Ex-College Track Star Launches AI-Backed App To Help Slighted High School Athletes Score Offers And NIL Deals
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 3, 2025

Ex-College Track Star Launches AI-Backed App To Help Slighted High School Athletes Score Offers And NIL Deals

The app allows access to collegiate coaches across all divisions.

A former collegiate track star has launched a new AI-backed app that helps overlooked high school athletes connect with colleges and NIL deals.

Santia Deck’s Winning Your Way AI allows potential high school recruits to get back in the game by allowing athletes to share their stats with the colleges of their dreams.

Deck understands the struggle of having a passion for a sport buy no way to build on opportunities. She remembers fighting to get a shot, working hard for a chance at a Texas school’s athletic program.

“We didn’t have connections,” Deck said. “No roadmap. Just my mom, spending hours emailing my highlights to coaches we’d never met, hoping one would write back.”

The app offers direct access to coaches and athletic programs across all divisions of collegiate sports from D1 to JUCO. The AI part comes in developing emails for recruiters that best describe one’s skillset and talent. From there, athletes can see what coaches read their emails and if they viewed their footage. Alongside access to NIL deal information, Winning Your Way AI also provides support for every sport, including non-traditional fields.

“This app is for every athlete and every parent doing this alone,” added Deck. “Because no one should miss out just because they didn’t know where to start.”

Through Winning Your Way AI, Deck hopes that athletes in similar positions to her can now get their highlight tapes into the hands of people who can change their future. She aims to create a more equitable collegiate sports recruitment process, providing opportunities for those without access to support to play for something greater.

“This is the app I wish I had when I was 16,” Deck said. “And now it’s live, for the next generation of athletes who refuse to be overlooked.”

Understanding the plight of those who come from smaller high schools or play a less popular sport, Deck knows that one must build their own platforms to get the recognition they deserve. Available now, Winning Your Way AI also champions affordability, offering full access to collegiate coaches for just $15 a month.

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Patrick Ewing
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 3, 2025

After Adidas Buyout, Patrick Ewing Became First NBA Player With Own Sneaker Brand

After shutting the brand down in 1996, it was brought back in 2012 and is still selling sneakers today

The first NBA player to have his own shoe, former New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing, expressed the reason he placed his fate in his own hands after leaving Adidas back in 1989 to start his own footwear brand, Ewing Athletics.

According to The Basketball Network, the NBA Hall of Famer was signed to the German company after the New York team selected him with the overall No. 1 pick in the 1985 NBA Draft. He was making $750,000 a year from Adidas. He was with the sneaker company for several years before leaving the company after they told him that he “wasn’t the player that they thought” he would be, since he injured himself.

“I think during my first two years with the Knicks, I got hurt, and I was with Adidas at that time. Adidas came to me and wanted to reduce my payment because they said that I wasn’t the player that they thought I was going to be. So, I told them to buy me out,” said Ewing.

And that’s exactly what the company did.

Ewing ended up partnering with Phoenix Integrated shoe executive and Pony shoes founder Robert Muller to come up with Ewing’s first signature sneaker, and Ewing Athletics was born. The company did well for the Jamaican basketball player as it brought in $100 million in 1990 after launching the previous year.

The sneaker brand did well enough to continue making money, but shut down in 1996. As his career started to come to an end, he eventually signed with Nike.

After retiring, he started his coaching career and was often seen in public. People would ask him if he would ever bring the Ewings back.

“Over the years, I’ve had a lot of people ask me when they’d see me at appearances or when I was coaching if I was ever bringing the shoes back,” Ewing said. “I just didn’t feel comfortable doing it.”

That changed in 2012 after he met shoe collector Dave Goldberg. Goldberg convinced him to bring Ewing Athletics back, and in August, the brand relaunched in 33 shoe stores across the country. The brand still flourishes today as it continues to sell the sneakers throughout the world.

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Haitians, Cubans, Nicaraguans, Venezuelans , Deportation Trump, Temporary Legal Status
by Jameelah Mullen

July 3, 2025

Federal Judge Halts Trump Administration’s Attempt To End Protections For Haitian Immigrants 

Approximately 500,000 Haitian immigrants are currently residing in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status.

