by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 16, 2026

North Carolina A&T Taps Queen Latifah As Graduation Keynote Speaker

Queen Latifah and Dr. Nia Danielle Banks, M.D., Ph.D., FACS, will serve as keynote speakers for North Carolina A&T State University’s 2026 commencement ceremonies.

North Carolina A&T is bringing the star power to its 2026 commencement ceremonies, tapping decorated multihyphenate Queen Latifah as its keynote speaker.

On April 13, the esteemed HBCU announced Queen Latifah and Nia Danielle Banks ’95, M.D., Ph.D., FACS, as the Spring 2026 Commencement keynote speakers. The award-winning entertainment artist will serve as the keynote speaker for both baccalaureate student ceremonies on Saturday, May 9, in First Horizon Coliseum. Banks will give the keynote on Friday, May 8.

The first ceremony, at 9 a.m., will honor graduates from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Education, College of Engineering, and the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences. The second, at 2:30 p.m., will recognize students from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, and the College of Science and Technology.

Queen Latifah brings a wealth of experience and inspiration to the graduating class. The Grammy and Emmy-winning artist and acclaimed actress has built a decades-long career across music, film, and television. A New Jersey native, she became the first hip-hop artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and earned an Academy Award nomination for her role in “Chicago.”

She later won a Golden Globe and SAG Award for “Life Support,” along with an Emmy nomination, and took home a Primetime Emmy as an executive producer for “Bessie.” More recently, she received the National Medal of the Arts in 2024 and was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2023.

Banks, a North Carolina A&T State University alumna, is a plastic surgeon serving the Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., areas. She earned her B.S. in chemical engineering from A&T. She completed her M.D., Ph.D., and surgical training at Johns Hopkins University, becoming the first Black woman to complete its plastic surgery program, followed by a craniofacial fellowship in Paris.

A leader in both medicine and business, she is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She serves on Maryland’s Economic Development Commission. In 2009, she founded the Beaux Arts Institute of Plastic Surgery, which she later expanded with the Art of Balance Wellness Spa in 2020.

Together, Queen Latifah and Dr. Banks will pour into nearly 2,000 undergraduate and about 350 graduate students who will take part in the commencement ceremonies, which will also be livestreamed.

Tony! Toni! Toné!, D'Wayne Wiggins, Children, Estate

by Jameelah Mullen

April 16, 2026

Jury Finds Live Nation, Ticketmaster Liable For Monopoly Practices And Overcharging Fans

“A jury found what we have long known to be true: Live Nation and Ticketmaster are breaking the law and costing consumers millions of dollars in the process."

After a five-week antitrust trial, a jury in New York found that Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, illegally maintained monopoly power in the ticketing market.

In the initial lawsuit in 2024, the Justice Department and several state attorneys general claimed that Live Nation monopolized the industry by controlling ticketing, concert booking, venues, and promotions.

The lawsuit alleged that the company’s practices resulted in fans paying higher fees, left artists with fewer touring options, and coerced venues into using Ticketmaster. The jury found that Ticketmaster overcharged concertgoers by $1.72 per ticket.

“This is a fantastic outcome for the American people,” Omeed A. Assefi, the acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, said in a statement obtained by NBC News. “DOJ and some states settled their case and got instant relief. The remaining states received a liability finding and will now move on to the next phase of a remedies trial. Everyone but Live Nation wins with this scenario.”

New York Attorney General Letitia applauded the jury’s decision.

“A jury found what we have long known to be true: Live Nation and Ticketmaster are breaking the law and costing consumers millions of dollars in the process,” James said in a statement.

Live Nation said it will appeal the decision.

The company noted that the $1.72 per ticket “applies to those sold at 257 venues, which represent about 20 percent of total tickets. The company claims these overcharges applied to purchases by fans (excluding brokers) in certain states over the past five years.

The company saw its stock drop approximately 6.3 percent following the April 15 ruling.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has filed a separate case against Ticketmaster, alleging deceptive ticket resale practices.

Justin Fairfax, Cerina Fairfax, suicide, murder,

by Keka Araújo

April 16, 2026

Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Wife Cerina Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide

Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and wife Dr. Cerina Fairfax found dead in Annandale home. Fairfax County police investigate an apparent murder-suicide.

Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax and his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, were found dead in their Annandale home early April 16 in what authorities are describing as an apparent murder-suicide.

Fairfax County Police responded to the residence following a 911 call from the couple’s teenage son, according to the Washington Post.

“Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife inside their home and then shot and killed himself,” Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said during a press conference Thursday. “This has been an ongoing domestic dispute surrounding what seems to be a complicated or messy divorce.”

Investigation Details and Domestic History

According to investigators, the shooting occurred while the couple’s two children, a teenage boy and girl, were inside the home. Chief Davis stated that Fairfax, 47, shot his wife several times in the basement before moving to an upstairs bedroom, where he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police confirmed that Fairfax had recently been served with legal documents regarding an upcoming court proceeding. While the couple had been married since 2006, Davis noted they were currently separated but still residing in the same household.

Records show a prior police response to the home in January. At that time, Justin Fairfax reported he had been assaulted by his wife; however, responding officers determined no assault had taken place.

Political Legacy and Public Service

A Democrat and former federal prosecutor, Fairfax rose to political prominence in 2013 following a surprisingly strong primary challenge for the state attorney general nomination. He was elected as Virginia’s lieutenant governor in 2017, making history as the state’s second Black person to hold statewide office since Reconstruction, following L. Douglas Wilder.

Fairfax often spoke of his heritage, famously carrying a copy of the 1798 manumission document that freed his ancestor, Simon Fairfax, during his inauguration.

Former Governor Ralph Northam, who served alongside Fairfax, issued a statement Thursday morning. “Pam and I are devastated by this heartbreaking news. I had the privilege of getting to know the Fairfaxes while our families served together,” Northam said.

The Life of Dr. Cerina Fairfax

Dr. Cerina Fairfax was a well-known community figure and the owner of Dr. Fairfax & Associates, a dental practice in the Fairlee area of Fairfax County. A graduate of Duke University and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, she had practiced in the region for nearly two decades.

The dental office remained closed Thursday, with a recorded message citing a family emergency.

Fairfax County authorities stated the investigation is ongoing, though they are not currently seeking any other suspects.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 16, 2026

Suspected Gunman Pleads Not Guilty In Fatal Shooting Of 7-Month Old Brooklyn Girl

Amuri Greene's next court appearance is June 10.

Amuri Greene pleaded not guilty in the fatal shooting of a 7-month-old girl and the wounding of her 2-year-old brother in Brooklyn.

According to the New York Daily News, Greene, 21, appeared in Brooklyn Supreme Court after police said he shot the children, who were not the intended targets.

Prosecutors said Greene, while riding on a moped with Matthew Rodriguez, shot the children, who were in a stroller. After being apprehended, he told police officers that he was aiming for the children’s father.

Rodriguez, 18, was driving the moped during the incident, which took place April 1 in the East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The infant was struck in the head.

Greene, who gave a fake name to paramedics while being transported to the hospital, broke his leg when the moped crashed after both suspects fled the scene. He is being held without bail until he next appears in court on June 10.

Rodriguez, who fled the city after the shooting, was found in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and appeared in court April 14 after waiving extradition. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, assault, hindering prosecution, and tampering with a witness.

As the 18-year-old was being taken to the 90th Precinct station house, he told reporters, “I didn’t do it. I didn’t know that was going to happen. I promise I didn’t know he was going to do that. I didn’t know he was going to pull the trigger.”

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “I promised that the men who stole their child’s life would be held accountable and justice will prevail. Both defendants have now been arraigned. We will continue to fight for this family, and we will continue to fight to make sure that no family ever has to go through what this family went through.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

April 16, 2026

Unrivaled Opulence: Introducing Rolls Royce’s Project Nightingale

With a legacy as distinguished as Rolls-Royce’s, aficionados and collectors are always eager for the brand’s next unique offering.

Written By Kimatni D. Rawlins

With a legacy as distinguished as Rolls-Royce’s, aficionados and collectors are always eager for the brand’s next unique offering. Each hand-crafted model is a marvel, born from detailed planning and progressive design techniques.

Yet, what if customers wanted to advance a step further and order a one-of-a-kind luxury cruiser distinctly matched to their tastes? More than a few global clients have found such luck since Rolls-Royce announced its highly exclusive new program, the Coachbuild Collection. This invite-only initiative features special-order, limited-production models, each assembled with creative specifications and custom engineering tailored to individual preferences. Once built, each model will never be replicated.

The first model from the Coachbuild Collection is titled Project Nightingale, named after the Le Rossignol estate (where Rolls-Royce designers lived) adjacent to co-founder Henry Royce’s French Riviera winter home, aptly titled Villa Mimosa. Project Nightingale’s prestigious artwork is inspired by 1920s “EX” experimental motor cars and simultaneously influenced by Art Deco and Streamline Moderne design principles. Quite naturally, this heavenly open-top is an industry game-changer.

While Nightingale is a two-seater and similar in size to the retired opulent Phantom Drophead Coupe, it incorporates the next iteration of electric power that we see in Spectre. Its commanding presence stems from the massive 24-stalk Pantheon grille and 24-inch “directional styled” rims that mimic the propellers of a yacht when viewed from beneath the waterline. Bespoke features include a full-leather interior, a 10,500-star headliner, and a color palette exclusive to Nightingale. The hand-stitched, curated cabin features exotic veneers, fine leathers, precious metals, and soothing illumination.

Coachbuilding, in automotive terms, is like a tailor-made tuxedo or a personalized painting commissioned by your favorite artist. The process starts with a rolling chassis delivered to builders, who use detailed instructions to customize the body, interior, and sometimes the engine to meet customer requests. Many elite manufacturers, including Ferrari and Aston Martin, partner with these coachbuilders to create unique models. Notable Italian names include Zagato, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, and Pininfarina.

Rolls-Royce is no stranger to this craft as coachbuilding has been in its DNA for over a century. The most recent ventures were all unveiled within the past decade, stemming from a reignited interest in the company’s limited-run models beginning with the 2017 Sweptail, a one-off coupe with gorgeously flowing lines and a classic curved rear. The yacht-inspired Boatail followed in 2021 and easily became one of the most expensive street-legal automobiles in the world with a $28 million price tag at the time. Two years later came the V12-powered Droptail featuring roadster design cues and three bespoke trims.

To further add to Project Nightingale’s exclusivity, only 100 models will be designated at the newly expanded Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood, England. It’s speculated that about a third of these precious gems will come stateside, priced between $4 million to $5 million. Each client will have access to follow their vehicle’s full development cycle by visiting Rolls-Royce facilities and testing procedures. If you were aiming to claim a Project Nightingale, sorry: the build capacity has been reached.

Of course, as with all Rolls-Royces, Project Nightingale is led by the illustrious Spirit of Ecstasy hood emblem. Named after the actress Eleanor Velasco Thornton, the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy is the most recognizable vehicle ornament in the world. She breathlessly leans forward in motion, ready to take flight.

As the purveyor of pristine automobiles continues to reach beyond limits without sacrificing its signature traits, the Coachbuild Collection and Project Nightingale showcase that Rolls-Royce remains in a class of its own.

Kimatni Rawlins, Auto Flex, Electric G-Wagon — Photo credit: Courtesy of Kimatni Rawlins/BE

College, Whiz Kid, First Course, San Bernardino Valley College

by Mitti Hicks

April 16, 2026

Educators in Illinois Town Push Back On Screen Overload In Classrooms

Studies indicate that increased use of technology in schools is associated with lower test scores.

In Illinois, Galesburg District 205 will stop assigning individual Chromebooks to students in grades two through eight for the next school year.

“We are really taking a very concerted look at technology use in all of our grade levels, as we’ve seen some negative impacts towards learning and growth of students due to the tremendous amount of screen time that really developed during COVID,” Jennifer Hamm, assistant superintendent for finance and operations, told the school board.

According to TSPR, Hamm said the district is not getting rid of technology entirely.

“We’re just being very thoughtful about how much screen time our students are engaged in,” she said.

The district is moving to a different system in which students check out devices as needed. The technology will be stored in shared carts in classrooms and libraries and used only when instruction requires it.

The school district is not alone. McPherson Middle School, located in central Kansas, has transitioned into using its laptops for specific teacher-assigned activities. The Chromebooks now sit in the back of the classrooms, and children are taking notes in what they likely see as an archaic way: pencil to paper.

“This technology can be a tool. It is not the answer to education,” McPherson’s principal, Inge Esping, told Fortune.

Schools in states like Illinois and Kansas are reconsidering technology policies. Studies show that increased use of technology in schools is associated with lower test scores.

Jared Cooney Horvath, a neuroscientist and former teacher, said in written testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, that math and science scores have decreased as technology has been introduced in classrooms.

Distractions are a major culprit. Horvath claimed that Gen Z is the first generation in modern history to score lower than their parents’ generation on standardized tests.

That’s why more school districts are pushing back, decreasing screen time, and focusing on old-school analog learning.

“If the goal is learning, then most situations, yes, analog learning is better than digital learning in almost every situation we’ve looked at,” Horvath told The Hill. “I think you can keep tech. It’ll just be very specific in when you’re using it, and most of the time it’ll be, teach about the tech, as opposed to using it to teach other skills through it.”

Black Entrepreneur , SBA Small Business Person Of The Year, Mississippi, National Small Business Week

by Mitti Hicks

April 16, 2026

Texas Judge Restores HUB Eligibility For Women, Minority-Owned Businesses—For Now

The judge's ruling comes after several business owners and a trade association sued the state of Texas and acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock over emergency rules that removed women and minorities from the HUB program.

A Texas judge has temporarily reinstated rules for the state’s Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program. This means women and minority-owned business owners can qualify for the state’s program—for now.

The judge’s ruling comes after several business owners and a trade association sued the state of Texas and acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock over emergency rules that removed women and minorities from the HUB program. The plaintiffs also sued the state for stripping them of their HUB certifications.

According to the Texas Tribune, the judge ordered the reinstatement of six businesses that sued the Comptroller’s office over the emergency rules.

State lawmakers passed bipartisan legislation during the 1990s to boost minority- and women-owned businesses seeking state contracts. While the program does not set quotas for the number of HUB-certified businesses, it sets goals that state agencies have strived to meet.

The plaintiffs include businesses in the Houston area, one in the Fort Worth region, and the greater Houston chapter of the National Association of Minority Contactors, a non-profit trade association representing 155 minority- and women-owned contractors. In addition to Hancock, the lawsuit names the leaders of the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and the Texas Facilities Commission.

The plaintiffs argue that all these departments implemented Hancock’s changes to the HUB program.

HUB Program In Texas

According to the Comptroller’s Office, HUB businesses received 3,634 contracts totaling more than $4 billion in 2024. While GOP state lawmakers pushed for legislation to kill the HUB Program entirely, the bill failed in both chambers.

In October, Hancock announced that his office would not issue new certifications or renewals while the program was under review.

The move coincided with the Trump administration’s policies of ending diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Hancock’s office took things a step further by citing emergency powers to restructure the program, removing all women and minority businesses, and limiting the eligibility to service-disabled veteran business owners.

“In this country, the legislature passes the laws, not the comptroller, and Texas is no different,” Alphonso David, president & CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, and lead counsel for the plaintiffs, wrote in a statement. “Acting Comptroller Hancock took a program created by statute and rewrote it without any legal authority. His actions are baseless and unlawful and must be reversed.”

Travis County District Judge Amy Meachum set a trial date for the suit on Nov. 9.

Drake,, CHEATING,, STREAMS,, SPOTIFY, RBX, DEATH ROW RECORDS,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 16, 2026

FanArcade Launches ‘Release The Iceman’ For Drake Fans

This is in anticipation of his new album, Iceman.

Canadian heartthrob Drake has been teasing his next release, Iceman, but no release date has been announced yet. An 8-bit style game named “Release the Iceman” has been released by FanArcade that allows fans to interact via a “playtition,” a combination petition and game created by Marcus Brown.

According to Hot 97, the game has been produced so people can contribute to a shared objective that may “unlock” the album. The initiative was posted on social media.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marcus Brown II (@richiebranson)

People may have seen Brown’s work before, as he produced a similar game for Drake’s nemesis, Kendrick Lamar, during the rappers’ beef, when he released a browser game tied to “Not Like Us.”

“People don’t just want to watch culture, they want to play it,” Brown recently told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “That moment showed me there was a demand for culturally authentic gaming experiences with a low barrier to entry.”

According to ESPN, the rapper’s album rollout has been seen in several places, most recently at a Toronto Raptors home game at Scotiabank Arena in Drake’s hometown, where a display of seats seemingly covered with ice was on view. The two seats were at courtside, where the Canadian rapper usually sits when he attends games at the arena.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Toronto Raptors (@raptors)

Music fans are still supporting the Thank Me Later recording artist, even after his beef with Lamar divided hip-hop fans. Hip-Hop property Kurrco recently reported that Drake has reached a new all-time high of almost 89 million monthly listeners on Spotify, breaking his previous record of 88.71 million. He currently has the most listeners of any rapper on the music streaming platform.

Drake has reached a new all-time peak of 88.74 million monthly listeners on Spotify, breaking his previous record of 88.71 million.

He currently has the most monthly listeners of any rapper on Spotify. pic.twitter.com/1f4Ju946pM
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) April 14, 2026

Drake’s last solo album was For All The Dogs, released Oct. 6, 2023.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 16, 2026

Bronny James ‘B9’ Trademark Filed By Nike Rejected By US Patent And Trademark Office

The logo was rejected due to a "likelihood of confusion" with an already registered mark.

A little more than a month after reports that Nike had applied for a trademark for a “B9” logo for Los Angeles Lakers player Bronny James, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) denied the application.

According to ESPN, the USPTO rejected Nike’s “B9” logo due to a “likelihood of confusion” with an already registered mark. An examination by attorney P. Scott Craven determined that the logo was too similar to the one owned by Back9 Golf Apparel, a company based in Austin, Texas.

“The marks are similar in appearance, sound, and commercial impression,” Craven wrote to the sneaker brand in his refusal letter. “In addition, the marks are essentially phonetic equivalents and, thus, sound similar.”

Nike has three months to appeal the ruling.

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben of Gerben IP said that there may be a way for the brand to get the logo approved. Nike could approach Back9 Golf Apparel to request the company’s consent to Nike’s use of the trademark. Back9 could agree to allow Nike’s trademark, and the USPTO could then grant Nike’s registration.

“The refusal makes sense,” Gerben said. “This is not out of left field. Technically, this is a sound refusal by the government. Nike has got its work cut out for them to work around it.”

Bronny already has three approved trademarks: “Bronny,” “Bronald,” and the signature “B J Jr.” Those were approved in 2022 by a different trademark company.

Sports Illustrated reported that after the sneaker debuted in January in Bronny’s hometown of Cleveland, Nike filed the trademark on March 2. The sneaker is part of LeBron’s signature collection, the Nike LeBron Witness 9. The trademark was filed on the same day that the “Bronny James” colorway was released. The footwear can be purchased online on the Nike website for $115.

Nike recently posted a photo of the latest Bronny sneaker.

LeBron IX Witness PER for Bronny inspired by his recovery and journey back to the court. pic.twitter.com/NyR1VzgwKA
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) April 12, 2026

RELATED CONTENT: Will Bronny James Stay A Los Angeles Laker?

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 16, 2026

New Responsible Influence Certification Program Aims To Build Transparency In The Creator Economy

A new certification program for content creators aims to strengthen trust and transparency when promoting products and services.

As the creator economy surges with projections to top $250 billion in 2026 and $500 billion by 2030, the Center for Industry Self-Regulation’s Institute for Responsible Influence has launched a new program to promote transparency across the rapidly growing industry.

On April 13, the Institute for Responsible Influence, part of the Center for Industry Self-Regulation, announced its Responsible Influence Certification Program, an initiative designed to help creators meet truth-in-advertising standards while guiding brands and agencies to partner with influencers in more transparent and accountable ways.

“Certified creators will signal to brands and consumers their professional commitment to creating content that meets the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and transparency,” Eric D. Reicin, president and CEO of BBB National Programs and the Center for Industry Self-Regulation, said in a press release.

Backed by a coalition of brands, agencies, and industry groups—including TikTok, the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the Association of National Advertisers, the American Advertising Federation, and the Interactive Advertising Bureau—the program aims to boost trust in influencer marketing. It features a 90-minute, scenario-based curriculum grounded in real-world practices.

“The launch of the Responsible Influence training and certification program underscores the industry’s commitment to responsible, transparent creator marketing,” said Francis Stones, global head of Brand Safety at TikTok. “Creators are the lifeblood of TikTok, and we’re proud to partner with the Center for Industry Self-Regulation and its Institute for Responsible Influence (IRI) on an initiative that raises standards across the marketplace. Creators who complete IRI training give brands confidence that they understand advertising standards, supporting a safer, healthier advertising ecosystem for both brands and consumers.”

The program includes a 90-minute interactive course built around real-world scenarios that covers FTC Endorsement Guides, advertising standards, and responsible brand partnerships. Creators who complete the training and pass the assessment earn the Institute for Responsible Influence Certification Seal, gaining access to ongoing resources and a searchable database designed to help brands connect with vetted, transparency-trained creators.

The launch comes as the creator economy surges, with more than 200 million creators worldwide and over 2 million earning six figures through brand deals, digital products, and subscriptions—often with high profit margins. About 86% of U.S. marketers now work with paid creators, fueling a $37 billion industry that influences millions of consumers.

But trust hasn’t kept up: while 58% of consumers have made purchases based on creator recommendations, only 5% fully trust influencer content. Transparency remains key, with 71% saying clear disclosures build trust and 70% saying hidden sponsorships feel misleading.

“The creator economy thrives when it’s built on trust. Our partnership with the Institute of Responsible Influence reflects what we’ve always believed at #paid, that the most powerful collaborations happen when creators and brands share that foundation of trust,” said Bryan Gold, chief executive officer, #paid. “The Responsible Influence Certification Program brings more education and knowledge to creators, so creators can become professionals and brands can continue to succeed partnering with creators.”