by Kandiss Edwards

September 18, 2025

Emory University To Eliminate Tuition For Students Whose Families Make Less than $200K

This expansion reflects the university’s effort to reduce financial barriers for talented students.

Starting in fall 2026, Emory University will eliminate undergraduate tuition for students whose families make $200,000 or less under a new initiative called Emory Advantage Plus.

The financial assistance program has existed at Emory since 2007, but has been expanded to benefit more incoming and current students. This expansion reflects the university’s effort to reduce financial barriers for talented students.

Under the new policy, both incoming and returning domestic undergraduates who qualify for need-based aid and meet the income requirement will pay zero tuition. Emory will maintain its long-standing pledge to meet 100% of demonstrated need for those students, ensuring aid covers the full gap between financial need and the cost of attendance. Over the next four years, the university plans to invest more than $1 billion in undergraduate financial aid.

https://twitter.com/EmoryUniversity/status/1968392452265369638

“Emory Advantage Plus is more than just an expansion of a financial aid plan — it’s an expansion of opportunity, of dreams, and what’s possible at Emory,” Interim President Leah Ward Sears wrote in the announcement. “Together, we are opening doors wider than ever before so that brilliant, deserving students can call Emory and Georgia their home. The future has never looked brighter, and this is only just the beginning.”

The program also aims to widen access in Georgia. Emory states that many of its students already benefit from the state’s HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships. Of current undergraduates, about 3,100 students, approximately 40% of the school’s population, receive the existing Emory Advantage.

Sixty percent of those students have their scholarship or grant completely cover tuition. Under the new plan, the full-tuition coverage rate for qualifying families will rise toward 80%.

Students seeking this free tuition will need to submit both the FAFSA and CSS Profile, with eligibility assessments including family income and typical assets, according to the university. Emory will provide further details later this year.

by Jameelah Mullen

September 18, 2025

Joy Reid, John Edgar Wideman And Percival Everett Amongst Winners Of 46th Annual American Book Awards

The annual awards gala will take place this fall.

Former MSNBC correspondent Joy Reid, Percival Everett, and John Edgar Wideman are among the winners of the 46th annual American Book Awards, presented by the Before Columbus Foundation, honoring diversity in American art and culture.

“The purpose of the awards is to recognize literary excellence without limitations or restrictions,” the foundation’s announcement states. “The award winners range from well-known and established writers to under-recognized authors and first works. There are no quotas for diversity; the winners list simply reflects it as a natural process.”

The organization will honor Everett for his 2024 novel James, a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which earned the author a Pulitzer Prize. The writer has authored more than 30 books of fiction and poetry, often addressing issues of race. His other novels include I Am Not Sidney Poitier (2009) and Telephone (2020).

Wideman will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. The novelist, essayist, short story writer, and educator began his career in the 1960s. He was the first to win the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction twice: first in 1984 for Sent for You Yesterday, and again in 1990 for Philadelphia Fire. His collection of short stories includes Fever, The Stories of John Edgar Wideman (1992), and You Made Me Love You. In 2016, Wideman wrote Writing to Save a Life: The Louis Till File, a biography about Emmett Till’s father.

Reid is this year’s winner of the Anti-Censorship Prize. The award-winning journalist hosted The ReidOut on MSNBC before the network canceled the popular show, citing restructuring as the reason.

Shortly after leaving MSNBC, the commentator launched her own show, The Joy Reid Show, where she talked about her firing, noting that she suspected her outspoken criticism of the Trump administration might have been one of the reasons for the network’s decision.

“I think that there is a difference for Trump in hearing the kinds of criticisms specifically out of a Black woman; it bothers him in a way it doesn’t bother him like anything else. He’s got this sort of tick about race, you know, and about, sort of criticism coming specifically from a Black woman because we’ve seen him lay out and dish out real abuse against Black women journalists,” Reid told guest Katie Couric.

The American Book Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. at the University of California, Berkeley’s Wheeler Hall Auditorium.

Pinterest, ‘Tailored’, Black Fashion, Black History Money, Fashion Week

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 18, 2025

Sergio Hudson Calls Out ‘White Adjacency’ Among Black Celebs During Fashion Week

The remarks, which went viral, prompted a follow up from the designer.

Designer Sergio Hudson criticized Black celebrities at New York Fashion Week for not supporting Black designers.

Hudson, who showcased his spring/summer 2026 collection at NYFW, ignited a viral conversation on Sept. 15 after taking to Instagram to call out the absence of Black A-listers at his show, despite their presence at many non-Black-owned fashion houses.

