Serena Williams Criticizes Cotton Decor At Hotel: ‘Doesn’t Feel Right’
The tennis legend discovered a cotton plant decoration that she said stirred deep discomfort.
Serena Williams spoke about an uncomfortable experience she had during a recent hotel stay in New York City.
The tennis legend discovered a cotton plant decoration that she said stirred deep discomfort, given the history attached to the material. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, shared her reaction on Instagram earlier this week. She posted a short video showing a vase of cotton stalks at an unnamed hotel and asked her followers directly about their feelings.
“Alright, everyone. How do we feel about cotton as decoration?” she asked her Instagram followers.
In the same video, Williams examined the stems more closely. She remarked that the buds resembled “nail polish remover cotton,” and physically cringed while touching them.
Williams added her personal feelings about the decorations, “Personally for me, it doesn’t feel great.”
On Instagram, many pointed out that the mother of two was married to a white man. For that reason, she should not have an opinion about the matter.
@munchiemunchh wrote: You offended by cotton but married the offspring of slave masters who had your ppl picking it.
@jstshay concurred: Girl you procreated with a yt man whom you married. You shouldn’t feel nothing.
Other commenters attacked Williams’s physical appearance, making a correlation to her blond hair, makeup, and facial features.
@sip.dis.kola commented: But her makeup is 3 shades lighter than her complexion
The imagery, tied to cotton harvesting in the U.S. South, has long evoked painful memories of slavery and forced labor for many Black Americans.
The hotel has not publicly addressed Williams’s remarks. As one of the most decorated athletes of all time, Williams has consistently used her platform to shed light on issues affecting women, families, and communities of color.
Atlanta Man Flips Out After Refusing To Be Searched By Male TSA Employee
'I'm not allowing them to elect the person that they want to elect because I want to elect the person. But I don't want no man touching me.'
A chaotic scene took place at an airport when an Atlanta man refused to allow a male Transportation Security Administration employee search him as he walked through security, while requesting that a woman do the task because he did not want a man “touching” his ass.
The Neighborhood Talkposted the video clip to its Instagram account as the scene takes place. The man, who identified himself as David Dyers, was upset that a man had to search him, which is typically done at airports. Instead, he protested because he didn’t want “no man touching my ass!” he expressed to a woman TSA employee.
“I don’t want no man touching me right now. That’s the whole issue. But since I don’t want no men touching me, they got a problem with that. So can you search me, or can a woman search me? It doesn’t even matter,” he said.
As he continues to protest the matter, the woman TSA employee tries to explain to him that he will get searched, as that is the only way he can be allowed to fly to his destination in Atlanta. However, Dyers continues to state that no man is touching him and that he is “allowing” TSA to do their job, but he is not allowing the person they “elect” to perform the duty, again insisting that the person he “elects” can’t be a man.
“I’m not allowing them to elect the person that they want to elect because I want to elect the person. But I don’t want no man touching me. So what’s the issue with that?”
As other airline officials are summoned to the scene, the TSA agents show extreme patience in trying to get Dyers to calm down and allow the male TSA agent to do his job so he can get through security.
The woman explains to the other official that they are not trying to hold him or even prevent him from going through, but he can’t decide who pats him down.
After finally relenting and saying that he would allow the man to search him, he, once again, lodges his complaint and rehashes his argument. The clip ends as he seemingly goes through the security protocol, rather than being possibly arrested or prevented from boarding his departing flight.
The second annual economic forum and marketing conference takes place Oct. 6 - 9.
BLACKWEEK will touch down Oct. 6 at Spring Studios in the Tribeca section of Manhattan and wrap up on Oct. 9.
“Welcome to the Culture Economy” is this year’s theme for the economic forum and marketing conference, which is focused on “unlocking the economic potential” of individuals in the Black culture who identify as consumers, founders, executives, and creators.
Esteemed individuals appearing and speaking at the forum and festival, include Charlamagne Tha God, Don Lemon, Dollie Bishop, Will Lucas, Joy-Ann Reid, Kenan Thompson, and Lena Waithe.
The founders of BLACKWEEK are Joe Anthony, CEO/founder, Hero Collective; Walter T. Geer, CCO, Innovation North America; Monique Nelson, executive chair, UniWorld Group; Dabo Che, founder, CHE Creative; Andre Gray, CCO Havas Lnyx; Gabrielle Shirdan, founder, Kitchen Table; and Adan Romero, EVP, ECD of Razorfish (Publicis).
“We founded BLACKWEEK to bring together the most dynamic executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders for real conversations about how cultural innovation is good for business,” the founders wrote on its website.
