Robin Kelly, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — photo credit: U.S. House of Representatives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 18, 2026

Rep. Robin Kelly Moves To Impeach Kristi Noem, Accusing ICE Of ‘Reign of Terror’

Kelly and the 70 co-sponsoring lawmakers have filed three articles of impeachment against Noem.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, may face her own prosecution as lawmakers begin an impeachment process against her over ICE operations.

Democrat Robin Kelly introduced the articles of impeachment against Noem Jan. 14. In her filing, Kelly stated that Noem brought a “reign of terror” to multiple cities nationwide as ICE agents make arrests without just warrants.

“Secretary Noem has brought her reign of terror to Chicago, L.A., Minneapolis, and communities from north to south, east to west. She needs to be impeached for her actions,” wrote Kelly in a statement over the impeachment introduction.

The congresswoman filed three articles against Noem: Obstruction of Congress, Violation of Public Trust, and Self-Dealing. The first claim was over Noem’s refusal to let Kelly enter a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility despite having clearance.

Noem has been instrumental in directing federal agents into these neighborhoods, which has resulted in numerous instances of violence and even death for U.S. citizens. Kelly and the 70 co-sponsoring lawmakers also alleged that Noem unlawfully spent $200 million on an ICE recruitment ad campaign, evoking the final article.

Noem has previously discredited Democrats’ threats of impeachment. However, these lawmakers remain adamant to move forward with the impeachment, especially as the rollout of ICE agents continues across America.

“Secretary Noem has called my impeachment efforts silly. I want to tell her right now, Secretary Noem, you have violated your oath of office, and there will be consequences. I am watching you. Members of Congress are watching you. The American people, most importantly, are watching you. And most of all, we are not liking what we’re seeing. If you believe impeachment is silly, then you are not taking your job or our Constitution seriously,” Kelly continued.

Notable congress members co-sponsored the impeachment charges, such as Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Rep. Ilhan Omar, whose district covers Minneapolis, one of the main cities currently occupied by ICE agents. However, in order for the impeachment process to proceed, it must first pass in the GOP-controlled House with a majority vote, making its approval unlikely.

protest, Portland, racial slur, Catholic school — (Photo: Tero Vesalainen/Getty Images)

by Mary Spiller

January 18, 2026

Man Arrested For Racial Tirade Caught On Video Outside Metro Atlanta Social Security Office

Police say viral footage shows 65-year-old Robert Burke allegedly threatening a security guard and shouting slurs in front of children.

A Georgia man captured on widely shared video verbally abusing a security guard and hurling racial slurs outside a Social Security office in suburban Atlanta has been arrested, authorities said. Gwinnett County Police identified the man as Robert Burke, 65, who was taken into custody following a separate disturbance one day after the confrontation that drew public outrage online. The incident occurred Jan. 14 at a Social Security office on Shackleford Road in Norcross, police confirmed.

Officers were initially called to the federal building after reports of a man making threats and aggressively berating people inside the office. Investigators said witnesses provided cellphone video showing Burke yelling profanities and insults as a security guard escorted him out. Police noted that multiple children were present during the encounter.

In the footage, which circulated widely on social media, Burke can be heard threatening the guard, telling him to “take a shot” and saying he would “beat the” guard, using expletives throughout. At one point, Burke repeatedly refers to the guard, who is Black, using a racial slur.

“I’m a citizen… you motherf***er, you’re a n*****,” Burke is heard shouting in the video. When challenged, he responds, “What are you going to do? It’s free speech.”

As Burke exits the building and moves into the parking lot, he continues yelling insults and threats. In one moment, a woman escorting young children into the office is forced to step back as Burke storms past, still shouting. Police later confirmed children were in proximity throughout the incident.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2012251181691588917

According to Atlanta investigators, employees at the Social Security office told officers this was not an isolated episode. Staff members reported that Burke had caused disturbances at the location on prior occasions.

By the time officers arrived on Jan. 14, Burke had already left the scene. Police subsequently obtained a warrant for his arrest on a disorderly conduct charge for his behavior in metro Atlanta. The following day, officers responded to another disturbance call at a nearby Courtyard Marriott hotel in Duluth, where Burke was located and arrested.

Gwinnett County Police Cpl. Angela Carter said the case highlights common misunderstandings about free speech protections.

