repatriation, diaspora, Africa, Ghana, Benin, Rwanda, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, land, citizenship,
by Keka Araújo

January 31, 2026

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.

2. Sierra Leone: Citizenship Through DNA

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.

4. The Gambia: The “Smiling Coast”

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.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Minding Our Own Business—’ A Spotlight On Diaspora Enterprise and Culture: Lu Smith

A$AP Rocky, CDFA, Fashion Icon, Ray Bans
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 31, 2026

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.

RELATED CONTENT: A$AP Rocky Covers Rent For Residents In Old Harlem Neighborhood

Black Men Buy homes, Atlanta
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 31, 2026

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.

RELATED CONTENT: Research Shows Foreclosure Activity Is Up—Here’s Why

MAC Cosmetics, Aïda Moudachirou-Rébois
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 30, 2026

Aïda Moudachirou-Rébois Exits SVP Role At MAC Cosmetics Amid Sales Slump

The industry veteran joined MAC Cosmetics in 2024.

After two years serving as senior vice president and global general manager at MAC Cosmetics, Aïda Moudachirou-Rébois is out, WWD reports.

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.

RELATED CONTENT: Elevate Your Excellence: Ariel Co-CEO Mellody Hobson Continues Push For Black Economic Empowerment

daughter, father, grammys
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 30, 2026

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.”

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.

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.

RELATED CONTENT: Hollywood Icons Pose Down In Exclusive IMDb Studio At Black Cinema & Television Celebration

Riaz Capital, Danielle Allen, Racist, fired
by Kandiss Edwards

January 30, 2026

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.”

RELATED CONTENT: Miles College Partners with NVIDIA to Bring Artificial Intelligence to HBCU Classrooms

Florida Prosecutor, Police-Made Crack,, off-duty cop, Milwaukee, shooting
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 30, 2026

Convicted Sex Offender Charged In FMU Assault And Grabbing Female Officer

A man arrested for sexually assaulting a Florida Memorial University student also attempted to grab the buttocks of a female detective.

A man with a history of lewd crimes was arrested for the alleged sexual assault of a Florida Memorial University student. He faces an additional charge after trying to grab a female detective’s buttocks while in custody.

Steven Rivers, 30, was arrested on Jan. 27 for the sexual battery of an FMU student after DNA evidence linked him to the crime, CBS News reports. Police said surveillance footage shows Rivers jumping a fence to enter the HBCU campus, where he allegedly approached and assaulted the victim.

After his arrest, Rivers was handed over to the Miami Gardens Police Department. During transport to jail, a video circulating online shows him being pressed against a wall by officers after he tried to grab a detective’s buttocks, resulting in an additional charge of battery on a law enforcement officer.

The sexual battery occurred on Jan. 25 when the victim, waiting near a bus stop after leaving the campus gate, was followed by an unknown man who pinned her against a building door and assaulted her before fleeing.

On Jan. 27, Opa-locka Police received a tip about a man matching the suspect’s description. Rivers was taken in for questioning, and DNA testing confirmed him as the perpetrator the following morning, police said.

Rivers had been released from the Florida Department of Corrections in December 2025 after serving time for lewd and lascivious conduct in Palm Beach County, police said. He was booked on charges including sexual battery and robbery by sudden snatching. Authorities are concerned there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with recent encounters with Rivers to come forward.

In response to the alleged sexual battery, FMU’s president announced increased campus security measures. The victim, an international exchange student on a sports scholarship, is recovering and plans to continue her studies and live on campus. She played a key role in the investigation, and the arrest has brought relief to students who had been on edge since the attack.

“Justice for her. That was the best thing that could’ve happened ’cause that should’ve never happened to her in the first place,” said freshman Melina Davila. “I’m glad they took the situation seriously for her safety as well.”

RELATED CONTENT: ‘The Blind Side’ Star Quinton Aaron Fighting For Life After Sudden Collapse

photographer, David johnson
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 30, 2026

Chicago Photographer Kymon Kyndred Killed In Car Accident

He was 54

Kymon Jarrett Watson Odukoya, also known as Kymon Kyndred, a man known for his work in the community, died in a car accident in his native Chicago.

According to the Hyde Park Herald, the photographer was involved in a car accident on Jan. 7, which he did not survive, and is being celebrated by the community he faithfully served. The 54-year-old was also a chef, craftsman, artist, and IT technologist who shared his gifts with the world.

“There are countless adjectives and adverbs that describe his character,” his sister, Fleur Kirksey-Knight, said. “Kymon had an infectious laugh and an almost angelic aura. Everyone that knew Kymon loved him.” 

No details have been revealed on how he died or if anyone else was hurt or killed in the tragedy.

Odukoya was born in Chicago on Sept. 17, 1971, but spent his childhood in Yaba, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. After returning to the States and graduating from Milwaukee High School of the Arts, he attended Chicago State University.

The photographer became entrenched in the Ayodele Drum and Dance community and regularly photographed the group’s classes and practices at the Sherman Park Fieldhouse. He was also perfecting his skills while attending performances at several venues, including the recently closed Promontory in Hyde Park. After taking pictures and filming events, he would regularly cook for the participants, his sister said. 

“Kymon was a true artist,” Kirksey-Knight said. To some, Odukoya was also a carpenter and spent time making original jewelry from wood, natural stones, and leather. To many others, Odukoya was a photographer and chef.

Odukoya had a strong social media presence on Instagram (@kyndredstudio), featuring photos from various events around Chicago. He was a regular contributor to Rolling Out magazine.

His celebration of life service took place Jan. 24 at the Charles Hayes Center.

