Emory University Hospital Midtown Atlanta, Credit card, credit care

by Kandiss Edwards

September 4, 2025

Emory University Cuts DEI Programs, Georgia NAACP Responds

Emory University announced its decision to close its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices. Local NAACP urges Emory to reconsider.

On Sept. 3, Emory University announced its decision to close its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office.

The Atlanta institution will effectively end its DEI-related Initiatives. The decision has sparked concern among students and faculty, even as Interim President Leah Ward Sears assured the community that the move was made in response to federal mandates.

“Federal laws and mandates have been implemented that require higher education institutions to alter fundamentally or even close offices and programs focused on DEI,” Ward Sears wrote.

Ward Sears goes on to state that the school will support impacted employees through the transition. Ward Sears states that the dismissal of said policies will not constitute abandoning the institution’s core values.

“The Emory I believe in is committed to every person having an equal place, voice, and chance to succeed,” Sears said. “We demonstrate this every day through how we lead, hire, mentor, and serve. Closing offices or reimagining lawful programs is not, after all, the same as ending our unwavering commitment to fairness, belonging, and opportunity for all, values that are part of Emory’s DNA.

Emory University to "promptly and carefully to discontinue current DEI offices and programs" pic.twitter.com/oVjlEgmQwf
— Dan Sinykin (@dan_sinykin) September 3, 2025

Beyond Emory, universities across the country are facing similar pressures. According to WABE, several peer institutions have rebranded or scaled back their DEI programs in response to executive interventions targeting such initiatives.

In an X post, Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs appealed to Emory’s board of directors to reconsider eliminating DEI programs.

“The Georgia NAACP is gravely concerned about Emory University’s decision to restructure its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs,” Griggs wrote. “While we acknowledge Emory’s stated commitment to fairness and belonging, these changes raise serious questions about how students, faculty, and staff — particularly from marginalized communities — will be supported moving forward.”

As Emory proceeds with dismantling formal DEI structures, students and faculty alike are calling for those values to remain woven into campus life.

CEOs, corporate America, Kamala Harrs, endorsement

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 4, 2025

California Highway Patrol Clocks In To Protect Kamala Harris After Trump Dumps Secret Service Detail

Reports of CHP taking on security detail for Harris came in late August after Trump signed an executive order to end her extended protection.

After President Donald Trump ended Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, officials from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are stepping up to the plate, CBS News reports.

As part of the LAPD’s Metropolitan Division, special units such as the Tactical Response Teams, which provide security at high-profile events, have worked closely with the Secret Service and the Department of State to provide protection to the president, vice president, and foreign dignitaries.

Reports of the CHP taking on a security detail for Harris began to emerge in late August, following Trump’s signing of an executive order to end her extended protection, reversing an order from former President Joe Biden.

Under a law passed by Congress in 2008, previous vice presidents, their spouses, and children under 16 are set to receive protection by the Secret Service for up to six months after leaving the White House.

Prior to leaving, Biden signed an order to extend Harris’s detail to 18 months. Still, Trump ordered Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to rescind the order starting Sept. 1. That the U.S. Secret Service ran an assessment on threats toward Harris and found nothing alarming aided Trump’s decision.

Criticism started to pour in on the timing of the order.

The former California attorney general is scheduled to start a high-profile book tour for her memoir, 107 Days, covering her short-lived campaign to become the first female President of the U.S.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom will first have to sign off on CHP providing security for Harris, but there is also a cost concern. According to Fox 26 News, the agency has refused to release the line-item costs of protection for specific individuals. However, with the CHP’s overall budget being close to $3.2 billion, the base personnel costs for several officers could amount to $8 million annually.

Possible protection for Harris could include two officers on duty at all times, such as a driver and close protection, consisting of three shifts per day, equaling six officers. With added supervisors and intel support, the total number of officers could go up to 40. Additional security doesn’t include potential protection for the book tour, which could increase the cost.

Since taking over the White House for a second term, Trump has removed Secret Service protection for several former dignitaries, including Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden, as well as Trump’s former national security adviser during his first term, John Bolton.

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 4, 2025

Saint Augustine’s University Interim President Steps Down As Fall Semester Classes Begin

Burgess’ resignation cited “personal reasons.”

The drama at Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) continues as students start classes while the interim president, Marcus H. Burgess, resigned after only 18 months in the post, Inside HigherEd reported.

