away from the classroom provides practical benefits for students and families, particularly those balancing medical appointments and work-based learning opportunities.

“For us, having that Monday allows our students time to go to doctors’ appointments,” Helie said to the outlet. “We have students who also work. That’s a part of our work-based learning program that’s at the high school, and it gives them an extra day to get that in.”

The schedule also lengthens each instructional day, giving teachers additional classroom time while providing a three-day weekend for rest and preparation, Helie said.

“You get to recover on the weekends. You get that three-day week, and then the teachers have extra instructional time during the school day because we have a longer day, and so it gives them more time per class period to do things in the classroom,” she said.

As interest in alternative school calendars grows, Chattooga County has become a resource for other districts evaluating similar models. Helie said five or six Georgia school districts have contacted the district during the past two years seeking data on the four-day schedule. School systems in Tennessee and Alabama have also requested information about the implementation and outcomes.

Under the current calendar, high school students attend classes from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, while elementary and middle school students attend from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The district meets state instructional time requirements through longer school days, making Chattooga County one of a growing number of districts being watched as educators consider alternatives to the traditional five-day school week.

Arizona State University influencer — AI-generated image via Magnific

by Selena Hill

July 28, 2026

Arizona State University Capitalizes On Content Creation With New Degree Program

The college launched a bachelor's degree program that teaches students how to become influencers

Becoming a content creator isn’t just a side hustle —it’s a business. That’s why Arizona State University is preparing its students to tap into the billion-dollar creator economy.

This fall, the university’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication will launch a Bachelor of Arts in Content Creation, a program designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing creator economy, which is projected to reach $480 billion by 2027, according to Goldman Sachs.

While some folks may frown on the idea of getting a degree to become an influencer, ASU says the curriculum is about much more than chasing viral moments. The program teaches students how to build sustainable brands through video and podcast production, audience analytics, digital storytelling and monetization strategies. Instead of simply learning how to rack up likes, students will graduate with measurable audience growth and a real digital portfolio after spending a semester building a following on the platform of their choice.

“I don’t know any content creator who wouldn’t benefit from having world-class faculty whose sole mission is to help you and support your growth as a creator,” Jessica Pucci, senior associate dean at the Cronkite School, told Arizona’s Family news station.

Students will also learn how to evaluate content performance across platforms and develop data-driven strategies to grow their brands—skills that increasingly overlap with marketing, advertising, and entrepreneurship. Anna Elizabeth, a part-time content creator and full-time medical assistant, said the degree could have shortened the learning curve.

“There’s editing, there’s marketing strategies of it. There’s like, ‘How do I get PR? How do I get brands to notice me?'” she told AZ Family. “It’s a little bit difficult to understand that portion if you haven’t done it for a long time.”

Black creators have long shaped internet culture, yet many still struggle to capture the wealth generated from their influence. A program that teaches intellectual property, brand partnerships, analytics, and monetization could help close that gap by turning cultural capital into generational wealth. As the creator economy continues to grow, the biggest flex may not be going viral—it’s knowing how to build a business that has staying power.

Hakeem Jeffries, Congressional Black Caucus, CBC, Nancy Mace — Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) conducts a news conference after the House Democrats caucus meeting in the Capitol on Wednesday. (Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

by Selena Hill

July 28, 2026

Republican Lawmaker’s Push To Eliminate the Congressional Black Caucus, Democrats Call It ‘Racist’

Rep. Nancy Mace called the CBC and other race-based caucuses “federally sanctioned segregation."

Rep. Nancy Mace has introduced a House resolution to eliminate congressional caucuses organized by race or ethnicity, placing the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) squarely in the middle of the latest political battle over diversity and representation in Washington.

Republican Lawmakers Turn Their Attention To Congressional Caucuses

The South Carolina Republican’s proposal would prohibit House caucuses formed around race, ethnicity, or national origin, effectively dismantling organizations including the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. The measure could also affect several Republican-affiliated staff organizations organized around similar identities. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Mace argued that “Race-based caucuses are not diversity. They are federally-sanctioned segregation.” She added, “You do not get to lecture America about inclusion while running an organization which checks your skin color at the door.”

Democratic Leaders Call Out Racism

The proposal was met with swift resistance from Democratic leadership and members of the CBC, who argue that the organizations serve as policy-driven coalitions advocating for historically underrepresented communities. In a joint statement, Democratic leaders said the caucuses “existed long before Nancy Mace arrived in Congress, and will remain long after she fades into irrelevancy,” reports Yahoo News.

“Nancy Mace rose to infamy for her cheap political stunts, and this is just the latest distraction from her failed primary and complete inability to deliver for her constituents,” wrote the coalition of Democrats, referring to Mace’s unsuccessful run for South Carolina governor.

“Members of Congress have every right to organize around shared policy priorities and the constituencies they serve. There are dozens of bipartisan congressional caucuses dedicated to ethnic communities, geographic regions, industries, veterans, faith traditions, and countless other interests,” the caucuses continued. “Singling out the Congressional Tri-Caucus—which represents nearly half of all Americans—is racist and a shameless attempt to silence the voices of minorities.”

The Congressional Black Caucus Has Put In Work For 55 Years

Founded in 1971, the CBC has historically championed legislation addressing voting rights, economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, healthcare disparities, education, and minority business development. The CBC has been one of Congress’s most influential voices on issues affecting Black entrepreneurs, from access to capital for minority-owned businesses to investments in underserved communities. Critics say any effort to weaken or eliminate the caucus raises broader questions about who advocates for policies designed to close racial wealth gaps and expand economic opportunity.

ON THIS DAY: The 14th Amendment Is Adopted Into The U.S. Constitution

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

July 28, 2026

ON THIS DAY: The 14th Amendment Is Adopted Into The U.S. Constitution

The landmark addition extended vital legal safeguards to newly freed individuals.

On July 28, 1868, the United States officially adopted the 14th Amendment. This landmark addition guaranteed citizenship, equal protection, and due process rights to anyone born or naturalized in the country, extending vital legal safeguards to newly freed individuals.

Beyond granting birthright citizenship, due process, and equal protection to formerly enslaved individuals:

It overturned Dred Scott, which had previously denied Black Americans citizenship.
It repealed the 3/5ths Clause of Article I, altering how congressional representation was calculated.
It disqualified former Confederate leaders who had broken oaths to the Union from holding public office.

Mental Health, corporate America — (Photo: Monstera Production/Pexels)

by Kenneth Meeks

July 28, 2026

Dr. Philippe Douyon Wants Men To Take Charge Of Their Mental Health And Career

Neurologist Dr. Philippe Douyon helps you protect your mental health at work so you perform under pressure.

African American men are under constant pressure to perform, especially in high-profile corporate environments. Dr. Philippe Douyon, neurologist and founder of the Inle BrainFit Institute, spoke on a panel at last year’s XCEL Summit for Men to help protect young African American professionals’ mental health. And BLACK ENTERPRISE believes Douyon’s message is of importance because protecting mental health is a critical necessity for achieving success in corporate America. As we approach the 10^thanniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, BE wants to revisit proactive strategies and lifestyle choices you can use to build emotional resilience and protect your mental health. In the process, you’ll take charge of your career and unleash the genius inside you. Take a look.