by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 20, 2025

Mahogany L. Browne Selected By Princeton University For Holmes National Poetry Prize

'To receive this award, has been divine timing. There are many points in a poet’s career when you tap the mic to make sure you’re being heard.'

Mahogany L. Browne has been named the latest recipient of the Theodore H. Holmes ’51 and Bernice Holmes National Poetry Prize by Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Creative Writing.

The $5,000 award adds to Browne’s impressive list of accolades, including the 2022 Kennedy Center Next 50 Fellowship, the MacDowell Arts Advocacy Award, and a New York Emmy nomination for the documentary How to Build a City.

A writer, playwright, organizer, and educator, Browne has also received fellowships from All Arts, Arts for Justice, Air Serenbe, Baldwin for the Arts, Cave Canem, Hawthornden, Poets House, Mellon Research, Rauschenberg, Wesleyan University, and the Ucross Foundation.

“To receive this award, has been divine timing,” Browne said in a statement to Princeton. “There are many points in a poet’s career when you tap the mic to make sure you’re being heard.”

Unfazed by conservative pushback for using her art to celebrate diversity, the Black Girl Magic author has faced frequent bans of her works Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice and Woke Baby amid efforts targeting critical race theory (CRT). Despite these challenges, Browne continues to champion inclusivity through initiatives like the Woke Baby Book Fair.

“With the current climate, my poems feel strained for sunlight and justice,” she said. “Thank you for this acknowledgement. It is the support many dream of and may never receive. I write for the voices often spoke over or erased completely from the archive. I give thanks for the award and encouragement as I return to the page to honor my ancestors, elders, and kin.”

Browne’s works include Vinyl Moon, Chlorine Sky, and her poetry collection Chrome Valley, which was highlighted by Publishers Weekly and The New York Times and won the 2024 Paterson Poetry Prize. Her latest young adult novel, A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe, was longlisted for the 2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature.

She also holds an honorary Ph.D. from Marymount Manhattan College and serves as the inaugural poet-in-residence at Lincoln Center.

“Mahogany Browne is an unrelenting dervish who refuses to let any aspect of the creative realm go unexplored and unconquered,” said award-winning poet and Professor of Creative Writing Patricia Smith. “She’s a literary and cultural activist and a children’s book author with a voice that calms, encourages and empowers. She pens YA novels focusing on experiences that mirror the lives of colored girls searching for the light of their own voices. And she’s a revelatory poet, consistently finding new ways to celebrate Black lives. She could definitely teach Princeton a thing or two. Nothing like Mo ever was.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 19, 2025

Stephen Curry, Gentleman’s Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Introduce Player Exclusive: José Andrés

The whiskey, aged for 10 years and finished in Spanish Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks, will be a limited release of 800 bottles at a suggested retail price of $375.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, in collaboration with Gentleman’s Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, has announced the release of their latest initiative, Player Exclusive: José Andrés.

The whiskey, aged for 10 years and finished in Spanish Pedro Ximénez Sherry Casks, will be a limited release of 800 bottles at a suggested retail price of $375.

This is the first Player Exclusive that isn’t directly tied to Curry’s achievements connected to a longtime friend and tastemaker.

From Kentucky to Spain, worlds of craft collide in our newest Player Exclusive Bottle, in partnership with award-winning chef, José Andrés! 🥃

Portions of the proceeds will support @WCKitchen mission to bring meals to communities in need. Order now at the link in our bio! pic.twitter.com/n11sacTFrY

— Gentleman’s Cut Bourbon (@gentlemans_cut) September 16, 2025

“Gentleman’s Cut has always been about more than what’s in the glass; it’s about bringing people together, celebrating craftsmanship, and creating moments that matter,” said Curry in a written statement.

“Partnering with José on this Player Exclusive release is special because he embodies those same values through his food, his vision, and his commitment to community through his World Central Kitchen non-profit,” he added. “Together, we’re not only raising a glass to great bourbon, but also to the impact it can have when we use it to give back.”

The Player Exclusive: José Andrés reveals the bourbon’s vanilla backbone with notable flavors of dark raisins, fig jam, and honey steeped in spiced rum. The finish has threads of leather, nutmeg, and espresso roast. The spirit measures at 107 Proof, with the ingredients being 78% corn, 13% rye, and 9% malted barley.

The purchase of the bottle doesn’t just satisfy the taste buds; a majority of the proceeds will go toward World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by Andrés in 2010, which provides food relief to communities facing crises around the globe.

“To me, food and drink provide a common language, a way to share joy and create community at home and around the world,” said Andrés. “It is an incredible honor to partner with Stephen Curry, a friend who shares the same passion for bringing people together, as we launch the first collaborative edition of Gentleman’s Cut: Player Exclusive series.”

