Firefighter, lawSuit , Racist Harassment, Noose

by Mary Spiller

November 23, 2025

New Jersey Firefighter Files $25M Lawsuit Alleging Racist Harassment, Noose Incident

Black firefighter Patrick Thomas claims a colleague targeted him with a noose and repeated slurs.

A Bloomfield, New Jersey, firefighter has launched a $25 million federal lawsuit accusing the township, fire department leadership, and a fellow firefighter of racially motivated intimidation—allegations that center on the repeated appearance of a noose inside the firehouse.

Patrick Thomas, one of only four Black firefighters in a fire department of nearly 80, first went public in December 2023, stating that his colleague, veteran firefighter Walter Coffey, confronted him with a rope tied into a noose while on duty. Thomas recalled Coffey handing him the rope and saying, “I want you to figure out what kind of knot this is.”

As reported by Patch, Thomas said he immediately recognized the intent. “This is a noose,” he told Coffey. “This is what people used to hang my ancestors from trees.”

According to the complaint, the incident wasn’t isolated. Thomas alleges that just a week earlier, Coffey told him about another noose upstairs before a training class. Attorneys also say Coffey—employed by the department for roughly 25 years—has repeatedly used the N-word around Black firefighters without facing discipline.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office investigated and ultimately charged and indicted Coffey for bias intimidation. Coffey was suspended without pay after the November 2023 report and remains on unpaid leave while the township moves toward termination.

Thomas’ lawsuit seeks millions in damages for what his attorneys describe as “loss of liberty, emotional distress, humiliation, loss of property, costs and expenses, and other damages and injuries.”

Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell addressed the lawsuit this week, saying the township “reaffirms its zero tolerance stance” toward racism.

“The Township of Bloomfield takes seriously its responsibility to ensure a safe and respectful workplace for all employees,” Mundell said. “There is absolutely no place for racist conduct or discrimination of any kind … and such behavior will be met with swift accountability.”

She emphasized that officials referred the case to law enforcement immediately and took departmental action the same day it was reported. “Walter Coffey remains on unpaid suspension and has not been permitted to return to duty,” she said, noting that his indictment underscores that “racist conduct will not be tolerated in Bloomfield.”

Mundell added that while litigation brought by Thomas limits what the township can publicly discuss, its values remain clear: “Racial harassment not only violates the law, it violates our core commitments to safety, dignity, and respect.”

Jellybean Johnson, Drummer,The Time, Minneapolis Sound

by Mary Spiller

November 23, 2025

Jellybean Johnson, Influential Drummer Of The Time And Minneapolis Sound Pioneer, Dies At 69

no cause of death has been released.

Jellybean Johnson — the Minneapolis drummer, guitarist, and producer whose work with Prince and the groundbreaking funk-rock group The Time helped define an entire musical era — has died at 69. His family confirmed his passing on Nov. 21, though no cause of death has been released. TMZ first reported the news.

Born Garry George Johnson, the self-taught musician was recruited by Prince in 1981 to join The Time, which emerged from the city’s influential Flyte Tyme collective. Johnson and Prince had known one another since their teenage years, long before their careers became intertwined.

Speaking to Australian Musician in 2018, Johnson reflected on his dual mastery of drums and guitar, saying, “The drums are physical and violent for me while the guitar is spiritual and emotional.” He added with trademark humor, “When you live here in the cold, you stay in the wintertime and you learn how to play.”

Johnson played a pivotal role in crafting what became known as the Minneapolis Sound — a sharp blend of funk, rock, synth-pop, and new wave. Beyond his work with The Time, he later joined Prince’s band The Family and appeared both in character and as himself in the films “Purple Rain” (1984) and “Graffiti Bridge” (1990). The Time went on to land multiple Top 10 hits on the R&B charts, including “777-9311,” “Jungle Love,” and the chart-topping “Jerk-Out.”

His creative reach extended far beyond his own bands. Johnson built a successful career as a producer and session player, contributing to Janet Jackson’s 1990 No. 1 hit “Black Cat,” among many other credits.