RELATED CONTENT: Memphis Curators Work To Preserve Thousands of Photos Highlighting Black Life

LaToya Williams-Belfort, Bronx, foundation
by Ahsan Washington

January 30, 2026

5 Exercises To Do At Your Desk As You Return To The Office

Sitting for long work hours create negative effects on posture and circulation

The return-to-office mandates from companies have led workers to experience a significant disadvantage of office life: extended periods of sitting. Health experts agree that sitting for long periods during work hours negatively affects posture, circulation, and long-term cardiovascular health. 

Workplace wellness initiatives have moved from providing gym memberships to also promoting practical movement activities during work hours, because of changing return-to-office policies. 

Health professionals emphasize that brief physical activity breaks throughout the workday help decrease sedentary behavior risks. The positive aspect is that you can maintain physical activity throughout your workday without going to a gym or leaving your office. 

These five exercises, which can be performed at your desk, will help reverse the physical impact of sitting all day working in an office environment.

Seated Leg Raises

Seated Leg Raises, a lower-body strengthening exercise that targets the quadriceps and core, are a great option for office workers who spend most of their day seated. These exercises can be performed during long meetings or while answering emails, even at your desk. Strengthening leg muscles through seated leg raises improves circulation and reduces stiffness from prolonged sitting. Here’s how it works: extend one leg straight out, hold for five-to-10 seconds, then lower and switch sides.


Desk Push-Ups

Desk push-ups enable office workers to develop upper-body strength while remaining at their desks. This exercise modifies the traditional push-up by utilizing a desk or table as a support surface. Desk push-ups allow you to exercise during brief work breaks. The chest, shoulders, arms and core muscles get worked during desk push-ups, which also helps to enhance posture. To perform this exercise, position your hands at shoulder-distance on the desk, then extend your feet backward, and execute slow push-ups.


Seated Spinal Twist

The Seated Spinal Twist stretch provides calming benefits that enhance spinal and oblique flexibility while decreasing lower back and spine stiffness. Begin by sitting upright, then hold onto the chair back as you gently twist your torso to one side before repeating on the other side. The movement helps to relieve tension while increasing spinal flexibility.


Chair Squats

Chair Squats help develop lower-body strength by using a chair to measure depth. You can do this exercise during your regular breaks at your desk or in common office areas. The exercise targets the glutes together with hamstrings and core muscles which tend to weaken during extended periods of sitting. Stand before the chair, then descend toward it as if to sit, before rising back up without making full contact with the seat.


Shoulder Rolls

Shoulder rolls are a simple mobility exercise that helps employees experiencing neck or shoulder tension. The exercise can be performed at any time when stress or stiffness starts to build at the desk. The exercise reduces muscle tension and improves posture through slow backward and forward shoulder rolls which are repeated 10-15 times.

RELATED CONTENT: Solving Burnout: 7 Strategies To Enhance Workers’ Mental Health And Productivity In 2026

Jordan Chiles
by Kandiss Edwards

January 30, 2026

Swiss Court Rules Olympian Jordan Chiles’ Bronze Medal Appeal Can Commence

Jordan Chiles refuses to fold and will continue to fight for her Olympic bronze medal.

American gymnast Jordan Chiles has been granted a new opportunity to challenge the decision that stripped her of the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Switzerland’s highest court ruled there is enough cause to proceed with Chile’s challenge of the decision. The Swiss Federal Supreme Court ruled that Chiles’ appeal should be sent back to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which had previously upheld a decision to invalidate her medal. New evidence presented to examine whether the inquiry submitted by Chiles’ coach during the women’s floor exercise final was filed within the required time limit will be permitted.

In its ruling, the Swiss Federal Tribunal said the case should be reconsidered because newly submitted audio and video evidence could demonstrate that the inquiry was made on time. The court determined the evidence was not fully examined during the original arbitration process.

“la base ă di una registrazione audiovisiva scoperta dopo il lodo emanato dal TAS, il Tribunale
federale riconosce che questa nuova prova è suscettibile di giustificare una modifica
della decisione attaccata.”

Translation: Based on an audiovisual recording discovered after the award issued by the CAS, the Federal Court acknowledges that this new evidence is capable of justifying a modification of the contested decision.

In a statement, USA Gymnastics said it supports Chiles’s appeal and welcomes “a fair arbitration,” CBS reported.

“USA Gymnastics will continue to support the efforts of Jordan and her team to retain her bronze medal in the 2024 Olympic women’s floor exercise,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement. “We look forward to a fair arbitration that includes the clear evidence proving the inquiry into Jordan’s score was filed well within 1 minute as required by FIG rules.”

Similarly, Chiles’s attorney, Maurice M. Suh, said he was pleased by the opportunity to prove Chiles is, indeed, the proper 2024 Bronze medalist.

 “We are delighted that the Swiss Federal Supreme Court has righted a wrong and given Jordan the chance she deserves to reclaim her bronze medal,” Suh said in a statement. “We appreciate that Jordan will receive a full and fair opportunity to defend her bronze medal.”

At the Paris Olympics, Chiles finished third in the women’s floor exercise final after her score was raised following a coach’s inquiry. Days later, CAS ruled the inquiry was submitted four seconds after the one-minute deadline. Due to claims that the inquiry was late, Chiles’s appeal was invalidated, and the judging body reinstated her original score. The bronze medal was reassigned to Romanian gymnast Ana Maria Bărbosu.

Chiles has not publicly commented since the latest ruling, but the decision marks a rare procedural reopening in an Olympic medal dispute. If CAS rules in her favor, the bronze medal could be restored nearly two years after the Paris Games concluded.

The outcome of the rehearing remains pending, and CAS has not announced a timeline for issuing a new decision. 

RELATED CONTENT: Olympic Gymnast Jordan Chiles To Hit The Floor Under New Representation With CAA

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