BLACK ENTERPRISE Is 55 Years Old: Our Tribute To The Visionary

by Derek Dingle

August 16, 2025

BLACK ENTERPRISE Is 55 Years Old: Our Tribute To The Visionary

In reading this special issue, readers discovered the story of a determined man prepared to win against the odds

“Lacking Capital, managerial and technical knowledge, and crippled by prejudice, the minority businessman has been effectively kept out of the American marketplace. We want to help change this.”

With that charge, BLACK ENTERPRISE hit the newsstands in August 1970.

That monthly publication evolved into a multimedia conglomerate that fueled the aspirations of generations of African American men and women.

For the 50^th Anniversary of BLACK ENTERPRISE, our editors fittingly celebrated the golden anniversary with a special salute to “The Visionary” — our late founder and publisher, Earl G. Graves, Sr.

In the issue, we wrote the following:

“He was a tireless change agent driven by a mission to make African Americans full participants in the economic mainstream as successful captains of industry, executives of immeasurable influence and multigenerational wealth builders. At the same time, he was the connector who served as the link between Black America and corporate America; he was our advocate who kept institutional leaders — whether they were the CEO of a major corporation or president of the United States — accountable for furthering access in any and all arenas of American society.”

His platform: BLACK ENTERPRISE. Throughout five decades, it served as a tool to record and guide every milestone tied to Black empowerment in this nation, while making history of its own with an array of franchises that drove Black advancement and the progression of the company.

In 1973, BE unveiled the Top 100 — an annual listing of the nation’s largest Black-owned companies — the annual barometer for Black business development, in its June issue
In 1986, the company established the Professional Networking Forums series, which served as its entree into the events space
in 1997, BE went digital with BlackEnterprise.com (originally called BE Online) as a destination on the World Wide Web for Black business news and resources
In 2000, BE launched the Black Wealth initiative to spur financial empowerment, home ownership, and stock market participation among African Americans
in 2003, the company made its first foray into television with the Black Business Report, which spawned a series of broadcast properties to provide other vehicles for business and financial information

These offerings and the evolution of others continued to meet the needs of different segments of the BE audience on the platforms of their choice.

On the pages of our special anniversary issue, the last regular print magazine, as well as the commemorative digital edition, we gave a full measure of the icon and the vehicle that inspired and uplifted millions of Blacks across the globe.

It was a deeply personal issue, sharing Earl Graves, Sr.’s amazing journey and his impact on business, corporate America, politics, and wealth creation through his own words; commentaries and remembrances of the nation’s most powerful business leaders; and a touching “Letter To My Dad” written by his son and the current CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE, Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., who offered reflections on his father’s leadership as well as his most important roles as a husband of 52 years to his best friend, closest confidant, and the love of his life, Barbara Graves; a demanding and supportive father to his three sons, Butch, Johnny, and Michael; and a loving grandfather to eight grandchildren. Butch Graves wrote the following about his father: “You met directly with more than eight presidents in your lifetime, yet were equally engaged with your interactions of everyday people. You were as excited to share our family Christmas card with the skycaps at American Airlines as you were with its CEO.”

In reading this special issue, readers discovered the story of a determined man prepared to win against the odds — and his drive to show legions of African Americans how to chart their own path to wealth, power, and success.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 16, 2025

Hip-Hop Legend LL COOL J Set To Host 2025 MTV Video Music Awards

The ceremony will take place live in New York City at the UBS Arena on Sept. 7

It’s recently been announced that living legendary lyricist and hip-hop icon, LL COOL J, will be hosting this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.

According to the cable network, this will be the first time that LL, whose real name is James Todd Smith, will host the ceremony solo, after previously co-hosting with fellow Queens emcee Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow. The awards show is slated to be filmed live in New York City at the UBS Arena in Manhattan. It will air on CBS and, of course, MTV, as well as streamed on Paramount+ on Sept. 7, starting at 8 p.m.ET/5 p.m. PT.

It will be the first time that the awards show airs on CBS.

As music and hip-hop fans gear up for LL’s hosting duties, they can catch his new docuseries made in partnership with NFL champion Peyton Manning, “Hip Hop Was Born Here.”

The program, which debuted in July, is a five-part docuseries that examines the origins and evolution of the popular genre that started in New York City. The doc will feature exclusive conversations with several esteemed individuals who took part in the history of hip-hop. Footage will also be revealed, showcasing legendary hip-hop figures like Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Rev Run, Method Man, Roxanne Shante, and others who were there as the legacy of hip-hop was being formed in the early years of the culture.