“There are exceptions to the First Amendment,” Carter said. “Those include fighting words. So basically, you can’t make statements face-to-face to someone that may entice violence in that moment.”

The video has since accumulated tens of thousands of views, likes, and shares. Carter encouraged the public to continue documenting incidents when safe to do so.

“Take video. We love that. It always helps us,” she said. “But still contact the police so we can take steps to make an arrest quickly in situations like this.”

Jazz Young,Global Record Label, VRTEXX — Photo by Dmitry Demidov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silver-dynamic-microphone-on-black-microphone-stand-3783471/

by Mary Spiller

January 18, 2026

Teddy Riley Drops Memoir On Making Hits And History

The Grammy-winning producer behind New Jack Swing and landmark hits will release 'Remember the Times,' offering an inside look at a genre-shaping career.

Music history is set to be told from the perspective of one of its most influential creators. Grammy Award–winning producer and songwriter Teddy Riley will release his memoir, “Remember the Times” — named after the Michael Jackson hit — on Feb. 10, offering a personal account of the career that helped redefine R&B, hip-hop, and pop music over the past 40 years. The book will be published through Simon & Schuster.

The memoir takes its title from “Remember the Time,” the Michael Jackson classic Riley co-wrote and co-produced during the singer’s “Dangerous” era. Throughout the book, Riley traces his role in shaping multiple generations of popular sound, from the emergence of New Jack Swing to its influence on contemporary global pop music.

Written in collaboration with award-winning biographer Jake Brown, “Remember the Times” follows Riley’s path from a young musical talent in Harlem to a defining architect of modern Black music. The book revisits his early experimentation with merging hip-hop beats and R&B melodies—an approach that evolved into New Jack Swing and set a new direction for late-20th-century music.

Beyond commercial success, the memoir examines the realities of working in a fast-changing industry. Riley details moments of creative collaboration, professional tension, and perseverance as he recounts the formation of his groups Guy and Blackstreet.

He also reflects on the making of influential records such as Bobby Brown’s “My Prerogative” and Doug E. Fresh’s “The Show,” projects that helped establish new sonic standards.

Riley’s story is also shaped by his work with some of the most recognizable names in music. The book includes reflections on collaborations with Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga, and Michael Jackson, whose partnership with Riley remains one of the most celebrated of his career.

When the memoir was first announced, Riley described it as an effort to protect and document the musical legacy. “I successfully created the New Jack Swing genre 40 years ago so we could have our own generation of music, not their generation, and our own history,” he told Rolling Stone. “I’m so excited to share that history with my fans around the world.”

Early reactions suggest the book delivers a vivid portrait of both the man and the music. Pharrell Williams praised Riley as “an incredible mixologist of so many different styles,” while Library Journal said longtime fans will be “wildly entertained.” Another outlet noted the memoir’s accessible tone and its broad look at how popular music evolved alongside Riley’s career.

With “Remember the Times,” Riley offers readers a front-row seat to the sounds, stories, and decisions that helped shape modern music.

Walmart, Sam's Club Division, CEO, Latriece watkins — photo credit: Latriece watkins media library

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 18, 2026

Walmart Taps Veteran Exec Latriece Watkins As CEO Of Sam’s Club

Watkins gained the position after helping Walmart elevate its shelves for a premium shopping experience.

Walmart has appointed a long-time executive to oversee its Sam’s Club division, making way for the Black woman to shine as CEO.

Latriece Watkins has been an instrumental figure at the retail corporation for the past 20 years. According to Fast Company, she began her lofty career at Walmart within its real estate division.

Her business acumen and savviness led to substantive promotions, including her prior role as Chief Merchant in 2023. In this position, she oversaw which products were stocked on Walmart’s shelves, curating options for customers while creating new opportunities for growing businesses.

Three years later, she has taken on her biggest role yet as CEO of Sam’s Club. The membership club is the more exclusive shopping option for Walmart loyalists, offering bulk options for families with bigger budgets and, often, more mouths to feed.

Given her experience implementing higher-end items into Walmart’s inventory and thus enticing higher-earning shoppers, Watkins will get the chance to further prove her expertise as an official CEO. Her work now aims to make Sam’s Club a sharper competitor to the popular Costco.

