Obama, Atlanta, campaign, Lance Bottoms, Ossoff — (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

by Selena Hill

October 20, 2026

Barack Obama To Join Keisha Lance Bottoms And Sen. Ossoff At Atlanta Rally

The upcoming rally brings national political attention to Georgia.

Former President Barack Obama is heading to Atlanta to join U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms for a campaign rally that puts a spotlight on Georgia’s political leadership and economic priorities ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

The “United for Georgia Rally,” scheduled for Oct. 28, will feature Democratic candidates running across the state ballot. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, admission will be first-come, first-served, and attendees must register online. Registration does not guarantee entry or seating, while venue and parking instructions will be sent to registered guests 24 hours before the event.

Lance Bottoms, Atlanta’s former mayor, has emphasized affordability in her gubernatorial campaign race to succeed GOP Gov. Brian Kemp. Her proposals include expanding Medicaid, strengthening rural hospitals, allowing communities to eliminate grocery taxes and guaranteeing pre-K for every 4-year-old. The proposals touch on issues that can affect workers’ financial stability, family budgets, and employers’ ability to recruit and retain talent.

Ossoff, meanwhile, has highlighted rising household expenses as a campaign issue as he seeks to defend his Senate seat against Republican Congressman Mike Collins. At a recent rally in Cobb County, the Democratic leader criticized the increasing cost of everyday necessities and healthcare, according to Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Obama’s appearance adds national visibility to the candidates’ campaigns as both parties compete for support in a state with significant influence over the balance of power in Washington and the direction of state government. The rally is scheduled less than a week before Election Day.

The event follows President Donald Trump’s recent campaign rally in Dalton, Georgia, alongside Collins and GOP gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson. Vice President JD Vance also visited Atlanta last week to support the Republican ticket, while former Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to campaign in Georgia later this month.

Beyond the campaign trail, the election carries implications for Georgia’s business community, including entrepreneurs, small-business owners, workers and companies weighing investment decisions in the state. Economic policy, from taxes and healthcare costs to labor conditions and the cost of operating a business, can influence household spending, hiring and the environment in which companies grow.

John Legend Partners With Bilt To Help 50 College Students Cover Rent

by Amyah Wright

October 20, 2026

John Legend Partners With Bilt To Help 50 College Students Cover Rent

Supporting this challenge is personal to the singer.

Legendary singer and songwriter John Legend is helping students who are struggling to make ends meet pay for their off-campus housing, according to AfroTech.

Bilt and Scholarship America are teaming up with the musician for the October Rent Day initiative to cover the rent of 50 students who are at risk of eviction. The students hailing from Morehouse College, Central State University, Wilberforce University, and the University of Pennsylvania, which is Legend’s alma mater, will be chosen for the initiative. Three of the schools involved are historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

For Legend, supporting this challenge is personal. In addition to moving from Springfield, Ohio, to attend college, Legend worked at a church and held a work-study job while in school to pay for his rent.

“I was hustling, and I was doing it so I could pay my rent,” Legend said, according to AfroTech. “I know what it feels like to be in that position where you’ve got to figure out how to do it yourself.”

Bilt members plan to support the effort, too. On Rent Day, members can donate “Bilt Points” to Scholarship America and all donated points will go to the organization.

To celebrate the upcoming release of Legend’s studio album Muse that will drop Oct. 23, Bilt has partnered with the artist to give members a chance to win money to pay their rent on Bilt’s Rent Free game show, score a member-exclusive vinyl copy of Muse, and attend a private show with the artist in San Francisco on Oct. 21.

Despite this new business venture, Legend said education is at the core of his new partnership with Bilt. He said he received a great education in college that “set me up for life,” and hopes the new Rent Assistance Program will allow students to pay for their rent while still being in school.

Spelman College, Morehouse College, HBCU, housing, The Den at Eight50 West, — (Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

by Sidnee Michelle

October 20, 2026

Spelman, Morehouse Break Ground On $147M Student Housing Complex In Atlanta

Amenities will include study lounges, a fitness center, recreational spaces, and a 24-hour staffed lobby.

Morehouse and Spelman colleges have broken ground on a $147 million student housing development in Atlanta, expanding housing options for students at two of the nation’s most prominent historically Black colleges and universities, WSB-TV reports.

The institutions celebrated the project on Oct. 15 during a groundbreaking ceremony at the Atlanta University Center, the outlet reported. The development, called The Den at Eight50 West, will include 305 apartment-style units with 793 beds and is expected to welcome students in fall 2028.

Located along West End Avenue near Morehouse’s B.T. Harvey Stadium, the complex will feature studio, one-, two-, and four-bedroom apartments. Amenities will include study lounges, a fitness center, recreational spaces, and a 24-hour staffed lobby.

The project comes as rising housing costs continue to create financial challenges for college students. By expanding housing options near campus, the development aims to help upperclassmen remain connected to university resources while reducing the burden of finding accommodations in Atlanta’s increasingly expensive rental market.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens attended the groundbreaking ceremony, highlighting the importance of addressing housing affordability.

“The Den at 850 West will address a problem in Atlanta, and in most cities, that is, the cost of housing has gone up,” Dickens told WSB-TV.

The development also creates opportunities for Black-owned businesses—Morehouse alumnus C. David Moody Jr., founder of C.D. Moody Construction Co., is helping lead construction alongside Clark Construction Group. Black-owned architecture firm Moody Nolan is also involved.

Radnor Property Group and the Madrone Community Development Foundation are partnering on the development, which is being financed through approximately $147 million in bonds issued through the Development Authority of Fulton County.

Beyond providing additional student housing, the project is expected to generate economic activity in Atlanta’s historic West End neighborhood.

“We’re talking about economic development right here in the city,” Dickens told the outlet. “Using local workers and local equipment and continuing to recycle those dollars, right here in metro Atlanta.”

The complex is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

HBCUs, Kalamazoo Promise — Photo by PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou via Getty Images

by Sidnee Michelle

October 20, 2026

‘Kalamazoo Promise’ Expands Free College Tuition To HBCUs In 2027

The expansion marks the first time in the program's more than 20-year history that HBCUs nationwide will be included among its eligible institutions.

Students graduating from Kalamazoo Public Schools in Michigan will soon have the opportunity to attend historically Black colleges and universities with their tuition covered through an expansion of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program, Fox 17 reports.

Beginning in fall 2027, eligible students can use their scholarships at accredited, four-year HBCUs nationwide, expanding access to institutions that have historically played a significant role in educating Black students and developing generations of Black professionals and leaders.

The expansion marks the first time in the program’s more than 20-year history that it will include HBCUs nationwide among its eligible institutions.

Established in 2005, the Kalamazoo Promise provides eligible graduates with up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at participating colleges and universities. Funded by anonymous donors, the program has awarded more than $270 million in scholarships to over 9,000 students.

For Kalamazoo Central High School senior Brooklyn Gardner, the expansion could make her longtime goal of attending an HBCU financially attainable.

“Just being around my culture. My people. Something I haven’t been able to experience,” Gardner told the outlet, describing her desire to attend an HBCU.

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Her father, Ajamian Gardner, principal of Kalamazoo Phoenix High School, said conversations about expanding the scholarship to include HBCUs have been ongoing for about two decades.

Kalamazoo Central Principal Valerie Boggan said the program gives students opportunities to broaden their perspectives and pursue educational experiences beyond their immediate communities.

“What we do know is you cannot be what you cannot see,” Boggan told the outlet. “The Promise has afforded our students the ability to see the world from a different vantage point.”

To qualify for the Kalamazoo Promise, students must meet district residency, enrollment, and graduation requirements. Scholarship amounts are determined by how long students have continuously attended Kalamazoo Public Schools, with eligible graduates receiving up to four years of tuition assistance.

The expansion will also apply to eligible previous graduates attending HBCUs beginning in fall 2027. However, scholarships will not cover tuition retroactively for semesters completed before the expansion takes effect.

Although the program covers qualifying tuition and mandatory fees, students remain responsible for additional expenses, including housing, meals, and other costs not covered by the scholarship.

Résumé Botox, AI, ageism, bias — AI-generated image

by Selena Hill

October 20, 2026

‘Résumé Botox’ Is The New Job Search Strategy

A growing number of experienced professionals are editing their résumés and LinkedIn profiles to appear younger.

Workers are turning to artificial intelligence to make themselves look younger on their résumés and LinkedIn profiles. The practice, dubbed “résumé Botox,” involves removing graduation dates, trimming early-career positions, changing senior-level titles, and using younger-looking photos on LinkedIn profiles to conceal their age, reports Fast Company.

What Are The Survey Findings?

A Use.AI survey of 4,263 people who applied for jobs in the last year found that 42% changed their résumés or LinkedIn profiles to mask their age or appear younger. Among women ages 45 and older, 53% reported making those changes, compared with 35% of men in the same age group. The findings suggest that experienced candidates may feel compelled to minimize the very credentials, leadership experience, and institutional knowledge that employers need.

The survey also found that 72% of respondents who altered their profiles to appear younger used AI to help make those changes. Of those candidates, 43% said the strategy helped them secure more interviews, while 10% reported receiving fewer.

How Is AI Becoming A Tool In Hiring?

Although the findings reflect users of a particular AI platform rather than the entire job-seeking population, they highlight how AI is becoming a tool for navigating perceived hiring barriers. Research published in Computers in Human Behavior in 2025 involving 366 human resources professionals found that LinkedIn screening was susceptible to age bias. Recommendations highlighting an applicant’s competence or warmth benefited candidates, but younger applicants gained more from competence-focused recommendations.

The trend creates a challenge for employers using AI-assisted recruiting, too. Automated screening can speed up hiring, but companies still need to assess whether their systems and selection criteria fairly evaluate applicants based on job-related qualifications.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says the Age Discrimination in Employment Act generally protects workers and job applicants ages 40 and older from age-based discrimination in covered employment settings.

Carly Roszkowski, AARP’s vice president of financial resilience programming, told Fast Company that ageism is “the one discrimination that we all will go through.”

Tawanda Roberts, rich forever retreat, breast cancer — Courtesy of Tawanda Roberts

by Black Enterprise

October 20, 2026

Tawanda Roberts Hosts Women’s Wellness Retreat At ‘The Promised Land’

The three-day schedule balances high-level executive networking with restorative wellness offerings

Tawanda Roberts—sister of rapper Rick Ross—will transform The Promise Land, the hip-hop artist’s sprawling 235-acre private estate into a a powerful sanctuary for Rich Forever Weekend. From Oct. 23 through Oct. 25, the premier event will gather high-achieving women, entrepreneurs, and visionaries from across the nation for three days of holistic health and sisterhood.

What is the Rich Forever Weekend?

This luxury women wellness retreat provides an intimate setting where women will invest in their health, peace, purpose, and spiritual growth.
Central to the gathering is a profound commitment to health equity, advocacy, and community uplift, underscored by National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To address the severe healthcare disparities impacting Black women, the retreat is taking direct action through its headline initiative: the “Rich in Life Award,” that honors an extraordinary breast cancer survivor or dedicated caregiver.

The selected honoree will receive a full VIP luxury women wellness retreat experience, complete with round-trip airfare, luxury hotel accommodations, full retreat programming access, and formal recognition at the event. By centering breast cancer survival, advocacy, and caregiving, the retreat ensures that healing and equity remain at the forefront of Black wealth building.

What does the retreat entail?

Programming features an impressive lineup of influential Black women leaders, legal luminaries, and creative strategists delivering transformative sessions. Featured keynotes and panel conversations include television personality and legal analyst Phaedra Parks presenting “Rich in Wisdom,” digital media creator De’arra Taylor unpacking “Rich in Sisterhood,” advocate Natasha Mayne, Esq., leading “Rich in Purpose,” brand authority Sherri J White sharing insights on “Rich in Brand Building,” celebrated etiquette expert Elaine Swann conducting an “Executive Etiquette Dining” experience, and life coach Dhayany Walker speaking on “Rich in Love.” Each workshop provides attendees with practical frameworks to elevate their personal, health, and professional lives.

Here’s the agenda

The three-day schedule balances high-level executive networking with restorative wellness offerings:

Friday, Oct. 23 (Welcome & Connection): The luxury women wellness retreat opens with guest check-in, exclusive guided tours across the legendary estate, an introductory mixer, and evening fireside cocktails designed to build organic connections.

Saturday, October 24 (Purpose, Business & Sisterhood): The agenda turns toward commerce, branding, and etiquette, featuring the “Rich in Networking Sip & Shop” marketplace showcasing women-owned small businesses, Elaine Swann’s etiquette dining session, and main stage panel discussions with the retreat’s featured speakers.

Sunday, October 25 (Rest & Wellness): Curated by the H.E.R. Wellness Society, the closing day prioritizes physical restoration with “Ol’ School Chevys & Pilates” led by Toned by Tia and Paris Fit, yoga sessions, guided sound baths, and a mobile golf simulator from Global Golf Society.

Attendees will also engage with specialized IV hydration education and treatments from Oluchi Aesthetics, laboratory services from 24hr Lab Lady, an inspirational brunch panel titled “Rich in What Matters: The Life We’re Building,” the presentation of the “Rich in Life Award” honoring a breast cancer survivor or caregiver, and a farewell toast by host Tawanda Roberts.

Black-owned business — photo credit:(Getty Images

by Sidnee Michelle

October 20, 2026

Nearly 2-In-3 Small-Business Owners Sacrifice Their Pay As Costs Soar

The survey, conducted by Small Business for America’s Future, found that 72% of respondents believe running a business has become more difficult over the past year,

Rising costs, declining consumer spending, and federal policy uncertainty are forcing small-business owners to cut their own pay and delay investments to stay afloat, according to a recent announcement.

Three out of four small-business owners say the current economy is among the most difficult of their careers, with many comparing the financial strain to the COVID-19 pandemic and Great Recession, according to a new national survey.

The survey, conducted by Small Business for America’s Future, found that 72% of respondents believe running a business has become more difficult over the past year, while 83% expressed concerns about their financial stability over the next 12 months.

The findings, based on responses from 1,171 small-business owners within the organization’s network, highlight mounting financial pressures as inflation, tariffs, and declining consumer spending continue to affect operations.

Among owners reporting worsening business conditions, 85% cited inflation and rising prices. Meanwhile, 78% of all respondents said higher costs have affected their ability to operate or expand.

Those challenges are also taking a personal financial toll. Nearly two-thirds of respondents, or 64%, reported reducing or skipping their own pay to keep their businesses running. Another 47% said their businesses no longer adequately cover their living expenses.

“To keep my business afloat, I invested my 401(k) savings and leveraged my home equity as collateral for additional capital, putting my family’s financial security on the line to sustain my business and employees,” said Gabe Hagen, founder of Brick Road Community Corporation, an Arizona-based coffee roasting company.

Federal policy uncertainty is further complicating business decisions. According to the survey, 67% of owners reported delaying, canceling, or reducing growth investments, while 57% scaled back hiring plans.

Tariffs have also contributed to financial pressures, with 59% of respondents saying the trade measures have made daily operating expenses harder to afford.

Consumer spending presents another challenge, as 46% of owners reported that their customers are spending significantly less.

The survey, conducted Aug. 13 through Oct. 5, also found that 78% of respondents believe Washington prioritizes the needs of large corporations over small businesses, reflecting broader concerns about the economic challenges facing Main Street.

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by Black Enterprise

October 19, 2026

It’s Not Too Late To Secure Your Spot To Celebrate 10 Years Of XCEL Summit For Men

Attendees can register now to access three days of targeted workshops, keynote panels, and elite networking opportunities.

BLACK ENTERPRISE will celebrate a decade of economic empowerment, corporate leadership, and cultural influence when it hosts the 10th Anniversary of XCEL Summit for Men from Oct. 21–23, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando.

This annual high-level gathering brings together more than 800 executive leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to advance careers, forge multimillion-dollar deals, and address wealth equity. Attendees can register now to access three days of targeted workshops, keynote panels, and elite networking opportunities.

This landmark anniversary edition features a powerhouse lineup of speakers and honorees across business, entertainment, technology, and athletics. Keynote figures include Kirk Franklin, 20-time Grammy Award-winning gospel artist and producer; Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies and founder of BET; Calvin Butler, president and chief executive officer of Exelon; Dr. Bernard Harris, veteran NASA astronaut and CEO of Vesalius Ventures; and Isiah Thomas, NBA Hall of Famer and chairman of ISIAH International.

By leveraging high-impact panel discussions, peer-to-peer masterclasses, and structured deal-making sessions, the XCEL Summit for Men equips participants with actionable strategies to scale enterprises and navigate executive career trajectories. The conference serves as a vital bridge between legacy business practices and modern financial innovation, driving sustainable corporate growth.

How Does the XCEL Summit Impact Black Male Executives?

The XCEL Summit for Men addresses long-standing systemic barriers in corporate leadership and venture capital distribution by providing direct access to decision-makers. Black men remain significantly underrepresented in C-suite positions and institutional equity investment roles.

The three-day conference directly addresses this equity gap through intentional deal-making forums, executive coaching suites, and wealth preservation seminars. Through actionable masterclasses, participants refine operational workflows, analyze executive compensation structures, and build high-yield professional networks.

As BE marks 10 years of hosting this transformative conference, the event continues to redefine executive leadership, driving long-term economic mobility and financial sovereignty for Black professionals nationwide.

Nike, Michael Jordan, Philadelphia — (Photo: Kelly Kline/WireImage)

by Brandon Horton

October 19, 2026

Michael Jordan’s $14M Jersey Sale Highlights Soaring Value Of Sports Memorabilia

Three jerseys from Jordan's final Chicago Bulls championship series have now recorded sales exceeding $10 million.

Michael Jordan’s influence continues to extend beyond basketball as collectors pay millions for memorabilia connected to his legendary career.

Three jerseys worn during Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals championship run have now recorded sales exceeding $10 million, reflecting strong demand for historically significant sports collectibles.

The latest transaction involved Jordan’s autographed Chicago Bulls jersey from Game 2 of the 1998 NBA Finals. According to Hunt Auctions, the jersey sold privately for $14 million, establishing a new basketball memorabilia record.

How has Jordan’s memorabilia increased in value?

Jordan’s latest sale follows several record-breaking transactions involving jerseys from his final championship season.

According to Sotheby’s, a jersey worn during Game 1 of the 1998 Finals sold for approximately $10.1 million in 2022.

Another jersey from Game 3 sold for $12.26 million through JOOPITER in September 2026.

Although these transactions involved different jerseys, their multimillion-dollar prices demonstrate collectors’ willingness to spend significant amounts on Jordan’s basketball history.

Why are collectors spending millions on historic jerseys?

The growing interest extends beyond Jordan.

According to Sotheby’s, a jersey worn by Kobe Bryant during his 2007-08 MVP season sold for approximately $5.8 million in 2023. A LeBron James jersey from the 2013 NBA Finals also fetched more than $3 million.

For high-value collectors, authenticity and historical significance are important considerations.

Hunt Auctions reported that Jordan’s $14 million jersey was authenticated through photographic comparisons and documentation tracing its ownership to the Chicago Bulls.

The Associated Press identified Miami real estate investor Ron Firman as the buyer.

While these sales represent exceptional collectibles rather than the broader market, they demonstrate how historic athletic achievements can maintain substantial financial value decades later.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers, racism — (Photo: Getty Images)

by Sidnee Michelle

October 19, 2026

Charlotte Cops Face Consequences Over Racist Texts Targeting Black Residents

Alleged messages included repeated racial slurs and discussions about firing weapons at Black people.

Three Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers have resigned, and three others face termination after an investigation uncovered racist text messages allegedly discussing a competition to pull over the most Black drivers and using force against Black residents, WBTV reports.

Police Chief Estella Patterson confirmed the resignations on Oct. 15, saying an independent review board unanimously recommended firing the remaining officers. The allegations have prompted concerns about racial profiling and possible civil rights violations in the North Carolina police department.

According to the outlet, the messages included repeated racial slurs and discussions about firing weapons at Black residents. Patterson said the conversations, some dating back several years, also contained sexual and religious biases.

The messages surfaced during a separate North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation probe into former officer Seth Elliott, who was accused of misusing the Flock Safety license plate recognition system. Investigators recovered messages from Elliott’s phone and shared them with the department, prompting an internal investigation.

Patterson condemned the alleged misconduct, expressing frustration over the damage to public trust.

“As a Black woman who began my career here, in this very department, it is especially painful and disheartening to hear concerns from our community about racism coming from within the ranks of this organization,” Patterson told WBTV.

The department has reviewed traffic stops, arrest records, body camera footage, and complaints involving the officers. Patterson said investigators have not identified evidence of civil rights violations but have requested federal assistance to determine whether misconduct occurred.

Patterson also announced plans to pursue revocation of the officers’ North Carolina law enforcement certifications, which would prevent them from serving as police officers elsewhere in the state.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP has called for accountability. Chapter President Corine Mack urged officials to revoke the officers’ certifications to prevent them from returning to law enforcement.

Charlotte’s Civil Service Board is reviewing the dismissals of the remaining three officers.

Patterson said the department is expanding its review of officer conduct and hiring practices to determine whether broader institutional problems contributed to the alleged behavior.