MacKenzie Scott — (Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

by Jeffrey McKinney

October 23, 2025

MacKenzie Scott’s $42M Gift Shows Her Tenacity To Supporting Black Students Despite Anti-DEI Efforts

Education nonprofit plans to expand to schools with a larger population of historically underserved students, including schools with a higher percentage of Black students.

Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott remains a steady contributor to Black students despite efforts by opponents of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices to discourage such funding.

Her latest act of benevolence: a $42 million gift to 10,000 Degrees, a nonprofit that helps low-income students of color, including Black Americans, pursue more education and career opportunities.

The donation is reportedly the most significant investment from Scott through her Yield Giving fund in 10,000 Degrees’ nearly 45-year history. But Scott’s charity is just a portion of her generosity.

She has given at least $270 million to assist Black students over the past five years, according to BLACK ENTERPRISE research. All told, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has bestowed billions of dollars on numerous organizations.

Just this year, along with the aid to 10,000 Degrees, she donated $70 million in September to the United Negro College Fund to support historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This month, she made donated $63 million to Morgan State University, the largest in the school’s history. And she gave $40 million to the Maryland HBCU in 2020.

Scott’s actions are contrary to recent attacks by President Donald Trump’s regime and others on DEI. Some students of color have expressed how they could be affected by DEI rollbacks.

For California-based 10,000 Degrees, the contribution marks the first time the education nonprofit has received a grant from Scott. It comes as the firm is launching a new strategic plan. It will examine how the gift can expand existing programs and services for Black and Brown students in the Bay Area.

Kim Mazzuca, the CEO of 10,000 Degrees, told BLACK ENTERPRISE by email, “This gift comes at a moment when we’re seeing proposed cuts to Pell grants and financial aid at the federal level. It sends a message to policymakers and invests in our communities at a time when it’s needed most.”

She said that so far in 2025, about $7 million in scholarships went to over 2,900 Black and Latino students out of $9.4 million awarded to over 4,300 students.

She shared that 68.5% of Black and Latin students received scholarships, with $1.4 million going to 274 Black students and $5.6 million to 2,695 Latino students.

Mazzuca said just under 10% of Black students receive scholarships annually. That figure has remained steady over the past several years. Most of the partner schools 10,000 Degrees works with, she said, have relatively small Black student populations. In comparison, 29 of its 44 partner high schools have a majority of Latino students.

She says of the 44 schools, only two in Contra Costa, and one each in Marin and Napa, have 10–20% Black student enrollment. Four in San Francisco are closer to 25%. “With this gift, we plan to expand to schools with a larger population of historically underserved students, including schools with a higher percentage of Black students,” she said.

Mazzuca says financial barriers are not the only factors impacting Black student college enrollment. Perceptions of belonging, experiences of racism, and limited access to educational resources are among systemic issues impacting student outcomes.

“As we expand partnerships with high schools in our region that have a larger Black student population, we remain committed to addressing these challenges and creating supportive environments that promote academic success and a sense of inclusion,” she says.

Economist William Michael Cunningham, owner of Creative Investment Research, is among those closely analyzing DEI issues.

“The support shown comes at a critical time, when others are backing away and too scared to speak, much less provide real financial support,” he says. “I think Black people will remember who was with us when the chips were down.”

Mazzuca says 10,000 Degrees plans to expand its five core programs—College Access, College Success, Community College Success, Career Success, and Black Student Engagement —and introduce initiatives aimed at reaching more underserved students.

Scholarship enrollment with 10,000 Degrees is now open through March 2, 2026. For more information, visit here.

COVID Vaccine, black churches, outreach, Rev. W. Franklyn, CDC, center for disease control, — (Photo: Morsa Images/Getty Images)

by Jameelah Mullen

October 23, 2025

Study Finds mRNA COVID Vaccines Could Boost Fight Against Certain Cancers

The next breakthrough in cancer treatment may have arrived.

