Education Department Dismisses Thousands Of Civil Rights Complaints Within Months
More than 3,000 civil rights complaints have been dismissed between March and June
The Education Department has dismissed civil rights complaints at such a rapid rate that it’s raising concerns among former officials and civil rights advocates. The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for investigating discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, and national origin.
As first reported by POLITICO, the Education Department’s OCR dismissed more than 3,000 civil rights complaints between March 11 and June 27. The department confirmed the dismissals in court documents, which have raised questions about fairness and enforcement.
OCR received 4,833 complaints, opened 309 for investigation, and opened 26 directed investigations. Court documents reveal that nearly 100 of the complaints were resolved due to insufficient evidence during the investigation. An additional 290 complaints were resolved through voluntary agreements, settlements, or technical assistance.
What Has Changed Within The OCR
The dismissed cases come amid the shutdown of seven regional offices within the Department of Education’s Civil Rights Division. Subsequently, mass shutdowns led to mass layoffs as the Trump administration continues to prioritize reducing the federal workforce. There are only five offices open nationwide.
“The nation’s students and schools deserve a robust federal civil rights enforcement office that is fully equipped and prepared to enforce the full range of rights Congress guaranteed in law,” Catherine Lhamon, the department’s civil rights chief under former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, told POLITICO in a statement. “The Trump Administration’s own data reporting shows it has decimated its ability to fulfill its statutory duties, to the detriment of rights in school.”
During the Biden administration, the OCR closed approximately 2,527 complaints in the last three months of the administration alone. Over 400 cases led to formal agreements that required policy changes, 146 were settled through mediation, and more than 100 were closed after investigators found no evidence of violations.
Civil rights advocates say they are concerned about what the Trump administration’s priorities are and claim that the Trump administration interprets federal civil rights laws that address sex-based discrimination, discrimination based on race, national origin, and shared ancestry differently than his predecessor.
A spokesperson from the OCR, however, says its recent actions align with federal laws.
“OCR has taken unprecedented steps to streamline its functions according to demand: for example, amid a growing volume of Title IX complaints, OCR partnered with the Department of Justice to expeditiously investigate sex-based discrimination claims,” agency spokesperson Julie Hartman told POLITICO. “OCR’s daily accomplishments under the Trump Administration disprove the rampant fear-mongering by irresponsible media, and evince that OCR is vigorously upholding its responsibilities to protect all Americans’ civil rights.”
New Barbie Doll Has Type 1 Diabetes As Mattel Expands Representation
The doll comes with medical accessories that many others living with Type 1 diabetes would have.
Mattel’s is representing children in a major way by introducing the first-ever Barbie with Type 1 diabetes.
Alongside this special doll’s arm lies her continuous glucose monitor, appropriately secured by heart-shaped pink tape. Inside Barbie’s purse, children can find her smartphone with the CGM app displayed. An insulin pump is also present on her body. All of these items are common to those living with Type 1 diabetes.
Now, children with the autoimmune condition can get a Barbie that has these same special accessories. In true Barbie fashion, the doll comes with a matching blue polka-dot skirt set.
According to Mattel, the creation of this Barbie aims “to enable more children to see themselves reflected and encourage doll play that extends beyond a child’s lived experience.” It was developed in partnership with the global Type 1 diabetes not-for-profit Breakthrough T1D, and a major feat in expanded representation for the toy brand.
“Barbie helps shape children’s early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love,” explained Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls, as reported byThe Guardian.
Berger also called the dolls “an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation.” According to the CDC, approximately 304,000 U.S. children and young adults under the age of 20 have diagnosed Type 1 diabetes.
Often diagnosed in childhood, patients with Type 1 diabetes need to monitor their glucose and insulin levels daily. This new Barbie was created with these experiences in mind. The doll’s insulin pump gives her dosages as needed. Her blood sugar remains level with the CGM on her arm and accompanying app. Like many actually living with Type 1, Barbie also has a bag big enough to keep snacks on hand to help with any issues surrounding her blood sugar.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that Barbie now includes a doll with Type 1 diabetes,” said Karen Addington, CEO of Breakthrough T1D UK. “For children with T1D who don’t often see themselves represented, this doll will be a powerful role model, celebrating their strength and bringing recognition, inclusion, and joy to their play.”
Mattel wants to expand its Barbie collection to better fit the diverse world around them. Barbie started championing diversity in its dolls with the first official Black doll in 1980. Since then, it has expanded to more races, professions, and medical conditions. They also include dolls with vitiligo or one that use hearing aids and wheelchairs.
