by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 25, 2025

VIDEO: Man Threatens Lawsuit Against D.C. Authorities Over Racially Targeting Black Residents

Unidentified man seen on video being detained in the street and not being informed of why he was in handcuffs

With the current climate in the Washington, D.C. area being volatile after being sieged by a direct order from President Trump as he has directed the National Guard to take over law enforcement efforts, a man’s video clip of him being detained is making the rounds.

A video clip of the unidentified man was posted to the Instagram account of a group that calls itself harrietsdreams. They label themselves as a Black-led abolitionist community looking out for Black people who are “at risk for state-sanctioned and inter-community violence in the DC area.”

The unidentified Black man is seen in handcuffs between a police officer and an FBI agent, being filmed as he expresses his thoughts on being detained in the streets of Washington, D.C. He claims that he was only walking down the street and was approached by at least 20 law enforcement officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Although he was caught with a weapon, he claims that he wasn’t asked about his magazines for the gun, so he can only assume that they are holding him with the possibility of planting evidence. He was ensuring that those witnessing the scene would listen to his account of the stop by law enforcement officers.

He did state that he was being detained for more than 30 minutes without any of the officers telling him what he was being held for. He has vowed that he will be filing charges against anyone who has touched him in any capacity.

As phone cameras were rolling, he told the crowd, “As an officer of the D.C. Bar, that these officers are violating my civil rights under federal law, and I will be pressing charges.”

“This is tragic. In a country where Black men are being killed by people that look just like this, I was sneered at, I was ignored, and I was not told why I was being detained.”

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No other details were left on the social media posting.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 25, 2025

Woman Receives Prison Sentence After Impersonating Dead Mother In 25-Year Social Security Scam

The fraud scheme started in 1999 following her mother’s death, up until 2024.

A judge sentenced a woman to one year and a few days in prison after federal prosecutors caught on to her Social Security scheme, impersonating her deceased mother for 25 years to collect benefits, USA Today reports.

The daughter of the year is Mavious Redmond of Austin, Minnesota, who fraudulently collected $360,627 by pretending to be her deceased mother to claim Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits. The fraud scheme started in 1999 following her mother’s death. Until 2024, Redmond used her mother’s identity, using biographical information including her birth date and Social Security number, on official forms. When necessary, Redmond forged her mother’s signature and acted as her mother during phone calls and in-person visits to the Social Security Administration (SSA) office.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson labeled Redmond’s scamming ways as “brazen and shameless.” “This wasn’t free money. It was taxpayer money, stolen from a program built on the hard work of Minnesotans who paid in every paycheck,” he said.

After her mother passed away, Redmond called the SSA offices to hypothetically inquire about how the benefits would be terminated if she died. Officials told her that she would be required to notify the SSA of her mother’s death so the benefits could be terminated; however, Redmond never did.

While Redmond’s attorney, Robert Meyers, labeled his client as “not a hardened criminal,” her scheme included fraudulently taking $3,200 of COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments that the IRS processed into her dead mother’s bank account. However, Meyers says this was all out of desperation. “Mavious Redmond’s crime was a crime of opportunity born of desperation,” he said.

“This fraud was not so that she could live large.”

After living with her parents her entire life, the 54-year-old was forced to survive with no support system following her mother’s death. Redmond worked full-time at a local Subway, earning $8 an hour and relying on food pantries, but after her scheme was uncovered, she secured employment at a McDonald’s, working 25 hours a week for eight months. However, once the fast food chain learned of her Social Security scam, she was fired.

Describing herself as a housing stabilization advocate, Redmond moved to the Twin Cities area, living in a homeless shelter and actively applying for jobs.

As Redmond will be on supervised release for a year once released from prison, Thompson says her case is just a small area of growing concern about the fraud crisis within the nation. “Cases like this are part of the broader fraud crisis gripping our state, where too many see taxpayer programs as their own personal piggy banks,” he said, according to KARE 11.

“We will not let it stand. We will keep bringing prosecutions until every fraudster in Minnesota understands there is a price for stealing from the taxpayers.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 25, 2025

Trump-Appointed Judge Pushes For New Majority Black State Senate District In Alabama

Montgomery’s District 25 is currently represented by Sen. Will Barfoot, a white Republican, and District 26 is represented by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, a Black Democrat.