The Player Exclusive: José Andrés can be purchased online through the Gentleman’s Cut website, as well as select retailers, via Southern Glazer Wine and Spirits.

Lisa Cook, President Trump, mortgage, resignation

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 19, 2025

Trump Seeks Emergency Order To Remove Lisa Cook From Federal Reserve

Donald Trump is looking for help from the Supreme Court.

While the president does not control the Federal Reserve, Donald Trump is pushing hard to have Lisa Cook removed from its board of governors.

Trump’s latest move involves seeking an emergency order to remove Cook after an appeals court rejected his previous attempt, the Associated Press reports. The unprecedented effort to reshape the Fed board, intended to remain largely independent, would make him the first president in the agency’s 112-year history to fire a sitting governor.

In its new filing to the Supreme Court, the Trump administration is asking Chief Justice John Roberts for a temporary order that would effectively remove Cook from the board and a more lasting order from the whole court that would be in place while her legal case continues.

This follows the court’s recent rejection of Trump’s attempt to fire Cook, a setback that may be unfamiliar to him, as he has previously secured orders from the conservative-majority court to remove presidentially appointed leaders of other independent agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Trade Commission, even while legal battles over their positions were ongoing.

Those firings were at will, with no cause given, but the Supreme Court has distinguished the Federal Reserve, strongly suggesting that Trump can’t act against Fed governors without cause.

In August, Trump attempted to fire Cook over alleged mortgage fraud involving two properties in Michigan and Georgia, which she was said to have claimed as primary residences in mid-2021.

However, a federal judge recently ruled the removal illegal and reinstated her to the Fed board. Documents show Cook’s Atlanta condo was listed as a “vacation home” and described as a “second home,” undermining the administration’s fraud claims. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ruled that Fed governors can only be fired “for cause,” limited to misconduct while in office.

Cook was not on the board until 2022, when she was appointed to the Fed’s board by President Joe Biden.

Cobb also noted that Trump’s firing would have denied Cook her due process. After a 2-1 vote blocked the administration’s request to proceed, Trump’s lawyers argued that even if the alleged conduct occurred before her tenure as governor, it “indisputably calls into question Cook’s trustworthiness and whether she can be a responsible steward of the interest rates and economy.”

Cook’s lawyers are urging the justices to reject Trump’s “extraordinary step” to remove her.

“Temporarily removing her from her post would threaten our nation’s economic stability and raise questions about the Federal Reserve’s continued independence—risking shock waves in the financial markets that could not easily be undone,” Cook’s lawyers said.

by Kandiss Edwards

September 19, 2025

NAACP Questions Conservative Social Club At A Greenville High School

The Turning Point USA club has been active at J.L. Mann High School for four years.

The Greenville County (SC) NAACP has formally requested an investigation of a meeting held by Turning Point USA at J.L. Mann High School during what the organization said were school hours.

The group is “deeply concerned” over what it describes as a meeting by a political advocacy organization promoting conservative ideology, one often associated with “MAGA rhetoric.”

Turning Point USA was founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot last week at an event in Utah. Greenville County Schools said the Turning Point USA club has been active for four years at J.L. Mann.

The NAACP’s concerns center on whether the meeting’s timing violated policy by impinging on classroom hours or creating pressure for students to attend. The group is asking that the district investigate how and when the meeting was approved, its format, and how students were notified.

According to reporting by KOLR, the NAACP sent the school a letter questioning the circumstances surrounding the meeting.

“Pastors and community leaders have conveyed alarm that this kind of activity can deepen divisions, sow confusion in young minds about civic responsibility versus partisan propaganda and violate the trust we place in public schools to be safe, inclusive spaces,” the statement said.

The Greenville County School District, responding via letter, cited Board Policy JHCA, which governs how student clubs form and meet on campus. The district emphasized that its policy aligns with the federal Equal Access Act.

“Curriculum-related clubs, such as a French Club, may meet during instructional time with principal approval. Non-curriculum-related student-led clubs, including those with political, religious, or philosophical viewpoints, may only meet outside of class time and within what is known as a ‘limited open forum.’ These meetings must be voluntary, student-initiated, not school-sponsored, and do not occur during instructional time (i.e., during a regular class period).”

Student clubs are formed when there is interest from the student body and a faculty member agrees to supervise. Clubs must submit an application and adopt bylaws upon formation. The district noted that supervision by faculty does not necessarily reflect personal beliefs.

