by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 26, 2025

Santa Monica To Pay $350K Settlement To Family Of Black Entrepreneur Decades After Unlawful Seizure

Santa Monica will pay $350,000 to Silas White’s descendants for land unlawfully seized in the 1950s.

The city of Santa Monica has agreed to a $350,000 settlement with the descendants of a Black entrepreneur whose plans to open a Black beach club were derailed when his land was unjustly seized in the 1950s.

On Nov. 18, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved a $350,000 settlement in closed session for the family of Silas White, a Black businessman who leased a building on Ocean Avenue with plans of opening an exclusively Black hotel and beach club, the LA Times reports. Instead, the city seized the property, claiming it needed the land to build a nearby auditorium.

The settlement follows a month of mediation that resolved a claim filed by White’s family. According to Mayor Pro Tempore Caroline Torosis, it is part of the city’s broader effort to provide meaningful reparations to Black residents affected by past racial injustices.

“I hate to say this, but the city of Santa Monica took a series of actions to deprive Black Americans of the opportunity of being in Santa Monica. Our history books show that systemic racism, oppression, and discrimination happened,” Torosis said.

“We as a council made a decision that despite the fact we’re facing a very challenging financial time, we want to dedicate funding because [a formal apology to the Black community] is great, but unless it comes with money and meaningful repair, it’s just an empty word.”

The settlement comes over a year after White’s family first revealed how the city thwarted Silas White’s plans to open the Ebony Beach Club at 1811 Ocean Ave. during the segregated 1950s. Registered as a nonprofit, the club was set to open on Oct. 15, 1958, as advertised on signs outside the building.

However, court records show the city stepped in, claiming the land was needed for the nearby Santa Monica Civic Auditorium project. The property faced a condemnation complaint, or eminent domain, which allows the city to seize private land for public use.

“I’m not doing this because of money,” Constance White said in a 2024 Instagram video. “I’m doing this because of justice and for the future of all people. It’s not only my case. As you research, there are thousands of people who have had this happen to them.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Where Is My Land (@whereismyland)

White’s planned club would have stood on what is now Vicente Terrace, a public street adjacent to the upscale Viceroy Hotel. The city notes that roughly 5% of the hotel’s land was once leased by White.

As part of the settlement, Torosis announced that a section of Vicente Terrace will be renamed Silas White Street, and an exhibit honoring White will be created inside the city’s Main Library, with his family contributing materials. Silas White Day will be officially observed on Oct. 12.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 26, 2025

Ice-T Reveals Reason You’ll See Less Of ‘Fin’ On ‘Law & Order: SVU’ This Season

Ice-T has been playing the character Sgt. Odafin 'Fin' Tutuola since 2001.

Although Ice-T has been a mainstay for 20-plus years on “Law & Order: SVU,” the rapper recently revealed that he’ll be seeing reduced screen time this season (Season 27) on the popular NBC crime series.

In a recent sitdown with TMZ, the “New Jack City” actor explains that his reduced time this season is strictly for business reasons. The show’s executives wanted to bring back an old character, Amanda Rollins (played by Kelli Giddish), who had been on the show for over 10 years. She was written off three years ago, making a return this season. It came down to budget: keeping Giddish on regularly and moving Ice-T to part-time for the season.

“It’s just basically business. They brought Kelli back. At the end of the day, they couldn’t keep both of us on both times, as far as budget-wise,” Ice said.

Ice claims he doesn’t mind, as it gives him a chance to pursue other opportunities when he is not working on the show. But he was initially worried it might be the end for him, but producers assured him it was not. So, he is looking forward to returning to the show for its 28th season.

“They said, ‘Ice, we’ll have you come in and out this year.’ Everybody wanted Kelli back. We have new cops. I am not leaving the show. I am more concerned with going to Season 28. This year, they said, ‘Ice, we’re going to work you a little less.’ Everything was cool with me. I understood. I said, ‘Are you getting rid of me?’ They said, ‘No way. We can’t imagine “Law and Order” without you,’” he continued. “I’ve been on this show for 27 years. I am not going to say anything negative about this show. They have taken care of me for so long. I’m trying to get to Season 28.”

https://twitter.com/FINALLEVEL/status/1584942415944634372

The man born Tracey Morrow has been playing the Sgt. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola character since 2001. In 2022, the rapper/actor became the longest-running male actor on a television show after celebrating 21 years as Fin.

