Bush, Obama, Virginia, New Jersey, Gubernatorial, Clinton,Trump, luncheon
by Kandiss Edwards

November 3, 2025

Barack Obama Dusts Off Signature Swag In Support Of Gubernatorial Candidates

Obama is charming potential voters while amplifying the visibility of Democratic candidates.

Former President Barack Obama returned to the campaign trail to show support for gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey by condemning the current administration and putting his signature charm to use. 

In Norfolk, Virginia, on Nov. 1, Obama joined supporters of Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor. During his 30-minute remarks, the former president condemned the current administration. Additionally, he boasted about Spanberger’s political track record. Obama highlighted the candidate’s ability to work across the aisle to make progress in Washington. 

“She is willing to reach across the aisle to make it happen. She has shown that she can do it. Abigail is ranked as the most bipartisan member of Congress from the Commonwealth. She’s had bills signed into law by both President Trump and President Biden. That is not easy to do,” he stated.

He also summoned voters to reject what he characterized as the administration’s “lawlessness and recklessness.”  

Later in New Jersey, Obama appeared in support of Mikie Sherrill. The former Commander in Chief says he believes that Sherrill is a candidate who will “stay connected to the people that they were elected to serve.” In his speech, he discussed Sherrill’s “first day” plan, including tackling energy prices, child mental health and education, and tax transparency.

“On her first day as governor, Mikie will declare a state of emergency to bring costs down, starting with utilities. . .As a mom of four kids, Mikie knows what parents see every day….and she’s going to make sure you can see exactly where your tax dollars are going and whether the programs you are helping to fund actually do what they’re supposed to do.”

While Obama encouraged attendees to get out to the polls, he also extolled the virtues of both candidates. He also took a moment to connect with the audience in a personal display of his signature charm. It is no secret that the former president is indeed adored by many. During his New Jersey stop, one presidential admirer made sure to show her adoration, yelling “I love you” as Obama spoke. 

As he is known to do, Obama took the compliment in stride. He accepted the praise, complimented the attendee, and shouted out his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama. 

“Oh, I love you, but hold on. I heard you, girl. Just settle down. I’m here to talk to everybody, not just you. I mean, you look cute. But I’m married. Michelle’s fine too,” he said. 

As polls tighten and early voting winds down, Democrats are banking on the former president’s mass appeal to energize the base. Many are hoping Obama’s willingness to call out the current administration and bolster visibility for current candidates’ platforms, with a dash of swag, will be enough to turn the political tide. Whether it’s enough to turn out voters and counter Republican gains remains to be seen.

RELATED CONTENT: Barack Obama Leans Into Support For ‘Proposition 50’ And California Governor Gavin Newsom

Halloween, blackface,
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 2, 2025

Biracial Comedian Does Blackface For Halloween To Internet’s Anger And Confusion

Comedian Brittany Venti was just one of many influencers who donned blackface this Halloween.

One biracial comedian tried and failed to spark a conversation by doing blackface for Halloween.

The offensive trend has returned as racist influencers used the holiday meant for dressing up to instead upset others. However, the internet refuses to let them have the day, calling out their unjust intentions.

Self-proclaimed comedian Brittany Venti, particularly had social media users confused with her distasteful costume. Venti decided to not only paint her face black, but also use the moment to perpetuate harmful stereotypes against Black people.

She posed in blackface with a box of fried chicken, captioning the image with “When that EBT hit.” Naysayers immediately called out Venti for her offensive costume. However, Venti also identifies as mixed-race, with her identity sparking even more confusion.

“We’re witnessing levels of racism not seen since 1962,” said one X user.

Another quoted, “Imagine seeing your child do this as a black mom.”

While Venti says the blackface was a “satirical bit,” very few got the joke. After receiving much backlash for her post, Venti tried explaining the reasoning behind her controversial costume.

“My costume wasn’t just random -it has lore and built up of drama with the black community especially over the past month,” wrote Venti. “It is quite literally on brand for me to do black face as it is a continuation of a running satirical bit about how the black community is extremely racist to mulattos for their skin color.”

She continued defending her actions to the “woke mob.” She proceeded to call out a false comparison equating blackface to jokes about mixed-race people.

“It’s just really funny how I’m not “Allowed” to do black face, YET they’re ‘Allowed’ to harass mulattos for being a quote ‘black mom biracial’ calling me every name in the book and even insulting my dead parents. But it’s the end of the world if I make fun of it or say ‘Nigga’ -despite being black.”

