Black Journalists Are Being Laid Off At An Alarming Rate
Layoffs that have swept through news organizations amid a rollback of DEI efforts.
Journalists of color at major U.S. media outlets say they have been disproportionately affected by recent layoffs that have swept through news organizations amid a rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Trey Sherman, a Black associate producer with CBS Evening News Plus, told The Guardian that he learned in late October he was being laid off while white colleagues on his team were reassigned.
“We certainly have white producers, we have white reporters who could have been laid off as well,” a colleague identified only as Mary said in the article. “They had to have known that would not look good.”
“Every person who gets to stay and will be relocated within the company is white,” he said in the video.
Sherman continues to explain that the layoff selection was not based on merit but on familiarity, as his boss chose to keep the employees he’d “worked with before.”
Sherman said that in the months following the layoffs, he began receiving messages from journalists at other organizations who had similar experiences. He also noted many of the decisions coincided with leadership changes and corporate restructuring.
Similar patterns were reported at NBC News and Teen Vogue, where entire teams focused on coverage of racially and socially marginalized communities were eliminated or absorbed into broader operations, with little staff retained.
The layoffs are ongoing and increasingly connected to a political climate that has targeted DEI initiatives. Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, announced early in the Trump administration that the FCC would end its DEI efforts and remove them as a budget priority.
Some journalists cited in the article described the trend as part of a broader effort to diminish newsroom diversity rather than the result of isolated business decisions, saying the layoffs “fell along racial lines.”
Hip-Hop-Artist-Turned-Politician Dupre ‘DoItAll’ Kelly Releases Children’s Book
DoItAll and Khairi Williams release 'You Can Do It All.'
Newark Councilman Dupre Kelly has accomplished many things throughout his life, including a career in music and becoming the first American platinum hip-hop artist to be duly elected to political office. He has now added children’s author to his list of accomplishments.
Along with co-author, educator, and media producer Khairi Williams, the pair has recently released a children’s book titled “You Can Do It All,” a play off his professional stage name and rap moniker, DoItAll from the group, Lords of the Underground.
The two men recently held a picture-book reading and meet-and-greet at the Newark Public Library’s main branch. As they stood on stage to discuss the book’s contents, both men took the opportunity to engage with the audience, explaining why the book was written and how it would help children (and adults).
BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with the co-authors, who explained how the book idea came about and what they want readers to take away.
The book, released in November, follows a young boy who harnesses self-belief and capitalizes on opportunities to achieve his goals. It can be viewed as an autobiography of DoItAll, detailing his love of hip-hop, his success, and his drive to build on that success to become a politician.
Williams explained that he brought the children’s book idea to DoItAll and convinced him to proceed.
“Well, I really was on dude for a long time about doing these memoirs and putting some sort of book together. But I was just reflecting on a lot of stories that he’s told me, peaks and valleys through life, the fails and the triumphs of just life. And I said, ‘Wow, we need to articulate this in a way that’s digestible for children, but parents can read it to them and even take in some of these lessons.'”
DoItAll admitted that the book could only be completed with Williams taking the lead, and that it was accomplished through Williams’ persistence. He explains why they chose a children’s book rather than a regular book or a biography.
“Well, the reason that we chose a children’s book and this platform is because when you reach the babies, you reach their parents, right? You remind their parents. So we wanted to pour into the children because it’s bigger than us. It’s about the youth. It’s not about us anymore.”
He goes on to say that although everyone wants to be an influencer, they wish to inspire.
“Influence is powerful, right? But we wanna inspire, because when you’re inspired by somebody, you are in spirit with them. When you influence somebody, you know, usually you’re not yourself. You’re under the influence. When I have ever been under the influence of anything, I have not been myself.
“We want people to add on, to be greater than the thing that they love, and that’s when you are in spirit with it. So that’s why we chose a children’s platform, because they’re the next generation for real.”
Top 7 Video Games That Rewired Global Gaming In The 1990s
Some video games from the 1990s both entertained audiences and deeply transformed the gaming culture.
A recent report covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE revealed how video games from the 1990s shaped children’s brains. The games appeared simple, but as it turned out, they were complex. Technology paired with those video games established a golden era, creating lasting franchises, the evolution of consoles, and cultural events that remain significant today—ushering in an entire universe of gaming.
Here are seven key video games from the 1990s that both entertained audiences and deeply transformed the gaming culture.
