by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 20, 2025

Kobe Sneaker Commercial Features Natalia Bryant, Jalen Brunson

Oklahoma freshman Aaliyah Chavez makes an appearance

A new Kobe Bryant sneaker is about to be released, and the promotional ad brings together one of the Black Mamba’s daughters, Natalia Bryant, and New York Knicks superstar player Jalen Brunson.

Nike is releasing the Kobe 3 Protro Halo on the late Los Angeles Lakers legend’s birthday, which falls on Aug. 23. The brand touts this as “Nike’s most extensive Kobe Protro effort to date,” fashioning the footwear after the original design that Kobe wore during his 2007-08 MVP season.

The ad shows Brunson walking into a jewelry shop, and as the salesperson suggests certain pieces of bling, he’s not impressed as he is shown several items. As he is looking around the shop, he notices Natalia working on some footwear. The sneaker catches his attention, and he inquires about the shoe.

“What’s she working on?” he asks as he approaches the all-white Kobe 3 Protro Halo.

He reaches for the sneaker, and before he gets his hands on it, Natalia Bryant snatches it from him, saying, “Whoa! You reach, I teach.”

After being questioned by Natalia and the salesperson, he seemingly gives sufficient responses, so they allow him to touch the shoe. To which she says, “You might be ready, but I’m still not convinced.”

When he is ready to receive the shoe, someone walks into the shop. As they look toward the door, it’s the No. 1-ranked high school basketball player, Aaliyah Chavez from Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas, who is an incoming freshman for Oklahoma. It appears that Brunson is about to be challenged.

Certified Clutch.

The Kobe 3 Protro is available 8.23…if you have that dog in you. pic.twitter.com/XrawJ5fIJJ
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) August 19, 2025

“It’s the first time we’ve overhauled the outsole, midsole, and upper together in a Protro,” said Jeni Takekawa McDonald, Kobe Footwear product director, in a written statement. “We listened to wear-test feedback and made real updates. This is a smarter, sharper, better version of an already strong performer.”

The sneaker will be available on SNKRS and at select retail locations.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 20, 2025

William R. Tolbert Baptist University Opens In Liberia, A Game-Changer For African Higher Education

The goal of William R. Tolbert Baptist University is to bridge the gap between academic learning and needs of development on a national scale.

William R. Tolbert Baptist University (WRTBU) has opened its doors for the 2025-2026 academic year in Liberia, providing an opportunity for Africa to make its mark in the higher education space, according to Front Page Africa.

Classes will begin in October 2025 after being established in 2022. Consisting of three colleges — the College of Business Management and Professional Studies, the College of Agriculture and Forestry, and the College of Math, Science, and Technology — WRTBU aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and the needs of national development. With plans to add four more colleges in the future, Tolbert Baptist University offers programs designed to provide students with technical, practical, and character-driven education.

University officials say programs are designed to teach theoretical knowledge in addition to providing hands-on experience with skills that the country desperately needs. With lessons on how to create businesses, logistics, wholesale, and resource management, “Liberians will be trained to take over their economy,” the university said, with the goal of instilling a spirit of leadership in every graduate.

The institution hopes to cultivate leaders not only to advance in their careers but also to be open to building character and the necessary vision to grow the country. “Our objective is to develop sound leadership in our graduates and instill in them the importance of education as a foundation for self-development and national progress,” the WRTBU website reads.

It won’t be hard for WRTBU to reach its goal with some of the classes students are offered. With an emphasis on entrepreneurship, graduates of the College of Business Management and Professional Studies will earn degrees in Entrepreneurship, Port Management, International Relations, Farm Management, and Mining Management.

As artificial intelligence slowly takes over the world, the College of Math, Science, and Technology marks innovation as a priority. Students will be trained in Cybernetics, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computer Engineering, with a stringent curriculum emphasizing modern technological operations, coding, and basic IT skills. For the College of Agriculture and Forestry, “students will be trained to ensure that we eat what we grow and grow what we eat.” Programs will host courses in Agronomy, Animal Science, and Forestry, with the goal of reversing Liberia’s dependence on imported goods.

Students will be equipped with the skills to manage sustainable crop production, animal husbandry, and forest conservation.

