TikToker, Unemployed, TikTok, jobs — Photo by cottonbro studio/Pexels

by Mitti Hicks

November 21, 2025

September Jobs Report Shows ‘Weakening’ Labor Market, Experts Warn

According to the Center for American Progress, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report reveals a weakening economy brought on by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and historic cuts to healthcare and social services.

A little more than a month after its scheduled release date of Oct. 3, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) September jobs report was released after the longest government shutdown in history.

While the U.S. added 119,000 jobs in September, the report, released Thursday, paints a grim picture and shows signs of a weakening labor market.

The unemployment rate jumped to 4.4% in September, up from 4.3% and the pace of wage growth slowed. This comes as no surprise to economists following a series of layoffs from high-profile companies. Amazon, General Motors, IBM, Microsoft, Paramount, Target, UPS, and Verizon all announced plans to lay off tens of thousands of people.

Roughly 39,000 workers received layoff notices in October, according to data from the Cleveland Federal Reserve. Another report from the research firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas counted 153,000 job cuts in October.

According to NBC News, unemployed people are having a harder time finding jobs. On average, it takes nearly six months to find employment, the worst reading since November 2017. As the American Progress Center notes, women of color are hurt the most, as it takes them longer to find a job.

Jobs Hurt By Tariff Polices, Historic Cuts

According to the Center for American Progress, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report reveals a weakening economy brought on by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, the “slash-and-burn” of the federal government, and historic cuts to healthcare and social services.

“The resulting uncertainty for employers has led to a hiring slowdown and some to turn to layoffs,” the center said in a news release.

Unfortunately, the longer people are unemployed, the greater the risk of losing support. In at least 16 states, unemployment insurance benefits end before the standard 26 weeks.

“This is especially concerning for women of color, who are more likely to live in states with shorter time windows, as they are far more likely to be primary breadwinners and provide income that is vital to their families’ economic security,” the Center for American Progress notes.

Jobs data collected for October will be released on Dec. 16 as part of the full report covering November, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced.

Smokey Robinson, sexual assault — Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons CCA

by Kandiss Edwards

November 21, 2025

Smokey Robinson Slapped With Second Sexual Assault Lawsuit

“These plaintiffs are part of the same group of people who have conspired together against the Robinsons and are layering out their claims for maximum adverse publicity," Robinson's attorneys said in a statement.

Smokey Robinson has been accused of sexual assault by a new Jane and John Doe.

This suit was filed by the anonymous plaintiffs alleges that Robinson exposed his genitals while John Doe worked for him, according to documents obtained by TMZ.

John also alleged Robinson walked around in his underwear openly fondling himself as John detailed and cleaned Robinson’s vehicles.

His employment began in 2013. The harassment began early and escalated over the years. In 2022, Robinson allegedly attempted to forcefully make John Doe rub his genitalia. He quit shortly thereafter. In the new lawsuit, Jane Doe says Robinson attempted to do the same with her.

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“These plaintiffs are part of the same group of people who have conspired together against the Robinsons and are layering out their claims for maximum adverse publicity,” Robinson’s attorneys said in a statement.

The attorneys are requesting full disclosure of the identities of each plaintiff. Additionally, they are seeking access to all depositions and evidence held by the opposition.

“This group of people, who hide behind anonymity, and their attorneys seek global publicity while making the ugliest of false allegations.”

Though Robinson said he is “appalled” at the allegations, the Cruisin crooner has been mostly silent. He has yet to speak at length publicly on the matter. The 85-year-old has filed a $500 million defamation and elder abuse lawsuit against the first group of plaintiffs.

In the filings, both Smokey and his wife, Frances, claim the anonymous women, his housekeepers, associated with the first lawsuit made “gratuitous and slanderous allegations,” which are false, Independent reported. They say they treated their employees as “extended family” and provided photos and text messages of the women spending holidays and vacations with them. The Robinsons also claimed they helped the women with personal issues and included them in their vacations.

