by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 26, 2026

‘Year Of Terror’ Legal Battle Forces Squatting TikToker Out Of Multi-Million Dollar Maryland Home

Tamieka Goode argued that she was allowed to remain at the home due to unclear ownership.

A lengthy rental battle in the DMV area has ended with a squatting TikToker finally on her way out.

The issue over a multi-million dollar home in Bethesda, Maryland, lasted over nine months, with tensions escalating between neighbors and Tamieka Goode, the self-proclaimed tenant who refused to leave—until the courts intervened.

A neighboring 19-year-old college student filed charges of trespassing and breaking and entering against Goode, who was found guilty of the charges Jan. 22 and received 90-day jail sentence. Goode however believes she is innocent, and the neighborhood is “trying to dispose of me,” she argued, according to Spotlight on Maryland.

The judge disagreed with Goode, saying she had “some demented thoughts to justify” squatting.

The apparent TikToker and self-described “pro-se litigation coach” also posted about her life and legal battles. She even recorded inspirational content of herself, with the home clearly visible in the background. One testifying neighbor called her occupancy a “year of terror.”

Some of the content served as proof that Goode unlawfully occupied the home, prompting charges for squatting. After failing to appear in court several times before, Goode finally represented herself in court. She argued that the ownership of the home seemed unclear, especially given its foreclosure and alleged lack of a “no trespassing” sign.

“I know who doesn’t own the property—and that’s Tamieka Goode,” a Maryland state attorney said in court. “This isn’t some vacant, abandoned, way-out-in-the-woods house.”

Goode seemingly got away with the illegal practice until a quote-unquote neighbor, 19-year-old Ian Chen, pressed charges.

“I felt it was my civic duty to do the right thing, to file these charges and then to ultimately bring her to justice here today,” he said.

However, the issue took almost a year to resolve. Community advocates in Bethesda blamed the lack of squatter reform laws in Maryland. Given the ambiguity surrounding vacant or foreclosed homes, squatters can still take advantage of them, leaving nearby residents uneasy.

“I was pretty scared,” added Chen. “All of us in our neighborhood were. We have a lot of elderly folks who were afraid to even go to sleep at night because they were worried that someone like Tamieka, or Tamieka herself, would break in and be living in their house and refuse to leave. So we were all pretty afraid that we could be the next victims of this.”

While this neighborhood has one unwanted tenant out, they still must contend with Tamieka’s alleged roommate, Corey Pollard, who has yet to appear in court. He was recently arrested on an outstanding warrant.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 26, 2026

Award-Winning Painter Amy Sherald Signs With CAA Talent Agency

Award-winning portraitist Amy Sherald has new backing as part of the Creative Artists Agency.

Amy Sherald, the acclaimed artist behind the official portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama, is taking her work to new heights after signing with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

The news of Sherald’s signing with CAA broke on Jan. 21, marking another high-profile crossover between the art world and Hollywood, Art News reports. The Columbus, Georgia, native has continued to rise in prominence since being commissioned by the former first lady in 2018 to paint her official portrait for the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

The portrait is rich with symbolism, showing Obama in grayscale against a pale blue background, her chin resting thoughtfully on her hand, and wearing a checkered Milly dress by Michelle Smith, inspired by the vibrant, abstract quilts created by generations of African American women in Gee’s Bend, Alabama. While unconventional for an official national portrait, it showcases Sherald’s signature style of capturing intimate, tender depictions of Black American life.

This is also the artist who painted Michelle Obama’s official first lady portrait. I like to think the blue background is a nod to her Gullah Geechee heritage and indigo or Haint blue. The portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in DC. https://t.co/Xz1KiaYn1J pic.twitter.com/aj1Ez8YEyx
— GullahMuseumSC (@GullahSc) May 23, 2024

Since 2018, Sherald has been represented globally by the Hauser & Wirth gallery. Her work is featured in major public collections around the world, including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, LACMA, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the Nasher Museum of Art in Durham, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Tate Gallery in the UK.