With membership-based stores adopting similar business models, Walmart and Watkins hope to cut into Costco’s sales by boosting Sam’s Club’s private-label brands. Its mainstay brand, Member’s Mark, still accounts for a third of Sam’s Club’s revenue. However, given Watkins’s success with Walmart’s Bettergoods private-label, her mission is to further promote Member’s Mark to shoppers.

Her appointment also serves as a boost in diverse leadership. In the retail industry, the C-suite has often shut its door to Black women professionals. According to statistics from the Women of Color Retail Alliance, obtained by the Robin Report in 2023, Black women only accounted for 1.7% of executive roles in the retail and goods industry.

Despite the marginal figures, Watkins’ promotion adds a Black woman to the executive office. As she assumes the new role, she will curate another elevated shopper experience for the retail giant, leading the way for other large chains.

Larry Morrow, New Oleans — Courtesy of Larry Morrow

by Mitti Hicks

January 18, 2026

Rewriting The Rules Of Southern Hospitality: Larry Morrow Brings A New Vision To New Orleans

SOHO will bring together over 25 hospitality leaders, including Rick Ross, Pinky Cole Hayes, Ti Martin, Cleveland Spears II, and Keith Lee, to inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders.

You may not know the face behind the founder of the most sought-after restaurants and nightlife experiences in New Orleans. But you can see, feel, and taste what Larry Morrow brings to the city in several places throughout the city.

Most locals and visitors alike are familiar with his restaurants: Morrow’s, Monday, Sun Chong, Morrow Steak, and the recently opened Spicy Mango. Then there are the nightlife venues, Tree House and Hide/Seek, and coming down the pipeline is Larry’s Po-Boys, marking his eighth location.

Morrow opened six of these locations in four years.

And just when you would assume that he would take a break and let people shower him with gifts on his birthday, he’s instead gifting aspiring restaurateurs and those who want to expand in hospitality the inaugural Southern Hospitality Weekend (SOHO).

“Hospitality is one of the toughest industries in the world,” he tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “There are so many moving pieces, and people need resources, mentorship, and the ability to be successful. SOHO is bridging the gap.”

SOHO will bring together over 25 hospitality leaders, including Rick Ross, Pinky Cole Hayes, Ti Martin, and Cleveland Spears II, along with content creators like Keith Lee, with over 20 sessions during Morrow’s birthday weekend. While the weekend will feature exciting events like the Roll Bounce Skate Party, a VIP Networking Brunch, and an all-Black evening celebration, there will also be panel sessions and workshops attendees can learn from.

Morrow said the event is all about uplifting the next generation of hospitality professionals and preventing restaurants from closing.

SOHO New Orleans Will Address Industry Barriers

Despite Morrow’s unprecedented success, he says it did not come without frustrations. Breaking into the hospitality industry is challenging. Studies show that labor shortages, rising living and operating costs, and increasing competition are among the challenges to succeeding in the hospitality industry.

According to Restroworks, 60% of restaurants shut down within the first year of operations, and 80% close within the first five years.

“Our goal with SOHO is to deliver the ‘how-to guide,’” Morrow adds. “I want people to leave the conference with at least three things they can apply to their business that ensure success. Sometimes, we are just one piece of advice away from being able to grow our business to the next phase.”

What Representation Means To Morrow

Black people in New Orleans represent nearly 60% of the population, and Black culture is embedded in the DNA–from the music, food, and cultural traditions. Still, Black restaurants rarely make the “best of” food lists from mainstream outlets.

“We don’t do what we do for lists,” said Morrow. “But I want to constantly inspire the next generation of Black hospitality and entrepreneurship.”

He adds, “Growing up, kids typically want to be athletes and things like that. I understand that being an African American man here in New Orleans and thriving in an industry that doesn’t reflect us, but I hope this is inspiring to them.”

SOHO will take place through Jan. 18.

Morrow is already planning the next SOHO weekend in September. The first event took 45 days to plan, and the fall event will have a longer planning runway.

“We have seven or eight months to plan for it, so it will be much bigger and have a different rollout,” Morrow said.

Tina Knowles, fifteen Percent Pledge — NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: Tina Knowles attends Angel Ball 2023 hosted by Gabrielle's Angel Foundation at Cipriani Wall Street on October 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation )

by Mary Spiller

January 18, 2026

Beyoncé Studies Get A Real-Life Lesson As Tina Knowles Visits Vanderbilt University Classroom

The singer’s mother spoke with students about Black history in country music, her Texas roots, and the personal spaces that shaped community and creativity.