A pretrial hearing on the most recent will be held on January 6, 2026. A trial date for the housekeepers’ case, which was revealed in May, is set for October 2027.

by Ahsan Washington

November 21, 2025

6 Black-Owned Cafés That Are Mixing Matcha For Them Quarter-Zip-Wearing YGs

Young men are switching up their aura

Young men are currently switching up their aura in the latest social media trend. They’re going from YNs to YGs, by retiring Nikey Techwear and throwing on more conservative quarter-zip sweatshirts. These YGs have adopted matcha as a daily essential to the polished brand and new mindset. Matcha delivers mental clarity alongside unique taste and a perceived social status.

Matcha has become mainstream in coffee shops, but Black-owned establishments create unique matcha experiences that blend community and cultural elements with every sip. These locations between Compton, California, and Beacon, New York, serve more than beverages. They create community spaces while advancing wellness initiatives and demonstrating viability in Black business ownership. Young gentlemen can cop a cup of matcha and show cultural support at these Black-owned cafés.

Gotcha Matcha & Espresso

Eric “Braek Haven” Hicklen Jr. established Gotcha Matcha & Espresso as a café in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, which specializes in matcha and espresso beverages. The café offers more than 12 matcha latte options, including Biscoff, ube, and “dirty matcha.” Gotcha operated as a pop-up before establishing its permanent location in 2024. Hicklen focuses on quality by selecting ceremonial-grade matcha to achieve smoothness and by developing a matcha culture in Charlotte.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRCmOELkY8M/?igsh=MW9icHR2dHJiY3Zvbw==

Kinfolx

Kinfolx is a coffee shop, wine bar, and community space located in Oakland, California. The Matcha Latte at Kinfolx is made with premium Japanese matcha. The founders, Creighton Davis and Akintunde Ahmad, established Kinfolx to build a cultural and wellness-focused community space for Black creatives and their community.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGYmbmESExQ/?igsh=a2c4ZW5hMWN1cDl2

HustleBlendz Coffee

HustleBlendz Coffee Café, owned by Patrice Angwenyi in Fort Worth, Texas, serves specialty drinks, including matcha. The establishment represents a growing movement of Black-owned cafés, which are diversifying their tea culture and offerings beyond standard coffee beverages.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNwuH8g2ooJ/?igsh=MWY3d3l6b2gwNTY1dA==

Matcha Thomas

Matcha Thomas is a Black- and family-owned wellness teahouse focused on matcha in Beacon, New York. Its menu features vegan and gluten-free iced matcha lattes, strawberry milk matcha boba, and other drinks. Matcha Thomas began operations on May 21, 2021, while focusing on wellness accessibility and social impact through its social impact board.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJVXB5aAtdg/?igsh=cmZpbzQxMzg0cXpt

Soul Blends Coffee Roasters

Soul Blends Coffee Roasters is a Black-owned cafe started by Justice Chambers and Jenna Garrett. The specialty coffee business blends African-origin coffee beans with tea traditions at its West Oakland, California, roastery and café. The company started during the pandemic and now runs through pop-up carts and community-based projects. Soul Blends focuses its mission on community development through coffee (and tea), using coffee as a platform to establish Black entrepreneurship in a field traditionally dominated by others.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHG1JgdvfLm/?igsh=MXdiZ2MyaWNkODlvdQ==

404 Coffee

Kelli Jones founded 404 Coffee, a specialty café in Atlanta’s expanding coffee scene. The café serves specialty drinks such as Coconut Matcha with Strawberry Sweet Cream. 404 Coffee operates as one of the numerous Black-owned cafés in the region, offering distinctive flavor combinations that attract young adults seeking familiar tastes with a modern twist.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQINKd5DyHy/?igsh=d3MxbWhyMTc4ODJ1

ICE, arrest — Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/police-officer-putting-handcuffs-on-another-person-7714795/

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 20, 2025

Police Arrest 3 People After Alleged Brutal Kidnapping of 2 Women In Washington, D.C.

