Dr. Jamal Bryant Goes In On Rick Ross For Shopping At Target, ‘BE The BOSS Not The Pawn’
Dr. Jamal Bryant urges Rick Ross to join the Target boycott after the rapper shared a shopping video at the retailer.
Dr. Jamal Bryant is calling out Rick Ross publicly for shopping at Target, despite an ongoing boycott against the mega-retailer for rolling back its DEI efforts.
The New Birth Missionary Baptist Church leader, who is slated to speak at the 2025 BLACK ENTERPRISEXCEL Summit For Men, took to Instagram on Aug. 26 to repost a video he saw of Rick Ross’ recent Target shopping date with his girlfriend, Jazzma Kendrick. The clip, originally shared by Ross on his Instagram Story, shows him riding in a shopping cart as the couple browses for household items after first entering the store to pick up supplies for making Cinnabons.
“What are we here for?” Ross asks Jazzma, to which she responds, “We’re [here] for kitchen utensils and looking for kitchen appliances, and then we’re going to head over to the grocery aisle.”
“The Cinnabons reeled me in, guys, but as you can see, I’ve been kidnapped,” Ross said.
Bryant, who launched a 40-day “fast” from Target back in March that has since expanded into a nationwide boycott, says the protest is aimed at holding the retailer accountable for betraying its commitments to Black consumers by rolling back its DEI initiatives. Using his platform, the pastor and activist called on Ross to stand with the Black community by joining the boycott.
“Hey family @richforever … you are an incredibly influential figure for the culture who many aspire to emulate,” Bryant wrote. “To that end I thought it important to share with you that the community has been boycotting @target because of their disregard for our value and a disrespect for the dollars we spend.”
“Don’t let them divide us! When we as a whole understand our economic strength and the power of unity, 63 years after the march on Washington, every day we shouldn’t be hustling ✊🏾🙌🏾….respectfully BE the BOSS not the pawn!” he added.
Since the boycott began, Target has lost $12.4 billion in market value, with reports showing a 3.8% drop in first-quarter 2025 sales and a 3.1% decline in second-quarter foot traffic. Most recently, CEO Brian Cornell stepped down after 11 years. Yet as the retailer holds firm in scaling back its DEI initiatives under pressure from the Trump administration, consumers appear equally firm in keeping the boycott going.
"THIS MONDAY LABOR DAY SEPTEMBER 1ST WITH BE MY LAST SHOW ON HOT97 AT 7PM! ALL THINGS COME TO AN END!"
After an announcement by hip-hop staple Funkmaster Flex that had people thinking he was leaving Hot 97, it was revealed that the change he spoke of was to his time slot.
The Bronx-bred DJ took to social media to make an announcement stating that his last show at Hot 97, scheduled for Labor Day at the 7 p.m. time slot, will be his last. He has been a mainstay at the station for over 32 years.
“THIS MONDAY, LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST, [WILL] BE MY LAST SHOW ON HOT97 AT 7 P.M.! ALL THINGS COME TO AN END! END OF AN ERA THAT I ENJOYED VERY MUCH! I SUPER ENJOYED IT ALL! I WILL MAKE THE LAST SHOW A GREAT ONE! APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME OVER THE YEARS!”
And although Flex has close to 800,000 followers on X, the post amassed nearly four million views.
Since the internet interpreted that as him leaving the station, social media posts leaned into the thought that Flex was either retiring or going to another station, when in actuality, he is simply switching the time he is on.
TMZ confirmed that Flex will now occupy the 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. slot after the Labor Day holiday.
The move means that DJ Enuff and DJ Camilo have lost their slots and will no longer be employed by the station. Radio personality Nessa Nitty will move to the 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. time slot. It was also noted that the morning show will now run from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Flex has been with Hot 97 since the station changed its format to hip-hop when he joined in November 1992. He was the host of the station’s first hip-hop show.
Teyana Taylor Calls $70K She Was Ordered To Pay Iman Shumpert ‘The Best Lil Coin I Ever Spent’
She was ordered to pay up after violating a court order.
Teyana Taylor was ordered by the court to shell out $70,000 to ex-husband, Iman Shumpert. But she did so, calling it “the best lil coin I ever spent.”
