Jon Gruden, Trump Donald, president, racist

by Daniel Johnson

September 2, 2025

Trump Says Disgraced, Bigoted NFL Coach Jon Gruden Is A ‘Really Nice Guy’

In his post, Trump included a photo depicting himself and the former Las Vegas Raiders head coach bumping fists as Gruden wore a red Trump hat

Donald Trump celebrated the character of Jon Gruden on Aug. 31, referring to the now-disgraced head coach who was forced to resign after an NFL investigation found that he sent racist emails to members of the Washington Commanders organization, as a “really nice guy” in a post to his Truth Social account.

According to The Daily Beast, in his post, Trump included a photo depicting himself and the former Las Vegas Raiders head coach, Jon Gruden, bumping fists as Gruden wore a red “Trump” hat. The photo likely will cast doubt on an internet rumor that has been spreading over the last several days, a rumor that resulted in a search query with the keywords “Trump” and “dead” in proximity, trending on Twitter. (X)

“Great playing Golf with Jon Gruden — A really nice guy, and true character!” Trump wrote in the post. Although it initially was unclear when the photo was taken, internet sleuths noticed that Gruden’s outfit was the same one he had posted to his Instagram account on Aug. 23, the same day Trump spent on the golf course.

The rumor regarding Trump’s demise originated in part because he has been out of the public eye for a few days–unusual behavior for him– in addition to images of bruised hands, swollen ankles, difficulty walking, and what some believe are mental gaffes.

Gruden, meanwhile, has been more visible recently, having scored a legal victory in his fight with the NFL over its handling of his dismissal from the league. A panel of Nevada judges ruled 5-2 to deny the NFL’s argument that an arbitration judge should hear Gruden’s complaint, and also confirmed a previous ruling by a district court in favor of Gruden.

According to The Athletic, the NFL is expected to appeal this decision, but Gruden’s lawyer, Adam Hosmer-Henner, framed this development as a win for his client.

“We’re very pleased with the Nevada Supreme Court’s decision, not just for Coach Gruden but for all employees facing an employer’s unfair arbitration process. This victory further vindicates Coach Gruden’s reputation, and it clears the way to swiftly bringing him full justice and holding the NFL accountable,” Hosmer-Henner said.

In a 2021 lawsuit against the league, Gruden claimed that the NFL leaked emails containing racist, sexist, and homophobic language “through a malicious and orchestrated campaign,” because “the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell sought to destroy the career and reputation of Jon Gruden, the former head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.”

According to the Nevada Supreme Court’s ruling, neither the NFL’s compulsory arbitration clause nor its employment clause applied to Gruden.

“We conclude the arbitration clause in the NFL Constitution is unconscionable and does not apply to Gruden as a former employee. Nor, in the circumstances presented here, can the NFL Parties claim equitable estoppel to enforce the arbitration clause in Gruden’s coaching contract with the Raiders. Because the NFL Parties cannot compel Gruden to arbitrate, we ORDER the judgment of the district court AFFIRMED,” the judges wrote.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 2, 2025

Nigerians Face Uptick In Denied Entry To U.S. After Unexplained Visa Cancellations

These unexplained visa cancellations is the latest update in the brewing immigration issues between Nigeria and the United States.

Many Nigerians with valid U.S. visas are suddenly facing denied entry into America.

However, the news of these visa cancellations has remained relatively under the radar. According to Business Insider Africa, Nigerian citizens have faced refusals at the border without any prior warning that their visas are at risk.

Many Nigerians, whose work ranges from business to entertainment, as well as those with family in the States, have had their visas pulled with no explanation. According to reports, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria was able to annul these documents based on unspecified new information, a move authorized under Title 22 CFR Section 41.122.

The growing number of unexplained cancellations has already caught the attention of numerous visa holders. One traveler, Olufemi Soneye, former chief corporate communications officer of Nigeria’s national oil company, the NNPC Ltd., detailed the unexpected ordeal many encountered on their way to America.