RELATED CONTENT: Ice-T, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Arabian Prince Prep Release Of Animated Series, ‘Tehk City’

Following ‘Wrong Text,’ This Unlikely Duo Announces Green Giant’s Partnership On 10th Thanksgiving Anniversary

by Mitti Hicks

November 26, 2025

Following ‘Wrong Text,’ This Unlikely Duo Announces Green Giant’s Partnership On 10th Thanksgiving Anniversary

In 2016, the Arizona grandmother sent out Thanksgiving invitations to her six grandchildren. She accidentally texted the wrong number, including one to the then 16-year-old Hinton.

At this point, we all look forward to the annual Thanksgiving dinner between Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton. It’s hard to believe that this Thanksgiving marks nine years since the “wrong text” that sparked the beloved holiday tradition.

In 2016, the Arizona grandmother sent out Thanksgiving invitations to her six grandchildren. She accidentally texted the wrong number, including one to the then 16-year-old Hinton. Hinton, who was in class at the time, replied with a joke, asking if he could swing by.

“Of course you can,” Dench responded. “That’s what grandmas do…feed everyone!”

Hinton was surprised by her kindness and posted the exchange, including the invitation, on social media. He ended up accepting, and it has turned into a beautiful story that has inspired people worldwide.

“I know it was fate,” Dench told People in a recent interview. “All the signs beforehand just fell into place. I feel every day I’m grateful and blessed because I would’ve never met somebody as wonderful as Jamal just randomly like that.”

2025 marks Dench and Hinton’s 10-anniversary of their meeting. It’s also a big year for the two, who recently announced a partnership with Green Giant for the brand’s 100th anniversary.

“Partnering with them for our 10th year makes this even more special,” Hinton added. “Sharing our 10th year, alongside Green Giant’s 100th anniversary, makes this holiday feel especially meaningful.”

It’s the perfect partnership for a company that is known for its Jolly Green Giant and Little Green Sprout mascots. Green Giant says it’s “serving up green beans and good vibes”—the energy people feel from Dench and Hinton each year, as they come up on social media timelines.

“I used to think people might get tired of us hogging up the news,” Dench jokingly told People. “But every time someone says the kindest thing, I’m reminded that we bring joy. That’s worth everything.”

Kenneka Jenkins, Chicago, Crowne Plaza, hotel, party, room, Chicago, viral video

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 26, 2025

Kenneka Jenkins’ Mother Breaks Silence On Daughter’s Case, ‘They Will Get Me Answers’

Kenneka Jenkins’ mother speaks out about the alleged “lies” she was told during her daughter’s case.

Two years after a $10 million settlement in the death of 19-year-old Kenneka Jenkins, her mother is speaking out about the “lies” she says she was told during the case.

In a lengthy Facebook post on Nov. 22, Teresa Martin, Jenkins’ mother, said she was “tricked” into accepting the settlement and “pressured” to stay silent about her daughter, whose lifeless body was found in a walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O’Hare hotel in Rosemont, Illinois, in September 2017.

“I still don’t know what happened to my child’s life. Clothes, shoes, cell phone, hair, and the list goes on,” Martin wrote. “I have been promised lies, as if once this case is over, I was forced to NEVER talk about my child again.”

Jenkins’ death made national headlines after she was found in a hotel walk-in freezer, having wandered into a restricted area following a night partying with friends. The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled it an accidental death from hypothermia, with intoxication as a factor.

Police later admitted the investigation was incomplete, and the family suspected foul play, as her body was discovered 24 hours after they reported her missing. In 2018, her family filed a $50 million negligence lawsuit against the hotel, settling for $10 million five years later. Martin now says she was coerced into accepting the settlement.

“They forced us, had us in rooms for hours, and would not let us go until we said what they wanted us to say. They made us accept what they wanted to give us,” she wrote, adding claims that she was forced to record a video.

Martin also shared her fear of retaliation for speaking out, telling her followers, “I might be back in court,” in her post.

“I will be getting sued because I was tricked [but] they WILL GET ME ANSWERS, give me her clothes and her CELL PHONE and anything that belongs to her when she died that was on her body,” she wrote.

by Kandiss Edwards

November 26, 2025

NAACP Sues To Block Trump’s Dismantling Of ‘America’s Peacemaker’ Agency

The NAACP contends the Trump administration is 'brazenly defying Congress' by eliminating the agency.

On Nov. 25, several branches of the NAACP and the Missionary Baptist Convention of Missouri filed a federal lawsuit to stop the dismantling of the Community Relations Service (CRS), a Department of Justice (DOJ) agency known as “America’s Peacemaker.”

The organization contends the Trump administration is “brazenly defying Congress” by eliminating an agency established via Title X of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to CBS, the lawsuit alleges the administration circumvented legislative authority. Additionally, the slow dismantling of the agency was done without “public input.”

“Rather than pursue legislation to eliminate the agency, however, (the Justice Department) set out to destroy the Community Relations Service unilaterally,” the lawsuit stated. “Defendants did so behind closed doors, without notice or public input, and without consulting the communities that depend on the Community Relations Service.”

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson stated the closure continues a “crusade to undo all the progress that has been made since the civil rights era.” Furthermore, NAACP leadership asserts that eliminating the CRS threatens public safety and the nation’s ability to respond to increasing unrest.

In October 2025, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani denied a preliminary injunction sought by civil rights organizations, including the NAACP. The ruling permits the Department of Justice (DOJ) to proceed with the dissolution of the CRS. The CRS has historically functioned as the nation’s sole federal agency dedicated exclusively to mediating racial and ethnic conflict.

Judge Talwani’s ruling was a significant setback for groups attempting to save the agency. She agrees that the administration lacked the legal authority to unilaterally eliminate the office. However, she concluded the plaintiffs had not demonstrated irreparable harm to halt the immediate staff terminations, Jurist News reported. Following the decision, the DOJ proceeded with staff layoffs and office closures nationwide.

The Justice Department announced its intention to eliminate the CRS by 2026. The DOJ claims the move aligns with a broader reorganization plan and zero funding in the FY 2026 budget

Despite the court’s decision to allow staff reductions, plaintiffs maintain the larger legal fight continues. The NAACP trusts that the courts will ultimately find that the administration lacks the legal authority to discard the CRS permanently.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 26, 2025

Prairie View A&M University’s Tremaine Jackson Wins SWAC West Title In First Year As Head Coach

The rookie coach is also nominated for the Eddie Robinson Award, given to the FCS Coach of the Year.

A first-year HBCU college football coach, Tremaine Jackson, has led his school to the SWAC West Title with a chance to bring home a division championship.

According to Sports Illustrated, Prairie View A&M University’s football team, led by Jackson, secured the title by thrashing the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (UAPB) in a blowout score of 56-9. The convincing victory gave the team momentum going into the SWAC playoffs.

When Jackson was introduced at the press conference announcing his hire, he stated his plans to win the division and a national championship. This is definitely a good start.

“It’s time. It’s time for us to win the SWAC,” he declared at the time. “It’s time for us to play in the Celebration Bowl. It’s time for us to win the national championship, whether it’s winning the Celebration Bowl or the FCS national championship. It’s just time.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THEE YARD CULTR (@theeyardcultr)

The football team has made a dramatic turnaround after finishing last season 5-7.

HBCU Gameday has reported that the team will play its next contest on Dec. 6, against Jackson State University for bragging rights to the SWAC title. The winner of the game gets the chance to bring home a national championship by playing in the Celebration Bowl against South Carolina State University. Jackson State was the winner of last season’s Celebration Bowl.

Jackson’s great work with Prairie View is being recognized, as he was nominated for the Eddie Robinson Award, according to Sports Illustrated. The award is given to the FCS (NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision) Coach of the Year. Another coach nominated for the award is another first-year HBCU coach, Delaware State University’s DeSean Jackson.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Prairie View A&M Football (@pvamufb)

Two Black rookie coaches who lead an HBCU being nominated for coach of the year is a good look after the recent success of former Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders, who arguably has brought more spotlight to HBCUs.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 26, 2025

New Bill Aims To Ensure Women In Active Labor Are Not Turned Away From Hospitals

A new bill is working to prevent women in active labor from being turned away from hospitals.

After the now-viral birthing experience of Mercedes Wells in Indiana, a Congresswoman has introduced legislation to ensure women in active labor cannot be turned away from hospitals.

On Nov. 25, Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., announced the WELLS Act, or the Women Expansion for Learning and Labor Safety Act, NBC News reports. The new bill will head to Congress to prevent women from being turned away or sent home from a hospital while in active labor.

The bill comes weeks after Mercedes Wells gave birth to her fourth child in her car, shortly after being turned away from a hospital for not being fully dilated. A now-viral video shows Wells in pain at an Indiana hospital, being told to go home and escorted out in a wheelchair by a nurse, only to deliver her baby in her truck minutes later.

“Mercedes’s courage to speak out and push for change knows no bounds,” Kelly said in a statement. “Her bravery and advocacy will help other moms receive the care and treatment they deserve.”