According to Complex, the multi-talented entertainer uttered her memorable line on The Breakfast Club. Taylor and Shumpert, a former NBA player, divorced in 2023. Because she was found in contempt of court for speaking publicly about Shumpert, which she was ordered not to do, the court ordered her to pay $70,000 as punishment.
“It seemed like you had to pay a $70,000 bill for defending yourself,” Jess Hilarious said.
“And it was the best lil coin I’ve ever spent,” Taylor said.
She said she was hurt when she heard what was being said about her taking “everything” from Shumpert in the divorce, which Taylor denied. Taylor told the radio show crew that she and Shumpert were on good terms, but assumed that he and his people were spreading the narrative to make her look bad.
According to Complex, “Taylor and Shumpert’s divorce proceedings went public a little over a year after a TikTok made unsubstantiated claims that the athlete was cheating on Taylor and that she’d turned to drugs. In the messy split, Taylor alleged in her divorce filing that Shumpert treated her ‘cruelly’ and demonstrated ‘extreme narcissistic behavior throughout the majority of their marriage.'”
Taylor felt she had to speak her mind on social media, although she had communicated to her former husband beforehand.
“I thought we were on great terms,” she said. “I said, ‘Hey, baby daddy, so something’s coming back to me that you and your people is sending out stuff. I said, ‘But it’s really hard to believe that because we’re in a really great space.'”
She did admit that he denied it, but she felt the move was the right one when she took her grievance to Instagram.
Check out her response on The Breakfast Club below:
Trump Snatches Kamala Harris’ Secret Service Protection After Biden’s Extension
The timing of terminated protection comes as Harris is scheduled to start her high-profile tour of her book, “107 Days.”
President Donald Trump decided to start the Labor Day weekend by revoking Secret Service protection from former Vice President Kamala Harris after former President Joe Biden extended it before leaving the White House, CNN reports.
Biden extended protection for a year for his second-in-command as services were scheduled to end July 21, 2025. However, in a letter from the 47th president titled “Memorandum for the Secretary of Homeland Security,” Trump ended things. “You are hereby authorized to discontinue any security-related procedures previously authorized by Executive Memorandum, beyond those required by law, for the following individual, effective September 1, 2025: Former Vice President Kamala D. Harris,” the letter read.
The timing of the termination protection comes as the first woman and first Black woman to hold the prestigious title is scheduled to start her high-profile tour of her book, “107 Days,” scheduled for release in September, touching on her short-lived presidential campaign, putting her back in the public spotlight after laying low since leaving the White House.
Harris’s terminated protection goes well beyond 24/7 guarding. It includes the end of constant analysis of threat intelligence and coverage of in-person situations, emails, texts, and social media. Her Los Angeles home will also no longer be protected by federal agents.
While Kirsten Allen, senior adviser, stated in a press release that Harris “is grateful to the United States Secret Service for their professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to safety,” there are numerous concerns surrounding the new cancellation, as presidents and candidates face an increased security threat. In 2024, Trump himself faced two assassination attempts during his campaign run.
On social media, users are calling Trump out for his “petty” ways and for being a hater towards Harris. “Petty AF! Trump just stripped Kamala Harris of her Secret Service protection, a detail that Biden quietly extended for her safety,” @cwebbonline wrote on X.
“He knows exactly what he’s doing: punishing political enemies and sending a message. No matter how you feel about Harris, canceling her protection is reckless, dangerous, and beneath the office.”
Petty AF!
Trump just stripped Kamala Harris of her Secret Service protection, a detail that Biden quietly extended for her safety.
He knows exactly what he’s doing: punishing political enemies and sending a message. No matter how you feel about Harris, canceling her protection… pic.twitter.com/S4boIKOyul
Social media personality Brian Krassenstein referred to the President as a “piece of crap.” “Imagine being so petty and hateful that you put someone’s life in danger to ‘own the libs,” he wrote. “Piece of crap.”
BREAKING: Trump has canceled former Kamala Harris’ Secret Service protection, effective September 1, 2025.
Imagine being so petty and hateful that you put someone’s life in danger to “own the libs”.
It wasn’t just Harris who lost Secret Service guards. Trump terminated protection for Biden’s two adult children, Hunter and Ashley, in early 2025, according to NBC News, and Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, lost personal detail in July 2025.