With an MFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art and a BA in painting from Clark-Atlanta University, Sherald has earned historic recognition, becoming the first woman and first African American to win the grand prize in the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. In 2017, Sherald received the Anonymous Was A Woman Award, followed by the Smithsonian Ingenuity Award in 2018. Last year, she was honored with the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal, Harvard University’s highest distinction in African and African American studies.

In 2025, she was set to become the first Black contemporary artist to receive a solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. However, Sherald decided to cancel the show after learning her painting Trans Forming Liberty—depicting a Black transgender Statue of Liberty—might be removed, due to Smithsonian leadership attempting to avoid President Trump’s threats to withhold federal funding over works his administration deemed “divisive.”

Sherald’s addition to the CAA adds to the agency’s growing roster of renowned artists, including Arthur Jafa and Julien Schnabel.

The Neptunes, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, lawsuit

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 26, 2026

From Partners to Plaintiffs: Chad Hugo Sues Pharrell For Over A Milly In Unpaid Neptunes Royalties

Pharrell Williams is being sued by former friend and longtime collaborator Chad Hugo, who alleges he has been denied the group’s royalties.

Pharrell Williams is being sued by his former Neptunes and N.E.R.D. partner, Chad Hugo, who accuses his former friend and collaborator of withholding money and failing to provide proper accounting of their company’s finances.

In a federal lawsuit filed in California on Jan. 23, Hugo—who describes his role in the Neptunes partnership as the “principal composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and producer responsible for programming, instrumentation, and overall sound design”—claims that Williams excluded him from their company and owes him up to $1 million from an N.E.R.D. album, Complex reports.

“Williams engaged in self-dealing, concealed material information, and … diverted revenues owed to plaintiff,” Hugo’s attorney, Brent J. Lehman, said. “Such willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct warrants the imposition of punitive damages.”

In the lawsuit, Hugo recounts his decades-long relationship with Williams, which began with their childhood friendship in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and led to the formation of the Neptunes in the early ’90s. Together, they produced a string of hits—Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl,” and Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body”—and, along with Sheldon ‘Shay’ Haley, performed as the group N.E.R.D.

Hugo’s dispute with Williams centers on their company, N.E.R.D. Music, LLC, which they formed in 2014. Hugo claims Williams, responsible for reporting income, expenses, and royalties, failed to do so. Under the company’s terms, Williams receives half of touring and other income, while Hugo and Haley each get 25%, with merchandising and trademark income split equally.

Hugo says he has struggled since 2021 to access the company’s financial records from Williams, claiming he hasn’t received his proper share of royalties from Neptunes and N.E.R.D. music, touring, and merchandise. He points to missing songs on SoundExchange portals as evidence, estimating he is owed between $325,000 and over $1 million from N.E.R.D.’s 2017 album No One Ever Really Dies.

“Plaintiff has not received his appropriate share of royalties in connection with The Neptunes and N.E.R.D.’s album sales and released music, as well as distributions from touring income, and various merchandising deals,” Lehman writes.

This is Hugo’s second recent legal action against Williams, following his 2024 lawsuit accusing Williams of fraudulently seeking sole control of the Neptunes name—a case still pending before a federal trademark tribunal. A rep for Williams has released a response to the latest lawsuit, claiming that a “standard accounting review is already in progress.”

“The lawsuit filed is premature as there may not even be a dispute between the parties,” the rep said. “If the accounting review determines that money is owed, the appropriate party will pay it. Pharrell has consistently acted in good faith. He has great respect for Chad and looks forward to resolving this in a way that honors their shared history.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 26, 2026

Jadakiss Will Host ‘Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX,’ A Podcast Series Powered By 50 Cent

The podcast series will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts later this year

The story of deceased Yonkers-bred rapper DMX, born Earl Simmons, will be told through a podcast series with his former Ruff Ryders cohort, Jadakiss, and G-Unit boss, 50 Cent.

According to Deadline, the podcast series will be distributed by iHeartPodcasts, with 50’s G-Unit Audio producing it with Narratively. Jadakiss will host “Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX,” which will debut later this year, though no launch date has been announced.

The series will focus on the life of the “Get at Me Dog” lyricist, who ushered in a new era of rap with his rough, deep voice and trademark barks. It will start with his beginnings before being discovered and signed by the Ruff Ryders Entertainment team. Discussions and viewpoints from family members, childhood friends, fellow rappers, and others who have come across DMX during his storied career.