Tributes poured in across social media after news of his death. Sheila E., a close friend and longtime collaborator, shared her grief in a Facebook post, writing, “My dear friend Jellybean passed away a couple of hours ago… He was a kind human being, extremely talented and funny.”

Addressing him directly, she added, “I love u bean. Rest in peace and power.”

Susannah Melvoin of The Family also reflected on Johnson’s impact, saying, “My beautiful brother Jellybean Johnson has passed… Jellybean was the master of loving you like no brother could!”

View this post on Instagram

Johnson continued performing into recent years, including Grammy tributes to Prince in 2017 and 2020. In 2021, he co-founded the Minneapolis Sound Museum to preserve the musical legacy he helped create. A year later, he and The Time received a Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award — a fitting honor for one of the architects of an unmistakable American sound.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 23, 2025

Howard Students And Professors Debate Role Of AI In Learning

Debate over how students should use artificial intelligence is growing across HBCUs, and Howard University is no exception.

By Armani Durham

The debate over how students should use artificial intelligence is growing across historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and Howard University is no exception.

In Washington, D.C., these views differ across Howard University’s campus, with some professors and students supporting AI and others opposing it.

Robert Hill, a Howard student, uses AI as a tool to assist him in his academic life and believes that negative views of AI stem from people’s doubt that they can control it.

“In all reality, I feel that AI is a tool that is controlled by a person, so the more people realize that they have control over AI and not the other way around, I feel that it would become a positive [stereotype],” Hill said.

According to a joint report by Huston-Tillotson University, Ellucian, and the United Negro College Fund, 98% of HBCU students, 96% of faculty, and 81% of administrators have used AI tools.

At North Carolina Central University, a new Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Research (IAIER) was introduced, aiming to inform the campus and beyond about how to use AI across all aspects of their lives.

Elvin Darko, a student at Howard, is quite familiar with AI, as he majors in computer information systems.

Some professors in Howard’s School of Business support the use of AI, including Darko’s e-business professor.

“One of my professors [told the class that] anyone…who isn’t using AI, is going to get left behind,” Darko said.

Dr. Yanick Rice Lamb, a professor in Howard’s School of Communications, believes that students’ use of AI should be communicated to professors and varies across majors.

“Students have to be sure that they’re transparent with their professors and that their professors have given them permission to [use AI],” Lamb said. “It [also] depends on their major.”

Rice Lamb has informed her students that they may use AI when conducting research for assignments, as long as she is made aware of the tool used, but she does not allow them to use AI for articles.

“For our core in journalism, I don’t think it works for the articles because it’s a trust issue and an ethical issue in dealing with the public,” Lamb said. “I think there’s so much misinformation and disinformation out there that we have to be careful.”

The criticism of AI being used by college students stems from the uncertainty that students will use it ethically. Despite this uncertainty, some students believe that AI should be encouraged on campuses, as they may encounter it in their career fields after college.

“I mean, if [students are] going to be able to use it after school, why not use it in school?” Darko said. “If every company is pretty much using AI now, I think we should be able to use it in school as well.”

AI tool, travel, flights, HBCU, travelers, deparue times

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

November 23, 2025

Howard University Students Navigate Traveling For The Holidays After The Government Shutdown

With the holiday season closing in, Howard University students are joining college travelers nationwide in a race to secure flights home.

By Armani Durham

With the holiday season closing in, Howard University students are joining college travelers nationwide in a race to secure flights home, many booking tickets as early as the first weeks of November.

Haley Lucas, a student at DC-based Howard, is from Alaska but also travels to Tennessee to visit family during Thanksgiving and winter break. Lucas flies from Virginia, where Reagan National Airport (DCA) is located, to Tennessee to see her mother, and then to Alaska to visit her father.

“Every year, I count down the days until I get to go home because I just get so homesick,” Lucas said.

On Nov. 4, flights were stopped for approximately 90 minutes at DCA after a bomb threat was made against a United Airlines flight that was arriving at the airport. A few days after the threat was made, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reduced flight operations by up to 10% at high-traffic airports nationwide, including DCA.