Clubs with political or civic themes already exist in the district, including Young Republicans, Young Democrats, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The district described Turning Point USA as one among several similar student-led organizations.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 19, 2025

Miami Gardens Unveils Street Renaming After The Links

Miami Gardens honored The Links, Incorporated, with a street named in the organization's honor.

Miami Gardens officials have unveiled a street named in honor of The Links, Incorporated. The Links, Incorporated Way, celebrates the organization’s commitment to DEI—”Dedication, Education, and Ingenuity.”

The Links, Incorporated Way, honors the contributions of one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer organizations of professional women of African descent, The Culture XYZ reports. Founded in 1946, the group now has 17,000 members across 299 chapters and a longstanding legacy of civic engagement and community leadership, celebrated through the newly named street.

“Dedication, Education, Ingenuity = DEI,” said National President Ethel Isaacs Williams, J.D., who used her keynote address to describe the unveiling as a testament to the organization’s mission, its lasting impact, and the work that remains ahead. “Leave the door cracked for those coming behind us.”

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The unveiling was supported by local chapter members, including Jessica Garrett Modkins of the Greater Miami Chapter, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies, and Dr. Linda J. Johnson, also of Greater Miami, who delivered the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Georgia McLean of the Miami-Biscayne Bay Chapter.

Chapter presidents Sabrina Thomas Knight (Greater Miami), Teresa Brown (Dade County), and Reva Vangates (Miami-Biscayne Bay) offered greetings, joined by Anne Turner Herriott of the National Executive Board.

Local and state officials in attendance included Mayor Rodney Harris, Councilman Reggie Leon, who presented the street sign, Councilwoman Linda Julien of Miami Gardens, and Florida state Reps. Felicia S. Robinson (D-Miami Gardens), and Ashley V. Gantt (D-Miami).

Rev. Tawnicia Rowan of the Dade County Chapter closed the ceremony with a prayer.

“We are proud to be the home of the first street in the United States dedicated to The Links, Incorporated,” Leon said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 19, 2025

Reebok Angel Reese 1 Sells Out Online Minutes After Debut

'I’m in full tears right now. Taking a leap of faith and launching three of my signature shoes at once was a huge risk—but guess what? They all sold out!'

The Reebok Angel Reese 1, which was previewed at July’s WNBA All-Star Weekend, officially sold out on the sneaker giant’s website minutes after its debut.

The second-year player took to social media to show her gratitude.

“I’m in full tears right now. Taking a leap of faith and launching three of my signature shoes at once was a huge risk—but guess what? They all sold out! I’m sooooo THANKFUL & beyond GRATEFUL and just want to thank everyone for the amazing support. REEBOK IS BACK!

@Reebok”

The Angel Reese 1 comes in three colorways: the “Mebounds,” the “Diamond Dust,” and the “Receipts Ready.” Sports Illustrated reported that the sneakers went on sale Sept. 18 at 10:00 a.m., selling for $120.

Fans who missed out on this collection will have another opportunity to purchase Angel Reese-branded Reeboks in the future. The company will release the “Charm City” colorway in October, which honors her hometown of Baltimore. The “King Tiago,” which is named after her pet dog and “Giving Grace” colorways will arrive in November.

Reese’s second year in the WNBA featured a ton of individual accomplishments but few wins for the Chicago Sky. She spent time injured and was suspended for accumulating too many technical fouls. In addition, she was penalized for half-game for making public comments that were “detrimental to the team.”

However, she left a promising message on social media once the long and fruestrating season ended.

YEAR 2. You taught me so much. You taught me so many lessons. You showed a TON of growth. You fought through SO much adversity. Yet you still PREVAILED, still showed up, and God has a plan for you. This is only the beginning.” ♾️ pic.twitter.com/UB0cFnUJRV

— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 17, 2025

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Black bank, Milwaukee, Redemption, West Coast

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 19, 2025

Banking Trio Builds One Of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Investment Firms To ‘Design Something for African Realities’

Three friends, banking professionals, used their background to launch one of Africa's fastest-growing investment firms.

Meet Stephen Osho, Tosin Osunkoya, and Nnamdi Nwizu, three friends who leveraged their banking experience to start one of Africa’s fastest-growing investment firms.

Starting their careers in the treasury departments of top banks, the trio recognized that Africa lacked an investment firm that met world-class global standards. Combining their skills, reputations, and networks, they decided to launch Comercio Partners as a firm capable of competing globally and reshaping the narrative of African finance.

“We each brought something different to the table,” Nwizu told Business Insider Africa. “It felt risky at the time, but we shared a hunger to build something enduring and African-born.”

After years of navigating global markets at leading banks, Osho, Osunkoya, and Nwizu adopted a “For Us, By Us” approach to shape their firm’s investment model.