Burgess’ last day was Aug. 30 but school officials say he submitted his letter of resignation Jul. 16. citing “personal reasons.” The announcement came down as students started classes for the fall semester online. “We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Burgess for his leadership and service during a pivotal period in the University’s history. His commitment and dedication to the mission of Saint Augustine’s University have been deeply valued,” the statement from SAU’s Board of Trustees read.

Provost Verjanis A. Peoples will step in as Saint Augustine’s interim president until a permanent leader is named.

The resignation comes as the Raleigh-based HBCU recently became re-accredicated following a lengthy legal battle with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, who stripped SAU of its accreditation amid financial and governance issues in late 2023. Peoples will now take over for Burgess, a veteran HBCU administrator, who is added to the list of leader turnover for the school.

The school was briefly led in 2020 by Irving Pressley McPhail, who passed away due to complications from COVID-19. His wife, Christine McPhail, ultimately stepped in as president but was later fired in 2023. McPhail and the Board are currently facing a legal battle in court after she sued the board over accusations of gender-based discrimination.

Burgess isn’t the only one resigning. According to ABC 11, Chairman of the Board, Brian Boulware, also stepped away from his role but will remain listed as a trustee. SaveSAU Coalition, a nonprofit organization consisting of concerned alumni, students, parents, and former administrators and faculty, released a statement as the change of leadership was handed down, saying this was what they were worried about. “While these developments mark a shift, the Coalition warned against what it calls ‘boardroom musical chairs — reshuffling titles without addressing the deep failures of governance that have pushed the University into crisis,” the group said.

“Lenders have already made it plain: until both Boulware and Vice Chair Perry are gone, there will be no financing for Saint Augustine’s…When the music stops, failed leaders must step aside. Anything less is more of the same dysfunction that has brought this University to the brink.” The nonprofit filed a lawsuit against Boulware and the Board of Trustees in 2024 citing how the university “now teeters on the edge of chaos, brought to its knees by the utter neglect of its board of trustees and especially its most recent chairmen, Defendants Brian Boulware and James Perry.”

The suit accuses Boulware of being “dictatorial and vindictive” and “more concerned with lining his own pockets than leading the university.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 4, 2025

Happy B-Day Wishes Are In Order For Beyoncé And SirDavis Whisky

Whisky lovers are toasting to the woman and the spirit

Happy first anniversary to SirDavis American Whisky! A year ago, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Moët Hennessy made waves in the spirits industry with its launch.

On Beyoncé’s 44th birthday, whisky lovers are not only toasting to the woman and SirDavis spirits, but also to a remarkable year of success per usual. Beyoncé has taken fans by storm, from Cowboy Carter Tour, to a Levii denim jeans partnership, to winning her first Emmy Award for Beyoncé Bowl and it’s been quite the ride. However, it’s kick-back time, relaxation time, and time to raise a glass to what’s ahead. Fans can celebrate with SirDavis in three great pours:

Honey Bee

For The End-Of-Summer Soiree:

Ingredients:
2 oz SirDavis American Whisky
.75 oz Lemon Juice
.5 oz Honey Syrup*
Garnish: Honeycomb
Instructions: Add liquid ingredients to a shaker tin with ice going in last. Shake for dilution and pour into a coupe glass. Garnish with honeycomb.

*To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.

Davis Old Fashioned

For the early fall nightcap

Ingredients:

2 oz SirDavis American Whisky

.25 oz Honey Syrup*

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Garnish: Lemon Twist & Brandied Cherry

Instructions: In a mixing glass, add all ingredients. Stir for dilution and strain into a rocks glass over a large cube. Garnish with an orange twist & brandied cherry.

*To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.

Texas Buckiin’

For the Cowboy Carter Tour Reminiscent

Ingredients:
1.5 oz SirDavis American Whisky
.25 oz Lemon Juice
.25 oz Honey Syrup*
4-5 oz Ginger Beer
Garnish: Lemon wedge
Instructions: Pour SirDavis Whisky into glass with ice then squeeze fresh lemon juice into a glass with honey simple syrup and add ginger beer. Gently stir, garnish with horse medallion pick through lemon wedge, and serve.

*To make honey syrup, add 2 parts honey and 1 part water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Allow to cool and transfer to an airtight container.