The four-year institution is named after Liberia’s 20th president, William R. Tolbert, who was assassinated in 1980. His work as a public servant in Africa was established long before becoming president. He started as a clerk in the Bureau of Supplies at the Department of the Treasury and then served as a disbursing officer for the Payment of the Republic from 1936 to 1943, according to the Liberian Observer.

Between 1943 and 1951, he served as a member of the House of Representatives, followed by being elected as Vice President of the Republic of Liberia under then-President William V. S. Tubman in 1952.

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by Kandiss Edwards

August 20, 2025

Social Security Beneficiaries Will Receive Early Payment Due To Labor Day

The Social Security Administration payment schedule for the month of August shows early payments for many recipients.

The Social Security Administration has released its payment schedule for August. Due to Labor Day closures, many recipients will receive early payment.

Millions of Americans who depend on Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive two checks due to the September holiday schedule.

According to the Social Security Administration, SSI recipients were paid on Aug. 1. As their next payment would fall on Labor Day, they will also receive a second check on Aug. 29. Social Security benefits routinely follow a staggered schedule based on birthdays. Beneficiaries born from the 1st through the 10th were paid Aug. 13. Recipients with birthdays from the 11th through the 20th will be paid Aug. 20. Additionally, individuals born from the 21st through the 31st will receive their deposits on Aug. 27.

The average monthly benefit increased in 2025 to about $1,976. This follows a 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Those who delay retirement until age 70 may qualify for benefits as high as $5,108 per month, according to the Economic Times.

While COLA has boosted payments, some beneficiaries are experiencing reductions. In July, the SSA began recovering overpayments by withholding up to 50% of a recipient’s monthly check. Recipients can file an SSA–632 form to seek reprieve from the overpayment reductions. Officials said waivers remain available for those facing financial hardship, but advocates argue the new rule could create instability for households already struggling with rising costs.

“Collecting 50 percent of someone’s Social Security benefits is very extreme. Most people on Social Security who have had an overpayment have no other income. Taking 50 percent of someone’s income leaves them without the means to survive,” Ashley F. Morgan, an attorney, told Newsweek.

Seniors often use their monthly benefits to cover housing, food, and medical care. Advocacy groups have warned that payment disruptions or reductions can disproportionately impact Black and low-income retirees, who often have less in retirement savings.

Recipients are advised to contact their financial institutions if a payment is delayed by more than three business days. If the issue is not resolved, beneficiaries should contact the SSA directly.

by Kandiss Edwards

August 20, 2025

Ozempic Users Suing For Extreme Side Effects, Many Are Going Blind

Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the makers of the popular weight-loss drug. Litigants cite blindness and other side-effects.

The legal battle over Ozempic is getting bigger by the day. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the diabetes-medicine-turned weight-loss drug.

What started as scattered complaints has grown into more than a thousand lawsuits against Novo Nordisk. The company is accused of being “deceptive and misleading about the true risks” of the drug. Customers say the drug has left them with lasting health problems, from paralyzed stomachs to sudden vision loss.

The individual lawsuits were pulled together last year into a massive multidistrict litigation (MDL-3094) based in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. That move, overseen by Judge Karen Spencer Marston, allows the courts to handle pretrial work collectively, while still giving each plaintiff their own case, according to Forbes.

For some users, the most terrifying allegations involve the loss of sight. A July 2024 study by JAMA Ophthalmology suggested people taking Ozempic (Semaglutide) could be seven times more likely to develop a rare eye disease called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION. The disease damages the optic nerve and can lead to sudden blindness.

“I started seeing shadows in my vision, and then it got worse almost overnight,” said Cilette Mitchell.

Mitchell spoke to the New York Post about her worsening condition and blamed Ozempic for her irreversible sight loss.

“Now I’m afraid I won’t even be able to see my grandkids grow up.”

Others are suing over painful gastrointestinal issues. Court filings describe patients who ended up in emergency rooms with blocked intestines or stomach paralysis. Some say the nausea and vomiting were so severe they couldn’t keep food down for weeks.

Plaintiffs argue Novo Nordisk didn’t do enough to warn about these risks. The company maintains that Ozempic is safe when used as directed. However, the wave of lawsuits tells a different story. Many consumers feel blindsided after trusting a medication marketed to improve their health.

