The NAACP and allied groups say recent fatal encounters tied to immigration enforcement reflect a national crisis, not an isolated incident.
NAACP civil rights leaders in Detroit joined with community organizations on Jan. 30 to denounce recent deadly confrontations involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement, framing the violence as a nationwide issue that demands urgent federal response.
Speaking at a gathering organized by the NAACP Detroit Branch, Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, the chapter’s president, said the clashes linked to immigration enforcement in Minneapolis should not be viewed as a local matter. “This is not just a Minneapolis problem,” Anthony said. “This is an American problem — not a Minneapolis tragedy. This is an American tragedy. This is not law and order. This is chaos and disorder.”
Anthony referenced fatal shootings earlier this month involving ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agencies during protests in Minneapolis. American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed amid demonstrations opposing federal immigration actions, according to organizers.
Community advocates emphasized that the deaths highlight broader concerns about civil liberties and accountability. Nabih Ayad, founder of the Arab American Civil Rights League, invoked the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while criticizing the current state of the country. “As the great Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’” Ayad said. “With all due respect, what is going on in this country — this is not the America that we know.”
Speakers repeatedly stressed that their concerns transcend party politics, urging lawmakers to address immigration enforcement practices through legislative reform. Detroit leaders called on Congress to reconsider policies governing ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, arguing that current approaches endanger lives and erode public trust.
“We gather today united in our belief that the value of human life and the value of law must be upheld throughout this nation we all call home,” said Mary Carmen Munoz, executive director of La SED.
Organizers concluded by framing the issue as a matter of fundamental rights rather than ideology, saying the deaths tied to immigration enforcement underscore the need for accountability, transparency, and humane policy nationwide.
Demond Wilson, Beloved ‘Sanford And Son’ Actor, Dies At 79
The veteran television and film actor passed away at his Palm Springs home following cancer-related complications, according to his family.
Demond Wilson, the actor widely recognized for his role as Lamont Sanford on the groundbreaking NBC sitcom “Sanford and Son,” has died, according to TMZ. He was 79.
Wilson passed away the morning of Jan. 30 at his home in Palm Springs, California, according to his son, Demond Wilson Jr., who confirmed the death to TMZ. The actor died from complications related to cancer, though the specific type was not disclosed.
“I loved him. He was a great man,” his son said.
Born Grady Demond Wilson, the actor rose to national prominence in the 1970s as the level-headed and long-suffering son of Fred Sanford, portrayed by comedian Redd Foxx. “Sanford and Son” aired from 1972 to 1977 and became one of the most influential sitcoms of its era, helping redefine how Black families and relationships were depicted on American television.
Following the show’s success, Wilson continued working steadily in television. He starred as Raymond Ellis on the NBC sitcom “Baby… I’m Back!,” which aired for one season, and later took on a leading role in ABC’s “The New Odd Couple” in 1982, another short-lived series that nonetheless showcased his range as a comedic actor.
Wilson also appeared in film, including the 1993 comedy “Me and the Kid,” marking one of his most notable big-screen roles. Though his acting career slowed in later years, he returned to the screen for his final performance in the 2023 drama “Eleanor’s Bench,” closing a career that spanned more than five decades.
Beyond individual performances, Wilson often reflected on the cultural importance of Sanford and Son and the legacy he shared with Foxx. In his 2009 autobiography, he emphasized the show’s historic role in television history.
“Redd and I were making history back in those days,” Wilson wrote, as reported by The Sun. “We were the first Blacks to be on television in that capacity and we opened the door for all those other shows that came after us.”
That partnership helped pave the way for future generations of Black-led sitcoms, reshaping network television in the process.
After stepping away from acting for nearly 20 years, Wilson focused on writing, ministry, and personal pursuits before making his brief return to film late in life. His work remains a cornerstone of American television history, remembered both for its humor and its cultural impact.
‘I Will Not Stop Ever’: Don Lemon Vows To Keep Reporting After Arrest For Covering Anti-ICE Church Protest
Minnesota journalist Georgia Fort was also released.
