by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 28, 2026

2026 Zora! Festival Season Returns To Central Florida To Celebrate Zora Neale Hurston’s Legacy

The 2026 ZORA!® Festival commemorates the literary icon and celebrates the contributions of the diaspora as part of America's 250th anniversary.

The 2026 ZORA!® Festival returns to Central Florida Jan. 30 and Feb. 1, honoring the legacy of literary icon Zora Neale Hurston and celebrating the diaspora’s contributions to American history during the year-long “America 250” anniversary.

Hosted in historic Eatonville, Florida, the festival provides a vibrant celebration of African-American culture and heritage. Artists, scholars, educators, students, and visitors from across the U.S. and beyond take part in events blending music, art, history, and education.

Festival highlights include the three-day Outdoor Festival of the Arts, the “Cotton Club, Reimagined—1930s Harlem Nightlife” event, and a traditional worship service. Other featured programs are the Placemaking Conference, the themed “Entering the Zoraverse: People, Places, Spaces,” and the Africa-America Women Economic Forum, “Leading for Economic Impact.”

The HATitude Cultural Flair Event is set for October.

Attendees can experience live performances, art exhibitions, and interactive activities, including the Tribute to the Legends, which honors individuals who have shaped African-American culture via performances and educational segments spotlighting contributions in literature, music, and social activism.

The annual festival commemorates the literary icon who died in Florida on Jan. 28, 1960, at age 69.

It celebrates her profound impact on the Harlem Renaissance and her works portraying African-American life. The festival features music, interactive art, and live performances, offering attendees a chance to explore Hurston’s lasting influence on American culture.

Festival exhibitions will highlight African-American art, literature, and history in ways that offer an in-depth look at the cultural heritage that helped shape the nation. Academic conferences and panel discussions bring scholars, artists, and community leaders together to explore challenges and achievements throughout the diaspora.

This year’s festival, a meaningful start to the United States’ 250th anniversary, uses art to highlight the nation’s history and the essential contributions of African-Americans, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the culture’s roots and modern impact.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 28, 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Company, Ante, Purchased Chicago Residential Building For Over $21M

The Harmony Apartments were purchased by the player's company, Ante

NBA All-Star player Giannis Antetokounmpo recently purchased a Chicago building to add to his extensive off-court business empire.

According to CoStar, the “Greek Freak” acquired the property through his family-owned-and-run company, Ante, which paid over $21 million for the apartment building. The building, Harmony Apartments, was completed in 2024 and is a four-story complex with 56 units.

Harmony Apartments is approximately 85 miles from the Milwaukee Bucks’ home stadium, Fiserv Forum (Antetokounmpo is the Bucks’ star player).

Essex Realty Group sold the property to Ante and was backed by Old National Bank, which provided the company with an $11 miilion loan.

The property was the most recent in the company’s real estate acquisitions, with Ante investing more than $69 million in several buildings totaling 186 apartment units over the past several months. Those purchases have taken place in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Brooklyn.

In October, Ante purchased a 39-unit building, The Atwater, in Shorewood, Wisconsin, for $11.75 million. The following month, the company acquired The Emerson in Madison, a 41-unit building, for $11.6 million.

The buildings in Brooklyn were purchased in November for about $25.2 million. The neighboring buildings, The Lawrence, are located in the Prospect Lefferts Garden section of the borough and have a combined 50 units.

Antetokounmpo launched the company in 2023 with his three brothers, Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex. When the company was announced, it stated that Ante would oversee a global portfolio of businesses, investment assets, and brand holdings.

In 2024, the brothers announced the launch of Improbable Media, a production and brand strategy, co-founded by the Antetokounmpos and former Chicago Bulls guard and ESPN basketball analyst Jay Williams.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has achieved numerous accomplishments throughout his NBA career. The 10-year veteran is a 10-time All-Star and All-NBA player and a four-time All-Defense member. He also won the 2019-’20 Defensive Player of the Year and was the 2021 NBA Finals MVP.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 28, 2026

Pusha T Reacts to Clipse’s Vatican Performance Becoming a ‘Jeopardy!’ Question, ‘We Made It’

Pusha T honors his late grandmother after Clipse' Vatican performance becomes a "Jeopardy!" question.

