• News

by Mary Spiller

November 10, 2025

Gullah Geechee Parade Faces Cutbacks Amid Tensions Over Growth And Tradition

On South Carolina’s St. Helena Island, residents say traffic restrictions on their decades-old heritage parade reflect a deeper struggle against cultural erasure and rising gentrification.

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For nearly 40 years, the annual Penn Center Heritage Day Parade has brought music, color, and community pride to St. Helena Island, South Carolina. Every November, locals and visitors line the road from the elementary school to the Penn Center — the first school for formerly enslaved people — to celebrate Gullah Geechee heritage with drums, gospel choirs, and floats draped in vibrant fabric.

But this year, what was once a joyful procession was scaled back after Beaufort County officials cited traffic concerns.

According to the New York Times, the St. Helena Island parade route was shortened, floats were reduced, and participants were confined to one lane of Highway 21 instead of the full roadway. To many residents, those changes symbolized a larger fight to preserve their culture amid rapid development and demographic shifts.

“It’s not just a parade, but a beautiful display of our heritage,” said the Rev. Isiah Smalls, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church. “This is like telling your wife, ‘Honey, it’s our wedding, but go ahead and wear your jeans.’”

Sheriff P. J. Tanner defended the decision, saying traffic had become unmanageable. Highway 21, he noted, is the only route to nearby Hunting Island State Park and Fripp Island. “You know, I agree — you’ve been doing this for 40 years,” Tanner said. “But now in 2025, this county’s landscape has changed.”

Residents argue that the restrictions reflect more than logistics — they reveal how the island’s Black community feels increasingly pushed aside by affluent newcomers. “Why pick on an event that represents the Black community, represents our culture, and try to mess it up?” asked Deacon James Peter Smalls, who returned to marshal the parade after recovering from injuries from a car accident last year.

The Gullah Geechee people — descendants of West Africans once enslaved along the coastal South — have seen their ancestral lands squeezed by rising property taxes and new gated communities. They’ve fought to block a proposed golf course and to keep zoning laws that forbid private resorts.

Dr. Robert L. Adams Jr., director of the Penn Center, acknowledged the complexity. “I don’t want to simplify it into, ‘It’s Fripp versus St. Helena, rich white folks versus Black folks,’” he said. “It’s connected to growth.”

Still, for lifelong residents like Carrie Major, the loss of space on the parade route felt personal. “The disrespect feels like a slap in the face,” she said.

Even with fewer floats and thinner crowds, the sounds of drums and children’s laughter returned to Highway 21. The celebration went on, though many feared that each passing year brings another small piece of their heritage at risk of fading away.

RELATED CONTENT: Georgia Gullah-Geechee Community Favored In Supreme Court Ruling

• News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 10, 2025

Former TSA Agent Gives Back To Airport Workers, Raising Funds For Free Gas Amid Gov Shutdown

The fundraiser aims to help airport workers feel supported and seen as they work without pay.

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A former TSA agent is giving back to his old coworkers, organizing a fundraiser to help them with an essential bill.

 In the midst of the longest government shutdown in United States history, Caleb Harmon-Marshall empathized with what current airport workers are experiencing. Most have not received a full pay check since the shutdown started Oct. 1.

Harmon-Marshall decided to step in to alleviate one bill for these essential workers, encouraging the local Atlanta community to also take part in the cause. In collaboration with Caliber Car Wash, Harmon-Marshall hosted a free car wash and gas cards giveaway at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport Nov. 5.

TSA officers not only got a squeaky clean ride, but funds to help fill up its tank while their paychecks remain paused. While not absolving all problems, Harmon-Marshall hopes the measure makes TSA officers feel supported during this unprecedented time.

“They’re feeling unseen…They’re feeling unheard,” organizer Caleb Harmon-Marshall, who is the founder of the travel newsletter Gate Access, told WANF. “They’re feeling forgotten because they’re going through this.”

