Kendrick Lamar, top earner, Forbes Drake — (Photo: Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

by Mary Spiller

November 8, 2025

Kendrick Lamar Dominates 2026 Grammy Nominations As Black Artists Lead The Pack

From Kendrick Lamar’s nine nods to Doechii’s continued rise, this year’s Grammy nominations spotlight a historic showing for Black musicians across major categories.

The 2026 Grammy nominations, revealed Nov. 7, marked a milestone year for Black artists, who led nearly every major category. Kendrick Lamar topped the list with nine nominations, including Album of the Year and Rap Album of the Year for his acclaimed project GNX.

Doechii, who broke out with multiple wins at the 2025 Grammys, scored five nominations this year — largely fueled by her viral hit “Anxiety.” SZA, the Clipse, and Tyler, the Creator each earned five nods as well, solidifying a year of hip-hop and R&B dominance.

For the first time since 2019, three rap albums — Lamar’s “GNX,” Clipse’s “Let God Sort ’Em Out,” and Tyler’s “CHROMAKOPIA” — will compete for Album of the Year. The 2026 ceremony’s eligibility period included releases from Aug. 31, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2025.

Lamar’s performance continues an extraordinary run for the Compton rapper, whose 2025 hit “Not Like Us” swept major categories, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. If Lamar wins four or more trophies next February, he will surpass Jay-Z as the most awarded rapper in Grammy history.

Joining the lineup is rising R&B star Leon Thomas, whose album MUTT and hit single “Yes It Is” earned him nominations for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Performance.

Other standout nominees include Kehlani, Kaytranada, Anderson .Paak, FKA twigs, Chris Brown, Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Ledisi, and Durand Bernarr — a diverse showcase of genre-bending Black artistry shaping today’s sound.

The Grammys also recognized Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which continued its award-season dominance by securing five nominations, making it one of the most celebrated films in Recording Academy history. Despite facing criticism from conservative commentators for its social themes, Sinners has thrived commercially and critically.

In another surprising moment, Fab Morvan — formerly of Milli Vanilli — received a nomination for Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for “You Know It’s True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli.” The nod comes 35 years after Milli Vanilli infamously lost their Best New Artist Grammy in 1990 following revelations that they had not sung on their records.

The duo’s fall from grace remains one of the most dramatic scandals in Grammy history, Billboard reported. Morvan’s return to the nominations list is a rare redemption story—a reminder of the industry’s capacity for both accountability and forgiveness.

With historic nominations, comeback stories, and powerful representation, the 2026 Grammys are poised to celebrate not only the year’s best music but the evolving legacy of Black creativity in American culture.

Ketanji Brown Jackson, 14th Amendment, Constitution, Trump, Supreme Court, Dred Scott — Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

by Kandiss Edwards

November 8, 2025

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Grants Pause Of SNAP Benefits To Strategically Expedite Funds

Justice Brown Jackson’s order directed the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to move quickly on the request.

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson ordered a stay, pausing a lower court ruling to fund full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The stay was granted as the Trump administration appeals a ruling by lower courts that requires the government to resume SNAP disbursements. Justice Jackson’s order directed the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to move quickly on the request.

Jackson, the liberal justice overseeing emergency appeals for states, noted that the 1st Circuit was expected to quickly decide on the administration’s request to block McConnell’s order. Some experts say Jackson’s move will allow a decision on SNAP benefits to be reached more quickly in the lower court than waiting for a Supreme Court ruling.

On Oct. 31, a federal judge ordered the administration to tap reserve funds to cover the $8 to $9 billion cost of SNAP benefits. Based on court filings, $3 billion of emergency funding is already allocated to pay for the program “at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations.”

However, the Trump administration argues that though the $3 billion has been appropriately reserved, it is not enough to meet the full financial obligation. Thus, the federal government is directing states to reduce benefit amounts rather than finding additional funding. Proposed funding would come from U.S. Child Nutrition Programs, which provide school lunches nationwide.

Plaintiffs in the case, multiple coalitions of municipalities and nonprofits, including the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, National Council of Nonprofits, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, et. al, argued before the court that delayed or partial payments could cause “irreparable harm,” especially for children and the elderly. USDA contingency funding covered only about 65% of the typical monthly benefit before the pause.

The program serves some 42 million Americans who are no longer receiving the supplement due to the federal government shutdown.

In its petition to the Supreme Court, the Justice Department argued that it would be a violation of congressional spending to use funds designated for child-nutrition programs to cover SNAP. Furthermore, the Justice Department argues that funding the program risks destabilizing other critical services.

In the filings, the agency calls the action an attempt to “starve Peter to feed Paul, by gambling school lunches tomorrow in exchange for more SNAP money today.”

As the appeals court considers the Trump administration’s appeal, Brown-Jackson’s stay order stops any premature disbursement of funds.

Darryl Strawberry, trump, pardon — (Photo: Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

November 8, 2025

NY Mets Legend Darryl Strawberry Receives Trump Pardon

Strawberry also appeared on Trump's reality show ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ in 2010.

Donald Trump has granted a full pardon to baseball legend Darryl Strawberry. Strawberry calls the pardon an act of personal compassion rather than a political move on behalf of Trump.

The 63-year-old was convicted of tax evasion in 1995. He failed to report $350,000 in income from autograph signings, appearances, and memorabilia sales. Strawberry served six months confined to his home and completed two years of probation. Strawberry also appeared on Trump’s reality show “Celebrity Apprentice” in 2010. The MLB All-Star took to Instagram to express his gratitude to the Trump administration.

“This experience has deepened my faith and commitment to working for His kingdom as a true follower of Jesus Christ,” Strawberry wrote. “This has nothing to do with politics — it’s about a Man, President Trump, caring deeply for a friend. God used him as a vessel to set me free forever!” he added.

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Over the years, the three-time World Series champion faced several other state charges for drug possession and solicitation. However, he has since rededicated his life, focusing his time on faith and mentorship.

A White House official told NBC News that Strawberry’s faith-based work is one of the reasons he deserves a pardon.

“Following his career, Mr. Strawberry found faith in Christianity and has been sober for over a decade — he has become active in ministry and started a recovery center which still operates today, “the White House official said.

Strawberry played for the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants, earning eight All-Star selections and three World Series titles. In retirement, he has become an ordained minister and runs the Strawberry Recovery Center in Missouri, which helps those battling addiction.

Trump, who returned to the White House earlier this year, has issued several high-profile pardons, including to Chicago gang leader Larry Hoover and reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley.

Tyler Perry, SNAP — (ABC via Getty Images)

by Mary Spiller

November 8, 2025

Tyler Perry Donates $1.4 Million To Help Families Impacted By SNAP Funding Crisis

As the federal shutdown threatens food aid for millions, the filmmaker extends support to organizations feeding struggling families.

With millions of Americans bracing for the loss of food assistance due to the ongoing federal shutdown, filmmaker and philanthropist Tyler Perry is stepping up to help. The 56-year-old donated nearly $1.4 million to multiple organizations that support families in need, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Baby2Baby, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Caring for Others, All for Lunch, the Ron Clark Academy, and Goodr.

“If you’ve never been poor, then you may not fully understand the life-changing impact SNAP benefits mean to hard-working people, to our seniors, and to our children,” Perry said in a statement to People. “For millions of people, it could mean extreme hunger. For newborns, it could mean a lack of access to formula.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned in an Oct. 18 letter that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—which provides low-income families with food support—may run out in November. According to the agency, roughly 42 million Americans depend on the program, and without congressional action, many could lose access to critical resources that help them afford nutritious meals.

Perry, who has long spoken about his difficult upbringing marked by homelessness and poverty, called the situation “heartbreaking.”

“Compassion is not political, it’s humanity, and we seem to be missing both right now,” he said.

A source close to Perry told People that his empathy comes from experience: “Tyler knows firsthand what it feels like to be hungry and homeless. Though he has achieved so much, those feelings never leave you. And when he sees injustices like this, he always feels compelled to help. He is absolutely devastated by what is happening to so many people.”

The current government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, has now become the longest in U.S. history, surpassing the 35-day closure under President Donald Trump’s first term.

Other public figures are also using their platforms to help ease the crisis. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel announced plans to host “The Jimmy Kimmel Live! Big, Beautiful Food Bank” to benefit the Los Angeles Food Bank and the St. Joseph Center. At the “Variety Power of Women” event, comedian Wanda Sykes drew attention to single mothers who will be among those hardest hit by the loss of food aid.

Muriel Bowser — (Photo by Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

by Sharelle B. McNair

November 8, 2025

Report: Trump’s DOJ Allegedly Investigating DC Mayor For Foreign Trip Paid By Qatar

The mayor’s office released a statement defending the trip saying it was strictly business and claim to be unaware of any investigation.

The next Black woman to be targeted by the Trump Administration is Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, as The New York Times reported the Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a federal corruption investigation into a foreign trip she took with her staff being paid by Qatar.

Reports allege the investigation, overseen by the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, has been going on for months, starting in April 2025, resulting from a report from a local TV affiliate when Bowser and four members of her staff took a trip to Dubai in 2023 for a United Nations conference. A letter sent to Bowser’s office from Qatari officials highlights Qatar paying more than $61,000 to bring Bowser and her team to Doha before the conference started. When questioned about the trip, the mayor’s office said it was paid for by the D.C. Chamber of Commerce but then claimed it was covered by a nonpartisan organization, the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

However, later it was revealed that the organization only paid a portion of the trip.

The confusion resulted in an ethics complaint being filed by a nonprofit group called the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, once led by acting attorney general during President Donald Trump’s first term, Matthew G. Whitaker. While it is unknown how far the ethics complaint went, the mayor’s office released a statement defending the trip, saying it was strictly business. In addition, according to Newsweek, they have been in the dark about the DOJ’s alleged investigation. “We have checked with our lawyers, and the District has not been notified of any investigation. This was a business trip; DC representatives regularly travel to promote Washington as a destination for investment and growth,” the statement read.

“This regular work has helped bring investment, infrastructure, new business, new grocery stores, growth, and jobs to the District.”

Parameters surrounding the case are still unclear, such as pinpointing if Bowser’s office did anything for the Qatari government in return for the trip, which would be a crucial element for allegations of potential bribery. Criminal cases involving campaign finance law would have to reveal any wrongdoing or misstatements that were intentional, rather than just mistakes within paperwork.

The timing of the alleged investigation is interesting as Trump has put pressure on the DOJ to prosecute some political enemies — many of them being Black, Democratic women leaders — in addition to terminating federal prosecutors who fail to bow down to his orders. However, this isn’t the first time political leaders have been under scrutiny for having dealings with the Middle Eastern nation.

The president is one of them. Just months after taking office, the administration was under fire from Congress after formally accepting a 747 jetliner from Qatar, labeled as an upgrade to Air Force One. Valued at close to $200 million, the massive aircraft is one of the largest foreign gifts ever given to the U.S. government.

JuJu Watkins, NCAA Women’s Basketball, USC, highest scoring, 920 points — (Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 8, 2025

USC Star Juju Watkins Becomes First College Athlete To Secure Partial Ownership Of A Sports Team

USC women's basketball star Juju Watkins is making history with her minority stake in a sports franchise.

University of Southern California women’s basketball star Juju Watkins is making history as one of the first college athletes to secure ownership of a sports team.

Announced on Nov. 6, Watkins scored a minority stake in NWSL’s Boston Legacy FC, Bloomberg reports. While details of the deal remain under wraps, Watkins sees the partnership as a step beyond the massive NIL deals college athletes are using to kickstart their wealth portfolios.

“When you’re talking about equity, those opportunities don’t come around as often as endorsements, so this raised my eyebrows and piqued my interest even more,” Watkins said.

Watkins joins Boston FC C’s investors alongside Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams, Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston, and actress Elizabeth Banks. Team President Jennifer van Dijk highlighted that the diverse roster is a strategic move to tap into the investors’ expertise across the club’s operations.

Since college athletes were allowed to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), top players have gained significant wealth from deals that were once prohibited. Watkins has capitalized on this, earning an estimated $750,000 to $1 million through endorsements with Gatorade, AT&T, State Farm, Unrivaled, and a multi-year Nike deal.

Boston Unity Soccer Partners, the holding company for Boston Legacy FC, is led by controlling owner Jennifer Epstein, the daughter of former Celtics co-owner Robert Epstein. Monarch Sports Collective, a private equity fund focused on women’s sports, is also an investor. The group paid a $53 million expansion fee and secured financing of over $100 million for stadium construction.

Along with her franchise investment, Watkins also backed OffBall, a sports media brand founded in 2024 by industry veterans Michaela Hammond, Adam Mendelsohn, and Chris Stone. She joins LeBron James and Naomi Osaka among its investors.

“Working with JuJu and what that presents is being relentless in our mission and continuing to try to create engaging content across the spectrum, whether that be vertical video, IP-driven, through partnerships, activations, nothing is off the table,” Hammond said.

ROSKILDE, DENMARK - JUNE 29: Busta Rhymes performs on stage at Roskilde Festival 2023 on June 29, 2023 in Roskilde, Denmark. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 7, 2025

Busta Rhymes’ Accuser Wants Defamation Lawsuit Against Him Thrown Out

Dashiel Gables sued Busta for $6 million accusing him of assault and workplace abuse, Busta filed a defamation suit in response.

Dashiel Gables, a former assistant to Brooklyn rapper Busta Rhymes, has accused the recording artist of filing a retaliatory lawsuit against him in an attempt to silence him. Gables initially filed a lawsuit against the former member of the Leaders of the New School. He’s requesting that Rhymes’ suit against him be dismissed.

According to AllHipHop, Gables is asking the judge to throw out the defamation suit that Rhymes filed in October, which the rapper filed as a countersuit to Gables’ lawsuit accusing Busta of assault and workplace abuse. The former assistant claims the lawsuit was filed only because he was exercising his “constitutional right to petition for redress of grievances.”

Gables filed the paperwork at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and labeled Busta’s suit as a “retaliatory Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation,” or SLAPP.

He wants the court to not only dismiss Busta’s counterclaim entirely, but also award him attorney fees and impose sanctions on the “Gimmie Some More” rapper for what he claims is a “frivolous and retaliatory counterclaim.”

His attorneys also said, “Truth is an absolute defense to defamation under state and federal law.”

Gables initially filed a $6 million lawsuit against Busta after claiming that the rapper/actor punched him in the face while the two were arguing on Jan. 10, 2025, in the lobby at Busta’s Brooklyn residence. He stated that, after working with him between July 2024 and January 2025, he was fired following his report of the incident to the police officers.

He has since claimed that since he was terminated, Gable has suffered emotional distress, unpaid wages, and professional blacklisting.

After Gables reported the alleged crime, Busta turned himself in after charges were filed, and he was charged with third-degree assault.

Busta has denied the allegations and provided a statement to the media outlet.

“I have been made aware of the claims made by Dashiel Gables, and I completely and categorically deny these allegations,” Rhymes said in a written statement. “For a very brief period, Dashiel assisted me, but it did not work out. Apparently, Dashiel has decided to respond to being let go by manufacturing claims against me in an attempt to attack and damage my reputation.”

RELATED CONTENT: You May Now Call Him Dr. Busta Rhymes

unemployment, Americans, jobless — (Photo: courtneyk/Getty Images)

by Mitti Hicks

November 7, 2025

Report: Job Reductions In October Are The Worst For The Month In 22 Years

Job reductions are up 175% this October, from the 55,597 cuts that were announced a year ago.

New data show that job reductions in October were the worst for the month in 22 years.

According to the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, layoffs climbed to over 153,000. That number is up 175% from the 55,597 cuts announced a year ago and up 183% from the 54,064 announced in September.

The firm’s report reflects a significant decline in the labor market, as employers have reportedly cut 1.1 million jobs this year alone, according to CBS News. This marks the largest number of layoffs since October 2020, when unemployment surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“October’s pace of job cutting was much higher than average for the month,” Andy Challenger, workplace expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said in a statement.

Layoff numbers from this past October are the highest since October 2003, when 171,874 cuts were recorded.

‘Technology Is Changing The Landscape,’ Challenger Says on October Job Reductions

According to Challenger, while some industries are correcting after the pandemic hiring boom, AI adoption, softening consumer and corporate spending, and rising costs are driving “belt-tightening and hiring freezes” among companies.

“Those laid off now are finding it harder to quickly secure new roles, which could further loosen the labor market,” he added.

Recently, tech giant Amazon announced it would lay off about 14,000 employees as it invests in AI, which NPR reports is about 4% of its workforce. Amazon’s announcement came weeks before it made headlines again for a $38 billion deal between Amazon Web Services and OpenAI.

So far, the industries getting hit the hardest continue to be technology amid AI integration, slower demand, and efficiency pressures. The technology industry has announced 141,159 job cuts, up from 17% of the workforce last year.

The retail industry cut 2,431 jobs in October, which is down from 2,577 in September. The sector, however, remains the most brutally hit. There have been 88,664 job cuts so far this year, representing a 145% increase from the 33,136 cuts reported last year.

Services, warehousing, consumer products, nonprofits, media companies, and news are among the top industries seeing the most cuts.

Dance theatre of Harlem — photo credit: Aude, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 7, 2025

Jimmy Choo President, Jaime Wynn, Named To Dance Theater Of Harlem Board Of Directors

Jaime Wynn, President of Jimmy Choo, brings 25 years of executive leadership experience to the Dance Theater of Harlem’s Board of Directors.

Jimmy Choo President, Jaime Wynn, is joining the Dance Theater of Harlem’s Board of Directors, bringing 25 years of executive experience in fashion and brand growth.

Announced on Nov. 5, Wynn’s addition to the DTH Board of Directors looks to align the distinguished institution with leadership that effectively understands and uplifts artistic excellence, strategic innovation, and social impact, a press release shared. She joins at a pivotal moment in the company’s growth, following a landmark year of national and international performances and community engagement.

“Dance Theatre of Harlem has long been a beacon of artistic excellence, cultural relevance, and Black brilliance,” Wynn said in a statement. “To be invited into this legacy is profoundly meaningful to me – not just as a lover of the arts, but as someone who deeply believes in the power of creative institutions to elevate voices, build community, and drive generational change. I am honored to join the board at such a dynamic moment in DTH’s journey and look forward to contributing to its continued growth, impact, and innovation.”

Her appointment comes ahead of the Theater’s performances at the Detroit Opera House on Nov. 15 and 16, where audiences will get a first look at the company’s highly anticipated remount of Firebird — a DTH Signature classic not performed in 20 years, featuring works by Robert Garland, Jodie Gates, and other iconic pieces.

Wynn brings more than 25 years of experience leading business transformation and driving brand growth at luxury fashion houses, including LVMH, Marc Jacobs, the Jones Group, and currently as President of Jimmy Choo Americas. Known for her expertise in P&L management, brand strategy, and operational excellence, she focuses on innovation, omnichannel expansion, and market leadership, delivering measurable results through data-driven insights and inspirational leadership.

“We are honored to welcome Jaime Wynn to the Board of Directors of Dance Theatre of Harlem. As a visionary leader with an outstanding track record of driving business growth and impact within the global luxury sector, Jaime brings an invaluable perspective to our organization,” said Ackneil M. Muldrow, III, Chairman of the Board, Dance Theatre of Harlem.

A dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Wynn serves as Executive Sponsor for BOLD (Black Organizers, Leaders, and Doers) at Capri Holdings, is a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC) and Black Women on Boards (BWOB), and sits on the Board of Directors for the Food Bank for NYC, championing purpose-driven leadership and social impact.

“Her unwavering commitment to purpose-driven leadership and to closing equity gaps deeply aligns with DTH’s mission to inspire through excellence. We look forward to working alongside Jaime as we continue to shape the future of this historic institution,” Muldrow said.

Vikings.Rondale Moore, Die,25 — (Photo: Tetra Images/Getty Images)

by Jameelah Mullen

November 7, 2025

Black History And Football Collide As Two HBCUs Face Off For The Commemorative Classic

A rivalry that combines history and camaraderie

It’s about to go down on Saturday, Nov 8, when two HBCUs, Johnson C. Smith University and Livingstone College, compete in the Commemorative Classic. This game honors the first HBCU game in history, played 133 years ago.

It started just two days after Christmas, 1892, when Biddle Institute, now Johnson C. Smith University, traveled on segregated rail to Salisbury, North Carolina, to face Livingstone College on a snow-covered field. The teams used a football purchased with student donations, and classmates also sewed their uniforms. Officials kept score using a borrowed playbook, in which Biddle won 5-0 and sparked Black football culture, which is now part of a broader Black cultural phenomenon, including week-long celebrations, tailgating, and battles of the bands.

Formally renamed the Commemorative Classic in 2009, the game now serves as a tribute to the first HBCU football contest ever played, bringing alumni and football fans together to celebrate the two teams that started it all.

“This game is not just where HBCU football began. It is where our story as a conference, a culture, and a community took root,” CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker said in a Livingstone College press release. “Generations of students, athletes, bands, alumni, and families helped build this legacy, and every time Johnson C. Smith and Livingstone take the field, they carry decades of history with them. The first game built the foundation. This game protects it. That is why this rivalry lives on as the Commemorative Classic; a yearly reminder of where Black college football began and who continues to carry it forward.”

Across its 133-year history, Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) has held bragging rights; JCSU went undefeated for nearly 40 years. Livingstone made a comeback in the 90s, winning several. Last year, Livingstone Blue Bears defeated the JCSU Golden Bills with a final score of 15-10.

The game begins at 1 p.m. at George W Gray Field, located inside the Irwin Belk Complex at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fans can also catch the game via livestream on YouTube.

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