Soneye emphasized the “humiliation” felt when visa holders saw a typically ordinary process become a frightening realization. He also noted immigration authorities detained some before returning to Nigeria.

“Each had to abruptly cancel engagements, refund tickets, and explain to partners abroad why they could no longer show up. In some cases, the humiliation has been unbearable: travelers discovering at the airport, sometimes even at boarding gates, that their visas had been quietly invalidated,” he shared to The Cable, as reported by BI Africa.

However, options to resolve the invalid visas remain limited. With no formal appeal process available, Nigerian travelers can only reapply, a time-consuming and costly endeavor that may deter many from trying. This uptick in visa revocations severely impacts African students studying in the United States, many of whom have been encouraged to limit travel as this uncertainty wages on.

The news comes as the U.S. has already placed visa limits on African travelers, citing security and immigration concerns. Under Trump’s new foreign travel policies, Nigerians seeking to enter the U.S. face restrictions to three-month, single-entry visas, an update previously covered on BLACK ENTERPRISE.

These visa cancellations could also jeopardize Nigerian businessmen’s prospects and ventures in the global markets, as well as those who have already put down professional and personal roots in America, especially since these entry refusals remain unrecognized by U.S. officials. Disgruntled Nigerian travelers feel subjected to targeted policing, furthering tensions between the two countries.

“For many, this is not just about stamps on a passport,” continued Soneye. “These visas are lifelines for education, family reunions, medical treatment, and critical business. To have them snatched away without explanation is to leave lives suspended in confusion and despair.”

In the meantime, Nigerian travelers and international students remain cautious about their international travel as they navigate these regulations under Trump.

by Daniel Johnson

September 1, 2025

U.S. Olympic Fencer Curtis McDowald Suspended For 5 Years

This is just the latest scandal involving USA Fencing in recent years.

Curtis McDowald, one of the only Black fencers on USA Fencing’s 2021 Olympic squad that competed at the Tokyo Olympics, was declared ineligible to compete for a period of five years on Aug. 29 after the organization determined that he violated its codes of conduct multiple times.

According to USA Today, this action follows his temporary suspension in 2023 after allegations of his misconduct were made known to the governing body of the United States Olympic fencing team.

His behavior, at that time, including at least one report that he kicked a freestanding banner, put the team’s chances of qualifying for the Paris Olympics in jeopardy during the Pan-American Senior Games.

Ex-U.S. Olympic fencer Curtis McDowald suspended for five years https://t.co/5HhsuJSmVr
— Juan José Sayago (@jjsayago) August 30, 2025

The suspension of McDowell, who will become eligible for retirement once his suspension ends, is just the latest scandal that has involved USA Fencing.

As The New York Times reported, a few months ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, international saber fencing was plagued by questions regarding refereeing, accusations of preferential treatment, and concerns from the sport’s top players and coaches that the web of connections in the sport plays an outsized role in determining who competes.

USA Fencing, in particular, suspended two of its officials for communicating with each other during an Olympic qualifying tournament in California.

This was preceded by sexual assault allegations against épéeist Alen Hadžić in 2021 and an open investigation of him by the US Center for SafeSport, the sport’s independent watchdog organization.

Despite those issues, USA Fencing allowed him to compete in 2021’s Tokyo Olympics as an alternate, a move that drew considerable outrage and comparisons to the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal that had engulfed the Women’s USA Gymnastics team.

More recently, USA Fencing found itself at the center of a controversy, when 31-year-old Stephanie Turner refused to compete against Red Sullivan, a 19-year-old trans woman, allegedly telling her, “I respect you a lot, but this is a women’s event. I am a woman and you’re a man. I will not fence you.”