“We wanted to show that you could build world-class investment thinking from here, for here,” Osho said. “Not just copy foreign models, but design something for African realities.”

Now working together as managing partners, the friends balance different approaches to acquisitions through strategy and collaboration. While disagreements arise, their system encourages healthy debate and aligned decisions.

Responsibilities are divided. Nwizu leads trading strategy. Osho handles advisory. Osunkoya manages asset portfolios. Regular interaction ensures that insights are shared and assumptions are reviewed, allowing each partner to strategize and keep the firm united under a single vision.

“We’ve never shied away from robust conversations,” Osho said. “What matters is that our decisions are based on facts and in the best interest of the firm.”

“It’s not about egos,” Osunkoya added. “It’s about trust. We know when to step back and when to take the lead.”

Their combined expertise helped Comerico navigate one of the toughest recent bond market downturns that saw many competitors pull back. Guided by Nwize’s market instincts, Osho’s relationship acumen, and Osunkoya’s disciplined risk management, Comerico was able to stand firm.

“Resilience comes from clarity,” Nwize said. “We knew our north star was building value for clients, and that focus carried us through.”

Looking ahead, Osunkoya, CEO of asset management, aims to leverage AI to transform investing across Africa, enhance market analysis, and develop digital platforms for everyday investors. The partners are also prioritizing talent acquisition, providing young professionals with mentorship, ongoing training, and exposure to global best practices. They believe cultivating a strong internal culture is essential to earning investor trust.

They are also exploring opportunities in infrastructure debt, private credit, and green finance, viewing these as key to Africa’s financial future. Beyond business, Comercio Partners aims to demonstrate that Africans can create enduring institutions that meet global standards. The trio hopes their story inspires a new generation of financial leaders to stay local, build, and grow the continent from within.

“This is about proving Africa can build enduring financial institutions,” Osho said. “Institutions that outlast us, and inspire others.”

by Kandiss Edwards

September 19, 2025

HBCU Students In Detroit ‘Fixins’ To Get Hands-On Design Experience

The partnerships allows Fixins Soul Kitchen employees to receive new uniforms every quarter.

Fixins Soul Kitchen, a downtown Detroit restaurant founded by former NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson, has announced a partnership with Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC).

The HBCU partnership will allow Fixins employees to receive new uniforms quarterly. Each uniform will be crafted by a different student designer attending PLC.

The first uniforms, designed by PLC student Jordan Dixon, carry two distinct themes. One features local music legend J Dilla, who represents Detroit’s east side. Other uniforms were designed to honor the west side.

“It’s honestly astonishing to be able to do this…I wanted to create basically an east side and west side unity,” Dixon said.

PLC President Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, a veteran of Nike’s Jordan Brand, spoke about the opportunity to collaborate with local small businesses and expand the scope of student education.

“Good design, you don’t recognize all of it at first glance, you need to actually look deeper, and discover more and more things that you missed, and I knew that’s how he designs, that’s how we teach,” Edwards told WXYZ Detroit. “I knew by him going first, it would set the tone for the storytelling we want.”

While the announcement centers on fresh uniforms, the project’s meaning runs deeper. For PLC, the country’s only HBCU devoted to design, the partnership gives students direct exposure to professional branding work. For Detroit, it’s a reminder that creative energy is not confined to galleries or runways. The opportunity to excel in one’s craft can be embedded into everyday spaces like Fixin.

Johnson is giving students the chance to reinterpret uniforms as both style and storytelling. The collaboration turns workwear into a rotating canvas that tells Detroit’s story every season. while creating career-launching opportunities for young designers eager to have their ideas come alive in public.

by Jeffrey McKinney

September 19, 2025

Practical Tips To Help Black Grocers Offset Cuts In SNAP Food Benefits

Smaller stores frequently rely more on SNAP sales while functioning with tighter profit margins.

Black grocers are among businesses that could be walloped by federal cuts to food benefits programs that scores of people rely on to buy groceries.

Revenue for small grocers is expected to be cut considerably due to major changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that took effect September 1.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that up to 2.4 million additional Americans will not get federal food benefits each month. The nonpartisan agency estimates that the law President Donald Trump recently signed will trim federal spending on SNAP by almost $187 billion in the next decade.

According to this report, over 40 million people will be impacted and possibly lose benefits while food benefits will reportedly be cut by an average of $100 monthly for roughly 600,000 low-income households.

Black businesses that sell groceries will feel the squeeze as they operate in low-income areas with high levels of SNAP recipients. Unlike larger grocery chains, the smaller stores often depend on SNAP sales while functioning with tighter profit margins.

