Nicki Minaj, Trump, gold card,citizenship

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 24, 2026

Nicki Minaj Slated To Dine With MAGA At White House Correspondents’ Dinner

It's a vast change for the self-described Trump's "number one fan" who publicly criticized Trump's immigration policies during his first term in 2018.

The new friendship with President Donald Trump has gotten rapper Nicki Minaj an invitation to the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on April 25, USA Today reported.

The “Anaconda” rapper will attend as a VIP guest of Fox News, which is having a party before the festivities begin with other high-profile party guests including Turning Point USA’s Erika Kirk and NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore.

Minaj has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism for her seemingly sudden support of Trump and members of his administration. She even sat down with Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, at a Turning Point USA event where she praised the president and Vice President JD Vance for their “relatability.” Then she took things up a notch by speaking at a Treasury event in January to endorse “Trump Accounts,” even participating in a viral TikTok trend using her song “Beez In The Trap” with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

https://www.tiktok.com/@teamtrump/video/7602701011769134349?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7618952209719608862

It’s a vast change for the self-described Trump’s “number one fan.” During his first term in 2018, Minaj, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, publicly criticized Trump’s immigration policies, admitting that she came to the U.S. “illegally” as a child and couldn’t imagine the “horror of being in a strange place & having my parents stripped away from me at the age of 5.”

Known as “Nerd Prom,” the correspondents’ dinner gives D.C. news media a chance to wine and dine together, receive some awards, and potentially be roasted by attending comedians — or the president himself.

According to CNN, Trump is scheduled to attend the event that celebrates the very people he is known to berate on a weekly basis, depending on who they are reporting for. While the journalists who invited him, the board of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), claim to be excited that Trump is ending his boycott and embracing the tradition started in 1924, critics feel the president will use this as a chance to continue his anti-First Amendment rhetoric toward career journalists.

But WHCA president and senior White House correspondent for CBS News, Weijia Jiang, said “there is no confusion about what this dinner is about.”

“Everyone in attendance has chosen to be there knowing that it is a dinner dedicated to recognizing the importance of the First Amendment,” she said.

“Especially as we mark America’s 250th birthday, our decision to gather — as journalists, newsmakers and the president in the same room — is a reminder of what the free press means in this country.”

Other hip-hop “patriots” scheduled to make an appearance during correspondents’ weekend is Grammy-winning rapper Nelly, who will reportedly perform at Donald Trump Jr.’s Executive Branch members-only event.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 24, 2026

The Simple Vue Academy Celebrates Success As A Finance-Focused Charter School In Atlanta

The Simple Vue Academy has noted high attendance as well as math and reading skills improvement among its student body.

The Simple Vue Academy is celebrating a successful first year of providing financial literacy in the classroom.

Founded by Spelman alumna and education advocate Nandi Edouard, The Simple Vue has changed the academic landscape by incorporating an entrepreneurial learning model. As a trailblazing charter school in Atlanta, it highlights the importance of personal financial knowledge for students.

@simplevueacademy ✨✨At The Simple Vue Academy, every graduate will possess the skills and confidence to succeed as contributors to their community, job creators, and leaders of tomorrow. Experience The Simple Vue Academy difference – where innovation meets inspiration. Ready to empower your scholar’s future? 💻Apply today: https://www.thesimplevueacademy.org/enrollment #charterschool #innovativeeducation #douglascounty #foryou #fyp #trending #viral #tiktokschool #backtoschool #education #edutok #studentlife ♬ original sound – The Simple Vue Academy

With the help of communal, familial, and academic stakeholders, Edouard opened The Simple Vue Academy in August 2025. Throughout the school year, students have learned topics that are often left untouched until adulthood, such as entrepreneurship skills and financial awareness.

The HBCU alum says the tuition-free charter school differentiates itself by simultaneously uplifting students’ professional and academic ambitions. Furthermore, the school’s vision, supported and co-developed with the community it serves, has led to a better overall educational experience.

“Co-created solutions aren’t just more equitable, they’re more effective and sustainable,” Edouard said. “The blueprint was already there. We just had to listen.”

The school incorporates entrepreneurship principles and financial literacy terms into its STREAM-based curriculum, which includes reading/writing and the arts within the traditional STEM focus. Students then work on collaborative experiences and project-based exercises to strengthen their skills with new concepts.

As the school year winds down, The Simple Vue now celebrates a 95% attendance rate. On average, students also had 20% to 30% academic gains in reading and math.

Edouard says, however, that this occurrence is not coincidental. Instead, she says it is a result of intentional focus on students’ individuality and overarching futures.