”My answer to why some Black a-listers didn’t come to my show even though they were here…White adjacency is a hell of a drug,” Hudson wrote, as captured by The YBF Daily. “I pray my brothers and sisters get healing one day.”

Hudson’s bold remarks received mixed responses.

“People saying people don’t know who he is… wild,” one user wrote. “He’s a force, and they definitely know. He’s right because last year, Black influencers were complaining about no invites to ‘other’ shows. Declaring they weren’t going to go, etc…yet they don’t show up to A Black man who is inclusive and invited you.”

Some accused Hudson of hypocrisy, pointing to the predominance of white models on his website and runway, as well as the difficulty of securing a spot at NYFW regardless of a designer’s background.

”Sergio has been talking about this since he came out. He was saying black (sic) celebs weren’t wearing his clothes, so I ask him when didn’t his models on his website look like the women he wanted to dress in Hollywood, and he made excuses as to why he didn’t have black models,” said one critic. “It seems like he’s playing that game as well. He’s insanely talented, but it’s like the pot calling the kettle.”

”I tried to go to his show as someone that is a stylist and personal shopper, and being a POC, and I got denied by his team. So they also need to do better,” added someone else.

https://twitter.com/glamourmag/status/1966663472634052801

While Hudson gained support from Love Island star Olandria, who modeled in his show, his Instagram comments on “white adjacency” in mainstream fashion drew the most attention, leading him to clarify his remarks in a follow-up post.

“Hey everyone, I just want to clear the air a bit after a simple story I posted seems to have gone viral. Let me be clear—I’m not upset, hurt, or complaining at all,” Hudson wrote. “My show was well attended by people who love me and our brand—industry pros, celebrities, my amazing clients, and the press all showed up to support.”

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A post shared by Sergio Hudson (@sergiohudson)

Hudson, who has dressed Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, and Rihanna, continued. “With New York Fashion Week being so packed, people kept asking why certain individuals attend some shows, but not ours or other Black designers’ shows. Honestly, the only answer I can give is that some folks, maybe consciously or subconsciously, believe that white adjacency brings more relevance. I pray one day my brothers and sisters learn that we bring relevance to brands, not the other way around. This is a lesson I’m continuing to learn myself every day.”

Black celebrities at this year’s NYFW included Wendy Williams and Lil Kim at LaQuan Smith’s show, as well as Usher, Mary J. Blige, Jordan Chiles, Lauryn Hill, and Saweetie.

by Kandiss Edwards

September 18, 2025

Baltimore Grant Program Aims To Restore Vacant Row Houses

Officials expect applications to open next week, seeking to breathe life back into rundown blocks.

The Baltimore City government has launched a new grant program aimed at revitalizing vacant properties.

The homes are located in the city’s special tax district. The program offers funding to property owners and residents for the restoration of abandoned properties. Applications are set to open Sept. 10. The program aims to breathe life back into rundown blocks and strengthen communities long hit by neglect.

Mayor Brandon Scott’s office said the first round of funding will focus on converting vacant buildings into residential homes. Properties that have been empty and deteriorated in neighborhoods with high rates of abandonment are top priorities. In a press release, Mayor Scott spoke about the $3 billion investment in overlooked neighborhoods.

“My administration is taking on a challenge that’s been ignored for generations — vacant housing — delivering $3 billion to end this crisis for good within 15 years,” said Mayor Scott. “This is a critical component of solving this challenge. Using these funds in our neighborhoods that have been disinvested in for decades will increase homeownership while preserving communities. It will take all of us working together to get there.”

The city estimates that these grants will support the restoration of dozens of homes, depending on the scale of the needed renovation and compliance with safety and building standards. Local leaders view this effort as one facet of a broader strategy aimed at rebuilding Baltimore’s housing stock.

FACEBOOK LINK: Mayor Brandon Scott’s office announced… – The Baltimore Sun | Facebook

These grants come amid larger efforts to address Baltimore’s longtime vacancy problem. Approaches such as the “Reinvest Baltimore” plan aim to repurpose thousands of vacant homes across the city through partnerships among state, nonprofit, and private entities. In addition, civic organizations like the Greater Baltimore Committee have joined Mayor Scott in crafting plans involving billions of dollars in investment to reverse the decades-long erosion of neighborhoods burdened by vacant structures.

For residents living near vacant rowhouses, the program offers hope. Vacant houses frequently attract vandalism, reduce nearby property values, and pose safety concerns. Stabilizing these houses isn’t just about improving appearance. Stabilization also restores trust, increases neighborhood engagement, and potentially brings economic stability to areas that have long been sidelined.

Still, challenges remain. Mayor Scott’s office will need to balance rigorous application requirements with residents’ capacity to meet the demands of renovation. All factors, including costs, permits, and oversight, could deter potential buyers if the process becomes too complex. Whether the grant money will stretch far enough and whether residents and owners will be equipped to follow through will determine if this initiative brings lasting change.

Trump, Black History Month, Tiger Woods, grants, whitney Plantation,

by Mitti Hicks

September 18, 2025

Why There’s A Giant Golden Statue Of Trump Holding Bitcoin In DC

In March, the president signed an executive order to establish a 'strategic bitcoin reserve and digital asset stockpile.'

A 12-foot golden statue of President Donald Trump outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. appears to show him holding the cryptocurrency bitcoin.

The statue arrived as the Federal Reserve announced a quarter-point interest rate cut on Wednesday. According to local station WJLA, the temporary piece on 3rd Street was funded by a collective of cryptocurrency investors.

“The installation is designed to ignite conversation about the future of government-issued currency and is a symbol of the intersection between modern politics and financial innovation,” Hichem Zaghdoudi, spokesperson for the investors, told the outlet. “As the Federal Reserve shapes economic policy, we hope this statue prompts reflection on cryptocurrency’s growing influence.”

Golden Statue Comes As Investors Applaud Trump For Embracing Cryptocurrency

Less than two months into his second term, Trump signed an executive order to establish a “strategic bitcoin reserve and digital asset stockpile.”

“Bitcoin, the original cryptocurrency, is referred to as ‘digital gold’ because of its scarcity and security, having never been hacked,” said Trump in the executive order. “With a fixed supply of 21 million coins, there is a strategic advantage to being among the first nations to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.”

The Trump administration claims that while the United States holds a significant amount of bitcoin, it has not “maximized its strategic position” as a unique store of value in the global financial system. It’s also important to note that, days before his inauguration, the then-president-elect launched another cryptocurrency, a meme coin named $TRUMP, which many considered a conflict of interest.

Proponents of the reserve argue that it will also help the government reduce its debt and directly strengthen the U.S. dollar. Opponents, however, say that the justifications are vague and inadequate.

“Take the BITCOIN Act’s claim that a bitcoin stockpile will help the government pay off its debt. For that to be true, two things have to happen. First, bitcoin’s value must go up,” analysts at the Cato Institute noted. “Second, the stockpile must eventually be sold to realize the gains, and you can bet that the same bitcoin holders who have managed to get the government to keep the bitcoin it already has will cry foul if it ever tries to sell any new coins it acquires.”

Coach Prime, racial, recruit, reference, Colorado, college, football,, Deion Sanders, Deion Sanders

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 18, 2025

Deion Sanders Expects Accountability From Players

'If you're going to be accountable to go pick up that NIL check, you're going to be accountable for what goes on on that field as well.'

Former NFL great Deion Sanders had a message for college athletes about accountability on the field at a time when players are receiving checks for participating in a sport that, until recently, had been compensated only through scholarships.

According to The Sporting News, during a press conference, the Colorado Buffaloes football head coach reminded his players that they must be accountable for their play, whether they win or lose, on the field—especially those who are being paid through NIL (name, image, likeness) deals. In recent years, some players have been earning money through outside sponsorships that pay them.

“If you’re going to be accountable to go pick up that NIL check, you’re going to be accountable for what goes on on that field as well. And our kids understand that, and they’re holding one another accountable, and I like it. I really do. I love them for that.”

This is the coach’s first year that his son, Shedeur, is not playing at the quarterback position, as he is now an NFL player on the Cleveland Browns team. Without the quarterback leading the team, something he has done since “Coach Prime” coached the Jackson State University team and the current Colorado squad, the team has seemingly lost a little luster, along with last season’s Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter, not on the team, as he is also playing in the NFL.

Leadership on the field is important to Sanders as well, as he stated that he expects that, along with consistency, of anyone involved in his life.

“Leadership and consistency. That’s it. That ain’t much to ask for, is it? Leadership and consistency. I look for that from everyone. Every man and every woman that’s involved in my life.”

The Buffaloes are currently sporting a losing record of 1-2 after dropping their first week’s contest and again this past weekend. The team’s next match is against Wyoming on Sept. 20 at home.

by Mitti Hicks

September 18, 2025

Harvard University Deads Minority Recruitment Amid Targets On Race Admissions

Data shows enrollment for Black and Latino students has decreased significantly.

For the last 50 years, Harvard University’s Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program has encouraged minority high school students to apply. But as the Trump administration pressures higher education institutions to eliminate race in admissions and scholarships, Harvard quietly ended its minority recruitment program.

According to The Harvard Crimson, Harvard will connect prospective applicants with current undergraduates under a new program called Harvard Recruitment Ambassadors. Before the change, the UMRP guided minority middle and high school students through the school’s application process.

The program employed a team of undergraduate coordinators who answered students’ questions about the admissions process and life as a student. Undergraduate coordinators would reportedly travel to high schools in their hometowns to guide applications. They would also answer questions and give the number to a dedicated phone line for potential recruits.

With its new unified program, Harvard will still allow prospective applicants to contact current undergraduates with questions. Still, there will be no in-person outreach to high schools or specific student groups.

Harvard Ends Minority Recruitment Program As Trump Administration Cracks Down on Race Admissions

Harvard made the change quietly without public announcement, The Harvard Crimson reported. The changes come nearly two years after the Supreme Court ruled against Harvard’s controversial admissions process, which has been criticized for years. While the Supreme Court ruled against race-based admissions at universities, the high court did not eliminate recruitment programs as long as they were not solely based on race.

Since the Supreme Court’s decision banning affirmative action in college admissions, enrollment for Black and Latino students has decreased significantly. According to the Rennie Center Education Research & Policy, Black student enrollment at Harvard dropped from 18% in the fall of 2023 to 14% in the fall of 2024. The University of North Carolina saw a decrease in Black student enrollment from 10.5% to 7.8% within the same timeframe. Black and Hispanic student enrollment fell to 5%, compared to 15% the previous year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In its continued effort to target students from underrepresented backgrounds, the Trump administration recently announced that it will end $350 million in discretionary funding for colleges that serve large populations of minority-serving institutions.

Johnny Mack EPIC Carnival Experience, Trinidad

by Kandiss Edwards

September 18, 2025

Haiti Private Island Nixed As Royal Caribbean Destination

The change will last through April 2026.

Royal Caribbean International has suspended all scheduled stops at its private port of Labadee, Haiti through April 2026.

The cruise line cited escalating safety risks including kidnappings, gang violence, and political instability as the reasons to pull out. Royal Caribbean announced the change in September, saying the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” for passengers and crew.

The decision follows the U.S. State Department’s July 15 update, which renewed its “Do Not Travel” advisory for Haiti, warning of widespread crime, kidnappings, and limited health care services. The advisory warned that kidnappers often target U.S. citizens. Additionally, the advisory warned that the government lacks sufficient resources to respond to such a situation.

Labadee is marketed as a private destination separate from Haiti’s unrest. Advertisements market beaches, coral reefs, and resort amenities exclusive to Royal Caribbean passengers. However, the cruise line acknowledged that growing instability on the mainland now makes even private resort operations difficult to guarantee safely.

“Our top priority is the safety of our guests and crew,” the company told Fox.

Royal Carribean has tried to accommodate customers who have already purchased tickets. The company is offering refunds and modified itineraries as compensation. More than 40 itineraries are affected by the suspension. Some ships will replace the Labadee stop with visits to destinations such as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, while others will receive adjusted schedules. For passengers, the move means altered vacations. For Haitians, it represents a steep economic loss. Labadee is a significant source of income for local vendors and workers who rely on tourism.

While Royal Caribbean has not detailed when conditions might allow a return, the extended timeline into 2026 suggests the company does not expect rapid improvements. For now, the beaches of Labadee remain off-limits. Passengers are inconvenienced but the focus is on their security and survival. The destination was one of the cruise lines most frequent stops.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 18, 2025

Jay-Z’s Plan To Bring Inaugural Casino To Times Square Gets Denied

Jay-Z had big plans to bring the first-ever casino to Times Square, but a Broadway coalition blocked the project from moving forward.

Jay-Z’s joint bid to bring the first-ever casino to New York City’s busy Times Square has been denied.

On Sept. 17, an advisory committee voted 4-2 to reject the casino bid from SL Green Realty Corporation, Caesars Entertainment, Roc Nation, and Live Nation, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The group planned to transform the 54-story office building at 1515 Broadway, above the Minskoff Theatre, home to The Lion King, into a casino, along with a luxury Nobu hotel, restaurant, and entertainment spaces powered by Roc Nation.

Jay-Z recently expressed plans that the project aimed to complement the Broadway scene, not compete with it. However, the bidding group faced strong opposition from The Broadway League, the trade association for theater owners, producers, and general managers, who argued the casino would harm the Broadway industry and increase congestion in the area.

A coalition of partners campaigned against the casino by distributing Broadway playbills with a “Save Broadway” insert, warning that the project could lower theater attendance, raise crime, and threaten jobs in theaters, restaurants, and local businesses. They urged theatergoers to vote “no” on the casino proposal.

”This was a vote to protect the magic of Broadway for the one hundred thousand New Yorkers who depend on it for their livelihoods, and for the tens of millions who come from around the world to experience it,” said Jason Laks, president of the Broadway League. “A casino can go anywhere, but Broadway only lives here.”

The rejected proposal wasn’t taken lightly, as Marc Holliday, CEO of SL Green, the project’s lead developer and property owner, criticized the decision.

“This was a despicable display of cowardice, a complete lack of consideration for all the people who would benefit from this,” he shouted as committee members silently left the room. “Go run and hide.”

Rev. Al Sharpton, a vocal supporter of the casino plan, condemned the vote, saying it worked to uphold the historically white control over Times Square’s entertainment scene.

“We will remember that in the community,” Sharpton told the all-white committee.

Sharpton was slated to lead a $15 million civil rights museum included in the proposal, which also pledged $20 million for Broadway tickets for underfunded families and $250 million to outside groups, over $80 million of which was earmarked for Times Square safety and security under a plan designed by former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.

The push to expand casinos in New York continues, with eight sites outside New York City vying for state licenses, all required to secure local board approval by the end of the month. In Manhattan, two casinos have been proposed: one on the West Side near the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and another on the East Side near the United Nations headquarters.

In the Bronx, a Bally’s casino is planned on a public golf course once operated by Donald Trump, potentially earning him $115 million if the license is approved. Additional proposals include a gambling hall along Coney Island’s iconic boardwalk in Brooklyn and a Hard Rock casino next to Citi Field in Queens.

by Jameelah Mullen

September 18, 2025

Suspect Arrested Over Stolen Hard Drives Containing Unreleased Beyoncé Music

The suspect allegedly took the items using a borrowed car, police say

Police have arrested a suspect connected to the theft of hard drives containing unreleased Beyoncé music, set lists, and show footage. Other stolen items include clothing, AirPods Max headphones, and MacBook laptops.

Kelvin Evans, 40, is accused of breaking into a Jeep Wagoneer rented by Beyoncé’s choreographer and stealing four black bags, according to the arrest warrant obtained by NBC News. The incident occurred on July 8, just days before the singer’s Atlanta stop of her Cowboy Carter tour.

Christopher Grant, the artist’s choreographer and a dancer, told police that he had parked a rental car in a parking deck, and when he returned, they discovered someone had broken into the vehicle.

“They have my computers, and it’s really, really important information in there. I work with someone who’s like of a high status, and I really need the, um, my computer and everything,” Grant said, according to the transcript of the 911 call obtained by 11 Alive news.

According to the report, surveillance cameras captured the incident, showing Evans exiting a 2025 Hyundai Elantra with Georgia plates and then breaking into the Jeep. The footage also shows him returning to the Elantra, which was parked beside the Jeep, and leaving with the stolen items.

Police contacted the owner of the Elantra, who said she rented the vehicle out to earn extra money, according to the report. They tracked the car down and took the driver into custody. The driver told police that her uncle, Kelvin Evans, asked her to borrow the car for five minutes. He returned the car 30 minutes later, claiming he went to a friend’s house, the report noted. According to reports, the vehicle had four black bags inside when it was returned.

The driver told police that her uncle asked her to drop off the bags at her aunt’s apartment on Hank Aaron Drive. Surveillance footage from the apartment complex shows Evans removing the stolen bags from the car. Evans later returned to the car and placed a black bag in the trunk before leaving on his bicycle.

According to the incident report, the stolen MacBook Air laptop was pinging at the Hank Aaron Drive complex the day of the theft. Another stolen MacBook was pinging at an address in Hapeville on the same day. In an email to the Associated Press, Atlanta Police spokesman Anthony Grant says they have not recovered the stolen hard drives.

Records indicate that Evans faces charges of entering an automobile with intent to commit theft and is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

The jail records show that Evans has a criminal history dating back to 2002, which includes charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault.