by Kandiss Edwards

September 9, 2025

Men Who XCEL: Orlando Haynes Talks Compensation And Negotiation At The 2025 XCEL Summit For Men

In this highly anticipated session, Haynes will break down the critical steps in salary negotiations.

Orlando Haynes, a seasoned executive in talent acquisition and career development, will lead a critical session at the 2025 XCEL Summit for Men, scheduled for Oct. 15–17 in Orlando.

During Hayne’s session, titled “Get What You Deserve: How to Negotiate Your Compensation Package,” Haynes will share insights drawn from his tenure at The Mosaic Company. Haynes’s role as North American Talent Acquisition and Program Manager gives him insight into the keys to compensation success.

Throughout his career, Haynes has become known for broadcasting his passion for empowering job seekers through coaching and mentorship. He hosts the “CareerTALKS” podcast to further his mission. During CareerTALKS, Haynes interviews industry leaders and provides practical tips for professional advancement.

In this highly anticipated session, Haynes will break down the critical steps in salary negotiations. The information gained by attendees will further men in the Black community’s ability to build generational wealth and achieve financial freedom. His expertise will provide a clear understanding of market value, enabling him to confidently navigate discussions with hiring managers. The focus is on empowering attendees, especially men of color, who often face systemic pay inequities. The talk will embolden young Black men in business to advocate for themselves with clarity and confidence.

Through the interactive discussion and real-world examples, participants will gain tools for framing their requests, responding to counteroffers, and balancing salary with benefits like bonuses, equity, and flexibility. The session reflects XCEL Summit’s broader mission of equipping Black men with the resources to thrive professionally and personally.

At XCEL Summit for Men, Haynes’ appearance will add depth to the event’s broader mission of equipping Black men with tools for intentional leadership and advancement. By connecting tactical career advice to personal narrative and professional growth, his talk promises to encourage attendees to pursue leadership with both strategy and self-awareness.

WORKPLACE, Bullying, return to office, RTO

by Mitti Hicks

September 9, 2025

How Return-To-Office Mandates Help Companies Avoid Layoffs And Severance Packages

Organizations now require an average of 3.8 days per week in the office, compared to 2.6 days in 2023.

As more companies begin to implement strict return-to-office (RTO) mandates, some experts say it’s a clever way to intentionally lay off people without formal terminations.

As Business Insider reports, employees who voluntarily quit are ineligible to collect severance and health benefits that laid-off workers usually get.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that required all federal employees to return to the office five days a week. Trump’s former right-hand man, Elon Musk, and former Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), wrote in an op-ed that “Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome.”

Major companies, including Amazon, AT&T, Boeing, JPMorgan Chase, and IPS, among others, have already instructed their workers to return to the office or face termination. In a study conducted by The Pew Research Center, nearly half (46%) of workers reported that they would likely leave their job if RTO mandates were implemented.

Losing Talent Rapidly Over Return To Office Mandates

Research from HR Grapevine shows that only 5% of Fortune 100 companies were fully returned to the office by 2023. That figure jumped to 54% in 2025, while the number of hybrid firms dropped from 78% to 41%. Organizations now require an average of 3.8 days per week in the office, compared to 2.6 days in 2023.

However, as experts point out, there is some backlash to RTO mandates. Companies with such requirements experience 13% higher turnover rates compared to those with flexible schedules, CNBC reports. The individuals opting to leave are typically top performers who are open to taking risks and leveraging their skills in the job market.

Whether or not workers choose to leave their companies over RTO mandates, there are signs that layoffs could be imminent in a cooling U.S. labor market this year. Some economists warn that a recession is on the horizon. If that’s the case, there could be a shift in RTO mandates as people try to hold onto their jobs.

Janice Smalls Combs, Diddy's, lawsuit, Kirk Burrowes

by Kandiss Edwards

September 9, 2025

Tech Founder Attempts To Use AI Lawyer To Argue His Appeal

Artificial intelligence is steadily entering the courtroom.

A New York courtroom was briefly interrupted and shocked when Jerome Dewald chose to argue his case with the help of an AI avatar.

The court was caught off guard since he had not informed the court of the AI use in advance. Dewald, a 74-year-old tech founder, was representing himself in an appeal against MassMutual Metro New York and had received permission to submit a pre-recorded video because of medical challenges following throat cancer. However, what appeared on screen during the March 26 hearing was not Dewald at all. Instead, “Jim,” a computer-generated character created using the AI tool Tavus, spoke to the court’s surprise.

The court session was streamed via YouTube. The AI lawyer began with a formal introduction, “Now may it please the court, I come here today a humble pro se before a panel of five distinguished justices.”

Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels interrupted to ask whether the speaker was actually counsel for the case. When Dewald admitted the image was not real, the panel of New York judges verbally admonished him for the stunt.

“It would have been nice to know that when you made your application,” Manzanet-Daniels told him. “You did not tell me that, sir. I don’t appreciate being misled.”

The justices allowed Dewald to proceed in person but firmly warned that the courtroom is not a venue for demonstrating new technology. He later told The Register that the judges seemed “unprepared to see an artificially generated image” and that Manzanet-Daniels’ tone softened once he began to argue his case live.

Dewald is not the first court participant to use AI to aid their performance. Multiple instances of lawyers drafting briefs using AI have been documented. Though the technology is advancing rapidly, various errors, including fictional legal precedent, have earned lawyers a range of sanctions.

The Guardian reported on an Australian lawyer who was heavily sanctioned for using AI technology to prepare briefs, which led to fictitious precedents being presented in court. After being referred to the Victorian Legal Services Board, the unnamed lawyer’s certificate is now “varied.”

Consequently, “he was no longer entitled to practise as a principal lawyer, not authorised to handle trust money, would no longer operate his own law practice, and would only practise as an employee solicitor.”

These incidents are only the tip of the iceberg and are becoming somewhat common. The pace of AI regulation is not keeping up with its accelerated growth. Only time will tell whether or not artificial intelligence becomes a regular practice in the courtroom.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Honored,Living Legends Foundation

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 9, 2025

Anthony ‘Top Dawg’ Tiffith Is Billboard’s 2025 R&B/Hip-Hop Executive Of The Year

The Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) executive is responsible for the careers of Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Ab-Soul, Ray Vaughn, Doechi, and others

Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, who is the founder and CEO of Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), has been recently named Billboard’s 2025 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players Executive of the Year.

The executive who has helped guide the careers of Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Ab-Soul, Ray Vaughn, Doechi, and others was given the honor at a New York City ceremony. Top Dawg was surrounded by his family, who help run the entertainment company with him, his cousin and TDE executive Terrence “Punch” Henderson, and his son, TDE president Anthony “Moosa” Tiffith Jr.

Although he was happy to win the award, he felt that it was long overdue.

“I like to stay behind the scenes. Billboard pulled me out tonight. I got a couple words for y’all. I want to thank Billboard for honoring me with this award, Executive of the Year. I feel like I should’ve won this three, four, five times.”

“I am low-key, not promoting myself and letting my artists shine, they don’t recognize that. But tonight is that night, this is the MVP trophy of the music industry.”

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A post shared by Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B (@billboardhiphop)

Although the artist who arguably contributed to the label’s success, Lamar, is no longer with the company, he remains TDE adjacent, as evidenced by his recent tour with SZA. The duo’s national tour not only impressed audiences across the U.S. but also became the highest-grossing co-headlining tour ever by bringing in $256.4 million while stopping in various cities from April to June.

His latest big artist is rapper Doechii, who won a GRAMMY Award earlier this year for her project Alligator Bites Never Heal.

Rolling Stone reported earlier this summer that there may be another superstar coming out of the TDE ranks after RCA signed Ray Vaughn. After inking the deal, Top Dawg stated, “He’s got that DNA we look for in a TDE artist. His project, The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu says it all — his storytelling, delivery, and bars are krazy. We’re also happy to announce that we’re partnering with RCA again. We’ve been successful before, and I know, with Ray, we will continue to win.”

left at daycare, 6-month-old, Philadelphia

by Kandiss Edwards

September 9, 2025

Georgia Daycare Worker Who Allegedly Assaulted 1-Year-Old Released On Bond

Thurston’s release from jail produced a public outcry.

A former Georgia day care worker accused of assaulting a 1-year-old has been released on a $44,000 bond.

Yvette Thurston, 54, faces three counts of first-degree child abuse and one count of first-degree aggravated battery.

She was arrested by Bainbridge (GA) Public Safety in mid-August.

When Clay Weeks’ parents picked him up at “Little Blessings” at Bainbridge Church of God after his first day, they said the child had visible injuries, including a black eye and multiple bruises.

Weeks’ parents were told he was harmed during rough play with a toy, but in a Facebook post, the child’s father, Cory Weeks, said he insisted on watching the surveillance video.

“Questioning the incident was an inconvenience for the person in custody for the horrible acts she did, and also the pastor, while watching the video footage. We were told another child in Clay’s class did this type of damage with a plastic toy. This person is in custody due to the evidence through video surveillance that I, along with members of [Bainbridge Public Safety], sat through and watched. Nothing we saw was for the faint-hearted, especially happening to such an innocent soul.”

Thurston’s release from jail led to a public outcry. Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Rose-Emmons, who authorized Thurston’s release, received death threats.

“The rule of law is the foundation of our community. Our judges deserve to perform their duties without fear for their safety,” said District Attorney Joe Mulholland said. “You may not like their decisions, but you don’t have the right to threaten them or their families. If you do, you will be prosecuted by my office to the full extent of the law.”

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) issued an emergency closure for Little Blessings. The department confirmed Thurston’s termination, stating the investigation is ongoing and the center will remain closed pending review, according to a statement given to the Post Searchlight.

In a Facebook post, Weeks expressed disappointment in Thurston’s release, but he acknowledged the release was in line with the law.

“I am aware that the woman [who] did this is no longer behind bars. Honestly, I was told this would likely happen because that is how our justice system works. Of course, my wife and I do not agree with this, but we don’t get to ultimately make that decision. It is important that we all allow the investigators and legal system to thoroughly complete their responsibilities to achieve the result WE ALL WANT,” he wrote.

by Kandiss Edwards

September 9, 2025

Insurance Company Goes Under Leaving Atlanta Seniors Without Extra Income

Sonder's customer base was comprised largely of Atlanta's senior citizen population, leaving many without vital extra income.

Medicare Advantage provider Sonder Health abruptly stopped operations, leaving thousands of Georgians without vital health insurance perks.

On Aug. 13, a Fulton County judge placed Sonder Health into receivership and liquidation. A court order on file cited a financial shortfall of approximately $47 million. The receivership effectively terminated all of the company’s policies as of Oct. 1, according to a press release. With the termination, customers lost hundreds of dollars in food and cash assistance. The move affects more than 25,000 members across the metro Atlanta area.

Policyholders are speaking out about their loss. Vanessa Awtry spoke to WSBTV, saying the change came as a shock.

“I was expecting to go to the store on Saturday to pick up stuff. I called to check my balance. ‘Benefits are temporarily suspended,’” Awtry said. “I would get $300 over the counter, $295 for pet supplies, gas and utilities and then $250 extra to help with food costs.”

For Georgia residents on fixed incomes, primarily senior citizens, Sonder’s monthly cash benefits offered more than healthcare—the added assistance in food stability or gas for traveling to and from work. However, many claim the benefits were unsustainable in the long term. Insurance agent James Walker expressed these sentiments after the news. While he appreciates what the company attempted to do, he says the perks likely led to their downfall.

“Even somebody like myself would love an additional $400 to $500 to pay for monthly expenses. But I think they overextended themselves. And that’s probably why they’re going under,” Walker said.

State authorities are offering a special enrollment period that runs through Oct. 31 to help the affected seniors transition to new insurance plans. Nearly 13,000 have already signed up for new coverage. Those who don’t re-enroll will be automatically shifted into traditional Medicare Advantage plans.

Notable financial advisor Clark Howard urged residents to review their replacement plans closely. Howard suggests that many Medicare Advantage options may offer more robust coverage without the need for add-ons.

homebuying, Ohio, Georgia dream, homeownership, the credit bros

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 8, 2025

Georgia Veteran Gifted Mortgage-Free House In ‘Built to Honor’ Program

Army Sgt. Aisha Hardemon received the 100th home in the Built To Honor program.

A Georgia veteran has received a mortgage-free home from an Atlanta-based homebuilding company.

The PulteGroup’s “Built to Honor” program has now gifted 100 homes to veterans across the United States, with no mortgage strings attached. U.S. Army Sgt. Aisha Hardemon became the latest recipient as the Army celebrated this milestone. Now, Hardemon has a new abode in Henry County, a suburb of Metro Atlanta, to call her own.

PulteGroup handed the keys over to Hardemon on Sept. 5, in a heartwarming ribbon-cutting ceremony complete with national pride. As eight planes flew in the air, she arrived with a motorcycle brigade from the Patriot Guard, while dozens waved American flags as she entered the McDonough neighborhood.

The “welcome home” celebration was attended by state officials, including Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, as they recognized the honor. Hardemon tearfully walked down her street as she approached her new home.

“First, I’d like to thank God,” Hardemon said during the ceremony, according to WSB-TV. “I’d like to give God all the thanks for keeping me safe, even in the times I knew I wasn’t gonna make it.”

She recalled her six years of service in the Army, joining the U.S. military in 2007. While honored to serve her country, she remembers her tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. There, she lost fellow soldiers and endured her own injuries. Despite the battles, her faith and inspiration from her grandfather kept her going.

The veteran added,” I deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan out of bravery, out of being young and always wanting to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps.”

Her family’s legacy in the military has continued, as Hardemon’s own son has joined the Marines. For her family’s dedication to service, the PulteGroup now honors them with their new home. The company’s CEO, Ryan Marshall, also emphasized the mission of the “Built To Honor” program.

“To be able to give back to those who have defended the freedoms is the thing that makes this program so special,” Marshall said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 8, 2025

Friends, Family Remember Michael K. Williams During Walk in Brooklyn

The 'The Wire' actor died after taking fentanyl-laced heroin on Sept. 6, 2021.

Four years after Michael K. Williams died after taking fentanyl-laced heroin, friends and family members took a walk in remembrance of The Wire actor in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

The event, held on Saturday, Sept. 6, was also held to bring awareness to those struggling with addiction.

“I can see Michael winking at us. I can see him saying how happy he is that we’re working hard to address these huge challenges. Huge systemic challenges in our community,” Dominic Dupont, Williams’ cousin, told CBS 2 New York.

During the tribute walk, organizers announced the creation of the Michael K. Williams Legacy Award, an annual honor recognizing individuals and organizations who embody Michael’s spirit of artistry, activism, and community healing.

The inaugural award will be presented to Malik Yoba on October 23, 2025, at One Vanderbilt in New York City, according to a press release.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/video/loved-ones-of-late-actor-michael-k-williams-mark-4-years-since-his-death

Williams was revered for the various roles during his impressive, but abbreviated career.

Before his death, Williams received a 2021 Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in HBO’s Lovecraft Country and a 2019 Emmy nod for When They See Us, for playing the father of Antron McCray, one of the Exonerated Five, who was coerced into signing a false confession.

He is probably most famously known for playing the notorious Omar Little, the rogue stickup robber of drug dealers in the beloved HBO series,The Wire, a memorable role that set up an impressive string of TV and movie credits.

The person who sold Williams the tainted drugs that killed him, Irvin Cartagena, was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison nearly two years after Williams died. Once he is released, he will have supervised probation for five years. He was sentenced for conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and fentanyl analogue.

Williams died Sept. 6, 2021, and was discovered in his apartment by his nephew.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 8, 2025

Black South Carolina Man Urges Hate Crime Law After Being Targeted On Way To Work

A hate crime survivor is calling on South Carolina senators to pass statewide hate crime legislation.

A Black man targeted in an alleged racially motivated attack is urging South Carolina lawmakers to pass hate crime legislation.

In July, around 5:30 a.m., Jarvis McKenzie was waiting outside his home for his supervisor to pick him up for work, a part of his daily routine, AP reports. That morning, however, turned into a harrowing ordeal when a white man, filled with hatred, raised an assault rifle out of his car window, fired over McKenzie’s head, and shouted, “You better get running, boy!”

Richland County, where McKenzie lives, is one of about two dozen local governments in South Carolina that have enacted their own hate crime ordinances. As a result, the man who attacked McKenzie was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, carrying a potential sentence of up to 20 years if convicted.

However, McKenzie is speaking out because South Carolina, along with Wyoming, is one of only two states without statewide hate crime laws, and some local ordinances are limited to misdemeanors with maximum sentences of just one month in jail.

For the past decade, business leaders, survivors of the 2015 Charleston church massacre that left nine dead, and a handful of Republican lawmakers have been unsuccessful in pressuring state senators to pass hate crime legislation.

Following the surge in racial tensions in 2020, business leaders made passing hate crime legislation a priority, and the South Carolina House approved its version in 2021. Yet in both 2021 and 2023, the proposal stalled in the Senate without a vote.

Supporters argue that Republican leadership knows the bill would pass, as moderate members of their own party support it, but they keep it buried on the calendar through procedural maneuvers. In May 2023, during a debate on history curriculum guidelines covering topics like slavery and segregation, a longtime Democratic lawmaker even asked Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey why hate crime legislation still hadn’t received a vote.

“The problem right now is that there is a number of people who think that not only is it feel-good legislation, but it is bad legislation. It is bad policy not because people support hate but because it furthers division,” Massey said on the Senate floor.

Although McKenzie’s attacker has been charged, he continues to live in fear as a Black resident in a state that has yet to pass comprehensive hate crime legislation.

“The subliminal message that says if you’re racist and you want to commit a crime and target somebody for their race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or whatever it is, you can do it here,” McKenzie’s attorney, Tyler Bailey, said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 8, 2025

A’ja Wilson’s Record-Breaking Plays Makes Compelling Argument To Win League MVP Honors

The Aces player is the only player in the WNBA to have the most 30+ point games (13) in a single season in league history

The Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson may have locked down that MVP award after breaking yet another record when she scored 30 points in her most recent game, becoming the player to have the most 30+ point games in a single season in league history.

This season has seen Wilson score at least 30 points for the 13th time with three games to go before the playoffs begin. Wilson scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in an 80-66 win over the struggling Chicago Sky (10-32). The victory added another win to raise the Aces’ record to 28-14, extending their winning streak to 14 games. The latest win secures home-court advantage through the quarterfinals.

M’VP THINGS ✨@_ajawilson22 tonight has secured the most 30+ point games in a single season in @WNBA history pic.twitter.com/mKOJRkQjBZ
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 8, 2025

Although the win streak the Aces have is impressive, it is still short of the league record of 18, achieved by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001. But with the current streak, the Las Vegas team became the fifth team to reach 14 straight victories.

Wilson has a league-leading 10 30-point/10-rebound double-doubles this season, with no other player having more than one. This game also widens the gap between Wilson’s career-leading 26 career 30/10 games over Tina Charles, who occupies the second spot with 15 of those games. The double-double was the 119th of her career, placing her as No. 5 among all-time WNBA leaders.

In August, the future WNBA Hall of Famer earned a league-record 13th Player of the Month Award after she averaged 29 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game, which led the team to a 12-1 record for the month. When she won Western Conference Player of the Week, it was the fifth time she had done so, raising her career numbers to a league second-best 27.

For the next contest, taking place Sept. 9, the Aces will host the Sky for their last home game of the regular season.