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.”

U.S. Virgin Islands Appoints Public Affairs Exec And Native Islander As Commissioner Of Tourism

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 20, 2025

U.S. Virgin Islands Appoints Public Affairs Exec And Native Islander As Commissioner Of Tourism

The U.S. Virgin Islands will continue marking its place as a go-to destination with its new Commissioner of Tourism.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism has accepted Jennifer Matarangas-King’s nomination to lead its tourism growth. A native of the Island, Matarangas-King brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her USVI community as she enters this role.

U.S. Virgin Islands’ Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced her appointment at a Government House press briefing Aug. 6, as confirmed in a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. The Governor emphasized Matarangas-King’s understanding of their cultural heritage and how this story is amplified through its tourism. He further remarked on how the public affairs executive will use her professional background to execute this mission.

“Tourism is more than our economy. It is how we tell our story to the world and create opportunity for the people of the Virgin Islands,” shares Gov. Bryan, Jr. “Jennifer understands that. She is a strategic thinker, a skilled communicator, and a proud Virgin Islander with a deep commitment to service. I am confident that she will lead the Department of Tourism with vision and distinction.”

Before this role, Matarangas-King has led departments in strategic communications and public affairs. She also gained extensive experience in organizational leadership in private and public spheres, making her a qualified choice to take on this new position. Matarangas-King began her career in public service, working as press secretary to Gov. Roy Schneider. She then continued as public relations director for Sen. Vargrave Richards.

In the private realm, she led strategic planning initiatives and corporate communications for Viya. With the telecommunications serving the U.S. Virgin Islands, her work advanced connectivity for residents and citizens of the territory, enabling them to connect more closely with the world.

The move comes as the Virgin Islands break tourism records for the past year. Now, Matarangas-King intends to drive tourism and visibility even further.

While in her leadership role, she will work on behalf of the people of the USVI across the three islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. She aims to further promote these islands’ natural beauty, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture to U.S. residents and international visitors.

“I am honored and humbled to be considered for this role,” said Commissioner Matarangas-King. “Tourism is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the future of these Virgin Islands. It drives investment, fuels entrepreneurship, and celebrates our identity. I look forward to working alongside our tourism stakeholders and the incredible team at the Department to elevate our product, empower our people, and expand our reach as a premier Caribbean destination.”

With no passports required for those traveling from the United States, with standard U.S. entry regulations applicable to foreign visitors, the U.S. Virgin Islands continues to explore its tourism opportunities as a unique getaway.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 20, 2025

Severely Burned Murder Suspect Denies The Charges: ‘These Hands Can’t Pull The Trigger”

Zaquan Shaquez Jamison was arrested for a murder that took place in January

Police arrested Zaquan Shaquez Jamison for murder after he turned himself in, after finding out he was wanted for a killing in South Carolina, but he claims he is innocent because of his badly burned hands; he was unable to pull the trigger.

According to The Bored Panda, 20-year-old Jamison was wanted for murder and the attempted murder of 10 others when he turned himself in Aug. 15. Police listed him as armed and dangerous but he surrendered peacefully in North Charleston, S.C., and has been hit with one charge of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon while committing a violent crime.

When he appeared in court for his arraignment, he had noticeable burn injuries: his face was burnt, disfigured, and scarred, and he also displayed a missing hand. He addressed the court by expressing that his hands are “fractured” and he is unable to “pull the trigger” as his hands can’t even bend. He threatened a lawsuit against the city and stated that the Augusta Burn Center would be involved in his defense.

“The Augusta Burn Center is going to be part of this because these hands are fractured,” he said. “I’m just bringing that to your attention. I just wanted to get that off my chest.”

Jamison was injured after being involved in a crash in October 2023.

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The suspect called the Charleston County dispatch and told the operator that he wanted to turn himself in for a crime that was committed in Orangeburg County. Arrest warrants claimed that he had fatally shot 17-year-old Ja’Mereion “Mari” Deangelo Crawford at his Boo Circle home in Santee earlier this year, on Jan. 13.