Pusha T paid tribute to his late grandmother after his hip-hop group appeared as a question on her favorite show, Jeopardy!

The “Grindin’” rapper took to Instagram on Jan. 28 after watching a Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions episode and seeing Clipse—his group with brother, No Malice—appear in the category “It Happened in 2025.” The moment felt especially meaningful, Pusha shared, as it served as a tribute to their late grandmother.

“Hey Shank (my grandmother in heaven), we made it!!!” he captioned an Instagram post of the Jeopardy! clip. “Watching @jeopardy was what we would do every night…I was too young to know the answers, but turning the TV off wasn’t an option. I caught on quick, and it became ‘our’ thing…look at your grandsons. Hope you were watching and playing along tonight.”

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A post shared by Pusha T (@kingpush)

The Jeopardy! clue spotlighted the Virginia rap duo’s history-making performance at last year’s “Grace for the World” concert in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

“In 2025, Clipse gave the first-ever rap performance in this city-state during the ‘Grace for the World’ concert,” host Ken Jennings said in the clip. After two wrong answers, one contestant finally answered correctly. “What is the Vatican?”

“Even less rapping the Vatican,” Jennings jokingly quipped.

Clipse performed “The Birds Don’t Sing” alongside John Legend for more than 250,000 attendees at the Pharrell Williams–co-directed event. With the song serving as a tribute to their late parents, the performance, which landed them on their late grandmother’s favorite show, adds to the full-circle moment.

“It was definitely a moment for us,” Malice said of the 2025 event. “I think we definitely broke ground. It’s overdue and past time that people understand that hip-hop belongs everywhere. It’s expression, it’s communication, it teaches the world about our culture. It’s an art form that’s celebrated in every walk of life. It’s nothing that should be surprising — we should be celebrated everywhere.”

car payment, loans, affordbale, affordability

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 28, 2026

$1,000+ Monthly Car Loans Reach New High, Adding Pressure On Drivers

New data reveals a rise in the number of drivers paying over $1,000 per month on car loans.

New data shows a growing number of drivers now paying $1,000 or more each month on auto loans, adding financial strain in an already tight economy.

Car website Edmunds recently unveiled new analysis that shows a record 20.3% of new-car buyers paid $1,000 or more per month on auto loans in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 19.1% the prior quarter and 18.9% a year earlier. Among used-car buyers, 6.3% now face $1,000-plus monthly payments, also up from previous quarters.

Edmunds found that auto loan costs have risen across the board, even for buyers avoiding four-figure payments. The average monthly payment for a new vehicle hit a record $772 in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from $754 the previous quarter.

The data reflects a K-shaped economy, according to Edmunds Insights Director Ivan Drury, with wealthy consumers spending more, while lower-income households face mounting pressure from higher living costs.

“For the haves, things are perfectly fine; for the have-nots, it’s a struggle from one payment to the next,” Drury said.

Melissa Dickerson of Orting, Washington, was shocked when her used-car loan for a replacement SUV jumped to $1,100 after her son totaled her Acura. The $400 monthly payment she had previously enjoyed was no longer an option.

“It was quite a shock,” Dickerson said. “When I heard my interest rate was going to be 15%, I almost crapped my pants.”

She had to extend the loan to 72 months, or six years. The steep car payments, along with rising household costs like rent, pushed Dickerson deep into credit card debt.

“Now I’m relying on the credit cards to live, to pay for things that I can’t pay for now,” she said. “Food and stuff you need — the electric bill, phone bill. You think you’ll be able to pay them off next month, and then you can’t.”

