by Keka Araújo

April 20, 2026

Reclaiming The Bag: Is Europe Nixxing Visa And Mastercard For Its Own Wave?

The message from European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde is clear-- the era of allowing Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal to act as the gatekeepers of European commerce is coming to an end.

Europe is tired of being a guest in its own economy. In a move that will signal a hard pivot toward strategic self-reliance, continental leaders are moving aggressively to dismantle the American financial hegemony that has long dictated how Europeans spend, save, and move their money.

The message from European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde is clear–the era of allowing Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal to act as the gatekeepers of European commerce is coming to an end. On Feb. 2, 2026, the European Payments Initiative (EPI) and the EuroPA Alliance solidified a pact to build a sovereign, interoperable network—essentially architecting a homegrown system for 130 million users that refuses to pay “rent” to U.S.-based infrastructure.

The Silent Tax of Data Extraction

For decades, the invisible architecture of European finance has been a one-way street of data and wealth extraction. Every time a consumer in Paris or Berlin taps a card, the transaction receipts flow through servers in the United States. With Visa and Mastercard processing a staggering $24 trillion in global transactions, Europe has effectively outsourced its economic sovereignty to foreign corporations.

“It’s about control,” Lagarde told national media. “When your payments run through the U.S. or China, you aren’t just losing fees—you’re losing your receipts and your autonomy.” The 2022 Russian sanctions served as the ultimate wake-up call, proving that the U.S. can turn off a nation’s financial lifeblood with the stroke of a pen. Europe has decided it will no longer leave its front door key in someone else’s pocket.

Wero: Building a New Economic House

The solution is Wero, a digital wallet designed to cut out the intermediaries entirely. Backed by heavyweights like Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas, Wero operates on SEPA instant transfers, moving money directly between accounts with zero reliance on American plastic.

The momentum is already formidable:

The User Base: 47 million people in Germany, France, and Belgium are already on board.
The Reach: With the EuroPA Alliance deal, Wero now connects national giants like Italy’s Bancomat and Spain’s Bizum, covering over 70% of the Eurozone.
The Real-World Flex: Major retailers like Lidl and Air Europa are already accepting Wero, proving that the “legacy” card networks are no longer the only game in town.

Breaking the Loop

Historically, efforts to unify European payments were sabotaged by internal bickering and “national pride,” leading to fragmentation. But the current geopolitical climate has changed that math. The E.U. is no longer just asking for a seat at the table; it is building its own table.

By leveraging the “network effect”—connecting existing national users rather than starting from zero—Wero is creating a critical mass that forces merchants to adapt. While the “Digital Euro” remains the public-sector long game, Wero is the private-sector hustle that is making financial sovereignty a reality today.

The 2029 Deadline

The target is total independence by 2029. Skeptics argue that Visa and Mastercard’s deep pockets will make them impossible to displace, but they overlook the shift in European political will. This isn’t just a tech upgrade; it’s a divorce from a system that treats European data as a commodity for American profit.

As Wero ramps up its merchant rollout, the window for American dominance is closing. Europe is finally realizing that to truly own the future, you have to own the rails that get you there.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 20, 2026

Goodbye To JetBlue? The Airliner’s Future Might Be Up In The Air As Debt Grows, Founder Speculates

The airline may go bankrupt as it struggles with financial woes.

JetBlue has emerged as one of the major U.S.-based airlines in recent years; however, growing debt may force it to shut down.

While Fortune reports that Spirit Airlines may not emerge from bankruptcy, JetBlue could also face a similar fate. View from the Wing reports that JetBlue’s shrinking profits have landed it in a “really tough spot,” according to its founder and former CEO, David Neeleman.

Neeleman revealed his own insight to an undisclosed Wall Street analyst that JetBlue is on track to lose $1.3 billion in 2026.

JetBlue was once known for its value offerings and comfortable seating. However, the airline has struggled to increase revenue and compete with larger airlines such as American, Delta, and United. Now, Neeleman has reportedly expressed doubts that his former company can sustain itself.

The aviation entrepreneur, who is currently overseeing his latest airline, Breeze Airways, reportedly emphasized JetBlue’s multibillion-dollar debt, which Neeleman expects will rise to $9 billion. Another billion-dollar loss year could force JetBlue into bankruptcy unless it receives a buyout from another company.

