armed forces, desegregate, integrate, 75 years, White House
by Sharelle B. McNair

October 27, 2025

Scott Bessent Warns Military Families May Face November 15 Pay Disruption

President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to use untouched research and development funds to cover military paychecks but officials highlighted the move as a temporary fix.

While the Trump administration promised military members would be paid despite funding discrepancies, U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that Nov. 15 paychecks may be missed if the government shutdown carries on, CBS News reported. 

“I think we’lll be able to pay them beginning in November, but by Nov. 15 our troops and service members who are willing to risk their lives aren’t going to be able to get paid,” Bessent said on an interview with Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.

Shortly after the shutdown began, President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to use untouched research and development funds—roughly $8 billion from the previous fiscal year—to cover mid-month paychecks. However, officials highlighted the move as a temporary fix as funds will run out to pay members of the military if the shutdown continues. 

The Trump appointee didn’t waste time blaming the Democratic Party for the shutdown, heading into 30 days, calling it a “Democrat-led boycott.” He specifically called out Senate Majority and Minority leaders, Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY(.

“What’s changed between now and March other than Chuck Schumer’s poll numbers, and I think Hakeem Jeffries is going to be primary from the left, and I didn’t think there was a lot of room over there,” Bessent said. “So both of them are worried about their primaries and not the American people, not the government employees, not our military employees.”

After blaming their Democratic colleagues for disagreeing on the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, Republicans accused them of pushing for a pay hiatus for military personnel, according to The Hill, highlighting the lack of seven Senate votes to pass a funding bill sponsored by House Speaker Sen. Mike Johnson (R-LA).

“HR 5371 (the Continuing Resolution) is the bill to pay our troops,” Johnson wrote on X. “No one in the military or any military family should have their pay blocked on October 15!” 

Senate Democrats blocked the bill during an Oct. 23 vote to pay active-duty members of the military and other essential federal employees furloughed by the government shutdown. Meanwhile, Trump announced that an unidentified friend had donated $130 million to the Defense Department to help pay service members who had missed paychecks, calling the donor “a great gentleman.”

The gesture was met with backlash from social media users who wondered if there are people who can donate that amount of cash to the military, maybe they can assist with the healthcare bailout.

RELATED CONTENT: Elevate Your Excellence: Rep. Justin J. Pearson Goes From Memphis Activist To Congressional Candidate

WNBA, Angel Reese, reese's puffs, cereal
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 27, 2025

Angel Reese ‘Charm City’ Reeboks Sell Out Again As Athlete Becomes ‘Fashion Icon’

The city of Baltimore is the inspiration for the sneaker

She shoots, she scores. Angel Reese’s latest collaboration with Reebok has already been a hit, with the new “Charm City” sneakers selling out on their first day.

The self-proclaimed “Bayou Barbie” is already a trendsetter for her looks off the court. Her first sneaker for Reebok, The Angel Reese 1, is the Chicago Sky player’s signature shoe, but fans keep taking it out of stock.

After months of initial hype, the sneakers’ first set of colorways debuted in September. That collection sold out in just minutes, while leaving fans hungry for more from the fashion icon-meets-athlete.

The “Charm City” special-edition sneaker was also released Oct. 24, to the same anticipation. The shoe paid homage to her Baltimore roots, with its “Unapologetic” purple-and-black design similar to the city’s NFL team, the Ravens.

“This one’s for Charm City, to honor my roots and the community of Baltimore that has backed me from day one,” said Reese of the shoe’s release, per Sports Illustrated. “This city gave me my grit and made me who I am today.”

The sneakers, which went for $120 a pair, sold out of all sizes within the day. Reese confirmed the news on X while she celebrated the business win.

The success of the line, especially for a woman’s basketball sneaker, has already solidified Reese as a fashionista. The 23-year-old power forward agreed with the sentiment. She referred to herself as a “fashion icon” while she reflected on all her diverse accomplishments.

“Hooper. Model. Fashion Icon. Actress. Podcaster. Entrepreneur. Business Owner. Home Owner,” noted the 6-foot-3 sports star.
“All at 23. But, GOD.”