The three suspects were charged with federal counts of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping, along with other charges

Police have arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping, stabbing, and robbery of two women that took place in October in Washington, D.C.

The Department of Justice’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Columbia, announced that Robynn Danielle Bynum, 18, of Fort Washington, Maryland, Cierra Charity Lee, 20, and Kayvon Edwards, 21, of the District of Columbia were arrested on Nov. 5. The three suspects were charged with federal counts of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping, as well as three District Code counts of kidnapping while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and armed robbery.

The alleged incident took place on Oct. 20. Authorities stated in court documents that a United States Park Police officer had responded to a report of a stabbing at around 11:45 p.m. that night. Upon arrival, the officer discovered the two victims; one had several stab wounds in her back, while the other suffered knife wounds on her right wrist. The two victims were lured to a different location after being hired for a babysitting gig. The two were stabbed by two individuals when they got there.

The two women were tied up with duct tape and held in a bathroom before they were taken to another location by a car that belonged to one of the victims. Once they arrived, the two were left abandoned. They escaped and went to find help.

Police officers were able to find the car and saw that there were blood stains inside and viewed pieces of duct tape on the back seat. They also noticed that the front passenger tire was flat.

The victims’ names were not released, but investigators found out that one of them had accused Edwards of a crime in another jurisdiction, and he was scheduled to face the charges in court the next day. They also learned that the girls were lured to the residence in a planned attack by the suspects. Edwards allegedly contacted Bynum and Lee to set up the woman who had accused Edwards of a crime. He has been incarcerated while waiting to face the charges, after he allegedly made the arrangements for the attack on his accuser. Officials said that, allegedly, Bynum was the one who attacked the victims with a knife.

News station, news anchor — (Photo: Bee Collins/Pexels)

by Kandiss Edwards

November 20, 2025

Atlanta News Station Receives $3M Gift From Deceased Donor

The donation is the largest of its kind in the public media station’s history.

WABE has received a landmark $3 million gift from Atlanta resident Richard “Rick” Bortle, who passed away from esophageal cancer.

The donation is the largest of its kind in the public media station’s history, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Bortle was a Florida-native who spent the final two decades of his life in the Atlanta area. The new station was the sole beneficiary of the 72-year-old’s estate.

WABE CEO Jennifer Dorian described the donation as “a historic commitment that strengthens our ability to report with depth and care.”

She added that Bortle’s generous gift will allow the station to “invest in journalism that serves all parts of Atlanta, especially communities that deserve more consistent local coverage.”

The contribution is a timely gift that will help the station’s long-term plans for stronger local journalism and expanded community programming.

Dorian called the surprise donation “unexpected, uplifting” and noted that typical individual gifts to the station range from $10,000 to $100,000. With the sudden $3 million boost, the station aims to offset the impact of funding changes coming from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The Trump administration cut roughly $1.9 million from WABE’s 2025 budget. The cut led to staff reductions and programming closures, including the end of its long-running arts show City Lights. WABE trimmed its workforce from 99 to 79 over the past 18 months.

Station leaders said the $3 million gift will support expanded investigative reporting, new digital storytelling projects, and additional training for early-career journalists. The funding will also help strengthen the station’s technology infrastructure and support audience engagement programs that bring reporters into neighborhoods for conversations with residents.

For staff members who have worked through years of rapid newsroom change, the gift signals renewed confidence in the station’s mission. WABE has broadened its civic coverage in recent years, adding reporters focused on the Atlanta City Council, regional housing pressures, and shifts in the local arts sector. Dorian told the AJC the donation provides “the long-term stability needed to serve listeners with clarity and purpose.”

Small Business Administration, SBA — (Photo: iStock)

by Mitti Hicks

November 20, 2025

Small Business Administration Tells Laid-off Workers They’re Working Again, Then Rescinds Offer

The SBA sent reduction-in-force notices to 77 employees on Sept. 29, just one day before the longest government shutdown in the nation's history.

People are criticizing the Small Business Administration (SBA) for offering recently laid-off workers their jobs back, only to rescind its offer the next day.

“Yeah, that affected our office. It was a Christmas miracle for 24 hours until it turned into a nightmare. Morale hit a new low,” one person commented on Reddit.

According to the Federal News Network (FNN), the SBA sent reduction-in-force notices to 77 employees on Sept. 29, just one day before the longest government shutdown in the nation’s history. This week, a top HR official told dozens of staff that they were back to work.

“This letter is to formally rescind the reduction in force (RIF) notice dated 9/29/25,” SBA’s Chief Human Capital Officer John Serpa told employees in a Nov. 18 notice. “You are being reinstated to your position of record with the Small Business Administration (SBA).”

Then, a day later, Serpa told employees that the layoffs would remain in effect.

“Can you even imagine. The mental mind f*ck this puts people in? My gawd,” another Reddit user commented.

What Led To SBA Confusion For Laid-off Workers

The confusion reportedly stems from competing interpretations of the language in the shutdown-ending spending deal that Congress passed to reopen the government. A SBA spokesperson told FNN that the agency “determined the most recent continuing resolution signed into law does not apply to any RIFs executed” by the agency.

“Therefore, the RIF in question, affecting 77 positions, remains,” the spokesperson said.

The spending bill Congress passed on Nov. 12 to end the government shutdown states, “any reduction in force proposed, noticed, initiated, executed, and implemented, or otherwise taken by an executive agency between Oct. 1, 2025, and the date of enactment, shall have no force or effect.”

The layoffs at SBA were not included in a federal judge’s preliminary injunction that blocked the Trump administration from moving forward with any layoffs during the shutdown. The judge’s ruling also does not include RIF notices issued before the shutdown, including those sent to SBA employees.

“The record may reflect that many employees of the Small Business Administration have been contacting the court. But it appears that the RIFs that they’re subject to went out on September 29 or 30, prior to the government shutdown,” U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston said. “They would not be covered by this preliminary injunction.”

RELATED CONTENT: How Trump’s SBA Diverged From Harris’ Visi

Diddy, Lawyer, Federal Raid — (Photo: John Lamparski/WireImage)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 20, 2025

NBC Wants Diddy’s $100M Lawsuit Thrown Out After Statements He Made To Federal Judge

"Because of my decisions, I lost my freedom. I lost my career. I totally destroyed my reputation" is what NBCUniversal is hoping to use to win its argument.

Sean “Diddy” Combs filed a $100 million lawsuit against NBCUniversal and Peacock after the release of the Diddy: Making of a Bad Boy documentary earlier this year. Now, the broadcasting giant wants to have the suit thrown out based on the entertainment mogul’s own words.

According to AllHipHop, the broadcasting company, which premiered the doc Jan. 14 on its Peacock network, claims that at Diddy’s sentencing, he said, “Because of my decisions, I lost my freedom. I lost my career. I totally destroyed my reputation.” That one sentence is why the “No Way Out” producer cannot blame NBCUniversal for how he was portrayed in the documentary.

Diddy is presently serving a 50-month prison term at Fort Dix in New Jersey after being convicted on two counts of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act in July.

“NBC’s argument takes a single remark out of its legal context and has no relevance to whether the documentary met basic standards of accuracy and responsibility,” Juda Engelmayer, Combs’ publicist, said in a written statement to Vibe. “The lawsuit challenges NBC’s publication of allegations that are factually unsupported, contradicted by official records, or sourced from undisclosed, unreliable individuals. Those issues will be decided on their merits in court.”

When the original lawsuit was filed in February, Diddy’s attorneys said documentary portrayed him in such a negative light and that NBCUniversal acted “maliciously and recklessly” when the documentary made claims that he participated in “serial murder” and “sexual assault of minors” without a “shred of evidence.”