United Airlines was initially speculated to bail out JetBlue, but has reportedly backed away from the idea. Neeleman hinted that JetBlue’s hefty debt has prompted United to reconsider the potential purchase.

“I know it from a pretty good source inside the United that they’re very concerned about JetBlue’s debt. And they’re not really interested in taking that on. So I think JetBlue has very few options,” he reportedly shared with Breeze Airways pilots.

Neeleman was removed as JetBlue’s CEO in May 2007 following a major “Valentine’s Day” service meltdown that led to significant flight cancellations and operational failures. He was replaced by Dave Barger, transitioning to non-executive chairman before leaving the board entirely in May 2008.

According to Yahoo Finance, JetBlue (JBLU) reported a challenging 2025, with $9.06 billion in full-year revenue, down 2.3% year-over-year, and a net loss of $602 million. The results are for the full year 2025. The company is executing its “JetForward” plan to improve reliability and margins, aiming to achieve breakeven operating profitability by 2026.

If JetBlue went bankrupt, this would leave U.S. flyers with one less option in the costlier climate of air travel. The U.S. Travel Association has already noted the rise of U.S. airfares. The association’s travel price index confirmed that fares increased by 14.9% in March compared with the same period last year.

With jet fuel surcharges prompted by the Iran War, and amid already-hiked airfares, these rising costs for flight operations could further threaten JetBlue’s future.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 20, 2026

Nigeria’s Export Of 55.39M Barrels Of Crude Oil Signals Domestic Supply Shortfalls

New data shows Nigeria export of 55.39 million barrels of crude oil underscores ongoing supply shortfalls.

New data shows Nigeria exported 55.39 million barrels of crude oil in the first two months of 2026, highlighting an ongoing imbalance between rising exports and struggling supply arrangements.

On April 20, the Central Bank of Nigeria reported exports of 31.31 million barrels in January and 24.08 million in February, Business Insider Africa reports. Average daily production was 1.46 million barrels in January and 1.31 million in February, while exports averaged 1.01 million and 0.86 million barrels per day.

Total output for the two months hit 81.94 million barrels, leaving 26.55 million for domestic refining. The numbers highlight the ongoing strain between export commitments and local demand, especially from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

“The refinery continues to operate below optimal capacity due to inadequate domestic crude supply, despite clear provisions under the Petroleum Industry Act prioritizing local demand,” a senior refinery source said.

Between October 2025 and mid-March 2026, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery faced a crude shortfall of about 79.53 million barrels. The plant needs roughly 19.77 million barrels per month to run at full capacity, but received about 26.9% of its estimated 108.74 million-barrel requirement over that period.

The $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki has repeatedly cited inadequate domestic crude supply, forcing it to import feedstock despite Nigeria’s status as Africa’s top oil producer. The imbalance persists under the naira-for-crude policy, as large volumes of output continue to be exported rather than supplied to local refineries.

Fuel prices have also reflected supply strain, with petrol rising above N1,300 per liter (about $0.87) before easing to around N1,250 per liter (about $0.83). The Dangote Petroleum Refinery blamed price volatility on limited domestic crude, saying it receives about five cargoes a month from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company—well below the 13 needed—and that it pays global prices despite partial naira payments. It added that reliance on imports has driven up costs as local producers fall short of supply obligations.

Eche Idoko of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria urged greater crude supply to local refineries, saying refiners will push for more feedstock as production improves. He noted that a steady supply is key to operations and profitability, especially for modular plants.

“If we get crude, of course, we will make gains; we have our cash flow,” Idoko said. “If we get regular products like we ought to do, yes, we would make gains. But without products, we are not making gains. If the oil producers give us feedstock, we will make gains. That’s how good the refining business is.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 20, 2026

Guest Of Honor Wynton Marsalis Performed At Jazz At Lincoln Center Annual Gala

The musician will step down as artistic director next summer

Wynton Marsalis, the founder of Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC), was the guest of honor and performed at this year’s annual gala, Rhythms That Move the World.