The donation page, launched through Harmon-Marshall’s own travel newsletter, Gate Access, has raised almost half of its $10K goal. According to its description, the money will go toward $50 gas cards for all TSA officers they reach, with plans to extend this charitable gesture to other airports beyond Atlanta. Harmon-Marshall opted to help out with transportation after hearing about how that heavily impacted people’s ability to get to work.

“The most significant pain point I’m hearing nationwide is transportation costs,” he told the Washington Post.

In the weeks since the government shutdown, the lack of pay has forced many airport workers to call out. While essentially required to report for duty, many have been unable to due to insufficient funds to buy gas. Staffing shortages from Air Traffic Controllers, also impacted by the loss of their paychecks, have even led to reductions in flights across the country.

Other airport workers shared that current conditions have rightfully left them uneasy.

“It’s not a good feeling,” shared Philip Simmons to WANF. “Sometimes you wonder, okay, if you’re going to impact somebody, why are they impacting us?”

As they continue to show up despite paused compensation, Harmon-Marshall is inspiring others to show their appreciation for all airport workers during this time.

RELATED CONTENT: These US Airports Will Be Giving Out Delays, Not Deals, This Thanksgiving

• Politics

by Mary Spiller

November 10, 2025

Donald Trump Is The First Sitting President Ever Boo’d During Rare Appearance at NFL Game

The president became the first sitting leader in nearly 50 years to attend a regular-season NFL matchup, sparking mixed reactions from fans and players alike.

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President Donald Trump made a high-profile appearance at Sunday’s Washington Commanders game, becoming the first sitting president in nearly half a century to attend a regular-season NFL matchup. The Commanders fell 44-22 to the Detroit Lions, but much of the crowd’s attention was fixed on Trump’s presence — and the divided reaction it drew.

Loud boos erupted throughout the stadium when Trump appeared on the videoboard during the first half, standing alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson. The jeers resurfaced when the stadium announcer introduced him at halftime, where he led a brief military oath ceremony for new enlistees.

“I’m a little bit late,” Trump told reporters, according to the Associated Press, after landing at Joint Base Andrews and catching the final part of the first half. “We’re gonna have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country’s doing well. The Democrats have to open it up,” he added, referencing the ongoing government shutdown.

Many on X weighed in on the situation, even politician Jasmine Crockett.

Before Trump’s arrival, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown by mimicking the viral “Trump dance,” a gesture that became popular among athletes last year.

“I heard Trump was going to be at the game,” St. Brown said. “I don’t know how many times the president’s going to be at the game, so just decided to have some fun.”

Lions coach Dan Campbell admitted he didn’t notice Trump’s entrance.

“That’s cool,” he said. “You’re talking about the president of the United States. That’s a big deal.”

Quarterback Jared Goff added that it was “awesome that he was here,” recalling Trump’s plane flying low over the stadium.

During the third quarter, Trump joined Fox Sports commentators Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma for a light conversation, recalling his days playing tight end at the New York Military Academy.

“It was not quite football like this,” he joked.

Trump left before the game ended, marking another stop in a series of sports-related appearances that have included the Ryder Cup, the Daytona 500, and the U.S. Open. He also became the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, watching the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this year.

The president also used the event to praise plans for a new Commanders stadium, telling broadcasters, “They’re going to build a beautiful stadium… You’re going to see some very good things.”

According to a previous report, an intermediary for the White House told the Commanders’ ownership group that Trump wants the team’s upcoming stadium — part of a nearly $4 billion project to redevelop the former RFK Stadium site in Washington — to bear his name.

The new venue, headed by Commanders’ managing partner Josh Harris, has been a high-profile project aimed at bringing the franchise back into the nation’s capital.