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines appear to have a surprising benefit for some cancer patients. A study published in Nature shows that the vaccine can extend the lives of people undergoing cancer treatment by enhancing the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

An analysis of nearly 1,000 people treated for advanced skin and lung cancers reveals that those who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine within 100 days of starting drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors lived nearly twice as long as those who did not get the vaccine within this period.

Researchers will conduct a clinical trial, expected to start before the year’s end, to validate these findings.

“The results are just remarkable,” said Dr. Elias Sayour, M.D., Ph.D., pediatric oncologist with Stop Children’s Cancer/Bonnie R.Freeman Professor for Paediatric Oncology Research at the University of Florida, told New Scientist.

Sayour said the mRNA vaccine could be the “master key” to enhancing immune response in people with cancer, but more research is needed to confirm this. “I don’t like making clinical recommendations unless things are proven. When you’re trying to use the immune system to fight cancer, there are also risks,” he said.

Sayour and his colleagues also analyzed the records of people with advanced lung cancer treated at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Of the 884 patients with advanced lung cancer who received checkpoint inhibitors, 180 had an mRNA COVID-19 vaccination within 100 days of starting the treatment. They had a survival time of around 37 months, compared to 20 months for those who were not vaccinated.

Additionally, 210 people had melanomas that had begun to spread to other parts of the body, 43 of whom were vaccinated within 100 days of starting checkpoint inhibitor treatment. They had a survival time of approximately 30-40 months, compared with 27 months for those who were not vaccinated during this period. Some vaccinated individuals were still alive when the study ended, so their survival time could be even longer.

The researchers presented their findings at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Berlin on Oct. 19.

Jeff Coller, Ph.D., a professor at Johns Hopkins University and a leading mRNA scientist, noted that the findings emphasize the significant impact of Operation Warp Speed, the federal government’s early response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The results from this study demonstrate how powerful mRNA medicines truly are and that they are revolutionising our treatment of cancer,” Coller told ecancer.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the Trump administration, recently announced significant cuts to funding for mRNA vaccine development.

Texas, civil rights commission, ICE, Georgia — Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-golden-balance-scale-beside-a-laptop-6077797/

by Kandiss Edwards

October 23, 2025

Indiana Man Seeking To Build ‘Melanated Community’ In Texas Under Investigation

Officials claim Dr. Malcolm Tanner is “attempting to overthrow the government.”

In 2023, Dr. Malcolm Tanner announced his intent to create a settlement for Black Americans in Texas. Now, state officials have issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the Indiana resident, claiming that Tanner is “attempting to overthrow the government.”

Tanner is the founder of Melanated People of Power. His plan to create a melanated community includes moving Black families to Loving County, Texas, with the promise of free homes, financial stipends, and ultimately political influence.

Tanner has purchased 5 acres of land in Loving County in an area with less than 100 residents. The land does not yet host any permanent homes; instead, it features RVs, tents, and generators.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sought a TRO to stop the development of the community.

According to the legal filings, the encampment is in direct violation of the state’s health code due to the “lack of sewer access, septic systems, running water, and limited electricity.”

Tanner responded in a message posted to his TikTok page, claiming that his endeavors are righteous and that the land is being unjustly stolen from the people.

“I came to Loving County with a simple vision: to build homes, to build community, and to live under the rights that faith grants and the Constitution protects,” Tanner wrote in a message he showed on the platform. “I believed, as every American has the right to believe, that land purchased lawfully could be used lawfully, that families could live in peace, and that children could grow in safety. Instead, what we built was destroyed. What we worked for was attacked.”

@dr_malcolmtanner
I, Dr. Malcolm Tanner, want the people of Texas and this country to know that I respect the authority of the Court and will fully comply with its orders. At the same time, I want the people of Loving County, of Texas, of America, and of the world to understand what is at stake here. We are living in a moment that will be remembered. It is not simply about one man or one family, or even about one piece of land. It is about whether the rights promised to us as Americans are real — or whether they can be trampled by intimidation, harassment, and fear. I came to Loving County with a simple vision: to build homes, to build community, and to live under the rights that faith grants and the Constitution protects. I believed, as every American has the right to believe, that land purchased lawfully could be used lawfully, that families could live in peace, and that children could grow in safety. Instead, what we built was destroyed. What we worked for was attacked. And still, we did not quit. For when the walls were torn down, we rebuilt them. When the doors were broken, we set them back on their hinges. We held on because this struggle is bigger than wood and nails. It is about whether freedom in America is protected for all people — Black or White, Christian or Jewish, rich or poor — or whether freedom is reserved only for the few who hold power. We do not stand here in defiance of the law. We stand here in defense of the law — the highest law, the law of liberty. Our Constitution was written so that families could not be driven out by threats, that homes could not be torn down by force, that people could not be silenced when they sought justice. I want the world to know: this land is more than dirt and stone. It is a test of America’s promise. Will the government protect the rights of its citizens, or will it allow harassment to crush them? Will we prove that the smallest populated county in Texas can still honor the largest principles of our Republic? I am not alone in this. Beside me stand women and children who deserve safety. Beside me stand families who believe in freedom. And beyond us stand millions of Americans — of every race, every faith, every background — who know that an attack on one person’s rights is an attack on the rights of us all. We are preserving every shred of evidence — every act of destruction, every trespass, every intimidation. It will be laid before the Court, and, if necessary, before the proper authorities, because justice must not only be sought — it must be proved. We will not answer hatred. We will not meet destruction. We will meet it with perseverance, with courage, and with the truth. And we will hold on until justice comes — for justice is the inheritance of every American. History will record this struggle. And when it does, let it be said that in Loving County, in the year 2025, when families were harassed and homes were destroyed, we did not bow, we did not run, and we did not give up. We stood. And by standing, we reminded the world that freedom in America is not granted by men, but strengthened by faith and secured by the Constitution. Dr. Malcolm Tanner #drmalcolmtanner
♬ original sound – dr_malcolmtanner

@larell35y
#drmalcolmtanner #melanatedpeopleofpower
♬ original sound – Larell35y

Due to multiple residents of the “melanated community” registering to vote using a common P.O. Box associated with the property; a voter fraud inquiry may be on the horizon.

On Oct. 3, two Texas state politicians, Senator Kevin Sparks and Rep. Brooks Landgraf, wrote an open letter urging the Texas Attorney General and the Secretary of State to look into Loving County voter irregularities.

“Indiana resident Malcolm Tanner has no right to try and take over Loving County with illegal schemes that endanger real Texans,” Paxton said in a press release. “His deceptive and unlawful scheme to lure people with free housing for the purpose of conducting a political takeover is a disgustingly fraudulent plot to line his own pockets.”

Tanner, who continues to encourage his social media followers to “join the movement” and never pay rent again, has defended his initiative as a form of self-empowerment and self-determined placemaking.

“We’re going to build y’all a home,” he said in a TikTok post. “If you’re ready to get a home with me out in Texas, come out to Loving County, Texas.”

Interscope Records, 'Homecoming Szn Compilation Vol. 2’ — Courtesy of Interscope Records

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 23, 2025

Interscope Records Brings The Vibes To The Yard With ‘Homecoming Szn Compilation Vol. 2’

Interscope is partnering with some of the biggest HBCUs in the Southeast to release the vinyls, which feature chart-topping hits from Kendrick Lamar, GloRilla, Rob49, and Mustard.

In partnership with Hampton University, Clark Atlanta University, and Alabama State University, Interscope Geffen A&M Records will continue its yearlong successful campaign celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the next vinyl-exclusive album, Homecoming SZN Compilation Vol. 2.