Jamison was booked at the Al Cannon Detention Center before being transferred to the custody of the Santee Police Department. He faces a life sentence if convicted of the crime of murder.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 20, 2025

Joy Reid Says She Was Paid Less Than MSNBC Hosts With ‘Lower Ratings’

Joy Reid is speaking out about the major pay gap she faced during her time at MSNBC.

Following her exit from MSNBC earlier this year, Joy Reid is speaking out about being paid significantly less than peers who had “lower ratings.”

The famed political commentator got candid while delivering a keynote at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival’s C-Suite Soirée on Aug. 7. Reflecting on her February firing from MSNBC, Reid revealed the pay disparities she experienced across her 10 years and three shows at the network.

“I worked in a business where I was paid a tenth of the salary of people who did literally my same job, the whole time I worked there,” she said, as captured by People. “Any man that was doing what I was doing was going to make more than me. And that they were going to be able to negotiate higher salaries, even at lower ratings.”

Doing more while being paid less is a reality many women, particularly women of color, still face at work. Though the gender pay gap has narrowed somewhat over the past two decades, research shows women continue to earn about 84 cents for every dollar men make.

Reid says she experienced that disparity firsthand during her MSNBC tenure from 2014 until her February removal, which she credits to her coverage of Donald Trump and the Israel-Hamas war.

Even with a show that consistently drove high engagement on social media, Reid says her success wasn’t enough to earn pay equal to her male colleagues, an imbalance she refers to as “the curse of competency.”

“The curse of competency means you’re the best person at what you do,” Reid told Full Circle Strategies Founder Jotaka Eaddy while recalling a private conversation she’d had with her best friend about workplace issues. “You know more than everyone else because you’ve had to do more work and more research to get where you are, and so therefore you’re the one everybody calls.”

“Which means,” she continued, “that because you are the best at it, you actually work the hardest, do the most hours, work the most overtime, and don’t get paid commensurate to the amount of work you do.”

Reid didn’t hold back, noting that her white male colleagues are often praised as “geniuses” for doing what she considers the bare minimum.

“They get the sort of presumption of brilliance. The Elon Musk presumption, where people are like, ‘You look like a genius, you must be a genius.’ But they’re not,” she quipped. “They work less hours and make more than us, get bigger raises, more opportunities and more grace. This is the world we live in.”

Reid was reportedly earning $3 million annually as host of The ReidOut. But in late 2024, she and several other anchors were hit with pay cuts as part of MSNBC’s cost-saving measures. In February, new network President Rebecca Kulter announced Reid’s departure in a staff memo. Reid currently hosts her daily Joy Reid Show on YouTube.

by Kandiss Edwards

August 20, 2025

CousinzCon Is The Kick-Off Event Of The Upcoming Cousinz Festival

CousinzCon centers criminal justice reform and civil engagement.

The Cousinz Festival has announced the launch of CousinzCon, its one-day summit.

CousinzCon is a pre-festival event that takes place Aug. 29 in Virginia’s Waterside District. The goal of the activation is to center criminal justice reform and promote civil engagement. Organizers are working in partnership with JustUs Ideas and other state and national organizations.

In a press release, representatives for Cousinz Festival spoke about the event and its intended impact. Cousinz Festival Co-Founder Pusha T, real name Terrence Thornton, says the gathering is “bigger than the music.” He has a longstanding commitment to his home state and wants to ensure he is part of its growth.

“We’ve said since its inception that the Cousinz Festival was bigger than the music. It’s about Community – and how we continue to impact the community even after the festival,” Pusha T said.

“I have worked with some of the team from JustUs Ideas for over 10 years, and I am proud we’re bringing the first-ever CousinzCon to life here at home ahead of this year’s festival. This is what real change looks like in action.”

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A post shared by Cousinz Festival (@cousinzfestival)

The summit is backed by New Virginia Majority, along with partners, including All Americans Vote, Working Families Power, Color of Change PAC, SEIU, Onyx Impact, Black Men Vote, Mobilize Justice, and Virginia People’s PAC.

