Debra Lee, handbags — Phelanmarc, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 30, 2026

Former BET CEO, Debra Lee, Turns A New Leaf With Namesake Collection Of Luxury Handbags

Former BET CEO, Debra Lee, is pursuing a lifelong passion for fashion with the launch of a namesake luxury handbag collection.

After years of leadership in the boardroom, Debra Lee has launched a designer handbag line that fellow women powerhouses can align with.

On April 29, the former CEO of BET unveiled The Debra Lee Collection, a new line of luxury handbags featuring four styles — the Debi, Ava, Billie Mini, and Quinn. All crafted from sustainable calf leather, the collection marks a bold new chapter after her decades-long career steering a media juggernaut.

“This collection represents a meaningful pivot in my life and career,” Lee told The Hollywood Reporter. “After decades spent building organizations and supporting culture and creativity through my work, this is an opportunity to create something personal. More than that, I hope it inspires women to follow their passions, even if the path isn’t always direct.”

Crafted in Italy, the line is designed with the “accomplished woman” in mind, offering pieces meant to move seamlessly through every aspect of her life. Featuring four signature styles made from sustainable calf leather and offered in seasonal colors, The Debra Lee Collection brings fresh options to the luxury handbag market, with prices ranging from $900 to $2,300.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Debra Lee (@iamdebralee)

It’s a true passion project for Debra Lee, rooted in a dream she first had in college before her career took her into the executive world. Raised by two seamstress grandmothers and a mother who taught her to sew, she had early ties to fashion.

But after graduating from Brown University, earning a master’s at Harvard University, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, her focus shifted to business. She joined BET in 1986 as general counsel, rose to president and CEO in 1996, and later became chairman and CEO in 2005 — a role she held until 2018.

“Ever since college, I dreamed of working in fashion. Life took me on a different path, one I’m deeply grateful for, but that dream never left me,” she shared in an Instagram announcement. “Today, I’m proud to introduce the Debra Lee Collection: a luxury handbag line handcrafted in Italy, designed for the woman who moves through many worlds.”

Lee continued. “My mother taught me to sew. Both of my grandmothers were seamstresses. Craftsmanship has always been part of who I am. These bags are the most personal thing I’ve ever created. Sometimes life takes you in unexpected directions. But it is never too late to take a risk and pursue something that excites you.”

Now serving on the boards of Warner Bros. Discovery, Marriott International, and Procter & Gamble, along with founding Leading Women Defined and co-founding Monarch Collective, Lee created her luxury handbag line with the ambitious woman in mind.

“After more than 30 years in business, I feel ready to take this leap and create something entirely my own,” she said. “Handbags seemed like the perfect entry point; a limited collection built on the highest quality — equal parts beautiful and functional — designed for women whose style is as distinctive as their ambitions.”

Chick-Fil-A, monkeys — Photo by Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

by Kandiss Edwards

April 30, 2026

Chick-Fil-A Employee Arrested For Stealing $80K Using Mac-N-Cheese Scam

Jones allegedly performed hundreds of suspicious transactions which led to his illicit $80,000 take home pay.

A Chick-fil-A employee has been arrested after allegedly orchestrating an elaborate financial scheme involving the chain’s popular side dishes to embezzle more than $80,000.

Keyshun Jones, a long-time employee at a busy metro Atlanta location, has been charged with property theft, money laundering, and evading arrest. His arrest follows a month-long investigation. According to CBS Texas, Jones allegedly used a “mac and cheese” refund scam to steal thousands from the company.

Investigators allege that Jones, who has been recently terminated, conducted the transactions off the clock to avoid detection. Surveillance video shows Jones ringing up mac and cheese orders and subsequently refunding the purchase to his personal credit card. The franchise owner finally flagged the discrepancy. An investigation was conducted by the Texas Attorney General’s Fugitive Task Force. Jones performed hundreds of suspicious transactions, which led to his $80,000 take home pay.

