• Education

by Sidnee Michelle

October 19, 2026

Xavier Ochsner College Of Medicine To Become The Next Historically Black Med School

The milestone comes as the United States faces a growing physician shortage, particularly in underserved communities.

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Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine has received preliminary accreditation, clearing a major hurdle toward becoming the nation’s next historically Black medical school and expanding opportunities for Black students pursuing careers in medicine, according to a recent announcement. 

The New Orleans-based institution announced Oct. 14 that it received approval from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the accrediting body for U.S. medical schools offering Doctor of Medicine degrees. The designation allows the college to begin recruiting students for its inaugural class, scheduled to begin in summer 2027.

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Established in 2024 through a partnership between Xavier University of Louisiana and Ochsner Health, the college will become the only historically Black medical school in the Gulf South.

“This is a historic moment for Xavier University of Louisiana, for New Orleans and for the future of medicine in this nation,” Xavier University President Reynold Verret said in a statement.

The milestone comes as the United States faces a growing physician shortage, particularly in underserved communities. Federal projections cited by the institution estimate the country could face a shortage of more than 141,000 physicians by 2038.

In Louisiana, 60 of the state’s 64 parishes are federally designated as health professional shortage areas, highlighting the need for additional medical professionals.

The college aims to address those workforce challenges by combining Xavier’s history of preparing Black students for medical careers with Ochsner’s clinical training and research resources.

Following its establishment, the institution received accreditation candidate status in October 2025 and underwent an evaluation in June 2026. Applications for its first class are expected to become available through the American Medical College Application Service in the coming weeks.

The institution is also expected to contribute to Louisiana’s economy. According to projections released by the college, its operations could generate $152.5 million in statewide economic impact by 2040, including $122 million in New Orleans, while supporting more than 1,185 jobs.

Located in New Orleans’ BioDistrict, the medical school represents another effort to increase physician representation and strengthen health care access in communities facing persistent workforce shortages.

RELATED CONTENT: Magic Johnson’s Latest Assist: $500K To Xavier University

• Education

by Sidnee Michelle

October 19, 2026

UK Universities Withdraw Admission Offers To Nigerian, Pakistani, And Bangladeshi Students

The changes come as the United Kingdom intensifies immigration enforcement

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British universities are withdrawing admission offers to international students, particularly those from Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as stricter immigration regulations place additional pressure on institutions to limit student visa refusals, Business Insider Africa reports.

Universities are tightening admissions practices to comply with government requirements that could jeopardize their ability to recruit international students.

The changes come as the United Kingdom intensifies immigration enforcement, raising concerns about access to higher education for students from Africa and South Asia.

Data cited in the report shows the proportion of U.K. study visa applications withdrawn rose from 2.3% in the first half of 2025 to 10.5% during the same period in 2026.

Nigerian applicants experienced a particularly sharp increase, with withdrawal rates climbing from 4.5% to 22.7% over the same period. Withdrawn applications are distinct from visa refusals, which occur when immigration authorities formally reject an application.

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Under stricter government requirements, universities face a 5% visa refusal threshold, increasing pressure to evaluate applicants’ chances of securing visas before extending or maintaining admission offers.

Institutions that fail to meet sponsorship requirements risk losing their authorization to enroll international students, potentially threatening a significant source of tuition revenue.

The restrictions could have substantial implications for Nigerian students, who have historically viewed British universities as pathways to internationally recognized qualifications and expanded career opportunities.

The financial consequences also extend to British universities, many of which depend on international students paying higher tuition fees than domestic students to help sustain academic programs and institutional operations.

For prospective students, the heightened scrutiny introduces additional uncertainty into an already competitive admissions process. Applicants who meet academic requirements could still face setbacks because of institutional concerns about immigration compliance.

As universities adjust their recruitment strategies, the restrictions highlight growing tensions between Britain’s immigration priorities and its higher education sector’s reliance on international enrollment, potentially narrowing educational opportunities for students from Nigeria and other affected countries.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Administration Targets Medical Schools Over Diversity-Focused Admissions

by Jeffrey McKinney

October 18, 2026

Call To Action: Black Americans Must Consider Estate Planning As A Means To Generational Wealth

Black Americans are more inclined not to have estate planning documents in place compared to other racial groups.

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Though estate planning is crucial, money experts contend it’s a tool often overlooked and not seen as a life-changing high priority.

Just 33% of African Americans have spoken to their parents about long-term care options and preferences provided they’re needed, based on new data supplied by life insurance and financial services giant Northwestern Mutual. Only 31% of the respondents stated their wishes on inheritance issues, wills, and other matters on future estate plans.

The data showed that the average Black American is convinced that preparing a will is best done around 43. However, many financial advisers urge starting as soon as you turn 18.

Much is at stake. Black Americans could fail to benefit from a $68 trillion transfer of wealth by 2047, partly due to insufficient estate planning. According to CNBC, over 70% of Black Americans do not have a will.

In general, estate planning is vital as it helps establish where an individual’s holdings, like homes, money, and other assets, go after death. The absence of one could have devastating financial implications because a person’s estate could lead to legal problems and cause family feuds. However, an estate plan, including a will or living trust, can help erase those disputes before or after death.

While progress has been made, the Black community still falls behind other demographics regarding estate planning, says Dexter Wyckoff, a managing director for Northwestern Mutual in Florida.

“I have found that many members of our community feel as though estate planning is only for the wealthy, and this myth also applies to the need to engage with a financial advisor.”

He explained Blacks need to be aware that estate planning can be affordable and is not only relevant when a loved one passes away. He declares both are misconceptions and are among the reasons why assets in the Black community tend to be passed “up” rather than down.” Consequently, when someone dies, Wyckoff says little to no assets are left for their children to inherit. “The only way to break this cycle is through a combination of financial planning and estate planning.”

A financial adviser, Wyckoff, also shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE through email the importance of estate planning and why it should be used to help strengthen your personal finance portfolio.

 BE: What are some reasons why the Black community should engage in estate planning?

Wyckoff: One is asset protection, as estate planning helps safeguard accumulated wealth, shielding it from potential risks such as lawsuits, creditors, and other unforeseen financial challenges. It can enhance generational wealth. Creating a will and estate plan can help facilitate the transfer of assets to children and subsequent generations. With homeownership being a key component of building generational wealth, an estate plan can help ensure heirs assume homeownership without undue delays or additional costs such as legal probate issues.

Is there a specific time of the year most beneficial for estate planning?

Generally, financial professionals recommend beginning the estate planning process as soon as you become a legal adult, and it could be done year-round. Black History Month serves as a great reminder to engage with a financial professional and estate attorney to craft an estate plan that helps transfer wealth to future generations. If you already have estate planning documents in place, it’s encouraged to review and revisit those documents on a yearly basis, especially if you’ve had any major life changes, including marriages, divorces, births/deaths, and changes in your health.

What is the potential financial impact when people aren’t preparing an estate plan?

Not preparing your estate plan has the potential to impact several areas financially, including a lack of control over asset distribution. Without a will or trust, assets could fall under intestacy laws that determine their distribution according to state regulations. This can risk emotional turmoil due to potentially unplanned asset allocation and jeopardize the potential for heirs to receive assets crucial for building generational wealth. The absence of an estate plan may trigger the probate process for estates exceeding a certain value, a potentially time-consuming and expensive ordeal. Navigating probate without a well-crafted plan can diminish the estate’s overall value.

• Education

by Sidnee Michelle

October 18, 2026

University Of Florida Professor Creates Haitian Creole Textbook To Preserve Language And Culture

The textbook aims to address a shortage of updated educational resources for Haitian Creole, the third-most-spoken language in Florida

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A University of Florida professor is working to modernize Haitian Creole education with a new textbook designed to address outdated learning materials while strengthening language accessibility and cultural representation, The Independent Florida Alligator reports. 

Benjamin Hebblethwaite, a professor in the university’s Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, collaborated with University of Alabama assistant professor David Tezil to develop Kreyòl pale, a Haitian Creole textbook published in August 2025 following nine years of work.

The textbook aims to address a shortage of updated educational resources for Haitian Creole, the third-most-spoken language in Florida, according to the outlet.

Hebblethwaite said existing textbooks relied on outdated teaching methods and often presented Haiti through limited perspectives, emphasizing poverty and hardship rather than the country’s broader cultural experiences.

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“We wanted to bring some more balance where we showed the culture in a more well-rounded, more representative way,” Hebblethwaite told the outlet.