Former CNN anchor and now independent journalist Don Lemon forcefully defended his career in journalism on Jan. 30 after being released from federal custody a day following his arrest for reporting on an anti-ICE protest in a Minnesota church, vowing that the incident would not silence his work.
A U.S. district judge ordered Lemon released on his own recognizance, with no monetary bond required, according to The Hill. Lemon faces accusations stemming from a protest at a Minnesota church, where authorities claim worshippers’ constitutional rights were disrupted.
Speaking outside a downtown Los Angeles courthouse, Lemon thanked supporters and framed the arrest as a direct challenge to press freedom. “I will not stop now. I will not stop ever,” Lemon said. “In fact, there is no more important time but right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on truth and holds those in power accountable.”
Lemon argued that federal authorities targeted him for doing his job. He said the Department of Justice sent officers to arrest him “for something I’ve been doing for the last 30 years, and that is covering the news.” He added that the First Amendment “protects that work for me and for countless other journalists who do what I do,” insisting, “I will not be silenced. I look forward to my day in court.”
During Lemon’s court appearance, U.S. Attorney Alexander Robbins accused him of participating in what he described as a “mob that terrorized people in a place of worship.” As part of his release conditions, Lemon is barred from contacting witnesses or alleged victims and must seek court approval to travel outside the United States.
The charges are tied to a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators believed the pastor was connected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minnesota. The Trump administration has sought charges against Lemon and seven others related to the incident. Attorney General Pam Bondi described the event as “a coordinated attack on Cities Church,” though no sealed federal indictment has yet been made public.
Lemon, who was dismissed from CNN in 2023 after years as a prime-time host, now runs “The Don Lemon Show” independently on YouTube and Substack.
His arrest drew swift reactions from prominent figures. Former Vice President Kamala Harris called it “another affront to our rights and freedoms.” Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote that “arresting journalists is what happens in tin-pot dictatorships,” adding, “We must fight back against authoritarianism.”
ICE is occupying communities and shooting Americans.
Now, former CNN anchor Don Lemon has been arrested for covering what ICE is doing.
Arresting journalists is what happens in tin-pot dictatorships.
Lemon was not alone. Minnesota journalist Georgia Fort was also released Jan 30. Trahern Jeen Crews, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, and Jamael Lydell Lundy, who works for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, were also taken into custody and released.
“To all the media that made a statement on behalf of me, thank you so much,” Fort said shortly after her release. She added, “Documenting what is happening in our community is not a crime.”
“I should be protected under the First Amendment…do we have a constitution, that is the pressing question.”
Georgia Fort has been released and has a message for the country:
"Do we have a Constitution? That is the pressing question. Documenting what is happening in our communities is NOT a crime.”
The Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists echoed that sentiment, showing its support of Fort and Lemon by stating that journalists have “the responsibility to observe and report events in the public interest,” regardless of where a protest occurs.
The organization continued to condemn the arrests, stating, “It is not illegal to document a protest against the federal government. The fact that the protest took place in a church does not negate journalists’ First Amendment rights to report.”
Lynn Crump-Caine Elected Board Chair At Fortune 500 Firm Thrivent, Marking Major Leadership Milestone
Crump-Caine will chair her first board meeting in February.
Seasoned corporate executive Lynn Crump-Caine has been elected to the board chair role at Thrivent, making her the only Black woman currently serving in that role at a Fortune 500 company.
Thrivent provides insurance, banking, investment, and financial advice services to over two million clients. The firm informed BLACK ENTERPRISE that its latest results show revenues exceeding $12 billion and assets under management exceeding $200 billion. It was disclosed that the metric is the highest in the firm’s history, dating back over 120 years.
Crump-Caine will chair her first board meeting in February. Her post is groundbreaking, given that only one Black woman is CEO on the 2025 Fortune 500 list ( Toni Townes-Whitley resigned as CEO of SAIC in October 2025). She will succeed N. Cornell Boggs III, a Black man who has been on Thrivent’s board since 2013 and has served as chair since 2023. He will remain on the board.
Thrivent disclosed that Crump-Caine’s duties will include overseeing all aspects of its business and transformation. She most recently served as chair of the human resources and governance committee and as a member of the executive committee. She has been a board member since 2016.