The event will also offer several film screenings from independent filmmakers, including feature shorts, documentaries, and feature-length films, as well as performances from up-and-coming music artists.
Executives, creators, investors, entrepreneurs, and others will also have an ample opportunities to network and exchange ideas and solutions. Plus, there will be various presentations, meetings, panels, and get-togethers.
For more information and to check out the schedule, click here. Tickets start at $599 for a conference pass that “provides access to the core conference experience, including all BLACKWEEK programming and on-site networking opportunities.” There is a 25% discount for women due to the systemic wage disparities that continue to affect women, especially Black women, in the workforce.
New York City Commuters Will Hear Cardi B’s Voice While Riding Subway
'Ride safe, keep it cute, and keep it moving.'
New York City commuters will hear the voice of Cardi B., even if they don’t purchase her latest album, “Am I the Drama?” as the Bronx-bred recording artist has recorded some public service announcements for the New York City transit system.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the country’s largest transportation system, serving a population of over 15 million people, has informed its riders that the woman named Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, a former reality TV star, has recorded messages that will be heard throughout the subway system. The “Bodak Yellow” recording artist, who came out the gate in 2017 with a Billboard No. 1 single, will be directing commuters to do the right thing as they travel through the subway.
“Hey, New York! It’s Cardi B., I’m here at the MTA recording some PSAs you’ll be hearing in the subway stations.
“We’re walking here! Steps are for stepping, not sitting.”
“Move it, bucko!”
“These trains don’t move without you, so make sure you pay that fare and keep it real.”
Cardi, who is never afraid to speak her mind, recently hit the Billboard charts with another No. 1 album after her latest project was released Sept. 19. With a tie-in promotion with retailer Walmart, the album created a new Guinness World Record when the company made 176 drone deliveries in one hour.
“I can’t even believe this getting my album from my album has been literally flying off the shelf from Walmart, because Walmart has been delivering my album in drones in the Fort Worth part of Dallas, Texas. . .I’m so thankful because we even broke the most deliveries in one hour.”
Richland Parish is questioning the cost in relation to infrastructure and public risk as Meta builds one of the world’s largest data centers. The facility requires a $3 billion upgrade to the region’s electric grid. Critics warn that the state and its residents may ultimately bear a significant portion of the cost, according to the Associated Press.
Once active, the multibillion-dollar Meta facility will demand more electricity than New Orleans, the state’s most populous city. To make that possible, power company Entergy, in partnership with Meta, will construct three gas-fired power plants. Each plant is capable of producing 2,262 megawatts of energy. The company will also build a $550 million transmission line. Much of that infrastructure is being constructed under confidentiality arrangements that shield cost details and future liabilities.
Under the contract, Meta will pay only half of the plant’s construction costs. The full scope of the project will take 15 years. While the mega corporation will pay any costs associated with project overrun, Entergy and the state will still bear responsibility for maintenance, operation, and the transmission line. Because nondisclosure agreements prevent complete transparency, consumer advocates have been unable to audit the estimates or test how costs will be allocated if Meta leaves or renegotiates terms.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission approved the plan in August, with some concessions aimed at protecting consumers. However, dissenters remain skeptical. Devante Lewis, a Richland Paris commissioner, vehemently opposes moving forward with so little information.
“There’s certain information we should know and need to know but don’t have,” Lewis said.
Adding further tension, Meta was granted sales tax exemptions under a 2024 law. The exemption raises concerns about lost public revenue even as new power plants are being built on public credit. Critics and residents worry that if Meta fails to renew its contract or faces financial difficulties, the plants may become a financial burden on the rural farming community of only 20,000 residents.
As local businesses and residents weigh the possibility of new jobs against infrastructure risks, Louisiana’s deal is increasingly seen as a test case in how much power Big Tech should have over local energy futures.
Jackson State University Jumps 6 Spots In HBCU College Rankings
Jackson State has risen from its No. 21 ranking in 2024.
Jackson State University has earned its highest spot in nearly a decade on U.S. News & World Report’s list of top historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Jackson State has moved to No. 15 in the 2026 edition of Best Colleges. This marks a six-spot leap from last year’s No. 21 position. The acceleration reflects the university’s progress in retention, graduation outcomes, and faculty resources. For JSU leaders, the new ranking is more than a number. University leaders note the school’s position as a recognition of the work to sustain academic rigor and open doors for students from diverse backgrounds. In a statement, Interim President Denise Jones Gregory, Ph.D., said the ranking affirms the university’s mission.