The doll is available now through retailers such as Walmart and Amazon.
Elevating Your Excellence: Derrick Johnson Is A Stalwart Leader Forging New Pathways For NAACP And Racial Equity
Johnson’s illustrious career as a seasoned activist is indisputably characterized by his unwavering dedication to safeguarding fundamental rights.
Derrick Johnson, the distinguished 19th president and CEO of the NAACP, assumed command of the venerable civil rights organization in October 2017, initiating an era of profound revitalization and strategic overhaul. His leadership, cultivated through a long and impactful history within the NAACP — including prior service as vice chairman of the National Board of Directors and president of the Mississippi State Conference — has placed him at the vanguard of national endeavors to deconstruct systemic injustices and amplify the voices of Black communities across the nation.
“History matters,” Johnson asserted, underscoring the NAACP’s role. “Without understanding where we’ve come from as a people, we cannot properly navigate the road ahead.”
Under Johnson’s sagacious direction, the NAACP has inaugurated numerous initiatives. Most recently, he championed the establishment of NAACP Capital, a pioneering investment vehicle precisely aligned with the Association’s core mission of achieving equity, political rights, and social inclusion for Black people as well as all persons of color.
In 2020, Johnson led the critical “We Are Done Dying” Campaign, which unsparingly laid bare systemic inequities in American healthcare and beyond, decisively amplifying the NAACP’s vital advocacy amid the harrowing trials of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are done dying from all of the structural racial institutions that impose a heightened level of burden on African Americans,” Johnson declared, articulating the campaign’s core message.
His vision also buttressed the Jamestown to Jamestown Partnership in 2019, a solemn observance commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in America.
His indelible imprint on national policy is unmistakable. Johnson led the clarion call for a Cabinet-level portfolio dedicated to advancing racial justice as the Biden administration took office in 2021. His resolute efforts culminated in President Biden’s issuance of a landmark Executive Order, engineered to dismantle systemic racial barriers and imbue federal policies with an enduring commitment to equity.
Hailing this move, Johnson stated, “This moment requires bold and meaningful action to end systemic racism. For that reason, we have called upon the Biden administration to create a Cabinet position to focus exclusively on racial justice.”
Johnson has consistently deployed his commanding voice and strategic discernment to address the nation’s most exigent civil rights imperatives. He fervently condemned manifestations of racial insensitivity, such as former Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s use of blackface. He unambiguously denounced the abhorrent torching of Black churches in Tennessee and Louisiana.
His leadership extended to testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in vehement opposition to Attorney General William Barr’s nomination and overseeing the NAACP’s consequential vote to impeach President Donald J. Trump at the 110th National Convention in 2019.
At the very heart of Johnson’s presidential agenda lies the economic empowerment of Black Americans. He is engaged in strategies to ameliorate the wealth gap, notably through the distribution of microgrants and crucial resources to Black entrepreneurs.
Johnson unequivocally states, “If I’m not working to create Black wealth, then I’m not doing my job.”
He has also emphasized, “Today, the racial wealth gap in America continues to be the single greatest barrier to realizing Dr. King’s dream.”
His advocacy further extends to ensuring subsequent presidential administrations remain exclusively focused on legislative frameworks that genuinely uplift Black Americans, while assiduously challenging and dismantling deleterious agendas. Johnson envisions the NAACP as a vanguard in civic engagement, meticulously sculpting the most comprehensive Black voter mobilization endeavors yet conceived.
“It’s important for us to engage, that our constitution applies to all citizens and everyone is legally entitled to cast an effective ballot,” Johnson remarked on voter turnout.
By employing advanced technological applications and scholarly inquiry, he aims to reshape the NAACP’s engagement with communities nationwide, solidifying the organization’s legacy not only in civil rights but in championing equity across the entire panorama of American life.
Johnson’s impactful contributions have justly earned considerable acclaim. In 2024, he was honored with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Champion Award, recognizing his indefatigable efforts to eradicate menthol cigarettes and vigorously counter the industry’s rapacious marketing ploys targeting Black communities.
On the FDA’s move to ban menthol, Johnson stated, “Today is a huge win for equity, justice, and public health concerns. When the ban goes into effect, no longer will manufacturers and retailers be able to hide behind the poison that they push.”
He also received the revered 2024 Tougaloo College Light of Justice Award and the 2022 Warrior of Justice Award, commendations that underscore his unwavering devotion to the principles of justice and equity.