RELATED CONTENT: Elevating Your Excellence: Thelma Golden Is At The Forefront Of Black Art And Culture

• Money

by Ahsan Washington

November 10, 2025

Gain A Money Mindset With These 6 Books On Increasing Wealth

Read financial frameworks with cultural context

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The process of building wealth begins with developing the right mindset. Before you even open an investment account, you might want to open up a book. These books by Black authors offer financial frameworks, cultural context, and motivational support to help people move from surviving to thriving financially. 

Get into these six books that focus on improving your money mindset and building generational wealth.

Get Good With Money: 10 Simple Steps To Becoming Financially Whole 

The Budgetnista Tiffany Aliche presents Get Good with Money as a practical 10-step guide for financial wholeness. The book shares a pathway that includes budgeting, saving, investing, and legacy building. The book was published in 2021 to serve communities that have been traditionally excluded from wealth-building conversations. According to Aliche, wealth starts with habits and mindset before considering large paychecks.

The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets Of Black Millionaires

Dennis Kimbro, a business professor and author, conducted a seven-year study of 1,000 affluent Black Americans to identify the shared beliefs and behaviors behind their success, as detailed in The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires. The book, published in 2013, examines wealth-builders in various industries across the United States. Kimbro seeks to understand the unique thought patterns of Black millionaires and how those habits can be acquired and used by others to overcome financial barriers.

The Black Girl’s Guide To Financial Freedom: Build Wealth, Retire Early, And Live The Life Of Your Dreams

The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom by Paris Woods empowers Black women through financial independence. The 2021 publication provides Black women with financial strategies to achieve early retirement and long-term financial security while avoiding common money pitfalls. The text teaches that wealth is self-defined and attainable with discipline and purpose.

The Black Tax: The Cost Of Being Black In America 

Shawn D. Rochester, an entrepreneur and financial strategist, examines how systemic discrimination creates hidden financial burdens for Black Americans. The 2017 publication of The Black Tax uses U.S. economic data and racial wealth disparities to inform readers about systemic barriers and provide tools to overcome them.

Mud 2 Millions: Ayesha Selden’s 7 Step Wealth Cheat Codes

In her book Mud 2 Millions: Ayesha Selden’s 7 Step Wealth Cheat Codes, real estate investor and financial advisor Ayesha Selden reveals seven wealth strategies that she calls “wealth cheat codes.” A self-made investor, Selden built a seven-figure portfolio from modest beginnings and teaches that mindset, consistency, and calculated risk are essential for creating wealth. The book offers insights from a self-made investor’s perspective, demonstrating that anyone can build wealth by cultivating the right mindset.

We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide To Earning More, Building Wealth, And Gaining Economic Power 

Rachel Rodgers established Hello Seven after transitioning from attorney to entrepreneur to help women of color increase their income and wealth potential. In We Should All Be Millionaires, Rodgers presents a motivational and strategic guide for women who want to become millionaires. The book focuses on mindset development, alongside pricing strategies and confidence-building to help women reach financial success. The book was published in 2021, focusing on women of color. 

RELATED CONTENT: Michelle Obama Opens Up About Her Iconic First Lady Fashion In New Style Book, ‘The Look’

• Business

by Jeffrey McKinney

November 10, 2025

Black Hair Accessories Brand Targets $50M Revenue By 2030 With New Products, Market Expansion

The company plans to fund its growth organically through internal cash flow and revenue.

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A seasoned Black businesswoman who specializes in hair accessories, Joni Odum was at a crossroads five years ago.                 

She had to decide whether to let the family business, Firstline Brands, started by her father nearly four decades ago, potentially wither or build on his triumphs by elevating it to a higher level.      

She initially joined the Houston-based multicultural hair accessories company in 2002, working in various roles including marketing, sales, distribution, and product development. Odum left an analyst job at healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson to run Firstline Brands. That followed her father, Robert A. Bowser, who passed in 2020.

“Taking over Firstline Brands was both pivotal and deeply healing for me. It’s my way of keeping my father’s legacy alive; bringing his vision into fruition and reaching milestones I know would make him incredibly proud. Every achievement feels like honoring a piece of him.”