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 was released in 1996 as a launch title for the Nintendo 64 console, thanks to Shigeru Miyamoto’s visionary leadership at Nintendo. The 3-D platformer pioneer transformed movement and level design through Super Mario 64, which established the basic principles of modern gaming. The worldwide distribution of Super Mario 64 through Nintendo’s home console platform established the game as one of the most historically influential video game titles.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Nintendo EAD developed The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998), which transformed the action-adventure genre through its Z-targeting and cinematic storytelling. The Nintendo 64 game launched in 1998 and was later made available digitally through Nintendo services. Ocarina of Time stands as one of the greatest video games ever made and has permanently transformed action-adventure mechanics.
Sonic the Hedgehog
The Sega Genesis platformer Sonic the Hedgehog launched in 1991 through Sega’s Sonic Team development. The game Sonic the Hedgehog targeted Nintendo’s Mario as its main competitor. The game Sonic the Hedgehog launched in Japan, along with the North American and European markets, where its fast-paced gameplay and rebellious marketing helped Sega control early ’90s console culture.
Final Fantasy VII
The 1997 PlayStation release of Final Fantasy VII transformed the role-playing game (RPG) genre. The game developed by Square (now Square Enix) introduced RPGs to mainstream audiences in Western markets. Final Fantasy VII started in Japan before becoming a worldwide commercial success. The game’s storytelling, together with its FMV cutscenes and vast world, expanded RPG expectations.
GoldenEye 007
The first-person shooter gameplay of GoldenEye 007, developed by Rare, transformed console multiplayer gaming. The game debuted in 1997 on Nintendo 64 and focused on worldwide markets, including North America and Europe. The game’s four-player split-screen mode established itself as a defining feature of ’90s gaming culture.
Street Fighter II
The competitive fighting game Street Fighter II was developed by Capcom to transform the e-sports industry. The game first appeared in arcades in 1991, before home console versions were launched in Japan and subsequently spread globally. The fighting game culture was influenced by the game’s character roster, combo system, and competitive structure.
Pokémon Red & Blue
The Game Freak-developed Nintendo-published Pokémon Red and Blue launched in Japan in 1996 and reached North America in 1998. The monster-catching RPGs started their generational phenomenon on the Game Boy handheld platform. The games launched one of the most successful media franchises worldwide, which includes TV shows and trading cards.
Reid shared a video made by social media creator Khalil Greene that claims “Jingle Bells” has a racist origin. The headlines have largely focused on Reid and whether or not she is participating in the “attack on Christmas.” Yet, Greene’s video offered more than a blanket statement. In the Instagram post, Greene traced the song’s origins and its creator. He created multiple visual backdrops and captions accompanied by a slow version of “Jingle Bells” in the background.
Greene explored the minstrel entertainment period and the song’s composer, James Lord Pierpont. Coupled together, Greene’s assertions seem to be supported. The video references academic research that examines how “Jingle Bells” was first performed publicly in the mid-1800s.
The discussion stems from “The Story I Must Tell: ‘Jingle Bells’ in the Minstrel Repertoire,” written by historian Kyna Hamill and published in TheatreSurvey, a peer-reviewed journal from Cambridge University Press.
Hamill asserted that the song debuted in 1857 at Ordway Hall in Boston during a minstrel show.
“The song was first performed in blackface,” Hamill wrote. The article added that minstrel shows of the era were performed by white entertainers who wore blackface and presented caricatures of Black people.
Pierpont was involved in minstrel performance culture, which was common in American entertainment during the 19th century. Hamill’s research examined how the song circulated within the minstrel tradition rather than how it is used in contemporary holiday celebrations.
The viral video does not argue that modern performances of “Jingle Bells” carry racist intent. Instead, the claims are made in context with the historical conditions of the time. Pierpont was a Confederate whose other works used racist language, including the n-word.
Hamill’s research has circulated periodically online since it was first published, often resurfacing during the holiday season. However, this new revival of the conversation centers Reid, though she plays no hand in the original video, research, or the conditions under which the song was made.
$70M Lawsuit Alleges Kansas City, Missouri, Entertainment District Blocked Black Businesses Over Fear Of ‘Hip-Hop Crowds’
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for alleged interference with their ability to operate and earn revenue.
