by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 21, 2026

Former Alabama Player Accused Of Impersonating NFL Players To Obtain Nearly $20M In Fraudulent Loans

Luther Evans and co-conspirator CJ Evins are expected to plead guilty.

Luther Davis, a former University of Alabama defensive tackle, has been accused of posing as several NFL players to collect almost $20 million in fraudulent loans.

According to The Athletic, in a March court filing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office claims Davis and a co-conspirator, CJ Evins, donned wigs and makeup to pose as NFL players (identified by the initials X.M., D.N., and M.P.) between May 2023 and October 2024.

Both men have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft, all felonies.

The men plotted to obtain at least 13 loans. When it was time to join a Zoom call with the lenders, they presented identification and documents that were either stolen or featured the players’ photos, which were “easily found online.”

Once the loans were approved, lenders were sent through a network of fake businesses set up by Davis and Evins, as well as their personal accounts. The funds were then used to purchase real estate, cars, and jewelry.

According to NBC News, they received more than $19.8 million from various lenders.

“Unbeknownst to the broker and the lender, none of the players who were supposedly receiving the loans attended any of these closings,” according to the filing. It said that Davis “dressed in disguise and impersonated the players, providing fake identification documents to convince the notary.”

Davis is scheduled for an April 27 hearing before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg in Atlanta and has indicated he will plead guilty to the charges. Evins will also plead guilty before Grimberg this month, according to his attorney, Benjamin Black Alper.

Davis played defensive lineman for the undefeated, championship-winning 2009 Crimson Tide. Over his four-year collegiate career, he made 47 tackles.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 21, 2026

Army Sergeant Goes Viral Making Over Rooms For Fellow Soldiers, Aims To ‘Improve Their Daily Living’

An Army sergeant based at Fort Bliss is going viral for her talent in redesigning barracks for fellow soldiers.

Meet Briyana Taylor, an Army sergeant stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, who’s going viral for transforming the living spaces of fellow soldiers.

What began as a before-and-after TikTok of her barracks makeover—amassing nearly 12 million views and earning her an Army Achievement Medal—has made Taylor highly sought-after at Fort Bliss for transforming fellow soldiers’ living spaces, she tells People.

“They had heard my commander talking about how good my barracks room looked,” she said, recalling a group of soldiers who took to her room, urging her to redesign their barracks.

Now she views it as a passion project that lets her uplift fellow soldiers and bring positive energy to their living spaces, even during difficult times.

“I really do the rooms just to help with soldiers’ mental health and just to improve their daily living,” Taylor said.

@briyanataylor People dont realize how something so simple as decorating your room could help improve your mental health. I’m on a mission to help as many soldiers as I can ❤️ #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #military #army #barracks ♬ die on this hill x gimme my gots – 🔥🔥

She began decorating soldiers’ rooms for free but now charges $300 per client, plus décor costs, while working within each budget. Taylor sources items from thrift shops, Marshalls, HomeGoods, Ross, and Facebook Marketplace.

“I really try to find the cheapest deals as possible,” she said.

For Taylor, the most rewarding part is earning clients’ trust, such as that of Hayden Walker, 25, who discovered her on TikTok after arriving at Fort Bliss. Unsure of what he wanted, Walker trusted her vision completely, saying he knew she’d deliver something great.

“She went in there, knocked it out,” Walker said. “After the room was done, I just felt so good that I could proudly come to my room. The standard barracks rooms, they’re kind of ugly.”

Taylor says she values the positive feedback from clients, especially fellow soldiers, including recruits, who report that her redesigns have improved their mental well-being.

“For me to decorate and give them a room they could come back to and just decompress and get away from all the stresses of the military, I think, helps a lot,” she said.

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 21, 2026

Mississippi Women Sentenced After Racking Up $122K In Separate SNAP Fraud Schemes

Since Oct. 1, 2025, the Department of Agriculture, has disqualified 1,562 associated retailers and disabled 760 illegal point-of-sale devices as a way to prevent close to $835 million in fraudulent SNAP transactions.

Two Mississippi women have been sentenced after racking up thousands in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud schemes, WJTV reports.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) said Katrina Harris and Lashonda Smith reached plea agreements in separate cases of welfare fraud. Pike County investigators found Harris improperly received $69,881 in SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, after failing to report her earned income and residence.

Smith entered a plea agreement after an investigation found she improperly received $52,053 for not accurately reporting her household income. Both Harris and Smith were sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay fines, fees, and restitution totaling $123,534.00.

Harris’ case started in 2024 after she turned herself in following a March 2024 indictment.

