by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 14, 2025

Drake Escalates The Pettiness By Replacing LeBron James Tattoo With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Canadian rapper has not forgiven the Lakers player for appearing at Kendrick Lamar's pop-up concert last year.

Once again, proving that Drake is “Not Like Us,” the Canadian superstar has recently had a tattoo of his former friend, LeBron James, replaced with a tattoo of the current NBA MVP, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

LeBron and Drake shared a decades-long friendship, but ever since Drake’s stunning defeat to Compton’s Kendrick Lamar in, perhaps, one of hip-hop’s biggest rap battles, the “Thank Me Later” recording artist has taken shots at the future NBA Hall of Famer. The beef is alleged to have developed after Lamar’s pop-up concert in California during the height of the battle, when LeBron, along with many others, attended the performance.

In a move that Drake, who has been labeled an EMO (emotional) rapper since his debut into hip-hop, has taken LeBron’s appearance as disloyal and supposedly expected anyone he was friends with to take his side in the disagreement between the two rappers. Drake has taken shots at many others, including Sacramento Kings’ DeMar DeRozan, who was a great buddy to the Canadian when he played for the Toronto Raptors.

Earlier this year, Drake released a song titled “Fighting Irish,” where he disses several heads, specifically LeBron, on the song. For those who don’t know, LeBron attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, and the basketball team’s name was the Fighting Irish, so the speculation was that the reference was directed specifically at LeBron.

This latest action appears to cement the loss of friendship status between the two, as Drake was seen with the new tattoo, indicating that he is now a fan of the current NBA “it” guy, Gilgeous-Alexander.

Drake is hilarious man lmaoooo

He really covered his up LeBron James tattoo and replaced it with an SGA one 😭 pic.twitter.com/VnacfdYxtd

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) July 12, 2025

He reignited his feud with former friends in his latest song, “What Did I Miss?”, still referencing the pop-up concert that took place almost a year ago at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, on June 19, 2024. If holding a grudge had a face, it would show up as Drake.

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 14, 2025

Judge Allows Don Lemon To Sue Elon Musk Over Botched X Deal

Judge Harold Kahn ruled in Lemon’s favor after Musk’s team attempted to have the lawsuit moved to a Texas court and tried to convince a judge to have all the claims thrown out.

A San Francisco judge ruled that a lawsuit from former CNN anchor Don Lemon against former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) director and X owner Elon Musk for the canceled X partnership can go to trial, CNBC reports.

Lemon filed the litigation in August 2024 after Musk canceled a partnership with the ex-CNN journalist just hours after he wrapped up an interview with the billionaire. The tense exchange was scheduled to be the premiere of Lemon’s new show hosted on the social media app. The host of YouTube’s “The Don Lemon Show” and his lawyers claim Musk and X committed “fraud by false promise” with “an implied contract” between the two parties.

Judge Harold Kahn ruled in Lemon’s favor after Musk’s team attempted to have the lawsuit moved to a Texas court and tried to convince a judge to have all the claims thrown out. Attorney Carney Shegerian said Kahn’s ruling holds Musk accountable for his actions. “The ruling means Don can hold X and Musk accountable in open court. Musk is subject to the legal process, just like everyone else, and that’s important,” Shegerian said in a statement, according to Fox Business.

“There’s no question about Musk’s motives and liability, as documented in his own texts and on X for millions to see.”

The controversial interview, scheduled to air in March 2023, included Lemon pressing Musk on a number of hot topics, with the billionaire pushing the so-called “great replacement theory” and other bigoted tropes and falsehoods, such as posts that claimed there was a “Hispanic invasion” of immigrants to the U.S. The $1.5 million lawsuit claims Musk and X promised the journalist that he would have “full authority and control over the work he produced, even if disliked” by the Tesla founder and his team.

Elon Musk vs Don Lemon pic.twitter.com/XyMLHLEysc
— Astro Greek (@astro_greek) June 7, 2025

Musk labeled the interview as “invasive and charged.” At the time, Lemon said he was unaware of any restrictions. “There were no restrictions on the interview that he willingly agreed to, and my questions were respectful and wide-ranging, covering everything from SpaceX to the presidential election,” the journalist once said.

Both Lemon and Musk have been under scrutiny over the past few years, starting when Musk took over the social app formerly known as Twitter. Touching on being a “free speech” hero, Musk restored President Donald Trump’s account after being permanently banned following the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol, pushing severe backlash.