A federal civil rights lawsuit seeking $70 million alleges Missouri’s Westport Community Improvement District conspired to exclude Black business owners from one of Kansas City’s most popular entertainment districts.
Local civil rights groups are throwing their support behind the case. Euphoric LLC, UniKC LLC, and The Sourze LLC filed the lawsuit in federal court earlier this year. The suit alleges the Westport CID and property owners used discriminatory practices to block Black-led ventures in the Westport entertainment district. The plaintiffs are seeking $70 million in damages for alleged interference with their ability to operate and earn revenue.
The lawsuit claims Westport’s governing board questioned prospective tenants about the type of music they plan to feature and the crowd they expect. Additionally, the governing board inquired whether the business would attract “Hip-Hop crowds,” allegations that plaintiffs say reflect biased gatekeeping.
Christopher Lee, one of the business owners suing the CID, told KCTV 5, “I paid my deposit. I gave them a concept. It wasn’t good enough,” after he said he met requirements but was denied the opportunity to open his business.
URBAN KC HAS CHOSE TO BOYCOTT “THE WESTPORT” DUE TO ALLEGED RACISM… the Westport Community Improvement District is facing a $70 MILLION LAWSUIT… Kansas City how do YOU feel about Westport?? Are you going to #boycott? pic.twitter.com/fRffAY5AJO
Gwen Grant, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City, said civil rights groups hope increased attention will “add weight” to the case, “she said. “Now, people are going to be watching, and we need to lift this up now before they put even more attention on us around the world,” she said, referring to Kansas City’s selection to host international events.
The Westport Community Improvement District issued a statement responding to the lawsuit and civil rights support, strongly refuting the allegations.
In its statement, the Community Improvement District said, “The Westport Community Improvement District strongly refutes the allegations made by Euphoric, Unikc, and The Sourze. While we can’t discuss active litigation, we are confident the facts will show these claims are without merit. Westport is one of Kansas City’s most diverse and welcoming districts. For decades, people of all backgrounds have lived, worked, and opened businesses here. Diversity isn’t just a value we believe in—it’s good business and a key reason Westport remains a vibrant destination.”
National Parks Ordered To Remove Perceived DEI Merchandise
The national park service receives memo to purge gift shop items that promote diversity.
The Trump administration has ordered U.S. national park gift shops and bookstores to remove merchandise that it says promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
A memo issued last month by the Department of the Interior requires parks to review and purge merchandise from gift shops, bookstores, and concession stands by Dec. 19. If the “public-facing content” doesn’t align with what officials describe as “neutral spaces that serve all visitors, they will be purged. The internal memorandum was sent to all Regional Directors, Associate and Assistant Directors of the National Park Service.
The guidance does not include specific examples of prohibited items, leaving park employees uncertain about what products might be banned. All retail items, including books, shirts, magnets, keychains, patches, and pens, must now be reviewed for adherence to the new rules. The memorandum frames the presence of the undefined DEI items in the context of Trump’s “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Program and Preferencing” executive order.
At some parks that have already conducted reviews, items featuring historical figures remain on display for now. At Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, merchandise featuring abolitionist Frederick Douglass is still for sale. At Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, books detailing the U.S. civil rights movement remain available, the Associated Press reported.
Alan Spears, senior director for cultural resources at the National Parks Conservation Association, told the AP, removing books and other historical material from park stores would amount to “silencing science and hiding history.”
The directive is part of a broader effort by the administration to eliminate policies and programs it says discriminate based on race, gender, or sexual orientation. Earlier in the year, the administration mandated that national parks remove any paraphernalia that casts American History in a “bad light.” Unfortunately, America’s history is indeed complex, and honoring those who survived the brutality of the nation appears to be against the new policy. Referencing slavery or native Americans is no longer allowed on national park grounds. Additionally, attendees are encouraged to call a tip line and report any perceived negative references to America’s past.
Trump Calls Black Female Journalist ‘Very Aggressive,’ Evoking Racist Stereotypes
NBC News correspondent Yamiche Alcindor is the latest in a line of female reporters publicly demeaned by Trump.
On Dec. 12, President Donald Trump called a Black female reporter “very aggressive” during a White House press conference.
Trump was signing a bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team. NBC News correspondent Yamiche Alcindor initially questioned Trump about future actions regarding Venezuelan oil assets.