In an effort to carry on the mission of celebrating the institutions that have paved the way creatively, professionally, and culturally for several Interscope artists and leaders, the record label is partnering with some of the biggest HBCUs in the Southeast to release the vinyls—in school colors—featuring chart-topping hits from Kendrick Lamar, GloRilla, Rob49, and Mustard.

Interscope will make a $3 donation for every vinyl—which features custom artwork for each participating school—sold.

“Homecoming is a treasured tradition at Hampton University, celebrating our history, culture, and community. We are excited to partner with Interscope Geffen A&M Records to bring this innovative Homecoming SZN initiative to our campus,” Hampton University president Darrell K. Williams said in a statement. “Music has always been a powerful bridge between generations, and this collaboration gives our students a chance to showcase their creativity while connecting with a legacy that extends far beyond our campus.”

According to Billboard, the campaign launched in October 2024, collaborating with Howard University, Tennessee State, and Texas Southern University. To celebrate one year of excellence and partnership, Interscope visited Clark Atlanta for the Oct. 22 official homecoming concert with a performance from vinyl-featured artist Big Boogie in addition to a campus pop-up.

With a focus on working with the music executives of the future, Universal Music Group’s culture marketing and creative strategy team, °1824, will be accepting applications from students at each university for part-time roles. The group’s goal is to kickstart their careers in important supportive roles, including content creation, livestreaming, strategic partnerships, and publicity.

Interscope plans to announce future HBCU partners in the coming months.

Allen Iverson attends Prime Video's World Premiere Of "Allen Iv3rson" on October 20, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Prime Video)

by Selena Hill

October 23, 2025

Allen Iverson Reveals Hard Truths, Trials & Tribulations In New Docuseries

A new docuseries gives a glimpse into the highs and lows of the NBA icon's life

Allen Iverson revolutionized the game of basketball with his signature crossover, unapologetic style, unmatched speed, and gigantic heart. Now, the NBA All-Star is giving fans a behind-the-scenes look into the hardships he endured both on and off the court during his rise to superstardom in a new Prime Video docuseries.

Titled “Allen Iv3rson,” the three-part series explores the NBA Hall of Famer’s life and legacy, starting with his rough upbringing in Hampton, Virginia, where he was raised by a single, teenage mother in poverty. His athletic prowess quickly gained him notoriety in his local community and interest from college scouts. However, a 15-year prison sentence for an assault and battery in a bowling alley brawl when he was 17 years old nearly ruined his life. Iverson’s mother, Ann — a significant fixture in his life and in the series — fought tirelessly to get her son’s conviction overturned. Eventually, he was granted clemency by former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder after serving four months in a correctional facility.

“It’s a gift that I have to be an open book. It’s a gift to share those things,” said Iverson following a private screening of part two of the series in New York on Monday. “Every day I walk out of that house, it’s an adventure navigating through this world.”

The 50-year-old trailblazer went on to play for Georgetown University and became the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1996. He was also named NBA MVP in 2001 and played 14 seasons in the league. The series, however, dives into the backlash he received throughout his career over his braids and tattoos, his defiance of the NBA dress code, his struggles with addiction, and other infamous career-defining moments like his notorious rant at a press conference after missing practice.

Source: **Director One9 attends Prime Video’s World Premiere Of “Allen Iv3rson” (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Prime Video)**

“The media, at that time, never understood where he was coming from. And I think what this film is going to show is his family [and] people who were there from the very beginning, who were dealing with things and issues that he’s never got to speak about,” One9, the series director and executive producer, told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“People talk about the press conference with ‘practice,’ but we look at what was happening in his life. His best friend was killed. His family [was] under pressure of him being traded,” he continued.

“This goes beyond basketball. This goes into what you feel when people have to deal with everyday life. He sacrificed so much for his family. He sacrificed for the people that brought him up to make sure they were good.”

Source: **Shaquille O’Neal attends Prime Video’s World Premiere Of “Allen Iv3rson” (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Prime Video)**

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who also executive-produced the series along with Steph Curry, said Iverson’s influence and authenticity even inspired him.

“He taught me to be a little bit more of myself,” he told BE. “He did it his way. So, he kind of taught me how [to do things] my way.”

Through exclusive access, personal stories, and intimate interviews with family, friends, coaches, and fellow NBA players, “Allen Iv3rson” showcases the crossover king’s magnetic personality and fierce competitive spirit, which made him an icon to fans, teammates, and opposing players alike.

Markuann Smith, an actor, director, and the creator and executive producer of The Godfather of Harlem, told BE that Iverson’s ability to beat the odds resonates most with him.

“I saw the adversity that Allen went through. He went through hard times and still rose to the top. And that’s what I think every young person needs to know. Every adult needs to know,” he said, adding that he’s looking forward to watching the next chapter of the 76ers legend’s life unfold.

“I want to see what he does within the community [and] how he enhances and helps other upcoming basketball players and athletes, [both] female and male.”

Earlier this year, Iverson released a new book titled “Misunderstood.”

“Allen Iv3rson” will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on Oct. 23.

Memphis, Justin J. Pearson, activist, Tennessee — Photo Courtesy of BE

by Keka Araújo

October 23, 2025

Elevate Your Excellence: Rep. Justin J. Pearson Goes From Memphis Activist To Congressional Candidate

Jones’ dedication is not a sudden electoral ambition but a lifetime vocation forged through generations of working-class struggle and civil rights engagement.

The political trajectory of State Rep. Justin J. Pearson is one rooted in decades of community advocacy and a tireless commitment to justice. A proud native Memphian, Pearson is the fourth son of five boys, who, even as a teenager, demonstrated his penchant for activism by petitioning his local school board for new textbooks for his Mitchell High School classmates.

After graduating valedictorian, he attended Bowdoin College in Maine, earning degrees in Government & Legal Studies and Education Studies in 2017.

It was during the pandemic that Pearson returned to his roots, translating academic knowledge into decisive local action. He was instrumental in leading the victorious fight against two multibillion-dollar oil companies that planned to construct a crude oil pipeline through southwest Memphis. This project threatened the region’s vital groundwater and sought to seize land owned by residents, some of whom had held the property since the abolition of slavery.

Pearson co-founded Memphis Community Against Pollution (MCAP)—a nonprofit focused on environmental and climate justice—which ultimately defeated the pipeline. This effort, which proved that “People Power wins,” secured his reputation as a formidable organizer and earned him the Sierra Club’s 2023 National Changemaker of the Year award.

In January 2023, the 28-year-old community organizer became the second-youngest lawmaker in the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 86, a sprawling area encompassing downtown Memphis, south Memphis, and Millington. He brought his fierce, servant-leader approach directly to the Capitol.

Just months into his term, Pearson was catapulted into the national spotlight following the mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville on March 27, 2023. In an act of nonviolent civil disobedience, Pearson, alongside fellow Reps. Justin Jones and Gloria Johnson staged a protest on the House floor, using a megaphone to demand the Republican-led body act on gun safety.

The political reaction was swift and severe. Republicans retaliated by expelling Pearson from his duly elected seat on April 6, 2023, a move that drew immediate condemnation and national attention. Following the expulsion, Pearson was quickly reinstated by local authorities and triumphantly won back his seat with a stunning 94% of the vote in August 2023. His oratory gifts and courageous actions led to an invitation from President Joe Biden to the White House to discuss gun legislation, solidifying his role as a champion of democracy.

Now, Rep. Pearson is setting his sights on the U.S. Congress, asserting that the current economic and political reality demands a fundamental shift. “The status quo is not working for us, and we cannot keep going with it,” he states. “It is rigged for the wealthiest and most powerful against the rest of us.”

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His platform is uncompromising: he vows to fight for working-class people, championing an increased minimum wage, Medicare for All, and environmental and climate justice. He emphasizes the communal nature of his political work, which he describes as a Movement for Justice Rooted in Love. Pearson believes his history of building power and winning against the odds, including writing the most legislation to end the gun violence epidemic in the state, demonstrates his capacity for impactful governance.

“This campaign is not about me. It’s about us!” Pearson declares, emphasizing the collective approach that underpins his political life. He is supported by his wife, Oceana R. Gilliam, MPP, a law student, and his large family.

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A post shared by Justin J. Pearson (@justinjpearson)

“We’re all in this together to help make District 9 better for the present and future.” Pearson remains a devout Christian and a tireless champion who promises: “No matter the cost, I will always defend our district with better laws and my voice to fight for the present and future we deserve.”

Pearson’s unwavering dedication to the fight for justice and freedom is evident in his passionate words.

“REP. @justinjpearson (candidate for Congress): “That’s why I keep wearing my flag — even in periods of destruction, there are opportunities for construction… we can’t quit.”

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Black Entrepreneur , SBA Small Business Person Of The Year, Mississippi, National Small Business Week — (Photo: RDNE Stock project/via Pexels)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 23, 2025

Elite Media Awards $100K To Black-Owned Businesses In First ‘Keep It 100’ Pitch Competition

Elite Media’s first-ever “Keep It 100” pitch competition awarded $100,000 to five Black-owned businesses.

Five Black-owned businesses recently received a share of a $100,000 investment from Elite Media, part of the company’s effort to encourage industry leaders to support creators who push the culture and community forward.

On Oct. 17, MADE, a verification system designed to safeguard Black creativity, won the inaugural “Keep It 100” Pitch Competition hosted by Elite Media. The announcement was made at The One Club’s “Where Are All the Black People” Conference in New York City.

Elite Media Founder and CEO Chris Crawford joined a panel of judges for the competition and took center stage to present $50,000 to Tommy Johnson, founder and CEO of MADE, along with $12,500 each to the four other finalists.

“The ‘Keep It 100’ pitch competition celebrates the power of attention, the power of purpose, the power of supporting one another,” Crawford said in a statement. “Today, the community won. Every contestant brought it. Their audacity and ambition was on full display. We’re proud to help this inaugural group of creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs bring their visionary ideas to life.”

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MADE was chosen in part for its mission to uplift Black-owned businesses and protect Black creativity. The platform stood out among pitches from Mec Zilla, founder of CrackedVC, a new system designed to replace traditional venture capital; Morgan Means, CEO and founder of Evental, a digital marketplace that helps suppliers monetize inventory and offer real-time pricing and booking; Adam Franklin of Twendi, a sports media platform highlighting African and diaspora athletes through cinematic short-form storytelling; and Ayo Abigail, director of Strategy and Outreach for Walk of Same, a brand pioneering “empowerment jewelry” that fuses fashion with purpose.

Each finalist received financial support from Elite Media, a Black-owned, women-led advertising agency based in Harlem committed to helping creators bring their visions to life. The $100,000 in prize money came directly from the company’s own agency funds, part of a larger challenge to advertisers, brands, and industry leaders to match Elite’s investment in creators, entrepreneurs, and ideas that move culture and community forward.

“The time for disruption is now–our communities deserve action,“ Crawford said when announcing the pitch competition last month. “We are putting our money where our mouth is, already investing upwards of $2 million of our own agency dollars back into the Harlem community that nurtures us. We see the opportunity to broaden that impact within the ad industry, intentionally in non-traditional spaces. We are now challenging the industry and convening spaces to move past the vanity metrics and create real-time domino effects of change that will transform communities.”

fatal car crash, sentencing, Richard Ferguson, Florida — (Photo: gorodenkoff/Getty Images)

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 23, 2025

Jury Splits on Brooks Case: Single Guard Convicted As Two Colleagues Cleared

Brooks’ father, Robert Ricks, spoke out after the verdict, saying he thinks the judge got it wrong in letting two of the officers off “scott free.”

The split verdict in the murder case of Robert Brooks, the former New York prison inmate who was seen beaten to death by prison guards,has many people, including his family questioning why, CBS News reported.

Former New York State Department of Corrections officer David Kingsley was found guilty of murder and manslaughter, while Matthew Galliher and Nicholas Kieffer were acquitted in the case. Facing 25 years to life in prison, Kingsley’s sentencing will take place Dec. 15.

Thomas Gant, a community organizer at the Center for Community Alternatives, a nonprofit that supports those affected by mass incarceration in the Empire State, says the Oct. 20 verdict should not be defined as justice for Brooks.

“There is no justice in this verdict and no justice in this trial. Robert Brooks was murdered not just at the hands of these prison guards, but by a system of human caging that tears apart families and values brutal perpetual punishment over healing and transformation,” Gant said.

“We must honor Robert Brooks by dismantling the conditions that made his killing possible and creating fair pathways home for incarcerated people who have transformed while inside.”

Caught on police body-cameras, footage from the December 2024 incident shows Brooks being beaten while handcuffed while being transferred to Marcy Correctional Facility, and he was pronounced dead one hour after his arrival. The event triggered nationwide outrage about what happens to inmates inside prison walls at the hands of correctional officers.

https://twitter.com/ScooterCasterNY/status/1872759255134290022

The victim was scheduled to be released in 2026 after serving a 12-year sentence as a result of an assault conviction.

Brooks’ father, Robert Ricks, spoke out after the verdict, saying he thinks the judge got it wrong in letting two of the officers off “scot free.”

“When I look at that video, when I glance at that video, because I can’t look at it, what I see is pure evil,” Ricks said, according to 13 WHAM.

“I think they got it really, really wrong when they let the other two off scot-free. It says, as a prison guard, I can watch or know somebody is being beaten to death, and I have no responsibility. That’s not a good message.”

Ricks says the verdict, which he did not expect to take place so soon, left him feeling “hurt” and “disappointed.” Brooks’ son, Robert Brooks Jr., shared the same feelings as his grandfather, making a plea on the steps of the Capitol building in Albany, pressuring Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the Omnibus Prison Reform Bill into law.

“I’ve been feeling heartbroken. I feel disappointed,” Brooks Jr. said.

“I feel as if the people that were acquitted were doing what their supervisors told them to do, and so I can’t be totally mad at them, but I’m more mad at the system that allowed that to go on.”

Under pressure to sign the bill, Hochul released a statement also expressing feelings of disappointment as “the safety of all New Yorkers — including the staff and incarcerated individuals in our prisons — is a top priority.”

“While I am disappointed by the acquittals, I respect the jury’s decision,” Hochul said in a statement.

“What happened to Mr. Brooks is unconscionable, and these verdicts serve as another sobering reminder of the needless losses of Mr. Brooks and Messiah Nantwi.”

With the remaining defendant in the case, Michael Fisher, a trial is scheduled for January 2026. Ricks hopes that the verdict will result in a much-needed change. “The next prison guard, before he raises his hand, his billy club, before his gang get together and decide that they’re going to beat somebody, they’re going to think like, ‘There’s a camera there, there’s a camera there,’ you know, ‘There’s no places we can go so we can hide this, so maybe we shouldn’t do this,” Ricks said.

“‘Maybe we should handle this differently.’”

Adam Silver, WNBA, salary — Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 23, 2025

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Assures WNBA Players Will Receive ‘Big Increase’ In Next Collective Bargaining Agreement

'They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining. And they deserve it.'

With the WNBA collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expiring in less than two weeks, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has reassured basketball fans that the players will “get a big increase” when they are offered a new CBA.

While appearing on the Today show, Silver discussed the CBA, which expires on Oct. 31, and what he believes will happen once the two sides meet. He also talked about what the players will receive with the new collective bargaining agreement with the WNBA.

Napheesa Collier, the Vice President of the WNBPA (The Women’s National Basketball Players Association), has already stated that there are “two main points” the players are seeking in the new CBA: increased revenue sharing and salary structures.

The Today show host, Craig Melvin, asked Silver if the players should get a larger piece of the revenue that the league brings in.

He said, “They get nine percent of total revenue compared to roughly 50 percent of the revenue of NBA players. Should they be getting a larger share of revenue in the WNBA?”

Silver reassured Melvin that the players will get increased salaries in the future, although he refrained from agreeing that the increase should not be based on “share.”

“Yes, I think ‘share’ isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA. You should look at it in absolute numbers in terms of what they’re making. They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining. And they deserve it.”

Market Watch reported that WNBA players receive 9.3% of their income from the league, as opposed to NBA players getting about 50% of their league’s income.

However, after watching Silver make that statement on the program, WNBPA Executive Director Terri Jackson gave a written statement to ESPN.

“When the players opted out a year ago, they made it clear they wanted a salary system that values their labor and allows them to grow with the business they are very clearly driving. The league’s response has been to run out the clock, put lipstick on a pig and retread a system that isn’t tied to any part of the business and intentionally undervalues the players.

The fact that the league now wants to call any part of its proposal ‘uncapped’ is precisely why its leadership, transparency and accountability are being challenged right now.

Adam Silver said it himself on behalf of the WNBA. ‘Share isn’t the word.’ It’s not in their vocabulary.”

Jarred Shaw, cannabis gummies, basketball, Indonesia — (Image: iStock/sakhorn38)

by Kandiss Edwards

October 22, 2025

Texas Corrections Officer Caught Smuggling Chicken Wings To Inmate

A corrections officer, Amos Nyanway, was charged for supplying an inmate with chicken wings in exchange for money.

A corrections officer, Amos Nyanway, is being charged after an investigation found he supplied an inmate with chicken wings in exchange for money. He was arrested at Travis County Jail in Austin, Texas.

Nyanway is charged with providing “contraband in a correctional facility,” a Class B misdemeanor. The alleged misconduct was discovered by a fellow unnamed officer Aug. 21. The officer’s reporting led to an internal investigation. The review revealed that the ex-Travis County employee provided chicken wings to an inmate in exchange for payment, leading to Nyanway’s arrest.

Sheriff Sally Hernandez condemned the lack of professionalism and alleged criminal conduct in a press release.

“I’m disappointed that a Travis County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer made such a foolish decision. We hold our employees to a high standard of conduct and accountability. We simply cannot tolerate contraband of any type being brought into our secure facilities,” Hernandez wrote.

Under Texas law, a Class B misdemeanor carries a potential sentence of up to six months in jail or a fine of as much as $2,000. Nyanway was placed on administrative leave during the investigation and formally terminated Oct. 14. He remains in custody at the Travis County Jail pending court proceedings.

The 25-year-old Nyanway joined the sheriff’s office in June 2024 and was assigned to the Security Threat Intelligence Unit. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards has also reported at least 23 disciplinary cases tied to staff smuggling incidents statewide between 2023 and 2025.

In 2024, a similar scandal unfolded in Atlanta. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that four private security officers contracted by the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office were arrested for allegedly bringing contraband into the county jail. The officers were accused of smuggling cell phones, drugs, tobacco, lighters, and even chicken pot pies to inmates in exchange for cash payments.

“These arrests demonstrate our commitment to holding anyone who violates the law accountable — especially those entrusted to enforce it,” Sheriff Patrick Labat said.

The Fulton County case led to an internal review of security contracts and prompted new screening protocols for correctional personnel. Both incidents highlight a national struggle to prevent employee misconduct inside U.S. jails and the need for more effective oversight, ethics training, and accountability measures in correctional facilities.