The FAA reduced flights to ensure safety in the national airspace system as various airport employees worked without pay during the 43-day government shutdown that began on Oct. 1.

Despite the threat to DCA and the FAA’s reduction in flights, Howard students are determined to make it home in time for the holidays.

Jaiden Thomas, a Howard student, also has plans to travel to multiple states over the break. Thomas will fly from Virginia to Georgia to see her family and then from Georgia to Hawaii to see her boyfriend, who is in the Army.

If her flight were to be cancelled, like many others have experienced across the country, she would be “devastated.” Thomas does not have family in Washington, and her apartment, which she leased through Howard, requires her to leave for winter break.

“I would essentially…be displaced,” Thomas said.

Josiah Washington, another Howard student, feels comfortable with the process of flying out of DCA but worries about flying into the airport. Washington is visiting his family in Kentucky for a few days before returning to the district for work.

“I’m worried [about] coming back to D.C. rather than leaving,” Washington said. “I need to make sure I’m here so I can go to work and make money.”

In the midst of finishing finals, Howard students begin packing their suitcases in preparation for flights home for Thanksgiving and winter break. As they prepare, they are hopeful that they will make it home to their families and loved ones for the holidays without any flight complications.

RoDina Williams, Illinoisan, Doctorate In Clinical Laboratory Science

by Mary Spiller

November 22, 2025

RoDina Williams Becomes First Black Illinoisan To Earn A Doctorate In Clinical Laboratory Science

Dr. Williams has built a career that blends rigorous research, education, and an unwavering commitment to expanding representation in her field.

When Dr. RoDina L. Williams looks back on her academic start at Illinois State University, she recalls a place that nurtured her ambition and helped define her purpose. In an interview with Illinois State University on Nov. 19, Williams opened up about her journey. Now recognized as the first Black person in Illinois to earn a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS), Williams has built a career that blends rigorous research, education, and an unwavering commitment to expanding representation in her field.

“Illinois State truly shaped who I am as a person,” she said. “It’s where I discovered my passion and love for research, appreciated the importance of mentorship, and gained the self-assurance to aim higher than I previously thought I could.”

Williams began her journey as a transfer student, drawn to the university’s strong kinesiology program and the steady support she felt from faculty. The sense of community remained so powerful that she later returned to complete a second bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science. “I found the same sense of community and purpose when I returned,” she recalled. “That constancy said a lot about the type of place ISU is.”

Throughout her studies, faculty members played a pivotal role in shaping her academic path. She credits Dr. Pete Smith from the School of Kinesiology and Recreation as the first person to introduce her to formal research. Dr. Dale Brown, she said, helped her understand how connecting lessons to lived experiences made learning “easier to learn and more memorable.” She even jokes that she “borrowed” his teaching style because it resonated with her and her students.

Her transition into medical laboratory science offered another layer of mentorship. Williams says Dr. Lori Woeste helped her grasp the interconnectedness of the discipline’s many subspecialties. And Dr. Beverly Barham, a long-standing mentor, continually encouraged her to pursue opportunities that pushed her forward in the field.

Achieving her DCLS degree became both a milestone and a responsibility. “It means a lot to me to be the first Black person in Illinois to receive a doctorate in clinical laboratory science,” she said. She emphasizes that the achievement goes beyond personal accomplishment—it’s about making space for young scientists who rarely see themselves reflected in laboratory medicine. “There are still very few Black professionals, and that lack of representation can make it hard for students of color to see themselves in the field. So, for me, earning this degree was about opening doors and showing what is possible.”

Williams sees mentorship as central to her mission. “My success is not only a reflection of my hard work but also a testament to the power of representation in a field where professionals of color remain significantly underrepresented,” she said. Her involvement with the Black Colleagues Association at Illinois State is one way she continues to give back.

Outside her academic and professional duties, she strives for balance as a scholar, mother, and advocate. “I’ve learned that balance doesn’t always mean everything is perfectly even; it means being present where I am,” she said. Her son, Kien John, keeps that perspective grounded. She laughs that her family reminds her she doesn’t always have to be “Dr. Williams”—sometimes she needs to be RoDina.

Today, Williams leads medical laboratory programs at City Colleges of Chicago, overseeing educational, clinical, and administrative operations. Asked to summarize her path, she chose three words: “Challenging, rewarding, honored.” And for her, Illinois State remains a cornerstone of that journey—a place that shaped her, supported her, and set the stage for everything that followed.

Salt Lake City Home , Black History, Permanent Protection

by Mary Spiller

November 22, 2025

Salt Lake City Home With Pioneering Black History Gains Permanent Protection

Salt Lake City history advocates have been pushing to ensure the Paul Cephus Howell House is culturally preserved.

A landmark tied to one of Utah’s most influential Black residents has been officially granted long-term protection. This week, the Paul Cephus Howell House became the first property in the state with significant African American history to receive a permanent preservation easement — a move that ensures the home will stand for generations to come.

As reported by Fox 13, Tiffany Taylor, who owns the Central City home, said she has always been drawn to old spaces and the stories they hold. But she didn’t realize the magnitude of the history inside her own walls until after she purchased the property.

“A friend of mine, he was a realtor, said, ‘You’ve got to see this house.’ I came in to look at it, and I fell in love with it,” she recalled. “I always wondered about the history, and Rachel Quist… did a blog on my house. So, I got in touch with her, and that’s how I found out about Paul Cephus Howell.”

Howell, whose family made a lasting impact on the city, lived in the home for roughly 15 years. According to Robert Burch, founder of the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation, Howell earned a groundbreaking place in local history.

“He lived in this house for about 15 years. He was the first African-American detective on the Salt Lake City Police Department,” Burch explained.

Burch noted that Howell’s story rarely receives the recognition it deserves, even though he played a central role in Salt Lake City’s Black community. Preserving homes like this, he said, is essential to making forgotten stories visible again.

“What happens a lot of the time is that the past is forgotten,” he said. “We remember the past a lot of the time by the buildings that we sit in. And that’s why this building is significant to this community. Because we can remember what Central City looked like.”

The newly signed preservation easement — a binding agreement between the homeowner and a historic organization — ensures that the structure cannot be demolished or substantially altered, even if ownership changes hands.

“I just signed a couple days ago for the easement, so this house will never be torn down,” Taylor said. “And even if I sell it, whatever, when I’m gone, it still can’t be torn down because it is an amazing piece of Black history. And Utah has a lot of Black history that should be brought out.”

For Taylor and preservation advocates, the Howell House is more than an architectural gem. It is a physical reminder of a rich legacy long overlooked — and now, permanently secured.

Braids, hair, crown act, Pennsylvania, DISCRIMINATION

by Mary Spiller

November 22, 2025

Pennsylvania Poised To Outlaw Hair-Based Discrimination As Crown Act Heads To Governor

Pennsylvania is on track to become the 28th state to adopt the Crown Act.

Pennsylvania is on track to become the 28th state to adopt the Crown Act, a landmark measure that bars discrimination based on natural hair and protective hairstyles. The bill now awaits Gov. Josh Shapiro’s signature after clearing the state Senate with a decisive 44–3 vote.

The legislation — formally known as the “Creating a Respectful Open World for Natural Hair Act” — targets longstanding bias in workplaces and academic settings against styles such as braids, locs, twists, and other natural hair textures commonly worn by Black and brown communities.

House Speaker Joanna McClinton, who has championed the measure alongside state Rep. LaTasha Mayes, said the law addresses a form of discrimination that often goes unnoticed by those who have never had to navigate it. For many Pennsylvanians, she said, hair choices can directly affect whether they’re hired or promoted.

“So many people across Pennsylvania who’ve made decisions like I have … about how I should wear my hair to make sure it doesn’t compromise a job opportunity, it doesn’t make me look a certain way, or that I won’t lose an opportunity to advance my career due to how my hair grows out of my head or how I choose to style it,” McClinton said.