A federal judge in New York blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary legal status for more than 500,000 Haitians already living in the United States. Judge Brian M. Cogan of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that moving up the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by at least five months for Haitians is unlawful.

The Biden administration extended Haiti’s TPS status at least until Feb. 3, 2026, citing ongoing gang violence, political unrest, and food insecurity in the country.

The Department of Homeland Security announced last week that it would terminate those legal protections as soon as Sept. 2, which could lead to potential deportation for several Haitians, some of whom have been in the United States for nearly a decade. 

“This decision restores integrity in our immigration system and ensures that Temporary Protective Status is temporary,” said a DHS spokesperson in a statement. “The environmental situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is safe for Haitian citizens to return home.” 

According to the United Nations (UN), as of June 2025, ongoing gang violence has displaced approximately 1.3 million Haitians, representing a 24 percent increase in displaced people since December 2024. 

In the June 1 ruling, Cogan stated that the Department of Homeland Security’s attempt to terminate the legal protections prematurely violates the TPS statute. 

“When the Government confers a benefit over a fixed period of time, a beneficiary can reasonably expect to receive that benefit at least until the end of that fixed period,” the ruling said. 

The judge also emphasized that immigrants have started jobs, enrolled in school, and are receiving medical care, with the expectation that the country’s TPS designation will stay in effect until the end of the year.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ filed the lawsuit, saying that the organization remains committed to advocating for its members. 

“We will keep fighting to make sure this decision is upheld,” Pastreich said in a statement. “We will keep fighting for the rights of our members and all immigrants against the Trump Administration—in the streets, in the workplace, and in the courts as well. And when we fight, we win,” Manny Pastreich, SEIU President, said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. 

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Justin Madubuike, Chris Jones, NFL, CTE
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 3, 2025

Former NFL Defensive Tackle Oliver Gibson Dead At 53

The former defensive tackle played with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Former defensive tackle Oliver Gibson, who played in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, has died. He was 53.

According to CBS Sports, no information has been publicly released regarding the cause of his death. Gibson’s family announced his death on June 29. Notre Dame, his alma mater, acknowledged his death via social media.

After Gibson left Notre Dame in 1995, he was drafted by the Steelers in the NFL in the fourth round. He was on the team for four seasons, recording 42 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and recovered one fumble as a reserve. He signed with the Bengals in 1999, where he became the team’s starting defensive tackle. While playing for the team, he recorded 201 tackles, including 37 tackles for loss and 12 sacks, while also defending 10 passes, intercepting one pass, and recovering two fumbles.

Gibson started all 48 games during his first three seasons for the Bengals, but in 2002, due to injuries, he only played in nine games. The next year, his last in the NFL, he returned to a reserve role.

During his NFL career, Gibson recorded 243 tackles with 37 for loss and 17.5 sacks.

Gibson, who played football at Romeoville High School in Illinois, returned in 2014 to become the school’s football coach and to serve asn an assistant basketball coach, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Chad Johnson, who was a teammate of Gibson in Cincinnati, acknowledged the death by posting an old photo on X of the two during their playing days.

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ICE, detroit, civil rights leaders
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 3, 2025

‘See Something, Tap Something,’ New ‘ICEBlock’ App Allows Users To Report ICE Sightings In Real Time

The app encourages everyone to "see something, tap something" to help in the fight against ICE raids.

As protests against ICE raids continue across the United States, a new app is allowing users to report ICE sightings in an instant.

ICEBlock helps users gain real-time information on when and where ICE will conduct checks. Users can report sightings of ICE officials within a five-mile radius of their designated area, all while remaining anonymous on the app.

The app’s developer, Joshua Aaron, sparked the idea following calls on social media to state whenever ICE officials were in people’s neighborhoods. This move gives undocumented individuals a heads-up to avoid encountering the agency.

After noting how the current mass deportations compared to those of Nazi Germany in the 1940s, Aaron wanted to “fight back” against the Trump administration’s plans to deport anyone undocumented, with agents reportedly infringing on civil rights.

“When I saw what was happening in this country, I wanted to do something to fight back,” Aaron told CNN. “We’re literally watching history repeat itself.”