In general, family business leaders face many obstacles. They often must maneuver, extending a legacy while adjusting to ever-changing market conditions. Plus, disputes over such issues as strategy and money matters can create internal stress, possibly affecting a firm’s operating model and growth prospects.

Odum’s business acumen has helped Firstline Brands achieve much. While revenue was not disclosed, the company calls itself America’s largest Black-owned manufacturer of hair tools and accessories. Under her watch, the company reported a 44% rise in profits and a 32% jump in employee headcount among metrics. 

Since emerging as Firstline Brand’s president and CEO, Odum’s actions have included restructuring product development by centering on convenience-forward innovation and design. She has expanded the brand’s reach by connecting with massive, big-box retailers.

Setting itself apart from rivals

The moves could give her firm a competitive edge, as Odum said many other Black beauty brands are wrestling with less funding, reduced shelf-space, and higher tariff costs.

As such, the ambitious entrepreneur is now hoping to capitalize by expanding and pursuing a larger share of the nation’s estimated $23 billion-plus hair accessories market. That business is expected to double in size by 2033.

Presently, Firstline Brands sells over 200 items, including hairbrushes, combs, and maintenance essentials, across a portfolio that includes Evolve, WavEnforcer, and Camryn’s BFF, mainly for textured hair. Its products are customized for many people, including men, women, kids, and frugal shoppers.

Yet Odum has loftier plans that include expanding offerings for women and men over the next few quarters as her firm approaches its 40th anniversary in 2026.

Its new grooming items include a retractable 3-in-1 tool with an edge brush, bristles, and teeth for detangling, smoothing, and edge styling. Another novel product they offer is an oversized, masculine cap for protecting waves, curls, locs, braids, and textured styles.  Altogether, the firm is offering at least seven fresh tools; with the items ranging around $5–$13.

Odum credits much of her success to her values, education, and strong work ethic. Her greatest inspiration: Sitting under the tutelage of her father as a child, learning from his leadership, and benefiting from an entrepreneurial spirit he instilled in her. Thus, her guidance as the firm’s leader has been crucial to its resolute growth and product expansion.

Handling challenges while scaling up

Still, the quest was not a cinch. Upon becoming CEO, she said the firm was navigating an unprecedented global pandemic while also dealing with her father’s death. Another big challenge for the firm was pivoting to direct-to-consumer marketing virtually overnight.

“We have always focused on innovating by listening, learning, and responding to their needs. However, we’d never developed a direct connection with our consumer, to ensure they understood who we are and what we stand for as a brand.”

Sizing up current hurdles, Odum said one of the largest is meeting the customer wherever they are on their journey. “As a Black-owned, woman-led business, our mission is rooted in innovation, inclusion, and community. We consider it our responsibility to advocate for their needs and to be present, relevant, and authentic across every touchpoint. We know this customer, because we are this customer.”

Furthermore, the firm has the resources to finance its expansion. “We’re funding our growth organically through internal cash flow and revenue, keeping control of our destiny while we scale,” Odum said.

Looking ahead to future growth prospects

Firstline Brands is targeting $50 million in revenue within the next five years. Odum said the firm has seen 30% revenue growth since she took over leadership.

The gain is projected to come from “aggressive market expansion in both new and existing channels, strategic partnerships with major retailer partners like Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Sally Beauty, and others, and diversifying into new product categories. It’s ambitious, but absolutely achievable.”

RELATED CONTENT: How Karen Mitchell Turned a Side Hustle Into an Eight-Figure Hair Empire

• Entrepreneurship

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 10, 2025

Virginia Minority Business Consortium Launches To Boost Local Entrepreneurs

The Minority Business Consortium plans to help diverse entrepreneurs not feel unsupported when launching a new venture.

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A new nonprofit is amplifying the efforts and existence of minority businesses in one Virginia county.