OneUnited Bank, Roxbury, Massachusetts, Kevin Cohee, Roxbury, black-owned

by Jameelah Mullen

September 4, 2025

OneUnited Bank Announces Winners Of ‘I Got Bank!’ Youth Financial Literacy And Art Contest

Organizers say they saw an increase in children’s financial literacy this year.

OneUnited Bank, the nation’s largest Black-owned bank, announced the winners of its 15th annual “I Got Bank!” Youth Financial Literacy Essay & Art Contest. The contest aims to promote financial literacy, especially among young people.

The 2025 winners, aged 8-12, include Jasmine Curd, Andrew Elus, Rusty Fisher, Jai Irby, Brandon Littlejohn, Jalonie Lue Shue, Zoë Madison Orndorff, Arfa Mohamed, Alanna Oguadimma, and Jacob Phillips.

Each winner received a $1,000 savings account.

In a 250-word essay, the winners shared their financial literacy journeys and explained how the knowledge would benefit them and their families. The panel of judges included Teri Williams, president and chief operating officer of OneUnited, and Sherri Brewer, the bank’s senior vice president and chief retail officer.

“In 2025, we saw growth in children’s understanding of money, including the cost of food and other necessities. They expressed a desire to help their families, which may be a reflection of the current economic climate. We are proud to ignite family conversations about money, which will improve their financial well-being.” Williams said in a press release.

Williams, the author of I Got Bank! What My Granddad Taught Me about Money, said she was inspired to write the book because she noticed a lack of educational tools geared at teaching urban youth about financial literacy.

“I could not find a book about personal finance from the perspective of urban youth, Williams said on the bank’s website. “Yet, when children learn the lessons of financial literacy at a young age, they form strong habits that can be life-changing.”

Additionally, OneUnited Bank provides the Financial Education Center, an online resource designed to help people of all ages understand various financial processes. Its online modules include education about building emergency savings, homeownership, starting a small business, and preparing for retirement. Bank owners hope that these online tools will improve financial knowledge and skills for people nationwide.

OneUnited Bank is an 11-time recipient of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bank Enterprise Award for community development.

Black female student in the classroom, Public School, Classroom

by Jameelah Mullen

September 4, 2025

Africatown-Based Organization Partners With DHL On Free Trade School

Graduates will receive a certificate issued by DHL Global Forwarding.

The Pollee and Rose Allen School of Logistics & Trade, a free trade school, has started the second semester of its online program for careers in logistics and trade industries. The school is a partnership between DHL and Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future, a nonprofit organization that honors enslaved people who came to Mobile, Alabama, on the Clotilda slave ship.

The school launched its inaugural semester on Feb. 6, 2025, in Mobile. Six students graduated from that class. In its next semester, beginning Sept. 4, the courses will delve more deeply into shipping and the global supply chain industry to better prepare students for careers in the field.

The free online program, sponsored by DHL Global Forwarding, a division of DHL, provides weekly 90-minute courses designed to prepare students for a range of high-demand logistics careers. Most of these jobs do not require a college degree, but they do need specialized skills that students can learn at the Pollee and Rose Allen School of Logistics & Trade. People working in this industry have the potential to earn six-figure salaries.

With classes taught by industry professionals, students gain a realistic view of working in the field. Additionally, students will attend monthly sessions with industry leaders.

While the school primarily targets students aged 16 to 24, older students seeking a career change are encouraged to apply and may be admitted with special permission.

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A post shared by Lori Ann LaRocco (@loriannlarocco)

The school is named after Pollee and Rose Allen, who were kidnapped from Africa and brought illegally to the U.S. in 1860 on the Clotilda. This slave ship arrived in Mobile, 53 years after Congress passed the Act Prohibiting the Importation of Slaves. The couple, alongside 30 other Clotilda survivors, founded Africatown, an all-Black community north of Mobile.

“This initiative is more than just education—it’s about empowerment and creating opportunities that have historically been out of reach for many in our community. We are honored to keep their names alive through this program,” Veda Robbins, the the school administrator and descendant of Pollee and Rose Allen, told Eurweb.

Graduates of the semester-long program will receive a certificate issued by DHL Global Forwarding. Those interested in enrolling in future classes should visit the Embracing Your Past website.

