Fior Scotch, scotch, veteran, Dominijanni, marine major, retired, alcohol, cancer
by Ahsan Washington

June 6, 2025

Black Bourbons And Whiskeys To Cop For Father’s Day

Skip the boring dad gifts

Skip the boring dad gifts this Father’s Day and pour something special instead. We’re talking craft, culture, and excellence in a glass. BLACK ENTERPRISE rounded up 10 amazing Black-owned bourbon and whiskey brands that aren’t just on point—they’ve got incredible stories behind them. There is heritage, hustle, and heart in every bottle.

Whether your dad knows his single malts from his small batch or enjoys the occasional drink, these spirits make for a meaningful toast to the guys who’ve had our backs and raised us well. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the fathers and father figures who’ve shaped us. 

Bull Young Bourbon

Looking for a Father’s Day gift with some real character? Check out Bull Young Bourbon, a passion project started in 2021 by Chicago chef Danny Bullock. Bullock offers a bourbon that is aged patiently for 4-6 years, giving it that depth dads tend to appreciate. You can find it at select liquor stores in Chicago, or purchase it online. Bourbons run about 60 bucks, which isn’t too shabby for something with such personality.

Old Hillside Bourbon

Ever heard of Old Hillside Bourbon? The brand offers bourbon and whiskey. Old Hillside came to life thanks to two buddies, Jesse Carpenter and Brian Burton, who were longtime friends. They launched the spirits back in 2020 out of Durham, North Carolina. If you’re scrambling for a meaningful Father’s Day gift, this bourbon’s a homerun. Bottles range from $58 to $95, and you can snag them online or at select package stores. 

Eric LeGrand Bourbon

Eric LeGrand Bourbon was launched just last year by its namesake, Eric LeGrand. This bourbon isn’t just another whiskey; it’s a bottle full of grit and perseverance. The story behind it is as rich as its flavor. You can cop a bottle for around $40-$50. That’s an excellent price for a high-quality, high-character bourbon. It’s available online and in select liquor stores, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble tracking it down.

Brough Brothers Bourbon

Brough Brothers Bourbon, founded in 2019 by Victor, Christian, and Bryson Yarbrough in Louisville, Kentucky, is a bourbon that celebrates tradition and innovation. As Kentucky’s first Black-owned distillery, it’s a perfect choice for Father’s Day. Brough Brothers Bourbon is available online and at liquor retailers with a price range of approximately $30 to $40.

The IX Bourbon

Brittany Penny started this incredible bourbon in 2020, right in Louisville. Penny is the first Black woman to found a bourbon brand in Kentucky. IX Bourbon is smooth but packs a punch. You might want to grab a bottle if you’re unsure what to get Dad for Father’s Day. You can find it at some stores around Kentucky, or order it online. Bourbon-loving dads won’t be disappointed!

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey

Dad will appreciate Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey as a gift. Fawn Weaver started this brand in 2017 in Shelbyville, Tennessee, as a tribute to Nathan “Nearest” Green, the often overlooked first African American master distiller who taught Jack Daniel his craft. The whiskey itself is fantastic, rich in both flavor and historical significance. You can grab a bottle pretty much anywhere across the country or just order online at https://unclenearest.reservebar.com. Prices range from about $50 to $150, depending on your taste. Dad will be impressed with both your taste and your knowledge of whiskey history!

Alexander James Whiskey

Alexander James Whiskey is a relatively new brand, having been established in 2021 by Jesse Steward Jr. in Chicago. Steward named the bourbon brand after his son. The brand isn’t crazy expensive. It costs approximately $60-$ 70 per bottle. You can only grab it at select stores in Illinois if you want to pick up a bottle for Dad.

Duke & Dame Salted Caramel Whiskey

Duke and Dame is a Father’s Day gift that’ll knock Dad’s socks off. This gem was started in 2013 by two friends, Chima Burey and Amani Macaulay, in Florida. It’s not your typical whiskey. The salted caramel flavor is seriously addictive and gives the whiskey an awesome sweet-but-not-too-sweet vibe that even whiskey newbies can enjoy. The spirit won’t break the bank either. You can pick up a bottle for around $30 to $40. Perfect for a special occasion without breaking the bank! You can purchase it directly from their website or find it at online liquor shops and brick-and-mortar stores. Dad will be impressed you found something this “neat.”

Rye & Sons

Rye & Sons is a smooth whiskey brand that André Hueston Mack (yeah, the sommelier guy) started back in 2022. It has a fancy vibe without being pretentious. The best part? It’s only $29 and perfect if you’re still scrambling for a Father’s Day gift. 

Fresh Bourbon

Looking for a Father’s Day gift that’ll get used? Check out Fresh Bourbon from Lexington, Kentucky. This smooth spirit was created by the husband-wife team of Tia and Sean Edwards and features an amazing blend of vanilla and brown sugar flavors that Dad will appreciate. You can purchase a bottle online or find one at select stores for around $50. Trust me, it beats another tie. 