Lemon was let go from CNN in 2023 following accusations of co-worker mistreatment and making sexist remarks on-air, such as some made toward former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Lemon later apologized for the comments regarding Haley.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 14, 2025

Henry Louis Gates Jr. Presents Pope Leo XIV With Family Tree Tracing His Black Ancestry

Pope Leo received an official copy of his family tree, which includes his ties to "free people of color" in New Orleans.

Pope Leo XIV received a copy of his family tree from Henry Louis Gates Jr., marking his first public acknowledgment of his lineage, which includes Black ancestry.

On July 10, Finding Your Roots host Henry Louis Gates Jr. shared a photo on Facebook from a private meeting at the Vatican, where he and his wife, historian Dr. Marial Iglesias Utset, presented Pope Leo with an official copy of his family tree.

“She and I had worked with an outstanding team of researchers to publish it in The New York Times Sunday Magazine and were deeply grateful for the chance to walk His Holiness through the branches of his family tree, sharing stories of his ancestors back to his 12th great-grandparents who were born some 500 years ago,” Gates wrote. “This was one of the most meaningful and deeply moving moments of our lives.”

The meeting comes exactly two months after New Orleans genealogist Jari Honora revealed that the new Pope’s ancestry traces back to Black roots in New Orleans. Curious about Pope Leo’s French-sounding last name, Prevost, Honora began researching and discovered that all four of his maternal great-grandparents were “free people of color” with Haitian, Creole, and Mulatto roots.

“It was special for me because I share that heritage and so do many of my friends who are Catholic here in New Orleans,” Honora, a historian at the Historic New Orleans Collection, told The Associated Press.

Andrew Jolivette, a professor of sociology and Afro-Indigenous Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, did his own research and discovered that the Pope’s Creole ancestry reflects the rich cultural tapestry of southern Louisiana.

It’s like a prayer… and a plot twist.

Through a distant relative @madonna and Pope Leo are related! Read more about the Pope’s ancestry here: https://t.co/j28uJr3NNX https://t.co/CEpzBb4VB3 pic.twitter.com/l9c7n213Bs
— Henry Louis Gates Jr (@HenryLouisGates) June 16, 2025

“There is Cuban ancestry on his maternal side. So, there are a number of firsts here, and it’s a matter of pride for Creoles,” said Jolivette, whose family is Creole from Louisiana. “So, I also view him as a Latino pope because the influence of Latino heritage cannot be ignored in the conversation about Creoles.”

Honora, Jolivette, and members of the Black and Creole Catholic communities are now crediting Pope Leo for uniting the global Catholic Church and bringing long-overdue recognition to the history and contributions of Black Catholics. Other notable names Pope Leo shares ancestry with include Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Justin Bieber, and Hillary Clinton.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 14, 2025

Petty Cash, Brutal Attack: Man Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Roommate Over $15

Sincir Malik Porter is facing two counts of second-degree murder after being accused of stabbing his 25-year-old roommate

A man in Minneapolis, Sincir Malik Porter, has been arrested and is facing charges for the killing of his roommate after allegedly arguing over $15.

According to People, 21-year-old Porter is looking at two counts of second-degree murder after being accused of stabbing his 25-year-old roommate, Abdirahman Adan Abdirahman. Minneapolis police officers have stated that the two men were having a dispute over $15, and Porter ended up killing Abdirahman when he stabbed him in the neck with a knife. The deadly incident took place July 6 and was seen on surveillance video.

After being summoned, police arrived at the apartment and came upon a scene where the officers saw “a large amount of blood on the floor and walls in the living room” and recovered a bloody knife at the front of the residence, according to a probable cause statement filed with the court. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Someone who was on the scene reportedly told police officers that Porter said to them that Abdirahman “made [him] flash out.”

The video revealed that the two men could be heard “arguing over $15,” and Porter was seen holding a knife while they argued. He then used the knife to attack Abdirahman, stabbing him once. In the document, it stated that, “[Abdirahman] appeared to get into a fighting stance before he realized he had been stabbed and collapsed to the ground.”

Officers were able to catch up with Porter in another part of the neighborhood, and when he was caught, he reportedly told officers, “Yeah, you got me.”

He admitted to the stabbing after officers read him his Miranda rights.