ALERT: Chick-fil-A employee accused of using mac and cheese to steal over $80,000 from one of their locations in Grapevine, Texas.

A Chick-fil-A owner reported hundreds of phony refunds to the Grapevine Police.

Detectives noticed Keyshun Jones, an employee who was terminated a… pic.twitter.com/b6Bipjtcm1
— E X X ➠A L E R T S (@ExxAlerts) April 29, 2026

While one man is being indicted for stealing from a Chick-fil-A, another is making history within the corporation.

Kareem Edwards has solidified his place in local history as the first Black man to serve as a Chick-fil-A owner-operator in Chicago. Edwards, an entrepreneur who previously held positions on Wall Street and at Google, opened his franchise at the height of the pandemic in January 2021.

The New York native credits his success to a foundation of discipline instilled by his mother and the strategic partnership of his wife, Janelle. Edwards’ operational philosophy extends beyond the kitchen; he manages a team of nearly 100 employees and has implemented diversity-focused vendor policies, including partnering with local Black-owned businesses for essential services. His commitment to Chicago’s South Loop community is evidenced by a $50,000 donation to Just Roots Chicago, a nonprofit urban farming organization dedicated to expanding access to fresh, sustainable food in the city.

In addition to his role at the restaurant, Edwards actively addresses regional food insecurity through meal donations and an annual back-to-school breakfast program for local educators. By successfully navigating the rigorous Chick-fil-A selection process—where thousands apply for only a handful of openings annually—Edwards has become a prominent figure in the city’s entrepreneurial landscape.

cuba, president. Miguel Canel-Diaz, Trump — Kremlin.ru, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 30, 2026

Trump’s Military Action Against Cuba Receives Greenlight After Rejecting Bid

The Trump Administration has been in talks with the Cuban government in order to lift the close to total blockade from the U.S. on oil in exchange for continuous economic and governance reforms and detainee release.

Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic effort to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to take military action in Cuba, according to USA Today.

The measure, led by Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, failed in an April 28 vote after 50 Republicans and one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted to prevent it from advancing. Kaine, who has introduced similar measures related to Iran, said Congress has a duty to check presidential war powers.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky broke with their party to support the measure. Kaine said he made similar attempts in an effort to stop military hostilities from taking place in Iran.

“When there are efforts by an executive to go too far, then it is up to Congress to stand up and provide a check,” the senator said.

The Trump administration has been negotiating with Cuba over easing oil restrictions in exchange for political and economic reforms, including the release of detainees. Cuban officials have rejected those demands.

Democratic leaders like Sen. Peter Welch (Vermont) said he feels the strategy for Cuba “is to crush them into dust.”

“It’s a policy that’s going to result in suffering for even more people,” he said as Trump promised a “new dawn for Cuba.”

“There was a very solid basis for Sen. Kaine’s war powers resolution.”

While Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged Republicans, who are the majority, to “do Trump a favor” by voting against him before the vote, according to Politico, GOP Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, home to the largest Cuban population in the country, blamed Democrats for allegedly ignoring human rights violations of Cuba’s government in favor of scoring political points against Trump.

“This president has never said he wants to put boots on the ground,” Scott said.

“This is a complete waste of time, and it is a complete insult to Cubans in Cuba and Cubans in my state.”

As Democratic lawmakers are also attempting to bring a bill to the floor that will pause Trump’s ability to attack Cuba with federal funds, Republican leaders aren’t even clear on the Trump administration’s priorities regarding Cuba, as the Iran conflict has taken precedence.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) said he trusts Secretary of State and Cuban American Marco Rubio to handle issues in the Western Hemisphere.

“They could not have a better point person,” Hoeven said of Rubio.

American dream, Black people, BET — Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-an-american-flag-4667350/

by Kandiss Edwards

April 30, 2026

A New Initiative Aims To Honor America’s Martyrs

The choice of July 5th intentionally aligns with the anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 landmark speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?,

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4, a new movement is underway to establish July 5th as “Martyrs Day.”