A Vanderbilt University course dedicated to the music and cultural influence of Beyoncé welcomed a notable guest this week: the global superstar’s mother, Tina Knowles. Her visit offered students a first-person perspective on the themes explored in the class, which examines Beyoncé’s artistic legacy, historical context, and social impact.

Taught by scholars who analyze Beyoncé’s work as both music and cultural text, the course focuses on the artist’s evolution and her place among other influential women performers. The curriculum traces the history of Beyoncé’s career while situating her recent albums within broader conversations about race, politics, gender, and power. Special attention is given to her four most recent projects and the ways they engage with American history and Black cultural expression, according to The Tennessean.

During her Vanderbilt appearance, Knowles reflected on her upbringing in Galveston, Texas, and her own professional journey, connecting those experiences to the cultural foundations that inform her daughter’s music. She discussed Beyoncé’s latest album, “Cowboy Carter,” which deliberately confronts the often overlooked role Black artists have played in shaping country music.

“We have a history there, and we have the right to enjoy and celebrate that music,” Knowles told the class.

She added that the album arrived at a critical moment, particularly as debates over representation and historical omission continue. “And I think the biggest thing for me is that people got educated,” she said. “I’m really happy that that album came out when it did. The timing was great before all of this erasure. I mean, erasure has been going on forever. But it’s really doubled down right now.”

Knowles also shared personal stories from her life in Texas, including memories of owning and operating a beauty salon, which she described as far more than a business venture. Recalling that period visibly moved her.

“I’m getting emotional about it because it was more than just a business,” she said. “It was a way for us to network, to feel pride, to help each other, and I just have fond memories of that salon. … It was a place of healing.”

The Vanderbilt course is among a small but growing number of university classes devoted entirely to Beyoncé’s work. In addition to Knowles’ visit, the class plans to host other figures central to the artist’s career, including her father, Mathew Knowles, and longtime publicist Yvette Noel-Schure.

Martin Luther King, Jr., NFL — Photo by Bettmann/Getty Images

by Mary Spiller

January 18, 2026

NFL Honors MLK With ‘Choose Love’ Message Across Divisional Playoff Fields

League-wide end zone messages and helmet decals will spotlight Dr. King’s legacy during postseason games and the Super Bowl.

The NFL will commemorate the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend by prominently featuring the phrase “Choose Love” on the field and player equipment during all divisional-round playoff games.

According to the league, the message will be painted in end zones and displayed on helmet decals throughout the round as part of the NFL’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and civic awareness in honor of King.

The initiative will extend into the Super Bowl next month, where “Choose Love” and “It Takes All of Us” will be stenciled in opposite end zones. For the conference championship games, home teams will have discretion over which approved message appears.

As reported by ESPN, league officials say the messaging reflects both Dr. King’s enduring influence and the NFL’s effort to connect his ideals to moments with national visibility.

“Dr. King’s message continues to guide how we show up in meaningful moments across the league,” said Anna Isaacson, the NFL’s senior vice president of social responsibility.

“‘Choose Love’ has become an important and widely embraced message for our teams because it reflects the values Dr. King championed — dignity, empathy, and a commitment to our shared humanity. Bringing it forward in the Divisional Round and again at Super Bowl LX reflects that continued relevance.”

The phrase “Choose Love” first appeared on NFL fields in 2022, when the Buffalo Bills adopted it following a mass shooting in Buffalo. What began as a localized expression of unity quickly resonated across the league.

Since then, multiple teams have incorporated the message, and it was displayed during last year’s Super Bowl following a deadly attack in New Orleans.

The NFL has consistently used on-field messaging to promote social justice and inclusion for the past six seasons. Throughout the regular season, teams were permitted to display a message of their choosing on one end zone at each home game. Those options included “End Racism,” “Stop Hate,” “Choose Love,” and “Inspire Change.” The phrase “It Takes All of Us” appeared in the opposite end zone for every game, reinforcing a league-wide theme of shared responsibility.

By continuing to use these messages into the postseason, the NFL is signaling that the values they represent are not limited to the regular season or symbolic moments. Instead, league officials say the goal is to align the sport’s largest stages with broader conversations about unity, compassion, and collective accountability.