A federal judge, appointed by President Donald Trump, rules that the state of Alabama must redraw its Senate map to include a majority Black — or close to — district in Montgomery, or be in violation of the Voting Rights Act, AL reports.

The current map gives Black voters a lesser chance to elect a candidate of their choice compared to other voters, U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco found that the Montgomery section violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. “As the Legislature considers such plans, it should be mindful of the practical reality, based on the ample evidence of intensely racially polarized voting adduced during the trial, that any remedial plan will need to include an additional district in the Montgomery area in which Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority or something quite close to it,” the judge wrote.

Montgomery’s District 25 is currently represented by Sen. Will Barfoot, a white Republican, and District 26 is represented by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, a Black Democrat. With all 140 seats in the Legislature, including the 35 Senate seats, being on the ballot for the 2026 elections, the ruling comes at the right time and is being celebrated by civil rights advocates. “This decision proves that when we challenge injustice, we can make progress, Benard Simelton, president of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, said in a statement.

Manasco’s ruling coincides with a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Alabama, the Legal Defense Fund, and the Southern Poverty Law Center, seeking to block the state from using the current map for its state Senate election. Two weeks before the judge’s ruling, a federal court ruled Alabama must continue to use a court-drawn Congressional district map until 2030.

The battle over the state diluting Black voting power has been ongoing since 2021, causing continuous back and forth between lawmakers and the high court. In 2023, the GOP-controlled Alabama Legislature drew new maps after the U.S. Supreme Court sided with the judging panel — including Manasco — in finding that the map, which had only one majority-Black district out of seven in a state with a 27% Black resident population, likely violated the U.S. Voting Rights Act.

The ruling comes with some backlash as plaintiffs in the lawsuit pushed for violations against the Huntsville portion of the map, but Manasco ruled that it did not. Deuel Ross, director of Litigation at the Legal Defense Fund, called the ruling “a hard-fought victory for Black voters in Montgomery who deserve fair representation in the Alabama Senate,” but says the fight needs to continue in Huntsville. “The court’s decision recognizes that, even today, the State continues its terrible history of discriminating against Black voters,” Ross said.

“While we welcome this win, leaving the Huntsville district in place illustrates that voters must continue to fight for their voices to be heard.”

As Trump seemingly started a battle of congressional seats after demanding Texas “find” five Republican seats, Alabama State Sen. Steve Livingston, who also serves as majority leader, said leaders are “pleased” with the court’s ruling on Huntsville, but, according to WCVB, is “disappointed by the ruling in the Montgomery area.” We will determine next steps after a thorough review of the opinion in the coming days,” he said.

Alabama’s primary is scheduled for May 19.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 25, 2025

Former New Orleans Mayor Tearfully Reflects On Hurricane Katrina 20 Years After Storm

Former Mayor Ray Nagin led the city in the aftermath of the storm.

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is reflecting on Hurricane Katrina 20 years after the natural disaster hit the city.

Nagin took to the pulpit at Household of Faith Church in Harvey to discuss the city’s handling of displaced residents in the storm. He recalled the days-long evacuation and the challenges they faced to get everyone out, stating that he would tell the “truth” about the situation. According to WDSU, the Church posted his speech to Facebook.

“So I’m gonna tell y’all some truth today. All these documentaries and all these interviews and people that weren’t here telling the story. We ain’t having that, but let me get to it,” explained Nagin. “This is my first time speaking in probably over a decade. After all this happened, God told me to be Quiet and just wait.”

He recounted the city’s success in jobs and entertainment before Katrina hit. He began to tear up as he recalled his own testimony about his experience leading the city in the midst of the storm’s impact.

“It was the largest mass evacuation in the history of this country, and it still is the largest mass evacuation in the history of this country,” he stated. “When I went up [in a helicopter], it brought me to tears to see the city and the region so devastated. Water was everywhere. There were people on roofs crying for help… Some of them were being rescued, but it was just so many of them.”

He added, “The buses started to come. People started to be evacuated, but it took seven days. They can send an aircraft carrier around the world in a couple of days. It took seven days for the last person to be evacuated from the Convention Center.”

He also addressed his controversial “Chocolate City” speech. He emphasized that New Orleans would remain a predominantly Black city even post-Katrina.

“We kept working, and then Martin Luther King’s birthday came up, and I gave a speech on the steps of City Hall,” he detailed. “The Chocolate City speech, and let me tell you, them folks lost their mind. They couldn’t believe I would say that New Orleans would be a Chocolate City again. It had been that from the beginning.”