“It wouldn’t be very smart for me to tell you that. We’re supposed to be a little bit secretive. You’re a very big-time reporter, and I don’t think I want to tell a big-time reporter or a small-time reporter that,” said Trump.
Later in the press conference, Alcindor tried to follow up with another question. The veteran journalist attempted to steer the conversation to lingering questions about Trump’s relationship and newly released photos with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump interjected. “Wait, wait. You have to be nice and easy,” he said. “She’s very aggressive.”
The president’s remark on Dec. 12 follows other confrontational interactions with female journalists this month. Earlier in the week, Trump called ABC News reporter Rachel Scott “the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place” during a separate White House session.
In another recent incident, Trump described CNN Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins as “stupid and nasty” in a Truth Social post. The comment was made after she inquired about a costly renovation project at the White House. Other insults from Trump include calling a woman journalist “piggy” and taking blows at one’s competency by saying, “I think you are a terrible reporter.”
The pattern of hostile and degrading comments enforces Trump’s ongoing dismissive and disrespectful approach to journalists who push back against his chosen narrative. The White House press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump’s public engagements later in the day did not include additional press access.
Black Farmers Reject Trump’s Farm Aid Plan, Calling Program Structurally Racist
Black farmers refuse to repeat the past.
Black farmers will not opt in to Donald Trump’s new $12 billion federal farm aid program due to its racist undertones.
The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association said it is declining the Farmer Bridge Assistance funds, even though it typically backs efforts to assist farmers. The group’s president, Thomas Burrell, called the program “racist” and said persistent discrimination and unequal treatment of African American farmers made participation unacceptable, Action News 5 reported.
“In light of circumstances and events that have happened, over the last several years… culminating in denying African American farmers and the sons and daughters of African American farmers the same rights and privileges, that now the administration says it is going to make sure is guaranteed to farmers in general,” Burrell said in a statement.
The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association noted it has supported federal and state assistance efforts for farmers. The association believes the structure of the Farmer Bridge Assistance Fund program fails to address long-standing inequities.
President Trump announced the $12 billion aid package earlier this month as part of broader efforts to assist American agricultural producers affected by market disruptions and rising costs. The payments are scheduled to begin in late February 2026.
The aid plan includes one-time payments to farmers, with much of the funding directed through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the initiative is intended to help growers of major row crops and specialty commodities weather economic pressures.
Burrell said the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association would not remain indifferent to what it sees as persistent inequality in federal farm assistance.
“Ordinarily, BFAA would not be indifferent to the plight of all farmers,” he said, noting the group’s stance reflects frustration with historic and ongoing barriers African American farmers face.
The decision follows criticism from some Black farming leaders that the new aid package does not sufficiently reach African American producers, partly because many Black farmers have faced challenges accessing programs requiring enrollment or acreage reporting with the USDA. Trump administration officials have defended the program as necessary short-term relief for U.S. agriculture.
7 Must-Watch Series Proving The Power, Range, And Brilliance Of Black Storytelling
These series showcase the diverse and intricate aspects of Black storytelling.
The television landscape across major streaming platforms continues to evolve through the work of Black creators, actors, and storytellers. Streaming networks have opened the market to fresh comedy, drama, thrillers, documentaries, coming-of-age, and daytime soap opera genres.
The increased network investment in Black-centered stories has sparked the development of series that showcase the diverse and intricate aspects of contemporary Black life. Here are seven series that are worth the watch.
‘Washington Black‘
The limited-series adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s novel “Washington Black” debuted on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ internationally on July 23. The series stars Ernest Kingsley Jr. and Sterling K. Brown, among others, to tell the story of 11-year-old George Washington “Wash” Black, who was born into slavery on a Barbados plantation. Wash’s scientific talent leads to a perilous escape and a globe-spanning journey of freedom, invention, and self-discovery. The series received strong early acclaim from critics who praised its ambitious storytelling and visual presentation, resulting in an 83% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Through dramatic storytelling and hopeful historical reimaginings from a Black perspective, the show “Washington Black” presents a unique Black historical epic.