According to The New York Post, the musician, who created JALC in 1987, was acknowledged during the event, hosted by Angela Bassett and featuring former American Express CEO Kenneth I. Chenault and his wife, Kathryn, who received the 2026 Ed Bradley Award for Leadership in Jazz. He announced in January that he would step down as artistic director next year.

The event was held on April 15 at JALC’s home, Frederick P. Rose Hall, in New York City.

Weedie Braimah, a Ghanaian djembe virtuoso, received the 2026 Award for Artistic Excellence, and Joan Chamorro, Band Director of the Sant Andreu Jazz Band in Barcelona, Spain, was honored with the Global Citizen Award.

Marsalis played his trumpet and performed with the orchestra during the evening.

During Chenault’s speech, he celebrated Marsalis as “our founder, our heartbeat, and a true American original.”

“He built an enduring institution that stands today as a beacon of excellence and creativity. And, while he’s changing roles, he will remain a vital part of [JALC]. He is and will always be our founder,” he told the crowd that evening.

When the Board of Directors of Jazz at Lincoln Center announced that Marsalis would be stepping down from his role at JALC next July, it also said that he will remain in an advisory capacity as founder until his contract ends in June 2028. After that, he will continue to serve on JALC’s Board as founder in perpetuity.

“When we established Jazz at Lincoln Center in 1987, our goal was to build an enduring jazz institution that would both entertain and educate by exposing multi-generational audiences to an often-overlooked aspect of American culture, and I am proud of the tremendous progress we’ve made,” said Marsalis in a written statement. “JALC and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra have always been my main artistic priority as a musician and a citizen.”

Charlotte, economics, matter, Black, dollar

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 20, 2026

Trump Administration To Issue Tariff Refunds To Businesses, Consumers Sound Off

American consumers are speaking out as importers affected by Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs begin seeking refunds.

Two months after the Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, American importers can now apply for reimbursement, and consumers are voicing their frustration.

On April 20, officials announced that American businesses are owed $166 billion in tariff refunds, plus interest, and can begin applying for reimbursement through a new portal from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CNN reports. Refunds are expected within 60 to 90 days after approval, though the agency notes the process could take longer if additional reviews are required.

The refunds follow a February ruling by the Supreme Court that struck down tariffs Trump imposed under an emergency law. Court filings show that as of April 9, 56,497 importers had completed steps for electronic refunds totaling $127 billion, while more than 330,000 importers paid the tariffs on 53 million shipments.

The Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) program is designed to streamline refunds of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) duties, including interest, rather than processing them individually, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Only importers of record or their authorized brokers can apply, and not all payments are eligible in the initial rollout phase. The timeline for full access remains unclear, and refunds could be delayed or reduced if the Trump administration takes further action.

However, amid the announcement, American consumers are voicing frustration on social media over tariff-driven price increases and refunds they won’t receive.

BREAKING: The US Government has begun refunding up to $166 billion in tariffs charged under President Trump after the Supreme Court ruled the policy unlawful.

Beginning today, businesses can file claims through a new customs system.

Over 330,000 importers across 53 million… pic.twitter.com/WVdYIfyrPU
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) April 20, 2026

“Businesses that already passed the higher costs to consumers are now getting big refunds with interest, while regular people who paid more get nothing,” one X user wrote.

“This is the biggest wealth transfer in human history!” another user exclaimed. “The tariffs were paid by the businesses at the border. But then the cost was taken x1.5 and forwarded to the consumer. And now those same businesses that made massive profits are now getting $166 Billion.”

Another user claimed that “330,000 importers get refunds, taxpayers get the bill. Brilliant loop!”

After the refund portal launched, thousands of companies rushed to file claims to recover tariffs illegally collected by the U.S. government. Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, said the system is “a little glitchy” but holding up, noting that uploads occasionally fail and require retries. His team has more than 500 files to submit, though the system allows batch uploads.

“I’m relieved that the portal seems to be functioning properly,” said Cassie Abel, CEO of Idaho-based outerwear company Wild Rye. The small business owner said she used her customs broker to file the claim, costing $250 for the first phase.