This initiative is spearheaded by Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, an EMMY Award-winning writer, playwright, and social justice attorney who serves as a Professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College (CUNY). She is an author of works such as A Protest History of the United States. Browne-Marshall has previously served as a Resident Fellow and Visiting Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and has litigated numerous civil rights cases.

In a press release, Browne-Marshall spoke about the concept of Martyrs Day. The author believes a key pillar of America is protest.

“The Declaration of Independence is a protest document,” she said. “We are a nation birthed from protest. Since 1776, this country has seen many people lose their lives for the sake of equality under law.”

Professor Browne-Marshall emphasizes the cost many activists have paid to create a better, more equitable nation. Martyrs Day intends to honor that legacy and serve as a national day of remembrance for protesters who gave their lives in the ongoing struggle for justice.

The choice of July 5th intentionally aligns with the anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 landmark speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?. In the speech, Douglas challenged the United States to live up to its founding ideals of freedom and equality.

Beyond a day of reflection, the Martyrs Day movement serves as a vital call to action for communities and organizations nationwide. The day will encourage the public to recognize activists, organizers, and social justice leaders from any era whose work advanced civil rights and equality.

Furthermore, the initiative seeks to foster historical memory and civic engagement through education regarding the long struggle for justice. Browne-Marshall envisions this as a moment to honor the legacy of those who helped make freedom a reality and to recommit to continuing their unfinished work.

Shyne, Dr. Moses, Barrow, IMC 2026 — U.S. Embassy Belize, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 30, 2026

Shyne Honored With Key To Brooklyn As April 25 Declared “Shyne Day”

'This is the community that raised me, and it’s important for me to pass the love that this community gave me forward to the next generation'

With an upcoming show celebrating the 25th anniversary of his debut self-titled album, “Shyne,” the former Bad Boy rapper received the Key to Brooklyn in the East Flatbush neighborhood where he grew up.

According to BK Reader, former politician Moses Barrow was presented with the Key to Brooklyn by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who officially proclaimed April 25, 2026, as “Shyne Day” in the New York City borough. Shyne was honored for his contributions to hip-hop during the East Flatbush Young Men’s Mentorship Expo.

“Shyne embodies what is possible when a community believes in its young people, and the magic that can happen when young people are given the resources they need to thrive. East Flatbush raised Shyne, and it only made sense to present him with the Key to Brooklyn as we team up to deliver hope and opportunity to dozens of young men today,” Reynoso said at the event.

Shyne gets honored with the Key to Brooklyn 🙌🏾🔑 pic.twitter.com/yP0cd9pgS5

— BAMs (@BAMsEnergy) April 27, 2026

“This is the community that raised me, and it’s important for me to pass the love that this community gave me forward to the next generation,” said Hon. Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow.

The artist behind “Godfather Buried Alive” will be performing in Brooklyn on May 2 at Kings Theatre.

Shyne’s successful recording career was cut short by a lengthy prison term. He paid his debt to society, returned to Belize, and followed in his father, Dean Barrow’s, footsteps by entering politics. Last year, Shyne (born Moses Barrow) lost his bid to be re-elected as the leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives and as leader of the Belize United Democratic Party. He lost to Lee Mark Chang, also of the Belize United Democratic Party, in March 2025.

In February, Shyne headlined a panel discussion, “Grammys & Your Career,” at the Island Music Conference (IMC) 2026, held at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston, Jamaica.

motion, dismiss, reposession — (Photo: Katrin Bolovtsova/Pexels)

by Kandiss Edwards

April 30, 2026

History-Making New Orleans Sheriff Indicted On 30 Counts Related To 2025 Jailbreak

Susan Hutson made history in 2021 when she was elected as the first female Sheriff of Orleans Parish.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has been indicted by a grand jury in connection with the jailbreak of 10 inmates at the Orleans Justice Center.