However, naysayers were quick to note that Venti’s blackness does not give her a pass to be racist and offensive. It did not help that she was not the sole influencer engaging in Blackface, with right-wing influencer Lilly Gaddis also participating in the offensive trend.

Gaddis has referred to herself as “insanely racist” after the internet got her fired from her job after she said the n-word. In return, Gaddis has become a conservative content creator, with both her and Venti using X’s free speech policies to make racist posts as they please.

RELATED CONTENT: Georgia High School Now Under Fire After Visiting Students Arrived To Game In Blackface

Michael Jackson,film, box office
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 2, 2025

Legacy Of Michael Jackson Lives On As King Of Pop Crowned Highest-Paid Dead Celebrity

Jackson's estate has earned around $3.5 billion since his passing in 2009.

Michael Jackson still lives as the King of Pop in the afterlife.

Forbes has declared the late superstar as the highest-paid dead celebrity in 2025. Given his mega-stardom throughout his decades-long career before his death in 2009, his impact remains felt across the music industry.

The outlet confirmed that the Michael Jackson estate has earned over $105 million over the past year. Not only did he take the top slot, but he also earned much more than his fellow late celebrities. Right after him is the former top dog of the list, Elvis Presley, who came in second with $1.2 billion.

“It’s MJ, then an enormous canyon, then everybody else,” shared an estate lawyer to the outlet.

Since his death over a decade ago, the Jackson estate has earned over $3.5 billion, marking his legacy from beyond the grave. Furthermore, he has remained on the list since Forbes started its estate earnings ranking in 2001.

Jackson acquired his immense wealth from many avenues. While still alive, Jackson acquired ownership of his publishing rights and master recordings. In 1985, he purchased the ATV catalog for $47.5 million, worth around $140 million today. That investment flipped to $750 million after his estate sold them to Sony in 2016.

The estate then made another lucrative sale of Jackson’s publishing and master recordings. They made the sale to Sony again, earning $600 million from the 2024 purchase. While the move was against the wishes of Katherine Jackson, the late singer’s mother, it did provide a lofty payout.

In the years since his tragic death, Jackson’s legacy has endured through multiple media platforms. His 2009 concert film, “This Is It,” grossed $267 million, adding to his posthumous cash flow. Another revenue jackpot was in the MJ-themed Cirque du Soleil tour in 2012 and the subsequent “Michael Jackson ONE” Vegas residency.

Despite the controversies surrounding his career, such as allegations of sexual abuse documented in the 2019 documentary “Finding Neverland,” Jackson’s estate has managed to capitalize on his music. His accusers are also seeking hundreds of millions from the estate, as revealed while disputes between his daughter, Paris, and estate officials wage on.

The Tony Award-winning “MJ: The Musical” debuted in 2022 as well to critical acclaim and commercial success, earning $300 million in ticket sales. It spanned multiple productions on Broadway and in London’s West End.

RELATED CONTENT: Michael Jackson’s Estate Says Paris Jackson Has Received $65M In Benefits

Trump, ape post, Barack Obama,
by Kandiss Edwards

November 2, 2025

Barack Obama Calls Zohran Mandani Ahead Of NYC Mayoral Election

The gesture stopped short of an endorsement.

On Nov. 1, former President Barack Obama called New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani just days before the election. 

The call lasted about 30 minutes and included Obama praising Mamdani’s campaign and discussing strategies should he win. Sources say the former President praised Mamdani’s grassroots campaign, calling it “impressive,” according to The New York Times.

Mamdani’s campaign spokesperson, Dora Pekec, thanked Obama for reaching out and extending an olive branch. 

“Zohran Mamdani appreciated President Obama’s words of support and their conversation on the importance of bringing a new kind of politics to our city,” Pekec said.

Obama offered to serve as a “sounding board” for Mamdani. The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist’s campaign seems to be in good standing ahead of the Nov. 4 election. Polls indicate Mamdani maintains a double-digit lead, according to The Hill. The call from Obama could result in a last-minute boost, even without a public endorsement, bringing in undecided voters.

While Obama extended his expertise to Mamdand, he stopped short of a formal endorsement. However, making the call public is a high-profile gesture from one of the nation’s most influential Democrats. 

The outreach comes as Mamdani fights to maintain his lead over independent former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the biggest mayoral race in the United States.

Mamdani, born in Uganda and elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, gained national attention after defeating Cuomo in the June 24 Democratic primary. Much like Obama in his early campaign for the presidency, Mamdani has a youthful coalition and progressive platform. His agenda for New York City includes affordability and housing initiatives that have energized young voters and simultaneously ruffled the feathers of city residents in higher tax brackets.

The timing of Obama’s call coincided with his recent lobbying efforts on behalf of Democratic gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia. That suggests a coordinated push within the party’s progressive wing to consolidate ahead of midterm elections. 

RELATED CONTENT: Kamala Harris Endorses NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani While Highlighting Other Democratic ‘Stars’ 

Meek mill, NYPD
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 2, 2025

Meek Mill Blasts NYPD For Allegedly Drawing Gun On Him: ‘I Thought It Was a Prank’

Meek Mill was reportedly cleared of any wrongdoing after video showed police putting him in handcuffs.

Meek Mill goes off about the New York City Police Department after officers wrongfully detained him the night after Halloween, a move he first thought was a “prank.”

The Philly-born rapper sounded off on X after news of his wrongful detainment gained traction. NYPD officers detained Meek Mill after responding to a call of a suspected weapon in the vehicle he was sitting in. Viral clips showed officers arresting the rapper outside of a nightclub in Manhattan on the holiday weekend.

“The cameras, rolling right? While the cameras rolling, this the level you go through when you youngin’s lack,” said Meek Mill in the video.

After the ordeal was resolved, the “Dreams and Nightmares” rapper took to social media to clarify his role in the matter.

“They just pulled me out the car and cuffed me in front of the whole club embarrassed the shit out of me in nyc ! I’m not scared to go outside without a gun … they had guns in my face for no reason smh I thought it was a prank.”

According to The Grio, a police spokesperson said officers were responding to a report of a firearm inside a vehicle near the area. They confirmed that they stopped three males, including the Grammy nominee, as their car and license plate matched the description.

After no gun was found inside or on their person, Meek Mill and his fellow riders were subsequently let go. However, the incident still left the emcee shaken up, especially given his past with law enforcement.

“They tryna get me…,” reflected the rapper on social media.

Once a convicted felon, Meek Mill has become a voice for criminal justice advocacy. He received a controversial sentence in 2017 over a probation violation for a decade-old conviction. Following his release the following year, he used his experience and platform to advocate for probation reform. Then-Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf later expunged his record for those charges.

RELATED CONTENT: Meek Mill Seeks $5M For Projects, Social Media Users Offer Suggestions

ilhan, Omar, ICE, Minnesota
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 2, 2025

Trump Continues Attacks Against Rep. Ilhan Omar, Says ‘Leave Country’ Despite Being U.S. Citizen

Omar has seemingly remained unshaken by Trump's threats.

Donald Trump has seemingly had enough of Rep. Ilhan Omar and her progressive ways.

The President told the Minnesota lawmaker to return to her country, despite Omar holding U.S. citizenship. Trump lashed out at the congresswoman on his preferred social platform, Truth Social. On his right-leaning social media hub, the President shared a clip of Omar speaking what is assumed to be Somali while writing an unwelcoming caption.

“She should go back,” asserted Trump.

The clip, albeit unverified, suggested that Omar was saying, “Somalia is our home. It is our heart. We always think about Somalia.” According to Politico, when the event occurred remains unknown, but the clip has circulated in right-wing online spheres.

Despite the limited information behind the video, Omar has faced right-wing hate due to her progressive policy views and heritage. Omar currently serves as deputy chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, advocating for policies such as universal healthcare and the abolition of ICE, directly opposed to Trump.

Trump has recently increased his attacks against Omar, even claiming that he asked the Somali President to take her back. His officials have also perpetuated his attacks against Omar’s status as a U.S. citizen.

“You know I met the head of Somalia, did you know that?” he joked to reporters at the Oval Office in September. “And I suggested that maybe he’d like to take her back. He said ‘I don’t want her.’”

Born in Somalia, Omar came to the U.S. as a child after spending four years in a Kenyan refugee camp due to civil war in the East African nation. She became a citizen in 2000 and later served as a lawmaker for the people of Minnesota.

The heightened focus on her status in the country remains alarming to many, especially given Trump’s deportation efforts. However, Omar has stated she feels unshaken by Trump’s threats. She also noted the uptick in Islamophobic attacks against Muslim lawmakers like herself and NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

“I have no worry, I don’t know how they’d take away my citizenship and like deport me,” Omar said on an Oct. 31 episode of The Dean Obeidallah Show. “But I don’t even know like why that’s such a scary threat. Like I’m not the 8-year-old who escaped war anymore. I’m grown, my kids are grown. Like I could go live wherever I want if I wanted to. It’s a weird thing to wake up every single day to bring that into every single conversation, ‘we’re gonna deport Ilhan [Omar].’”