Diddy has been at Fort Dix since Oct. 30, after spending over a year at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, after being arrested in September 2024. His expected release date is May 28, 2028, or sooner if he completes a drug treatment program at the facility.

(iStock)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 20, 2025

New York Woman’s 6-Foot Afro Sets Guinness World Record

Jessica Martinez has set a new Guinness World Record with her 6-foot Afro.

A New York woman has set a Guinness World Record with her Afro, which measures 190 centimeters (about 6 feet 3 inches) in circumference.

On Nov. 19, the organization named Jessica Martinez the new record holder, the New York Times reports. Aevin Dugas set the previous record of 165 centimeters (about 5 feet 5 inches) in 2010.

Last month, a Guinness adjudicator visited Martinez to measure her hair. “He couldn’t do it alone” and needed two additional people to help, Martinez said. The world record is a major milestone for Martinez, who stopped using relaxers at age 12 and has spent the past 20 years growing her Afro.

Working at a criminal justice nonprofit, she knows firsthand that natural hairstyles aren’t always championed.

“It’s not every day that an Afro is celebrated,” she said.

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A post shared by Jess Martinez (@jessstheblessed)

While laws like the Crown Act protect natural hairstyles in workplaces at the state level, there are still no federal protections. With recent rollbacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, it’s clear there’s still work to be done.

“Some people still view the Afro as unkempt,” Martinez said. “Natural hair is a lifestyle. It’s not a trend, and it’s not something that should be policed.”

There’s mutual respect between Martinez and Aevin, who posed together as Aevin gladly passed on the crown she held for 15 years. In backing Martinez, Aevin highlighted how the new titleholder raises awareness for the natural hair movement and how both of their styles celebrate the self-love that comes with wearing natural hair.

”What I hope people will think when they see [us meet] is that at the end of the day, I love myself, she loves herself, and we’re both just trying to get people to love themselves,” Aevin said. “It’s not a competition, it’s literally all love.”

Stephen Curry, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Thirty Ink — Stephen Curry at the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Dallas' American Airlines Center in May 2022. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 20, 2025

Which Sneaker Brand Will Stephen Curry Sign With After Under Armour?

'I'm a free agent.'

After the reported split between Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Under Armour (UA), the sharpshooter has been seen in other competitors’ kicks before games, fueling speculation about who he may sign with.

Curry was wearing a pair of Nike “Mambacita” Kobe 6s, sparking shock and speculation during pregame warmups as the Warriors faced the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 14. He did wear a pair of his signature Under Armour sneakers when the game started. Curry said he wore the sneakers to honor Kobe Bryant.

“I know it’s weird seeing me in anything else other than my own shoes,” Curry said after the basketball game. “But just the idea of what he meant, I’ve talked about Kobe a lot. And that specific pair, I think, it speaks for itself, what it means.”

According to Bleacher Report, Curry was seen entering the Kia Center in Orlando during the team’s game against the Magic, wearing a pair of Reebok Shaqnosis (Shaquille O’Neal’s signature sneakers). He then wore a pair of Nike Air Penny 2s (Penny Hardaway’s signature sneakers) as he warmed up. O’Neal and Hardaway played together for the Magic during their careers. So, wearing the sneakers in Orlando may continue Curry’s trend of honoring of older stars while he potentially shops for a new deal.

Steph arrived in the Reebok Shaqnosis and warmed up in Air Penny 2s pic.twitter.com/hEX6PJtpmK

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 19, 2025

Seeing Curry in sneakers outside of Under Armour is still a sight to behold, as he was the face of the brand for 12 years. Now that he is officially a free agent, folks are wondering which brand he may go to.

“I’m a free agent,” Curry said after the matchup against the Spurs. “I’m out here, new beginnings. I was blessed to have an unbelievable experience and take a chance on something that meant a lot to me over the last 13 years, and extremely proud of myself, my team, everybody who’s able to touch that business for that long.”