Many Black grocers are in food deserts, areas without or with limited access to traditional larger supermarkets. While the smaller stores are a key food source for residents, they are vulnerable to cuts that can reduce spending power and foot traffic.

Payment reliance on SNAP can fluctuate broadly. Some grocers reportedly collect under 1% of sales from the program, while others bag up to 70%. The bottom line: Black businesses are often hit harder when program changes occur, particularly if their customers reduce spending.

Furthermore, the cutback could possibly hurt 27,000 retailers, mainly in rural areas with the largest portion of SNAP users, based on this account. This report shows Black Americans made up almost 26% of SNAP participants as of 2023.

At the same time, the number of Black grocers appears not to make up a large percentage of grocery stores and supermarkets industrywide, based on BLACK ENTERPRISE research. Some stores that have opened over the years are cited here. Though an official tally is unknown, there are still multiple Black grocery stores existing nationwide.

Katina Holliday, CEO of Freshly’s Market in Aberdeen, Mississippi, is witnessing how the SNAP cuts are impacting Black grocers. Via email, she shared that the store’s staff has been cut by half in recent months. It has combined positions and rearranged how it is run.

“That’s significant for us and for our community here in Mississippi—a rural food desert area with an older population and transportation issues. It’s made things worse for everyone,” Holliday says.

While larger retailers could feel the losses, they have more resources to endure them. Some analysts believe retailers like Walmart and Amazon, and big discount stores, could even gain more business because SNAP recipients could turn to them for affordability and greater value options even amid reducing their spending amount.

In general, smaller independent grocers often pay more for inventory than larger grocery chains. Holliday says smaller stores’ costs are higher to begin with. She says the profit margin that used to be 13% is between zero to 2%.

“Our overall revenue has been cut in half. And when revenue drops like that, products sit longer on the shelves, which creates a trickle-down effect. Honestly, it’s getting harder to just stay in business and still provide for the community.”

Here are some tips Holliday offered that Black grocers can consider to help counter cuts in the SNAP food assistance benefits:

Look to join local/regional retail and grocery associations to make a collective effort for policy changes at the state and federal level to protect retailers from lost revenue. Advocate for reimbursement rate protections and seek reimbursement for SNAP payment processing fees. Consider offering customers them bulk-buying discounts or extended credit terms.

Connect with local nonprofits, churches, or community groups to arrange food drive days, discount days, or coupon programs.

Utilize any state or local programs that underwrite administrative costs for SNAP-accepting retailers.

Other moves could include offering a loyalty program with meaningful rewards or discounts for repeat visits, according to BLACK ENTERPRISE research. Use customer data to issue personalized offers, like coupons, for goods customers buy often. Also, focus on community engagement. For instance, be open to hosting events, collaborating with local food programs, and backing neighborhood programs.

RELATED CONTENT: Tips For Eating Clean On A Budget

by Kandiss Edwards

September 19, 2025

Senators Unanimously Pass Resolution For Charlie Kirk’s ‘Day Of Remembrance’

Senate Democrats and Republicans are all for honoring Charlie Kirk with 'Day of Remembrance."

On Sept. 18, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to establish Oct. 14 as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.

This resolution follows the murder of the podcaster, Sep. 10, little more than a week after his demise. The initial resolution was led by Senator Rick Scott, who secured support from all Senate Republicans. The resolution cleared the chamber without opposition. In defense of the “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk, Scott wrote that the non-government employee should be honored as a hero for debating liberal students on college campuses.

“Charlie Kirk was recognized as one of the leading voices among young leaders in the United States, creating opportunities for civic education, fostering youth leadership, and promoting principles of liberty and democracy across the United States; Whereas Charlie Kirk was the founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization of thou HLA25811 JJN 2 S.L.C. sands of chapters across the United States dedicated to educating students about the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government,” Scott wrote.

Some House Democrats are preparing to vote against a similar measure. Representative Jasmine Crockett is a vocal detractor. She sees no evidence to support the claims that Kirk was a paragon.

“Not sure what is honorable about many of Mr. Kirk’s past statements,” Crockett said, according to Axios.

Supporters argue the resolution is a gesture of national unity against political violence. Kirk’s death during a speaking event at Utah Valley University has become a heavily discussed topic in political discourse. Many condemned the violence, including the NAACP and Black Lives Matter organizations. To justify backing the resolution, supporters emphasize that acknowledging the loss does not necessarily require agreeing with every aspect of his work.

With the Senate’s passage complete, all eyes turn to the House, where a corresponding resolution is expected. The measure must also garner sufficient votes before it reaches the president. If that happens, Oct. 14 will be officially designated a day to remember Kirk’s life. However, it is unclear if the totality of his views will be acknowledged.