South Korea,, johnny Somalii, prison,Ramsey Khalid Ismael

by Keka Araújo

April 20, 2026

Sorry To That Man! American YouTuber Johnny Somali Sentenced To 6 Months In Prison In South Korea

A series of egregious public disturbances defined Ismael’s presence in South Korea.

On April 15, a South Korean court delivered a sharp judicial rebuke to Ramsey Khalid Ismael, the American provocateur known online as “Johnny Somali,” sentencing him to six months in prison for a litany of disruptive stunts that ignited national indignation. The disgraced YouTuber will also have to register as a sex offender upon returning to the U.S.

The Seoul Western District Court found Ismael, 25, guilty of multiple charges, including obstruction of business and the distribution of fabricated sexually explicit content. The verdict marks the culmination of a months-long saga in which Ismael’s brand of “internet trolling” collided with South Korea’s rigorous legal standards and cultural sensitivities.

A Pattern of Reckless Provocation

A series of egregious public disturbances defined Ismael’s presence in South Korea. Prosecutors, who had initially sought a three-year sentence, detailed an exhaustive list of offenses: harassing amusement park visitors, upending food in convenience stores, and blasting loud music on public transit to provoke commuters.

Most notably, Ismael sparked a localized furor in October 2024 when he livestreamed himself kissing and performing a lap dance on a “Statue of Peace,” a memorial dedicated to the “comfort women” who were victims of Japanese military sexual slavery during World War II.

The fallout from Ismael’s provocations extended beyond the courtroom, inciting a wave of vigilante justice that captured the attention of the South Korean public. Tensions reached a fever pitch when Dalgeun Yu, a former Underwater Demolition Team (UDT)/SEAL soldier and fellow YouTuber, intercepted Ismael in public. In a recorded confrontation that went viral, Yu struck Ismael unconscious, reportedly, in the presence of law enforcement. The internet sang Yu’s praises.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Daily Loud (@daily_loud)

The physical encounter followed reports of a $770 “bounty” placed on Ismael by online communities seeking his location. While Yu framed his actions as a civic duty on behalf of the Korean people, the intervention resulted in his own legal entanglements. By late November, police transferred Yu to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office to face potential charges. Despite his impending legal battle, Yu has sought public support and donations for his defense, maintaining that his actions were a necessary response to Ismael’s desecration of the Statue of Peace in South Korea.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ASIANS WITH ATTITUDES (A.W.A) (@asianswithattitudes)

The court characterized Johnny Somali’s behavior as a “severe” display of disrespect, noting that his actions were calculated maneuvers designed to monetize social friction for YouTube revenue.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Donnie (@itsyahboidonnie)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ed Choi (@etchaskej)

Immediate Detention and Flight Risk

Despite Ismael’s eleventh-hour attempts at contrition—claiming he was oblivious to the historical weight of the monuments he desecrated—the bench remained unmoved. The court ordered his immediate detention following the verdict, citing him as a flight risk. Ismael had been barred from leaving the country pending the trial’s conclusion.

“The defendant offended countless citizens with stunts aimed solely at generating profit,” the court stated, emphasizing that the legal system would not tolerate the exploitation of public order for digital clout.

The Legal Fallout

The six-month term is a very firm warning to the growing subculture of “IRL” (In Real Life) streamers who travel abroad to engage in high-octane harassment for views. While Ismael’s defense team argued that his actions were performative, the South Korean judiciary made it clear that the real-world consequences of such “performances”—including the distribution of non-consensual deepfake videos—warranted criminal lockup.

The sentence signals a zero-tolerance approach toward foreign influencers who mistake cultural hospitality for a lack of legal accountability. Ismael now moves from the digital limelight to a South Korean correctional facility, a definitive end to a career built on the pursuit of admiration.

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 20, 2026

What’s Up With Adults Earning Online Degrees At Accelerated Rates? Educators Raise Concerns

While some students celebrate the practice as being affordable, academics and industry leaders have expressed concern about how super-accelerated degrees put students in position to miss out on key information and experiences that four-year students receive.

Educators are sounding the alarm about adult students earning their online college degrees — which take an average of 4 years to complete — in a matter of weeks, The Washington Post reports.

