by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 15, 2025

NFL’s Mack Hollins Displays Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Number Week After Marshawn Kneeland’s Death

"It's OK not to be OK."

A week after Dallas Cowboys player Marshawn Kneeland committed suicide, New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins spread the word about suicide prevention as he entered the stadium before Thursday night’s home game against the New York Jets.

According to Yahoo Sports, Hollins was seen with a T-shirt that had the phone number for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on it. The front of the shirt had “988” written on it, the number anyone can call or text to get help. On the back, the phrase “You are worth it!!!” was written as a message.

As the wide receiver approached the entrance at Gillette Stadium, he turned his body around so everyone could see the writing. Several words were spread out across the white T-shirt: “alone,” “scared,” “strong,” “seen,” “loved,” “happy,” healed,” and “vulnerable,” among others.

“It’s OK to not be OK,” Hollins said as he walked past the cameras.

https://twitter.com/NFLonPrime/status/1989099886067744848

Hollins wanted to spread the message after Kneeland was discovered dead on Nov. 6 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police chase, according to Frisco (Texas) Police.

“I think that this topic, especially as a male, can often get pushed aside, can get brushed under the rug as not for men, not for tough guys, not for, I guess, our gender, sex, whatever you want to call it,” Hollins said after the game. “But it happens more than people want to admit it happens, whether it’s older men, younger men, successful men, poor men, rich men. It happens to all men, and it gets pushed under the rug too much.”

The Patriots beat the Jets, 27-14, to improve to 9-2 on the season.

When the Cowboys resume play in Week 11, they will do so with helmet decals remembering Kneeland. They will also wear special T-shirts honoring their teammate, Yahoo Sports reported.

Mack Hollins shared an important message about mental health tonight. https://t.co/nqGPrLPg5i pic.twitter.com/SujZr2tDHK
— Nicole Menner (@NicoleMenner) November 14, 2025

RELATED CONTENT: Dallas Cowboys Player Found Dead After Police Chase

Chadwick Boseman, deep azure, play, dc, Howard university

by Jameelah Mullen

November 15, 2025

Chadwick Boseman To Receive Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Hollywood is giving a Wakanda salute to our forever T’Challa.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor the late Chadwick Boseman with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“His powerful performances and enduring impact both on and off screen continue to inspire generations around the world,” Ana Martinez, Hollywood Walk of Fame producer, said in a statement.

The ceremony will be held on Nov. 20 at 6904 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, where Boseman’s star will be located.

Ryan Coogler, who directed Boseman in Black Panther, and Viola Davis, his co-star in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, are scheduled to speak at the ceremony. Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, will accept the award on his behalf.

Boseman garnered global stardom for his role as T’Challa in Black Panther. As the first Black actor to lead a major MCU film, T’Challa became a symbol for Black empowerment throughout the African diaspora.

The film grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide. Black Panther became the highest-grossing film directed by a Black filmmaker. He also played the character in several other Marvel films, including Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

After Boseman died in 2020, Marvel chose not to recast or digitally recreate his role for the second Black Panther film. But the storyline did reflect real life as Wakandans mourned T’Challa’s death and vowed to honor his legacy.

Boseman portrayed baseball legend Jackie Robinson in the 2013 sports drama 42. He earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. He also played singer James Brown in the 2014 biopic Get On Up. He received several honors for that role, including the Virtuoso Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, but kept his illness private. He was battling the disease while filming his final movie, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The South Carolina native received a posthumous Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe for his role as the trumpet player, Levee.

by Jameelah Mullen

November 15, 2025

Miners Discover $5 Billion In Gold In Kenya

This could boost Kenya’s economy, but it could come at the expense of some residents.

Kenya has struck gold, literally. Miners in Kakamega County have discovered extensive underground gold deposits, valued at an estimated $5.29 billion, which officials describe as a historic milestone for the country’s mineral sector.

British mining company Shanta Gold Limited confirmed the discovery of 1.27 million ounces of gold at its Isulu-Bushiangala underground project. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report submitted to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) outlines plans for a large-scale underground mine covering approximately blackenterprise.com/78-bodies-south-african-mine-police 337 acres.

“This discovery confirms what many in the field have long suspected, that western Kenya holds world-class gold potential,” mining and mineral processing engineer Brian Mwangi Njoroge told Anadolu Agency. “With the right infrastructure and regulation, Kenya could move from exploration to full-scale production faster than many expect,” Njoroge said.

The project, led by Shanta Gold Kenya Limited, a subsidiary of the London-based company, will use advanced Long Hole Open Stoping technology to extract the precious metal while minimizing surface disruption. The mine’s construction is expected to cost between $170 million and $200 million USD.

Economists believe the mine could boost Kenya’s economy by expanding revenue beyond agriculture and tourism, thereby attracting global investors. Experts also think it will create hundreds of jobs, further strengthening the local economy.

“This may lead to the enhancement of local economic development through job and business opportunities and significant contributions to the government of Kenya through taxes, royalties, and revenue contributions, which are likely to transfer into the local and regional economic growth,” Shanta Gold Limited noted in a statement obtained by The Star Kenya.

However, some critics argue it could also lead to the displacement of residents and environmental damage. The company estimates it will need about 337 acres of land, mostly privately owned, displacing about 800 households. Shanta Gold has identified six potential resettlement sites covering approximately 1,932 acres, giving affected families the option to relocate or receive financial compensation.

student loan forgiveness, fresh start program, idk, forgiveness, Connecticut student loans

by Kandiss Edwards

November 15, 2025

Student Loan Forgiveness Comes With A Steep Price Tag As Tax Credits Expire

The financial liability is due to a change in tax law scheduled to take effect in early 2026.

Borrowers who believe they are receiving federal student-loan forgiveness could face tax liabilities of up to $70,000 or more.

The financial liability is due to a change in tax law scheduled to take effect in early 2026, according to Forbes.

Under the 2021 American Rescue Plan, forgiven federal student loans were exempt from federal income tax through Dec. 31, 2025. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, without intervention, that exemption may expire. Borrowers whose remaining balances are forgiven after that year could be taxed on the forgiven amount.

According to Protect Borrowers analysis, if a loan is forgiven, and the borrower is pushed into a higher tax bracket, their tax obligation could rise to $14,000-$17,000 or more. The headline figure of $70,000 reflects average loan forgiveness for low-income borrowers under Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans.

On Nov. 10, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other colleagues warned that the expiration of the cuts would adversely impact Americans. Sen. Warren and a group of Democratic lawmakers have urged the Treasury Department and IRS to deploy existing legal authorities.

“If neither the Trump administration nor the Republican-controlled Congress acts soon, families who earn student debt cancellation after paying their loans for decades will be hit with surprise tax hikes — as high as $10,000 in many cases — starting next tax year.”

The risk is especially acute for Black and Latina women, who entered repayment with higher balances. Black and Latina women are a large demographic in defaulted loans that are compounding interest daily.

The legislative clock is running. Congress must act to extend the tax exemption beyond 2025, or borrowers may essentially be handed a debt-forgiveness program that ends up inflating their debt.

Advocacy group Protect Borrowers estimates that a family earning around $50,000 that receives cancellation under an income-driven repayment plan could face additional federal tax liabilities between $5,800 and $10,000, Business Insider reported.

Until Congress acts, borrowers are advised to confirm the timing of their cancellation eligibility and consider tax-planning strategies, as 1.3 million borrowers could reach forgiveness after 2025 and face the tax hit.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 14, 2025

Questlove Teases Posthumous D’Angelo Album

The Roots drummer was both telling and coy.

At the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson hinted that a posthumous D’Angelo album is on the way.

Though details such as a release date and track list haven’t been revealed, insiders say the project was nearing completion before D’Angelo’s death. “With him, it’s always the sound of yesterday, but for the future,” Questlove said. “This record is no different. You’ll see soon.”

A posthumous D’Angelo album might be on the way. Talking about his collaborator and friend’s unreleased music and potential fourth album, Questlove said, “You’ll see soon,” adding, “It’s always the sound of yesterday but for the future, and this record’s no different.” pic.twitter.com/ZCVQ4ZbGWy
— Igor Bannikov (@IggyBanny) November 14, 2025

D’Angelo, born Michael Eugene Archer, died last month at age 51 from pancreatic cancer.

