by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 5, 2025

Black Hollywood Joins Crayola Creativity Week For A Colorful Learning Experience

The initiative will encourage young learners to use their creative skills while educating them.

Black Hollywood, from Questlove to Michael Rainey Jr., will join Crayola for its fifth annual Creativity Week to educate young learners.

Taking place from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1, Crayola will introduce these educational activities to help children grow into vibrant thinkers. For next year’s festivities, several Black celebrities will lend their voices and talents to the multigenerational cause. From astronauts to award-winning artists and sports stars, the lineup will also delight students of all ages.

Under the theme of “Color Inspires Creativity,” these groundbreaking creatives will help Crayola boost engagement in schools, homes, and learning centers worldwide. With sessions ranging from team-building to music, Crayola supports children’s holistic learning in a variety of facets.

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On Jan. 28, Questlove will join illustrator Sean Qualls for an “Embracing Your Ideas” workshop. The author and acclaimed illustrator of “The Idea In You” plans to connect with a younger audience, inspiring them to take flight with their imagination.

Later on that week, “Power” actor Michael Rainey Jr. will converse with illustrator Rob Flowers on the importance of “Empowering Communities.” Rainey Jr. has used his platform before to inspire high schoolers in his local Staten Island community; now, he is taking his efforts to encourage a younger cohort.

As the signature activation of Crayola’s Campaign for Creativity, this week intends to make learning a colorful experience. Each activity taps into the creative potential within and beyond the classroom, fostering critical development skills while embracing unique talents. The inclusive learning activities also aligned with global curricula from the National Art Education Standards to the AASL National School Library Standards.

Alongside its star-studded lineup, it will also provide free access to resources, challenges, and educational videos to help children wherever they are taught.

“We launched Crayola Creativity Week to infuse creative experiences into the teaching and learning of all subjects,” said Cheri Sterman, senior director of Education at Crayola, in a press release. “Creativity is an essential life skill that helps everyone reach their full potential. Educators report that after participating in Creativity Week, 80% of students increased their creative confidence, enthusiasm for learning, and curiosity.

Teachers report that their classrooms radiated a more joyous atmosphere that fostered creativity after joining the program and that they increased their understanding of how creativity improves learning. The impact the program has on students and educators reinforces the importance of this global movement growing.”

Following its jam-packed week of learning, the Crayola Creativity Week will conclude with a global, live-streamed school assembly to celebrate another year of uplifting youth. Registration is available now.

Marietta, city hall, mayor, Sam Foster,, incumbent,

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 5, 2025

Marietta Mayor Incumbent Barely Defeats 24-Year-Old Challenger

Foster had plans to flip the seat from the long-time Republican mayor.

The mayoral race for the Metro Atlanta city of Marietta has ended with the possibility of change on the horizon.

The Marietta mayor incumbent, 78-year-old Steve “Thunder” Tumlin, defeated his opponent, 24-year-old Sam Foster, in a tight race. According to Atlanta News First, Tumlin only won by 78 votes. Poll watchers called the vote at around 1 a.m. on Election Night.

Politicos watched to see if the GOP incumbent could be bested by the much younger Democrat, who had never held office before. Despite his inexperience, Foster had bright plans as Marietta’s mayor, growing to call the city home after attending Kennesaw State University in Marietta.

The IT systems engineer ran on a campaign of lower costs of living, improved public transportation, and increased safety. Foster grew his social media presence to explain his plans to make life easier for those within Marietta, located 20 miles north of Atlanta.

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While Foster lost his first race, his numbers signal a slow but steady shift toward the left in the north Atlanta suburb. If he had won, he would have made history as the youngest Black mayor in Georgia history.

Previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Foster had lofty goals for Marietta, noticing the systemic issues in the city during his undergraduate years. Staying in Marietta after receiving his degree, he fostered community by leading a local nonprofit and attending city council meetings, sparking his idea to run for the top seat.

With a population of 60,972 recorded in the 2020 census, Foster sought to alleviate displacement while increasing accessibility and transparency in city government. Backed by local and national nonprofits such as The CollectivePAC, Candidates for Common Good, and Georgia Conservation Voters, Foster’s campaign proved historic, even though it did not result in a win.

Although politics in Marietta remain relatively unchanged, Foster remains among many Georgia Democrats hoping to carry a blue wave across the southern state. While he did not win, left-leaning voters still made history by electing two Democrats to the Public Service Commission, reshaping the political landscape ahead of the midterms.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 5, 2025

U.S. Virgin Islands Races To Issue SNAP Benefits to Residents

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are on hold temporarily due to the federal government shutdown.

The U.S. Virgin Islands worked overtime to ensure its citizens received partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits before they were temporarily put on hold due to the government shutdown.

According to the Virgin Islands Consortium, the Government of the Virgin Islands used local funds after federal payments were postponed, and officials worked until 2:30 a.m. to issue the checks.

The checks, each covering half of the typical monthly benefit, reached around 21,000 Virgin Island residents, many arriving before their counterparts on the mainland could access similar support. The urgency stemmed from the shutdown’s impact on the United States Department of Agriculture ability to distribute funds nationwide.

“This weekend, we had people up until 2:30 in the morning trying to get these checks out so our friends, our neighbors and our families would not go without the much-needed support,” Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said.

Officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands raced against the clock to ensure more than 10,600 households received their November SNAP payments on time. The action made the territory one of only six U.S. jurisdictions to act on behalf of its residents so far.

Territorial officials say their swift action was driven by both practical need and civic responsibility. Local staff at the Department of Human Services and the Department of Finance pulled overnight shifts. It coordinated across the legislative and executive branches to ensure payments were processed and distributed. It was a notable contrast: while most states awaited federal resolution, the U.S. Virgin Islands acted in advance.

The USDA, handling one of the largest contingency efforts in its history, expected to use around $5 billion from emergency funds—still short of the full $8 billion monthly need.

Analysts and local advocates say the territorial response offers a blueprint for what proactive policy and local-state coordination can achieve when federal support lags. Applications of this model may become more relevant as the shutdown drags on and gaps in national coverage widen.

Sherri Shepherd, Hollywood, star, Hollywood Walk Of Fame, The Sherri Show, women of power summit, imposter syndrome

by Kandiss Edwards

November 5, 2025

Daytime Queen Sherri Shepherd Receives Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Shepherd's resume spans multiple mediums including daytime television, stand-up comedy and film.

On Nov. 3, Sherri Shepherd received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Shepherd received the honor after a three-decade-long career in entertainment. Her resume spans multiple media, including daytime television, stand-up comedy, and film.

The ceremony took place outside the W Hollywood Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard, where Shepherd accepted the honor in the Television category due to her multiple hosting appearances. The comedienne spent seven years as co-host of The View, three years hosting Dish Nation, and in 2023 launched her syndicated daytime talk show Sherri.

During her acceptance speech, Shepherd extended her thanks to her support system throughout her 30 years in the industry.

“This is for anyone who ever believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” she said. “To my family, thank you for holding my hand on days I couldn’t lift my own.”

While confident in her career and choices now, Shepherd has not always been so sure of herself. In 2023, the actress sat down with BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Ashlei Stevens at the BE Woman of Power Summit to discuss her journey.

“Being confident is a lesson that I’ve learned in life,” she said. “I don’t think people just wake up confident. It’s the falls and it’s the getting back up. It’s the ‘How many times can you get back up?’”

Shepherd has gotten up plenty of times throughout her career, and she says she is all the better for it.

“…I think that God gave this to me at this age because I know who I am, I know what I bring, I know who is watching me, and I don’t think I would have handled this blessing very well in my 30s, in my 20s. You have to mature into the reality of that dream, and I think now is that time,” she continued.

Shepherd has maintained a consistent presence in comedy, acting, and authorship. With the star, she becomes one of thousands honored for making a meaningful imprint on entertainment culture.

The star places Shepherd’s name among the entertainment elite. For fans, her journey tells the story of perseverance and purpose.

In her acceptance, Shepherd made it clear that this star shines not only for her, but for anyone who ever dreamed of one.

Texas, civil rights commission, ICE, Georgia

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 5, 2025

Court Blocks ICE From Deporting Man Who Served 43 Years In Prison Before Conviction Was Overturned

ICE has been barred from deporting a man whose murder conviction was overturned after he served 43 years of a life sentence.

Two courts have ruled that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot deport a Pennsylvania man whose murder conviction was overturned after he spent 43 years in prison.

Subramanyam Vedam, 64, was released from prison on Oct. 3 after his conviction was overturned, AP reported. A legal permanent resident who came to the U.S. as an infant, Vedam had been sentenced to life for a friend’s 1980 death. Immediately upon release, he was taken into immigration custody at a short-term holding center in Alexandria, Louisiana, that’s equipped with an airstrip for deportations.

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is seeking to deport Vedam over a no-contest plea to LSD delivery charges from when he was around 20. His lawyers argue that the four decades he wrongfully spent in prison, during which he earned degrees and tutored fellow inmates, should outweigh the old drug case.

On Oct. 30, an immigration judge temporarily blocked Vedam’s deportation while the Bureau of Immigration Appeals decides whether to review his case, a process that could take several months. Vedam’s lawyers also obtained a stay in the U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania the same day, though that case may be paused due to the immigration court ruling.

On Nov. 3, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that the overturning of Vedam’s murder conviction does not affect his prior drug conviction.

“Having a single conviction vacated will not stop ICE’s enforcement of the federal immigration law,” Tricia McLaughlin,” Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, wrote in an email.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson wrote in an email that “Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S,” despite Vedam being a legal permanent resident who came to the U.S. at 9 months old with his dad, who worked as a professor at Penn State.

Vedam, known as “Subu,” got caught up in the late-1970s counterculture while studying at Penn State, experimenting with drugs and growing his hair long. In December 1980, he asked Thomas Kinser, a fellow son of a Penn State professor, for a ride to buy drugs; Kinser disappeared, and his body was found nine months later.

Vedam was arrested on drug charges and ultimately convicted of murder in 1983, receiving a life sentence without parole. He also pleaded no contest to four LSD sales counts and a theft charge. A 1988 retrial offered no relief, despite defense challenges to ballistics evidence, which the jury never saw — an FBI report suggested the bullet couldn’t have come from Vedam’s gun.

In 2023, Penn State law professor Gopal Balachandran uncovered the report while reviewing the case. Following hearings, a Centre County judge overturned Vedam’s conviction, and the district attorney recently declined to retry the case.

As he sits inside an ICE facility, Vedam’s family expressed relief, with his sister, Saraswathi Vedam, saying, “We’re grateful that two different judges have agreed Subu’s deportation is unwarranted while his effort to reopen his immigration case is still pending.”

“We’re also hopeful that the Board of Immigration Appeals will ultimately agree that Subu’s deportation would represent another untenable injustice, inflicted on a man who not only endured 43 years in a maximum-security prison for a crime he didn’t commit, but has also lived in the U.S. since he was 9 months old,” Saraswathi Vedam said.

by Mitti Hicks

November 5, 2025

Is Rep. Ayanna Pressley Considering A Senate Run? Inside Sources Think So

In 2018, Massachusetts voters elected Ayanna Pressley to represent the state’s 7th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. She became the first woman of color from the state to serve in the United States Congress.

In 2018, Massachusetts voters elected Ayanna Pressley to represent the state’s 7^th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. She became the first woman of color from the state to serve in the United States Congress. Now, she’s considering another first that hasn’t been achieved in Massachusetts: becoming the first woman of color to serve as a U.S. Senator.

Inside sources tell Politico that Rep. Pressley, a progressive member of the Squad on Capitol Hill, is considering a run for the Senate seat currently held by Ed Markey, also a Democrat.

If Pressley decides to run, she will likely face an uphill battle from her own party. Markey, the 79-year-old incumbent, plans to run for re-election. Her counterpart in the House, Rep. Seth Moulton, recently launched his campaign to challenge Markey in the primary and is positioning himself as a new generation of Democratic leaders as the party grapples with a fight between the establishment and newer leaders who want change.

Democrats Grapple With Party’s Future

New York’s mayoral race highlights the Democratic Party’s paradox between left-leaning and Centrist leaders.

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an Independent after losing to Mamdani in the primary earlier this year, and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Centrist Democrats view Mamdani’s proposals, such as fare-free public transit, rent freezes, city-run grocery stores, universal childcare, and higher taxes on the wealthy, as ideologically extreme.

A University of Massachusetts Amherst poll conducted in October found that Markey leads the hypothetical Senate field that includes Moulton and Pressley. Markey garnered 35% of the vote, Moulton received 25%, and Pressley received 21%.

Despite reports that she’s considering a run, her team says it remains focused on reopening the federal government.

“The Congresswoman remains focused on ending Republicans’ government shutdown, serving her district, and effectively fighting back against the White House’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, Black and brown folks, federal workers, and our immigrant neighbors,” Pressley spokesperson Ricardo Sánchez told Politico on Election Day.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 5, 2025

Assata Shakur Documentary In Development With Angela Davis As Executive Producer

A documentary and scripted project on the late political activist Assata Shakur are in development, with Angela Davis serving as executive producer.

Following the recent passing of Assata Shakur, filmmakers Giselle and Stephen Bailey have announced they are developing a documentary and scripted project on the renowned political activist.

The sister-and-brother filmmaking duo behind HBO’s Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television will produce and co-direct the documentary under their banner, Indigo Films, with authorization from Shakur’s daughter, Kakuya Shakur, Variety reports. Civil rights attorney Lennox Hinds, who represented Shakur, has granted the filmmakers exclusive access, with political activist, professor, and author Angela Davis joining as executive producer.

“Assata’s story is important to all Americans as it reveals the powers that divide us and our capacity to heal,” Giselle and Stephen Bailey said in a statement.

The announcement comes after Shakur’s passing on Sept. 25 in Havana, Cuba, where she had lived in political asylum since escaping prison in 1979. Born Joanne Chesimard and a member of the Black Liberation Army, Shakur was convicted in 1977 for the 1973 death of Trooper Werner Foerster during a New Jersey Turnpike traffic stop that left two dead and Shakur wounded.

Sentenced to life, she escaped prison in 1979 with help from BLA members and had been a fugitive, later appearing on the FBI’s top 10 most-wanted terrorists list in 2013. Supporters argue her conviction was based on weak evidence, noting no gunpowder residue on her hands, lack of fingerprints on the murder weapon, and her injuries sustained while allegedly surrendering, along with acquittals or dismissals of other charges against her.

In the 2014 edition of Assata: An Autobiography, Angela Davis wrote a foreword praising Shakur as a “compassionate human being committed to justice” and warned that the FBI aimed “to frighten people involved in struggles today.”

The year prior, Davis called Shakur “innocent” and said her case highlighted the police brutality and racism she and her peers faced at the time.

“Forty years seems as if it were a long time ago; however, at the beginning of the 21st century, we’re still dealing with the very same issues – police violence, healthcare, education, people in prison, and so forth,” Davis said. “People really don’t know the details and are not aware of the extent to which [Shakur] was targeted by the FBI and the COINTEL programme.”

Now, with both a documentary and a scripted project in development, Assata Shakur’s story and legacy are set to reach a new generation of truth seekers.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 5, 2025

Did The NBA’s Draymond Green Catch The Acting Bug?

'I definitely want to continue to get more in that field, Green stated after appearing on the NBC comedy, 'St. Denis Medical.'

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green may be taking steps to pursue a career in acting after he retires from the NBA. He appeared in the season premiere episode of the NBC comedy, “St. Denis Medical.”

According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the NBA champion is looking forward to more roles after his recent appearance in the comedy. In the episode that debuted Nov. 3, Green played a patient struck by lightning. While being wheeled into the emergency room of the fictitious hospital, he is seen speaking with hospital personnel and describing the lightning strike.

“Caught it right in the face,” he stated.

“St. Denis Medical,” which just started its second season, features an ensemble cast that includes “In Living Color” alum David Alan Grier (playing Dr. Ron).

Playing the character may have sparked Green’s acting bug, as he told the media outlet that he wants to continue getting roles after he leaves his NBA career.

“I definitely want to continue to get more in that field,” Green said after practicing with his team on the night of the show’s season premiere. “What I realize is it’s like a practice and the whole team’s got to know their stuff, or it doesn’t flow right. You got to make this all make sense together. I have a role to play.”

Green even discussed his admiration for Grier, whom he says let him “pick his brain” while playing the role of a patient.

“My whole life I’ve watched him on TV,” Green said. “I had the opportunity to walk in the room and play a role next to him, and just sit there in between takes and talk to him and pick his brain. Man, such an incredible experience.”

Fans of the controversial forward may have to wait a while to see him in another role, but in the meantime, if they don’t catch him running up and down the hardwood, they can hear and see him via his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.”

Regina King, ABFF, American Black Film Festival

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 5, 2025

Regina King Named Ambassador Of American Black Film Festival 30th Anniversary

Regina King's 30-year connection with the American Black Film Festival culminates in 2026 as she takes on the role of festival ambassador.

Regina King will take center stage at the American Black Film Festival’s milestone 30th anniversary, serving as the 2026 festival ambassador.

The 2026 ABFF, presented by Nice Crowd, will take place in Miami Beach from May 27–31 under the theme “The Homecoming,” Variety reports. King, an Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy-winning actor, director, and producer, will use her platform to champion the next generation of filmmakers and rising screen stars attending the annual star-studded event.

As festival ambassador, King will greet attendees on opening night and headline a featured “Creator Conversation,” reflecting on her acclaimed career and ABFF’s legacy of amplifying emerging talent and highlighting film and TV projects by and about people of African descent. Her ambassadorship marks the culmination of a 30-year relationship with ABFF, dating back to its 1997 debut as the Acapulco Black Film Festival, where she first participated.

“ABFF has championed countless artists and storytellers, growing into a powerful global platform,” King said in a statement. “What Jeff and Nicole Friday have built over 30 years has made a lasting impact across our industry. Returning feels like a homecoming — a celebration of our creativity, resilience, and excellence. I’m truly honored to serve as ambassador for this milestone year.”

King, an Oscar winner for her performance in If Beale Street Could Talk and a four-time Primetime Emmy recipient for her work on American Crime, Seven Seconds, and Watchmen, follows a star-studded roster of ABFF ambassadors. Previous ambassadors include last year’s honorees, Nia Long and Larenz Tate, as well as Issa Rae, Lena Waithe, Halle Berry, Magic Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Common, Taye Diggs, Taraji P. Henson, Mary J. Blige, Tracee Ellis Ross, Lala Anthony, Regina Hall, Morris Chestnut, Omari Hardwick, Idris Elba, Jay Ellis, and the late John Singleton.

“Regina has been part of the ABFF family since the very beginning,” said Nice Crowd CEO and Founder Jeff Friday and President Nicole Friday. “From those early years in Acapulco to everything she’s achieved since, we’ve watched her journey with so much pride — cheering her on from up close and from afar. She represents everything this festival was created to celebrate — artistry, integrity, and excellence. Having her serve as our festival ambassador for our 30th year is truly a full-circle moment and a reflection of the mutual respect and admiration we’ve shared over the years.”

SYRACUSE,, ALBANY MAYOR, BLACK,Sharon Owens, Dorcey Applyrs

by Sharelle B. McNair

November 5, 2025

Two Black Women Make History As The First Black Mayors of Albany And Syracuse

This election put Syracuse in fourth place of New York’s largest cities to elect a Black mayor and Albany in sixth place.

The state of New York saw several firsts during the Nov. 4 election, including Sharon Owens and Dorcey Applyrs becoming the first Black mayors of Syracuse and Albany, respectively.

Both women secured victories in their respective Democratic races, defeating their opponents. Owens, 62, was elected as Syracuse’s 55th mayor and the first Black mayor in the city’s 177-year history, according to Syracuse.com. With a 40-year career in public service, Owens secured over 73% of the vote, beating Republican Thomas Babilon and independent candidates Alfonso Davis and Tim Rudd.

BREAKING NEWS: Sharon Owens and Dorcey Applyrs were just elected as the first Black mayors of Syracuse and Albany. pic.twitter.com/uY4hRLjFGr
— When We All Vote (@WhenWeAllVote) November 5, 2025

In her victory speech, she spoke to the elders of the community who had waited decades to see someone of her likeness with the opportunity for change.

“To the elders of this community, you who for decades looked to the future of a time when there would be a mayor that looks like you, that comes from your experience, that understands the struggle, that gets the hopes and the aspiration of generations of Syracusans … I’m going to work hard to make you proud,” Owens said to her supporters.

Albany, New York’s capital city, elected Applyrs as the first Black mayor in over 300 years since the town was chartered. She is the fifth mayor elected since 1942, outbeating Republican Rocco Pezzulo with 11,784 votes to his 1,922, according to the Times Union.

In her victory speech after walking out to Jay-Z’s “Run This Town,” Applyrs promised to be a leader who would represent all of Albany. “This is our moment,” she said.

“We earned this moment, and it is an amazing moment.”

The new mayor-elect also has a long history of public service, serving as the Common Council representative for the 1st Ward for six years before being appointed chief city auditor in 2020, and winning the title unopposed in 2021. During her speech, Applyrs thanked those who came before her and were not here to see the fruits of their hard work and sacrifices.

“It’s my turn to do the same — to make sure every young person in this city knows that they belong, that they have a seat at the table, and that they can build a future right here in our city,” she said.

“You don’t have to go anywhere.”

This election put Syracuse in fourth place among New York’s largest cities to elect a Black mayor, and Albany in sixth place.