For now, the cases are moving through discovery. Early trials are expected to set the tone for whether settlements follow.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 20, 2025

Temporary To Permanent: Federal Judge Blocks Mississippi’s Anti-DEI Ban Indefinitely

The plaintiffs’ attorneys argued HB 1193 violates the U.S. Constitution's First and Fourteenth amendments by prohibiting discussions of race, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation in classrooms.

Close to a month after U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate awarded a temporary ban on the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ban within Mississippi schools and universities, Wingate went a step further with an indefinite ban on the practice “for the foreseeable future,” WLBT reports.

With a preliminary injunction granted Aug. 18, Wingate’s ruling prevents the ban from being enforced until there’s a final ruling. “(The law), if it lives down to the fears it has generated, has a mouthful of sharp teeth which could inflict deep bites,” Wingate wrote in his order.

In July 2025, the federal judge sided with a restraining order request from a group of plaintiffs, including the Mississippi Association of Educators and Jackson State University, a HBCU, arguing the DEI ban, passed in House Bill 1193, pushes the “preferred views” of Mississippi’s state government on students, educators, and families in addition to violating the First and Fourteenth Amendments. “We are fighting to protect the constitutional rights of teachers and students to share ideas and to receive and exchange knowledge,” a statement from the group’s legal representative, ACLU of Mississippi, read.

According to Mississippi Today, the plaintiffs’ attorneys argued HB 1193 violates the U.S. Constitution’s First and Fourteenth amendments by prohibiting discussions of race, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation in classrooms. With the ban targeting talks and books about the Civil War, women’s rights, slavery, and other topics marked as essential to understanding the country’s history, the argument is that the law is dangerously vague and risks opening the doors to massive complaints against schools and their educators.

A parent with a student who attends Jackson Public Schools said the law scared her, more so for her children. She was fearful that if her kids shared too much about their home life, they might be subjected to punishment. Teachers also pushed that, with just weeks before classes started, professors from the University of Mississippi said the policy prevented them from finalizing their syllabi.

One of the case’s plaintiffs and University of Mississippi English professor Deanna Kreisel called the ruling an “enormous relief,” but knows there is more work to be done in the fight against anti-diversity rhetoric. “It is an enormous relief that the court has sided with academic freedom, free speech, and due process in its recent decision,” she said in a statement.

“The fight is not over, but at least for the time being, the students of Mississippi can continue to learn in an environment free of ideological constraints and partisan censorship,” Kreisel said.

Joshua Tom, legal director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi and one of the lawyers in the case, called Wingate’s ruling pleasing and said, “the State’s attempt to impose its preferred views — and ban opposing views — on Mississippi’s public education system is not only bad policy, it’s illegal, as the court has preliminarily found today.”

Wingate’s final ruling will come after he conducts the trial, but an aggrieved party has the option to appeal his ruling to the highly conservative U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which tends to lean toward the conservative.

customer, hairdresser, word of mouth, survey, complaint, learn, lesson, interact

by Kandiss Edwards

August 20, 2025

Georgia Salon Owner Was Denied Permit After Spending $40K On Salon

Khalilah Few is suing Clayton County after spending $40 thousand preparing to launch the Creative Crown Collective.

A Clayton County woman says her dream of opening a salon has been put on hold, and now she’s turning to the courts.

Khalilah Few is suing Clayton County after spending $40K preparing to launch the Creative Crown Collective. Few was denied a conditional use permit in June by the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. In an interview with WSB-TV, Few discussed her lawsuit and the emotional toll as a result of the county’s decision.

“I felt like devastation, heartbreak,” she said

Few believes the denial is unfair and a violation of her civil rights. Unfortunately, the businesswoman began work on the salon before receiving the proper approvals. Few says she’d spent roughly $40 thousand to get her salon up to par. She contends that she followed the proper permitting process, signed a lease, and spent thousands on renovations and equipment. The decision of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners has halted her progress.

According to county records, the board voted during its June 17 meeting to reject her application. The board cited more than 20 existing salons and barbershops within a two-mile radius. Commissioners argued that approving yet another salon would not align with the county’s comprehensive development plan, which encourages a mix of businesses.