Curry signed with Under Armour after serving as a Nike spokesperson for four years. After a 12-year relationship, the parties agreed to part ways, but the Curry 13 is scheduled for release in February 2026. That will be the last product released under the UA brand.

GofundMe. Corshawnda Hatter, Chicago — Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-white-t-shirt-and-blue-pants-6646816/

by Keka Araújo

November 20, 2025

SCAM ALERT: Chicago Mother Warns Public As Fake GoFundMe Campaigns Exploit Attack Trauma

Corshwanda Hatter is warning donors verify accounts before supporting her family's recovery.

Corshwanda Hatter, the 33-year-old Chicago mother brutally assaulted while defending her children from a group of minors, is warning the public about a spate of fraudulent GoFundMe campaigns exploiting her family’s traumatic experience.

The attack, captured on video and widely circulated, had spurred a significant community response. Still, Hatter cautions that deceptive online solicitations are now reportedly attempting to raise over $200,000 under her name.

She urged potential donors to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of any campaign claiming to benefit her family. Hatter took to Facebook early Nov. 20 to warn potential donors of cash assistance to be mindful. She also opened up about the private hell she and her children have endured.

“For those keep asking I haveCashapp: $prettybaby020,, Chime: $corshawnda-hatter22, Zelle: @chatter92@icloud.com, Apple Pay: 312-388-7390. GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/98acb667b all those other GoFundMe are fake please report please go get all your funds back i appreciate all the messages and kind words you guys have for me please stop making false stories no one gave me a car i am working on that but for now please stop listening to the false narratives about me me and my children are still healing from this horrific tragedy that happened Monday right now I’m working for counseling for my two children my kids wake up out of their sleep at least 4 times a night crying and screaming my name i really want to get my kids some help I’ve been 6 days no sleep those kids wasn’t just bullying in school they also threw bricks at my window my kids window they kicked and got anything that was at sight to throw at my doors back in April or may they started a fire just so my apartment would be damaged by the water the firemen used they lived above me on the second floor they were squatters so they had the whole 2nd floor to themselves so they didn’t have a problem with setting one side of their apartment on fire because they had another apartment right next to the one they set on fire.”

On Nov. 19, Hatter announced to supporters, friends and family alike that GoFundMe accounts seeking donations weren’t legit.

Hatter and her 9-year-old son sustained significant injuries in the vicious incident, which also terrified her 6-year-old daughter. The ongoing physical and psychological distress has deepened the family’s ordeal.

Hatter is currently suffering from bruises and is having difficulty walking. Her 9-year-old son is reportedly “very devastated,” waking up screaming in the middle of the night and calling out for his mother. Her 6-year-old daughter was left crying helplessly on the sidelines as her mother and brother were attacked.

Hatter’s partner, Devon Lee, noted that the son, who Lee said has been bullied for two years at Orville T. Bright Elementary School, was targeted due to his mother’s difficulty walking and speaking—side effects of her sickle cell disease.

The community response has been swift and overwhelming. Support groups and concerned neighbors have successfully moved Hatter and her children out of the South Deering neighborhood to an undisclosed, secure location.

Hatter is actively pursuing legal recourse and has said she wants to press charges against the parents of the minors involved in the assault. Furthermore, her children will be transferred to a new school, and the family will seek trauma-focused therapy to cope with the aftermath of the attack.

The family stressed that while they appreciate the outpouring of support, the proliferation of fake campaigns poses a serious threat to those genuinely trying to help. They are urging all donors to consult official, trusted sources—such as verified local news organizations or known community leaders—for information on any legitimate fundraising efforts.

A spokesperson from GoFundMe also assured donors that the fundraising site was on the job, telling BE, “Being a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is GoFundMe’s top priority. Our Trust & Safety team is closely monitoring the platform and reviewing any fundraisers related to this incident to help ensure funds raised are safely delivered to the family. All funds remain safely held by our payment processors during our verification review. If any donor would like to request a refund in the meantime, we will honor it for them.”