“To be recognized as one of the top 15 HBCUs in the nation while also ranking among the strongest universities for social mobility shows that Jackson State is excelling in both academic quality and student success. This recognition affirms that JSU is setting The Standard in higher education and will continue advancing opportunity and excellence for the students and communities we serve,” Jones Gregory wrote.
JSU also earned a tie for No. 65 in Social Mobility among all national universities. That category measures how effectively colleges serve students from underserved backgrounds who receive Pell Grants. Nearly 70% of JSU’s undergraduates are Pell recipients, a marker of economic need, making designation especially meaningful for the institution.
Faculty and staff credit programs, such as expanded academic advising, student support initiatives, and research opportunities, can help boost retention rates. Additionally, the university emphasizes its soaring community engagement.
“Rankings are only one measure, but they tell a story about progress,” said Preselfannie McDaniels, Ph.D, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Our focus on advising, mentoring, and academic support is helping to strengthen student outcomes while positioning more students to complete their degrees. That is the real success behind these numbers.”
For alumni and supporters, the climb in rankings is seen as momentum toward restoring JSU’s stature as one of the South’s flagship HBCUs. While challenges remain, such as securing more state funding and maintaining facilities, the latest recognition has energized the campus ahead of homecoming season.
Burlington Coat Factory’s Alleged Use Of Facial Recognition Sparks Concern
Burlington Coat Factory is under fire for allegedly using facial recognition in its stores.
The public is speaking out over Burlington Coat Factory’s alleged use of facial recognition technology to enter its stores.
A video circulating on social media showsone shopper recording as another is seemingly forced to have his photo taken to enter a Burlington Coat Factory in Brooklyn, New York, according to News 12 Brooklyn.
”You have to let them take a picture before you can enter into Burlington,” the woman who filmed the video can be heard saying before exiting the store.
TikTok user Robby Harvey reposted the video, tagging the mega-retailer to ask whether it was true that they were “forcing customers to take photos.”
Critics quickly took to the comments, expressing outrage and pledging to boycott the store over its heightened security measures.
”No more Burlington for me,” one person wrote.
“My local Burlington recently added a fully armed security guard,” another user shared. “He lets you through the little gate like a bouncer at a club. There is nothing in Burlington that I need that bad that I have to feel like a criminal before I even get in the store. No thanks, Burlington. Good luck.”
A News 12 reporter who visited the Gateway Center location observed a loss prevention staffer taking shoppers’ photos before they entered the store, alongside cameras at the entrance. A worker claimed the cameras could identify individuals with prior theft incidents.
However, a Burlington Coat Factory spokesperson stated that none of their stores use facial recognition technology. BLACK ENTERPRISE also reached out to the retailer for details on its public security policies and is awaiting a response from the communications department.
There remains a mixed response to Burlington’s possible ramp-up in security measures, with some shoppers saying they don’t mind.
”I feel by them monitoring people in and out, people have an extra sense of security while they’re shopping,” one customer said. “It might deter people from doing something wrong.”
”Depends on how you look at it,” another customer added. “But, I think it’s a good thing.”
Studies have noted a rise in the use of facial recognition technology in retail, reportedly aimed at preventing theft, improving operations, and boosting security. However, its use has raised significant concerns and calls for greater transparency and regulatory compliance.
Although its use surged during the pandemic for contactless services, the technology continues to evolve as a tool to identify known offenders and enhance overall store security. In August, Home Depot was hit with a class-action lawsuit over its use of facial recognition technology in Illinois. Burlington’s use of the technology has reignited debates over its ethical implications.
Brooklyn Nets Michael Porter Jr. Still Pays Half Of Ex-Girlfriend’s Rent, ‘She Needs to Act Right Month-to-Month”
Although they split up, he agreed to pay half the rent for a year.
Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets, who is slated to earn $40 million this upcoming season, is footing half the rent for his ex-girlfriend’s apartment.
“Hold on,” Laboy said. “I know you not worth $200 million and was splitting rent with your ex-girlfriend.”
Porter, 27, said his former girlfriend was looking for an apartment—for herself, as Porter refused to share an apartment with a woman unless they were married. She found a place that she liked, but the price was well above her budget.
The NBA star, who joined the Nets after a successful stint with the Denver Nuggets, offered a solution: “This is really nice. I want you to be able to stay here… what can you afford and…I’ll pay the rest.”
Not only did Porter do that, he agreed to continue doing so for a year, even if the couple broke up. Porter‘s instincts were on point. The two broke up after several months.
Now that they are not together anymore, he said his ex keeps “asking for the bread. But Porter is sticking to his promise. “I don’t blame her because she went into that apartment not being able to afford it, and I gave her my word,” he said.
Laboy asked why Porter doesn’t just give her the remaining months’ rent in a bulk payment and just be done with it.