In 2008, Congress passed legislation authorizing Secret Service protection for former vice presidents, their spouses, and their children under 16 years old for up to six months following the end of their term. For the President, federal law requires the Secret Service to protect them and their spouses for the remainder of their lives, unless protection is denied.
ICYMI: 19 Nonprofits To Donate To On National Black Giving Day
This idea was started by Ebonie Johnson Cooper.
National Black Giving Day or Give 8/28 is when people come together to support organizations that help communities. Ebonie Johnson Cooper started this idea from the Young, Black & Giving Back Institute in 2018.
Cooper wanted to do something about how many small Black-led groups in the U.S. don’t get the funding they need. Since then, National Black Giving Day has raised a million dollars for projects that make a difference in people’s lives. The choice of Aug. 28 is no accident. It’s a day that holds a lot of importance in history.
National Black Giving Day directs resources where they’re needed to organizations that truly support communities. If you want to be a part of that, head to Give828.org, where nonprofits get to take part in prize challenges and matching dollars.
100 Black Men of America
The 100 Black Men of America works to beef up access to education and economic chances by offering a range of programs, including mentorship, education, health and wellness initiatives, economic development projects and leadership training. All these efforts are geared toward helping people in these communities reach their potential.
Co-founded by Alicia Keys, the organization makes a difference in the lives of children and families affected by HIV/AIDS by giving them access to healthcare and support.
The Minority AIDS Project has been tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black and Latino communities since its inception in 1985. At the heart of its mission is a vital goal—to educate people about HIV, provide them with access to testing and offer needed support services to those affected.
The Heal Los Angeles Foundation has been a source of hope for kids in Los Angeles neighborhoods since 2016. The foundation aims to give kids a chance by providing essentials such as books, computers for school, healthy food, and resources to turn to when they need help.
Dedicated to transforming the lives of low-income women and girls in Washington, D.C, the foundation offers support and resources to organizations that work tirelessly to make a positive (and permanent) impact.
The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation fights for the rights and dignity of people. It runs various campaigns to bring attention to issues, gets people excited about making a difference, and pushes for changes in laws that affect their communities.
The Black Youth Project 100 is a group of Black activists fighting for fairness and equality for all Black people. To get there, the BYP100 speaks out on important issues, brings people together to make change, and teaches young leaders how to make a difference.
This one-of-a-kind organization, focused solely on improving the health and wellness of Black women and girls, is driven by a powerful mission: to advocate for policies that support the health of women and girls and to provide them with the education and resources they need to thrive.
Black Voters Matter gives a voice to marginalized communities through initiatives such as educating people about voting rights and encouraging them to participate in the voting process.
The Black Alliance for Immigration is dedicated to empowering immigrants and refugees. BAJI works to bring change through a combination of advocacy, community organizing, and leadership development to build a voice for those it serves.
The Black Futures Lab is all about creating a level playing field by amplifying voices in politics. The Lab digs deep into issues, pushes for policies that make a difference, and brings people together to drive change and build a fairer world.
The Black Mamas Matter Alliance fights for the rights of mothers, specifically when it comes to their health. The Alliance works tirelessly to close the gaps in care that lead to unfavorable outcomes for Black women versus their white counterparts. By pushing for change, it hopes to create an equitable system for all mothers.
The National Black Food and Justice Alliance focuses on helping Black communities become more self-sufficient in three areas: the ability to grow and produce their food, having fair access to and control over land and being able to make their own choices without interference.
The Black Economic Alliance Foundation is dedicated to helping Black Americans get ahead economically by studying the issues coming up with policies and providing training to help people get jobs.
The Loveland Foundation offers scholarships for therapy to women and girls, a needed resource given the importance of well-being in our lives. By making therapy more accessible, the foundation aims to support those who may be struggling to find the help they need.
DEA Ordered To Return $8K Taken From Atlanta Man Who Was Never Charged With A Crime
'I felt a little bit of justice finally,' Brian Moore Jr. said
Brian Moore Jr. was on his way to shoot a video when he was stopped and arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and more than $8,000 was confiscated and never returned. A judge has ruled that the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) must return his cash after he sued to get it back.