The CEO’s Juneteenth appearance on The View encapsulated Johnson’s impeccable ability to stand on business for Black people. The NAACP leader, for the first time in the org’s history, did not extend an invitation to the country’s president (Donald Trump) to attend this year’s national convention.
“We will not give a platform to fascism. The #NAACPConvention is and will always be a safe space for people who believe in multiracial democracy and the pursuit of a more perfect union. Watch the full clip from @theviewabc’s #Juneteenth episode at the link in my bio.”
Born in Detroit, Johnson is an alumnus of Western International High School and matriculated at Tougaloo College in Mississippi, an institution deeply rooted in the ethos of civil rights history, before earning his Juris Doctor degree from the South Texas College of Law in Houston.
His intellectual and leadership acumen were further refined through prestigious fellowships with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the George Washington University School of Political Management, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is also a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Johnson’s illustrious career as a seasoned activist is indisputably characterized by his unwavering dedication to safeguarding fundamental rights and tangibly enhancing lives, from advocating for equitable education within Mississippi to driving national civil rights reforms.
He regularly lends his voice to the national discourse on networks such as CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and ABC, advocating for the Black community and all individuals ensnared by systemic oppression and injustice.
Flau’jae Johnson Adds Gold To Accolades, Leads Team USA To International Win
The LSU basketball player helps Team USA go undefeated at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Santiago, Chile
In helping Team USA go undefeated at the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Santiago, Chile, at the Center of Collective Sports, Louisiana State University’s Flau’jae Johnson won her very first gold medal.
Johnson took to her social media platform to announce the achievement after averaging 4.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and one assist for the seven games she played in. She helped Team USA go 7-0. The team defeated Brazil, 92-84 July 6.
“Wow, something amazing I can add to my resume: 1X GOLD MEDALIST !
First, I want to thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love on a national level! Secondly, thank you to my teammates for pushing me and to all the new friendships I made, I’m so thankful for you all!”
Johnson was a part of a basketball team that featured 12 collegiate players.
Although Johnson did not play a lot of minutes during the tournament, she did have a great outing July 4 against the Dominican Republic.
According to LSU, the junior scored 22 points, pulled down seven rebounds, and handed out two assists. After scoring over 20 points, Johnson became the ninth USA player to record 20-plus points in an AmeriCup game.
The finals featured two undefeated teams, both sporting a record of 6-0. In head-to-head competition, Brazil was ahead in the America’s Cup series 6-3. The two teams last met in 2023 when Brazil took two games from Team USA, beating them during the group phase and then again at the gold medal game. The last victory Team USA registered against Brazil was four years ago in the 2021 semifinal when they bested them 71-60.
Several months ago, Johnson confirmed she would be returning to LSU for another year. After being part of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, led by former teammate Angel Reese, she stated that she wants another title, but with her leading the team.
“Once I taste the national championship more and more,” Johnson said after LSU’s loss to UCLA. “I feel like that national championship I have, yeah, I was a big factor in it, but there were bigger factors. I want my own one, you know what I’m saying? Where I lead the team. That’s what you really want.”
"What better way to celebrate my 50th than with another big drop."
After the successful launch of the 50 Cent Action channel in the United Kingdom on Prime Video in June, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has added the channel to the streaming platform Pluto TV.
The launch took place on the Queens businessman’s 50th birthday, July 6. The “Many Men” rapper took to his social media to let his followers know the news.
“What better way to celebrate my 50th than with another big drop 🙌 You can now watch @50CentAction for FREE on @plutotv!”
The G-Unit producer’s channel is a partnership with Lionsgate in which all the content shown on the channel are free. The movies and TV shows are curated by the rap star.
“I’m excited to bring 50 Cent Action to Pluto TV. Building on the channel’s success, this is the next big step—and launching on my birthday makes it even bigger,” 50 Cent said in a written statement to Billboard. “I’ve partnered with Lionsgate to deliver nonstop, high-powered entertainment, and now even more fans can watch for free.”
According to Deadline, the channel debuted on Dec. 10 as a FAST channel on the Roku Channel. In April, it was revealed that the 50 Cent Action channel was the top action channel on The Roku Channel and LG Channels. It’s also available on Prime Video, Plex, DirecTV, Vizio, and Xumo.
Unlike in the United States, viewers in the United Kingdom have to pay to watch 50’s Action Channel. It’s a Prime Video add-on for £3.99 ($5.43) a month. People can test the service out with a seven-day free trial.