Turner’s refusal to compete against Sullivan put the issue in front of Congress.

by Mary Spiller

September 1, 2025

Delta Airlines To Pay $79 Million Settlement Over 2020 Jet Fuel Dump Over L.A. Schools

The Boeing 777-200 aircraft dumped around 15,000 gallons of jet fuel on Cudahy, a neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Delta Air Lines has agreed to a $79 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit stemming from a 2020 incident in which one of its aircraft released thousands of gallons of jet fuel over neighborhoods and schoolyards in southeast Los Angeles County, the Associated Press reports.

The lawsuit dates back to Jan. 14, 2020, when a Boeing 777-200 bound for Shanghai was forced to return to Los Angeles International Airport shortly after takeoff due to engine trouble. As the plane circled back, it dumped roughly 15,000 gallons of fuel to meet landing weight requirements. The aircraft landed safely.

L.A. County firefighters responded to schools in Cudahy, where nearly 60 children and teachers were treated on-site for minor skin and lung irritation. No one was hospitalized, but teachers from Park Avenue Elementary School filed suit.

The lawsuit described Delta jet fuel “drizzling down like raindrops” and “overwhelming” fumes that clung to their clothes, skin, and in their eyes. Homeowners from the same area later joined in a class-action complaint reporting similar symptoms.

In court filings, Delta explained that one of the plane’s two engines lost thrust soon after takeoff, leaving the aircraft approximately 160,000 pounds over its maximum landing weight. Landing with a full fuel load, the company noted, would have risked structural damage to the plane and triggered costly mandatory inspections.

“The pilots decided to dump fuel to reduce the serious risks of flying and landing an overweight airplane on just one engine,” Delta said in court documents.

The settlement, finalized Monday, August 25, resolves claims of physical and emotional harm brought by affected residents and teachers. Delta said the agreement does not constitute an admission of liability, but that the payout was meant “to avoid the legal expenses of a trial and to eliminate the distraction and other burdens this litigation has caused to Delta’s business.”

Lisaraye McCoy, crush, K Camp, Cam Newton

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 1, 2025

Hey, Auntie! K Camp Reveals His Celebrity Crush As Cam Newton Hypes Him Up

K Camp described his long-time crush on 'The Player's Club' actress.

K Camp is shooting his shot at his celebrity crush, LisaRaye McCoy. The rapper and singer explained why LisaRaye is still the ’90s fine woman of his dreams.

The 35-year-old artist visited Cam Newton’s Funky Friday podcast and discussed his ongoing desire for the “gorgeous” LisaRaye. During the chat, he explained how she is “one of them ones” to the podcaster.

The Neighborhood Talk reposted a clip of their candid talk.

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While Newton asserted that her presence could feel “intimidating,” K Camp made clear that he wasn’t afraid to go for it. The two continued their conversation about the 57-year-old actress’s pristine aura, but noted how she may try to treat K Camp like a young man trying to hit on her.

“And when she get to walking up to you and that all white,” joked Newton. “Looking like an angel and got her halo, and she hit you with the ‘Hey, young man.’ That ain’t gonna scare you?”

K Camp’s response: “Hell nah.”

When asked how and if he would introduce himself to The Wood actress, K Camp said “it depends on how many drinks I got. If I’m on some sober sh-t, I’m going to be respectful, you know what I’m saying. But if I’m in that bag, ‘I’m like what’s happening?'”

LisaRaye has been a multi-generational celebrity crush. The stunning actress first turned heads as Diana “Diamond” Armstrong in the 1998 film The Players Club. Since then, she has held multiple roles in film and television, including VH1’s Single Ladies and BET’s The Family Business.

She has not shied away from discussing her dating preferences, emphasizing how she wants a man who can match and elevate her lifestyle, choosing to only date affluent people.

“I don’t know why people are so afraid to say what they always want to really know. Miss me with the small stuff. I’ve lived, and I’m gonna continue to live the way I’m used to because I can and I do!” she said.

If K Camp’s bank accounts meet her standards, he may have a shot at bagging his ultimate celebrity crush.

by Daniel Johnson

September 1, 2025

‘We Are Not Resilient, We Are Indomitable’: New Orleans Residents Speak Out 20 Years After Hurricane Katrina

A recent gathering in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward featured former Vice President Al Gore and New Orleans rapper Mia X.

As the nation’s news outlets cover the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the residents who felt and still feel its impact are not holding back regarding what they felt amounted to an ethnic cleansing of New Orleans’ wards.

As Nola.com reported, a gathering in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, which featured former Vice President Al Gore and New Orleans rapper, educator, and cookbook author Mia X, represented the community’s rage concerning what happened after Katrina. In traditional New Orleans fashion, the rage and sorrow gave way to a second-line procession and street festival.

Gore, a climate change advocate, railed at the connections between the systemic failures of Hurricane Katrina and what he described as the current climate crisis.

“Let’s don’t lose the connection between Hurricane Katrina and the climate crisis, which is still getting worse. And they’re (the federal government) not doing anything meaningful about it. They are tearing apart FEMA after they improved it and fixed some of the terrible mistakes made 20 years ago,” Gore told the crowd. “And the causes of the climate crisis are still continuing to get worse. It is a fossil fuel crisis—and I know it’s tricky and delicate to talk about the fossil fuel industry here in Louisiana.”

Gore revealed that nearly 20 years ago to the day, he was scheduled to talk to insurance commissioners from all 50 states in Louisiana, but it was canceled, something he still hasn’t gotten over.

“Of course it had to be canceled. It’s never been rescheduled. We’ve got to wake up!” he noted.

City Council member J.P. Morell told the crowd that he is “tired of this term ‘resilience.’ Resilience is passive — you endure stuff that happens to you. We are not resilient. We are indomitable. We are a city that, no matter what obstacle is placed before us, we run through it.”

According to Andy Horowitz, the author of Katrina: A History 1915-2015,” the local government’s response to the hurricane was disastrous even though it had ample warning about how bad the storm was going to be.

May the 20th anniversary of #HurricaneKatrina remind us of the need to transform or discard inhumane systems and the need to transform inhumane hearts that disregard and discriminate against people. So many people should be alive. So many Black human beings were dehumanized.… pic.twitter.com/HCDQcUdwEF
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) August 29, 2025

“Government at every level was manifestly, murderously ill-prepared for this widely predicted possibility,” Horowitz told NPR’s Michel Martin. “People were left to drown in their own houses. Even people who had made it to emergency shelters designated by the city found them empty, without any help, any food or water. Katrina represented, I think, such a failure so shocking that it made many people question the promise of American citizenship itself.”

According to The Guardian, in addition to these local policies, what compounded the abject failure during Katrina was FEMA policy, which was directed by former President George W. Bush. In a manner not dissimilar to President Donald Trump, Bush cut funding for the program, leaving it woefully unprepared for a hurricane of Katrina’s strength.

The Lower Ninth Ward, where Gore and Mia X gathered, is one of the areas where the damage unleashed by Katrina still marks New Orleans, which a resident of the area, Burnell Cotlon, described to NPR.

“This is not a third-world country,” Cotlon said. “This is New Orleans. Now, we’re only 10 minutes from the French Quarter. And the people that’s here in the Lower Ninth Ward, they’re still suffering. I lost everything. I had to start life all over. I had, like, 30-plus some neighbors. Today I have four. There’s nothing back here, you know? People forgot about the Lower Ninth Ward. I got to stay strong, positive. But sometimes it hurts. It hurts because when I drive from my house to come here, I remember, they had a store here, they had a school here, we had a hospital here. We had everything back here.”

According to Robert Green, a Katrina survivor, who has been featured in the two most recent documentaries on the hurricane, said it is the way of the residents of the Lower Ninth Ward to honor those they lost as they look forward to the future.

“I’m a New Orleanian. Our thing is commemorative. Our thing is celebrating their lives. Our thing is giving reverence to the people who lost their lives, the community that was lost, and the idea that this community will come back one day,” Green said.

by Kandiss Edwards

September 1, 2025

Mmmkaay!? DC Mayor Praises Trump’s National Guard Takeover

In a shocking move, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser praised the Trump administration for its federal takeover of the city.