He also stated to police that “he had thought about killing [Abdirahman] and his other roommates in the past.”

“[Porter] stated that the roommates were lucky they didn’t get in the way,” based on what was written in the report.

Porter remains incarcerated at Hennepin County Jail and is being held on $1 million bond.

SUNY, CUNY, associate degrees, New York, New yorkers, education

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 14, 2025

Higher Learning: New Yorkers 25 And Older Are Eligible For Free Associate Degrees Under State Program

The program will offer free community college for those seeking careers in high-demand fields.

New Yorkers over 25 years old may be able to get a degree free of charge from the state’s public universities.

A new program called SUNY and CUNY Reconnect will help these older college students obtain associate’s degrees. New York residents between the ages of 25 and 55 may be eligible to have all their educational expenses covered by the state. Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement on the program’s launch July 1.

“The cost of pursuing a degree should never be a barrier for New Yorkers — that’s why we’re opening the doors of opportunity at SUNY and CUNY so that students can achieve their dreams,” Gov. Hochul said via the state’s website. “I’m fighting to make education more affordable and accessible, and the Reconnect program will continue to pave the way forward for students as they enter our State’s future workforce.”

The program will handle tuition, fees, school supplies, and textbooks for eligible students at SUNY and CUNY campuses. It aims to educate and prepare New Yorkers for the workforce, particularly in high-demand fields.

“New York State has stepped up as a national leader in many emerging industries such as semiconductor and advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and AI. As a result of these investments, many of the new jobs available in New York will require workers with a degree or credentials to fill these specialized positions,” the statement explained.

Offered degrees include many in the STEM fields, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and traditional engineering and technology. To address worker shortages in the medical and academic sectors, other programs listed include nursing and allied health, as well as pathways to teaching in shortage areas. Another program offered, focusing on green and renewable energy, will help attract more professionals to the environmental industry.

According to U.S. Census data, a significant portion of New Yorkers hold bachelor’s degrees, accounting for 41% of the population. While the majority also graduated from high school, building a pathway to college matriculation can help more individuals advance in job prospects.

The program is an expansion of CUNY Reconnect, established in 2022. Its SUNY counterpart will launch in the Fall 2025 semester and has already received significant praise from state officials.

“This is a game-changer for New Yorkers who thought higher education was out of reach,” explained NY Assemblymember Chantel Jackson. “By removing financial barriers and investing in our adult learners, Gov. Hochul is helping to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce. I’m proud to support the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect initiative, which will open doors for thousands of students across our state and create real pathways to economic mobility.”

Rwanda, Ola Morin-Muhammed, Wasimi Villas

by Black Enterprise

July 14, 2025

Ola Morin-Muhammed Launches Rwanda’s Most Anticipated Eco-Luxury Villas

Ola Morin-Muhammed purchased the lakeside land in 2021 with a vision

Trailblazing Nigerian-American architect and entrepreneur Ola Morin-Muhammed has unveiled Wasimi Villas, an eco-luxury community nestled in the hills overlooking Rwanda’s serene Lake Muhazi, just an hour outside the capital city of Kigali.

This groundbreaking development combines modern African design, sustainability, and purpose, offering a rare opportunity for diaspora and global investors to own a property in one of East Africa’s most promising destinations. With over 25 years of experience in architecture, design, and urban planning, Morin-Muhammed purchased the lakeside land in 2021 with a vision: to build Rwanda’s first fully sustainable eco-luxury resort community. Inspired by the Yoruba word Wasimi, meaning “come and rest,” the project embodies intentional living, natural harmony, and cultural connection.

“Wasimi Villas is where people reconnect with themselves, each other, and the land,” says Morin-Muhammed. “This is more than architecture, it’s a movement.”

Why Rwanda, Why Now?

Rwanda is quickly becoming one of Africa’s most coveted destinations for investment, travel, and relocation. According to Business Insider Africa, Rwanda is recognized as the safest country in Africa, thanks to its low crime rate. Rwanda is celebrated for its pristine landscapes, political stability, and visionary leadership. The eco-tourism market is booming:

• 25% growth in international tourism in 2024 alone

• Rising demand for nature-centered, luxury accommodations

• Limited supply of sustainable, design-forward properties

Lake Muhazi is emerging as a top eco-tourism destination, home to nature trails, boutique resorts, and tranquil waters, yet largely untapped by high-end developers. Wasimi Villas is the first of its kind in the region, positioned to meet the rising demand for luxury homes and vacation retreats with potential for resale and rental income.