“These results are not by accident,” added Edouard. “When students attend schools that fit them, they thrive. When families see themselves reflected, they invest…When communities help build something, they protect it. That’s the difference.”

Edouard has remained a longtime advocate for underserved communities, opting not to view these areas as problems to solve. Instead, she has taken the wisdom and knowledge already ingrained in these neighborhoods and applied them back into learning institutions.

Now, her vision for The Simple Vue has challenged traditional education models, allowing students to thrive as future community leaders, entrepreneurs, or academic professionals.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 24, 2026

Philly Teacher Leon Smith Named The ‘National Teacher Of The Year’

During his tenure as National Teacher of the Year, Smith will serve as an ambassador for the profession.

Leon Smith, a dedicated educator from the Philadelphia Public School District, has been named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, making him the first teacher from Pennsylvania to receive the prestigious honor in over two decades.

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) made the announcement of its selection on April 22. Smith is an educator at Haverford High School. He teaches Advanced Placement (AP) United States history and AP African American studies and has been widely credited with transforming his school’s culture by integrating community-based projects into the curriculum throughout his 20-year career.

“It’s just such an honor to be able to represent teachers all over the country and really stand on the shoulders of so many others that have come before me that have done just such great work,” Smith said in an interview with CBS Mornings.

Governor Josh Shapiro praised Smith as a “shining example” of the excellence within the Pennsylvania public school system. Shapiro noted that Smith’s work extends far beyond the four walls of his classroom, as he frequently mentors young men of color who are aspiring to enter the teaching profession — a demographic that remains underrepresented in U.S. schools.

Pennsylvania history teacher Leon Smith, 46, was named 2026 National Teacher of the Year. He has taught AP U.S. history and African American studies for 25 years at Haverford High School in Havertown, PA. pic.twitter.com/eRR3fKMvq2
— Phoenix Rising (@DKeller56891630) April 22, 2026

Smith’s selection comes at a critical time for American education, as districts across the country grapple with teacher shortages and post-pandemic learning loss. During his tenure as National Teacher of the Year, Smith will serve as an ambassador for the profession, traveling the country to advocate for increased teacher pay, mental health resources for students, and the inclusion of diverse perspectives in American history curricula.

The national selection committee highlighted Smith’s “unwavering empathy” and his ability to engage students in complex conversations about civic responsibility and social change. As the 2026 honoree, Smith is expected to be recognized by President Trump at a White House ceremony later this spring.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 24, 2026

Michelle Obama Praises Angel Reese For ‘Carrying Herself’ Well

Reese has frequently been cast as a polarizing and problematic player in sports media narratives, Michelle Obama disagrees.

Former first lady Michelle Obama is standing firm in support of WNBA star Angel Reese. A strong women’s advocate, Obama urges the public to stop the “unfair and vitriolic” comments directed at the young athlete.

Obama has come to the defense of WNBA star Angel Reese, using a high-profile appearance on her podcast to push back against the “villain” narrative that has trailed the young athlete since her collegiate career.

In a newly released episode of the IMO podcast, Obama, Craig Robinson, and Reese engaged in open dialogue about the unique pressures of being perceived as a villain in the WNBA. The former first lady shared her own experiences with being mischaracterized during her eight years in the White House.

“It’s a big difference to have to deal with that kind of spotlight,” she emphasized. “It’s important to acknowledge that that’s not normal. There are few people who understand what it feels like to never, ever be able to blend in.”

Reese has frequently been cast as a polarizing and problematic player in sports media narratives. Reese responded to the high-profile shoutout with gratitude. The 2025 Victoria’s Secret model praised Robinson and the forever first lady for providing a safe space in the IMO podcast to tell her story.

“I appreciate you guys for making this a safe space for me because, as you said, the media has not always been great for me.” She continued, “I’ll take a fine before I have to go to media and feel like my back is against the wall… .This feels like a safe space. And one of the safest spaces that it’s been in a very, very long time for me.”

Obama praised the 23-year-old for taking her newfound fame in stride.

“You are handling yourself beautifully. I mean, it’s not just what you do, but the way you carry yourself, girl. I mean, it is really a joy to watch you manage it all, and you do it with a smile on your face with an excellent attitude,” Obama told her. “You are a special, special person.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 24, 2026

Taylor Rooks Foundation Helps Erase Over $2.1M In Medical Debt For People In Gwinnett County, GA

The Taylor Rooks Foundation’s latest initiative is working to eliminate medical debt for residents in her Georgia hometown.

Taylor Rooks is giving back to her hometown of Gwinnett County, Georgia, by helping locals tackle their medical debt.

On April 22, Rooks announced a new partnership between the Taylor Rooks Foundation and Undue Medical Debt that has erased more than $2 million in medical debt for over 1,800 residents in her hometown of Gwinnett County, Georgia.

“Health challenges aren’t always within our control, and the cost shouldn’t define anyone’s future,” Rooks shared in her caption. “I’m truly proud that, together, the @taylorrooksfoundation and @unduemeddebt have been able to erase over $2.1M in medical debt for 1,805 people in my hometown.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Taylor Rooks (@taylorrooks)

Medical debt affects more than 100 million Americans, totaling nearly $220 billion nationwide. It leaves many households juggling past-due bills or long-term payment plans, often forcing people to dip into savings, cut essentials, or take hits to their credit score. Larger unpaid bills that go to collections can damage credit for years. The burden also falls unevenly, with Black Americans more likely to carry medical debt, worsening financial strain, and widening wealth gaps.

The issue is personal for Rooks, who shared that her younger sister’s diabetes diagnosis often leads to hospital stays and mounting medical bills.

“My baby sister has Type 1 Diabetes,” Rooks said. “So I know firsthand just how medical bills can pile up; sometimes it can feel like you’re drowning, and it seems like there’s nothing you can do about it.”

She added, “This kind of relief has real impact. It eases financial stresses that many carry with them silently and gives people the ability to focus on their health, their families, and everything that comes next.”

Through the partnership, Rooks said her foundation will continue to expand access, breaking down barriers, and creating real opportunities for people to rebuild their financial stability. She also thanked those who support her foundation in its mission to advance a future rooted in equity, where everyone has the resources not just to survive, but to thrive.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 24, 2026

Muhammad Ali’s Grandson And Oscar De La Hoya Confront US Senate About American Boxing Revival Act

Muhammad Ali's grandson and former boxer Oscar De La Hoya are the leading critics against a controversial new bill named after the late boxing legend.

Muhammad Ali’s grandson and Oscar De La Hoya joined forces to address the U.S. Senate over a controversial new bill bearing the boxing legend’s name.

Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, joined boxing champion turned boxing promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, at a U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing in Washington on April 22 to oppose the bipartisan Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, Yahoo Sports reports. The hearing comes one month after the bill, backed by TKO Group Holdings, the parent of UFC and WWE, passed the House by voice vote and is expected to be introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz.

De La Hoya and Walsh have been leading critics of the bill, warning it could give TKO Group Holdings monopolistic control of boxing through the proposed Unified Boxing Organizations. They argue that UBOs would blur the line between promoters and sanctioning bodies, allowing a single entity to control rankings, titles, and events—similar to TKO’s model in the UFC.

“The Ali Act was built on a simple principle. The people controlling fighters should not also control the entire marketplace those fighters depend on,” Walsh said. “The separation exists to prevent conflicts of interest and exploitation. The new Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act would undermine that principle by allowing one entity to operate across promotion, management, and matchmaking. It removes independence.”

The grandson of Muhammad Ali, Nico Ali Walsh, just testified in front of The U.S. Senate against The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act.

He says if the bill is passed it shouldn’t have his grandfather’s name on it.

Below is the full speech: pic.twitter.com/3lnIBsd9Ap
— BOXING n BBQ (@BOXINGnBBQ) April 22, 2026

Walsh also objected to the bill bearing his late grandfather’s name, arguing that it represents values that Muhammad Ali strongly opposed.

“If this bill is passed in its current form, ⁠it should not have my grandfather’s name on it, as it would betray the principles his Act was created to protect,” Walsh said.

UFC fighters are widely believed to earn around 20% or less of event revenue, while boxers often take a much larger share. They’re also required to wear standardized gear, limiting sponsorship opportunities. Walsh argued that boxing’s freedom to secure sponsors and express individuality through attire creates additional income streams outside the ring.

De La Hoya and Walsh also pushed back against WWW President Nick Khan, who argued the bill would bring more money into boxing. They countered by citing the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s high profit margins and fighters’ well-documented dissatisfaction with its model.

“The UFC and its parent company agreed to a $375 million anti-trust settlement after fighters accused them of suppressing wages and restricting competition,” De La Hoya said.

“Boxing is not broken. If it were, UFC champions — at the height of their careers — would not be actively targeting boxing fights because of the fair pay,” Walsh added. “That movement is rarely seen in reverse due to the UFC’s centralized pay structure. Boxing has never been perfect, but one of its strengths has always been competition. Multiple promoters competing for fighters creates leverage and fair market value. When that competition is consolidated to one system, that leverage disappears.”

Khan argued the bill would expand choice, allowing boxers unhappy with the UBO model to stick with the current system. But Walsh warned that if one entity controls access, that “choice becomes theoretical,” with long-term consequences for fighters’ opportunities.

De La Hoya warned that the proposed UBO system could split the sport and limit cross-promotional matchups, preventing fighters from competing outside their organization. He argued this would create division, with some fighters staying in the current system and others moving to TKO Group Holdings or Zuffa, ultimately reducing top-tier fights between the best competitors.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 24, 2026

Black Children In The UK Are 8 Times More Likely To Be Strip Searched by Police, Report Finds

New report reveals how much more likely Black children in the UK are to be strip-searched compared to their white peers.

A new report finds that Black children are eight times more likely to be strip-searched by police than their white peers in England and Wales.

A new report published on April 22 finds the number of children strip-searched has more than halved over four years, but warns that ethnic disparities remain and raises concerns about the use of force in some cases, BBC reported. Among the findings from Dame Rachel de Souza’s office of the Children’s Commissioner for England, Black children were nearly five times more likely than their white peers to face force during stop-and-search encounters.

The report, using data from the first half of 2024, estimates 377 strip searches for the year, down 56% from 854 in 2020. Still, Dame de Souza warned there are “far too many” taking place. It also found 26 searches were conducted in public view between July 2023 and June 2024, and 22 occurred without an appropriate adult present—something she said “should never be happening.”

The data revealed clear ethnic disparities, with Black children more likely to be strip-searched than those from other groups.

“Although only 6% of the population of 10-17 year olds in the 2021 census were black, 35% of the children strip-searched were of black ethnicity,” the report said.

For the first time, the report examined the use of force in stop-and-search cases, finding most involved children aged 11–17, though 46 incidents included children under 11. Nearly one in five searches involved force, yet 46% led to no further action, raising concerns about whether it was necessary or proportionate. The findings also showed racial disparities, with Black children overrepresented and white and Asian children underrepresented in cases involving force.

“I am particularly concerned about the ethnic disproportionality as to why officers say force was needed,” Dame de Souza said. “White children are more likely to be described as having a mental health need, while for black children the reason identified is simply their size or build.”

“We cannot accept that black children are subjected to use of force because of the way they are perceived,” she added.

Dame de Souza said the findings show child strip searches can cause lasting harm to mental health and damage trust in police, reflecting a failure to properly support vulnerable children. Following the report, Andy Mariner said policing has updated its strip-search policies since the Children’s Commissioner’s 2022 review.

“We’re introducing extensive safeguards for children and young people for strip searching and bringing in reforms to drive up standards in policing, improve vetting and tackle misconduct,” a Home Office spokesperson said.

Trump, approval polls, immigration policies

by Jameelah Mullen

April 24, 2026

Trump Claims D.C. And Puerto Rico Statehood Would Lead To ‘Country-Destroying Sleazebags’ Taking Power

In the midst of a war, the president is on social media, with yet another rant.

Donald Trump scoffed at the idea of making Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico U.S. states. The former reality star claimed that if the U.S. territories became states, the country would be dominated by “sleazebags.”

The president expressed these sentiments in a Truth Social post longer than 300 words, slamming Democratic strategist James Carville, a vocal critic of Trump and a longtime advocate for making D.C. and Puerto Rico states.

“Wacko James Carville, a so-called Democrat “strategist,” wants the Democrats to make D.C. and Puerto Rico States and, most importantly, pack the Supreme Court, putting 13 Justices on the Court. Other Dems want 21 Justices,” Trump wrote on his social media platform. “If they pull off adding these two States, these Country Destroying Sleazebags will dominate politics in America, if we even have a Nation left, for 100 years (TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!).

Carville responded on his Politicon podcast, telling his co-host he is willing to debate Trump anytime.

Residents of both Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have pushed for statehood for several decades. U.S. citizens of D.C. and Puerto Rico pay federal taxes and elect U.S. delegates to represent them in Congress. However, delegates are not allowed to vote on legislation or policy. The slogan “taxation without representation” appears on D.C. license plates to protest the district’s lack of voting representation in Congress.

Markus Batchelor, national political director at People For the American Way, condemned the president’s statements and vehemently disagrees with Trump’s beliefs about granting statehood to D.C. and Puerto Rico.

“The people of D.C. and Puerto Rico serve and save this country every single day. D.C. residents pay federal taxes…. We raise families, build businesses, and contribute to the cultural and economic strength of this nation. Our communities — especially Black and Brown communities — have carried this country forward through sacrifice, resilience, and hard work,” Batchelor told theGrio.

NYPD, Sean Bell, film, Eyes In 'Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story'

by Kandiss Edwards

April 23, 2026

NYPD Call For Backup On WhatsApp Group Chat In Corner Store False Arrest

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard expressed his displeasure at officers serving without the proper equipment.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has revealed that the detectives involved in a viral Brooklyn arrest were not equipped with body cameras and utilized the messaging app WhatsApp to coordinate backup.

The incident, which took place outside a Bedford-Stuyvesant liquor store, gained national attention after footage showed 34-year-old Andre Williams being forcefully detained by officers who had mistaken him for a drug dealer. Despite Williams’ audible pleas that he was not resisting, he was pinned to the ground and handcuffed before being released without charges.

In a follow-up investigation into the tactics used during the encounter, the NYPD confirmed that the detectives were part of a specialized unit. The unit is currently exempt from the department’s general body-camera mandate, Fox 5 reported. NYPD patrol officers have been required to wear cameras since 2019. However, many undercover and plainclothes units remain unequipped.

Further review of video evidence obtained by Fox 5 revealed that the detectives did not use standard police radio frequencies to contact back up. Instead, officers utilized a WhatsApp group call to alert nearby units. The provided video shows an unidentified detective complaining about the mode of communication.

Just as disturbing as the NYPD Commissioner says she found this video, how about the last 10 seconds of the video where what appears to be another narcotics officer says “Any of these guys don’t get a radio ASAP, I’m making a big fuc*ing problem. Not doing this WhatsApp shi* no… https://t.co/KR4WH0MInX

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 15, 2026

“Any of these guys don’t get a radio ASAP, I’m making a big f***ing problem. I’m not doing this WhatsApp s*** no more,” the detective said. He added, “How are these f***ing guys coming to work unprepared? No one does anything.”

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard expressed his displeasure at officers serving without the proper equipment. He also acknowledged that the arrest was unwarranted.

“If this had been the right guy, and he had a firearm on him, they would have to use WhatsApp to call or backup. That’s insane,” Sheppard said. “You should have a radio on you to get help when you need it, and as you see, that was the problem here,” Sheppard said. “It took so long for them to find where their guys were, and to be able to communicate.”

The NYPD maintains that the detectives acted within current guidelines, given the nature of their assignment.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 23, 2026

Antoine Fuqua Talks About His Decision To Omit Michael Jackson Assault Allegations From ‘Michael’

Michael is scheduled for a global theatrical release April 24.

The director of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has confirmed that the film’s conclusion was altered to remove depictions of the child abuse allegations that shadowed the later years of the pop star’s life.

In a recent interview with The New Yorker, director Antoine Fuqua explained the creative decision to shift the film’s final focus away from the legal battles and controversies that defined Jackson’s public image in the 1990s and 2000s. Fuqua stated that the goal of the project is to celebrate Jackson’s artistic legacy and humanity, rather than re-litigating the high-profile accusations that have been extensively covered in documentaries and news media.

The biopic, starring Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the title role, reportedly concludes by focusing on the singer’s preparations for his ill-fated This Is It concert residency in 2009. By ending the narrative at this point, the film bypasses a more detailed exploration of the 2005 criminal trial and subsequent posthumous allegations.

“I wanted to tell a story about the man and the artist,” Fuqua said. He argued that the film provides a balanced look at Jackson’s life by showing his struggles with fame and the pressures of his upbringing, while maintaining that the movie’s primary purpose is to showcase his “extraordinary talent.”

‘Michael’ Director Antoine Fuqua Questions Some Michael Jackson Allegations: ‘Sometimes People Do Nasty Things for Some Money’ https://t.co/4MtaUTMmLi via @variety

— Lipstick Alley (@lipstickalley) April 21, 2026

While some appreciate a focus on Jackson’s musical contributions, others argue that omitting the allegations presents an incomplete and sanitized version of the singer’s history. The 38% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects a viewership that varies in its position. Estate representatives, who are involved in the production, have maintained that the film is an objective look at Jackson’s life. Representatives for the Jackson estate consistently deny the abuse allegations against him.

Michael is scheduled for a global theatrical release on April 24. The film is expected to be one of the year’s biggest cinematic events, featuring elaborate recreations of Jackson’s most iconic performances. Despite the director’s attempts to center the narrative on music, the choice to exclude the controversies ensures that they will remain a part of the discussion.