As the playoffs move toward Super Bowl LX, the league’s visual tribute aims to keep Dr. King’s message front and center during some of the most-watched events in American sports.

Haiti, Royal Caribbean, cruise ship — <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Mary Spiller

January 18, 2026

Royal Caribbean Extends Suspension Of Haiti Port Amid Ongoing Security Crisis

Cruise line confirms it will not return to its private Labadee destination through the end of 2026, citing continued safety concerns as Haiti grapples with violence and humanitarian emergency.

Royal Caribbean Group has announced it will not resume cruise stops at its private resort destination of Labadee, Haiti, through the remainder of 2026, extending a suspension that has been in effect since 2024 due to persistent safety and security concerns in the country.

The cruise line confirmed the decision in a statement, emphasizing caution amid ongoing instability in Haiti. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have extended our pause to Labadee through December 2026,” Royal Caribbean Group said.

Labadee, located along Haiti’s northern coastline, is a private port used exclusively by ships operated by Royal Caribbean Group, including its Celebrity Cruises and Azamara brands. The destination had already been removed from cruise itineraries through May 2026, but the latest announcement extends that timeline by an additional seven months.

Royal Caribbean last docked at Labadee in early 2025. The company initially halted visits in March 2024 as violence escalated across Haiti, prompting the U.S. government to issue a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory — its most severe warning. The advisory cited widespread violent crime, including armed robberies, carjackings, sexual assaults, and kidnappings.

“Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti,” the advisory states. “They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Do not travel to Haiti for any reason.”

As reported by USA Today, the U.S. State Department has also pointed to maritime risks, noting that the U.S. Coast Guard “has concerns about security in the ports of Haiti.” Until those issues are resolved, federal officials have urged passengers and mariners traveling near Haitian ports to “exercise caution.”

Currently, no major cruise lines are operating stops in Haiti. Travelers who do find themselves in the country are advised to avoid large gatherings, plan transportation and lodging in advance, and maintain independent evacuation plans without relying on U.S. government assistance.

Haiti’s ongoing instability has fueled a deepening humanitarian crisis marked by displacement, hunger, and widespread violence. Much of the unrest traces back to the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, an event that created a power vacuum and allowed armed gangs to gain control over large portions of Port-au-Prince and beyond.

In response, the United Nations approved a new international gang-suppression force in October 2025. However, similar efforts in the past — including a 2024 mission — have struggled due to limited funding and reach. More recently, the U.N. unveiled its 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan, a $880 million initiative to assist 4.2 million Haitians affected by violence, food insecurity, displacement, and the collapse of essential services.

According to the U.N., the plan is designed to deliver lifesaving aid, restore access to basic services, and support communities facing extreme pressure as the crisis continues.

Chicken, Broccoli, Tortilla, Internet, Trump, $3 Meal — Photo by Anna Shvets: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-broccoli-3727689/

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 18, 2026

A Piece of Chicken, Broccoli And A Tortilla, Internet Baffled By Trump’s ‘Affordable’ $3 Meal

Lawmakers slammed the meal idea that left much to be desired on a plate.

As the Trump administration reveals its plan to help Americans navigate an affordability crisis, the menu left the internet in shock.

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, unveiled the grand meal that over 1,000 simulations concluded would help Americans save money at the grocery store. Their results were a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, and a tortilla, alongside “one other thing” that was not disclosed. The items apparently totaled $3. One journalist on X shared a clip of Rollins’ explanation.

Brooke Rollins: "We've run over 1,000 simulations. It can cost around $3 a meal for a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, corn tortilla, and one other thing. So there is a way to do this that actually will save the average American consumer money." pic.twitter.com/hL7TTz7PRk
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 14, 2026

“…Are we actually asking Americans, especially those who are living on the margins, are we asking them to spend more on their diet? And the answer to that is no,” began Rollins in her conversation with News Nation.

She continued, “We’ve run over 1000 simulations, it can cost around $3 a meal for a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, you know, corn tortilla, and one other thing. And so there is a way to do this that actually will save the average American consumer money.”

The “depression meal plan” garnered backlash almost immediately from everyday citizens to lawmakers alike. Jokes began to fly of satirical depictions of the supposed plates, mocking the meal for its meager proportions.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal from Washington called the notion a “slap in the face” to everyday people. Sen. Rev. Raphael also inserted his opinion into the controversy, calling out the “bad” fiscal policy of the President.