“DMX’s story is bigger than the music — it’s about survival, faith, pain, and purpose,” 50 said. “‘Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX’ gives people a chance to understand where X came from, before the fame, through the voices of the people who were really there. This is the story that shaped the legend.”

The executive producers of the series, Bruce Miller and Justin Baez, also grew up in the same town as DMX and Jadakiss, as they are acquainted with the deceased rapper and his family.

DMX was recently ordained as a minister posthumously in Tarrytown, New York, at Foster Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.

“Earl Simmons wrestled with God in the public square, turning his pain into a ministry of raw truth,” said Bishop Dr. Osiris Imhotep, founder of the Gospel Cultural Center. “This ordination recognizes the divine calling he fulfilled every time he spoke a prayer into a microphone.”

The rapper often discussed, through his music and in interviews, the struggles he experienced and reportedly had an extensive battle with drug addiction, which purportedly continued until his death.

His drug use began at 14 when a supposed mentor introduced him to crack cocaine. DMX died April 9, 2021, after not recovering from a heart attack suffered a week earlier.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 26, 2026

Boxing Legend Sugar Ray Leonard On ‘GWOAT’ Claressa Shields, ‘I’m In Her Corner’

'I love boxing, so I’m in her corner'

Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard has given the cosign to boxing champion Claressa Shields in a recent interview, saying he is “in her corner,” as women’s boxing has risen in recent years.

In a recent interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, the former fighter, who fought in various divisions throughout his career, spoke about women’s boxing and its direction.

“You know what, there is so much talent out there right now, period. Naturally, I’m a major boxing fan, but you have to look at it for what it is. Can the business be helped? Yes. Everything needs support at some point, whether it’s a business or a passion. I love boxing, so I’m in her corner—how about that?”

The boxer did admit that, although he had heard about Shields’ boxing skills, he had yet to see her fight live, but he plans to do so.

“I haven’t seen her live yet, but I certainly will now. It’s been brought to my attention again, and I really like what I see.”

Leonard, who boxed from 1977 to 1997, won championship belts in five different weight classes in his career. He began his professional career after winning a gold medal for the United States in the lightweight division at the 1976 Olympics. The talented athlete kept gaining weight, competing in the welterweight division before moving up to light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and finally light heavyweight. His record was 25-3, with one draw.

He fought during the height of non-heavyweight popularity in the 1980s. He was part of four of the best boxers during that time period, including Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler, and Tommy Hearns.

The four boxers were dubbed the “Four Kings” and had the boxing world excited as they fought each other. Leonard was the only one to defeat the others after beating Hagler in a controversial bout that ended in a split decision, which effectively ended Hagler’s career in 1987.

La La Anthony, charity event, luxury, wealth, Black women

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 26, 2026

La La Anthony Opens Up About Her ‘Life’s Work’ At Rikers Island Through ThreeSixty Program

La La Anthony opens up about the impact of her prison reform initiative, the ThreeSixty Program, at New York City's notorious Rikers Island.

Despite her packed Hollywood schedule, La La Anthony has continued to give back to her hometown, channeling her energy into prison reform through the ThreeSixty Program at New York’s most notorious correctional facility.

The actress recently appeared on the Jan. 23 episode of Sherri, where she discussed her new partnership with Canvas Beauty and how it helps support her ThreeSixty Program at Rikers Island. The reentry initiative provides young men with mentorship, legal support, and life skills designed to reduce recidivism and help participants successfully transition back into society after release.

“ThreeSixty is a program I started inside of Rikers Island about three years ago,” Anthony shared. “So what we do is, we get them ready, while they’re incarcerated, for the outside world. Whether that be job training, mentorships, self-esteem building, or anything that they need, so when they come out, they’re productive citizens. We help them get great jobs, housing, clothing, whatever they need, and it’s been so successful, and that’s what I’m most proud of.”

Always quick to lock in an on-trend brand deal, Anthony’s latest move pairs her with Black-owned beauty brand Canvas Beauty for its first-ever talent partnership collection. Launching just in time for Valentine’s Day, the La La Anthony x Canvas Beauty line marks her fragrance debut with Love La La and La Intense, along with a new body care collection under the Canvas Beauty umbrella.