Rikers Island, Correction Officer, Inmates, Prison

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 4, 2025

6 Wrongfully Convicted Men To Share Stories In Stage Play ‘The Lynched Among Us’

A new true-crime stage play shares the harrowing stories of wrongfully convicted men.

Six wrongfully convicted men are reclaiming their narratives by sharing their experiences in a new stage play they helped create.

Alfred Cleveland and Lamont Clark are two of six men sharing their stories in The Lynched Among Us, a new true-crime stage play premiering at Playhouse Square on Sept. 5.

“We called our play ‘The Lynched Among Us’ because it was like a modern-day lynching,” Clark told News 5 Cleveland. “People will make an allegation. They will mob up, go get the person and do what they have to do them.”

Clark served 23 years in prison and Cleveland, 26 years, both for wrongful convictions. In the true-crime stage play, they will share their harrowing journeys, revealing the blood, sweat, and tears it took to survive and challenge a broken system.

”This is the struggle. This is the dark times and the emergence from that,” Cleveland said.

Charles Jackson, owner of SweetRoz Ice Cream Parlor in Euclid and wrongfully imprisoned for 27 years, says sharing their story is worth the pain if it can educate and protect others. Acknowledging the difficulty of confronting such trauma, Jackson encourages parents to bring their children to see the play.

”Somebody needs to bring their kids to watch our play and all our stories; they’re going to resonate with somebody, and somebody is going to get something out of it,” Jackson said.

Jackson, Laurese Glover, RuEl Sailor, and Michael Sutton have all been exonerated after serving 15 to 27 years for wrongful convictions. Meanwhile, Cleveland and Clark continue to fight their wrongful convictions, even after spending over 20 years imprisoned for crimes they say they did not commit.

Jerome Chambers, who also endured a wrongful conviction, co-directed and stars in the play, hoping it will inspire and educate audiences.

“This is healing, this is brotherhood, this is the images of strong Black men that need to be seen in the media,” Chambers said.

Besides the Sept. 5 performance at Playhouse Square, The Lynched Among Us will also show on Sept. 26 in Cincinnati at the School of Creative and Performing Arts.

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 4, 2025

Burkina Faso Joins Other African Nations With Anti-Homosexuality Laws, Pushing Prison Time For Offenders

Burkina Faso is known for being socially conservative and religious with under 10% of people not following any faith at all.

Burkina Faso is joining a list of African nations adopting anti-homosexuality legislation, banning LGBTQ+ acts, with offenders facing serious prison time and fines, Associated Press reports.

Parliament’s law was passed Sept. 1, with the amended family code approved following a unanimous vote, putting the law into effect more than a year after being approved by the military government under the leadership of Capt. Ibrahim Traore. During a television broadcast, Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala described homosexual acts as “bizarre behavior, with individuals in same-sex relationships facing two to five years in prison under the new law.

Pushing the narrative that Burkina Faso is recognizing “marriage and family values,” the judge laid out the risks of homosexual relationships. “The law provides for a prison sentence ranging from two to five years and a fine,” he said, according to NBC News.

“A person who (engages in) homosexual practices … will appear before a judge and, in the event of a repeat offense, be deported if you are not a Burkinabe national.”

Human rights advocates have criticized the African nation after a coup in 2022, resulting in the country being taken over by the military, claiming it was a way to stabilize the country that was allegedly approaching a security crisis and required better governance. Restrictions for members of the LGBTQ community add to the issue, in addition to pushing against legal recourse in nationality cases.

Burkina Faso is known for being socially conservative and religious, with under 10% of people not following any faith at all. More than half of Africa’s 54 countries have enacted laws banning homosexuality with harsh penalties ranging from years in prison to the death penalty. In 2023, Uganda approved a bill that includes death and life sentences in prison.

Documents list same-sex intercourse with persons under 18, an “offender” who is HIV+, or a person who even identifies as LGBTQ, as aggravated homosexuality.

Ghana passed similar legislation, the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values,” labeling being openly gay as a criminal act. Under provisions of the bill, people who engage in LGBTQ sexual acts risk six months to three years behind bars. People who participate in “wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities” may receive a sentence of three to five years.

However, activist groups pushed back, adding pressure for Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo, to reject the bill, also referred to as the Anti-Gay Bill. While he never openly supported the bill, he has mentioned that gay marriage will never be allowed under his reign.