Built with Purpose: Rammed Earth + Timeless Craftsmanship.

Wasimi Villas will be constructed in partnership with Rammteck, a leading sustainable architecture firm based in South Africa. The homes will be built with rammed earth, a centuries-old construction technique known for its beauty, strength, and low environmental impact. Naturally insulating and designed to blend into the landscape, rammed earth homes are calm, quiet, and built to last.

The partnership was facilitated by Dawn Dickson, a U.S.-based serial entrepreneur and real estate consultant, who leads the project’s global marketing and sales efforts.

“When Ola shared her vision, I knew instantly this was something special,” says Dickson. “We’re not just selling homes, we’re creating generational assets in Africa.”

Now Selling – Only 6 Villas Remain

After completing three global webinars and generating a surge of interest, Wasimi Villas has already secured early buyers, and only six villas remain available for purchase.

Villas are priced from USD 180,000, offering designs with panoramic lake views, modern amenities, and access to a private, wellness-centered community. The homes are ideal for permanent residents, vacation property owners, or those seeking rental income from eco-conscious travelers.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dawn Dickson (@dawnwdickson)

As demand grows, buyers now have a limited opportunity to secure their villa at launch pricing.

Reservations require a $5,000 fully refundable deposit. Buyers will be able to select their preferred lot and floor plan, with formal contracts issued within two to three weeks.

To learn more or to reserve a villa, visit the official website.

miami, miami woman, animal cruelty, dog, cruelty

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 14, 2025

Diabolical Animal Abuse Leaves Dog Without Vocal Chords

Nathaniel Levon Curington and Aimee Renee Curington, of Trenton, Ga., have been arrested and both are facing charges of cruelty to animals

Two people from Georgia have been arrested after authorities found hundreds of abused, some dead, animals at their home, including a dog that had its vocal cords removed.

According to WSB-TV, Nathaniel Levon Curington and Aimee Renee Curington, of Trenton, Georgia, have been arrested and both are facing charges of seven counts of cruelty to animals. This occurred after the Georgia Department of Agriculture initiated an investigation into the duo. Both suspects were booked into the Dade County Jail.

Officers helped rescue 256 animals from the Trenton home after spending 14 hours there.

“This is one of the worst cases of animal abuse and neglect we have seen, and I am confident these individuals will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.

Authorities described the situation as an illegal puppy mill and hoarding situation where there were mostly French Bulldogs and Pomeranians.

“I have never groomed this many dogs in one day, especially in such horrific condition. Their fur was so badly matted I actually had to use a surgical grade blade on their skin to get underneath the mats,” vet tech and groomer Sarah Mozzott told the media outlet.

According to NewsChannel 9 ABC, most of the dogs taken from the deplorable conditions have been rehomed. One of the dogs, Miracle, was unable to walk and couldn’t keep her tongue in her mouth, according to Cindy Bice, a Chattanooga attorney. After agreeing to take her in, the veterinarian informed Bice that Miracle’s vocal cords were likely removed, making it highly unlikely that Miracle could bark to communicate with the attorney.

“That is the cruelest, most inhumane thing you could do to cover up a bark so you don’t get caught. And I hope that whatever authority is there in your area will take the calls from the neighbors, from the people who know what’s going on,” Bice commented.

There are 18 dogs at the Forsyth County Animal Shelter that are expected to be ready for adoption in approximately two weeks.

Black woman, ceo, lecture, mentor, presentation, boss, speaking

by Black Enterprise

July 14, 2025

The Emotional Cost of Climbing the Career Ladder

Thriving at work and protecting your well-being are not mutually exclusive

Written By Andrea Cennington

Black and Brown professionals are told to keep climbing, to get the degrees, the titles, and the seats at tables we weren’t always invited to. We do just that, rising, pushing through, succeeding, and excelling.

However, rarely does anyone discuss what success costs us emotionally. Behind the polished smiles and well-crafted LinkedIn profiles, many of us are carrying invisible wounds. This mental and emotional weight comes with navigating professional spaces that were largely built without us in mind or built for us not to succeed.

There is an emotional cost of climbing the career ladder, and it’s a conversation we’re worth having, especially during BIPOC Mental Health Month.

The Silent Stress No One Sees

For many professionals of color, the workplace often feels more like a battleground than a space for growth.

Every day, we navigate microaggressions, coded language, exclusion, and even erasure while trying to perform at the highest levels. The mental and emotional toll of simply existing in these environments is profound and undeniable.

This isn’t something we are imagining. Research shows that Black and Brown professionals experience chronic stress linked to racism, tokenism, and “minority stress,” a psychological burden that increases risk for anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic fatigue.

We are often “the only one” in the room. That isolation, paired with the pressure to represent an entire race or community, creates a toxic cycle of hypervigilance, emotional exhaustion, and loneliness.

The Fatigue of Code Switching

One of the most common yet unspoken drains on our well-being is code switching, the constant shifting of how we speak, dress, express ourselves, and even manage our emotions, all to be “acceptable” or “safe” in majority spaces.

This performance isn’t harmless. Studies show that code switching takes a real cognitive and emotional toll, leaving us disconnected from our authentic selves and, over time, deeply fatigued.

I know this firsthand. I’ve sat in conference rooms where my voice was praised yet not heard. I’ve softened my words, muted my expressions, and forced a smile when, deep down, my spirit wanted to scream.

The Weight of Unseen Emotional Labor

For many of us, work extends far beyond the job description. We take on the roles of educator, diversity committee member, and the “safe person” colleagues turn to, all while managing our own unspoken challenges. This unpaid emotional labor carries significant weight. Over time, it often leads to burnout, self-doubt, and sometimes disconnection from our sense of purpose and joy.

Black women, in particular, often carry a compounded emotional burden. We’ve been conditioned to be strong and to push through, again at what cost? Prolonged exposure to stressors like discrimination, microaggressions, and systemic inequities has been linked to serious health risks, including heart disease, hypertension, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. Research also shows that racism itself is a chronic health risk, activating the body’s stress response and fueling inflammation that ultimately impacts both mental and physical well-being. For many, success comes with silent suffering. Without systemic accountability, true healing, and culturally responsive care, too many are left to carry these burdens alone at a deep cost to their health and sense of self.

Choosing Mental Health as Success

The truth is, no achievement is worth sacrificing your mental health. Climbing the ladder doesn’t have to mean losing yourself in the process.

Here are the most important lessons I’ve learned, and now teach others as they navigate their own paths to success:

Set boundaries early and often. Protect your time, your energy, and your peace.
Find community. Connect with others who understand your journey; mentorship and peer support are lifelines.
Speak up about mental health. Normalize therapy, rest, and emotional check-ins.
Hold organizations accountable. Advocate for policies and cultures that support psychological safety, not just diversity quotas.

Climbing the ladder isn’t wrong. Wanting success isn’t wrong. But sacrificing your well-being in the name of ambition? That’s where the harm begins.

This BIPOC Mental Health Month, I invite you to pause and reflect: What does success mean if it leaves you feeling empty?

Thriving at work and protecting your well-being are not mutually exclusive. It’s time we made room for both.

Queens, Jada McPherson, fight, parking, Sabrina Starman

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 14, 2025

A Black Woman Was Viciously Attacked Over A Parking Space And Neighbors Stood Around Watching

The 21-year-old driver, identified as Jada McPherson, said she has been on edge since the ordeal happened.

A mother-daughter duo is facing assault charges after brutally attacking a Black driver for allegedly moving trash cans that were placed on the street to “illegally” save a parking spot, Fox News reports.

Andreea Dumitru, 45, and Sabrina Starman, 21, were seen on video attacking a 21-year-old driver, identified as Jada McPherson, outside a home in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens when McPherson attempted to move a trash can that was in the way of her parking. The victim can be seen being repeatedly attacked by the mother-daughter pair and a male assailant.

The incident escalated after witnesses claimed the victim was trying to move the garbage cans to park after a long work shift. A man was heard saying, “Stop touching my stuff!” while placing the cans back on the city curb. The victim then allegedly said, “I just got home from work! I don’t want to circle the block five times looking for a parking spot because this [expletive] was holding it with a garbage can.”

Before punches were thrown, both the victim and the others were heard yelling racial slurs at each other.

“You’re a monkey, b****,” Dumitru said, with McPherson responding with “You’re an immigrant, b****.”