RELATED CONTENT: Melky Jean, Saint Sauveur 1972 Rum, And The Bold Reclamation Of Haitian Heritage

boxer, knockout, dies, coma, Ardi Ndembo
by Jameelah Mullen

June 6, 2025

Ex-Boxer Charles Duke Tanner Receives A Fresh Start After Presidential Pardon

The first-time offender was sentenced to life in prison.

Former professional boxer Charles Duke Tanner expressed his surprise upon learning that President Donald Trump had granted him a pardon for his previous conviction on May 28, likening it to a punch he didn’t see coming.

In 2004, police apprehended the former boxer after he accepted 15 kilograms of fake cocaine. A court convicted him for his role in a drug trafficking ring and sentenced him to double life in prison for a first-time drug offense.

The sentence highlighted the systemic racism in the legal system, which disproportionately punishes Black offenders, especially in nonviolent cases. In 2021, Trump granted the former boxer clemency, releasing him from jail; however, he remained entangled in the criminal justice system.

The presidential pardon expunges Tanner’s record. With no documented criminal history, Tanner can now circumvent barriers that formerly incarcerated people often face when attempting to reintegrate into society.

Tanner credits the president and Alice Johnson, Trump’s White House pardon czar, for his new lease on life. 

“They gave me my whole life back,” Tanner told theGrio.

Since his 2020 release, Tanner has traveled across the nation advocating for criminal justice reform and housing development for marginalized communities. He works at Impact Growth Capital, a social impact investment firm. He collaborates with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to improve housing and economic conditions and create financial literacy and educational opportunities in Black neighborhoods.

Tanner said that his goal is to keep people out of prison. He believes that access to housing, employment, education, and mental health care can decrease the likelihood of incarceration for individuals in marginalized communities. 

Tanner was among 237 people who received a presidential pardon last month, most of whom were convicted of white-collar crimes such as tax evasion and embezzlement. Though he is grateful to the president for the life-changing pardon, he urged Trump to make more of an effort to help people who are incarcerated for nonviolent drug offenses.

In 2024, Tanner published a memoir entitled Duke Got Life: A Boxer’s Fight for Freedom and One Last Shot at Redemption.

RELATED CONTENT: Todd Chrisley And Wife Added To Trump’s Pardon List, Alongside Cops Who Killed Unarmed Black Man

 

 

Judge, Las Vegas, gavel,Herman Whitfield III, Indianapolis police, David Merryman, racist landlord,
by Kandiss Edwards

June 6, 2025

Houston Exotic Dancer’s Discrimination Case Gets Declined By Supreme Court

Chanel Nicholson, an exotic dancer based in Houston, brought suit against two clubs alleging racial discrimination against Black women.

A Houston exotic dancer will not have her racial discrimination case against multiple Houston strip clubs heard before the Supreme Court. 

Chanel Nicholson brought suit against two clubs, Splendor and Covergirls, in 2021. The Supreme Court declined to review the case as plaintiffs have four years to file grievances of racial discrimination after the time of the incident. Nicholson’s filing argued the last act of discrimination was within the four-year window. However, the discrimination began in 2013.

The court majority stated the first instance was when her filing clock began. “Nicholson’s claims are time-barred because there were earlier instances of discriminatory treatment,’ the opinion read.

Both Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonya Sotomayor dissented, stating there was a basis to file as the last instance of discrimination took place in 2021. For that reason, Nicholson filed within the proper time frame. Jackson also asserted that to deny her right to pursue the case was an “erroneous conclusion.”

“Chanel Nicholson alleges that she was prohibited from entering her workplace on account of her race. Nicholson needed to file her §1981 suit within four years of those discriminatory acts—which she did. As such, §1981’s statute of limitations should have posed no barrier to Nicholson obtaining judicial review of her claims. In my view, the Court should have granted Nicholson’s petition and summarily reversed the Fifth Circuit’s patently erroneous conclusions about the untimeliness of her claims.”

Nicholson’s case arrived at the Supreme Court’s desk as a result of being denied by the Fifth Circuit Court of New Orleans. She claims she was denied employment and stage time in the Houston night lounges due to race. She also claims the clubs limited the number of Black women allowed on stage at one time and refused to hire Black women after reaching a quota.

While federal law mandates racial equity claims be brought forth within four years, there is no maximum time allotment for claims of hostile work environments. As of now, Nicholson has not made that claim against the establishments. 

RELATED CONTENT: Tony Buzbee Gives A Hard Pass On Representing Adult Film Star In Lawsuit Against Zion Williamson

Sinners, Ryan Coogler, AAFCA, awards
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 6, 2025

‘Sinners’ Can Now Be Seen Through Streaming Services

The thriller is now available on several streaming platforms, including Apple TV and Prime Video

With all the hoopla surrounding Sinners, the Ryan Coogler-directed thriller starring Michael B. Jordan, if you haven’t seen it in a movie theater by now, you can now view it in your home.

If you haven’t left your home to see the box office smash hit, why do so now when you can watch it from the confines of your home?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is now available on several streaming platforms, including Apple TV and Prime Video. The movie is available right now to rent or buy starting from $19.99 and can be seen in 4K Ultra HD, depending on the service and your system. Those on a budget or are in no rush to see the vampire film will be able to see the movie later this summer when it is released on HBO Max. A definitive date hasn’t been released yet, but it’s expected to land there in late August/early September.