The lawmakers first introduced the bill in 2019, but earlier versions stalled. After repeated attempts and growing national momentum behind similar legislation, this year’s effort gained broad bipartisan support.

As reported by WGAL, community voices have also helped drive the push. Tyrik Jackson, a local barbershop owner who has seen firsthand how grooming standards can police identity, said the bill is long overdue.

“To some of you watching, you may think, of course you’re going to show up in a professional way with a professional style — but what does professional style mean?”

McClinton said in another statement, underscoring how subjective standards often fall hardest on people of color. Jackson echoed that sentiment, noting how workplace rules can force individuals to cut hair they consider central to their identity. “A haircut does so much for an individual,” he said. “When you have to cut someone’s hair because someone’s job requires them to, it takes away from who they are as an individual … I’m so glad this legislation is passing.”

Gov. Shapiro is expected to sign the bill into law next week, according to McClinton, clearing the way for statewide protections that advocates say will foster greater dignity, fairness, and cultural acceptance.

by Ahsan Washington

November 22, 2025

7 Rappers Who Took Hip-Hop To The Symphony Hall

Hip-hop is more than beats and bravado.

Hip-hop is more than beats and bravado. It is a cultural force that can change any stage it touches. Over the years, a growing group of artists has moved from the studio to the concert hall. Artists have shown that storytelling and orchestral music are not opposites but natural partners. From trap pioneers to lyrical architects, artists are changing how rap sounds in elevated spaces. We highlight the rappers who took hip-hop to symphony halls.

Nas

The Queensbridge, New York, rapper Nas performed his iconic album “Illmatic” with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the impactful album. The musical arrangement used orchestral instruments to enhance both the emotional power and musical complexity of his narrative delivery.

Kendrick Lamar

The multi-platinum rapper Kendrick Lamar performed several tracks from his album “To Pimp a Butterfly” with the National Symphony. The performance presented his politically charged jazz-infused hip-hop music to a broader audience at the Kennedy Center on Oct. 20, 2015, demonstrating the orchestral elements of Lamar’s award-winning album and its place in contemporary American music.

Rick Ross

Rick Ross performed as the main artist at Red Bull Symphonic at Atlanta Symphony Hall back in November 2022. The performance at the Woodruff Art Center brought together Rick Ross and Orchestra Noir to create new versions of his songs, merging hip-hop with classical music while celebrating Black achievement in both genres.

Jeezy

On Jan. 27, the Atlanta Symphony Hall hosted Jeezy, who performed as part of a new concert series that unites hip-hop artists with orchestral musicians. The series works to connect urban audiences with orchestral venues while using classical instruments to enhance trap music.

Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean, the Haitian-American rapper and producer who co-founded Fugees, organized the Night of Symphonic Hip-Hop, which brought him to perform with orchestras at multiple concert halls. The series amplifies hip-hop through orchestral performances while honoring its musical depth against classical music traditions.

Killer Mike

Killer Mike performed with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2024, as a full-length original orchestral concert. The concert used orchestral arrangements to transform the Atlanta artist’s music into a deeper musical experience, which showcased Black artistic presence in classical music venues.

RZA (Wu-Tang Clan)

RZA, who founded the Wu-Tang Clan and works as a producer and composer, created “A Ballet Through Mud,” which the Colorado Symphony Orchestra performed as a complete orchestral ballet score. RZA reworked the musical arrangement of “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin.” The world premiere took place in 2023. Through spoken word, orchestral elements, and ballet, RZA brings his stories to life.

by Mary Spiller

November 22, 2025

Kandi Burruss Announces Divorce From Todd Tucker After 11 Years Of Marriage

'After deep thought and a lot of prayer, I’ve made the decision to move forward with a divorce,' the reality star announced.

Kandi Burruss is officially ending her marriage to Todd Tucker after more than a decade together, marking a major personal shift for the longtime “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star. Burruss confirmed the news in a statement to People, sharing that the decision came after significant reflection.

“After deep thought and a lot of prayer, I’ve made the decision to move forward with a divorce,” she said, calling the moment “difficult and emotional.” She emphasized that her priority now is “protecting my peace, being the best mother I can be, and co-parenting with love and respect.”

Burruss added that she is entering “a new chapter pouring into my work, my family, and my own growth,” and asked fans for “privacy, grace, and understanding” during the transition.

Burruss, 49, and Tucker, 52, first met in 2011 while filming season four of RHOA, where Tucker worked behind the scenes. They got engaged in early 2013 and married the following April. Over the years, the couple welcomed two children together—Ace, now 9, and Blaze, 5—while also raising Burruss’ daughter Riley, 23, and Tucker’s daughter Kaela, 29, from previous relationships.

During their marriage, the pair frequently spoke about the strength of their partnership. In 2022, Burruss said their bond was rooted in “just great communication and having fun together,” noting that “We have a real understanding of each other.”

Their professional lives became deeply intertwined as well. Together, they built multiple Atlanta-based businesses, including a Georgia-based soul-food restaurant chain, a trucking company, and a Bravo spinoff centered on their family and restaurant operations.

Just last month, Burruss publicly thanked Tucker while accepting the Wifetime Achievement Award at The Bravos during BravoCon 2025. In her speech, she acknowledged the ups and downs they’d weathered together: “To Todd, thank you for surviving the blogs, the shade, the rumors, the lies, the truth, the almost fights, the actual fights, the reunions… You earned this award, too.”

Despite the split, Burruss’ recent comments suggest the two remain aligned in supporting their children and moving forward with respect.

Indiana Hospital ,Mother, Birth In Truck

by Mary Spiller

November 22, 2025

Indiana Hospital Fires Two Staff After Mother Gives Birth In Truck Minutes After Discharge

Mercedes Wells' experience at Franciscan Health Crown Point highlights disparities in Black women's birth experiences.

Franciscan Health Crown Point in Crown Point, Indiana, has dismissed a doctor and nurse after a pregnant woman, Mercedes Wells, said she was wrongly discharged while in active labor, ultimately giving birth in a truck just minutes after leaving the hospital. The hospital’s CEO, Raymond Grady, acknowledged the incident in a Nov. 21 statement, calling the now-viral footage “difficult to watch.”

“We failed to listen to Mrs. Wells’ concerns,” Grady said, noting that “as an experienced mother who publicly acknowledged having previously given birth at our hospital with a positive experience, she knew something was not right.” He added that the hospital must correct the failures that led to what happened so that “no one experiences what happened to Mercedes Wells.”

Wells said she arrived at the Crown Point facility shortly after midnight on Nov. 16, believing labor had begun. In a Facebook post, she wrote that she never saw a doctor and that nurses told her she was not progressing. She told NBC Chicago that when a nurse returned to her room, she was told, “Well, if you’re not further along in your centimeters, then you know we’ve got to send you home.”

Wells and her husband, Leon, said they pleaded with staff not to discharge her, but were told it was the “doctor’s orders.” Viral videos posted to Leon’s social media show Mercedes being wheeled out of the hospital in tears.

The family left for Community Hospital in Munster, only to realize minutes into the drive that the baby was coming. Leon helped deliver their daughter in the truck. “I saw her pushing … pulled a little bit, baby came out and just didn’t know what to do,” he said. “I just prayed.”

Wells recalled being terrified. “I was scared,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do.”

Their daughter, Alena, was reported to be healthy by Nov. 18, though Wells said the experience could have ended far differently. “It could have gone any way and I wasn’t being cared for by a professional,” she said.

Grady said the video circulating online “does not reflect the values of Franciscan Health Crown Point,” and confirmed that both the nurse and physician involved “are no longer employed.” The hospital is introducing cultural competency training and now requires physicians—not only nurses—to assess any pregnant patient before discharge.

Wells’ family has said they believe racial bias played a role. Grady said he has reached out and hopes to meet with them soon.

Illinois Rep. Robin Kelly plans to stand with Wells next week as she introduces legislation addressing maternal health disparities. The CDC estimates that around 50,000 women nationwide deal with major pregnancy complications annually. The agency also notes a stark racial gap and reports that Black women are at least three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.