A piece of chicken. A piece of broccoli. And a tortilla. pic.twitter.com/HNRY4q4xJ3
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) January 15, 2026

“The Trump-Vance economy is so bad that they had to run 1,000 simulations just to come up with a healthy meal that is affordable,” remarked the Georgia senator. “Give me a break. I don’t have to run 1,000 simulations to know that groceries are too expensive…”

Warnock then urged Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance to help everyday Americans by reversing the newly established tariffs.

He continued, “Roll back your failed policies, like these tariffs, which are a tax on ordinary people, raising the cost of every single thing. The Trump-Vance economy is not working for working people.”

Some compared the $3 meal to Marie Antoinette and the infamous “let them eat cake” phrase associated with the French ruler.

"Let them eat a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, corn tortilla, and one other thing." https://t.co/klp6r4E6EA pic.twitter.com/nr0wX4bJxL
— Lincoln Michel (@TheLincoln) January 15, 2026

Another X user singled out those who voted Trump and his officials back into office, noting that inflation remains high despite his promises to combat the issue.

Yall elected fascists because you thought they would give you a stimulus check and bring down the cost of groceries; a year later they’re telling you to limit your meals to a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, and a corn tortilla. Good job https://t.co/FvuOwyZhcM
— Tim (@trouble_man90) January 15, 2026

“Y’all elected fascists because you thought they would give you a stimulus check and bring down the cost of groceries; a year later they’re telling you to limit your meals to a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, and a corn tortilla. Good job,” wrote the social media user.

The issue has continued to upset those on the internet and on the congressional floor, who deem the lackluster meal insulting to the lived realities of many U.S. families.

Patty Kotero, better known as Apollonia — photo credit: © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 18, 2026

‘Purple Rain’ Muse Apollonia Says Prince Would Be Against His Estate Controlling Her Name

The singer says Prince gave her his blessing to keep using the name and persona for her music career.

Apollonia, who starred in Prince’s musical film “Purple Rain” and was considered the singer’s muse, has called out the late singer’s estate for its attempts to restrict her name and image. She was also the lead singer for the group Apollonia 6.

The model, singer, and actress using the stage name filed a new motion in her lawsuit against his estate Jan. 16, claiming the entity is working against Prince’s wishes. In the lawsuit obtained by Rolling Stone, Apollonia argued that Prince supported her career using the name. She says this contradicts his estate’s current efforts to limit her career opportunities after trademarking the name.

The estate’s Paisley Park Enterprises acquired the trademark in June 2025, further escalating matters by trying to cancel her other registrations and applications. However, Apollonia, real name Patricia Kotero, has opted to fight back against the control of the brand she continued using nearly a decade after Prince’s death.

The filing details a conversation allegedly had between Apollonia and Prince, just months before he died in April 2016.

“During our conversations that evening, Prince was adamant that we continue with our ventures such as musical performances, merchandising, and audiovisual projects, and that he wanted us both to use our Apollonia and Apollonia 6 trademarks in order to be able to earn a living, stay creative, and be financially secure in our later years,” Apollonia wrote.

The two developed a lifelong friendship after Kotero starred in Prince’s hallmark film. The Oscar-winning film, alongside its iconic soundtrack album, became a cultural phenomenon and a cornerstone of the rock star’s legacy.

Prince then created a girl group, Apollonia 6, named after the film’s main love interest and Kotero’s adopted persona. The singer went on to use the name in later projects and media appearances.

Apollonia also believes that none of the current legal battles would exist if Prince still lived. She asserted that the estate is “usurping his wishes” toward his “lifelong friend” and creative partner.

The filing added, “He would be appalled by the unbecoming conduct of PPE and the efforts by PPE to usurp his wishes. I do not trust PPE, and I am afraid that if PPE is able to accomplish its goal of taking the Apollonia Marks from me, my identity will be lost, my rights will be diminished, my business will be interrupted, and I will be unable to use the Apollonia marks without repercussion from PPE.”

Apollonia initially sued the estate in August, prompting the defendants to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in October. In the filing, the estate claimed it never sought legal action against the singer, calling the matter an issue for the U.S. Trademark Office to decide on.