The textbook features 29 chapters and more than 60 exercises and activities covering vocabulary, grammar, and everyday conversations. Lessons address practical situations, including ordering food, dating, and searching for employment, to help students develop conversational skills.

The resource also offers Haitian American students an opportunity to strengthen their connection to their heritage.

Georffrey Pierre, a first-generation University of Florida student, told The Alligator that speaking Haitian Creole helps him maintain relationships with family members who are not fluent in English. He also emphasized the importance of making language-learning resources more widely available.

Duchnah Richard, another first-generation student, said she speaks Haitian Creole but struggles to write it. She believes the textbook could help students navigate language barriers and improve their literacy skills.

The initiative addresses a broader challenge facing Haitian communities, where some native speakers have limited access to formal instruction in reading and writing their language.

Kreyòl pale is available as a free PDF through the University of Florida Digital Collections, expanding access to Haitian Creole education beyond the university classroom.

RELATED CONTENT: Haitian Flag Day: 5 Haitian-Owned Brands And Organizations To Support

• Money

by Sidnee Michelle

October 17, 2026

You’re Not Ready For Retirement If These Financial Elements Exists

Retirement readiness requires more than reaching a certain age.

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Leaving the workforce may be the goal, but retirement without a strong financial plan could put years of savings — and long-term financial security — at risk, Investopedia reports.

The oulet’s analysis identified warning signs that workers may not be ready to retire, including excessive debt, inadequate planning, and uncertainty about how much income they will have once regular paychecks stop.

Struggling to cover current bills is one major red flag. Retirees may need about 75% of their preretirement income to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, with money potentially coming from Social Security, pensions, 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts, and other savings.

Carrying significant debt is another concern. David Walters, a certified financial planner with Palisades Hudson Financial Group, told the outlet that reducing or eliminating credit card balances and auto loans before retirement can ease pressure on savings. Paying off a mortgage or downsizing may also make sense depending on a person’s circumstances.

Workers should also have a plan for major future expenses, including home repairs and vehicle purchases, and know approximately how much they will receive from Social Security. Claiming Social Security at age 62 can result in monthly benefits 30% lower than waiting until full retirement age, according to the Social Security Administration.

A lack of monthly and long-term financial plans are two additional warning signs. Prospective retirees should understand their expected expenses, taxes, and healthcare costs, along with how much they can withdraw from savings without exhausting their money.

Inflation also matters. Rising prices can erode purchasing power over a retirement that could span 30 years or longer, making an investment strategy designed to keep pace with inflation increasingly important.

Failing to periodically rebalance an investment portfolio can create additional risk as retirement approaches. A diversified portfolio can help retirees balance income generation, capital preservation, and exposure to market volatility.

The final two warning signs aren’t strictly financial. Workers who are anxious about leaving their careers or who still genuinely enjoy their jobs may want to reconsider their timing.

Ultimately, retirement readiness requires more than reaching a certain age. Understanding debt, expenses, income, investments, and life after work can help determine whether leaving the workforce is financially sustainable.

RELATED CONTENT: These States May Help Retirees Keep Most Of Their Retirement Income

• Lifestyle

by Sidnee Michelle

October 17, 2026

‘Rising Black Men’ Hosts 1st Black Prom At Michigan State University

Although the organization's mission centers on supporting Black men, its programming extends to the broader student community.

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Michigan State University’s Rising Black Men organization hosted its inaugural Black Prom on Oct. 11, bringing students together for an evening celebrating Black culture, leadership, and community during the university’s homecoming weekend, The State News reports. 

The black-tie celebration, held at the MSU Union in East Lansing, Michigan, featured dinner, dancing, and the crowning of homecoming royalty. The event also highlighted the student organization’s efforts to create inclusive spaces and strengthen connections among Black students.

Founded in 2017, Rising Black Men focuses on empowering Black male students through mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement. Its mentorship program pairs underclassmen with upperclassmen to help incoming students navigate college life.

Although the organization’s mission centers on supporting Black men, its programming extends to the broader student community.

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“Even though a lot of our events are focused on uplifting young men, they are for everybody to come out and enjoy themselves,” organization President Kenneth “KJ” Nathaniel told the outlet.

The idea for Black Prom originated in 2025 under former organization President Myles McGee. Nathaniel revived the proposal after becoming president in the spring, overseeing approximately seven months of planning, including catering, entertainment, and decorations.

Rising Black Men founder Tim Herd, who attended the celebration, established the organization to challenge negative perceptions of Black male college students and provide opportunities for mentorship and personal development.

The evening also recognized student achievement, with seniors Taniya Perry and Seth Washington crowned homecoming queen and king, respectively.

For African Student Union President Kadiatou Kaba, the event underscored the importance of representation and belonging on campus.

Kaba told the outlet that gatherings such as Black Prom help students, particularly freshmen, recognize that supportive communities exist within the university.

Nathaniel hopes the celebration will become an annual tradition, continuing Rising Black Men’s mission of creating opportunities for students to build relationships and celebrate their identities long after its current leadership graduates.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Dad Gifts Son Greatest Prom Moment By Accepting His Identity

• Education

by Selena Hill

October 16, 2026

Howard University And Google Are Teaching AI To Understand Black Voices

Project Elevate Black Voices aims to reduce speech-recognition errors, protect community interests, and make voice technology more inclusive

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Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday life, but for many Black users, getting technology to understand them can still mean changing the way they speak. Howard University and Google Research are working to change that with a project designed to make voice-recognition technology more inclusive.

What Exactly Is Project Elevate Black Voices?

Through Project Elevate Black Voices, researchers developed a dataset containing more than 600 hours of African American English (AAE) speech collected from participants across 32 states. The resource helps developers improve automatic speech recognition systems that power voice assistants, transcription tools, and other AI-driven products. Speech-recognition systems can struggle with dialects and language patterns that are underrepresented in their training data. For Black users, those shortcomings can lead to misinterpreted commands and inaccurate transcripts, creating barriers to using tools that others may take for granted.

“Voice assistant technology should understand different dialects of all African American English,” said Dr. Gloria Washington, a Howard University researcher and co-principal investigator of the project, in a press release. She added that doing so would help technology better serve African Americans and other speakers of these dialects.

The implications extend beyond convenience. As businesses incorporate AI into customer service, workplace communications, and digital products, speech-recognition accuracy can affect how people access services and interact with technology. Improving the systems could help companies develop products that work for a broader range of customers.

Project Elevate Black Voices also places community participation at the center of its research. The team organized events in multiple cities where Black community members discussed their experiences with technology, AI, and data privacy. Participants were then invited to contribute audio recordings during a three-week collection initiative.

Who Will Take Ownership Of The Data?

Lucretia Williams, the project’s lead and a Howard researcher, said the team wanted to create trusted spaces where participants could share their experiences.

“As a community-based researcher, I wanted to carefully curate the community activations to be a safe and trusted space for members of the community to share their experiences about tech and AI,” Williams said.

Howard University will retain ownership of the dataset and oversee its licensing and responsible use. Initially, the Howard African American English Dataset 1.0 will be available exclusively to researchers and institutions within historically Black colleges and universities, with broader distribution to be considered later. Google can also use the dataset to improve its products. Courtney Heldreth, a Google Research co-principal investigator, said the collaboration could help more people communicate naturally with smart devices.

The project reflects a broader push to address bias in AI development by ensuring that communities historically overlooked in technology research help shape the tools they use.

RELATED CONTENT: Howard University Appoints Carole Boyce-Davies, 1st Endowed Chair In Caribbean Studies

• Women

by Black Enterprise

October 16, 2026

Karlie Redd Hosts ‘Courageous Awards’ During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The ceremony is spearheaded by Redd’s nonprofit organization, Big Heart Foundation

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Transformative survivor advocacy takes center stage in downtown Atlanta as television personality and entrepreneur, Karlie Redd presents the 2nd Annual Courageous Awards on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET at the Atlanta Central Library. Spearheaded by Redd’s nonprofit organization, Big Heart Foundation, the ceremony intentionally coincides with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to spotlight human resilience, deliver educational opportunities, and connect community advocates with vital domestic violence support programs across Georgia.

The evening unites an influential coalition of civic leaders and media personalities, including entertainment executive Yandy Smith, author Kie Fair, and former Georgia State Representative the Honorable Erica Thomas Adeyemi. Moving beyond conventional award galas, the program utilizes public visibility to dismantle historical taboos, amplify powerful survivor testimonials, and directly fund academic scholarships alongside community outreach initiatives designed to secure long-term financial independence for affected families.

The mission behind the 2nd Annual Courageous Awards

By hosting the 2nd Annual Courageous Awards at One Margaret Mitchell Square, Big Heart Foundation bridges grass-roots survivor advocacy with systemic civic engagement. The event serves as an essential nexus where domestic violence survivors, elected officials, and philanthropic organizations meet to address intimate partner abuse through actionable policy and community outreach.

Unlike standard red-carpet gatherings, the initiative emphasizes sustainable solutions for recovery. Through strategic collaboration with civic leaders like Erica Thomas Adeyemi—a trailblazing former legislator and presidential honor recipient who survived domestic abuse herself—the organization highlights the critical intersection of educational opportunities, economic independence, and legal protections.

Attendees entering the venue in business casual attire will participate in a multifaceted evening featuring live survivor testimonials, resource networking sessions, and public recognitions designed to demonstrate how collective action can break intergenerational cycles of trauma.

How are public figures leveraging their platforms to empower domestic violence survivors?

For Karlie Redd, widely recognized for her television work on MTV’s Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta and business ventures such as Red Room Bistro, this initiative represents a deeply personal commitment to public service. Stepping beyond the entertainment domain, Redd uses her platform to share her individual journey through trauma, demonstrating how public figures can foster meaningful community outreach.

“I know firsthand that finding the courage to walk away and rebuild your life is not easy,” Redd said in a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. “The Courageous Awards is my way of reminding survivors that their pain does not define them, their voices matter, and there is hope and healing on the other side of survival.”

Returning co-host Yandy Smith—a serial entrepreneur known for YELLE Skincare and the nonprofit Partners Uplifting Our Daughters and Sons (PUDS)—reaffirmed the necessity of collaborative women’s empowerment in driving social change. Smith highlighted that unified advocacy reassures survivors that they remain seen, protected, and fully supported by their surrounding community.

“When women come together with purpose, we have the power to change lives,” Smith said in the press statement. “I’m honored to stand with Karlie again to celebrate these courageous survivors and remind them they are seen, supported, and never alone.”

Author Kie Fair—founder of TAI Nation and author of Undefined Evidence—brings a crucial perspective regarding male accountability and family leadership. Fair emphasizes that combating domestic abuse requires active participation from men to challenge harmful behavior patterns, educate future generations, and guarantee that families thrive without fear.

“Domestic violence is not just a women’s issue. It’s a community issue,” Fair shared in the statement. “As men, we have a responsibility to help break destructive cycles, stand with survivors, and create a future where families can thrive without fear.”

RELATED CONTENT: 7 Activists Who Center Survivors And Domestic Violence Awareness

• Education

by Brandon Horton

October 16, 2026

‘Deadlining,’ A Howard University Student’s Research Highlights Gaps In Missing Black Women’s Case Records

The Deadlining project documents 186 historical cases while raising questions about how missing and murdered Black women are represented in public records.

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Missing-person cases can become difficult to investigate when records are scattered across government agencies, newspaper archives and other sources.

Howard University junior Avery Bernard Johns is addressing that problem through Deadlining, a public database that documents 186 cases involving missing and murdered Black women and girls in Washington, D.C., from 1961 through 2025.

According to The New Hampshire, Johns developed the project after struggling to find official records about the 1961 disappearance of 6-year-old Hattie Yvonne Jackson.

Her initial search identified just 37 cases through federal missing-person records before additional research expanded the database.

How widespread are missing-person reports involving Black girls?

The issue extends beyond Washington.

According to the FBI’s 2025 missing-person statistics, approximately 96,000 missing-person entries nationwide involved Black females. Nearly four in five involved girls younger than 18.

These figures represent records entered during the year, not necessarily unique individuals or unresolved disappearances.

The statistics demonstrate the importance of maintaining accessible information about missing Black women and girls.

Why are historical case records difficult to access?

Johns reported encountering incomplete information and discovering that some older police records had been discarded, according to The New Hampshire.

The Metropolitan Police Department provides a Freedom of Information Act process for requesting records, although accessing available historical information may require additional research.

Beyond documenting individual cases, Johns uses historical housing maps, census information and neighborhood data to identify geographic patterns.

Her Deadlining project could provide families, researchers and journalists with another resource for investigating overlooked cases and preserving the histories of Black women and girls.

RELATED CONTENT: Black And Missing Foundation ‘Still Have A Lot Of Work’ To Do To Amplify ‘Typically Overlooked’ Cases