‘The Other Black Girl‘
“The Other Black Girl” is a workplace thriller and satirical series, which debuted on Hulu (U.S.) on Sept. 13, 2023. Nella Rogers works as a Black editorial assistant at a publishing company until Hazel May becomes her new Black colleague. Nella experiences disturbing occurrences as Hazel climbs the corporate ladder, which makes both women face challenges about ambition, identity, and survival in a culture that frequently pushes Black women to the sidelines. The series receives critical acclaim for its smart mix of satire and horror, along with authentic conversations about race, ambition, and assimilation. The show delivers modern Black professional experiences through its sharp writing and strong performances, especially focusing on women as they navigate career, identity, and systemic bias.
‘Harlem‘
Tracy Oliver created the comedy-drama “Harlem,” which follows four Black women in their 30s as they experience love, friendship, career growth, heartbreak, and adult responsibilities in New York City. The series, which aired from 2021 to 2025, shows Black women in a unique way by telling complex, relatable stories about friendship, ambition, joy, and vulnerability. The show “Harlem” is available on Netflix and Prime Video.
‘Beauty in Black‘
The Netflix original series “Beauty in Black,” created by Tyler Perry, features actors Crystle Stewart and Taylor Polidore Williams. The story tracks two women who live in separate worlds: a stripper controlled by a violent pimp and a businesswoman who faces family problems. The drama unfolds through secrets, betrayal, and struggles for power and survival as their paths cross. The show “Beauty in Black” quickly gained popularity, becoming one of Netflix’s most-viewed series during its initial release period.
‘High Horse: The Black Cowboy‘
This three-part series from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions is a defiant and informative reclamation of history, telling an often-erased history of a Black American frontier. “High Horse” features an original score by Raphael Saadiq and is guided by cultural icons. The Peacock series strips away the Hollywood myth of a white-only Wild West. In doing so, it uncovers the stolen legacy of the Black pioneers who built the region, finally centering a history that was systematically erased.
‘The Vince Staples Show‘
“The Vince Staples Show,” a satirical comedy-drama, hip-hop-inflected show, follows a fictionalized version of rapper-actor Vince Staples navigating fame, existential angst, surreal everyday misadventures, and personal upheaval in modern life. Through its blend of dark humor and hip-hop culture with social commentary, the show delivers an unfiltered, occasionally absurd perspective on Black life, fame, and identity. The show suits viewers who want something unusual yet thoughtful and humorous. The second season debuted on Netflix on Nov. 6.
‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning‘
The Netflix documentary series “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” investigates the rise and decline of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Through interviews, archival footage, and testimonies, the series reveals both his powerful peak period and his recent criminal convictions and abuse allegations. The series fosters social dialogue by examining power dynamics, celebrity influence, and issues of accountability and trauma.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 09: (L-R) Skye P. Marshall, winner of the Supporting Actress award, and Samuel L. Jackson pose in the IMDb Exclusive Portrait Studio at the Critics Choice Association 8th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television at Fairmont Century Plaza on December 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Rowe/Getty Images for IMDb)
Hollywood Icons Pose Down In Exclusive IMDb Studio At Black Cinema & Television Celebration
The evening showcased the artistic ingenuity and cultural impact of Black creators in Tinseltown.
The Critics’ Choice Association (CCA) convened the most distinguished luminaries of the film and television sphere on Dec. 9, 2025, for its Eighth Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television at the Fairmont Century Plaza.
The gala, dedicated to honoring standout work both onscreen and offscreen from the Black entertainment community, featured an exclusive IMDb Portrait Studio that captured intimate, stylized images of the evening’s central figures, a spokesperson shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Event honorees, presenters, and elite guests — including Spike Lee, who received the Career Achievement Award, Actress Award recipient Tessa Thompson, and Ensemble Award winners Michael B. Jordan, Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor — stepped into the dedicated studio.
Michael Rowe was commissioned to capture a series of exclusive portraits. The celebrity photographer provided a visual archive of the star-studded shindig.
The evening showcased the artistic ingenuity and cultural impact of Black creators in Tinseltown.
The CCA specifically celebrated those who have driven innovation and broadened narrative perspectives across the industry this year. The event, meticulously orchestrated, cast a light on the growing influence of the Black cinematic and television community within the broader critical landscape. The atmosphere was one of palpable reverence for the craft and collective achievement.
The celebration, hosted by comedian Jay Pharoah, also recognized the achievements of Sterling K. Brown, Janelle James, Samuel L. Jackson, Chase Infiniti, Chris Perfetti, and Wunmi Mosaku, among others. The awards ceremony is scheduled to air exclusively on the STARZ platform in early 2026.