Diverse business owners in Martinsville-Henry County have a new pillar of support as they try to scale their ventures. The Minority Business Consortium officially launched Nov. 6, holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the New College Institute in Martinsville, Virginia. Their mission lies in championing these businesses to add to the diverse entrepreneurial fabric in the area and statewide.

The Minority Business Consortium came to life from an idea sparked in 2019 by a group of residents. They noticed how there were limited resources for minority businesses to seek help or guidance from. Now, they seek to become that difference.

The consortium not only hopes to helpkóóThey want to encourage others to move here and launch their business idea. The MBC’s inaugural executive director, Christy Harper, expressed how they want to curb the amount of business failure by addressing issues from the ground up.

“Our goal is to … decrease the amount of businesses that are closing,” Harper said to the Cardinal News. “We want to increase sustainability for our businesses.” 

The Minority Business Consortium works by providing grants, showcasing program information, and educating new owners on proper strategies for customer outreach and retention. Focused on community building, the MBC also plans to host networking events for its vibrant cohort of established and emerging business owners.

While still a predominantly white area, Black people account for 27% of the Martinsville-Henry County population. The area’s Economic Development Corporation also confirmed that Hispanic and Latino residents account for 7.5%.

However, Black-owned businesses still make up only a small amount of revenue from all U.S. companies. As of 2022, they only made up 1% of these profits. According to the Pew Research Center, despite continued growth in Black-owned businesses, they still only owned 3% of all companies. As for minority-owned businesses in general, they accounted for 22.7% of U.S. employer firms in that year, per Census data.

Given how the lack of capital amnd support can stifle these entrepreneurs, the Consortium offers a locally funded pipeline for these businesses to find their way. It has already helped over 100 businesses in the area during its years in the making.

Founded by business owners themselves who remember having to do it all alone, they want the next generation of business leaders to avoid such struggles.

“We actually prepare them for funding opportunities on the back end,” added Harper. “Any businesses that may come upon challenges as life hits them, we want to make them prepared for that.” 

RELATED CONTENT: Mob The Block Supports Latest Black Business In DMV By Pulling Up Fifty Deep For Community

• News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 9, 2025

Driver Apparently Livestreamed On TikTok When She Fatally Struck Pedestrian

The woman was seen saying 'I just hit somebody' before she cut off the livestream.

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A driver who hit and killed a man on Nov. 3 may have been filming a TikTok while driving through a suburb in Zion, Illinois.

Authorities continue investigating the 43-year-old woman, who goes by Tea Tyme on TikTok. According to The Guardian, the video shows her driving the vehicle and before a sudden thud occurs. Another TikTok account released a screen recording of the clip.

@live.catch.up WHOA!!! Teatyme went live Monday while driving and HIT a pedestrian?! There are more rumors but for now we are hoping it’s not true & everyone is going to be okay. GET OFF YOUR PHONES WHILE DRIVING PEOPLE!!!! #teatyme #LiveCatchUp #tiktoklive #crash ♬ original sound – Live Catch Ups

She reacted to the noise by saying  “F-ck, f-ck, f-ck … I just hit somebody.”

The victim, 59-year-old Darren Lucas, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A coroner confirmed he death stemmed from blunt-forced injuries sustained in the crash.

The livestream shut down quickly after the revelation. A child was also overheard asking what happened.

First responders determined it was a crash involving a pedestrian. The woman stayed at the scene to speak to the police. Zion police department investigations commander Lt. Paul Kehrli told the Lake and McHenry County Scanner that drugs and alcohol were not considered factors in the crash.

While the woman’s exact identity and further information remain unknown, the incident has sparked conversations among those who watched the initial livestream. TikTok users launched a Reddit thread to discuss how the woman was acting, and how her diverted attention to the livestream could have resulted in the man’s death.

One claimed she “wasn’t paying attention to the road because she was reading comments and grinning at her phone”.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, 3,275 people died in crashes caused by distracted driving in 2023.