According to WSB-TV, the burgeoning rapper was heading to Los Angeles to further his rap career when he was stopped at the airport. Although he was never charged, the more than $8,000 that the police officers took from his person was never returned.
This incident took place in March 2021, and Moore stated that he was told that he “looked suspicious.”
“They told me that I looked suspicious, and they were just going to take my money based off the fact that I look suspicious,” Moore expressed to the media outlet.
The mishap sidelined his music career as he attempted to retrieve the money, even hiring an attorney who charged him more than $15,000 in legal fees to help him recover his coins, but to no avail.
“I hadn’t done anything wrong; I wasn’t doing anything wrong,” Moore said.
According to the Institute for Justice (IJ), which intervened on Moore’s behalf in his attempt to recover his money, IJ took the case to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where the judges ruled that he should be given his money back.
“It’s been a long fight, but it’s a huge relief to have the court agree that I should get all my money back,” said Moore in a written statement. “Even though the government couldn’t say what I did wrong and dropped the case, I was going to lose thousands of dollars. I hope that my victory can pave the way for others to get justice without paying a price.”
Although the initial ruling stated that Moore must still partly foot the attorneys’ bill, a federal appeals court recently ruled that the government must also pay Moore’s legal bills in his fight to retrieve his money.
“I felt a little bit of justice finally,” Moore told WSB-TV.
The former NFL MVP will expand his role on the flagship show, First Take.
Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton got some more good news after the announcement that he will have his number retired, as ESPN agreed to a multi-year contract with the former Carolina Panthers player.
The former NFL MVP will expand his role on the flagship show, First Take. He will make an appearance on Aug. 28 during the First Take HBCU Tour, which will take place at Norfolk State University.
ESPN & former NFL MVP @CameronNewton have reached a new, multi-year agreement
“I am excited to be back with the First Take team and share my voice on all things sports,” Newton said in a written statement. “This is an incredible opportunity for me to connect with fans and bring my passion and knowledge to a show I’ve always admired.”
Newton will join the diverse personalities that include Stephen A. Smith, host Molly Qerim, and Sirius XM’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.
“Cam Newton is a unique talent who is authentically himself, and that’s a key ingredient for success on First Take,” said David Roberts, executive vice president, executive editor, Sports News and Entertainment at ESPN. “Cam is also an ultimate team player. All of us at ESPN look forward to watching Cam create a strong connection with his teammates and our fans.”
The news comes a week after Auburn University announced that his college number will be retired during the upcoming football season.
Newton will have his number retired at Jordan-Hare Stadium during the Oct. 11 game against the University of Georgia. He will become the fourth Auburn Tigers player to be immortalized by the university. His No. 2 football jersey will join Pat Sullivan (No. 7), Bo Jackson (No. 34), and Terry Beasley (No. 88).
Newton’s collegiate career only lasted one season. He threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns and rushed for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns, also scoring a receiving touchdown. He was the first player in SEC (Southeastern Conference Football) history to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season.
Louisville’s First Black-Owned Pharmacy Celebrates Its Grand Opening
Residents living in the historically Black neighborhood have a reason to celebrate.
Good Brothers, Louisville’s first Black-owned pharmacy, has officially opened its doors. Located in the city’s Russell neighborhood, also known as “Louisville’s Harlem,” the pharmacy aims to provide premier services to residents in this historically Black community.
“Good Brothers Pharmacy is more than a business; it’s a promise. It’s a promise that we are going to stay here forever and we’re going to make an impact on the west Louisville community,” Good Brothers’ co-owner, DeShawn King, told WLKY News.
Dr. Michela Brooks, the pharmacist in charge, said her role is pivotal because pharmacies often serve as the first point of contact for patients seeking care.
“A lot of patients don’t know that. As a pharmacist, you are the first contact that a patient has for medical reasons… Some people aren’t comfortable going to hospitals or making appointments. They come here in their most vulnerable states looking for medical advice,” Brooks told the outlet.
Store owners mentioned that before Good Brothers Pharmacy opened, the closest pharmacy was located in downtown Louisville, which made it difficult for residents to access without transportation.
“Families here deserve more than to travel miles to get their medication,” Isaiah Jones, Good Brothers co-founder, told WAVE News.