When asked how she balances the prison reform initiative with her busy Hollywood career, the Power actress says the program is a true passion project.

“It’s my life passion. It’s my life’s work,” she said. “I know how easy it is to write them off… A lot of their choices were because of the environment, lack of opportunity.”

https://twitter.com/BlockTopickz/status/2015101575966908522

To underscore the program’s impact, Anthony was joined by former participant Michael Rondo Bonilla, a onetime Rikers Island inmate who met her through the initiative and has maintained a relationship with The Chi star.

Bonilla credits the ThreeSixty Program with helping steer him toward a better path than the one that led him to Rikers.

“When La first started coming, she kept on coming,” he said, in a clip shared online. “When I got out, she came. Authentic, no security, none of that. I listened to my mentors, I kept God first, and that’s why I’m at where I’m at today.”

Anthony also praised Bonilla, who now works as an organizer with REFORM and has earned a scholarship to Columbia University, highlighting the real impact of the ThreeSixty Program and the possibilities that can emerge when people are given a second chance.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 26, 2026

Justin Pearson On New Wave Of Leadership and Why This ‘New Moment’ Requires ‘Different Ideas’

Pearson is one of several new Black leaders running in hot-ticketed midterm elections, seeking to take over for incumbent leaders who have been glued to their elected seats for sometimes decades.

Democratic Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson is known for speaking his mind about the current state of politics, at home and across the country. Still, he’s taking it up a notch, touching on the need for change that requires new faces — even if that means challenging the members who paved the way.

Pearson is one of several new Black leaders running in hot-ticketed midterm elections, seeking to take over for incumbent leaders who have been glued to their elected seats for sometimes decades.

And in the second running of the Trump administration’s controversial policies, Pearson says it’s time for some to step aside. “This is a new moment that requires different ideas, requires new energy and new perspectives, and you cannot be a part of the system for 40 years and also be the one who’s going to change it for the next 40,” the 31-year-old told Politico.

“You’ve done the best that you could, and it’s time for other folks to be able to do the best that they can for the present and for the future.”

As Pearson launched a campaign to challenge incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen, 76, the ideology has trickled into territories that have served Black communities and beyond — the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).

Since its 1971 establishment, the group has grown significantly, with a current roster of 62 members and an average member age of 60. While 60 should not be deemed “old” or out of touch, Pearson feels there needs to be a sense of adaptation to carry on, especially for the betterment of Black people.

“The Democratic Party has to adapt to survive. That work starts right now,” the once expelled leader said.

“Black folks in this country are still suffering disproportionately in every single category, and without leadership to elevate those concerns, those worries, those issues in a meaningful way, we’re never going to see that change.”

Some of the oldest House Democrats serve as CBC members, like Rep. Jim Clyburn, 85, who has represented South Carolina for more than 30 years, and California Rep. Maxine Waters, 87, who was first elected in 1990. Both have plans for reelection bids. It’s candidates like Pearson and Evan Turnage, the former senior staffer to Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer (NY) and Elizabeth Warren (MA), who launched a primary campaign to take over for Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), 77, who have expressed their concerns.

“When I was born in 1992, this was the poorest district in the poorest state in the country,” Turnage, 33, said.

“Congressman Thompson was elected in ’93, and now today, I’m 33, and this is still the poorest district in the poorest state in the country.”

He agreed with Pearson’s sentiments on the need for fresh and new leadership, saying it’s time for long-serving members who have “failed” younger generations. “Just because you’ve been around the block for 30 years doesn’t mean you’re delivering results for the district, doesn’t mean you’re delivering results for your constituents,” Turnage said.

The wave of new leadership featuring Black faces seems never-ending from the West to the East Coast. In Georgia, Everton Blair, who made history as the youngest, first Black, and first openly gay person elected to the Gwinnett County Board of Education, is eyeing the congressional seat of the state’s 13th District.

According to ABC News, Blair launched a primary bid against incumbent Rep. David Scott, who has held the seat for 22 years.