RELATED CONTENT: Two St. Louis Children Die on Instagram Live While Playing With a Gun

• Celebrity News

by Mary Spiller

November 9, 2025

Mariah Carey’s Sephora Holiday Ad Faces Backlash Over ‘Anti-Worker’ Message

The singer’s annual Christmas kickoff faced criticism after partnering with Sephora, with fans accusing the ad of mocking real-world labor issues.

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Mariah Carey’s beloved “It’s Time” tradition—the annual declaration that the holiday season has arrived—struck a sour note this year. The pop icon’s Nov. 1 announcement, long a festive staple for fans, has sparked debate after doubling as a promotional spot for Sephora.

In the ad, Carey appears in a flowing white gown with angel wings, cheerfully declaring, “Halloween slayed! But now, it’s ti…,” before stopping short when she discovers her Sephora products have gone missing. Moments later, comedian Billy Eichner, dressed as an elf, is revealed as the culprit.

“Busted! Bad news, Mariah Carey: the elves are striking this year,” Eichner quips. “Elf revenge for putting us through holiday hell! Santa’s helper quit. I’m pawning all this so I can afford elf therapy.”

Carey snaps back, “That’s my blush, elf boy!” to which Eichner fires back, “Your lipstick? I’m taking it. Christmas is cancelled. No bells, no cheer, no glam. Bye, sweetie.”

The “All I Want for Christmas Is You” singer quickly restores the holiday spirit, responding, “You can’t cancel Christmas,” before launching into her iconic “It’s tiiiiiime!”—instantly freezing Eichner’s elf into a snowman. Carey then appears in a Santa-style outfit, riding a sleigh and dropping a Sephora bag into a chimney.

While some fans praised the collaboration as lighthearted fun and “iconic,” others found it tone-deaf, calling it “disturbingly out of touch” given the current economic and labor climate.

“Time to boycott the folks at Sephora who thought it was funny to make fun of real struggles people are facing nationally right now,” one critic commented on Carey’s Instagram post.

Another added, “Tone deaf diva reminds the hungry what the oligarchs will be doing this year.”

Beauty influencer Jasmine Hinton also weighed in on TikTok, noting that Carey’s biggest hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” has long been interpreted as a rejection of materialism.

“She’s singing about wanting to spend time with people you love, not focusing on material possessions,” Hinton said. “Yet somehow, this ad does the exact opposite…it’s a dig at consumers for boycotting all these corporations.” Hinton further suggested the video plays into broader class tensions. “It’s really just ragebait,” she said. “Having Mariah Carey dress up as an angel and then having the elf be ‘the thief’ —this is a class war, and it’s right in front of us.”

@jasminahinton

This is ridiculous #jasminahinton #sephora #mariahcarey #sephoraad

♬ original sound – Jasmina

Another TikTok user @njml5 weighed in on the video. “The commercial is corny, period. But they are definitely mocking the people, working-class people, who have decided, ‘You know what? I’m not fueling this economy. I’m not spending all this money on Black Friday. I’m not spending all this money on Christmas fueling the economy when the economy is not fueling us,’” she said in the video.

@njml5

What are yall thoughts? #fyp #fyp #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #viral #sephora

♬ original sound – Dio

Carey has posted her “It’s Time! videos annually since 2019.

RELATED CONTENT: Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Expands Distribution International

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 9, 2025

Black Revolutionary War Hero Thomas Campbell Receives Historic Plaque In West Michigan

Campbell's story was relatively unknown until records of land request were found.

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A Black Revolutionary War hero is finally receiving his due.

Born around 1760 in Culpepper County, Virginia, the once-enslaved Thomas Campbell joined the Continental Army in 1776 to free himself from enslavement, becoming a horse handler for the army. According to Arc West Michigan, he joined George Washington’s Army at White Marsh, New York. He subsequently became placed in General Marquis de LaFayette’s division.