The mayor offered positive feedback for Trump’s deployment of the National Guard. This is a sharp reversal in tone just weeks after she characterized his takeover as “unsettling and unprecedented.”

Initially, the mayor resisted federal control of the Metropolitan Police. She joined critics in calling the move an “authoritarian push.” Mayor Bowser also discussed steps of action to block the takeover, in an attempt to preserve D.C.’s autonomy

However, in the past few days, her tone has changed.

At a press conference, Bowser conceded that the influx of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops had yielded results. According to statistics, carjackings were down 87%, and violent crime dropped 45%.

“We know that when carjackings go down, when use of guns goes down, when homicides or robberies go down, neighborhoods feel safer and are safer, so this surge has been important to us,” said Bowser

Still, the mayor expressed concerns over other tactics.

“I am devastated by people living in fear,” she said. “I think you know very clearly how I feel about our nation needing comprehensive immigration reform, about the Congress establishing a pathway to citizenship for hard-working people who came to this country for a better life and who are not criminals, who are law-abiding.”

While Mayor Bowser is softening to the national guard occupation, other political figures are stating their frustration with the situation.

“…it’s completely performative,” said Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in an interview with ABC’s This Week.

“He is simply using honorable men and women as pawns to distract us from his policies, which continue to drive up unemployment and strip away health care and food assistance from those who need it most,” Moore continued.

D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb also called the occupation “unnecessary and unlawful.”

“The Administration’s actions are unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful. There is no crime emergency in the District of Columbia. Violent crime… is down another 26% so far this year,” Schwalb said.

Many onlookers are questioning the sharp reversal of Bowser. For many, the National Guard’s presence in the state is unsustainable, making resisting a federal takeover a more pressing issue.

Trick Daddy, Miami,, restaurant, Sunday Eatery

by Kandiss Edwards

September 1, 2025

‘You Don’t Know Nann’ About Trick Daddy’s New Restaurant ‘Sunday’s Eatery’ In Miami Gardens

Rapper Trick Daddy, real name Maurice Young, is expanding his portfolio with a second location of his restaurant 'Sunday’s Eatery.'

Rapper Trick Daddy, real name Maurice Young, is expanding his portfolio with a second location of his restaurant, Sunday’s Eatery.

Sunday’s Eatery’s new location, in Broward County, Florida, follows the success of Young’s original eatery in Miami Gardens. The new restaurant promises the same down-home, nostalgic menu that made the first location a Florida favorite.

The rapper said Sunday’s Eatery is focused on serving the people in his Florida community. While he could have chosen a location that is already economically thriving, he wanted to choose a location that served his people.

“We could have went to Wynwood. We could have went to South Beach. We could have went anywhere we wanted. … We wanted to go to Miami Gardens to show them that we are still for our people,” Young told The Miami Herald.

Sunday’s Eatery is known for offering Sunday meal recipes every day of the week. The menu consists of soul food dishes popular in the South.

https://www.tiktok.com/@ahmazing.memories/video/7544901631435869454?_t=ZT-8zMnrt3CCg1&_r=1

At the opening, Trick Daddy said, “Where you can get a Sunday’s meal, any day of the week. I’m talking about the starches, your greens, your corn bread and meats. We’re gonna do something different here.”

The new site in Broward is part of Trick Daddy’s continued mission to bring his homegrown Southern-style cuisine to new neighborhoods. His inventory typically features dishes such as fried ribs, Cornish hens (baked and fried), greens, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and candied yams.

In 2019, Customer Chronic Chris told WVSN, “I think the food is excellent. I think it’s a real good, down-home flavor. Everything is cooked to perfection. I like everything. I mean, I’m on his plate eating.”

Trick Daddy remains active behind the scenes, working in the kitchen alongside his brand and hosting ventures, such as his Facebook cooking show, Bleep I Got My Pots.