Law enforcement has increased efforts to prevent the abuse of SNAP and other federal benefits. Since Oct. 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency leading SNAP efforts, has disqualified 1,562 associated retailers and disabled 760 illegal point-of-sale devices as a way to prevent close to $835 million in fraudulent SNAP transactions.

In a post on X, Stephen Vaden, deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture, warned against those considering committing acts of fraud.

“Commit fraud? We will find you and hold you accountable. Including jail time,” he wrote. “And now, we have the whole government, under the leadership of @VP and @AFergusonFTC, rooting out abuse of any program meant to help the most vulnerable.”

Since October 01, @USDA_FNS has disqualified 1,562 retailers and disabled 760 illegal point of sale devices, resulting in THE PREVENTION of nearly $835M in fraudulent SNAP transactions.

Commit fraud? We will find you and hold you accountable. Including jail time.

And now, we…
— Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden (@DepSecVaden) April 17, 2026

Fraud accusations by SNAP retailers include selling items not permitted under the program, exchanging SNAP benefits for cash, and lying on applications in order to receive authorization to participate as a retailer under the program.

If found to commit fraud, retailers can be permanently disqualified or face both financial and criminal penalties, leading to fines and prison time.

In another X post, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced authorities have targeted more than 20 SNAP retailers accused of fraud, with the retailers receiving administrative charges and criminal warrants that could kick them out of the program for good.

“No more stealing from hungry children, needy families, and hardworking taxpayers. Inspector General John Walk and his team are putting fraudsters on notice,” she wrote. “Steal from the taxpayer? Pay the price.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 21, 2026

Charlotte Welcomes WorthWealth Conference To Promote Homeownership And Generational Wealth

The event takes place April 24 and 25.

Charlotte, North Carolina, which features one of the nation’s largest Black populations, will host a weekend-long conference focused on expanding homeownership and building generational wealth.

The second annual WorthWealth Conference heads to Charlotte for the first time on April 24 and 25. The weekend focuses on financial literacy and asset ownership. Organized by BrightUp Inc., the two-day event aims to expand homeownership and generational wealth by providing practical, actionable tools with a special focus on asset ownership, wealth building, and AI.

“Come one, come all. You can be a first-time home buyer, where you learn about the up to $80,000 that’s available for first-time home buyers and down payment assistance,” Valerie Mosley, CEO of BrightUp and the visionary force behind WorthWealth, told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “And the other is up to $17,000 in cash going towards your closing costs.”

Mosley launched WealthWorth as a multi-city tour in honor of her grandmother, saying her faith inspired her to stay intentional about helping people recognize their worth and build their wealth.

The conference, designed as an in-person experience created to sharpen financial skills and connect attendees with industry experts, is built on four pillars: Self-Worth, focused on confidence and mindset; Financial Fluency, centered on practical money management; Innovation, exploring how AI and technology are reshaping wealth building; and Community, aimed at fostering networks that support generational wealth.

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A post shared by WORTH WEALTH CONVENTION (@worthwealthconvention)

Day one, taking place at Johnson C. Smith University, is all about financial literacy gains and will feature a financial and career empowerment program offering tools to grow assets and advance careers; a networking session connecting attendees with professionals across industries; and an AI podcast and brand monetization workshop focused on using AI tools while building a strong personal brand.

Day two serves as the Homebuying and Activation Summit hosted at Park Church, which will focus on building generational wealth and include access to certified housing counselors for guidance on homeownership, credit, and budgeting, and a homeownership activation aimed at strengthening families and communities.

“We’re going to talk about ways that you can get into the real estate game, whether it’s your first home or your investment property,” Mosley said.

From a Credit Readiness and Path to Purchase workshop to one-on-one counseling with lenders and partners like Navy Federal Credit Union, Arrive, and Loan Study, the homeownership readiness day is designed to show attendees that “you aren’t just your credit score—you’re much more,” Mosley said.

“We have products that will allow you to buy your second home with no money down, which is unheard of,” she said.

Local leaders will take center stage, including retired NASA astronaut Joan Higginbotham, CEO of Xtreme Solutions Inc.; Phyllis Newhouse, who made history as the first Black female CEO to ring the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) opening bell for a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) IPO; President of Johnson C. Smith University, Dr. Valerie Kinloch, and Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., Astronaut, Physician & Venture Capitalist, who made history as the first African-American to walk in space, and private equity chairman, among many others. Together, this powerhouse lineup of speakers will share strategies for building wealth and expanding ownership opportunities.

“I think that’s why it’s really exciting because, as you know, the discrepancies between home ownership, between Black and whites, have been a gap for so long,” Mosley said. “And now we want to make sure that people can get into the home and sustain being in the home.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 21, 2026

Major League Baseball, Philadelphia Phillies Release 2026 All-Star Week Schedule

The HBCU Swingman Classic kicks off the week on Friday, July 10

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game takes place in Philadelphia this year, and the league has just released the schedule for All-Star Week from July 10 to July 14.

The 96th Midsummer Classic will be played at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, in the same year the country celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. The list of events leading up to the actual game will kick off with the HBCU Swingman Classic. The All-Star Game returns to Philly, exactly 50 years after the city hosted the game during the nation’s bicentennial celebration at the old Veterans Stadium in 1976.

⭐️ MLB & Phillies reveal 2026 All-Star Week schedule and festivities for the ASG in Philly in July pic.twitter.com/GioCIE2sJe
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) April 21, 2026

“As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia carries added significance, bringing one of America’s most iconic pastimes to the city where the country’s story began,” said Jeremiah Yolkut, MLB Senior Vice President, Global Operations & Events, in a written statement. “With baseball deeply woven into the fabric of American culture, this moment becomes more than a marquee sporting event; it’s a celebration of tradition, unity, and shared experience. Set within a year when Philadelphia will host the world, All-Star Week captures a uniquely American perspective on that global spotlight, rooted in heritage, community, and the enduring spirit of the game.”

The HBCU Swingman Classic presented by USA Baseball will take place on Friday, July 10; the All-Star Futures Game and MLBx All-Star 3-on-3 happen on Sunday, July 12; the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Gatorade All-Star Workout Day, Monday, July 13; and the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday, July 14.

MLB Hall of Famer, Ken Griffey Jr., co-created the Swingman Classic for student-athletes from Division I programs at historically Black colleges & universities to showcase their skills on a national stage. Heading into its fourth year, it will air live on MLB.TV. The Swingman Classic is a celebration of HBCU culture, including music, entertainment, and ceremonies born from HBCUs around the country.

Tickets can be purchased here.

The schedule for the week’s activities is listed below:

HBCU Swingman Classic presented by USA Baseball Friday, July 10th
All-Star Commissioner’s Cup Friday, July 10th – Monday, July 13th
Jennie Finch Classic presented by ARM & HAMMER Friday, July 10th – Monday, July 13th
Capital One All-Star Village Saturday, July 11th – Tuesday, July 14th
MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express Saturday, July 11th
All-Star Futures Game Sunday, July 12th
MLBx: All-Star 3-on-3 Sunday, July 12th
T-Mobile Home Run Derby Monday, July 13th
All-Star Red Carpet Show Tuesday, July 14th
MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard

For complete information, visit AllStarGame.com.

Legos, pasta, California,Jarrelle Augustine

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 21, 2026

Pasta-tively Wild! Man Allegedly Stole $34K Of Legos And Filled Boxes With Pasta, Returned Them For Profit

Authorities said this was nationwide scheme.

A California man has been dubbed the “Lego Bandit” after being accused of a nationwide scheme in which he stole Legos, filled the boxes with pasta, and then returned them for a profit, CBS News reports.

Jarrelle Augustine, 28, was arrested by the Irvine Police Department for allegedly stealing $34,000 worth of high-end Lego sets and replacing the small plastic bricks with dry pasta, which sounds like Legos when shaken.

“One of the cases that occurred here in Orange County, they shared that they opened the box and instead of Legos, they found bags of dry pasta,” Officer Ziggy Azarcon said.

Azarcon said some of the sets, which featured themes such as Marvel and Star Wars, were expensive. Augustine allegedly received refunds at Target locations in Costa Mesa, Irvine and Westminster and also had ties to cases in Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Florida.

According to Fox News, store surveillance footage shows the suspect taking Lego sets from a store shelf and walking out.

Police say a 28-year-old California man allegedly bought expensive LEGO sets, kept the pieces, and returned the boxes filled with dry pasta, a scheme they say he repeated around 70 times nationwide before being caught. pic.twitter.com/y10aTcvnSo
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 19, 2026

Augustine was arrested at his Los Angeles County apartment, where several packages of Lego piece were found.

In a Facebook post, the Irvine Police Department presented the case with humor.: “If your master plan involves swapping LEGOs for linguine, we can promise your plan will be cooked al dente.”

The popular toy brand has been around since 1932, but has become a phenomenon among adults in recent years. Celebrities like Chloe Bailey are often seen on social media building lavish exhibits.

https://www.tiktok.com/@chloebaileywashere/video/7627131993943264542?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7618952209719608862

On other social media platforms like X, users referred to Augustine as “brilliant” for his clever scheme, but wish such a plan were put to better use.

“That’s brilliant… It’s wrong, of course. But imagine if this person could use his mind for good and not evil,” one user said.

That's brilliant… It's wrong of course. but imagine if this person could use his mind to for good and not evil. People that think like this are rare. They are problem solvers that have no outlet to use their gift… I mean he's building Big ass lego sets… If you mess up…
— AMPS (@ampstreamz) April 19, 2026

Another person put together an idea of what a pasta LEGO set could look like.

The legos were returned as impastas to the store ! #dadjokes pic.twitter.com/rAHZ4zh4IC
— Dad Jokes Animals (@DadJokesAnimals) April 19, 2026

Augustine was booked at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of grand theft.

Brooklyn Man Arrested In 2021 Acid Attack on Ex-Girlfriend

It's the second arrest since February.

A Brooklyn man has been arrested after being accused of plotting a 2021 acid attack on his ex-girlfriend.

Shaquille Coke was charged in March with assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and unlawfully possessing noxious materials. He is being held without bail.

A second man, Terrell Campbell, was arrested and charged in February with throwing acid in Nafia Ikram’s face outside her Long Island home on March 17, 2021.

The district attorney’s office accused Coke of orchestrating the attack carried out by his associate on Ikra, then a 21-year-old college student.

Campbell, now 29, allegedly threw a cup of liquid that contained 70% sulfuric acid when he approached Ikram. She suffered second- and third-degree burns to her face, arms, wrists, shoulders, right eye, and esophagus.

Ikram still has poor vision and scarring on her face and suffers from emotional trauma.

Investigators gathered evidence over the past five years revealing that Coke met with Campbell an hour before the attack and drove him to the home.

According to CBS News, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said that Coke and Ikram met as students at Hofstra University, but Ikram ended the brief relationship in February 2021.

Ikram informed the police that they had only gone out on two dates.

“His jealousy and obsession were the real motive behind this crime,” Donnelly said. “Coke thought she had been unfaithful while they were together, and he could not accept that the months-long relationship had run its course and it was over. He tried to trick Nafiah into admitting that she cheated on him.”

Donnelly said that Coke used a pseudonym to text Ikram and even called Ikram “Freddy Krueger” in the messages.

After Campbell’s arrest in February, he pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault, possession of a weapon, and possession of noxious material. Coke pleaded not guilty and will be back in court in April and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 21, 2026

Women Are More Likely To Be Gold Diggers—But Men Do It Too, New Study Finds

And, yes, the study referenced "Gold Digger."

A new study from the Behavioral and Social Sciences Institute found that gold-digging isn’t just a stereotype about money-focused women—it also applies to men.

Researchers even referenced lyrics from Kanye West and Jamie Foxx’s 2005 hit “Gold Digger”—“She takes my money when I’m in need”—saying it captures three key elements of how the public defines gold diggers.

“First, exploiting money from others, second, not dating poor mates, third, being female,” they wrote.

“Gold digging, often stereotyped as female behavior, is in fact not limited to women,” the researchers added.

The study, led by psychologist Lennart Freyth, surveyed 351 adults, all aged 30, across a range of sexual orientations to assess preferences for material benefits versus emotional intimacy in partners.

Participants completed a 15-item questionnaire measuring personality traits (including narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism), along with social and demographic factors like political views, city size, and perceived mate value. Prompts included choices such as preferring a wealthy, faithful partner or a faithful partner with limited financial stability.

According to the study, men with left-leaning political views showed the highest rates of gold-digging, described as a “partly psychopathy-linked social tactic.”

“In both sexes, gold digging is linked to narcissism, psychopathy, date investment expectations, and mate value.” Study noted that “sadism” was only found in women gold diggers.

Researchers found that non-heterosexual men—gay or bisexual—with left-leaning views scored highest on gold digging. Among women, mid-left non-heterosexual participants scored higher than heterosexual women, while right-leaning non-heterosexual women scored lower.

“Overall, non-heterosexuals (homosexuals and bisexuals) and political leftists scored higher than heterosexuals, political centrists, and right-wingers,” the researchers said. “Narcissists, psychopaths, higher mate value, and a high population density were linked to gold digging.”

The findings also suggest that both male and female gold diggers tend to be “reckless” narcissists who use charm and appearance to attract wealthy partners.

Researchers warned potential victims to be wary of “performative” men—those who appear especially sensitive or progressive but are ultimately motivated by money. Freyth noted that such men boost their appeal by presenting themselves as compassionate and empathetic, making them seem less like a red flag.

“Being agreeable at first glance makes you seem less threatening than someone who questions the status quo,” he said. “Keep in mind that even a guy who appears thoughtful and compassionate might have interests beyond your character.”

Mary J. Blige, Community College, Strength Of A Woman Fund

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 21, 2026

Mary J. Blige Admits To ‘Horrible’ Behavior Early In Her Career, ‘I Treated People So Bad’

Mary J. Blige admits she displayed “horrible” behavior early in her career, including “cursing out” reporters who asked repetitive questions.

Nearly 40 years into her career, Mary J. Blige is reflecting on her success and acknowledging the poor behavior she showed early on.

The Grammy-winning singer recently sat down for an extremely candid chat on Scott Evans’ House Guest podcast, where she admitted to seeing her younger self as a “monster” during the early years of her career.

“I used to be a monster. 1994 Mary was horrible. Go Google it. You’ll see it. It was terrible, man,” Blige said.

Reflecting on her past actions, the “Not Gon’ Cry” singer admitted to “cursing out” reporters for asking her the same type of questions. One X user even included a throwback clip from one interview Blige conducted in the early 90s’ that shows the “horrible” behavior she might’ve been referring to.

https://twitter.com/BlackAndNative1/status/2046135660721914232

Now 55, with decades in the industry, Mary J. Blige said her perspective has shifted, and she now appreciates interviews, candid conversations, and chances to reflect on her success.

“What if nobody cared? You should be happy that people want to talk to you,” she said.

“This is a blessing and an opportunity for people to want to hear what you say. … I grew up. I used to treat people so bad,” Blige added. “Early on, it was like ‘shut up.’

But she admits her behavior was “rude and ungrateful,” attributing it to her upbringing and saying she had to learn to love herself before she could heal.

“I was a savage,” she said in a separate interview. “I treated men like they treated me.”

Blige added that she later asked her team to reach out to journalists she had mistreated so she could apologize.

“I apologized to every last one of those people,” she said. “It was humbling, but it wasn’t something I was afraid of. I knew in my spirit that I had to do it because I was awful.”

She said the apologies “cleared my conscience” and helped unlock new success, making others more eager to collaborate and leading to fresh wins in her career.

Howard University, Autodesk, College of Engineering and Architecture Makerspace

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 21, 2026

Howard University Receives Nearly $2M Gift From AutoDesk To Support Engineers In AI Training

The money will support students within Howard's construction engineering and management program.

Howard University is recognizing a new, lofty gift to support its cohort of diverse engineers.

The school received an unrestricted donation of $1.95 million from Autodesk, a leader in 3D design and engineering software, to help its programming. The funding will ensure students have the skills and training needed to succeed in AI-powered roles, and will directly aid those studying in Howard’s construction engineering and management program.

The program provides students with the development needed to lead advanced construction projects, while instilling digital construction and design skills through its instruction. Another goal is to diversify leadership in the construction industry by educating a new wave of industry professionals through experiential learning and interdisciplinary coursework.

“This investment reflects the strength of our partnership with Autodesk and our shared commitment to preparing students to lead in a technology-driven world,” said Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA, interim president and president emeritus of Howard University, in the news release.

The money also comes amid new developments on the HBCU’s campus. In 2024, Autodesk donated $5 million to the school’s upcoming College of Engineering and Architecture Makerspace, becoming the largest unrestricted gift in the college’s history.

The Makerspace grants engineering majors a more hands-on experience in the field. Complete with a digital fabrication and advanced manufacturing area and a computer and design lab, the 3,400-square-foot space will promote collaboration and innovation among emerging Black engineers.

Not only will the Makerspace educate college students, but it will also encourage STEM learning for all grade levels. Autodesk’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dara Treseder, emphasized that its support aims to grow the talent pool of thinkers in the engineering sector.

“Our partnership with Howard University is rooted in a shared belief: that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t yet,” said Treseder, Autodesk’s chief marketing officer, in the news release. “We’re committed to supporting Howard students and neighboring communities with the tools and technology they need to step into the jobs of the future. Howard’s unwavering commitment to excellence, service, and truth is what makes this partnership possible.”

This donation comes as AI literacy becomes amplified across HBCUs. To ensure HBCU graduates can compete in the workforce, Howard and other institutions have begun further integrating AI skills into their curricula.

Upon graduation, HBCU-trained engineers will have the development needed to compete in an evolving industry where AI competency is their strength, and not a divide.

Frederick added, “At Howard University, we are grounded in a longstanding tradition of intellectual rigor and a commitment to innovation, ensuring our students are not only learning, but doing, with the tools and experiences to make an immediate impact.”