Just a teenager, Campbell endured the harsh winter encampment at Valley Forge in 1778. The following summer, he experienced severe heat stroke at the battle at Monmouth Courthouse. Despite barely surviving the battle, he recovered. He lived out his final years at a farm in the Kalamazoo County, where he owned 160 acres of land.

Now, he has historic marker at the Gilmore Car Museum near his final resting place in Hickory Corners, Michigan. A ceremony took place Nov. 8 by the Joseph B. Westnedge chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, paying tribute to Campbell’s contribution to the war effort.

“We came to celebrate this American hero… He fought for his freedom, but he also fought for our country’s liberty and freedom, and the community has had just a tremendous outpouring of gratitude for him as well as for all the patriots,” Bob Craig, vice president of the Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, said. “Next year, America is celebrating its 250th anniversary on July 4 2026. 250 years. And it’s just an incredible time, an incredible year, and I think a wonderful celebration.”

Campbell’s plaque unveiling was accompanied by a color guard, wreath laying, and 21-gun salute. The revelation of his service came after the establishment of another historic plaque for a Black Revolutionary war hero, James Robinson. According to Now Kalamazoo, Robinson received his own recognition in Detroit in 2019. However, Campbell’s identity remained unknown until a deeper investigation.

Records of an approved land grant, which helped Campbell and his family move to Hickory Corners, resulted in his historic service being revealed.

RELATED CONTENT: Monument Of Black Revolutionary War Soldier Thomas Carney To Be Installed At Maryland State House

• Entertainment

by Mary Spiller

November 9, 2025

Salt-N-Pepa Use Rock Hall Induction To Fight For Control Of ‘Shoop’ And Other Hits

Salt-N-Pepa used the moment to call out the music industry over music ownership and fairness.

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Hip-hop trailblazers Salt-N-Pepa turned their long-awaited Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction into a rallying cry for fairness and artists’ rights.

As Cheryl “Salt” James, Sandra “Pepa” Denton, and Deidra “DJ Spinderella” Roper accepted the Musical Influence Award on Saturday, the trio used their speeches to draw attention to a growing dispute over ownership of their master recordings. “As we celebrate this moment, fans can’t even stream our music,” James said. “It’s been taken down from all streaming platforms because the industry still doesn’t want to play fair.”

The group’s comments referenced their ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG), which currently holds the rights to their masters. In May, Salt-N-Pepa filed a federal lawsuit against the label, accusing it of violating the Copyright Act by preventing them from reclaiming control of their music—a right allowed under U.S. law after 35 years.

According to Variety, court documents show the group filed termination notices in 2022 to regain ownership of songs released under UMG’s subsidiaries, including Next Plateau and London Records. In response, UMG argued the group was not eligible to exercise termination rights since they were not the original signatories on the contracts.

A spokesperson for UMG said the company had made “repeated attempts” to “resolve this matter amicably,” accusing the group’s lawyers of using “negative media coverage” as leverage but maintaining that they remained open to a resolution.

Despite the legal tension, the evening was largely joyous—a testament to Salt-N-Pepa’s enduring influence on generations of artists. Missy Elliott, who became the first female rapper inducted into the Hall of Fame two years ago, introduced the group with praise for their trailblazing contributions.

James dedicated the honor “to every woman who picked up a mic when they told her she couldn’t,” while DJ Spinderella reflected on the milestone, saying, “I’ve been DJing for 40 years, and I’m the first female DJ in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”

Their performance brought the crowd to its feet as they delivered a medley of fan favorites, including “My Mic Sounds Nice,” “Shoop,” and “Let’s Talk About Sex,” before En Vogue joined them for their 1993 hit “Whatta Man.”

In the celebration, though, Salt-N-Pepa made it clear their fight for artistic ownership is far from over.

RELATED CONTENT: Salt-N-Pepa Receive Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame