Bourbon Street , Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, New Orleans, New Year's Eve, — (Photo: Infrogmation, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

by Mitti Hicks

January 6, 2026

Data Reveal Violent Crime Was Down In New Orleans Even Before Trump Deployed National Guard

In 2022, New Orleans was considered the country's per-capita "murder capital," with 266 murders. That number was sliced in half to 121 in 2025.

New data shows that violent crime in New Orleans is continuing to decline. Local police officials revealed that violent crime fell for a third year in a row, despite President Donald Trump taking credit for it after ordering National Guard members to patrol the city.

In his latest target against Democratic-led cities, Trump approved sending 350 National Guard members to Louisiana following a deployment request from Republican Gov. Jeff Landry to fight crime. Landry claimed that troops were needed in New Orleans because of “elevated violent crime rates,” despite local officials saying crime has been dropping for years in the city.

As the Associated Press reports, Trump credited the Guard deployment with New Orleans’ drop in violent crime.

“We have crime down to almost nothing already,” the president stated during a news conference. He adds, “I cannot imagine why governors would not want us to help.”

So far, Trump has deployed or attempted to deploy National Guard members to Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, Chicago, and Memphis. A Democratic mayor runs each city.

Violent Crime In New Orleans

New data released by New Orleans police shows that since 2022, murders, shootings, armed robberies, and carjackings have significantly decreased city-wide. In 2022, New Orleans was considered the country’s per-capita “murder capital,” with 266 murders. That number was sliced in half to 121 in 2025, which includes the 14 people who were killed in a vehicle-ramming attack on Jan. 1 last year in the French Quarter.

New Orleans police classify murders as criminal homicides. These numbers do not include suspected suicides, accidental deaths, justifiable deaths, or suspected manslaughter.

National Guard troops have only patrolled the historic French Quarter so far. But Anne Kirkpatrick, the current superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, said she would continue to welcome Guard members into crime hot spots beyond this touristy area, since the city’s police force is understaffed. She also welcomes National Guard troops ahead of New Orleans Mardi Gras season, which officially kicks off on Jan. 6.

“If they prevent a crime by their presence, I’m all for the safety of the city, as long as it’s constitutional and ethical,” she added.

Kyrie Irving, Texas, HBCU, Paul Quinn College — (Photo: Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 6, 2026

Kyrie Irving Pays $11K For LaRussell’s Latest Album, ‘Something’s In The Water’

The recording artist is trying to sell 100,000 copies online (and independently) in 30 days.

Recording artist LaRussell has taken an unprecedented approach to selling his latest independent album, Something’s in the Water, by posting on social media that fans can purchase the project at any price as he aims to sell 100,000 units in 30 days.

Several notable people have paid more than $ 1,000, including Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving, who paid $11,001 to cop one.

https://twitter.com/LaRussellGC/status/2006395053153874101

The rapper has been livestreaming over the past week and updating his fans on his progress toward 100,000 units. On his X account, he posted a clip of him speaking to Irving. He called into LaRussell’s livestream and acknowledged that he wanted to help him reach his goal.

“Shout out to LaRussell!”

“You earned it, bro. You deserve it, man.  You work your ass off, so I thought I’d just contribute to what you got going on, and I know you’ll pay it forward, so I ain’t gotta worry about that, man. You’re a great dude, and I know we’re getting to know each other from afar, but, hey, man, it costs nothing to support, but I’m just putting my money where my mouth is, bro, helping out my community, helping out my people, bro. I want to see you reach your goal.”

https://twitter.com/LaRussellGC/status/2008237105097457815

Irving isn’t the only one who paid a premium price for Something’s in the Water. West Coast living icon Snoop Dogg purchased an album for $2,500. LaRussell acknowledged that the “D-O-double G” was a reason he entered the game.

https://twitter.com/LaRussellGC/status/2008267340333350951

Billboard reported that Cedric the Entertainer paid $1,000 for his copy and that, according to a press release, fans can pay as little as $1, with the average album sale being $22.

Anyone interested in buying the album can do so here.

Did McDonald’s Tell A McFib? Lawsuit Alleges McRib Is Mystery Meat — Evan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 6, 2026

Did McDonald’s Tell A McFib? Lawsuit Alleges McRib Is Mystery Meat

The plaintiffs say the sandwich is made from "restructured" pork using lower-grade cuts, including pork shoulder, heart, stomach, and tripe.

Four McDonald’s customers have filed a lawsuit against the restaurant franchise, alleging it deceived consumers about the contents of its popular McRib sandwich, namely that it contained pork.

According to People, paperwork was filed Dec. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by plaintiffs, Dorien Baker, Peter Le, Charles Lynch, and Derrick Wilson, who reside in California, New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. The plaintiffs allege that the McRib is made from “restructured” pork using lower-grade cuts, including pork shoulder, heart, stomach, and tripe.

The complainants state that the use of the McRib name, pricing, and rib-shaped patty leads McDonald’s customers to think they are purchasing a premium pork rib product. Because the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Daily Pork Report states that pork rib meat, including “baby back” and “spare ribs,” is considered a premium product, the price is typically higher than that of other pork cuts.

Because McDonald’s charges a premium price for the product (as high as $7.89 per sandwich), it allegedly misrepresents it as “McRib” and uses cheaper cuts than those advertised.

“McDonald’s deceptive omissions and misleading marketing have resulted in millions of dollars in consumer harm, warranting legal remedies including compensatory damages, restitution, and injunctive relief to prevent further deceptive advertising practices,” the lawsuit said.

McDonald’s said the plaintiffs’ claims are inaccurate and “distort the facts.”

“Food quality and safety are at the heart of everything we do – that’s why we’re committed to using real, quality ingredients across our entire menu,” the fast food restaurant said in a written statement. “Our fan-favorite McRib sandwich is made with 100% pork sourced from farmers and suppliers across the U.S. We’ve always been transparent about our ingredients so guests can make the right choice for them.”

Atlanta restaurant — Photo by Darren and Brad, via Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0, Alt to image

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 6, 2026

Atlanta Staple The Busy Bee Is Back With Third Restaurant In Downtown Area

The location will be The Busy Bee's third in the city.

Atlanta’s very own The Busy Bee is buzzing to a third location, placed right in the downtown area.

Known for its classic soul food dishes, The Busy Bee has signed a new lease at the transformed Centennial Yards area. The mixed-use development plans to revitalize the downtown Atlanta area, offering retail and restaurant choices for tourists and natives alike.

As for The Busy Bee, it will go from the city’s surrounding Mercedes-Benz Stadium area to find its latest footing. The lease will boast a nearly 3,000-square-foot space, offering plenty of seats for fans to sit down for a plate.

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A post shared by Centennial Yards | Downtown ATL (@centennialyards)

The Busy Bee has served customers in Atlanta since 1947, first operated by self-taught cook Lucy Jackson. The award-winning eatery, famed for its signature fried chicken, will continue its reign in the area while providing a new experience for patrons.

The restaurant’s Centennial Yards location will feature a new service: a full cocktail, beer, and wine menu. Its current owner, Tracey Gates, whose father also helped purchase the business in 1987, spoke about how the restaurant’s long-standing tradition will evolve into greater communal engagement.

“The Busy Bee has always been about love, tradition, and doing things the right way – slow, from scratch, and with care,” Gates said, according to WSB-TV. “Centennial Yards lets us honor our Downtown Atlanta roots while welcoming new guests to the neighborhood. We’re bringing the same intentional flavors people grew up with, preparing true Southern dishes with seasonal ingredients and trusted farmer relationships that keep our cooking consistent year after year.”

Fans of its chicken and waffles, to its fried catfish, can have another spot to order up, as the eatery will reside at the Mitchell residential tower in Centennial Yards. With its partnership with CIM Group, the development’s owner, The Busy Bee, will help revive Downtown Atlanta with a new vision.