As car prices rise, buyers are financing larger amounts, with the average new-vehicle loan reaching $43,759 in Q4 2025, up from $42,647 the prior quarter. To manage costs, more consumers are choosing longer loans—84 months or more accounted for 20.8% of new-car purchases, up from 17.9% a year earlier.

Experts advise keeping monthly car payments within a manageable range before committing to four-figure loans.

“If your goal is to not have a $1,000 monthly payment on a car, then you’ve got to either buy a less expensive car, or save and have a nice down payment toward a vehicle,” said Crystal Cox, a certified financial planner and senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors in Madison, Wisconsin.

Data shows people are keeping cars longer before upgrading, with the average trade-in age rising to 7.6 years in Q1 2025—the oldest since 2019. Holding onto vehicles longer allows buyers to save for a down payment or pay in full, reducing interest on big-ticket purchases. Financial advisor Jake Martin suggests keeping total debt, including a car loan, below 36% of gross income to maintain affordability after accounting for other obligations, such as mortgages and credit cards.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 28, 2026

A Vintage Revival: Air Jordan 6 Joins Prestigious Bin23 Collection For 2026 All-Star Weekend

The sneakers will cost $350 with only 2,300 pairs available

For $350, you can own a new pair of Air Jordan 6 Bin23, but you’ll need to act quickly, as only 2,300 pairs have been produced for this limited-edition release.

According to Footwear News, the Air Jordan Bin23 is the first sneaker released from the luxury collection in over 15 years; the last release was in 2011.

What makes the latest release special is that these Jordans were the ones Michael Jordan wore when he won the first of his six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls in 1991. The all-black footwear features a high-end leather-and-suede tongue and the “Bin 23” logo on the heel. A bright red Jordan Brand logo appears on the tongue.

Air Jordan 6 "Bin 23" Releasing Spring 2026 For $350 🍷😳

DETAILS ➡️ https://t.co/c5r9CiT4sp pic.twitter.com/zWQwh1S9Og
— House of Heat° (@houseofheat) June 10, 2025

Reportedly, the original plans for the Bin23 series in 2010 and 2011 were to release refined looks to the Air Jordan 2, Air Jordan 5, Air Jordan 7, Air Jordan 9, and Air Jordan 3.

Nike is labeling this release, The Jordan Brand AJ6 Infrared “Salesman” as the sneaker is slated to be released Feb. 14 at nike.com and at select retailers.

“It’s the centerpiece of the Infrared Collection,” Terrance Harvey, Expert, Streetwear Footwear Product Management Icons, Jordan Brand, said in a written statement. “MJ won his first championship in this colorway, and since then, it has represented greatness. I’m excited for this newly reimagined icon to inspire fans to always strive for more.”

The AJ6 Infrared colorway has been released several times over the years, with the first release in 2000, followed by re-releases in 2010 and 2014 with different looks.

The brand just released a preview of the Air Jordan “Concrete Rose,” a collaboration with Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor (for her role in the movie One Battle After Another), set to release this year, though no date was given. That sneaker will be the second one featuring the Harlem-bred entertainer, continuing the “rose” theme after the Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2 “A Rose From Harlem” was released in 2023.

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by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 28, 2026

Ye Defends Apology Letter, Dismisses Claims Of ‘Forgiveness For Sales’ Ahead Of Album Release

Ye is defending the integrity of his recent public apology, despite the letter’s timing, which falls amid an upcoming album release.

The artist formerly known as Kanye West spoke to Vanity Fair about his decision to publish the letter now. In an ad in The Wall Street Journal paid for by the Yeezy brand, the remorseful rapper directed his apologies to the Jewish and Black communities. Ye garnered a lot of backlash for his anti-semitic and anti-Black rants over the past years.

As the letter gained traction, some questioned Ye’s motives as he plans to release a new album,” Bully,” this week. However, Ye denied claims of his inauthenticity, noting how his artistic success never wavered throughout the controversies.