They added that Good Brothers will focus solely on providing medication and healthcare services, rather than selling convenience items, which will enable them to fill prescriptions more quickly. In addition to prescription medications, the pharmacy provides over-the-counter medicines, health screenings, immunizations, and delivery services.
Childhood friends Isaiah Jones and Deshawn King, who are from West Louisville, said they founded Good Brothers to serve the community. Jones told WAVE News that by opening the business, he hopes to inspire future generations.
“I want the kids from around Louisville, Kentucky, to know sports isn’t the only way out,” Jones explained. “You can be an entrepreneur and open up anything. The people who own the hospitals are not doctors. I am not a pharmacist, and I opened a pharmacy. You can do anything that you allow your mind to do.”
‘Religious Leaders’ Will Not See The ‘Kingdom’ After Arrest For Human Trafficking
Federal prosecutors have charged two self-proclaimed religious leaders in a forced-labor and money laundering operation.
Federal prosecutors have charged two self-proclaimed religious leaders in a forced-labor and money laundering operation disguised as a ministry, according to a press release.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that David Taylor and Michelle Brannon were leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries International. Taylor and Brannon were charged with coercing followers across four states to work without pay. Members both worked at church-run call centers and served as personal attendants.
The indictment alleges that since 2014, the scheme has collected around $50 million from victims across Michigan, Texas, Florida, and Missouri. The funds were laundered through the Kingdom of God organization. Additionally, funds were used to facilitate a lavish lifestyle for Brannon and Taylor.
“KOGGC/JMMI received millions of dollars in donations each year through its call centers. Taylor and Brannon used much of the money to purchase luxury properties, luxury vehicles, and sporting equipment such as a boat, jet skis, and ATVs. In total, Taylor received approximately $50 million in donations since 2014,” the press release stated.
Authorities say Taylor and Brannon used abuse, both physical and psychological, alongside punishment and isolation to control victims. Those branded as “armor bearers” lived at ministry facilities, slept under oppressive conditions, and weren’t allowed to leave unless given permission. Refusal to comply reportedly resulted in sleep deprivation, public humiliation, food or shelter restriction, or threats of divine punishment.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon spoke about the agency’s commitment to fight human trafficking and anyone involved in the exploitation of others.
“Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” Dhillon said. “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims.”
If convicted, Taylor and Brannon each face decades behind bars and substantial fines. Fines range from $250,000 for forced labor counts and up to $500,000 or double the value of the laundered funds.
Black Women-Owned 1010 Wine Named Best Wine Bar In America
The sibling-owned establishment opened in 2021.
USA Today crowned 1010 Wine and Events as the Best Wine Bar in America 2025. Located in Inglewood, California, the luxury establishment is the first and only Black woman–owned wine bar in Inglewood.
Located at the intersection of La Brea and Centinela, the wine bar boasts the largest selection of Black-owned brands, including Taraji P. Henson’s Seven Daughters wine and Issa Rae’s Viarae Prosecco.
USA Todaypraised the establishment for its wide selection of wines and its food menu, which offers fusion dishes inspired by the diaspora, such as black-eyed pea fritters, fried fish, champagne waffles, and chicken wings, as well as Nigerian-style Suya beef skewers.
“We’re very grateful for it. We’re very excited. It’s kind of surreal,” Le Jones, co-owner of 1010, told the Los Angeles Sentinel.
Le, a trademark attorney, and her sister Leslie Jones, an event planner, opened the wine bar in 2021. The sisters said they were tired of having to go outside of Inglewood for an upscale wine experience, so they decided to open a business in the city. Jones said they faced challenges starting a new company on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When we first walked into this space, it was really hard to imagine it to look like what it does now. And so now the fact that thousands of people have walked in and out of these doors over these four years is a huge accomplishment for us,” Le Jones told the outlet.
The Jones sisters purchased the building and transformed the 10,000-square-foot mixed-use space into a hub for live entertainment and events. The co-owners say they hope to inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs to start businesses in the community.
Now in its fourth year of business, the first-place award recognizes not only 1010 Wine and Events but also the contributions of African Americans in the wine industry, who own less than 5% of wine companies.
People outside the greater Los Angeles area can join the 1010 Wine Club. With memberships starting at $130 a month, members receive a curated selection of Black-owned wines and enjoy discounts online and in-store.