“We were lucky to partner with Todd [LL Cool J], Rock the Bells, and Paramount on ‘Hip Hop Was Born Here,’” Manning said in a written statement. “Music is far from my area of expertise, but sports and music have a lot of similarities. Both require hard work and commitment, and at their best, both bring people together. The story of hip-hop, especially in New York City, is an important one to tell, and there’s no one better than Todd to tell it.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 16, 2025

Georgia Restaurant Fires Back After Viral Visit From RFK Jr. Results In Scrutiny

The owner said calls started to overflow in addition to messages and negative reviews having nothing to do with service.

The owner of the Cherokee Rose restaurant in Stone Mountain, Georgia, is firing back after a visit from the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked controversy, according to Atlanta News First.

When Jonathan Hartnett received a call that Kennedy would be making a stop at his restaurant, he didn’t think much of it, except that it was an honor to serve a United States cabinet member. However, his bartender, Ann Wolfskill, posted a picture she took with the secretary on her Facebook page, and things got out of hand.

“We can’t control who walks through that door. All we can do is do what we do best, focus on the food, the ambiance and the service,” Hartnett said.

The owner reported that calls started to overflow, along with messages and negative reviews unrelated to service.

“What a ridiculous, horrible choice you’ve made,” one angry critic said via the restaurant’s voicemail. “I’m less than five miles away, and I’m going to make sure everybody I know boycotts.”

According to WABE, Wolfskill also received calls, urging her to proceed with caution.

“I had a friend call me up and say, ‘Hey, I’d get security if I were you,’” she said. Hartnett says the restaurant has always straddled the fence of politics, and Wolfskill doesn’t follow politics, so she was shocked by the backlash. “Cherokee Rose is not affiliated with any political party or position,” Hartnett was forced to post on the restaurant’s Facebook page.

“We are a restaurant, dedicated to providing excellent food, service, and atmosphere for all guests. Our focus is solely on creating an enjoyable dining experience for everyone in our community.”

The owner was forced to put the Stone Mountain Police Department on notice and is considering security upgrades due to the nature of some of the backlash.“ We have mothers and high schoolers and young adults in college that work here, and they don’t deserve that kind of thing,” he said. “This is something that is a complete outlier for our business, and it’s damaging.”

Kennedy was in the area after touring the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters following a gunman opening fire on the building, killing DeKalb Police Officer David Rose before taking his own life. The shooter, identified as Patrick White, believed the COVID-19 vaccine gave him violent and negative thoughts. A known vaccine skeptic, Kennedy, who once projected on a podcast that “there’s no vaccine that is safe and effective,” condemned the attack. “We know how shaken our public health colleagues feel today. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others,” he said.

However, fans of Cherokee don’t feel a visit from any elected official should cause an issue. “It’s sad that people have become so polarized that your political affiliation (or lack thereof) has to be disclosed. This is a definite problem with our society today…people are so focused on their “party” that they believe the other is the devil (both sides),” Lisa Ross French wrote under the post. “Cherokee Rose is an amazing establishment all around.”

Hartnett seemingly agrees. “People are completely up in arms about the link there with RFK Jr., which is completely irrelevant to our business,” he said. “This thing has spun out of control, and I understand the climate is very sticky right now, but we’re always going to do what we do best, which is running a restaurant.”

Luckily, it seems the Stone Mountain community has come together to rally for the restaurant in this temporary situation, resulting in five-star reviews.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 15, 2025

Pharrell Merges Music, Fashion, Design, And Community Projects On New Platform VIRGINIA

Pharrell is elevating his passion for Virginia with the launch of his new creative platform.

Pharrell Williams is proudly representing his Virginia roots with the launch of a new creative platform named after his hometown.

On Aug. 14, the multihyphenate unveiled a new creative community platform called VIRGINIA, Hypebeast reports. Described as “a destination where music, fashion, design, and community converge,” the platform will showcase Pharrell’s upcoming live events, limited-edition merchandise, new music, early access to collaborations, and more.

“Virginia is where I’m from, but it’s also who I am creatively,” Pharrell said in a statement. “It’s my space to dream, and a way to connect with people who are dreaming too.”