“It’s my understanding that I was in the top 10 most listened-to artists overall in the U.S. on Spotify in 2025, and last week and most days as well,” wrote Ye. “My upcoming album, ‘Bully,’ is currently one of the most anticipated pre-saves of any album on Spotify, too. My 2007 album, ‘Graduation,’ was also the most listened-to and streamed hip-hop album of 2025.”

He further explained that his past words weighed “heavy on my heart,” leading to his public statement.

“This, for me, as evidenced by the letter, isn’t about reviving my commerciality,” he continued. “This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit. I owe a huge apology once again for everything that I said that hurt the Jewish and Black communities in particular. All of it went too far. I look at the wreckage of my episode and realize that this isn’t who I am.

Outside the interview, West further defended his actions in a public forum. He denied the critics’ claim that the apology was a publicity stunt.

“This is not a rollout,” West said in a written message shared online. “I’m not asking for streams or forgiveness for sales.”

While Ye hopes to find a new path, he believes the public acknowledgment of his wrongdoing is the next step. He also emphasized his responsibility as a public figure to remain faithful to certain values, which do not align with his previous stances.

“As a public figure, so many people follow and listen to my every word,” he told Vanity Fair. “It’s important that they realize and understand what side of history that I want to stand on. And that is one of love and positivity.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 28, 2026

Trump Makes His Alex Pretti Stance Clear, ‘You Can’t Walk In With Guns’

As Trump pushed for the Second Amendment - the right to bear arms - to be protected during his first term and most recent presidential campaign, Democratic leaders are pointing out the sudden switch.

After first claiming he feels bad for Alex Pretti, the latest Minnesota ICE victim, President Donald Trump has switched his tone some saying, “You can’t walk in with guns. You just can’t.”

Before leaving the White House to attend a rally in Iowa, reporters talked to Trump to get his thoughts on the tragic killing, which has caused controversial takes as a result of the victim allegedly carrying a handgun. After initially feeling bad, the president reneged on the sentiment and said Pretti should not have had a gun on him in the first place.

“With that being said, you can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns. You just can’t,” he said.

“You can’t walk in with guns. You can’t do that. But it’s just a very unfortunate incident.”

Trump: "With that being said, you can't have guns. You can't walk in with guns. You just can't. You can't walk in with guns. You can't do that. But it's just a very unfortunate incident." pic.twitter.com/r9PE9pPJd4
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 27, 2026

Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was gunned down by Border Patrol agents after he was assisting a woman who was pushed to the ground. Prior to being shot, Pretti was also shoved to the ground as video shows one agent disarming the victim of his 9 mm handgun.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara revealed that Pretti was a legal gun owner with a permit to carry, as state law allows carriers to carry during protests.

Trump pushed for the Second Amendment – the right to bear arms – to be protected as he and other MAGA followers felt gun rights were under attack. Amid the Minnesota drama, Democratic leaders are pointing out the sudden switch. “GOP president: You can’t have guns,” a Democratic National Committee account posted on X, sharing the video of the president’s comments.

GOP president: You can't have guns. https://t.co/HB10J2HfFc
— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) January 27, 2026

The blue-aisled party is also paying close attention to the president’s stance in comparison to Kyle Rittenhouse, the then-17-year-old gun-wielding Trump supporter who took to the streets of Wisconsin in 2020 following a protest.

After shooting three people, two of which died, he was acquitted of murder charges in 2021, arguing the shooting was in self defense. Trump once defended the now former supporter, saying, “he was trying to get away from them, I guess, it looks like.” “I guess he was in very big trouble. He probably would have been killed,” he said in 2020, according to NPR.

Former Democratic congressional candidate for Texas, Isaiah Martin, took time to remind Trump of his past stance on guns at protests. “Reminder that Kyle Rittenhouse showed up to a protest like this and Republicans called him a hero,” Martin wrote on X supported by a picture of Rittenhouse sporting a semi-automatic weapon.