Tram Nguyen of New Virginia Majority praised Thornton for his commitment to Virginians.

“His engagement around critical issues, particularly around criminal justice and restoring rights to returning citizens, is crucial to raising awareness to voters who are often not a focal point in elections. Pusha T’s willingness to use his platform to make sure that all of us have the tools to make our voices heard is needed in Hampton Roads and throughout the Commonwealth,” Nguyen said.

Cousinz Con, Cousinz, Pusha T — Courtesy of CousinzCon

Participants can look forward to both hands-on training and in-depth conversations. A series of panel discussions titled Cousinz Conversations will dig into the issues facing Black Virginia communities. Topics include voting rights restoration and reentry for formerly incarcerated persons. Attendees will also receive training in grassroots organization and voter restoration.

Maurice Mitchell of Working Families Power said, “If we can push the culture forward, we can push society forward and change our communities for the better.”

CousinzCon will also join with All Americans Vote’s Turn Up, Turn Out (TUTO) campaign, giving participants the chance to win VIP festival prizes and perks.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 20, 2025

Here We Go Again: Trump Wants Smithsonian To Focus On America’s ‘Brightness’ And Hide The Dark Truth About Slavery

Trump’s “new” viewpoints are a vast difference from how he felt about slavery and its heroes during his first term.

In a not-so-shocking post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump is expanding his “anti-woke” attacks on the Smithsonian museums, saying they focus too much on how bad slavery was and should zone in more on the “brightness” of America.

In an Aug. 19 post, Trump said the Smithsonian is “out of control” — somewhat focusing on the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) – labeling the landmarks in Washington, D.C., as “the last remaining segment of “WOKE.” “The Smithsonian is out of control, where everything discussed is how terrible our Country is, how bad slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been,” the president wrote.

“Nothing about success, nothing about brightness, nothing about the future.”

Trump supports slavery.

Prove me wrong. pic.twitter.com/Lz53O21cM9
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 19, 2025

His rant comes after the White House announced an audit of the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibitions and operations to prepare for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. The Trump administration wrote in a letter to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch that the White House wants to ensure museums “reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story.”

However, his sudden focus on the task comes after former fitness personality Jillian Michaels appeared on CNN’s News Night with Abby Phillip. She attempted to go toe-to-toe on Trump’s plan to “white-wash” slavery, claiming that slavery should not be blamed on one race. Oddly enough, Trump’s similar arguments come just days later, reigniting the unnecessary conversation on just how bad slavery was in America.

Ahead of the ongoing debate, Phillip touched on how slavery was “the nation’s original sin” and seemingly defended the Smithsonian against the argument from Trump and other MAGA loyalists. “It is impossible to understand the true history of this country without fully grappling with slavery’s impact,” Phillip said.

She continued to share stories directly from the Smithsonian on the dangerous timeline of slavery, tapping into how the White House was built to the travesties of institutions being built on the back of white supremacy. “So when we acknowledge the existence of Black people, who operated George Washington’s Mount Vernon or the Black hands that built the White House, we are acknowledging the existence, the perseverance, and the contributions of the souls that white supremacy sought to erase.”

Sadly, we still have to explain that slavery was indeed bad. And you can’t understand American history without grappling with its wide ranging impacts. pic.twitter.com/bQUi4pGGhb
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) August 20, 2025

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) described the administration’s plan as “growing threats of censorship against US museums.” “This is not just a concern for select institutions. These pressures can create a chilling effect across the entire museum sector,” the group said in a statement, according to NPR.

“Freedom of thought and expression are foundational American values, and museums uphold them by creating spaces where people can engage with history, science, art, and culture in ways that are honest, fact-based, and thought-provoking.”

Trump’s “new” viewpoints are vastly different from how he felt about slavery and its heroes during his first term. When he visited NMAAHC during his first term in 2017, he praised Bunch and described the museum’s works as “incredible,” “done with love,” and a “truly great museum.” He even reminisced on a story he learned about a runaway slave and called the exhibit tour “a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance and hatred in all of its very ugly forms.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 20, 2025

Tennis Star Sloane Stephens Opens Up About The Struggles Of Fertility In The World Of Women’s Sports

For the first time in the history of women's sports, female tennis players will be able to receive grants for egg and embryo freezing and IVF treatment.

American tennis star Sloane Stephens reminisced on having to choose between continuing her successful rise to the top in the sport or taking a pause to start a family, as her decision to freeze her eggs correlated to a decision for players to receive fertility treatment, CNN reports.

The 2017 US Open champion says that as she approached the age of 30, she was forced to choose whether to pause her career to start a family, a decision that many female athletes face. Instead of facing early retirement or taking an extended leave, Stephens had the option to freeze her eggs, making her somewhat of a trailblazer in the eyes of her colleagues. I’m always the one that they come to to be like, ‘What happened? What did you do? Who did you use?” Stephens mentioned during an interview.

“I think the conversations have now become even more open, which is amazing. Everyone’s speaking about it, everyone’s sharing their journeys because it’s helping all of us understand what everyone’s gone through so we can make the best-informed decisions.”

Her thoughts and moves didn’t go unnoticed. Recently, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour, in a landmark move, has funded a collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), supporting an initiative that pushed the topic of fertility in women’s tennis to the top of the priority list. Players are open to receiving grants for egg and embryo freezing and IVF treatment in addition to paid maternity and parental support, something that fellow tennis stars like Naomi Osaka have been openly vocal about.

With more than two dozen active mothers competing for the WTA, according to UPI, the initiative marks the first time in the history of women’s sports that comprehensive maternity benefits are made available to independent, self-employed athletes. Starting in May 2025, PIF signed a multi-year naming rights partnership with the WTA.

In addition, the tour will provide additional protection for those undergoing egg or embryo freezing, offering an extra layer of support to enable players to return to competition after undergoing these procedures. At the same time, this represents a significant leap forward for female tennis players. The 32-year-old wishes she had had the options years ago and feels that if the fertility conversation keeps going, it would “change the trajectory” of the decisions made by female athletes in the future.

“It definitely makes a difference for the younger players now who can start thinking about it at 25 instead of 32 or 30, or even thinking about it at 20 and can make the decision by 28,” she continued.

“Those years all matter. … That younger generation of girls now will feel more comfortable talking about it, doing it; they feel supported with the ranking. It really does change the trajectory of how women in sports are making decisions for their futures.”

model, stabbing, nyc, ice cream truck, Detroit,

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 20, 2025

New Footage Reveals Missing Black Teen Found Dead In Pond Ran Into Water Despite No One Chasing Him

The teenager seemingly ran into the water on his own volition.

New footage has revealed a significant update in the case of a formerly missing Black teenager, Giovanni Pelletier.

The North Carolina teen went missing Aug. 1 during a family trip to Florida. The missing teen was last seen with his cousins as the relatives picked him up to spend time with his dad’s side of the family. Pelletier went missing for over a week until a private investigator group found his body Aug.8 at a pond in Manatee County.

The investigation gained national attention as motives for the 18-year-old’s disappearance remained unclear. Pelletier had also sent his mother an urgent “help” text and called her several times before he went missing.

However, new footage shows that Pelletier seemingly fled the scene on his own accord. According to Fox13, the clip shows him running to the pond, yet police cannot make out what happened next.

Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells revealed the video at a press conference Aug. 19.

“There’s no one in this area with Giovanni,” Sheriff Wells explained. “There’s no one chasing him. He’s by himself. What we don’t know is what happened when he hit that pond. We don’t know. The death is undetermined. We know we don’t have anybody come down that embankment after him. He’s there, we believe, until he was located by that family friend on Friday, the 8th. We really don’t know what happened when he got into that pond.”