The platform acts as both a creative playground and a personal tribute to Pharrell’s home state, offering experimentation, storytelling, and direct engagement. Hosted on Blackyachtrock.com, the launch features a mural from fellow Virginia Beach native artist Sam Clayman and includes a virtual karaoke game. It also offers a complete lineup of limited-edition merchandise featuring apparel, accessories, and beach gear, all riddled with the VIRGINIA logo.

Sneakerheads will also get a chance to purchase a pair of the brand-new VIRGINIA Adistar Jellyfish, Pharrell’s latest design for Adidas, ahead of its global launch later this month.

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A post shared by Sneaker News (@sneakernews)

On the music front, the platform debuts with BLACK YACHT ROCK VOL 1: CITY OF LIMITLESS ACCESS, an album Pharrell anonymously released in 2024, marking the first musical project under the VIRGINIA banner. According to the website, the record showcases the artist’s “Black yacht rock,” a sound crafted “through the lens of Black musicality and personal memory.”

The VIRGINIA platform is the latest in Pharrell’s extensive lineup of creative ventures. As Louis Vuitton’s menswear creative director, he’s also earning acclaim for producing Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out, which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, their highest-ever chart debut. The album also topped the Vinyl Albums chart and reached No. 2 on the Top Rap Albums chart.

Beyond music, Pharrell continues to support underrepresented entrepreneurs through his annual Black Ambition grant program. His animated Lego biopic, chronicling his journey from Virginia Beach to music mogul, is streaming now on Netflix.

by Kandiss Edwards

August 15, 2025

Angel Reese Is Paying The Haters ‘Diamond Dust’ With The Early Release Of Her Signature Shoe

Angel Reese is releasing her first signature shoe months before schedule.

Fans and foes often argue about the WNBA player’s effectiveness on the court. What cannot be denied is that she is a constant topic of discussion. Reese is capitalizing on the public’s interest, negative or positive, with the release of her signature sneaker.

The Chicago Sky standout announced her debut signature shoe, named the Angel Reese 1. Three colorways will be available for purchase Sept. 18: Diamond Dust, Receipts Ready, and Mebounds. In an interview with Elle, Reese discussed the expedited release and what her new shoe brings to the table.

“My personality is me being unapologetically myself—that’s what the shoes are as well: unapologetic. The versatility of being able to wear the shoes on and off the court was the most important thing to me. I really wanted to have a shoe that I can wear on the court, but also in the tunnel, fits, fashion moments, events, and big things.”

The Angel Reese 1: Diamond Dust

Made for the spotlight. Available on 9/18. pic.twitter.com/zK7Ad04cJk
— Reebok (@Reebok) August 14, 2025

Reese is now enjoying her second WNBA season. As a professional player, she has already stacked milestones. The player was named an All-Star twice. Additionally, she made history as the fastest to reach 600 points and rebounds. She is also the only woman to secure more than 15 rebounds in four straight games.

The “Mebounds” colorway merges performance with personality. Named for her now-famous ability to rebound off her own missed shots. She adopted the name, initially made up by internet trolls, and trademarked merch and now has a signature sneaker. Merchandise proceeds support her cyberbullying foundation.

“I didn’t even know about mebounds until I got on TikTok and people were spamming it in my comments. And then I was like, well, might as well make some money off of it. And we made a lot of money off of it. It’s important to maximize the moment and turn a negative into a positive. We clearly did that. Also, to be able to give some of the money to my foundation for cyberbullying was great. It was like killing two birds with one stone,” Reese said.

Her partnership with Reebok is groundbreaking. She is the second WNBA star to receive a signature shoe from the brand — the first since Rebecca Lobo in 1997.

Reebok has embraced her creative vision, designing the shoe with performance enhancements like TPU-wing overlays and Reebok’s Energy Return System foam.

Reese is taking command of her narrative, her influence in women’s sports, and her dedication to young fans who see her as a trailblazer. As she prepares to retake the court, she’s cementing her presence in both the game and the culture.

Americans, poll, vaccines childhood vaccinations

by Mitti Hicks

August 15, 2025

Study Shows Promising Results For New Vaccine Targeting Colorectal, Pancreatic Cancers

The vaccine could be a game changer for Black people, who are disproportionately impacted by both cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, Black men and women have higher incidence rates and a greater likelihood of mortality compared to other racial groups.

A new study reveals promising results for a vaccine targeting colorectal and pancreatic cancers. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) said patients developed “strong immune responses” to the new vaccine and have remained disease-free.

The new vaccine, ELI-002 2P, stimulates the immune system to target the most common cancer-driving mutations, as identified by researchers. Researchers say the vaccine can trigger powerful and lasting immune responses that could help prevent or delay cancer recurrence in high-risk patients. For context, researchers found that the median relapse-free survival was 16.33 months and the median overall survival was 28.94 months, both of which exceed historic norms.

“This is an exciting advance for patients with KRAS-driven cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer, where recurrence after standard treatment is almost a given and effective therapies are limited,” said first author of the study, Dr. Zev Wainberg, professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “We observed that patients who developed strong immune responses to the vaccine remained disease-free and survived for much longer than expected.”

Key Results In Vaccine Targeting Colorectal and Pancreatic Cancers

Doctors followed 25 patients with either pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or colorectal cancer. All the patients had previously undergone surgery and showed signs of minimal residual disease, or traces of cancer DNA in the blood that often signal relapse.

Each patient received a series of injections with the vaccine. One key finding is that 84% of patients generated KRAS-specific T cells, which could target cancers that are difficult to treat. Another key finding is that in 24% of patients (a total of 6), biomarkers associated with the tumor were cleared entirely.

“Targeting KRAS has long been considered one of the difficult challenges in cancer therapy,” said Wainberg in a statement. “This study shows that the ELI-002 2P vaccine can safely and effectively train the immune system to recognize and fight cancer-driving mutations. It offers a promising approach to generating precise and durable immune responses without the complexity or cost of fully personalized vaccines.”

The vaccine could be a game-changer for Black people, who are disproportionately impacted by both cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, Black men and women have higher incidence rates and a greater likelihood of mortality compared to other racial groups. They are approximately 20% more likely to be diagnosed and about 40% more likely to die from the disease.

Regarding pancreatic cancer, Black Americans have the highest incidence rates among all racial and ethnic groups. Studies show that the incidence is 50% to 90% higher in African Americans compared to other groups, according to the National Institutes of Health. Black patients are also more frequently diagnosed at later stages, which complicates treatment.

by Von Boozier Twins

August 15, 2025

Teleau Belton Makes History As First Black-Owned Network To Launch Original Video Game And Live Sports Streaming

Belton is building more than a platform

What happens when innovation meets audacity? You get Now That’s TV, the unapologetic, Black-owned network founded by Teleau Belton that is making history as the first of its kind to launch an original video game and stream live combat sports. Known for its unfiltered reality shows and fiercely loyal Gen Z and millennial fan base, Belton is building more than a platform. He is building a cultural movement.

BLACK ENTERPRISE caught up with Belton to talk about what it means to own your content, bet on your culture, and lead a tech-forward revolution in Black media without gatekeepers and without apologies.

BE: You’ve made history with this expansion. What does ownership mean to you in today’s digital media landscape?

TELEAU: We built Now That’s TV to connect the culture directly to the people, no middleman, no gatekeepers, no filter. Ownership means having full control over the vision, the message, and the future. It means we do not need permission to tell our stories the way they are meant to be told, and we never have to water them down to fit someone else’s agenda. In today’s digital age, it is about more than just content. It is about owning the pipeline, the narrative, and the relationship with your audience. Everything we create is real, raw, and unapologetically made for our community, and we own every piece of that process.

BE: From launching an original video game to live-streaming boxing matches, what made you bet big on these uncharted territories for a Black-owned network?

Reality TV was just the starting line. I wanted to show we can win in spaces we have historically been excluded from, including gaming, live sports, and large-scale events. These are not random plays; they are intentional moves to diversify revenue, grow our audience, and prove our cultural influence works across industries. We are not just making TV shows. We are creating a full entertainment ecosystem, where our people can see themselves everywhere, from the controller in their hands to the championship belt in the ring.

BE: Many platforms chase trends. How do you decide what moves to make without diluting your brand?

Authenticity is our bottom line. We do not jump on something just because it is trending. We move when it feels right for our audience and stays true to our DNA. Our viewers are smart, and they can spot clickbait a mile away. We pay attention to what resonates, then deliver it, whether it is the raw drama they love or a completely new concept. We would rather set the trends than chase them.

BE: What challenges did you face taking Now That’s TV from idea to impact, especially as an independent Black founder in streaming and tech?