With many pursuits outside the court, including modeling for Victoria’s Secret, hosting a podcast, and a blooming business empire, Reese also feels unstoppable. While her day job has left her with more desires from her WNBA team, the Chicago Sky, Reese continues to build her own brand beyond basketball.

For fans still looking to snag a pair, select sizes are still available at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

RELATED CONTENT: Angel Reese Will Receive Wings And Walk In Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Andrew Young, daughter, Atlanta
by Kandiss Edwards

October 27, 2025

Andrew Young Talks Malcolm, Martin, And Doing ‘The Dirty Work’

The civil rights icon visited The Breakfast Club to promote his new documentary 'Andrew Young: The Dirty Work.'

Civil rights icon Andrew Young is opening up about the rumored feud between Malcolm X and Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. 

On Oct. 23, Young visited “The Breakfast Club” to promote his new documentary “Andrew Young: The Dirty Work.” While there, Young offered his candid perspective on the relationship between Dr. King and Malcolm X, dismissing the popular narrative that pitted the two men against each other. Instead, he explained that the men had a healthy mutual respect, which was minimized publicly as a strategic move. 

“You know, there was no issue,” Young said. “The difference was that Martin Luther King learned in college, Malcolm X learned in jail, but Malcolm X read the dictionary and the Bible.”

Young’s reflection turns on a specific moment in Harlem after King’s Nobel Prize recognition. He recalled that when King entered through a back door at an armory event, he was greeted by Malcolm X and then-New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. 

“Malcolm X said, ‘I just wanted to thank you for all that you’ve done. And I want you to know that I am with you in anything you want me to do,’” Young shared.

He added that Malcolm then explained his reluctance to appear publicly with King: “But I think that it’s probably better strategy if you and I don’t seem to be so close,” Young quoted. 

Young credited differing trajectories rather than adversarial intent for their leadership styles. 

“Malcolm was playing his lane…publicly but privately he respected Dr. King,” Young said 

He noted that the so-called Black Power movement drew energy from proximity to King’s visibility: “A lot of this black power movement came out of standing right next to Dr. King walking in the South…That’s where it started,” according to Young.

He said King supported other groups that were not fully aligned with the nonviolent movement. From behind the scenes, He also noted that while “leaders at some point criticize Dr. King,” they did so “respectfully.” 

Young’s remarks arrive alongside renewed interest in civil rights. He said his own efforts—including the forthcoming documentary “Andrew Young: The Dirty Work” are meant to shed light on the foundations of the movement. The Civil Rights Movement was more than just a charismatic leader and coordinated marches. Young and others were part of the less glamorous aspects of coordination and organization. Young’s firsthand testimony adds fresh nuance to the story of a legendary movement, two legendary figures, and all those who are unsung.

RELATED CONTENT: Mayor Paul Young Hopes National Guard Helps With Memphis Cleanup, Homeless Efforts

Shaquille O'Neal, Shaq, Funeral Costs , 12-Year-Old
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 27, 2025

Shaquille O’Neal ‘Ashamed’ Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier Allegedly Involved In Gambling Scheme

'I'm ashamed that those guys would put their families and their careers in jeopardy,' Shaq said.

Shaquille O’Neal expressed disappointment in Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, both arrested in a federal gambling investigation, and also criticized fellow players who risk their careers with alleged illegal betting activities.

As the new NBA season got underway, news of the arrests prompted the sports world to weigh in on the accusations, and Shaq did not hold back when discussing the situation. While on air with fellow co-hosts Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley, the former center said that he has been involved in legal gambling by playing craps and roulette while in Las Vegas. But he was not gambling outside of the casinos.

“We all know the letter of the law when it comes to gambling and sports gambling, and I don’t want to sit up here like I’m some perfect guy,” O’Neal stated. “Every now and then, when I go to Vegas, I’ll play some craps and I’ll play some roulette but I never gambled at anyone’s house. Don’t know anything about poker.”

Shaq went on to say that although he knows Billups and used to play with former NBA player Damon Jones, who was also picked up for being involved in the gambling scheme, he did not understand why they would risk it all by putting their families and careers in jeopardy.

“I know Chauncey, I know Damon very well—I played with Damon—but I’m ashamed that those guys would put their families and their careers in jeopardy.”

“There’s an old saying in the hood: all money ain’t good money. So if you’re making $9 million dollars, how much more do you need?”

Billups is alleged to have participated in “rigged” poker games that took place in Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas, and the Hamptons, according to officials. The games were attended by members of at least three of New York’s mafia families.

Authorities say Billups and Damon Jones, a former NBA player, were paid for their participation, with Jones requesting a partial prepayment of $2,500 before attending one of the poker games. Jones was also arrested.

Rozier, who was cleared by the league of gambling accusations, was accused of sharing information about players on a team’s roster with bettors before games were played.

The NBA has suspended both Billups and Rozier.

RELATED CONTENT: Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers’ Head Coach Chauncey Billups Arrested After Gambling Investigation

Rihanna, Eminem, Monster
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 27, 2025

Rihanna, Eminem Score A Billion Views On 2013 Collaborative Song, ‘Monster’

It's the second time the duo hit that number; 2010's 'Love the Way You Lie,' was the first song that hit one billion views.

Songstress Rihanna and rapper Eminem have created another “Monster.” YouTube announced that the duo’s second collaborative hit has reached a billion views.

According to Billboard, after releasing the song and video for “The Monster” over 10 years ago in 2013, the pair reached over a billion views. The song appeared on the rapper’s “The Marshall Mathers LP2.” The record was a No. 1 hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks after its release.

That was not the first time that Rihanna and Eminem struck that magic number as a duo on YouTube. “Love the Way You Lie,” which appeared on Eminem’s 2010 album “Recovery,” reached that milestone and currently has over 3 billion views.

The Bajan beauty has 12 songs that have been seen over a billion times on the video platform. Slim Shady has nine videos that have eclipsed the billion mark.

Although Rihanna has been spending her time in the boardroom as an executive for her Fenty brand, music lovers are still listening to her songs, despite her not releasing an album in nearly 10 years. Hot97 recently reported that the “Umbrella” singer is the top Black female artist on Spotify, with over 101 million monthly listeners.

In a recent social media post, the singer thanked her fans for being with her since she left Barbados to embark on her musical journey.

“20 years ago, I left my country, my culture, my food, and family to embark on a journey that started with the release of my very first body of music! So many of you were a part of my life and career since the very beginning, and some of you have joined the adventure along the way. I’m forever grateful to all of you. Each of you played a very crucial role in where this journey has taken me thus far! I just wanted to take this moment to say thank you! Thank you for the greatest first 20 years ever!”

RELATED CONTENT: Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Foundation Named One Of Greatest Inventions By Time Magazine

ICE, lightfoot, Chicago
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 26, 2025

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Wants To ‘Unmask’ ICE

Lightfoot and a group of attorneys have put together a nonprofit organization named 'The ICE Accountability Project.'

To combat the alleged illegal actions of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the rounding up of immigrants in Chicago, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a group of attorneys have put together a nonprofit organization named “The ICE Accountability Project.”

According to Fox 32 Chicago, Lightfoot said that organization will serve as as a website and “central repository” to track moves made by ICE agents in their pursuit of people they claim are in the country illegally. The move has been made during the government’s planned “Operation Midway Blitz.”

“We want to create a centralized archive of all the purported criminal actions of ICE and CBP agents,” Lightfoot said. “We want to create a portal where what’s happening in real time can be centralized and put out for the public to view.”

The group plans to “unmask” unidentified agents working for ICE, but not reveal personal information such as names or identities. They will identify physical traits, clothing, and vehicles of the people involved in the alleged illegal actions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said there has been a 1,000% increase in threats against federal agents.

“They are on public property out in the open,” she said. “We have an absolute right under our constitution to document what’s happening.”

After Lightfoot appeared on The Chicago Report, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a threat toward Lighthfoot.

“This is the first time I’ve seen the Lori Lightfoot video was just now on your show,” she stated while appearing on Fox News. “She will be getting a letter from us tomorrow to preserve anything she has done as well, to make sure that she’s not violating the law. It appears she is. You cannot disclose the identity of a federal agent—where they live, anything that could harm them.”