According to The New York Post, McPherson said she has been on edge since the ordeal, fearing for her life over a parking spot. “Jumping one person for a parking space is really not right,” the Pace University student said.

Other residents in the area feel that the ordeal was a long time coming, as the family involved has allegedly been holding parking spots for years. On a Reddit post, a former resident highlighted how long the trash cans would be on the street.

“Sometimes those trash cans will be there for three hours, reserving the spot,” the post read. The person responsible for the video, which has garnered nearly 80,000 views, described the incident as McPherson reaching a breaking point.

“It’s been going on for years. The whole family does it, today someone finally had a breaking point,” the video filmer said.

Both Dumitru and Starman were arrested at the scene, but their lawyer, Mahmoud Rabah, said the duo plans to fight the charges after claiming McPherson started the altercation.

“You can’t claim to be a victim if you instigate an altercation with threatening behavior and vile and hurtful language,” Rabah said.

Both women said their families have received death threats since the video was posted. Still, other residents are supporting McPherson’s narrative of being fearful for her well-being, as such incidents have happened before.

“You know, I could move the garbage cans and park, but then they could slash my car or something,” resident Yesenia Delgado, who has lived in the area for 14 years, said.

Broward County, jail, gay inmate killed, Cierre Wood, Gwinnett county jail,, Riker's,, doulla, pregnant, inmates, Councilwoman, Rosenthal

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 14, 2025

San Quentin Prison Hosts First-Ever Father-Daughter Dance, ‘It’s My First Time I Get To Hug Them’

San Quentin State Prison brings father and daughters together for its first "Parent Prom."

A coalition of organizations recently teamed up to host San Quentin State Prison’s first-ever father-daughter dance, where “missed milestones were redeemed.”

A viral video making the rounds on social media captures highlights from the “Parent Prom” at San Quentin State Prison, an emotional event organized by the prison reform advocacy group The People In Blue in collaboration with the faith-based nonprofit God Behind Bars, The Last Mile, Got Light, Angel Cakes, and ACME Floral Co. The prom marked the grand finale of an eight-week workshop led by 18 incarcerated men advocating for prison reform, and it’s receiving widespread praise and support online, KTVU reports.

The heartfelt event marked the culmination of an eight-week family communication workshop created by Tam Nguyen, a San Quentin resident and member of The People in Blue who has been incarcerated for 22 years. The program gave participants a chance to reflect deeply on their roles in their daughters’ lives and to rebuild connections with other family members through honest, introspective work.

For some of the incarcerated fathers, the prom offered them the opportunity to meet their daughters for the first time.

“So I’ve been incarcerated 18 years, and they’re 14 and 12. So I mean, it’s my first time I get to hug them and all that,” one father shared.

Others hadn’t seen their daughters in more than a decade. According to God Behind Bars, the event’s mission was centered on family restoration.

“For one night, the prison chapel became a place of redemption. A place where missed proms, missed dances, and missed milestones were redeemed,” the organization said. “This wasn’t just a dance. It was a glimpse of what God can do- restoring families, healing hearts, and writing new stories where the world saw brokenness. Watch as fathers and daughters create memories they thought they’d lost, and see what hope looks like behind bars!”

Smiles lit up the room, and happy tears flowed as organizers reflected on just how deeply emotional the event was for everyone involved.

“The entire event was extremely touching and heartening,” said Morgan Hubbard of Friends of the People In Blue. “There was not a dry eye in the house for MOST of the day!!! Lots of happy tears and smiles.”

The event’s recap video has been widely praised online, with many applauding how the father-daughter dance helps humanize incarcerated individuals and supports efforts to reduce recidivism in a country where a large percentage of released prisoners end up rearrested, reconvicted, or re-incarcerated within just a few years.

San Quentin prison holds their first ever father-daughter prom, for some inmates it was the first time they’ve ever spent face to face time with their daughters.

Very cool.

One father, Steven Embrey, got to hug his 28-year-old daughter one last time before she was tragically… pic.twitter.com/Ub39lNkpxX
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 10, 2025

“This is beautiful. I can get behind this,” one viewer wrote. “We definitely need to think of ways to reduce the recidivism rate, which giving fathers a sense of what they’re missing out on could help do. Worth a try if not for the benefit of the girls alone.”

“Wow, our prison systems need more of this,” added someone else. “We need to rehabilitate to have the people become effective, productive members of our society and not reoffenders when released.”