Kelly’s bill would mandate that any hospital offering obstetric, emergency, or labor and delivery services implement a “Safe Discharge Labor Plan” before sending home any patient showing signs of labor. The plan would require clinical justification for discharge, an assessment of travel distance and time, and documentation that the patient understands the instructions.

The bill would also apply to federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, tribal health programs, emergency medical services agencies, community-based birthing centers, and similar facilities. The WELLS Act would also require racial bias training for healthcare professionals. It is set to be formally introduced when the House reconvenes after Thanksgiving break.

“My bill aims to address systematic issues around maternal care, racial disparities, and hospital accountability,” Kelly said. “It’s clear that what happened to Mercedes isn’t an isolated incident, nor is it the first time a Black woman’s pain has been ignored.”

Wells and her husband attended the announcement, praising Kelly, who is running for U.S. Senate, for her efforts to protect mothers. In addition to the WELLS Act, Kelly has championed several maternal health initiatives in Congress, including the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, passed in 2022, and the reintroduction of the Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act in 2021. In May, Kelly announced her bid for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

“Until all women are heard and listened to in our hospitals and health centers, I’ll be their voice in Congress fighting for change,” Kelly said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 26, 2025

Trump Backing Reportedly Pushes Paramount To Make ‘Rush Hour 4’

The president is responsible for getting the sequel back in production.

The comedy movie series “Rush Hour,” which has had three sequels, is reportedly in the works for a fourth installment at the urging of President Donald Trump.

According to Semafor, the series, starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan, will return nearly 20 years after “Rush Hour 3” and over 25 years after the initial “Rush Hour,” which debuted in 1998. The original director, Brett Ratner, who had his career torpedoed after several sexual misconduct allegations were levied against him, will direct the fourth movie in the series.

A personal request from the President of the United States influenced the decision to bring back the franchise.

My dad, Jackie Chan, will officially be starring in Rush Hour 4 thanks to a push from President Trump. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hW9EPiZyAq
— Tiffany Fong (@TiffanyFong) November 26, 2025

The film will be distributed by Paramount, which is owned by Trump’s close friend and financial backer, Larry Ellison’s son, David. David also owns Skydance Media. The company recently acquired Paramount Global. A source allegedly informed the media outlet that Trump was discussing with Ellison bringing back some movies, including “Rush Hour.” Although the film was originally distributed by Warner Bros., the franchise was later licensed to other studios, but no one, including Paramount, was willing to revive “Rush Hour” with Ratner as director. That changed after Trump’s input.

The director recently directed a documentary about Melania Trump, which was sold to Amazon for $40 million. Ratner followed the first lady for several months to be included in the upcoming doc.

Variety reported that this will be Ratner’s first feature film since “Hercules,” which starred Dwayne Johnson in 2014.

The first Rush Hour movie grossed $244 million globally. “Rush Hour 2,” which was released in 2001, was the biggest one financially after bringing in $347 million, while “Rush Hour 3” pulled in $258 million. Aside from announcing that the original actors are returning, there has been no news about who else will star in the film. Chan has been actively releasing movies over the years, while Tucker will be returning to the Ice Cube-helmed “Friday” movie series, with its purported last installment, “Last Friday,” which will also feature Mike Epps in 2026.

No release date has been announced for “Rush Hour 3.”

'Grey’s Anatomy’, James Pickens Jr.,Prostate Cancer

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 26, 2025

Funky Dineva Reveals Prostate Cancer Diagnosis, Cancels Talk Show, ‘Early Detection Is The Key’

Funky Dineva is taking a transparent approach with his health journey after disclosing his stage 1 prostate cancer diagnosis.

Quentin Latham, better known as Funky Dineva, is taking a transparent approach with his health journey after disclosing his stage 1 prostate cancer diagnosis.

The popular pop culture commentator shared the news on Instagram on Nov. 25 through a video posted on Threads, explaining that after 12 biopsies, his urologist confirmed he is in the early stages of prostate cancer.

“Early detection is the key!! Have all the guys in your life stay up on their bloodwork and exams!” he captioned the post.

“I’m sharing this information for educational purposes and not for sympathy,” Funky Dineva declared in the video. “I have stage 1 prostate cancer. They did 12 biopsies, and two of them came back cancerous, one of them came back suspicious or inconclusive.”

Although the news was difficult to share, Funky Dineva noted a positive outcome: the cancer was detected early, giving him a strong chance of preventing it from spreading further.

“It is very, very early. He mentioned something about a Gleason score and that mine was really, really low.”

Funky Dineva shared that he underwent bloodwork for genetic testing to determine whether the cancer is slow- or fast-growing. He also discussed treatment options such as radiation, experimental medication, and “robotic surgery,” which he told his doctor he would prefer to undergo sooner rather than later.

“I have an appointment on Dec. 8 with the robot doctor to set up to get it removed.”

Funky Dineva posted a photo of the pamphlet he received to learn more about his diagnosis, noting that he plans to review it closely. He closed his message by telling fans, “Don’t cry for me, Argentina,” assuring them he’ll be OK even though the news has been tough to process.

“I’m about to take a nap, and I’ll be fine,” he said.

However, just hours after revealing his diagnosis, Funky Dineva shared another update on Threads, announcing that his beloved YouTube talk show has been canceled as he navigates his health battle.

“After receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis today, I don’t have it in me to sit up in y’all face a cackled about a bunch of sh*t that doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of life,” he wrote. “I’m in my room, in the dark, under the covers. I’m depressed, but I’m also fine. I’m giving myself permission to go through the process. For right now, laying quite in the dark is where I need to be. Thanks for understanding.”

Research shows that Black men face disproportionately high rates of prostate cancer, with nearly double the incidence and 2.3 times the mortality rate of white men. They are often diagnosed younger, with more aggressive disease, and at later stages, leading to fewer treatment options and higher death rates.

Despite these challenges, Funky Dineva’s supporters flooded his comments with encouragement and shared stories of family members of various ages who successfully beat prostate cancer thanks to early detection.

“It’s shocking news but very treatable friend,” they wrote. “My ex husband got diagnosed at 35! Had it removed and is cancer free and yes, it regained working hence why we’re no longer married. Same with my Brother in law who got diagnosed three yrs ago. He is now cancer free. Sit with your feelings BUT then act like you know you don’t walk alone.”

“My 80 dad, was diagnosed a year ago. He completed his treatment and he’s now cancer free. God is a healer,” added someone else.

Alabama,Prairie Restoration Program Aimed at Reviving, Black Belt Ecosystems

by Mary Spiller

November 26, 2025

Alabama Launches $17.5M Black Belt Prairie Initiative To Restore Vanishing Grasslands And Rebuild Wildlife Populations

Inspired by a Hale County farm that became a national birding destination, a new $17.5 million initiative seeks to help landowners restore disappearing grasslands across the state.

When Christopher Joe’s father asked his children in 2018 to imagine new possibilities for their family’s 200-acre farm in Hale County, Joe began thinking beyond cattle. After reaching out to conservation specialists and birding groups, including Alabama Audubon, he realized their land could serve a different purpose.

“I’m playing on the farm,” he said. “I’m just trying to do my part.”

According to AL, today, that vision has transformed The Joe Farm into one of the most sought-after stops for birdwatchers visiting Alabama’s Black Belt. It’s now a highlight of the annual Black Belt Birding Festival, where visitors gather to watch Mississippi kites swoop through the sky. Joe, who works with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), helped revive bird populations on the property by restoring patches of native prairie — habitat that once stretched across the region.

A new statewide effort aims to help other landowners do the same. In November, the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, partnering with the Alabama Wildlife Federation and NRCS, launched the Alabama Black Belt Prairie Initiative, a program that will distribute millions in grants to restore native grasslands on private property.

The goal is to bring back roughly 8,000 acres of prairie, according to committee assistant executive director Ashley Henderson. She said that decades of land-use changes have erased much of the original ecosystem. “When you start changing things, then you start losing species, both plant and animal,” she explained. “A lot of times, people want to restore the habitat, but they don’t know what to do.”

Before European settlement, the Black Belt was a mosaic of bunch grasses, flowering plants such as purple coneflower and black-eyed susans, and wide-ranging wildlife — from bobwhite quail and wild turkey to herds of bison. But the nutrient-rich soil that defined the region also made it prime cotton country, and large prairie landscapes gradually disappeared. The Southeastern Grasslands Institute estimates that more than 90% of the Southeast’s grasslands have vanished since that period.

The losses have had steep consequences for wildlife. Scot Duncan, executive director of Alabama Audubon, noted that prairie-dependent birds are declining faster than any other avian group in the region.

With $17.5 million allocated for grants, the new initiative will support projects ranging from quail habitat restoration to cattle-grazing practices that protect native grasses. Landowners can be reimbursed for up to 85% of project costs.

Joe’s family continues to raise cattle, but eco-tourism has brought more than 1,000 visitors to their property, including students from across Alabama. With new grants supporting a classroom facility and wetland restoration, Joe says the land is now largely self-sustaining. “If you see it, it’s been here,” he said. “We don’t have to do much to keep it going like this.”