Her lawsuit claims the board’s action was arbitrary and harmful to small business growth. In Georgia, county governments have discretion regarding zoning and business permitting. Still, those decisions can be challenged if they are seen as discriminatory or inconsistent. Jessica Bigbie from the Institute for Justice is representing Few in the lawsuit and contends the county is overreaching.

“What this boils down to is the government stepping in and picking winners and losers in business—and that’s not how the process should work. That power should belong to the customers,” Bigbie said.

Confident in her ability to generate income and significant taxes for the city, Few presented evidence of her success. In her filing, she included financials showing that her McDonough location earned more than $600,000 over the past three years. She also presented letters from customers who supported her new venture.

Few is hoping for a favorable decision as the outcome of the pending lawsuit will determine her path moving forward.

“I really think that them not overturning it would change the trajectory of my life,” she said.

Sza, Singer, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Hal David Starlight Award

by Kandiss Edwards

August 20, 2025

SZA Is Taking ‘CTRL’ As Vans’ New Artistic Director

SZA, the five-time Grammy–winning singer-songwriter is taking her foot loose and fancy-free demeanor to Vans as its new artistic director.

SZA, the five-time Grammy–winning singer-songwriter, has been named the new artistic director for Vans.

To launch this partnership, Vans and SZA introduced a video campaign, VanSZA, celebrating self-expression and the beauty of individuality. The campaign spotlights one of SZA’s favorite silhouettes: the Knu Skool in black and white. The design is rooted in skate culture and reimagined for modern times. In the campaign video, the singer acknowledged her soft style of singing, a point of contention for critics, saying she “can’t whisper anymore.”

It appears the singer is ready to unleash her creativity in full force in her new role.

Under the terms of the agreement, SZA will work directly with Vans to “reimagine upcoming campaigns and co-create exclusive product collections that spotlight one of SZA’s favorite silhouettes with the brand’s creative and youthful spirit.”

Reflecting on her new role with Vans, SZA said, “I’ve been wearing Knu Skools and other styles for years; they’ve always had an ethos I connect with. As Artistic Director, my mission is to show that joy, community, creativity and fashion are all still intersectional. That humanity, culture and connection are still the access points.”

SZA’s deep tie to self-expression and authenticity is apparent throughout the collaboration.

“In Vans, I feel free,” she said. “I’ve learned that bravery and curiosity are the cures for uncertainty. It’s a lifestyle, and Vans champions that spirit.”

Coming off Super Bowl LIX, where SZA joined Kendrick Lamar onstage, she and Lamar launched their Grand National Tour in April 2025. The stadium tour spanned North America and Europe, with SZA and Kendrick taking their collaborative energy across arenas from Minneapolis to Stockholm. It seems the songstress’s work is never done, as she leaves one monumental opportunity, she goes to the next.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 20, 2025

Black History Tour In Boston Fights Back Against Trump Whitewashing Plans

A walking tour of Black historical sites in Boston not only teaches history but also helps preserve it.

Local and state leaders in Massachusetts embarked on a walking tour to raise awareness about the importance of teaching Black history. They set off on foot on Aug. 18, notably stopping at the Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial. The National Monument honors one of the first Black regiments of the Civil War.

The monument does more than recognize Black servicemen, as its initial unveiling in 1897 came at a time of racial tension. Now, the monument’s future is in jeopardy, especially as the Trump administration cracks down on its plan to erase history that accounts for America’s darker past.

“This was a controversial monument,” explained Imari Paris Jeffries, president and CEO of the racial justice nonprofit Embrace Boston, to the Boston Globe. “Sixteen clear-faced Black people with guns in their hands.”

Other Black historical sites may be in danger as Trump tightens his control over the National Parks Service, which oversees these locations. However, Boston officials continue to advocate for these sites’ unshakeable place in U.S. history, despite the President’s wishes.

“President Trump and his minions are not just rewriting policy,” added Sen. Edward Markey. “They are trying to rewrite the history of the United States of America. [The administration] wants a climate of denial of the role of Black people, of brown people.”

Trump’s policies have already infringed upon the historical accuracy of some government websites, including the since-reversed removal of Harriet Tubman’s impact on the Underground Railroad. Trump has enforced his will through threats of revoking funds if museums and historical sites don’t comply with his erasure tactics, some of which have already come into fruition.

However, these leaders hope to fight in this new battle against whitewashing. The tour led them through other iconic sites, such as the Embrace Monument, which honors the first meeting between Rev. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King, and the African Meeting House. The house also holds the city’s Museum of African American History.

Like other museums, the African Meeting House aims to rely less on precarious government funding to keep its doors open and more on communal support and memberships. Especially as the National Parks Service itself faces budget cuts and layoffs, museums are making provisions while emphasizing they will not be erased, with this Black history tour calling attention to this effort.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 20, 2025

John Wall Steps Away From The NBA After 11 Seasons

Injuries have cut short Wall's promising career

Former No. 1 NBA Draft Pick John Wall has announced his retirement from the league after an injury-plagued career.

NBA.com reported that the 34-year-old has decided to hang up his sneakers after averaging 18.7 points and 8.9 assists during his 11-season career. He hasn’t played since the 2022-23 season, catching most fans by surprise with the announcement.

“Today, I’m stepping off of the court, but not away from the game,” Wall said. “Basketball will always be in my life, and new opportunities present themselves. I feel now is the time to walk confidently into my next chapter.”

Retired but never done. Doing it the #WallWay pic.twitter.com/s1pX9afHfL
— John Wall (@JohnWall) August 19, 2025

Wall played for the Washington Wizards (nine seasons), the Houston Rockets (one season), and the Los Angeles Clippers (one season). He was selected with the first pick of the 2010 draft after spending his collegiate career with the University of Kentucky. After showing great promise and athleticism, his injuries significantly reduced his playing time in the NBA. He has not been on the court for the past two seasons, and in the past six seasons before that, he never played in more than half the games.

Although he may be retiring from playing the sport, he will continue to work this season.

According to The New York Post, Wall will be joining other former NBA players as part of the NBA on Prime broadcasting team. It’s the streaming service’s first season covering the NBA. Wall will give his thoughts on the games, along with Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash, Udonis Haslem, and WNBA legend Candace Parker.

Prime Video will start broadcasting NBA games on Friday, Oct. 24, with a doubleheader.

Although Wall has never been a full-time analyst, he has previously covered several games, including a pair of G League Winter Showcase games for the ESPN Network and NBA TV last winter.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 20, 2025

Target CEO Out After 11 Years Amid Slumping Sales And DEI Backlash

Target's CEO is stepping down as the retailer suffers from declining sales and backlash over its distancing from DEI initiatives.

Target’s challenges are mounting as its CEO of 11 years steps down amid sharp sales declines and ongoing backlash over the retailer’s pullback on DEI initiatives.

The mega-retailer’s current CEO, Brian Cornell, appeared on a call with analysts on Aug. 20, where he announced his decision to resign from the company on Feb. 1, 2026, CNN reports. Cornell will be replaced by Michael Fiddelke, Target’s current Chief Operating Officer, as he steps down to an executive chairman role.

Fiddelke, 49, who has spent 20 years at Target after starting as an intern, was chosen from a “strong list of external and internal candidates,” Cornell said, adding that he is the “right candidate to lead our business back to growth.”

His exit comes more than a decade after he took the helm in 2014, leading a turnaround that included store remodels and bolstering Target’s online business to better compete with Amazon.

Many widely anticipated his departure amid ongoing challenges at Target. The retailer has experienced a decline in sales of its home goods and apparel products, coupled with fierce competition from Walmart, Amazon, and Costco. The slump was only compounded by boycotts launched earlier this year over the company’s rollback of DEI initiatives.

Speaking during the analyst call, Fiddelke said he is “stepping in with urgency to rebuild momentum and return to profitable growth.” Target “must improve,” and the company is “not realizing our full potential right now,” he added.

Fiddelke’s revitalization plans include introducing trendier merchandise, creating more inviting stores to improve the customer experience, and investing in technology as part of the “Fun 101” initiative to release products that align with the latest trends in electronics and home goods.

“We’ve built a solid foundation, and we’re proud of the many ways that Target is unique in American retail,” Fiddelke said. “We also have real work in front of us.”