His goal is to serve as an “agile and present” leader, something the 32-year-old no longer sees in Scott. “I’m running because District 13, my home turf, deserves better leadership. And I think we learned a vital lesson in November. We need to respond immediately to the chaos of this administration with stronger, more competent, and forceful leadership,” Blair said.

“When somebody’s served in elected office for over 50 years, there comes a time when you have to ask when you’re actually ready to prepare the next generation of leadership.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 26, 2026

Ye Apologizes To Jewish People, Black Community In WSJ Ad Addressing ‘Those I’ve Hurt’

Ye says his offensive remarks stemmed from improper treatment of his 2002 car crash.

Ye has made an official apology for his past ways in a new public advertisement.

The rapper formerly known as Kanye West shared the apology in the Wall Street Journal Jan. 26, buying up the ad space to do so. Titled “To Those I’ve Hurt,” the father of four addressed his previous anti-semitic and racist remarks that offended multiple groups, especially the Jewish and Black communities. His offensive commentary led to his disgrace in the public eye, including the separation of his fashion brand, Yeezy, from its primary distributor, Adidas.

The letter, paid for by Yeezy, has Ye describing his own reasoning for his mental decline. He claims the rants stemmed from his 2022 car crash, which allegedly caused neurological damage that went untreated for years. X user Kurrco reposted the full letter.

Ye took out a Wall Street Journal ad to apologize for past antisemitic remarks.

In an open letter paid for by Yeezy, Ye apologized for his past remarks, which he claims stemmed from neurological damage after a 2002 car crash:

"To Those I’ve Hurt:

Twenty-five years ago, I was… pic.twitter.com/R2lGi1dGF8
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) January 26, 2026

“Twenty-five years ago, I was in a car accident that broke my jaw and caused injury to the right frontal lobe of my brain. At the time, the focus was on the visible damage—the fracture, the swelling, and the immediate physical trauma. The deeper injury, the one inside my skull, went unnoticed.”

Ye explained how he never received a proper diagnosis until 2023, which caused “serious damage” to his mental state. He also stated that the “medical oversight” led to his bipolar disorder.

He explained how the disorder impacted his behavior, leading him not to heed others’ warnings about his actions. The Yeezy founder shared that he “lost touch with reality” and said things he “deeply regret[s].”

Ye continued, “The scariest thing about this disorder is how persuasive it is when it tells you: You don’t need help. It makes you blind, but convinced you have insight. You feel powerful, certain, unstoppable.”

The 48-year-old then addressed the “poor judgment” behind his anti-semitic remarks and accompanying fashion statements. He reaffirmed his love for Jewish people while asserting that he is not a Nazi, before speaking directly to another group he disappointed, the Black community.

“To the black community, which held me down through all of the highs and lows and the darkest of times. The black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us,” wrote the rapper.

Confirming that he underwent a four-month-long manic episode, he thanked his wife, Bianca Censori, for helping him get help as he reached rock bottom. This latest apology marks a previous attempt to make amends with the religious group, previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Now, Ye intends to rebuild his relationship with the public as he hopes to lead a new path.

“As I find my new baseline and new center through an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise, and clean living, I have newfound, much-needed clarity. I am pouring my energy into positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design, and other new ideas to help the world.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 26, 2026

African TikTok Star Khaby Lame Inks $900M Partnership To Revolutionize Influencer Deals

The partnership will grow Lame's brand into the e-commerce sector.

Khaby Lame is already a trailblazer on TikTok, but is now using his platform to transform the influencer landscape.

The Senegalese-born TikToker has inked a $900 million acquisition and strategic partnership deal with Rich Sparkle Holdings. As the content creator enters the deal with the U.S.-based company, Rich Sparkle will gain exclusive commercial rights to Lame’s expansive brand, as reported by Business Insider Africa. Lame already boasts an over 160 million following on TikTok alone.

In the innovative partnership, Lame sold part of his company, Step Distinctive Limited, to the firm. While Rich Sparkle will oversee operations to scale Lame’s influential brand for a 36-month period, it will do so with Lame remaining in the driver’s seat as controlling shareholder.

Rich Sparkle Holdings will manage Lame’s brand partnerships, endorsements, licensing, and e-commerce ventures, proposing $4 billion in expected sales from the joint venture. Lame will not only remain a creative force driving his brand, but a managing voice in the direction of the company.

However, the growth drivers also stem from implementing supply chain infrastructure to the platform’s marketing reach and Lame’s own content strategy. Evolving Lame’s influence from content curation to creator-led e-commerce, the new deal could transform how influencers interact with their widespread following for years to come.

“This is not just an equity acquisition, but a revolution in the global content e-commerce model,” explained Rich Sparkle Holdings on the news.

However, this deal will also extend to technological advancements as well. Lame also signed on for a AI-generated version of himself to take shape, allowing for more “round the clock” and multi-lingual content for the influencer to entertain the world. The deal will also reach into the beauty, fragrance, and apparel sectors, placing Lame at the forefront of new media avenues to capitalize on.

Lame has already become a major player for TikTok creators, accruing millions in followers and paychecks from his content style of comedic, silent videos. From Fortnite collaborations to UNICEF ambassadorships for his native country, Lame will continue elevating what it means to be a global entertainment influencer.

The rollout of this commercial strategy will begin in several regions, including the United States, with an additional global partnership with a China-based content commerce operator to drive its e-commerce sector.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 26, 2026

Target CEO Along With Other Minnesota Executives Call For ICE Brigade To End As Workforce Dwindles As A Result Of Raids

Target staffers at roughly two stores have told managers they’re too afraid to come into work.

As ICE agents continue to cause havoc in the city of Minneapolis and throughout the state of Minnesota, CEOs of companies, such as Target, are finally speaking out as it’s starting to affect business.

Before he steps down for new leadership to take over, the retail giant CEO Brian Cornell is scheduled to meet with agents Jan. 29 as The Los Angeles Times reports local faith leaders and activists are demanding the company ban ICE from stores and parking lots as they have scared some employees from coming to work amid a few being detained.

Using internal Slack channels, workers have expressed their grievances about the company’s silence. When Renee Good was gunned down by a federal agent in early January 2026, the company remained silent. Now, people are seeking a clear statement condemning the operation. However, incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, who is set to start Feb. 1, is focused on regaining company trust with revitalized sales while the company is still dealing with the massive backlash of dialing back on its DEI initiatives that have put so many Black entrepreneurs on the national stage.

Chief Human Resources Officer, Melissa Kremer, released a memo highlighting company plans to seemingly address concerns, revealing the security teams are increasing communication with workers based in the Twin Cities area. “While we can’t control everything happening around us, we are focused on what we can control,” the memo read.

“We’re listening and working to de-escalate where possible — while staying clear on what we need to safely operate our business and care for our team.”

Fear has spread amongst Target employees after ICE snatched two U.S. citizen employees from a store in Richfield, Minnesota. Staffers at roughly two stores have told managers they’re too afraid to come into work. But Target isn’t the biggest sufferer in the matter.

Hotels and restaurants have been hit the hardest during ICE’s takeover tactics. Adam Duininck, CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, called it “a really complicated issue,” highlighting that the decrease in foot traffic will have a “chilling impact” on the local economy as a whole. He touched on the city still rebuilding after the unrest suffered following George Floyd’s 2020 murder at the hands of police. “I expect that the longer this lasts, the more business leaders will speak out,” Duininck said.

Seems like the time is now. Sixty CEOs of Minnesota-based companies such as Target, Best Buy, and General Mills, signed a letter to the Trump Administration, ICE, and officials at the state and local level for an “immediate de-escalation of tensions” after Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was added to the list of citizens killed by federal agents. “With yesterday’s tragic news, we are calling for an immediate deescalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions,” the letter read, highlighting communication with Gov. Tim Walz, local mayors, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, according to USA Today.

NEW: The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce released this letter on behalf of more than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies today. https://t.co/n4x7yJGoJv pic.twitter.com/uzXg0tzjIm
— Minnesota Chamber of Commerce (@MN_Chamber) January 25, 2026

“The recent challenges facing our state have created widespread disruption and tragic loss of life. There are ways for us to come together to foster progress.”