More investigation revealed that the young boy had plans to smoke weed with his cousins and his friends. They did so while on their drive to see other relatives in Brevard County, hours away from Manatee. Wells noted that Pelletier explained how he had not smoked in a while as he dealt with court issues back at home.

However, not long into their drive, Pelletier allegedly started “tripping,” leading to an altercation between the young men. After letting him out on the side of the road to use the restroom, Pelletier began acting abnormally.

One person in the car claimed Pelletier said, “I am a demon and I will wreck this car.”

The N.C. native also reportedly threatened to kill them all, with the Sheriff confirming the boy had carried knives before. They pulled over shortly after the bathroom break to let Pelletier out. There, he ran onto the highway, nearly getting hit by a truck.

However, he left his backpack and cellphone in the car, which the cousin and his friends took out and left outside. After calling both Pelletier’s mother and his grandfather, the group continued on their trip. The cousin called the worried mother again to explain what had happened, and she then alerted the police.

She told officers that the boy had received some harmful drugs and had begun to trip out. The family also turned in the car used during the trip to Brevard, which police determined had no wrongdoing inside.

While the investigation has a better sense of what led to the young boy’s fleeing from his cousin’s car, what caused his death remains unknown. A medical examiner will determine how Pelletier died following his autopsy results. A toxicology report is also underway, but the results could take up to two months.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 20, 2025

RHONY Star Accuses Ex-Fiance Mickalene Thomas Of Sexual Harassment, Stealing Millions

Newly surfaced court documents reveal explosive allegations Racquel Chevremont has made against her ex-fiancé, Mickalene Thomas.

Chevremont, an art curator best known for her role in season 2 of Bravo’s rebooted Real Housewives of New York City, is suing Thomas, the renowned visual artist, for at least $10 million, citing breach of contract, unjust enrichment, retaliation, and violations of state and local human rights laws, the Independent reports.

According to an Aug. 8 summons and notice filed in New York State Supreme Court, Chevremont is going after her famous ex for “redress for years of exploitation, nonpayment, and unlawful conduct.”

“From 2012 to 2022, Ms. Chevremont, who is also Ms. Thomas’ former fiancée, contributed immeasurably to Ms. Thomas’ artistic and commercial success, acting as a strategic advisor and liaison to galleries, collectors, and institutions,” the filing states. “Despite these work-related contributions, Ms. Chevremont was paid improperly for more than a decade, both as an employee and under a written agreement effective January 1, 2021, as well as for compensation prior to 2021 and for multimillion-dollar deals she negotiated on Ms. Thomas’ behalf.”

According to the lawsuit, Chevremont was supposed to receive a 20% share of sales from commissioned works she helped secure. Instead, the filing claims Thomas “unlawfully diverted substantial funds and business opportunities” from their jointly-owned entity into her own LLC.

“In addition to diverting funds and not properly compensating Ms. Chevremont, Ms. Thomas also subjected Ms. Chevremont to a hostile and abusive work environment as well as quid pro quo harassment,” the filing claims.

Chevremont, who first met Thomas in 2002 and began dating her in 2011 before their New Year’s Eve 2019 engagement, alleges that after she ended their relationship, Thomas “repeatedly and improperly pressured her to resume their romantic relationship.” When Chevremont refused, the suit claims, Thomas retaliated by terminating her employment, an action that violates New York State and City Human Rights Laws.

Chevremont is seeking at least $10 million, plus interest, attorneys’ fees, and court costs. Thomas, a painter known for her intricate works that incorporate rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel, has pieces in the MoMA, the National Portrait Gallery in D.C., and Jay-Z’s Manhattan offices.

While dating Chevremont, the couple, who called themselves Deux Femmes Noires, used their influence to support young Black and LGBTQ artists. Chevremont is now engaged to forensic neuropsychologist Mel Corpus. She spoke vaguely about their relationship on RHONY and subtly touched on her rocky past with Thomas.

“Mel and I, we’ve been friends for over 12 years,” Chevremont said in her first episode on the show. “We were very single when we got together, but there was a bit of a scandal. There were a few people that were not all that happy.”