“Being able to launch out here [in the UK] is big because I have a huge audience here that hasn’t been able to participate with us,” the rapper and businessman said. “Now they get a chance to see it.”
Carla Hayden Accepts Role With Prestigious Andrew W. Mellon Foundation After Abrupt Trump Termination
The Foundation is looking past the new struggles and looking towards working with Hayden, with close to 50 years of innovative leadership in library science and public service.
Hayden’s new position at the country’s largest philanthropic supporter of the arts includes advising on efforts to advance knowledge to the public through libraries and archives. After being accused of pushing “radical” literary material by a MAGA-favoring conservative advocacy group, Hayden acknowledges how “the free exchange of ideas” is under attack. “For generations, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions have been the guardians of knowledge and the catalysts for human progress,” she said.
“Together, we will work to strengthen the public knowledge ecosystem and ensure that the transformative power of information remains accessible to all.”
Organizations catering to the arts community, such as the Mellon Foundation, are facing federal budget cuts from the Trump administration. By utilizing its $15 million emergency fund, the money will offset the $65 million that would have been allocated to state humanities councils, which curate book fairs, heritage festivals, theater productions, and other cultural engagement programs.
However, the Foundation is looking past the new struggles and toward working with Hayden, who brings close to 50 years of innovative leadership in library science and public service. “We celebrate Dr. Hayden’s career-long commitment to the profoundly American tradition of freedom to read, learn, and explore the vast knowledge held within our country’s libraries and archives,” Mellon President Elizabeth Alexander said, according to the Foundation’s website.
“We welcome her wisdom and counsel as a leader with an unshakable regard for the public good of the American people. We are thrilled that she is sharing her expertise with the Mellon Foundation during this crucial time.”
Since Trump terminated the first woman and the first African American to hold the title, he has since named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who represented him during his 2024 criminal trial, as the acting librarian. However, staff have recognized Robert Newlen as the leader of choice as they wait for congressional approval of the president’s permanent pick.
During her tenure, Hayden oversaw a number of initiatives and projects, including modernizing the Library’s reservoir of books and history as well as outreach to more of America’s rural communities. In addition, she set a goal to improve accessibility for daily visitors and showcased some of the Library’s well-known artifacts, like a flute belonging to former President James Madison, which was played by Grammy Award-winning artist Liizzo in 2022.
According to Restaurant Hospitality, the two comedians and best friends, cut the ribbon on AC Barbeque, located inside the Westfield Century City outdoor mall. The restaurant’s specialty is Southern barbecue.
AC Barbeque also sells merchandise like sauces, rubs, grilling tools, and other BBQ odds and ends.
“The transition was easy—Ced and I had the idea of developing seasonings and sauces for our BBQ lifestyle line, and the television show was a byproduct of that,” Anderson said. “It was a natural evolution. We wanted to document two friends creating a national company in a space where there wasn’t a face that looked like ours. Starting with rubs, sauces, food trucks, and eventually restaurants. We used what we’ve learned in Hollywood to propel us to success.”
According to information on the duo’s website, AC Barbeque started with three specialty barbecue seasonings, which led to other products being sold under the brand created by Cedric and Anderson, including grilling items, utensils, sauces, and clothing.
Last Spring, AC Barbeque launched its first campus kitchen at Jackson State University in partnership with Sodexo and SodexoMagic. Six additional campuses were added in fall 2024.
“The idea that you have to produce it from top to bottom is very similar to a TV show,” Cedric the Entertainer said. “You’ve got to start with the basics, which is the food itself, or a script for the TV, and then you’ve got to put together the right staff—you’ve got to find a great chef and good people to run the front of the restaurant so this is your cast that you’re putting together and then you’ve got to have a premiere, open it up and bring it to the people and let them decide.”
There are plans to open more restaurants at several locations.
Alabama Community Rallies Behind Kenyan Family Whose Grandfather Went Missing
A local family in Calera, Alabama is getting support in their search for a beloved patriarch who vanished shortly after arriving from Kenya.
A Kenyan family in Calera, Alabama, is receiving strong support from their local community as they search for their family patriarch, who went missing just days before his grandson’s graduation, a celebration he had traveled to attend.
Reuben Waithaka, 72, was last seen at a gas station he hitchhiked to one day after arriving in Calera to attend his grandson’s high school graduation, CNN reports. However, surveillance footage shows Waithaka waving at a store attendant before he went inside the restroom and out a back door, where he was never seen again.
“He just got here. And then he was gone,” Waithaka’s grandson, Byron Barua, 17, said.
It’s been seven weeks since the Kenyan tourist went missing. Despite extensive efforts, including missing person flyers, helicopters, drones, off-road vehicles, tracking dogs, and infrared heat-seeking cameras, police have yet to find any trace of him.
“Sometimes I regret why I asked my parents to come for my son’s graduation. I find myself wondering, ‘What would I have done differently? ’” Waithaka’s son, Willington Barua, said. “Maybe if I hadn’t invited them, my dad would still be with us.”
The family suspects Waithaka may have had undiagnosed dementia or another condition triggered by the stress of being away from home and the 18-hour journey from Kenya to Alabama. During the second leg of his trip, from Frankfurt to Atlanta, he became incoherent and agitated, requiring a flight attendant to assist his wife in keeping him seated.
Upon arriving in Alabama, Waithaka appeared confused and fell while trying to use an airport escalator the wrong way, injuring his knee. His limp from that fall is seen on gas station security footage. Afterward, Barua took his father to the ER, where a head CT scan and bloodwork came back normal.
After a nap and breakfast, Waithaka allegedly stepped outside, and his family hadn’t seen him since. He accepted two rides from motorists, with the last dropping him off at the gas station where he was last seen. A nearby resident later reported seeing someone matching Waithaka’s description enter a hunting club near the gas station. The woman told police he crawled under a gate and vanished into the woods.
Police have conducted multiple searches of the surrounding wooded areas and interviewed local residents several times. Investigators believe Waithaka may have caught another ride at the truck stop located behind the gas station, potentially leaving the area entirely.
Waithaka turned 73 on June 3. Byron graduated just days after his grandfather went missing, without him there to celebrate.
“It was tragic, but I tried not to let it get to me or bring me down all the way,” Byron said of his missing grandfather. “I pray for him to stay safe.”
Waithaka’s son, who owns a trucking company, says he posts flyers at every rest stop and truck stop he visits. Whenever he drives past a wooded area, he slows down, scanning the trees in hopes of spotting his father.
Every phone call brings a rush of anxiety and hope as he braces for the possibility of answers. Not knowing anything about his father’s whereabouts is the hardest part, he said.
Gunna Becomes Co-Owner Of Hydration Brand ‘Flerish’
Gunna is now part owner of the new lifestyle hydration brand, Flerish.
Gunna has become the co-owner of a new lifestyle hydration brand that aligns with the healthier lifestyle he’s embraced.
On July 2, Flerish Hydration named platinum-selling rapper Gunna as its newest co-owner, marking a fresh chapter in the brand’s mission to redefine wellness for a new generation. With Gunna’s recent lifestyle transformation, the partnership aligns seamlessly with his daily commitment to clean living and peak performance.
“I don’t put my name on just anything,” Gunna said in a press release. “Flerish is different; it’s clean, it works, and it’s become a part of my everyday lifestyle. I’m happy to be coming on board and look forward to the journey ahead.”
Flerish, pronounced like the word “Flourish,” takes pride in its clean formula designed to support energy, focus, hydration, and recovery, without any artificial sweeteners or dyes. As one of the first hydration brands to use watermelon as a base, each bottle delivers bold flavor and is packed with functional ingredients like Vitamin E, B6, and B12, L-Theanine, Zinc, and Magnesium.
It’s the perfect product endorsement and business venture for Gunna, who stays committed to showing up strong both mentally and physically every day.
“Right now, I’m focused,” Gunna said. “There’s no off switch. I needed something that supports me naturally and keeps me balanced, and that’s exactly what Flerish does.”
Flerish delivers a naturally sweet and refreshing alternative to traditional hydration drinks. Free from artificial additives and packed with clean, functional ingredients, its formula supports daily performance, not just workouts.
Bringing Gunna onto the ownership team aligns with his well-documented lifestyle transformation following his seven months in jail on a racketeering conspiracy charge in the YSL RICO case. Since his release, the “One of Wun” rapper has shared workout videos and content that have earned widespread praise for his noticeably renewed and improved appearance.
“Gunna is elevating every part of his life, and he’s bringing that same energy to Flerish,” said Avery Johnson Jr., founder of Flerish. “He’s not just a face for the brand. He’s a true partner, and his vision will push us forward in powerful ways.”