“As we continue to build Centennial Yards into Atlanta’s next great neighborhood, we’re extremely proud to welcome The Busy Bee, a legacy restaurant that represents the very best of Atlanta’s history and hospitality,” Brian McGowan, president of Centennial Yards Company, said in a statement. “This lease underscores our vision to create a district that is authentic to Atlanta, where global entertainment meets local culture.”

Black women,, Flickr — (Photo: nappy/Pexels)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 6, 2026

Southern Black Girls Invests Over $1.2M In 2025 With Historic Black Girl Joy Challenge

The Southern Black Girls movement heads into 2026 strong, having invested over $1 million in Southern organizations and small businesses.

The Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium hit a major milestone in 2025, investing more than $1 million to support over 60 organizations and 25+ small businesses across 13 Southern states.

The Selma-based organization made $1.2 million in investments through its Black Girls Dream Fund, Innovation Fund, and Black Girls Defense Fund to support diverse organizations at a time when funding for racial and gender equity initiatives faces nationwide rollbacks, according to a press release. Adding to the milestone, Southern Black Girls awarded its 1,000th Black Girl Joy Challenge grant in 2025, a program that gives girls ages 13–24 funds to create joy in their communities.

“This year proved that even in difficult times, investing in organizations that center Black girls and women is an act of resistance, imagination, and faith in the future,” said Chanceé Lundy, executive director of Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium.

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A post shared by Southern Black Girls (@southernblackgirls)

Lundy entered 2025 at full speed — her first full year as leader and a full-circle moment with Founder LaTosha Brown, who mentored her as a 14-year-old in a Selma youth program more than 30 years ago. Their intergenerational connection reflects the Consortium’s mission to invest in organizations that uplift Black girls and women.

“As this year comes to a close, I’m reminded that even when the road is rough, we are still holding on,” Lundy shared in a recent letter to supporters. “Even under pressure, we showed up, expanded our giving, and stayed intentional about meeting this moment.”

In June 2025, Southern Black Girls hosted over 1,300 Black girls and women in Atlanta for the Black Girls Dream Conference, themed ‘She Got Next.’ The two-day event featured 80 workshops on STEAM, mental health, financial empowerment, and social justice. The organization’s support for Black women entrepreneurs also paid off, with Crystal Chisholm, founder of The Oyster Journal, receiving mentorship and funding through its Dream Investment Program.

“When I first launched my app, I built it myself, but I had technical limitations,” Chisholm said. “This grant allowed me to hire a contractor to add premium features that will generate revenue for the first time. This marks our shift from building community to creating financial sustainability.”

RELATED CONTENT: Black Joy Festival

WORKPLACE, Bullying, return to office, RTO — Photo credit:: Yan Krukau/Pexels

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 6, 2026

How RTO Went From Being About ‘Where’ To ‘When’ For Employees

Flexibility is the name of the game.

Employees have changed the ever-evolving “return to office” (RTO) narrative from not being about where to work but when, causing employers to step up their management game, Fortune reports.

Data from commercial real-estate company JLL’s Workforce Preference Barometer 2025 revealed employees have no problem with RTO, but more so with the amount of time required. The change highlights the shift between employee priorities, with work–life balance take precedent over salary.

Sixty-five percent of survey respondents, in comparison to 59% in 2022, have employees seeking “management of time over place” but only 49% of workers have the luxury of flexible hours.

Management expert and New York University professor Suzy Welch warns the RTO shift will challenge employers to find a cure to continuous burnout.

“We believed that if you worked hard, you were rewarded for it. And so this is the disconnect,” she said. “Gen Z thinks, ‘Yeah, I watched what happened to my parents’ career, and I watched what happened to my older sister’s career, and they worked very hard, and they still got laid off.’”

Between Welch and JLL, the closing argument is that there is no need to give up too much time because employees won’t get anything in return.

There is a name for those fighting against returning to the cubicle: “non-compliers”.

Data describe them as being between ages 30 and 34, living in North America, and holding managerial roles. JLL said the group’s stance is driven by personal constraints over simply not wanting to be in the office. Since many are caregivers who feel constraints are “poorly understood and supported at work,” they do what’s best for them.

“Their non-compliance is less a rejection than a calculated decision based on their sense of empowerment,” the study reported.

Globally and stateside, employer have seen pushback from forced RTO. Media conglomerate Paramount received a massive number of resignations in November 2025 after the company announced plans to bring staffers back in person to the office five days a week.

Anthony Joshua, Nigeria, car crash, Boxer, — Lynndonald, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 5, 2026

Anthony Joshua Speaks After Fatal Car Crash In Nigeria, Driver Charged With Reckless Driving

Anthony Joshua paid tribute to his friends and former team members on Instagram.

Boxing champion Anthony Joshua has spoken out for the first time since surviving a car crash on Nigeria’s Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that killed team members Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele.

On Jan. 4, Joshua shared a solemn Instagram post featuring two intimate photos of him mourning with Ghami and Ayodele’s families. One photo shows Joshua sitting with his mother and the families as a relative holds a framed photo of Ghami.

“My Brothers Keeper ❤️🪖❤️,” Joshua captioned the post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @anthonyjoshua

Adenyi Mobalaji Kayode, 46, was charged Jan. 2 with reckless and dangerous driving. Kayode drove the Lexus SUV involved in the crash that left him and Joshua with minor injuries and killed Ghami and Ayodele.

Kayode reportedly did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash on one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads. The revelation came during his Jan. 2 hearing at Sagamu High Court, where Kayode denied all charges, including dangerous driving.

Kayode, who worked for Joshua for three years, pleaded not guilty, claiming the car’s brakes failed. As family members looked on, he was granted bail and escorted to Sagamu Correctional Centre to complete paperwork.

A police spokesperson confirmed that Kayode was charged with reckless and dangerous driving causing death, driving without a valid license, and driving without due care, resulting in bodily harm and property damage. He was granted bail of five million naira ($3,500), but will remain in custody until the conditions are met.

Joshua, who had traveled to Nigeria for a holiday following his knockout win over Jake Paul last month, discussed the crash ahead of attending the funeral for Ghami and Ayodele at London’s Regents Park Mosque on Jan. 4.

They spent their lives together and died together, today the coffins were side by side as the Janaza (funeral prayers) were said for Sina Ghami and Latif 'Latz' Ayodele the beloved friends of #AnthonyJoshua at London Regents Park Mosque. @anthonyjoshua attended to pay tribute… pic.twitter.com/7iV6DJpGb1
— Dr. Burour (@IbrahimBurour) January 4, 2026

Tuskegee Airmen, Black Aviators — photo credit: pexels

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 5, 2026

Black-Owned Flight School In Metro Atlanta Pledges $1 Million To Train 1,000 Diverse Pilots

With a shrinking talent pool for pilots, Lookup Flight Academy hopes to fill the gap with diverse applicants.

A Black-owned flight school in Metro Atlanta has pledged a million dollars to get more diverse pilots in the air.

Owned by Michael Ojo, Lookup Flight Academy is Gwinnett County’s first Black-owned flight school. Started in 2023, Ojo’s mission remains the same: to train and inspire pilots to take flight.

Now, this mission has grown even stronger in the new year. Ojo has announced a million-dollar scholarship program for aspiring pilots to join the academy and earn their licenses. For him, breaking down this monetary barrier is one way to get more people into an industry that has historically looked one way.

“When you don’t see someone who looks like you in a pilot uniform, chances are you’re not even thinking about it,” Ojo said to WSB-TV.

Given Lookup Flight Academy’s recent Part 141 certification, the federal recognition also opens more grant and financial aid opportunities for prospective students. Through its nonprofit funding, this money can go toward scholarships, especially for pilots of color.

“It’s about ending the generational cycle of poverty that plagues Black and brown communities,” added Ojo.

These scholarships will tremendously help train pilots from underserved backgrounds. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, nonwhite pilots remain scarce. For Black people specifically, those working in the commercial airline industry account for 5% of all working pilots.

The million-dollar pledge will spread across the next two decades, offering a lucrative and exciting career pathway for generations to come. One student, Troi Miller, has already taken advantage of this opportunity. Her entrance into flight school is especially relevant, as gender disparities remain relevant. According to figures listed by Women in Aviation International, women represent 10% of all commercial pilots.