RELATED CONTENT: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Highlights The ‘Ancestors’ In Push For A General Strike

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Trump, ballroom, DC Hillbillies
by Mary Spiller

October 26, 2025

‘Come And Listen To A Story ’Bout A Man Named Trump’: $300M White House Ballroom Inspires Jasmine Crockett’s ‘D.C. Hillbillies’ Parody

Crockett trolls Trump—again!

As the nation suffers through its second-longest government shutdown, President Donald Trump is overseeing a reportedly $300 million construction project to add a grand ballroom to the White House, a move that has ignited frustration across social media as millions of Americans face food insecurity.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) responded to the news online.

Recent demolition photos of the East Wing, which went viral this week, show major renovations already underway. The timing of the project has drawn sharp criticism, especially as 25 states are expected to suspend SNAP benefits in November, leaving many families uncertain about where their next meal will come from.

Crockett took to TikTok to mock the construction with a parody video titled “The D.C. Hillbillies: Orange Edition,” riffing on the theme song to the classic 1960s sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies. The clip features footage of the East Wing being torn apart while “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”—the show’s theme song—plays in the background.

Crockett captioned the post with a biting remark: “Families can’t afford groceries but sure, let’s build a ballroom.”

The parody quickly gained traction online, with many users applauding the congresswoman’s choice of song and its pointed commentary on political priorities.

The lyrics—“Come and listen to a story ‘bout a man named Jed, poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed”—resonated with viewers who saw irony in celebrating luxury while millions struggle with rising costs and halted assistance programs.

While the White House has not commented on the project, the images of construction juxtaposed with the ongoing shutdown have fueled outrage, reinforcing public perception of a widening gap between Washington’s leadership and the everyday struggles of American families.

https://twitter.com/Suzierizzo1/status/1981625112601223367?s=19

Users online have also offered their support for Crockett.

One online user wrote, “Jasmine Crockett is trolling Trump like Gavin Newsom is and everyone is loving it! What Trump did to the East wing is an absolute disgrace especially since most Americans believe it was planned ahead of time and no mistake! I’m curious who’s paying the extra $50 million now!”

Others chimed in on the demolition and how reflective it is of his recent behavior.

RELATED CONTENT: Jasmine Crockett Hints At Becoming Third Black Woman To Sit In The U.S. Senate

Nikole Hannah-Jones, literary salon, Brooklyn
by Kandiss Edwards

October 26, 2025

Nikole Hannah-Jones Looks To Spark A Brooklyn Renaissance With Soon-to-Open Literary Salon

The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of the '1619 Project' hopes to open North Star Books + Bar in early 2026.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of the “1619 Project,” Nikole Hannah-Jones is opening The North Star Books + Bar, a literary salon in Brooklyn. 

North Star Books + Bar aims to honor Black writers, old and young, and create a space for community in the literary world. The salon will occupy a two-story brick building at the corner of Macon Street and Marcus Garvey Boulevard. The building previously held long-standing Black-owned Macon Hardware.

The plan includes a space for micro-residencies so visiting writers can lead workshops, readings, and community engagement. 

Hannah-Jones, a Brooklyn resident for nearly 15 years, said she has hosted multiple writer salons in her home. She now wants to scale that energy into a dedicated public space for all. 

“I started holding these writers’ salons at my house within a year of moving to New York. I felt that young Black writers needed to have a place where they could be with their heroes, where we could do readings. At one of my early salons, Ta-Nehisi Coates read an early draft of his [2015 Pulitzer-nominated nonfiction book] Between the World and Me on my stoop…So I’ve been thinking for a long time about trying to open a public salon-style space that involved the greatest attributes of the Harlem Renaissance,” Jones told Harper’s Bazaar. 

While the opening date has not been finalized, organizers say the salon will begin programming in early 2026. Activities are expected to include author talks, community book clubs, and partnerships with local schools and cultural institutions to deepen literary engagement in the neighborhood.

Hannah-Jones emphasized that the salon is more than a bookstore or bar—it is set to become “a space where creative folks can come together and exchange knowledge, ideas, literature, art.” 

The writer and activist is committed to furthering the rich literary culture in New York, while cultivating cultural infrastructure in Black communities. The North Star Books + Bar is a small foothold for Black New Yorkers in a rapidly gentrifying borough, anchoring literature, culture and community in Bed-Stuy. 