ICEBlock has already gained over 70,000 users, reaching the top of the App Store’s most downloaded list, as confirmed by The Independent. Encouraging people to “See something, tap something,” it supports everyday iPhone users to contribute to the cause. It is also available in 14 languages, thereby expanding its accessibility.

According to the app’s website, its process was modeled after Waze, storing no personal data to avoid tracking one’s identity. Its mission lies in informing communities whenever ICE is near, also emphasizing the agency’s “alleged civil rights abuses.”

“In recent years, ICE has faced criticism for alleged civil rights abuses and failures to adhere to constitutional principles and due process, making it crucial for communities to stay informed about its operations,” detailed the app’s website. “Modeled after Waze but for ICE sightings, the app ensures user privacy by storing no personal data, making it impossible to trace reports back to individual users.”

However, the Trump administration has already condemned the app’s usage, claiming it incites violence. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the app itself “illegal,” while threatening prosecution for any involved. The federal government also criticized CNN for covering the app’s popularity, with ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons stating that the network is “willfully endangering” officers by reporting this news.

Despite this, Aaron emphasized that violence is not the goal of ICEBlock. He defended the app, claiming that it serves to inform people, while giving them the option not to engage if possible.

“We state this multiple times in the app, and I have reiterated this in every interview I have given,” asserted Aaron. ICEBlock serves to ‘inform, not obstruct’ and its goal is to allow people to avoid potentially harmful encounters with ICE.”

Although ICEBlock remains on the government’s watchlist, Aaron remains undeterred, hoping to keep the app on U.S. iPhones for as long as the ICE raids persist.

“We will not be intimidated,” expressed Aaron. “As long as ICE agents have quotas, and this administration ignores people’s constitutional rights, we will continue fighting back.”

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Keith David, Hollywood star, walk of fame
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 3, 2025

Keith David Sheds Happy Tears After Learning He’s Receiving A Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star

Actor Keith David feels "blessed" about receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

After captivating audiences in over 400 film, stage, and TV roles, actor Keith David was filled with emotion when learning he’ll be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The acclaimed Emmy Award-winning actor, celebrated for over four decades of standout roles in films like The Thing (1982), Platoon (1986), Armageddon, and There’s Something About Mary (1998), appeared genuinely surprised upon learning of his induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s 2026 class. He shared a heartfelt video capturing the moment he heard his name announced alongside next year’s star recipients, visibly overcome with emotion and joy.

“What a surprise! Being blessed to get to do this for a living is enough for me; to be recognized for my contribution to the arts is the cherry on top.🙏🏿,” David tweeted following the announcement.

“Thank you, Hollywood Walk of Fame & Hollywood Chamber for this honor. This will be a wonderful birthday present next year.”

The announcement comes just after David (real name Keith David Williams) celebrated his 69th birthday last month, with his Walk of Fame ceremony set to align with his 70th next year, something his wife, Dionne Lea Williams, excitedly noted in the video, exclaiming, “Happy 70th birthday!”

With a career spanning stage, screen, and voice work, David’s extensive résumé makes him a fitting recipient of a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. A Juilliard-trained actor, he got his start in theater and has since showcased his versatility across media. From iconic voice roles like Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog (2009) and Goliath in Gargoyles (1994–1997) to performances in countless films, television shows, animated series, and even video games.

Over the years, he’s collaborated with an impressive roster of acclaimed directors, including John Carpenter, Jordan Peele, Barry Jenkins, Oliver Stone, Shane Black, the Wachowskis, and Hayao Miyazaki. His other prominent roles in television include starring as Elroy Patashnik in the sixth season of the NBC series Community (2015) and starring as Bishop James Greenleaf in the OWN Network drama Greenleaf (2016–2020).

Film enthusiasts flooded the comments with praise for David’s heartfelt reaction, celebrating his illustrious career and showing strong support for his upcoming Walk of Fame induction. It’s a distinction that requires someone else’s nomination and the nominee’s acceptance during the application process.

“Keith David has done some extraordinary work throughout his career, one of the most talented underrated actors,” one person wrote.

“Salute to a legend,” added someone else.

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Rodney, lawsuit, Jones, producer, lawsuit, Diddy, Delon, Ciroc, Diego, wine, spirits, racism, black
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 3, 2025

Diddy Fans Celebrate RICO Verdict By Dousing Themselves In Baby Oil

Video clips captured people celebrating.

Fans of Sean “Diddy” Combs celebrated his avoiding a life sentence by pouring baby oil all over their bodies outside the Manhattan courtroom that was the setting of the hip-hop impresario’s lengthy trial.

In a surprising display of support for the entertainment mogul after a jury convicted him of only three of the five charges against him, fans were seen applying the slippery skin product to their skin in celebration. The scene was captivating as it was unexpected and, to some, just plain old confusing.

In one video clip, a man is seen dancing after having baby oil poured on him. He reportedly covered the case as it unfolded and was seen celebrating as if he had won the lottery himself. As he danced, people cheered him on.

Then, a young lady, who was wearing a blue wig, threw herself into the mix, requesting to be doused as she jumped into the center of the crowd, removing her wig and seemingly, ready to take off her clothes as an “oiler” splashed her. Others were hooting and hollering. Camera phones were out, capturing the event.

The “celebration” took place Wednesday, July, 2 after a federal jury acquitted Diddy of federal charges of sex trafficking and operating a criminal enterprise. It did find him guilty of a Mann Act violation, (two counts of transportation for purposes of prostitution) which could still keep him in prison for a maximum sentence of 20 years.

After Diddy’s attorney requested that he immediately be released until his sentencing, Judge Arun Subramanian denied it, stating the entertainment mogul will stay imprisoned until he is sentenced later this year.

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US-GOVERNMENT-JUSTICE-FBI
by Kandiss Edwards

July 3, 2025

Citizenship Denied: DOJ Releases Memo Prioritizing Denaturalization

The US Justice Department will begin the process of denaturalizing citizens for a host of reasons including PPP and Medicaid/Medicare fraud.

The Justice Department is exploring ways to denaturalize naturalized citizens, according to a June 11 memo. 

Multiple action points were highlighted in the memorandum. The focus of the policy is to target and denaturalize dangerous criminals. A range of crimes have been listed as denaturalization offenses. The most extreme are the “commission of war crimes, extrajudicial killings, or other serious human rights abuses.” Additionally, any individual who misrepresented any information on their application is subject to revocation of citizenship. This includes falsifying paperwork and misrepresenting a crime, as well as engaging in Medicare/Medicaid fraud. 

The introduction to the memorandum frames the aforementioned requirements as the sole factors for denaturalization. Yet, the individual points reveal a broader range of requirements needed to denaturalize. Two of the 10 points leave room for frivolous justifications that are open to interpretation. 

Point 9 states, “Cases referred by a United States Attorney’s Office or in connection with pending criminal charges, if those charges do not fit within one of the other priorities.” 

By stating that denaturalization is acceptable even if charges “do not fit within one of the other priorities,” many people with minor criminal records are at risk. Although all crime is frowned upon, leaving the definition open to the whim of the US attorney’s office creates room for petty theft, minor theft by taking, and other victimless crimes to serve as the basis for the revocation of citizenship for US naturalized citizens. 

Point 10 reads: ”10. Any other cases referred to the Civil Division that the Division determines to be sufficiently important to pursue.”

If the current or any subsequent administration deems a person a “sufficient” candidate, they too are on the chopping block. However, the term ‘sufficient’ has not been defined. Although no denaturalization cases have been reported following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling to halt injunctions against the Trump administration, the path is clear for the dismantling of America’s immigration system.

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HBCU,,Morgan State, Earl Richardson
by Jameelah Mullen

July 3, 2025

Morgan State Makes History At The Venice Architecture Biennale

Morgan State University boosts its global influence.

Morgan State University became the first HBCU to present a solo pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, the prestigious event showcasing global architectural works with its ReCall & Response installation. 

Inspired by West African traditions, the ReCall & Response pavilion was created by Coleman A. Jordan, an assistant professor of architecture. The pavilion explores the concept of the talking drum, a symbol of cultural expression.

“The pavilion is a sonic vessel—an architecture that remembers,”  Jordan said in a statement. “Through rhythm, form, and collaboration, we bridge centuries of cultural disjunctions and reclaim space for Black expression and ancestral wisdom. This exhibit is a testament to what’s possible when design serves history, healing, and community.” 

The pavilion, constructed with sustainably sourced timber, was done by students and alumni from Morgan State University, Tuskegee University, and Clemson University. It aligns with the Biennale’s 2025 theme of “Repair, Regenerate, and Reuse,” exploring the history of displacement, colonization, and erasure within the African diaspora. 

“For the School of Architecture and Planning, this is not only an incredible honor but a profound responsibility,” Abimbola O. Asojo, Ph.D., dean of Morgan State University, said in a statement. “As one of the few architecture programs housed at an HBCU, this exhibition spotlights the caliber of educators and emerging architects we produce. It affirms our place as a vital voice in reimagining inclusive futures through design.”

While this is Morgan State University’s first time leading an independent pavilion, the university made its Venice Biennale debut in 2021 with the collaborative exhibit, “WE The 7: A Conversation with the African Diaspora.

Additionally, Morgan State’s marching band, The Magnificent Marching Machine, visited Venice during Art Night Venezia. The June 21 performance began with a procession through the city, concluding with a show at the Giardini della Marinaressa. This event featured music, spoken word, and a West African traditional libation ceremony.  

“ReCall & Response” opened at the Giardini della Marinaressa in Venice on May 10. It will be on display until November 24, 2025. 

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Old Lady Gang, Kandi Burruss, Atlanta, Keith Lee
by Kandiss Edwards

July 3, 2025

Kandi Burruss Is Paying ‘Bills, Bills, Bills’ Using Beyoncé Royalties

Kandi Burrus showed fans how her songwriting for ‘Bills, Bills, Bills‘ has turned into passive income.

Kandi Burruss reveals that she continues to receive performance royalties from her song Bills, Bills, Bills performed by Beyoncé. 

On a live stream, Burruss was asked by a fan if she gets paid for Beyoncé’s performance of the song during the Cowboy Carter tour. 

The songwriter confirmed, “Yeah, I do actually.”

Burruss explained that Beyoncé contacted her team to license the song before the tour. The Othello producer then takes fans on a brief walk to a hallway lined with plaques. There, she continues to show fans some of the times Beyoncé has licensed the song. Subsequently, earning Burruss multiple gold and platinum plaques.

The sale of Beyonce’s live concert performances requires a licensing fee. Needless to say, Burruss wrote a tune that stood the test of time. Beyoncé Live at Roseland earned a gold plaque, and Beyoncé I Am… Yours at the Wynn in Las Vegas sold 2 million copies. The Beyoncé Live Experience sold 3 million copies, and the Cowboy Carter singer’s live performance at Wembley sold 2 million copies.

Burruss wrote the song in the late 90s, and it became one of Destiny’s Child’s first hits. Though highly successful, Burruss says she’s never really talked about the business of penning the hit. Social media users are heaping praise on the songwriter, singer, Real Housewife of Atlanta, Broadway producer, and more.

One user pointed out that the song is a diss track written for a former boyfriend. Burruss’s “petty” pen is keeping her with a steady stream of passive income.

https://twitter.com/just_tracee/status/1645445241548226560?s=46

Another user pointed out the list of iconic hits written by the multihyphenate and producer She’kspere.

While the singer’s fans are excited that she is getting praise for her songwriting, the Beyhive is excited about something else. 

As Burruss mentioned, songs are usually licensed for live performances and then adapted for use in a film or documentary. The Beyhive, known for looking for clues to Beyonce’s next move, jumped on the information.

The doting fanbase extrapolated that the Queen will most likely release a film of the highly successful Cowboy Carter: Rodeo and Chitlin Circuit tour. The conjecture isn’t a far stretch, as the singer has consistently released long-form content associated with the first two acts of her latest works. 

The Act: Renaissance movie was released in theaters in December 2023. The Beyoncé Bowl halftime show, a Cowboy Carter compilation, was live-streamed on Netflix, Christmas 2024 and released the next day. 

Neither Beyoncé nor her record label, Parkwood Entertainment, has confirmed or denied the release of a concert documentary. The Cowboy Carter tour is currently on its second American leg and will conclude in Las Vegas on July 26.

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