Nagin was initially commended for his efforts to get assistance for displaced New Orleans residents. However, his tenure later became entangled in a city corruption scandal. The controversy resulted in a 10-year prison stint for wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering.

Nagin stepped away from the spotlight for decades following his political decline. However, he has since returned for the anniversary of Katrina to emphasize the city and its people’s resilience.

Black Conservative Influencer Welcomes Trump’s Call To Send National Guard To Chicago

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 25, 2025

Black Conservative Influencer Welcomes Trump’s Call To Send National Guard To Chicago

A Black MAGA supporter in Chicago is welcoming Trump's call for National Guards to her city.

A Black conservative woman in Chicago is welcoming Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the U.S. National Guard to her city, similar to what’s being done in the nation’s capital.

Danielle Carter-Walters, a personal fitness trainer and co-founder of Chicago Flips Red, believes Trump was talking about her when he recently told reporters inside the Oval Office that “African American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, ‘Please, President Trump, come to Chicago, please.”

“We knew he had been listening to us,” Carter-Walters told the Chicago Sun-Times. “When I saw it, I said, ‘Oh, wow.’ We’ve been asking for it in our videos. Now, he’s doing it.”

Her remarks come just days after Trump reiterated his plans to expand federal troop deployments to Chicago, following the militarized presence in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. While critics argue the president is singling out blue cities with Black mayors, Carter-Walters insists her community urgently needs military intervention to keep its streets safe.

“Yes, I do,” said Carter-Walters, who lives in Marquette Park. “Our communities are out of control. The destruction. The devastation of what’s happening. We are being displaced out of our homes by illegal aliens.”

“I stay on the South Side of Chicago. I’m living the experience. You can’t sit in your car without worrying about being robbed, mugged, shot, carjacked. We definitely need something to be done,” she added.

Speaking with reporters on Aug. 22, Trump boasted his support among Black voters and pointed to his Black MAGA base in Chicago while defending his expanded use of federal troops on U.S. soil, an effort he has claimed is to “crack down on crime” in select cities.

“I did great with the Black vote, as you know. And they want something to happen. So I think Chicago will be our next, and then we will help with New York,” Trump said.

Carter-Walters is backing up Trump’s claim, saying there are “thousands” of Black Trump supporters and even more supporting in silence.

“There’s a lot of us, thousands, silently supporting us,” she said. “People think that Black women can’t be MAGA. People are starting to see there’s a lot of us.”

Trump has called the troop deployment in Washington, D.C., a success, even though most arrests there have been tied to immigration violations. Reports indicate the Pentagon is preparing to send personnel into Chicago as early as September, amid Trump’s claim of having the authority to carry out “takeovers” of cities across the country.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 25, 2025

Southwest Airlines Receives Pushback For New Refund Policy Labeled As Anti-Plus Size

While the airline still permits plus-size passengers to apply for the refund, social media users worry the policy could be deemed discriminatory.

A new refund policy from Southwest Airlines is making it somewhat uncomfortable for plus-size customers to be reimbursed for extra space, USA Today reported.

The airline has updated its “customers of size” refund policy, introducing new conditions for eligible customers to receive refunds. Once encouraging such customers to purchase two seats when booking a ticket and then applying for a second fare refund, Southwest’s policy now says the flight must depart with at least one open seat, both seats should be purchased in the same fare class, such as Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra, or Basic, and the refund request is required to be made within 90 days of your date of travel.

With the new policy going into effect Jan. 27 — the same day Southwest switches to an assigned seating preference — plus-size travelers feel the new policy is sneaky and eliminates the benefits the airline once had, adding complications.

“It seems like a sneaky add-on from a policy that had been around for 20+ years without much hitting the bottom line,” travel influencer and Chubby Diaries founder, Jeff Jenkins, said in a statement.

“I just hope that consumers are aware of this change, and I wonder if plus-size people will skip out on flying with them at all because of them not knowing if the flight is sold out or not. It’s just more anxiety to an already high anxiety experience.”

Some advocates are already banking on supporting a different airline, like Corinne Fay, a writer for a fashion newsletter called Big Undies. She says she only flew Southwest because of their plus-size friendly policy, but that is about to change. “I definitely felt like crying because it’ll make my life a lot harder,” Fay said, according to The Washington Post.