The indictment, handed down April 29, alleges that Hutson and several top-ranking members of her administration engaged in a “criminal conspiracy” to cover up the circumstances surrounding the escape of 10 inmates. The charges include malfeasance in office, obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit filing or maintaining false public records and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Prosecutors allege that Hutson’s office knowingly falsified shift logs to suggest that pods were being monitored at the time of the escape. However, the jail was severely understaffed and left unattended. The indictment claims that the Sheriff’s Office waited several hours to notify the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the public about the escape.

The delay was allegedly intended to allow time for internal “cleanup” of evidence that would have pointed to administrative failure. Witness testimony suggests that high-level staff were instructed by the administration to withhold specific information from the federal monitors, NOLA reported.

New Orleans sheriff indicted after 10 inmates broke out of jail

A grand jury has indicted Susan Hutson following an investigation into the dramatic escape of 10 inmates from a jail in New Orleans.

According to reports, Hutson was not accused of directly helping the inmates… pic.twitter.com/phBlVjiZYI

— Lifeissues11 (@lifeissues_11) April 30, 2026

Susan Hutson made history in 2021 when she was elected as the first female Sheriff of Orleans Parish, running on a platform of progressive reform and increased transparency. Her victory unseated long-time Sheriff Marlin Gusman and was seen as a mandate to change the culture of the city’s troubled jail system.

However, her tenure has been marked by persistent challenges, including severe staffing shortages, rising inmate violence, and public disputes with the City Council over budget allocations. Under Louisiana law, an indicted public official is not automatically removed from office unless they are convicted of a felony. However, the indictment has led to immediate calls for her resignation.

Hutson’s legal team has issued a vigorous denial of all charges, characterizing the indictment as “political theater” designed to undermine the progress of jail reform.

“Sheriff Hutson has worked tirelessly to fix decades of neglect,” her lead attorney stated. “We look forward to exonerating her and revealing the true motivations behind this prosecution.”

South Carolina State University, HBCU, basketball games, shooting — 2C2K Photography, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 30, 2026

SC State President Stands With Students Amid Protest Of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rescinds Speaking Invitation

The move comes after videos of protests took over social, garnering support of fellow Palmetto state natives like Bakari Sellers, after one student was heard saying the protests are for “morality issues.”

After Republican South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette referred to South Carolina State University protestors as a “woke mob,” President Alexander Conyers announced the invitation for her to speak at the upcoming commencement ceremony has been rescinded.

Conyers was seen in a video posted to X, taking a stand with his students who have been protesting for two days against Evette’s selection as commencement speaker.

“What I saw yesterday, what I saw today, was college students exercising their free rights, ones that I swore to protect, ones that I served 28 years in the Army willing to give my life for. So how someone can confuse what happened, and perhaps because that person wasn’t here…,” he said to students.

“I will admit you’ve done exactly what I did some 35 years ago as a student on these same grounds.”

SC State President Alexander Conyers speaking to the students and announcing he has rescinded Lt. Governor Pamela Evette’s invitation to speak at next weeks graduation.

Check out him speaking to the students below with the students reaction. @wachfox pic.twitter.com/xwhUKgaDyy
— Michael White (@michaelw_13) April 29, 2026

While admitting he can’t change what has been said on social media, Conyers said he refuses to let outsiders refer to the future of America as “thugs,” welcoming anyone in the state and country to come see for themselves.

In a statement, according to WLTX, Conyers said the school has decided “to move in a different direction” for commencement after first saying Evette was the choice based on her record as a business leader and entrepreneur, but now, it’s a safety issue, and the school will welcome Evette at a later date.

“The safety and well-being of our students, families, faculty, staff and guests will always guide our decisions,” he said.

“Commencement should remain a moment of celebration focused on our graduates and their achievements.”