Thrivent President and CEO Terry Rasmussen stated, “Lynn’s extensive business and leadership experience, deep understanding of Thrivent’s transformation, and commitment to our purpose make her the ideal choice to chair our Board of Directors.”
She added, “Lynn has been a valued board member for nearly a decade, bringing operational expertise and strategic insight, and I look forward to working with Lynn in this expanded position as she guides Thrivent’s future transformation and growth.”
Crump-Caine’s career includes 30 years at McDonald’s Corp., where she served as executive vice president of worldwide operations and oversaw global operations for over 31,000 McDonald’s restaurants. She is the founder of OutsideIn Consulting, which advises firms on business management and leadership development.
She is a board member of assorted public companies and nonprofits. They include serving as board chair at Wingstop Inc., lead director of the board, and executive mentor at The ExCo Group. That global firm offers guidance and mentoring services for C-suite executives and senior leaders.
Reflecting on the new role. Crump-Caine connected with BE via email. She elaborated on her top growth goals for the Minneapolis-based firm for 2026 and beyond and discussed the firm’s operating strategies. Both she and Boggs offered their take on Black board representation broadly and why companies should be more engaged in that activity.
She declared that under the CEO’s leadership, Thrivent has been building momentum and transforming for the future – all of which will continue and accelerate in the years ahead.
Crump-Caine indicated Thrivent has thousands of U.S. financial advisors helping clients plan for their future, establish legacies for their loved ones, and make their communities better.
Despite a shrinking industry, she says Thrivent is growing. More specifically, she says 600 new advisors were added in 2025, who are already serving clients and driving business for Thrivent. Crump-Caine reports that the firm will add hundreds more this year.
Crump-Caine expressed that Thrivent’s other actions included investing $50 million in 2025 to tell its story and help make the brand a household name. “We also recently launched the Thrivent Bank, a digital-first and human-centered bank to attract younger clients.”
Furthermore, Crump-Caine addressed how Thrivent has navigated challenges over its history, including economic headwinds, geopolitical shifts, and competitive pressure.
“Our advantage is simple: we stay focused on serving our clients, taking care of communities, driving our business forward, and telling Thrivent’s unique story. That focus has powered Thrivent’s success, and it will continue to guide me in my role as board chair.”
Moreover, Crump-Caine believes there is an extraordinarily diverse talent pool ready to shape corporate boards. She supports efforts to diversify the boardroom and build corporate boards that best represent those companies’ clients.
“There are many great Black board chairs who have come before me, and I’m proud to be in this role today. I hope I can be a positive example and role model for those who aspire to hold this seat in the future.”
Boggs offered similar thoughts. He says he knows that the representation of Black leaders on corporate boards remains relatively low. As such, he declares it’s the duty of organizations to develop boards that are representative of America.
“They (U.S. companies) need leaders who understand their consumer, can drive their business forward, and can effectively guide and govern for the future.”
Minding Our Own Business: Returning To Our Roots With These 5 African Nations Leading The Diaspora Repatriation Movement
For many Black diasporans, the dream of “returning home” has evolved from a sentimental journey into a strategic relocation.
As we navigate the complexities of 2026, several African nations have formalized powerful pathways for descendants of the trans-Atlantic slave trade to reclaim their residency, invest in property, and secure citizenship.
This “repatriation” is a reclamation of our psychological well-being and economic sovereignty.
The Western Political Catalyst
The surge in repatriation is deeply tied to the current political climate in the Western Hemisphere. Entering 2026, we’ve seen a sharp rise in nationalist rhetoric and restrictive policies that directly impact our communities. Following the 2024 U.S. election, many of us have grown weary of the rollback of diversity initiatives and the intensification of exclusionary migration strategies.
For the modern Black woman, the “Blaxit” movement is a proactive response to a social fabric that often feels frayed. With net migration to the U.S. hitting record lows in 2025, the narrative of the “American Dream” is being replaced by a quest for the “African Reality”—one of psychological safety and true belonging.
1. Ghana: The Pioneer of the “Right of Abode”
Ghana remains the gold standard for diaspora integration through its “Beyond the Return” initiative (2020–2030).
Thriving Community — East Legon & Kumasi: East Legon in Accra is where luxury meets legacy, serving as a hub for affluent diasporans. In the Ashanti region, the “Diaspora Village” in Kumasi offers a curated space for repatriates to build homes and businesses.
Land Ownership: Property is typically held via 99-year renewable leases for citizens and 50-year leases for non-citizens, all managed via the digitized Ghana Lands Commission.
Sierra Leone has legalized one of our most direct legal bridges: Citizenship by DNA. By proving ancestral links, we can bypass years of red tape.
Thriving Community — Tokeh & River No. 2: The coastal areas around Freetown, particularly Tokeh, have seen a surge in diaspora-led boutique hospitality. These projects are more than just businesses; they are engines of local growth and sustainable living.
Land Ownership: Once citizenship is granted, you enjoy full freehold rights, ensuring your investment is a permanent legacy for your family.
3. Rwanda: The “Singapore of Africa”
Rwanda is the premier choice for those seeking a tech-forward, “Smart City” lifestyle under its Vision 2050 strategy.
Thriving Community — Norrsken House & Vision City: Kigali’s Vision City is a premier residential project housing many of our sisters and brothers. Norrsken House Kigali serves as a focal point for the “Silicon Savannah,” where diaspora talent and local innovators collaborate.
Land Ownership: Rwanda’s transparent Unique Property Identifier (UPI) system offers some of the most stable and enforceable property rights on the continent.
The Gambia is currently implementing its National Land Policy 2026–2035, which aims to harmonize customary and statutory laws. The Gambia is one of only two nations that officially include “The” in its name, alongside The Bahamas.
Thriving Community — Bijilo & Brufut: Areas like Brufut Heights offer a serene coastal lifestyle with established community associations that assist with everything from business licensing to local networking.
Land Ownership: A new digital National Land Administration System is being deployed to eliminate title fraud and secure your investment.
5. Benin: Nationality “By Recognition”
Benin made history with Law No. 2024-31, granting nationality to those who can prove Sub-Saharan African ancestry through DNA testing.
Thriving Community — Ouidah: As our spiritual heart, Ouidah is seeing a cultural rebirth. Repatriates are funding the restoration of historic architecture and the creation of building centers that bridge our heritage with a prosperous future.
Land Ownership: Obtaining nationality grants full land rights, allowing us to invest freely in a booming economy.
A$AP Rocky Launches PAVĒ NITEŌ Luxury Jewelry, Set To Receive NAACP Vanguard Award For Fashion
There is no release date for the skull-shaped rings.
Fresh off the release of his latest album, Don’t Be Dumb, Harlem recording artist A$AP Rocky has debuted a luxury jewelry brand, PAVĒ NITEŌ.
According to Hypebeast, the jewelry are skull-shaped rings that Rocky has displayed during his album press run.
In a social media post, he shouted out filmmaker Tim Burton of Beetlejuice fame (who also did the artwork for the new album) for the inspiration and says they were designed by him and Venetian jeweler A. Codognato.
Rocky did not mention a launch date for the jewelry.
With the rollout of Don’t Be Dumb, get ready to see a whole lot of Rocky.
The NAACP just announced that the fashionista will receive the Vanguard Award for Fashion at the 57th NAACP Image Awards Fashion Show. He has also been nominated for three NAACP Image Awards for his role in the Spike Lee-directed movie, Highest 2 Lowest, which earned nine nominations.
“This year’s Vanguard Award honoree, A$AP Rocky, embodies the power and evolution of Black artistry. As a creative force who consistently pushes culture forward, he has redefined the intersection of music and fashion, shaping global trends and inspiring new generations,” said Karen Boykin-Towns, vice chair, NAACP National Board of Directors, in a written statement. “Honoring A$AP Rocky with the Vanguard Award celebrates his lasting influence and the legacy he continues to build.”
People can vote for by visiting www.naacpimageawards.net and submitting by Feb. 13 deadline at midnight (ET). The awards show will air live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on BET and the CBS on Saturday, Feb. 28.
Homebuyers Are Backing Out Of Deals At Record High Levels
New data show a record number of home-purchase cancellations in December, with Atlanta, Jacksonville, and San Antonio seeing the highest rates.
New data reveals that a record number of U.S. home-purchase agreements were canceled in December 2025, marking the highest December cancellation rate since 2017. Homebuyers are cancelling deals at record numbers.
New Redfin data shows that about 40,000 U.S. home-purchase agreements were canceled in December, representing 16.3% of homes that went under contract, a jump from 14.9% a year earlier and the highest December rate on record since 2017. Cancellations were highest in Atlanta (22.5%), Jacksonville (20.6%), and San Antonio (20.6%), and lowest in Nassau County (3.8%), San Francisco (4.2%), and San Jose (8.9%).
The data highlight the weak housing market of 2025, which saw even fewer home resales than in 2024, the lowest levels on record since 1995. Experts cite high mortgage rates and home prices, sellers hesitant to lower expectations after missing the market peak, and buyers wary of the economy and long-term commitment.
“High housing costs and rising inventory have made homebuyers more selective,” said Chen Zhao, head of economics research at Redfin. “Home sellers outnumber buyers by a record margin, meaning the buyers who are in the market have options and may walk away if they believe they can find a better or more affordable home.”
Buyers often use inspection contingencies to back out of deals, sometimes citing structural issues even when the real reason is that mortgage payments are too high. Redfin’s data mirrors USA Today’s November research, which found sellers were also pulling listings from the market at a rate 50% higher than the previous year, according to Realtor.com.
“Buyers and sellers are really far apart,” Jake Krimmel, Realtor.com’s senior economist, said, with Joan Rogers, associate principal broker with Windermere Realty Trust in Portland, Oregon, describing it as a “standoff market where sellers still feel that it should be a seller’s market, and buyers feel that it should be a buyer’s market. In consequence, it’s nobody’s market.”
The silver lining for buyers is that mortgage payments have recently fallen with lower interest rates, and home price growth is slowing. Redfin economists predict affordability will improve in 2026 as wages outpace housing costs.
Her exit comes amid a wave of executive changes at MAC and parent company Estée Lauder Cos. under CEO Stéphane de La Faverie, including Nicola Formichetti joining as global creative director in 2025 and Lisa Sequino being named makeup brand cluster president.
Moudachirou-Rébois brought more than 20 years of beauty industry experience to MAC, having held senior roles at Revlon, Johnson & Johnson, and L’Oréal. Before joining MAC in 2021, she oversaw brands including Neutrogena, Aveeno, and The Body Shop.
When she was named SVP in January 2024, she succeeded Philippe Pinatel, MAC’s Global Brand President under Estée Lauder Companies, who departed that same month. At MAC, she was credited with driving the success of recent launches like MACStack Mascara and Hyper Real skincare, according to ELC Group President Jane Hertzmark Hudis.
She became senior vice president during a high point for the brand: MAC was deemed 2023’s most searched-for beauty brand, ahead of Sol de Janeiro and Drunk Elephant. The past year saw a shift; makeup sales across Estée Lauder Cos. declined 1% in the quarter ending Sept. 30.
The category posted a $15 million operating loss despite new launches and the “I Only Wear MAC” campaign. MAC’s softer retail performance also contributed to a 5% drop in annual makeup sales. In response to these challenges, the brand is preparing to enter Sephora.
The category now falls under Lisa Sequino, president of Lauder’s makeup brand cluster, who returned to the company after serving as CEO of JLo Beauty and Supergoop. At the time of her appointment, her portfolio included MAC, Bobbi Brown, Too Faced, Smashbox, and Glamglow.
D’Angelo’s Son Says He Wasn’t Invited To Father’s GRAMMY Tribute
"It would’ve been a pleasure to attend but unfortunately my siblings and I haven’t received an invitation to be part of this moment celebrating our parents’ lives and work."
The Recording Academy, which oversees the Grammy Awards, has not extended an invitation to Swayvo Twain, son of recently deceased neo-soul artist D’Angel and the late rapper/singer Angie Stone, for the Grammy’s upcoming D’Angelo tribute.
According to The Breakfast Club’s Loren Lorosa, it was announced that New Jersey native Lauryn Hill will perform a tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, but Twain informed LoRosa that he had not been invited by the Recording Academy.
On social media LoRosa shared Twain’s statement on the matter.
Twain said, “I want to start by expressing my gratitude to the Recording Academy for honoring my father’s legacy on one of the biggest nights in music. Any recognition of his impact and contributions to the culture truly means a lot to my family and me. It would’ve been a pleasure to attend, but unfortunately, my siblings and I haven’t received an invitation to be part of this moment, celebrating our parents’ lives and work.
“We remain thankful for the acknowledgment of my father and for the love people continue to show his music and legacy,” Twain added. “Our respect for what Pops built will always come first.”
Yesterday it was announced that Lauryn Hill will be doing the tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack at this years Grammy Awards taking place this Sunday Feb 1, 2026.
However D’Angelo’s son— Michael Archer Jr. (also, the son of Angie Stone) ..says he received no invite from the… pic.twitter.com/sRizkKZrY5
In a later post, Lorosa said that someone from the Recording Academy contacted her to obtain Twain’s information and that they had been trying to reach him without success.
An update here — the CEO of the Grammys had his team contact me.. looking to be placed in contact with Michael Jr. (D’Angelos son) .. his team claims they’d been trying to get in contact with Michael for some time .. they say they saw my coverage of his non-invite on… https://t.co/omVSuUaJmb
There have been no further updates, though the Recording Academy told Lorosa that “event organizers have been in touch with D’Angelo’s daughter Imani and D’Angelo’s brother Luther, and they are both set to attend the show.”
No word yet on whether Twain, whose real name is Michael Carter Jr., will attend.
D’Angelo died in October 2025 of pancreatic cancer. The groundbreaking artist wa 51 years old.
English Teacher in Texas Makes Students ‘Write It Down And Make It Plain’ In Fight Against AI
Chanea Bond is open to reconsidering her anti-AI stance but remains focused on building fundamentals skills using analog skills.
As schools nationwide experiment with artificial intelligence, one Texas teacher is taking a deliberately analog approach in her classroom, arguing that foundational skills matter more than early exposure to AI tools.
Chanea Bond, an English teacher at Southwest High School in the Fort Worth Independent School District, has removed most digital technology from her American literature and composition classes. Bond now requires students to write nearly everything by hand. Though students are issued individual laptops, they do no good in her classroom.
“If you walk into almost any one of my classes today, you will see that all of my students are handwriting,” Bond told NPR.“They are journaling, and they are constantly and consistently doing everything with a pen or a pencil.”
Rather than grading only final essays or presentations, Bond evaluates each stage of the writing process, including thesis statements, outlines, bibliographies, and handwritten drafts.
“The steps matter to the cumulative overall grade because that’s how I know that the thinking is happening,” she said. “I think a student is less likely to turn in something that is written by AI if they’ve had to show me the beginning, the middle, and the end, and the different pieces that go into it.”
Bond said she is open to reconsidering her stance but remains focused on fundamentals.
“A lot of people say to me: ‘Aren’t you afraid that they’re going to get behind?’” she told NPR. “And my response is: ‘I know that when my students leave my class that they know how to think and they know how to write.’”
Bond’s concerns align with growing research and educator warnings that the rampant classroom use of artificial intelligence assists in weakening reading comprehension and critical thinking.
A 2024 analysis published in the peer-reviewed journal Societies found a negative correlation between frequent AI tool use and critical thinking performance, attributing the decline in part to cognitive offloading, or the tendency for students to rely on automated systems rather than engage in sustained reasoning and problem solving.
Education researchers cautioned that when students outsource drafting, summarizing, or analytical tasks to AI, they lose opportunities to practice the mental processes required for comprehension, synthesis, and original thought.
Similar concerns were raised by The Hechinger Report, which documented how teachers nationwide are seeing students skip close reading and struggle to explain their reasoning after using generative AI tools for assignments.
Educators highlighted in the study said AI usage can bypass productive struggle needed for growth. Bond agrees, making sure her students do not “outsource that level of [critical] thinking.”