Here was Porter’s logic as to why he’s not changing a thing: “Because she needs to act right month to month, I’m just saying. So, if I’m paying the remaining months—and I see she’s wilding—like, bro, it’s going to be hard to continue that agreement. That’s going to be tough because if you’re out here wilding, get that next dude to pay that rent.”
St. Thomas University College Of Law Ruled Out of Compliance by ABA; Accreditation at Risk
St. Thomas university is on notice after violating Standard 205(c). The standard mandates non-discrimination and equality of opportunity.
The American Bar Association (ABA) has officially found that the St. Thomas University College of Law, formerly Benjamin L. Crump College of Law, has fallen out of compliance.
The college was cited with a violation of Standard 205(c), which mandates non-discrimination and equality of opportunity. The ABA council issued the finding after its August meeting, triggering a correction process before any accreditation decisions can change.
At its August 21–23, 2025, session, the ABA’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar reviewed St. Thomas’s status and concluded the school failed to meet the listed requirements.
The council has posted a notice allowing the institution to respond. The law school must submit a written report by October and appear before the council in early 2026.
Standard 205 is categorized by the ABA as one of its Core Standards, meaning that compliance is essential to maintaining accreditation status. It is unclear how the college has failed to meet the “non-discrimination and equality” mandate.
Although St. Thomas’s accreditation is currently approved, the council has warned that formal noncompliance can lead to disciplinary measures if the school fails to meet the requirements. If the school’s response demonstrates full corrective action, the council could cancel the hearing initially scheduled for February. If not, further steps may include probation or removal of accreditation.
In August, St. Thomas University announced it would change the law school’s name to St. Thomas University College of Law, ending its run as the Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. (The university and Crump said the change was mutual.)
At the same time, the school confirmed plans to launch the Benjamin L. Crump Institute for Environmental and Societal Law this fall.
Loss of ABA accreditation would affect access to many state bar exams and impact the school’s legitimacy. Until the council concludes its review, the law school retains its approval status.
Mortgage Fraud Probe Against Letitia James Moves Forward As DOJ Struggles To Build Case
Former lead U.S. attorney Erik Siebert abruptly resigned in mid-September 2025 after admitting there wasn't enough evidence to support charges against James.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is proceeding with its investigation into mortgage fraud allegations against New York Attorney General Letitia James, amid pressure from President Donald Trump, but is struggling to substantiate the claims, Yahoo! Finance reports.
The case will be handled through the Eastern District of Virginia, led by senior Justice Department official Ed Martin, after Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte alluded that James may have committed mortgage fraud due to the residence status listed on applications. Almost identical to the probe against Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, James has denied any wrongdoing.
However, the proceeding is at a standstill due to a shakeup at the DOJ. One of Trump’s top aides, Lindsey Halligan, took over Virginia’s U.S. attorney’s office after the former lead, Erik Siebert, abruptly resigned in mid-September 2025 after admitting there wasn’t enough evidence to support charges against James. The admission prompted Trump to lash out on his Truth Social platform, calling on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to step in. “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” the president wrote.
“JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
According to CNN, prosecutors are investigating whether James knowingly made false statements on a loan application, listing a property in Virginia as her primary residence, since May 2025. However, nothing seems to be sticking. Collected documentation from James’ legal team proves that James repeatedly stated the property wouldn’t be her permanent residence. One reviewed email showed that the NY attorney general wrote, “This property WILL NOT be my primary residence.”
Other mortgage forms reveal that when asked if the home would be her primary residence, she checked “NO.”
In a statement, James’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, slammed Trump’s probe, calling it a “revenge tour.” “It’s no surprise they are having trouble finding an objective and law-abiding prosecutor who would ignore the facts and the evidence to manufacture sham charges,” Lowell said.
James is also the subject of a grand jury investigation in Albany, facing accusations of deprivation of rights, defined as the violation of someone’s constitutional rights, against Trump. Martin is also leading investigative efforts into a property James owns in New York, personally visiting the property in August 2025 and posing for photos outside.
The attorney general has been a vocal critic of Trump, successfully spearheading cases against him prior to his 2024 presidential campaign. During a Nov. 14, 2024, civil fraud case, Trump lashed out against James, calling her “racist” due to her visibly smirking in court. “Racist A.G. Letitia James is smirking all day long from her seat in Court,” Trump wrote.
“You have a (Trump-Hating!) Attorney General who’s seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages when not a single penny was lost by these banks, and that’s part of this (Unconstitutional!) Law. You can see from the reaction of A.G. James, every morning from that seat, that she is enjoying this, enjoying it a bit too much.”