He has also stayed visible in South Florida’s entertainment circles, blending artistry with culinary entrepreneurship. He told The Miami Herald he has plans to continue Sunday Eatery’s expansion, “Y’all get ready,” he warned. “We coming.”

by Keka Araújo

September 1, 2025

For ‘Lavish The Band’ Founder Ebony Telesford, Grenada’s Spicemas Is More Than Profit – It’s Culture

In a competitive carnival landscape, where bands often vie for the most commercial appeal, Telesford’s business model stands apart.

In the vibrant, rhythmic chaos of Grenada’s Spicemas, where elaborate costumes and booming soca music fill the streets, a quiet revolution is underway. The festival pays tribute to the Caribbean nation’s rich history as a spice producer, with many of its cultural traditions deeply intertwined with the island’s identity. Corporate giants or international sponsors aren’t leading the way; instead, it’s a young, determined Grenadian woman with a simple philosophy: culture over commerce.

Ebony Telesford, the founder and leader of Grenada’s Lavish The Band, has built her enterprise not on the promise of immense profit, but on the love for her nation’s most treasured cultural expression.

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In a competitive carnival landscape, where bands often vie for the most commercial appeal, Telesford’s business model stands apart.

“The goal behind it has just always been about the love for culture,” she said in an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE. Rather than chasing a hefty bottom line, her focus is on sustainability and accessibility.

“As long as the business breaks even for me, I’m totally okay with that,” she explained. “I see it as my contribution to my culture itself.”

Telesford’s commitment to a break-even model allows her to keep a promise that resonates deeply with her people: to keep her costumes affordable for local revelers, ensuring that residents aren’t priced out of their own traditions.

The cornerstone of Lavish The Band’s identity is its unique offering, which Telesford sums up in a single phrase: “experiencing the true essence of Spicemas.”

While many bands sell a single costume for the main parade, Lavish provides a comprehensive, four-part carnival journey for the price of one. This inclusive package offers masqueraders a pass to four distinct events, a nod to the authentic, full-immersion experience Telesford cherished in her youth.

“I knew growing up as a Grenadian what it felt like doing a four-piece,” she said, recalling the marathon of festivities from the dawn of J’ouvert to the climax of the Parade of the Bands. Lavish takes the guesswork out of the process for foreign visitors, while delivering an authentic experience.

The experience begins with a deeply personal tribute: a traditional Jab Jab jump-up dedicated to her father, who was known as the “king of jab.”

Lavish’s version of the centuries-old tradition uses a mixture of charcoal and coconut oil as an alternative to the heavy, oil-based paint, ensuring a more authentic and less abrasive ritual of freedom and rebellion.

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From there, the journey continues with Monday afternoon’s “pageant,” followed by the electric, glow-stick-filled street parade of Monday Night Mas. It culminates in the final, gem-adorned spectacle of Carnival Tuesday.

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A post shared by Anika Alexander (@the.nutmegprincess)

Beyond the front-facing parades and vibrant aesthetics, Telesford’s philosophy extends to her supply chain and creative process. She and her team, including a lead designer and a creative manager, brainstorm a unique theme each year.

For Lavish The Band’s recent Greek-inspired collection, Telesford focused not on the gods, but on the Muses of creativity.

On Lavish’s latest collection, the website says, “The Muses have watched over humanity, guiding the arts, music and storytelling from their celestial realm. But as time passed, their influence weakened and creativity began to fade, smothered by the demands of modern life and the rise of technology. Now, with the world losing its spark, the Muses are summoned one more–reborn and with a new mission: To ignite the fire of imagination and remind humanity that the power of creation is its most divine gift.”

“We pull colors, we pull different elements, the moods that we’re going for, and we give it to the designers,” she explained to BE, giving them “free range” to create within that conceptual framework.

Telesford’s commitment to authenticity is also deeply rooted in her staffing decisions. She makes a concerted effort to predominantly hire Grenadian locals, from the entire road staff to the engineers and, most critically, the DJs.