The 43-year-old began her political career as a state representative before moving on to national politics. Omar has represented Minnesota’s 5th district since 2019.

RELATED CONTENT: Rep. Ilhan Omar: ‘Trump is a Racist Tyrant’

Melvin Edwards, Sculptor, Black Resistance, Dies
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 2, 2025

Marcyliena Morgan, Founder Of World’s First Hip Hop Archive At Harvard, Dies At 75

Morgan was an champion of hip-hop as an academic subject worthy of study.

Marcyliena Morgan, the trailblazing scholar and founder of Hip Hop Archive and Research Institute at Harvard, has died at 75.

Morgan was an instrumental figure in the recognition of hip-hop as an art form and cultural phenomenon. Her work as a professor of the study of the music genre led to the creation of the Harvard institution. The archive solidified her own and hip-hop’s legacy within academia.

Born and raised in 1950s Chicago, the linguistic anthropologist uncovered the scholarly nature of hip-hop at UCLA. While teaching about urban speech communities in the ’90s, she noticed her students related their studies to the emerging popularity of rap music.

Morgan initially felt skeptical of hip-hop’s place in higher education. However, she dug deeper into the cultural and sociological ramifications of the music genre. She then discovered how it reflects Black and Brown communities, and the multifaceted roles rappers play within them.

“I developed a respect for hip-hop culture because in spite of all its excesses and some of its deserved criticism from society, it remains a rare place where young black people and brown people are valued and awarded by their peers,” she wrote in her 2009 book, “The Real Hiphop,” according to the Wall Street Journal. “They are treated as gods and goddesses and put on pedestals for searching for and ‘representing’ truth and knowledge and recognizing and being proud of who they are and where they come from.”

Morgan later championed the academic study of hip-hop. She became a collector of certain artifacts as the art form began to merge with fashion. With collectibles from boomboxes, vinyl records, and highly lauded sneakers, she founded Harvard’s Hip Hop Archive and Research Institution in 2007.

As the go-to voice in academic circles, Morgan spoke at conferences highlighting the importance of hip-hop. Notably, she taught courses on hip-hop as it blossomed into the cultural staple it is today.

Morgan understood the nuance of the rap form. She accepted its existence holistically while still marking its impact on people of color, Americana, and, eventually, the world.

“She was saying it needed to be studied, it needed to be recorded, preserved, archived, and analyzed because it was a cultural phenomenon. And she was right about that,” shared Henry Louis Gates Jr., director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard. “It was not only an American or an African American cultural phenomenon. It would soon sweep the world.”

A lifelong scholar and advocate for hip-hop’s place in the classroom and on the stage, Morgan leaves behind an academic profile that supports Black people’s artistic creation and legacy. Morgan died at 75 due to complications with Alzheimer’s disease, with her legacy, the Marcyliena H. Morgan Hip Hop Archive & Research Institute, still standing in her honor.

RELATED CONTENT: The Hip Hop Museum Honors Dignitaries At New York City Gala

U.S. Shock Strikes, Venezuela, Trump , Maduro
by Kandiss Edwards

November 2, 2025

Trump Wants U.S. Military Prepped To Go Into Nigeria ‘Guns-A-Blazing’

Trump claims there is an increase in Islamic terrorism that is targeting Christians in the county.

Donald Trump has instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria.

Trump claims there is an increase in Islamic terrorism that is targeting Christians in Nigeria. He has threatened to suspend U.S. aid to the oil-rich country. Additionally, the octogenarian leader says he is contemplating invading the country “guns-a-blazing.”

In a post making its rounds on social media, Trump said he had directed the Defense Department to make preparations for “fast” strikes if Nigeria continues to allow the killing of Christians.

“The U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now-disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” the post read.

Trump goes on to give an open directive to the Department of Defense (DOD), called the Department of War by Trump, to begin preparations. 

“I am hereby directing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”

The Nigerian government responded swiftly to Trump’s claims. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu released a statement reaffirming the country’s status as a democracy that champions religious freedom.

“The characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians. Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” Tinubu wrote.

https://twitter.com/SaheedOlaSalami/status/1984646297622655410

Trump’s move follows the State Department’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” for violations of religious freedom. 

This comes as Nigeria combats an Islamist insurgency, especially in the northeast. Reports say extremist groups such as Boko Haram have been active in the region for more than 15 years. However, there is no data that points to Christians as a central target for violence in the country, AP reported. While U.S. officials cite the assault on Christians, analysts point out that many victims of violence in Nigeria are actually Muslim.

RELATED CONTENT: Spike Lee Urges African Americans To Come Back To The Motherland In Africa

Black Boys, Maryland, graves, investigation
by Kandiss Edwards

November 2, 2025

Burr Oak Cemetery, Resting Place Of Emmett Till Headed Toward National Register Of Historic Places

The Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council voted to recommend the listing to the National Park Service, which would formally recognize Burr Oak as a site of national significance. 

For many Chicago families, Burr Oak Cemetery isn’t just a burial ground; it is the resting place of Emmett Till and more. It has now been voted on by the National Park Service to join the National Register of Historic Places.

The Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council voted to recommend the listing to the National Park Service, which would formally recognize Burr Oak as a site of national significance. 

The 150-acre site was established in 1927 by leaders of the Black-owned Supreme Life Insurance Company. Burr Oak was created after white-only burial restrictions left African Americans with few dignified burial options. 

In Burr Oak Cemetery’s National Register Report, historian Jean Guarino described the cemetery as “a Black-owned and Black-managed place, built in the face of adamant white opposition.”

For Edward Boone, founder and chairperson of the nonprofit Friends of Burr Oak Cemetery, who has worked for years to preserve the cemetery’s records and repair its grounds, the nomination feels personal.

“This isn’t just about monuments,” he told the Chicago Sun-Times. “It’s about memory — about making sure people know how deeply Black history runs through this soil.”

The nomination outlines Burr Oak’s “period of significance” from 1927 to 1975, highlighting its role in Chicago’s Black life and culture. It’s home to thousands of veterans, educators, and entertainers whose stories shaped American history.

“We looked at so many graves of individuals who were born in 1865 or before, and so we pretty much assumed that there’s a high probability that they were former slaves,” Boone said. “And so we put African American flags on all of their graves during Juneteenth. We think it’s important to recognize these individuals.”

Even as a federal shutdown delays official approval, preservationists say the process itself is a victory.

“It’s about respect,” Boone added. “Every headstone here represents a family that carved out dignity when the world denied it.”

RELATED CONTENT: Harriet Tubman’s Descendant Criticizes National Park Service For Watering Down Underground Railroad Language

Legislation,Florida Museum Of Black History
by Kandiss Edwards

November 2, 2025

Legislation For Florida Museum Of Black History Moves Forward

The museum task force recommended St. Johns County as the museum's location.

A Florida state senator filed legislation Oct. 30 to move forward with the construction of the long-planned Florida Museum of Black History in St. Johns County.

This is the first step forward in what would be the state’s first Black history museum. Sen. Tom Leek, a Republican whose district covers St. Johns County, filed Senate Bill 308 for the 2026 legislative session. The measure outlines the formation of a board of directors. The board would collaborate with a foundation that oversees planning, construction, and operation of the museum on a site. The proposed site is the Florida Memorial University near St. Augustine. 

The bill comes as St. Johns County has already secured a $1 million state appropriation toward the project. The funding will help launch the design and construction phases. Commissioners said the allocation will enable initial site preparation and infrastructure planning. 

The museum task force, established under Chapter 2023-72 of Florida law, recommended St. Johns County in June 2024 as the preferred location, citing the historic significance of nearby Fort Mose—the nation’s first legally sanctioned free Black settlement—and a cluster of African American heritage sites. 

Under the proposed governance framework, the board of directors would include state-appointed officials and community stakeholders and is required to be formed by July 31, 2026, with the foundation accountable for raising private donations and managing day-to-day operations. 

Leek said in a press release that the museum will fill a vital cultural gap.

“I firmly believe that we cannot tell the history of Florida without also telling the history of Black Floridians, which is why I am proud to file Senate Bill 308 in support of Florida’s Museum of Black History,” Leek said. “The museum will be built on the former site of Florida Memorial University, which has historical significance here in St. Johns County, and I look forward to working with our community and our state in furtherance of this significant designation.”

West Augustine Historical Community Development Corp. Founder Greg White called the move “a powerful reminder that Black history is American history.”

If enacted, the legislation would position the proposed museum as a destination for cultural education, heritage tourism, and community engagement.

RELATED CONTENT: Florida Sheriff Defends Posting A 9-Year-Old’s Mugshot, Media Piggybacks Releasing The Child’s Name

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