U.S.-based colleges and universities have experimented with practices to accelerate traditional college programs, referred to as “degree hacking,” in an effort to reduce costs and help students enter the workforce faster. With some degrees being completed in three years, the practice has resulted in students like Christie Williams finishing in three months.

The North Carolina-based human resources executive says she spent only two months gathering credits through web tutorials in 2024 and zoomed through 11 online classes at the University of Maine at Presque Isle in just four weeks. Later that same year, she earned her master’s degree in just five weeks, bringing the total for both degrees to a little over $4,000. “Why wouldn’t you do that?” Williams asked.

“It’s kind of a no-brainer if you know about it.”

While people like Williams celebrate the phenomenon as affordable, academics and industry leaders have expressed concern that super-accelerated degrees put students at risk of missing out on key information and experiences that four-year students receive. “We want diplomas that mean something,” Marjorie Hass, president of the Council of Independent Colleges, representing over liberal arts colleges and universities, said.

“I would prefer to have some of these degrees called something other than a bachelor’s.”

The president of the New England Commission of Higher Education, Larry Schall, also raised concerns. “If students are getting a baccalaureate degree in a few months, the commission could certainly inquire, ‘Is there integrity to the degree to be awarded?'” he questioned, according to Live Mint.

Williams secured her online degree through a program called YourPace at Presque Isle, which charges $1,800 for each eight-week undergraduate session and $2,450 for each session of graduate degrees. Campus president Raymond Rice said the program targets working adults aged 20 and older, and that demographic seeks a raise or a promotion, not a campus experience. “They literally just need a certificate,” Rice said.

There are no class meetings, group discussions, or weekly deadlines, and students may transfer credits from prior coursework or workplace learning. Such programs have changed lives for students like Serenity James from Atlanta. She finished her bachelor’s degree and MBA from Western Governors University in Georgia in less than a year for just under $9,000. Shortly after, she received a promotion to a higher-paying job. “It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, honestly,” James said.

Because cheating concerns have intensified, some schools, like Purdue Global, have imposed limits on the number of classes students can take per term, arguing that these restrictions won’t undermine academic integrity or the value of degrees. Even Western Governors students have joined the conversation on platforms like Reddit, pressuring others to stop celebrating how quickly they obtained their degrees.

As YouTube influencers and coaches are charging as little as $5 for how-to guides, students warn that the boasting puts a damper on the school’s reputation.

model, stabbing, nyc, ice cream truck, Detroit,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 20, 2026

Suspect Arrested After Allegedly Shooting 3 People At Detroit Gas Station

The incident allegedly took place after a car crash

A man has been arrested after being accused of shooting and killing three people at a Detroit gas station.

According to 7 News Detroit, a car crash took place before two cars pulled up at a Detroit gas station, and after four people approached a man at his vehicle, the man shot three of them, and they all died at the scene.

The incident occurred on April 19 at a Sunoco gas station. The media outlet obtained surveillance video showing the two cars arriving at the station. One car blocks the shooter’s car from leaving. After the passengers left the vehicle, they approached the driver. Upon opening his car door, one of the victims lunges at him, and the driver is seen firing his gun before the footage stops.

Police are currently investigating the shooting.

7 News Detroit spoke to the gas station attendant who witnessed the incident.

The attendant said that he heard six or seven shots before he locked the doors and called 911. He then explained to the media outlet what he witnessed as he watched the cameras while the drama unfolded.

“Two cars pulled up. One of them was trying to leave, and the black car blocked in the Dodge.”

“Whoever was driving the Dodge just shot at them.”

The female victim ran across the street, but “she ended up dying,” as one of the other victims died right away. He then told the media outlet that the last victim was still alive when police arrived, but was unable to save him.

The media outlet said that family members and friends identified 25-year-old Trevor Sheeler and said the woman was his sister. Her identity was not confirmed. No other information has been released about the alleged shooter, the reason for the altercation, charges he may be facing, or anything about the victims.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 20, 2026

Eddie Murphy And Martin Lawrence Now Share A Grandchild As Their Married Kids Welcome Baby Girl

The proud grandfather also shared his new granddaughter's name, Ari Skye.

Comedy legends Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have a new heir to their legacy as their kids welcome a child.