“I predominantly hire locals,” she affirmed. “I feel like if you’re coming into Grenada to experience Grenada Carnival, you’re not coming to listen to Trinidadian DJs or American DJs. You want to hear what’s happening in Grenada.”

Despite her success, the journey is not without its challenges. Telesford sees her biggest emerging obstacle as being a female entrepreneur in an industry that, while catering to a female-dominated customer base, is still led almost exclusively by men.

“I think I am one of two in Grenada with all the bands that they have,” she noted, highlighting the single-digit number of female band leaders across the entire Caribbean.

Telesford shared a heartfelt message on Lavish The Band’s official Instagram account, thanking revelers and supporters for sticking with the company.

“As we wrap up an incredible Spicemas season, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for bringing your enthusiasm, spirit, and positive vibes to ‘Muses.’ Your ongoing support means the world to us! A big shoutout goes to our sponsors, partners, affiliates, and vendors. Your invaluable contributions have made Lavish the Band shine even brighter. A special thank you goes to our extraordinary team! Thank you for your hard work and dedication year after year.

“To our amazing masqueraders, you are the heart of Lavish the Band, and we thank you for choosing us as your band for Spicemas 2025. Our preparations for the next season are already in full swing, and we eagerly anticipate bringing you the True Essence of Spicemas once again in 2026. 1 LAVISH,” the band’s Instagram captioned.

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A post shared by Lavish The Band, Grenada Carnival 🇬🇩 (@lavishtheband)

As she continues to innovate and adapt to an ever-changing Carnival scene, the reality remains a poignant force in her work, driving her to succeed not just for herself, but for her culture and for other women who may one day follow in her footsteps.

by Kandiss Edwards

September 1, 2025

HBCU Student, Isaiah Hand, Becomes First Tuskegee Airman In 80 Years

Isaiah Hand, an Aviation Science major at Tuskegee University, is the first student in nearly 80-years to earn private pilot’s license.

Isaiah Hand, a 20-year-old Aviation Science major at Tuskegee University, has become the first student in nearly eight decades to earn a private pilot’s license from the university, which recently relaunched its defunct aviation program. In a university press release, Hand reflected on the moment he earned his license at historic Moton Field, the original training ground of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.

“There is no other feeling like it,” Hand said.

The four-year Aviation Science degree integrates Federal Aviation Administration–certified pilot training. The career track offered by Tuskegee’s Aerospace Science Engineering Department was approved by the Southern Association of Colleges in 2024. Approval came after a $6.7 million infusion of federal funding. Students now have the opportunity to earn private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine ratings, and professional aviation licenses.

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Dr. Mark A. Brown, Tuskegee University’s president, praised Hand’s accomplishment as an example of the university’s renewed mission to move forward in excellence.

“Confident, excited, poised, and ready to tackle the most complex problems our world has to offer,” Brown said. “Like Isaiah, our students are excited about our Aviation Science Degree Program and ready to continue the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and serve our nation.”

Titus Sanders, director of the Aviation Science program, said Hand’s driven approach came as no surprise, as the student clearly holds a deep passion for aviation.

“His enthusiasm and excitement for both aviation and Tuskegee were very clear from day one,” Sanders said. “I am not surprised that he is the first of this year’s cohort to get his check ride.”

Hand, a first-generation college student from Tallahassee, Florida, focused equally on excelling in academics and flying with dedication. He opted out of vacation to complete his training over a 12-week summer session. He is already working toward the next milestones: instrument rating, commercial license, and multi-engine certification.

Beyond the cockpit, Hand brings passion to campus life as a euphonium player and section leader in Tuskegee’s Crimson Pipers band.

“Flight, class, band, and then more flight, class, and band!” He said. “It takes time to mature into this mindset and to know your end goal—but it’s all paying off.”

Hand’s accomplishment revives Tuskegee’s storied aviation history and begins its newest chapter.