The hardest part was building without a blueprint. We had no investors, no connections, no industry guide, just an idea, a community, and the will to figure it out. There were moments it felt like walking blindfolded through a maze, but each wrong turn taught us to move smarter. We learned to problem-solve in real-time, build our own infrastructure, and keep pushing forward even when the odds said stop. That grit became our biggest advantage.

BE: Your audience is young, loyal, and outspoken. How much of your content strategy is driven by them versus your own vision?

It is a 50/50 partnership. We deliver exactly what our audience asks for — the shows, personalities, and formats they love — but we also push them to try something new. Some of our biggest hits are things they did not even know they wanted until we gave it to them. That balance keeps the brand fresh and keeps them coming back.

BE: How does Now That’s TV’s growth serve as a model for other Black creators who want to build without waiting for a greenlight?

Our story proves you do not need permission to create something powerful. We have taken the hits, made the mistakes, and figured out the formula so the next creator does not have to start from scratch. Every time we level up, we are showing that ownership, innovation, and cultural impact can start from the ground up and still compete with the biggest players in the industry. If we can do it without a greenlight, they can too.

BE: What do you say to legacy media execs who still see Black-owned platforms as “niche” or not scalable?

I would tell them to wake up. Black-owned platforms are not niche. We are trendsetters, market movers, and cultural architects. We have built global audiences that are loyal and engaged, without following their playbook. We have proven we can scale, innovate, and lead. And the truth is, we are only just getting started. The future is not going to wait for them to catch up.

For more information on Now That’s TV and its programming, visit: www.nowthatstvplus.com.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 15, 2025

Construction On Nigeria’s $60B High-Speed Rail Project Could Begin Soon

Nigeria is moving closer to bringing the first high-speed rail train to the region.

Nigeria is inching closer to building the continent’s first-ever high-speed rail train, in a proposed $60 billion project.

On Aug.12, plans for Nigeria’s $60 billion high-speed rail project were submitted to the government, Newsweek reported. A consortium of local construction firms and developers presented the proposal to the nation’s secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Supported by funding from the China-backed Asian Development Investment Bank, one of the world’s largest international development institutions, the proposed rail line would span 2,500 miles and connect four major Nigerian cities: Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.

“Today is a very great day in the life of this administration,” said Samuel Uko, CEO of the De-Sadel Consortium, the company working in collaboration with the government on the project. “The high-speed rail bullet train project that we have started 10 years ago has gotten a nod from administration. It is this administration that has given us almost 90 percent of approvals.”

In 2018, Morocco became the first African country to launch a high-speed rail project and plans to expand it ahead of co-hosting the 2030 World Cup. If approved, Nigeria’s proposal would make it one of the first countries in the region to gain such advanced rail infrastructure.

When presenting the proposal, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume highlighted the appeal of the technology and called for increased international investment, such as the support provided by China.

“This is a country that is business-friendly, especially under the administration of President Bola Tinubu,” Akume said. “Though we need a reasonable extent of foreign investments, such partnerships would have to be reliable, credible, and beneficial to all partners.”

A complete timeline for the project has not been released, however, if approved, the $55 billion first phase is expected to begin within the next few years.

Uncle Nearest , whiskey, fawn weaver, barriers business

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 15, 2025

Uncle Nearest Distillery Placed Under Receivership Over Millions In Unpaid Loans

The beloved Uncle Nearest distillery has been taken from founder Fawn Weaver over millions in unpaid loans.

Financial troubles have pushed Tennessee’s Nearest Green Distillery, the celebrated Black-owned whiskey brand, into receivership.

On August 14, a federal judge in Tennessee granted lender Farm Credit’s request to appoint a receiver over Nearest Green, claiming founder Fawn Weaver, her husband Keith, the distillery, and their Uncle Nearest whiskey brand have defaulted on more than $108 million in loans and are nearing additional missed payments, the Lexington Herald Leader reports.

The order states that the receivership is needed to protect the disputed assets, manage the property, and, if necessary, help the court reach a fair final distribution.

The ruling comes a week after the judge issued a gag order and barred the Weavers from selling any Uncle Nearest assets, as it was unclear whether Uncle Nearest is, or will remain, solvent, putting the security of the loans at risk.

It’s also unclear what role Fawn Weaver, who has served as the face of the brand, will have moving forward. The order notes that Farm Credit has expressed interest in having her continue to market Uncle Nearest.

“The court can craft a receivership order that still allows the Weavers to market Uncle Nearest and further build the brand,” the judge wrote. “By keeping the Weavers involved in this way, they could mitigate any potential brand damage that a receivership might entail.”

The Weavers and Farm Credit both acknowledged that the loans increased by $24 million due to misrepresentations of Uncle Nearest’s barrel inventory. It’s a deception the Weavers blame on former CFO Mike Senzaki, who allegedly fabricated the barrel inventory without their knowledge.

The judge was not convinced and granted the lender’s request for a receivership.

“Given that this $24 million was supposed to be secured by the illusory whiskey barrels, that these barrels do not exist strongly suggests that the loans are not adequately secured, particularly where almost all of Uncle Nearest’s other assets are already encumbered.” the judge wrote. “Accordingly, this factor weighs in favor of a receivership.”

The Weavers and Farm Credit have until August 20 to provide additional briefs on their proposed candidates for the receivership.

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 15, 2025

White Tears: Jillian Michaels Stuns World After Claiming Slavery Shouldn’t Be Blamed On One Race

Michaels was slammed on social media for her slavery view point while CNN was ridiculed for booking her as a guest in the first place.

Former fitness personality turned MAGA personality, Jillian Michaels, made her way back to viral life with a bold claim that slavery should not be blamed on one race, while making an appearance on CNN.

Michaels attempted to go toe-to-toe with CNN NewsNight host Abby Phillip, Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky, and Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) on a number of topics, including President Donald Trump’s Kennedy Center Honors takeover, transgender athletes, and the upcoming Smithsonian audit. After Torres accused the president of “poisoning what is an iconic and historically bipartisan institution” and Roginsky stated Trump is “reviewing parts of American history… to make sure it comports with dear leader and what MAGA wants,” the former Biggest Loser host jumped in.

Defending accusations that Trump is attempting to “white-wash” slavery, Michaels claimed that’s not the case.

“He’s not whitewashing slavery,” Michaels shot back at the panelists. “And you cannot tie imperialism and racism and slavery to just one race, which is pretty much what every single exhibit does.”

Michaels: You cannot tie imperialism and racism and slavery to just one race, which is pretty much what every single exhibit does… Only less than 2% of white Americans own slaves. You realize that slavery is thousands of years old?

Phillip: I’m very surprised you are trying to… pic.twitter.com/KOe9rSAcTV
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 14, 2025

When Torres didn’t back down, Michaels pushed a narrative that under 2% of white Americans owned slaves and implied that those were “the first race to try to end slavery.”

“Every single thing is like, ‘white people are bad,’ and that’s just not the truth,” the former fitness personality said.

To celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, Trump called for the Smithsonian Institution to conduct a “comprehensive internal review” of eight of its museums — including the National Museum of African American History and Culture. “This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions,” the letter read, according to NPR.

Michaels was slammed on social media for her viewpoint, and she wasn’t the only one. CNN was ridiculed for booking her as a guest in the first place. “This is what happens when you elevate a run-of-the-mill gym trainer to political pundit,” actress Rachel True wrote on X.

This is what happens when you elevate a run of the mill gym trainer to political pundit
— Rachel True (@RachelTrue) August 14, 2025

Disability advocate Ola Ojewumi (@olas_truth) blamed the news network for allowing the banter to carry on. “This is why CNN’s ratings are in the tank,” she said. “Jillian Michaels is a fitness trainer, not a historian. Why is she on a cable news panel being treated as a subject matter expert on the institution of slavery?! Stop giving unqualified white women platforms to spread misinformation.”

This is why CNN’s ratings are in the tank.

Jillian Michaels is a fitness trainer, not a historian. Why is she on a cable news panel being treated as a subject matter expert on the institution of slavery?! Stop giving unqualified white somen platforms to spread misinformation.
— Ola Ojewumi (@Olas_Truth) August 14, 2025

Once Michaels realized she was losing ground on her slavery argument, she shifted her focus to the Smithsonian’s Change Your Game exhibit, described by Advocate as a family-friendly installation about sports innovation. The once-proud member of the LGBTQ+ community argued against transgender athletes participating in women’s sports, dismissing the exhibit’s discussion of gender testing as “complex” and calling it “basic science… XX chromosome, XY chromosome.”