While the barriers persist, Miller refuses to let the glass ceiling hold her back. As others join her cohort at Lookup Flight Academy, she hopes to lead the charge for women of color guiding the skies.

“The sky knows no colors,” Miller said. “It shouldn’t have any limitations.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 5, 2026

BLACK ENTERPRISE Women Of Power Summit 2026 Marks 20 Years Of Honoring Executive Women Of Color

Registration is now open for the BLACK ENTERPRISE 2026 Women of Power Summit, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

BLACK ENTERPRISE will celebrate 20 years of honoring executive women of color and empowering attendees at the 2026 Women of Power Summit.

Taking place March 11–15 at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the 2026 Women of Power Summit will continue its legacy of bringing together Black women leaders for four days of inspiration, connection, and empowerment. From keynote talks and fireside chats to panel discussions, executive and financial coaching, and evening entertainment, the summit remains a cornerstone experience for professional women across every industry.

With the 2026 summit marking the event’s 20th anniversary, attendees can expect an especially meaningful experience focused on sisterhood, community, and professional growth. Last year, more than 1,800 women gathered for the Women of Power Summit, where trailblazers like Jemele Hill, Melba Moore, Monique Rodriguez, and Valerie Jarrett were celebrated, among others, as Legacy and Luminary honorees.

Attendees walked away with powerful insights on advancing their careers through sessions on leading with authority, securing corporate board seats, and addressing woman-to-woman bias in the workplace. Professional bootcamps further equipped women with tools in such categories as AI, branding, and skill-building.

“This summit is more than a conference—it’s an engine for empowerment,” Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE, said ahead of the 2025 Summit. “At a time when leadership and career advancement are top priorities in corporate spaces, the Women of Power Summit provides a critical platform for Black women to connect, strategize, and elevate their careers.”

Amid federal cutbacks, DEI rollbacks, and growing pushback against programs that support diverse leaders, the 2026 Women of Power Summit arrives at a critical moment. Continuing its legacy of offering career-shaping mentorship, networking, and leadership development tailored for Black women in corporate spaces, this year’s summit will feature new candid fireside chats, impactful executive coaching, boardroom-readiness sessions, and industry-focused panels made to ensure attendees leave with actionable strategies and powerful connections at a time when they matter most.

Registration for the 2026 Women of Power Summit is now open and available HERE.

Gender Non-Conforming, Chicago — Photo by kat wilcox, via Pexels

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 5, 2026

Investigator Says Murder Suspect D4vid Also Had An Unused Chainsaw In His Home

The news comes after Steve Fisher revealed a "burn cage" incinerator was also found.

Over two weeks ago, private investigator Steve Fischer disclosed on social media that a “burn cage” was discovered at the rental home of recording artist D4vd. Fischer recently revealed that a chainsaw was also found.

During a late December appearance on NewsNation, the private investigator said the chainsaw was brand new and unused, and questioned why either of those items would be in the residence.

According to Complex, Fischer was hired by D4vd’s landlord, Mladen Trifunovic, to search the Hollywood Hills home. Trifunovic hired Fischer because he had not received any updates from the Los Angeles Police Department regarding its search of the home before they named D4vid a suspect in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Hernandez’s dismembered remains were found in the trunk of a Tesla registered to D4vd (real name: David Anthony Burke) on Sept. 8.

On NewsNation’s Branfield, Fischer said, that since the chainsaw and the incinerator were not used, “it could go to show some intent of what this plan was, because whatever happened here, like, this was, it was no finalized plan, you know?”

He said that operating a chainsaw requires some training and that D4vid is not responsible for the residence’s upkeep that would require a chainsaw or a burn cavity.

“So what is the purpose?” he said. “And then when you couple it with, not just the incinerator, but now a deceased, 14-year-old in a Tesla that’s been parked at that property, it becomes really troubling. Hopefully, there’s gonna be some justice here soon.”

TMZ reported that D4vid would most likely be indicted in connection with Hernandez’s murder.