The move comes after videos of protests took over social media, garnering support from fellow Palmetto State natives like Bakari Sellers, following a student overheard saying the protests are about “morality issues.”

“We’ve been here four, five years, and for commencement we should have someone who is going to celebrate us,” the student said.

“How can someone who goes against everything we stand for and believe in, morality-wise, how can that person uplift me on my day of stepping into the real world?”

While protests were taking place, Evette, who is also running for governor, was speaking out on social media, standing her ground against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses. After learning that her invitation had been rescinded, she carried on.

“The fact that a speech had to be canceled for credible safety threats is exactly why we cannot give up the fight to end indoctrination and DEI on campuses once and for all,” Evette wrote in a statement.

“The root problem is professors who gin up feigned outrage at the detriment of their students, who they should be teaching to think critically. End tenure now!”

airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport — Photo by Oleksandr P: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-waiting-inside-airport-terminal-12940671/

by Kandiss Edwards

April 30, 2026

ATL Airport Asks Public To Help Find A ‘Community Member’s’ Missing Son

Though Braithwaite has yet to be found safely, Georgia authorities can celebrate other successes in cracking missing children's cases.

Atlanta Police and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport officials are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Benjamin Braithwaite.

Braithwaite was last seen on April 27 around 9:30 p.m. in the 4000 block of Regency Trace SW. The teen is described as 6-foot-5 and weighing 175 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing black jogging pants and Nike running shoes.

In a post on X, @ATLairport identified the teen as the son of a “valued member of the airport community.” In support of “one of our own,” the post urged the community to share Brathwaite’s description in hopes that he is found and safely returned home. While the Atlanta Police Department’s Special Victims Unit is leading the search, authorities have not yet indicated if they suspect foul play. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call 911 or contact the Special Victims Unit at 404-546-4260.

We are asking our airport community to come together & support one of our own.

A valued member of our airport community is searching for her 16 year old son, Benjamin Braithwaite, who is currently missing.

If you have any info, please contact the authorities on the flyer. pic.twitter.com/2JbbxGn3JR
— Atlanta Airport (@ATLairport) April 30, 2026

Though Braithwaite has yet to be found safely, Georgia authorities can celebrate other successes in cracking missing children’s cases. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit have successfully recovered 11 missing children during “Operation Coast to Coast.”

The coordinated effort, which spanned several weeks across multiple Georgia counties, targeted known trafficking corridors and high-risk areas where missing juveniles are frequently exploited. This operation is part of a broader state initiative to dismantle domestic minor sex trafficking networks by focusing on the recovery of endangered youth while simultaneously building criminal cases against their traffickers and “buyers.”

Attorney General Chris Carr expressed his pride in the operation’s success.

“Allowing our team to work with law enforcement from across the country to safely locate victims, dismantle trafficking networks, and hold predators accountable. I’m proud of our Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit for their tireless efforts over the past few days, but our work doesn’t stop here. We will keep fighting until every child is recovered and every trafficker is behind bars,” Carr said in a statement.

Carr emphasized that the state’s strategy has shifted toward treating recovered minors as victims of crime rather than delinquents, a move intended to break the cycle of re-victimization and encourage cooperation in the prosecution of those who profited from their exploitation. Since its inception in 2019, the Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit has led to the rescue of over 100 children and the conviction of dozens of traffickers.

gas station, Houston — Photo by Athena Sandrini from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-sitting-on-chair-3009959/

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 30, 2026

Houston Middle Schooler Says Gas Station Denied Bathroom, Then Shared Video of Teen Relieving Himself Outside

The incident has attracted the attention of activists Candace Matthews and Quanell X.

Police in Houston, Texas, are investigating after a middle school student who says a gas station owner denied him access to a restroom and later shared video of him relieving himself outside.