His influence on modern R&B and soul is immeasurable. Fans have waited for new material since D’Angelo’s 2014 album, Black Messiah. The newly teased release is believed to draw from unreleased sessions and demos recorded in recent years.

In September 2024, Raphael Saadiq spoke about his contribution to the in-progress album on the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast. “I’m playing bass, D’s playing; me and D is singing backgrounds. It’s funky as hell, too. It’s like, D is a bad boy. … It’s aged well. Good music ages well,” Saadiq said of the song, which was recorded years before.

Questlove and D’Angelo’s creative partnership spanned decades. The Roots drummer was an integral part in co-piloting sessions for D’Angelo’s debut album, Brown Sugar. He also contributed to the singer’s sophomore follow-up, Voodoo, which has been hailed as a paradigm-shifting album in soul music.

As the singer’s funeral services were private, many were left without a way to celebrate and honor the musical icon. Posthumous releases often walk a fine line between honoring an artist’s legacy and capitalizing on it. For D’Angelo, a perfectionist known for demanding control over his output, the question is, would he have approved the final versions? Fans will have the final say.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 14, 2025

Oklahoma Governor Grants Clemency To Death Row Inmate Tremane Wood

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt granted clemency to a death row inmate on the same day he was scheduled for lethal injection.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt granted a last-minute clemency to death row inmate Tremane Wood, 46, on the day he was scheduled for execution.

On Nov. 13, Wood was granted clemency after a state panel recommended sparing his life, NBC News reports. He was scheduled for a lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester the same day. Stitt’s decision followed an uncommon clemency recommendation from the Pardon and Parole Board issued just a week earlier.

“After a thorough review of the facts and prayerful consideration, I have chosen to accept the Pardon and Parole Board’s recommendation to commute Tremane Wood’s sentence to life without parole,” Stitt said.

It was a rare decision from Stitt, a two-term governor ineligible for reelection in 2026, who had granted clemency only once in nearly seven years before sparing Wood. When making the decision, Sitt said that “this action reflects the same punishment his brother received for the murder of an innocent young man and ensures a severe punishment that keeps a violent offender off the streets forever.”

Wood was sentenced to death for his alleged role in the stabbing of Ronnie Wipf, a 19-year-old migrant farmworker from Montana, during a failed robbery at a north Oklahoma City hotel on New Year’s Day 2002. Wood has denied killing Wipf.

“I’m not a monster. I’m not a killer,” Wood told the board via a video link from prison. “I never was, and I never have been.”

After his sentence was commuted and he met with his attorneys, guards found Wood unresponsive in his cell during a routine check. Prison officials said dehydration and stress caused the medical event, and Wood was stable and alert on the day he received clemency. In a recorded interview released by the Department of Corrections, Wood told spokesperson Kay Thompson that he was alone in his cell, went to lie down, and believes he may have rolled off his bunk after losing consciousness.

“I didn’t have all my senses,” Wood said in the recording. “I woke up in the infirmary with my head busted and my lip busted, and that’s pretty much it right there.”

Wood acknowledged he hadn’t eaten before his scheduled execution but said he made no attempt to harm himself. He also thanked the governor for granting clemency.

“Tell Gov. Stitt I said ‘thank you,'” he said.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 14, 2025

Federal Judge Won’t Toss Out Assault Charges Against NJ Rep. LaMonica McIver

On Nov. 13, U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper declined to dismiss two of the three charges against McIver, the first-term Democrat accused of assaulting federal officers during a chaotic clash outside an immigration detention center in May. Semper held off on ruling on the third, pending more evidence, Politico reported.

A federal judge has refused to dismiss assault charges against New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver over allegations she assaulted immigration agents outside a private migrant detention facility.

On Nov. 13, U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper declined to dismiss two of the three charges against McIver, the first-term Democrat accused of assaulting federal officers during a chaotic clash outside an immigration detention center in May. Semper held off on ruling on the third, pending more evidence, Politico reported.

“Defendant’s active participation in the alleged conduct removes her acts from the safe harbor of mere oversight,” he wrote in a 41-page opinion. “Lawfully or unlawfully, Defendant actively engaged in conduct unrelated to her oversight responsibilities and congressional duties.”

McIver contends the case is politically driven, led by Alina Habba, a former Trump attorney who is now New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor. According to McIver, she’s protected by the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause, which shields lawmakers from liability for official duties.

Her legal team, maintaining her innocence, has signaled that it will appeal after Judge Semper rejected her claim that the jail visit qualified as protected congressional oversight. Semper, a Biden-appointed judge, also dismissed her argument that Trump’s Justice Department was targeting her with selective or vindictive prosecution due to her being a Democrat.

“Even if a presumption of vindictiveness could be invoked in the pretrial context,” Judge Semper wrote, McIver had “failed to demonstrate that such a presumption is appropriate here.”

McIver voiced disappointment in the ruling, saying her case is yet another example of the Trump administration using legal action to target opponents of the president and his agenda.

“I am not in this fight only for myself, and I am concerned that this decision will simply embolden the administration,” she said.

McIver is charged in a three-count indictment with striking a federal agent with her forearm, forcibly grabbing him, and using her forearms to hit another agent, allegations of physical violence that are rare for a sitting member of Congress. Her attorney, Paul Fishman, said McIver and her legal team are “evaluating next steps” in response to legal decisions they believe are “wrong.”

by Mary Spiller

November 14, 2025

HBCUs Confront New Financial Strain As Revenue-Sharing Era Threatens Opportunities For Women Athletes

Leaders warn that roster caps and limited budgets could erode decades of progress in women’s sports—even as schools opt in to stay competitive.

Morgan State Athletic Director Dena Freeman-Patton says the school faced an agonizing decision this year as it weighed whether to join the new structure created by the House antitrust settlement. This unprecedented system will allow schools to compensate athletes directly.
Choosing to opt in helps programs remain competitive in recruiting, she said, but also forces already strained athletic departments to find new sources of funding.

And for HBCUs like Morgan State, concerns run even deeper as roster caps and budget pressures threaten opportunities in women’s sports, which often rely on institutional support rather than revenue.

“When you make that decision, then your question is, ‘OK, where’s the money coming from?’” Freeman-Patton said. “One of the things we were adamant (about) is that we’re not going to cut from what we are already offering to our student athletes. Especially,” she added, “our women’s programs.”

As reported by the Associated Press, more than 300 schools ultimately signed onto the $2.8 billion settlement when it took effect in July. Morgan State pledged equal revenue-sharing pools for men’s and women’s teams. But its athletic revenue—about $21.7 million last fiscal year—doesn’t come close to the massive budgets of power-conference institutions. Female athletes across the country say the system overwhelmingly benefits football and men’s basketball, raising alarms about gender equity in a model with no explicit parity requirements.

“I don’t even see how the spirit of Title IX is kept in place, let alone Title IX at all,” said five-time Olympic medalist Elana Meyers Taylor. “You’re talking about maybe the top SEC schools that can actually afford this. What are the other schools going to do?”

Some schools have already begun cutting sports. Prairie View A&M eliminated its men’s and women’s tennis teams, citing “the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.” Stephen F. Austin attempted to shut down beach volleyball, bowling, and golf before a Title IX lawsuit brought by six women temporarily halted the cuts.

The uncertainty is rattling athletes as well.

“The lack of information is scarier than the settlement itself,” said Campbell University distance runner Emily Pierce. “We just want to make sure opportunities aren’t taken away, especially in women’s sports, where it’s taken such a long time to get to where we are now.”

HBCUs, which operate on far smaller budgets than power-conference giants, have joined the settlement largely out of fear of falling behind. “We’ve always felt we’ve had the short end of the stick,” said Dillard Athletic Director Linda Bell. “We’ve always been able to adjust and adapt.”

Some schools are turning to new revenue sources—concerts, community events, and “guarantee games”—to fund athlete compensation.

Still, athletes like Sydney Moore say the broader issue of inequality persists: “There is a feeling on campuses that there are perks to being a football player, basketball player or a high-attention, high-prioritized sport… ‘Why can a football player go in and get a haircut at any time of the day, and we don’t have applesauce in the snack room?”

by Kandiss Edwards

November 14, 2025

Johns Hopkins Eliminates Tuition To Attract The Best And Brightest

Johns Hopkins says the free tuition offer applies to current and future undergraduates who meet the income threshold.