“We’re talking about the difference between spending $400 versus $800 or even more.”

Tigress Osborn, executive director of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, believes the new policy will ultimately harm the airline, as customers can’t afford to risk their money in such a manner.

“They can’t afford to take that gamble,” Osborn said. “We are hearing from a lot of people about how this will literally mean they cannot travel by air anymore.”

While the change is profound for some, social media seemingly takes nothing seriously. As the announcement went viral, users began comparing it to a famous scene in Tyler Perry’s 2007 box office hit, Why Did I Get Married? where character Sheila, played by Jill Scott, was forced to drive to Colorado after being kicked off a flight due to her large stature. When the flight attendant said she had to purchase two seats, her husband, Mike, played by Richard T. Jones, laughed, saying, “I’ve been telling her big ass to lose weight for months now. Glad someone else said something.”

@naveljr108 The fact that the husand is letting her go😵‍💫 #whydidigetmarried #removedfromplane #badhusband #movieclips #moviescene #foryou #viral #fypシ #fyp ♬ original sound – Naveljr10

Other users took the time to express rounds of applause for the airline’s changes. “Good – I was on a flight & this woman was in my seat too, one thigh in her seat, the other thigh in mine! Literally, they had to move me and refund me,” a user on Instagram wrote.

Another user feels the policy is going to get discriminatory — and fast. “Southwest is gonna go bankrupt so quickly. First, they start making people pay for their bags, now this? And why are they suddenly saying plus size passengers have to purchase two seats as if the people who already know that they’re that large have to purchase two seats anyway?,” @theclosetratchet asked.

“Is plus size defined as anyone that they see is big, or is plus size defined as you can’t properly clasp your seatbelt? Because this could get discriminatory real fast…”

However, in a statement, Southwest said the policy is to simply guarantee travelers have the space they need as less than 0.25% of customers request extra seats. “To ensure space, we are communicating to customers who require an extra seat that they should purchase it at booking,” the company said in a statement.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 25, 2025

Shilo Sanders Gets In Game Fight, Cut By Tampa Bay Buccaneers

'You can't throw punches in this league,' Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. 'I mean, that's inexcusable.'

Shilo Sanders was on the verge of securing a spot on an NFL roster until he got into a skirmish in the last preseason game, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave him his release papers, leaving him a free agent, but he may not be going anywhere.

According to USA Today, the undrafted football player was let go by the Buccaneers after they had to get their roster size down to 53 players by Aug. 26. The safety may get a chance to join the team’s practice squad, since they like his presence, although the fight may have sealed his fate.

After Sanders was ejected from the game against the Buffalo Bills, Aug. 23, when he threw a punch at the Bills’ tight end, Zach Davidson, in the second quarter of the contest, Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles was not happy with the incident.

“You can’t throw punches in this league,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. “I mean, that’s inexcusable. They’re going to get you every time. Gotta grow from that.”

By releasing Sanders, the team saved $1,572.

Sanders, 25, didn’t get selected in the NFL draft in April but signed with the team as an undrafted free agent soon afterward. He was listed as a third-string safety before Saturday’s preseason game.

Although no NFL team selected Sanders, he was able to latch on to the Buccaneers when they signed him after the draft. His collegiate stats showed his game capabilities, but no reason was given for him not being picked by any team. He played for his NFL Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, and is the older brother of his star quarterback brother, Shedeur. After Sheduer was anticipated to land amongst the first three picks in the NFL Draft, he dropped and was finally picked in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns.

Shilo played at Jackson State University and the University of Colorado Boulder until he graduated this past summer.

As a free agent, he can go to any team that may need his football skills, although he may stay with Tampa Bay if they decide to use him as a practice player.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

August 25, 2025

The 55-Year Legacy Of BLACK ENTERPRISE Informs Its Future

Celebrating 55 years of BLACK ENTERPRISE is more than just a milestone

BLACK ENTERPRISE is celebrating 55 years, and it’s far more than just a milestone; it’s a testament to a legacy of empowerment and staying power. Earl G. Graves Sr was the visionary who spearheaded this incredible mission in 1970, to amplify the stories of Black entrepreneurs and business leaders when no one else would.

For over half a century, BE has been the definitive source for Black business and economic progress. It was a seminal concept birthed from Mr. Graves’ belief that economic empowerment is the cornerstone of true liberation for Black communities. From its first issue to the evolution into a leading multimedia company, BE has not only reported on history; it has contributed to shaping it.

The next 55 years of BE are poised to build on this historical legacy of empowering Black Americans. Under the leadership of CEO Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., the company has shifted from a print publication to a multifaceted multimedia platform.

The future of BE is centered on maintaining its continued impact in a rapidly changing world. Key areas of focus include:

Digital Expansion: BE is a leader in digital content, including podcasts and video, ensuring its message of economic empowerment reaches a global audience across multiple platforms. This digital-first approach is crucial for reaching younger generations and providing real-time information.
Targeted Events: Signature events, such as the Women of Power Summit and the XCEL Summit For Men, continue to be vital spaces for networking, professional development, and celebrating excellence. These gatherings provide tangible connections and inspiration that can’t be replicated online.
Advocacy and Education: BE remains a fierce advocate for economic equity and financial literacy. Our content and initiatives are designed to give Black Americans the tools they need to build wealth, succeed in corporate America, and scale their businesses, directly addressing the wealth gap.

As “Butch” Graves Jr. himself has stated, the company’s core mission is to empower its audience to become full participants in wealth creation within the global economy. This commitment to “elevating your excellence” ensures that BE will remain a crucial force in the decades to come.

This video provides a glimpse into the company’s forward-looking vision and commitment to economic empowerment. Elevating Your Excellence: Black Enterprise’s 55-Year Charge With Unwavering Vision

by Ahsan Washington

August 25, 2025

These Black-Owned Pharmacies Need Your Black Business

Supporting these community-based businesses is crucial

In towns and cities across the United States, Black-owned pharmacies are doing a lot more than filling prescriptions. These businesses fill a need in their communities. Black-owned pharmacies are keeping a sense of identity alive in Black neighborhoods that big chains often ignore and creating places where people feel culturally supported. However, it’s getting tougher for these Black-owned pharmacies to thrive. Giant corporations are making it hard for them to compete. Supporting these community-based businesses is crucial, not solely for business’s sake but for the wellbeing and strength of the neighborhoods they serve. When we back these pharmacies we’re doing a lot more than keeping a business afloat. We’re investing in the health, wellness, and economy of the community on a whole. BLACK ENTERPRISE is shining a light on eight Black-owned pharmacies.

GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness — Missouri

In St. Louis, Missouri, a city where it’s tough to find a pharmacy in some areas, GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness is trying to change that. Founded by CEO Marcus Howard in 2023, a local startup is about breaking down barriers to healthcare for people who’ve been underserved. GreaterHealth has a commitment to community counseling, a service that is sorely needed in the city of St. Louis. The team behind this Black-owned pharmacy is locally-rooted and deeply invested in the community. GreaterHealth is making a difference in the lives of its neighbors. GreaterHealth is on a mission to fill those gaps in “pharmacy deserts” and make healthcare more inclusive for everyone.

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HOPE Pharmacy — Virginia

Dr. Shantelle Brown brought much-needed care to Richmond, Virginia, when she opened HOPE Pharmacy back in 2019. What sets HOPE Pharmacy apart from the chains is its commitment to the community. The business offers vaccines, education, and a level of service that can’t be denied. HOPE Pharmacy provides care that’s tailored to the people who live in the community, making them a valuable asset to the neighborhood.

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Premier Pharmacy & Wellness Center — North Carolina

Premier Pharmacy & Wellness Center is a North Carolina-based clinic founded by Dr. Martez Prince. The business is one part independent pharmacy and one part wellness clinic under one roof. Since opening its doors in 2015, Premier Pharmacy & Wellness Center has served its community. The business is addressing health issues by ensuring its customers have access to the care they need. It’s an approach that sets them apart.

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Del-Kar Pharmacy — Illinois

Del-Kar Pharmacy has been a constant in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood since 1960. It’s a family-owned business that has been passed down throughout generations. Over the years, it has become a trusted name in the community. Despite the challenges of pharmacy deserts, Del-Kar Pharmacy has successfully maintained its operations, ensuring that people in the area can access the necessary medicine.

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Othello Station Pharmacy — Washington

Othello Station Pharmacy in Seattle’s Othello neighborhood opened its doors in 2020. It’s owned by a trio of guys: Dr. Ahmed Ali, Dr. Abdirahman Tache, and Abdikadir Athur. The pharmacy offers services in multiple languages. It is also independent, which means they can provide services that really cater to their customers’ needs, meeting them where they’re at.

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Lee’s Family Pharmacy — Georgia

Lee’s Family Pharmacy has been a staple of Atlanta’s Southside for over 30 years. Dr. Stedman Lee and Dr. Sylvester Lee are behind this pharmacy. They’ve built a reputation for giving their customers personalized care, which is often rare these days. What sets Lee’s Family Pharmacy apart from other pharmacies is how much they genuinely care about the neighborhood. In addition to filling traditional prescriptions, Lee’s Pharmacy also retails naturopathic and home remedy alternatives. The Black-owned pharmacy recently relocated to a new location in South Fulton. They’re not a pharmacy, they’re a part of the community.

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Economy Drug Store — Florida

The Economy Drug Store in Florida’s Frenchtown neighborhood is thriving. Founded back in 1951 by Howard Roberts, it’s still going strong as a Black-owned pharmacy. That’s over 70 years of serving the community. The Economy Drug Store is right in the heart of Frenchtown, meeting customers where they are. The pharmacy takes the time to talk to customers in person. It’s clear they’re committed to being accessible to the community.

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Altev Community Pharmacy — Ohio

In Cincinnati’s Avondale neighborhood, a new pharmacy opened its doors in 2023. Altev Community Pharmacy is a game-changer for its community. The area had been without a Black-owned pharmacy for years, but that’s all changed now. Dr. Emmanuel “Manny” Ayanjoke is on a mission to make a difference. He wants to make sure people in the neighborhood have access to healthcare services like COVID testing and vaccines. The community has been waiting for a pharmacy like Altev for too long.

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Kamala Harris, Black Voters, Essence Festival

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 25, 2025

Essence President And CEO Caroline Wanga Steps Down After 1-Year Health Leave

Caroline Wanga announces her exit as President and CEO of ESSENCE Ventures.

Caroline Wanga is officially stepping down from her role as President and CEO of ESSENCE Ventures and addressing any “false assumptions” about her exit.

In the early hours of Aug. 25, ESSENCE Ventures issued a press release announcing that Wanga would not be returning to the company, one year after taking a health-related leave. The media brand, dedicated to Black women, stated that the decision was Wanga’s following her yearlong leave of absence.

“We are profoundly grateful to Caroline for her leadership, vision, and unwavering advocacy of Black women and culture,” said Richelieu Dennis, founder and chairman of Sundial Technology & Media Group, parent company of ESSENCE Ventures. “Her expertise in culture, equity, and organizational change has fueled progress across the ESSENCE Ventures portfolio. Caroline has left an indelible mark on ESSENCE and beyond, and we celebrate the many ways she has amplified our mission and impact.”

After the press release, Wanga issued her own statement, which, while vague, confirmed that her decision to leave was already underway ahead of criticism over the handling of this year’s ESSENCE Festival of Culture.

“ImHighlyPercentSure that some missing knowledge has led to false assumptions regarding my leave as President/CEO that predated the activation of operational planning for a significant annualized event,” Wanga captioned a post which included a screenshot of the press release.

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“My holistic career experiences amidst the current socioeconomic climate have NO PROVEN ROLE in the current state of affairs within the company and its supporters,” she added in response to her yearlong health leave.

Wanga, who published her memoir I’m Highly Percent Sure in May, ended her statement by welcoming dialogue about the announcement while warning against any attempts at “defamation” or “disparagement.”

“I encourage debate and discussion within the aforementioned guardrails, absent of sensationalized slander without proof, lies without legal defense, and character concoctions that give way to conviction and correction,” she wrote. “Some have with full knowledge, been demonstrating unsubstantiated behavioral undermining that reflects an inability to defend feedback without backfeeding truth.”

“The ‘defamation’ and ‘disparagement’ smoke that accompanies correlating the uncorrelated ain’t what anyone should want,” Wanga added.

Wanga spent four years helming the ship at ESSENCE Ventures from June 2020 until the start of her health leave in September 2024. The company credits her for guiding the legacy brand through a period of growth, innovation, and in ways that uplifted and championed Black women.

“The opportunity to serve Black women as CEOs of home, culture and community will forever represent pride, to do my best to serve will forever represent courage, and fulfilling my next purpose calling will forever represent conviction,” Wanga said in a statement.