Murphy confirmed that his son, Eric, who is married to Lawrence’s daughter, Jasmin, had recently become a father. He shared the news while on the red carpet for the American Film Institute Achievement Award Ceremony on April 18. He also revealed his granddaughter’s name as she becomes a part of Black Hollywood history.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom)

“They just had a baby girl,” he shared with E! News. “They just had her two weeks ago, or a week ago. Yeah, Ari Skye.”

Eric and Jasmin made headlines when they tied the knot last May. The new Mrs. Murphy also shared snippets from her baby shower, which had her baby girl’s A-list grandparents in attendance.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jasmin Murphy (@jasmin_lawrence)

Fans were naturally hype about their union and the birth of the newborn, who they expect to carry on her grandfathers’ iconic legacies.

“The baby better be funny too,” wrote one commenter.

Another added, “That baby workin on her standup as we speak.”

Others noted the storied legacy that the infant now holds.

“This is going to be one blessed baby 🙏🏽. Eddie and Martin as Grandfathers! What a legacy,” wrote a fan.

While holding their own respective careers in film and comedy, Murphy and Lawrence collaborated on films in the past. One supporter even referenced their 1999 film “Life,” which depicted the two as long-time jail-mates.

“Ray and Claude being for lifers in real life makes me so happy,” expressed a delighted fan.

As for whether Murphy has advice for the new parents, the comedian only has jokes to share.

“Oh, you don’t give advice like that,” the 65-year-old explained. “You know, your kids don’t go by your advice. Your kids go by the example you set. They watch you.”

Murphy added, “The stuff you be saying, they don’t even pay that s–t no mind. They watch and see what you do. So, I don’t give a lot of advice.”

However, given that his proudest work remains his legacy, the doting grandfather is excited to have a new addition in his growing family.

“My legacy to me isn’t my work,” Murphy continued. “My legacy to me is my children. So, that’s my legacy.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 20, 2026

HBCU Black Wall Street Career Fest Ends With Students Ready For Post-Grad Life In Age Of AI

The two-day event offered advice and insight on navigating one's careers with AI on the rise.

The HBCU Black Wall Street Career Fest had an impact on students ready to embark on life after graduation.

Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, the fifth annual event inspired HBCU scholars to get a leg up in their post-grad ambitions, with its ongoing mission to level the playing field across industries. The weekend’s events focused on professional growth, scaling one’s success, and thriving in evolving careers within technology and business.

Over 100 organizations, vendors, and guests came out to support the HBCU Black Wall Street, where its free-to-all career fest began at its founding site of Arkansas Baptist College. Its modern-day cause now encourages HBCU graduates to professionally advance in the age of AI. HBCU Black Wall Street’s Founder Edmond W. Davis emphasized this purpose to further integrate AI into academic conversations.

“Look at the numbers when it comes to graduates from HBCUs; the numbers are not as high as when you graduate from a PWI. And so we wanted to make sure that we had a level playing field,” explained Davis to ABC7. “So we invited some business owners to come back, we invited some entrepreneurs to come here and to have those honest conversations, but using AI, because when you think about it, only 100, no, I would say 15% of the 100 HBCUs have advanced AI modalities in terms of their curriculum.”

From panels to networking workshops, the comprehensive Career Fest offered insight on how entry-level professionals can navigate new careers where AI literacy plays a major role. Participating experts, ranging from finance to creative branding, encouraged attendees to use AI to their advantage, as learning the skill could make them even more competitive in the job market.

“I’m passionate about the community just advancing. You know, I feel like we always kind of like behind the eight ball. So for us, you know, it’s just, it’s our time. It’s an even playing field. Everybody needs to get into it, and it’s not going anywhere. It’s going to be here. It’s like the computer,” added Misti Martisse of Digital Glam Agency.

Black job-seekers and those currently employed remain at a disproportionate risk of being squeezed out of the workforce due to AI. Colaberry detailed how the first wave of AI-induced layoffs significantly impacted Black employees, as AI began replacing in-person roles in customer service. To combat this, the HBCU Wall Street Career Fest aims to change the trajectory of Black workers by equipping them with AI training knowledge that could protect their careers.