In 2024, the neighboring country of Mali, an ally of Burkina Faso, faced mass criticism for adopting legislation criminalizing homosexuality. The law prompted the World Bank to impose a ban on Uganda’s borrowing money, resulting in the ban being lifted.

Black Owned Luxury Concierge Service in Martha's Vineyard

by Mitti Hicks

September 4, 2025

Meet The Black Women Who Just Launched Luxury Concierge Service In Martha’s Vineyard

The Inner Circle combines cultural heritage, exclusive access, and personalized service for its members. Access is application- and invitation-only.

Two powerhouses in their own right have launched a Black-owned luxury concierge service in Martha’s Vineyard. India Rose is a longtime resident, real estate agent, and founder of the Martha’s Vineyard Black Owned Business Directory. Angella Henry, a leader in the hospitality industry, is the owner of The Dragonfly House, a sought-after historic property on the African American Heritage Trail.

The two have joined forces and are utilizing their insider access for the luxury management service, The Inner Circle.

“Angella and I are great friends, and over the last couple of years, we have had a lot of folks who were reaching out to both of us in similar capacities with the work I do with the directory and what she does at The Dragonfly House,” Rose tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “It was time to formalize it.”

Henry and Rose are making it easier for people to communicate, plan, and execute curated celebrations, vacations, corporate events, and more in this premier destination. The Inner Circle combines cultural heritage, exclusive access, and personalized service for its members. Access is application- and invitation-only. Services will be available to members year-round. Packages range from seasonal to annual.

Once selected, members will also have access to private events, heritage tours, and one-of-a-kind experiences. For Henry and Rose, the benefits of a membership extend far beyond the island, offering members white-glove support wherever life or leisure takes them.

“We bring our members into spaces and moments that many simply can’t access on their own,” Henry said in a statement. “It’s about legacy, impact, leisure, and unforgettable memories.”

Prioritizing Black- and Women-owned Vendors

As a resident of Martha’s Vineyard and someone who grew up on the islands, Rose recognized from a young age that businesses survive and thrive for a short period of time in the summer.

The summer population and year-round population are vastly different. Both women recognize that the seasonal economy can provide extra hurdles for Black-owned businesses, which is why they are prioritizing Black-owned and women-owned companies in The Inner Circle’s directory.

“Driving and prioritizing Black spending dollars to Black-owned businesses helps to ensure that these businesses are still here when people come back the following year,” says Rose. “It’s a priority for me to keep the legacy of Black people, Black businesses, and Black travelers alive.”

The Inner Circle officially launched over Labor Day weekend at the Mariposa Museum in Oak Bluffs. For more information and to inquire about membership, visit the website.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 4, 2025

Tracee Ellis Ross’ Home Burglarized; Thieves Steal Over $100K In Handbags And Jewelry

Tracee Ellis Ross joins the growing list of celebrity home break-ins.

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross was the victim of a home break-in at her Los Angeles home on Aug. 31 while she was out of town.

Police obtained security footage showing three intruders shatter through a rear glass door and leave with more than $100,000 worth of jewelry and handbags, NBC Los Angeles reports. The break-in wasn’t reported until around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 2, after staff arrived at the home and found it ransacked.

Ross’ burglary is the latest in a wave of celebrity home invasions across Los Angeles. In June, Brad Pitt’s Los Feliz home was broken into while he was away, and rapper Macklemore was targeted the same month when intruders assaulted his nanny with bear mace before fleeing with clothes, jewelry, and shoes.

Ross, 52, the daughter of Motown icon Diana Ross and music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, is an award-winning actress with three NAACP Image Awards and a Golden Globe for her role on Black-ish. Her travel series, Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross, was renewed for a second season last month.

The renewal came just a month after its July premiere, when it became Roku’s most-watched unscripted series.

“The way the show is resonating feels truly special —all of the comments, the conversations, the connection…my cup runneth over,” Ross said in a statement. “So here’s to all the solo travelers out there, the aspiring solo travelers, those who share in the joy of solo travel by watching me do it and, of course, to my fellow over-packers! There’s so much more to see and do—the world is our oyster! I can’t wait to see where I’ll be going next and to bring all of you along.”

Season one followed Ross’s travels through Morocco, Mexico, and Spain, where she indulged in local culture and cuisine while offering honest reflections on the transformative power of self-discovery in solo travel.