Reminder that Kyle Rittenhouse showed up to a protest like this and Republicans called him a hero pic.twitter.com/pbJNzU1E2P
— Isaiah Martin (@isaiahrmartin) January 24, 2026

Martin’s comments come as members of the Trump Administration cabinet have continued to bash the ICU nurse for being armed as a protest. Homeland Security Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel both publicly condemned the victim with Noem saying, “I don’t know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 28, 2026

Coco Gauff Questions Lack Of Privacy At Australian Open After Racket Smashing Made Public

Gauff opened the door for discussions on better privacy for players post-matches.

Amid the controversy surrounding her public racket-smashing, Coco Gauff is calling out the lack of privacy for players at the Australian Open.

After a heartbreaking defeat in the quarterfinals of the tournament, Gauff decided to let off steam in a physical way by hitting her rackets on the cement grounds several times. However, cameras can follow players anywhere outside the locker room, even during emotional moments. Given the openness, Gauff had no choice but to share the vulnerable moment with the world.

However, she would have preferred to let out her frustrations privately, even trying to find a hidden area in the Melbourne Parks to do so.

“I tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn’t a camera,” explained Gauff to reporters. “I don’t necessarily like breaking rackets.”

She also admitted that she would prefer not to showcase that part of the sport to younger fans. The 21-year-old athlete even called out the Australian Open broadcast for filming and airing the intimate moment.

“I kind of have a thing with the broadcast,” she said. “I feel like certain moments — the same thing happened to Aryna Sabalenka after I played her in the final of the U.S. Open — I feel like they don’t need to broadcast.”

Given their limited space for true solitude, the two-time Grand Slam winner wants to open the floor to discussion of privacy regulations for players.

“Maybe some conversations can be had,” added Gauff. “Because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.”

The incident has sparked debate over the airtime players face after matches, especially following difficult losses. Gauff has now raised concerns about whether this extra camera time strips players of their emotional safety. The tennis community has also taken note in light of her public concern.

While some viewed Gauff’s racket-smashing as a display of poor emotional control, one tennis legend came to her defense. After her husband, Gauff’s coach, defended the impassioned moment, Serena Williams also took to social media to console Gauff, offering her a private lesson on her signature serve.

Well said. @alexisohanian Passion. Caring. Matters. Nothing wrong with hating to lose. Now Coco when you want I can show you how to demolish in one swipe… Serena style 🙊 🤷🏾‍♀️ https://t.co/OR96AHS8dS
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) January 28, 2026

“Passion. Caring. Matters. Nothing wrong with hating to lose,” wrote Williams. “Now, Coco [Gauff], when you want, I can show you how to demolish in one swipe… Serena style.”

by Ida Harris

January 28, 2026

Rick Ross ‘The Biggest Boss’ Thus Far Turns 50.

The Teflon Don has plenty to celebrate

William Leonard Roberts, famously known as Rick Ross, has plenty to celebrate. The Mississippi-born, Miami-raised emcee slid onto the hip-hop scene in 2006, at age 30. In 2026, 20 years later, the rapper-turned-music-executive-turned-businessman is still sliding in the music industry but now touts a multimillion-dollar portfolio, representing his mixed bag of businesses. Rick Ross is still “Hustling.”

On Jan. 28, the “Teflon Don” turns 50 years old. In what appears to be a reflective moment, Ross posted on Instagram in the wee hours of the morning. Beneath a photograph of himself, he captioned: “On this day The Biggest Boss was born!!” and declared January 28th “National Hustlers holiday.”

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A post shared by Rick Ross (@richforever)

“You look at 50 differently when you own the land you stand on. When I was 25, the dream was getting on. At 30, it was launching an empire. Now, at 50, the dream is infrastructure,” Ross told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

When asked what it feels like to be an accomplished businessman at this milestone, Ross shared that, “It feels like we just finished the framing, and now we’re finally ready to build the skyscraper. The first half of my life was about proving I could hustle; the next half is about proving I can scale. I’m not interested in being the best rapper in the room anymore; I’m interested in having the best portfolio in the hemisphere.”

To his credit, Ross has an expansive real estate portfolio in Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Ross’ investments are nothing to sneeze at. He’s penetrated the food & beverage industry as owner of 30 WingStop and Checkers locations. His spirits include Belaire Champagne, Deacon whiskey and Bumbu rum.

Ross ventured into the tech industry as an angel investor for Jetdoc, and then there are his health and beauty, luggage, and automotive products, to name a few. Ross’s endeavors and maturity beg the question of what’s next for the middle-aged mogul.

“What’s next is aggressive expansion. We mastered the franchise game with the restaurants, we mastered the branding game with the spirits,” Ross told BE.

“Now, I’m looking at acquisitions that shift the culture. I’m looking at fintech, mass-scale agriculture, and real estate development that changes city skylines. I want to own the supply chain, not just the product.

“The accomplishment I’m still chasing is bigger than music; it’s institutional wealth. I want to reach a level of business where my companies run efficiently. That’s the difference between being a boss and being a tycoon.”

Ross continued:

“A boss dictates the move; a tycoon built the board on which the game is played.

“We are not just counting money anymore; we are counting equity, we are counting acres, and we are counting the centuries our name is going to remain on these buildings. The marathon continues, but we are running in a different tax bracket now.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 28, 2026

Ilhan Omar Rejects Intimidation After Being Targeted In Town Hall Assault

While her team could be heard urging her to go get checked out, the congresswoman was overheard saying “that’s what they want.”

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is proof that Minnesota is built to fight after she continued her speech following being sprayed by an unknown substance during a Minneapolis town hall discussion.

Omar was speaking about her stance on the tragic instances that have taken place in the city and throughout the state at the hands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), taking the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. “ICE cannot be reformed, ICE cannot be rehabilitated. We must abolish ICE,” Omar said.

Shortly after, a man was seen standing up and approaching Omar at the podium, spraying her with an unknown substance.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) assaulted during town hall meeting: "Here's the reality that people like this ugly man don't understand; we are Minnesota strong and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they might throw at us." pic.twitter.com/Ud5l3yP4lQ
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 28, 2026

Security and those standing behind her immediately came to her assistance. While her team could be heard urging her to go get checked out, the congresswoman was overheard saying, “That’s what they want.”

“Please don’t let them have the show,” the leader was heard saying.

“Here is the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand. We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they may throw at us.”

According to ABC News, the Minneapolis Police Department identified the suspect as 55-year-old Anthony James Kazmierczak, who was charged with third-degree assault.

Following the troubling incident, Omar told reporters that she won’t be intimidated by anyone as she is a survivor. “You know, I’ve survived more, and I’m definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think that they can throw at me because I’m built that way,” she said.

Before the Trump administration targeted Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis, Omar had been attacked by President Donald Trump, referring to her as a “fake sleazebag” and calling for her and other members of the Somali community to be thrown out of the U.S.

When asked for his thoughts on the attack, the president revealed he doesn’t have any, even blaming her for the attack. “I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud,” Trump said.

“She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

The president may not believe her, but many supporters on social media were praising how she handled herself during the situation. One X user even pointed out how Omar approached the man after he was taken down by security, seemingly standing up for herself. “Can we talk about how Ilhan Omar was ready to throw hands with a man twice her size and then just got straight back to work?” @karlykingsley wrote.

“I wish I lived in Minnesota just so I could vote for her.”

Can we talk about how Ilhan Omar was ready to throw hands with a man twice her size and then just got straight back to work? I wish I lived in Minnesota just so I could vote for her.
— Karly Kingsley (@karlykingsley) January 28, 2026

Another pointed out how her survival makes her more American than most, especially Trump. “Ilhan Omar spent four years in a refugee camp and ended up becoming a Congresswoman,” @strandjunker said.

“She represents the best of America, while Donald Trump represents the worst.”