Johns Hopkins University announced its free tuition initiative for families earning under $200,000.

The free tuition initiative will begin in 2026. Johns Hopkins said the policy applies to all domestic undergraduates. The offer applies to current and future undergraduates who meet the income threshold. Tuition at the Baltimore-based institution costs $63,000 as of Fall 2025.

According to the university’s website, the initiative is part of the Johns Hopkins Tuition Promise, which aims to help the institution find the best and brightest regardless of their economic status.

“By expanding financial support now, we’re continuing our commitment to reduce financial barriers so talented students from a broader range of economic backgrounds can thrive here, without worrying about debt,” the website states.

School leaders say the shift is part of a multi-year effort to expand access and reduce the financial hardship traditionally linked with elite private universities. In a statement to WMAR-2 News, university President Ron Daniels reinforced Johns Hopkins’s commitment to merit-based access.

“This is about ensuring that we recruit the best and brightest students to Johns Hopkins irrespective of their financial wherewithal,” Daniels told the station.

Housing, meals, and fees will not be fully covered, but the university noted that financial aid packages will expand to reduce those costs.

For students in Baltimore and beyond, the Tuition Promise represents a structural shift that university officials say will remain permanent. The school also noted that the expansion was possible due to sustained fundraising, rising endowment support, and institutional prioritizing of access.

“It’s about hope, dignity, and the belief that financial barriers should never dictate what a young person can achieve,” Daniels said.

Johns Hopkins’ announcement arrives as more universities adopt affordability policies meant to increase access and competition. Emory University introduced its own expansion earlier this year through its Advantage Plus program, as BLACK ENTERPRISE reported. Like Johns Hopkins, Emory’s Advantage Plus will eliminate tuition for undergraduate families making under $200,000. The school said the initiative is “designed to reduce student debt and support long-term financial stability for graduates.”

Together, the moves by Johns Hopkins and Emory signal a shift in how elite institutions understand their responsibility to the families they serve.

Detroit, golf, Eastside,, Morehouse,, Earl Cooper,Olajuwon Ajanaku

by Jameelah Mullen

November 14, 2025

‘Let’s Geaux:’ New Orleans Man Creates Virtual Golf Course In Honor Of His Trailblazing Ancestor

A virtual reality experience that connects the past with the future.

Born from his family’s historical ties to golf and his ancestral lineage, Jeff Smith has introduced Let’s Geaux Golf, a mobile clubhouse featuring AI-powered and virtual-reality golf simulators. The virtual pop-up golf courses can bring the game to any setting, including schools, festivals, and corporate events.

Smith credits his inspiration for the tech startup to his great-grandfather, Joseph Bartholomew, one of the first Black golf course architects in U.S. history. Born in 1888, Bartholomew started as a caddy at Audubon Park Golf Course and later worked as a landscaper at various white-only clubs. He then studied golf course design in New York. After returning to New Orleans, he designed golf courses across the state. According to Smith, his great-grandfather built or helped create over 15 golf courses, but due to racism and segregation, Bartholomew often didn’t get credit for his work and wasn’t allowed to play on some of the courses he designed.

Smith says that while growing up, he and his siblings heard stories about their ancestor, who also founded a construction company using the earnings from designing golf courses.

“He was, I’d say, the first entrepreneur I ever knew of,” Smith told Afrotech.

In April 2024, Smith launched Let’s Geaux Golf with help from his brother Errol, who is the company’s chief technology officer. The mobile clubhouse aims to make golf accessible to everyone through portable AI and VR simulators. The startup’s technology includes a handheld device with AI swing analysis that shows where players hit the ball, its trajectory, and speed, helping them improve their swing. It also includes a coaching function that analyzes performance, provides improvement tips, and allows video playback.

Additionally, Geaux Golf partnered with GOLF+ to offer a virtual reality headset that lets players experience Topgolf and PGA courses, along with practice modes suitable for all skill levels.

Smith plans to develop a mobile app that includes golf training, an e-commerce store, merchandise, esports challenges, and community features, allowing players to connect both virtually and in person. The app is expected to launch in early 2026.