A police report was filed after the boy’s grandmother contacted authorities about what the family called a humiliating incident at a Fuel Depot on Bellfort Avenue, Click 2 Houston reports. The child’s family became concerned after learning of his refusal to return to school after classmates began teasing him over a circulating video, which appears to show him relieving himself outside after being told the restroom inside was out of service.

“He had to wipe his rear on the grass, on the grass. Embarrassed, humiliated,” activist Candace Matthews said in a clip shared online. Quanell X joined Matthews outside the gas station to protest.

“Had to wipe his… rear… on the grass.” A Houston teen is humiliated after he had a bathroom emergency and a Sunnyside gas station clerk said he couldn’t use the bathroom.

Now community activists and the teen’s family are demanding answers. pic.twitter.com/PAlmPlnu0g
— Gage Goulding – KPRC 2 (@GageGoulding) April 29, 2026

The family says images from the surveillance footage were later printed and posted on the store’s door, and that a clerk showed the video to students, who then recorded and shared it. They say the video quickly spread among students at Attucks Middle School and Alcott Elementary, fueling ongoing bullying that has reportedly led to the child struggling emotionally and no longer wanting to attend school.

“I feel bad and to see my grandson say it every day like that, I feel real bad. I started crying when I seen that video and looked at him in his eyes,” the boy’s grandmother said.

On April 29, Quanell X and Matthews went to the gas station, demanding answers from the owner and questioning why anyone would do this—especially to a young boy.

“Appalling. Shocking. Disgraceful. This man should be indicted,” Quanell X said. “He sexually exploited one of our children, made fun of him, and set the kid up to be exploited.”

The case remains under investigation and is now being reviewed by the Houston Police Department’s Crimes Against Children unit, according to the boy’s family. Authorities have not released additional details, noting that cases involving minors are typically handled with heightened privacy.

A New UNCF Report Sheds Light on Perspectives of African American Parents on Key Education Issues — Photo courtesy of UNCF K-12 Research

by Kandiss Edwards

April 30, 2026

Georgia City Moves To Hold Parents Legally Responsible For Kids’ Offenses

Covington council members argued that the measure is a necessary tool to address a surge in juvenile-related incidents.

A Metro Atlanta city recently passed a parental responsibility ordinance that holds parents and guardians legally and financially liable for their children’s criminal actions.

The Covington city council voted 4-2 in favor of the “Minors and Parents Responsibility Ordinance.”

The ordinance is designed to curb violent youth incidents and late-night disturbances. Also, the Minors and Parents Responsibility Ordinance is aimed at increasing parental oversight. Under the new law, parents can face fines of up to $2,000 and may be required to perform community service if their child is found guilty of repeated offenses.

If a child is found to have violated the law, parents may face up to 90 days in jail. Offenses include curfew violations, shoplifting, and acts of vandalism. Covington council members argued that the measure is a necessary tool to address a surge in juvenile-related incidents in the Metro-Atlanta city, Channel 2 Action News reported.

“We have parents that are not being held liable when it comes to their child creating a criminal act,” Councilman Dwayne Turner said in the council meeting, per Covington News. “I understand the logic of sometimes these kids are kids. We understand that, right? But I do think parents should do a reasonable amount of effort to stop that act from happening.”

While many residents, like Turner, a former law enforcement officer, expressed support for the crackdown on rowdy behavior in public squares, some residents are concerned that the law could disproportionately affect families, specifically those who lack access to evening childcare or who work multiple shifts.

For these reasons, Councilman Anthony Henderson and Councilwoman Charika Davis voted against the measure.

“I think every situation’s different,” Henderson said. “You can’t just go out here locking up parents because a child did something. You got to go through the situation.”

Conversely, Councilman Jared Rutberg believes parents bear a great responsibility to steer their children in the right direction. Also, as a parent, he expressed large support for the ordinance, which has not yet been fully approved.

“I have no concern about, hey, that I could end up in front of the judge for my son acting like a moron out there because it’s my responsibility to make sure he’s doing right,” Rutberg said.