RELATED CONTENT: 4 BLACK ENTERPRISE Books To Help Fuel Your Entrepreneurial Spirit

JAŸ-Z Jay Z, paternity
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 26, 2025

Judge Allows Jay-Z’s Attorneys To Sanction Godmother Of Rymir Satterthwaite, Who Claimed Rapper Was His Father, In Failed Paternity Cases

According to court records, in 2022, a New Jersey judge barred Lillie Coley and Satterthwaite from filing new lawsuits in that state without obtaining the court's approval.

Roc Nation’s Jay-Z is looking like a “Teflon Don” in the case involving Rymir Satterthwaite, who claims to be the billionaire’s son. AllHipHop reports that a federal judge in California has rejected an emergency restraining order request by Satterthwaite’s godmother, Lillie Coley.

Satterthwaite has been trying for years to pin a paternity tag on Jay-Z, trying to obtain the businessman’s DNA to prove he is the father.

U.S. District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett denied Coley’s request to prevent Jay-Z’s attorneys from issuing what she describes as “retaliatory” sanctions against her for trying to prove his alleged paternity. 

She told the judge that she was being targeted because she had been advocating for Satterthwaite in his pursuit to find out if Jay is his father.

Earlier this year, in a lawsuit against the rapper, the 31-year-old Satterthwaite claimed Jay-Z had sexual relations with his mother, who is now deceased, in the 1990s. She was 16 and the rapper was 22 when the alleged incident occurred. He said he filed multiple paternity suits against the “Hard Knock Life” rapper but that all were dismissed.

The suit says Jay-Z has refused to submit to a DNA test, choosing “instead to obstruct and manipulate the legal process.” Satterthwaite has since dropped his lawsuit.

According to court records, in 2022, a New Jersey judge barred Coley and Satterthwaite from filing new lawsuits in that state without obtaining the court’s approval. The judge cited repeated attempts to litigate the paternity issue that failed.

The latest decision will allow Jay-Z’s attorneys to move forward with their efforts to penalize Coley over what has been described as “decades-long harassment,” according to court filings.

Jay-Z, of course, is now married to another superstar, Beyoncé. The couple has three children.

RELATED CONTENT: Jay-Z Says Paternity Suit Is Full Of ‘Fabricated Allegations’

remote work, microsoft
by Kandiss Edwards

October 26, 2025

Microsoft Latest Corporation Ordering Employees Back to the Office

Microsoft said employees who live within 50 miles of its Redmond campus will be expected on site at least three days a week by the end of February 2026.

Microsoft is the latest corporation to order employees back to the office.

In a memo posted to Microsoft Blog, Executive Vice President Amy Coleman laid out her reasoning for the change. Microsoft wants to return the days when employees “worked with the people right down the hall.” While stating the power of in-person community, the Sept. 9 memo also acknowledged that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence required an immediacy of attention that instant communication tools cannot replicate. 

“In the AI era, we are moving faster than ever, building world-class technology that changes how people live and work, and how organizations everywhere operate. If you reflect on our history, the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when we build on each other’s ideas together, in real time,” Coleman wrote.

Luckily for employees, the company is not calling for a five-day, in-person work week. Microsoft said employees who live within 50 miles of its Redmond campus will be expected on site at least three days a week by the end of February 2026. The policy will roll out in phases for other U.S. and international offices. 

The announcement comes on the heels of NBCUniversal giving its employees an ultimatum. In a memo that hybrid employees must be on-site Monday through Thursday beginning Jan. 5, 2026, workers who cannot comply may discuss a voluntary exit assistance package with human resources.

“We are better when we are together,” NBCU Chief Operating Officer Adam Miller wrote.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 40 million people are work-from-home employees, but as more companies demand employees return to the office, the change isn’t so easy. Employees at companies that tightened policies report having to rearrange childcare plans, relocate, or accept severance packages if they cannot comply.

As more companies insist “togetherness” is the way to success the debate over office presence and productivity is likely to persist. Employers say they want teams together to spark innovation. Employees say the modern workplace should respect proven hybrid practices that helped many balance work and life without harming their output.

RELATED CONTENT: What Employees Need To Know About After A Retun-To-Work Policy Resulted In A Major Lawsuit

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