Anyone with a subscription to the streaming service can view the movie without further payment.

If you still view movies on DVD, Blu-Ray, or 4K Ultra HD, you can purchase Sinners when it’s released on July 8. Pre-orders are being taken, and prices start at $19.95 (reg. $24.98) on Amazon.

Forbes reported that the movie will include digital bonus features:

  • “Dancing with the Devil: The Making of “Sinners” – featurette (32:35)
    • Journey with director Ryan Coogler as he makes his most personal and powerful film yet. Featuring Michael B. Jordan and an all-star cast, filmed on location in IMAX, “Sinners” is an original genre-bending experience unlike any other.​
  • Thicker than Blood: Becoming the Smokestack Twins – featurette (10:45)
    • Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler take us through the development, creation, and portrayal of the Smokestack Twins, revealing how make-up, costumes, and visual effects come together to support these seamless performances.​
  • Blues in the Night: The Music of “Sinners” – featurette (13:44)
    • Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson explores the musical landscape of Sinners, including the iconic sounds of the Delta Blues and the creation and recording of the unique and inspired performances written for the film.​
  • Spirits in the Deep South – featurette (7:58)
    • Prof. Yvonne Chireau explores the backdrop of Hoodoo in the Deep South and how its beliefs and traditions in spirituality, ancestors, the hereafter, and defense against evil inform the world and characters of “Sinners.”​
  • The Wages of Sin: The Creature FX of “Sinners” – featurette (10:51)
    • Creature Makeup FX Designer Mike Fontaine reveals the secrets behind the supernatural horrors that terrorize the Juke, Ryan Coogler’s fresh take on vampires, and the various gore and blood effects used throughout the film.​
  • Deleted Scenes (18:41)
    • Includes deleted and/or extended scenes for a more immersive experience.”

Sinners, which stars Jordan in a dual role as twin brothers, was directed by Coogler, with whom Jordan has collaborated since 2013 when they worked together on the critically acclaimed drama Fruitvale Station.

The two have collaborated on seven movies: all three Rocky spinoff films, Creed, Creed II, and Creed III, and the Marvel movies Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

RELATED CONTENT: Ben Stiller Clowns ‘Variety Magazine’s’ Shady Headline That Downplayed ‘Sinners’ Box Office Success

prom dress, prom dresses
by Stacy Jackson

June 6, 2025

Houston Teen’s Prom Night Ruined When $2.5K Dress Never Arrives

Kiya Harvey missed her entire prom after her dress from local designer Rocky Boston was never completed.

What was supposed to be a magical night for high schooler Kiya Harvey turned out to be a huge disaster: Her family spent thousands on a designer prom dress she never got to wear.

Two years’ worth of savings is down the drain for the teen’s family, who paid local Houston designer Rocky Boston to make Kiya’s dream dress for her big night. Mother Kewana Jones Harvey is demanding an apology and explanation from the designer for ruining a night Kiya has been looking forward to since 7th grade.

“It was like so much we put into that particular day to make sure everything was perfect for her,” Jones Harvey said. That included $8,000 in additional expenses apart from the custom dress they paid around $2,500 for. Kiya and her mother have been to fittings with Boston since their order process began in August 2024. Instead of receiving the custom dress after minor tailoring adjustments, Kiya ended up missing her entire prom.

Prom night arrived—and, still, no dress. “We get to 5 o’clock, everybody goes in panic mode because [Rocky Boston] said she’s gonna be here by 5. Communication has completely stopped,” Kiya’s mom said. She then rushed to Rocky Boston’s studio to pick up the dress herself, only to find pieces of the garments lying around.

“I was, like, more than heartbroken,” Kiya said. They had saved for two years to make sure her prom night went as planned. To add more chaos to the situation, other parents were waiting at the studio when Jones Harvey arrived.

Last week, the mother-daughter duo received a refund for the order. Other families have also reportedly received or been notified to receive a refund, but one family is considering legal action.

The only peep out of Rocky Boston concerning the matter has been a now-deleted Instagram post that read, “I would never intentionally ruin anyone’s special moment. My heart hurts for the girls and families impacted. I operate with humility over pride and always try to go above and beyond because I truly love what I do.”

After a KHOU 11 reporter pulled up to a locked studio, Rocky Boston replied hours later with a text that read, “I do not have a statement at this time.”

Leah Napoliello with the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas warns consumers not to pay full price for their custom prom dresses. Instead, she recommends paying no more than half of the price upfront and the rest after the dress is completed. She advised having everything in writing and a contract. According to Napoliello, Rocky Boston is not accredited with the organization.

RELATED CONTENT: Metro Atlanta High Schoolers Showed Up And Out In Their Best Fits For ‘Harlem Nights’-Themed Prom

mental health, workplace, personal change, generational change, managers, change, utilize systems, increase communication
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 6, 2025

Steve Stoute Encourages Healthy Conflict In The Workplace, ‘It’s OK To Disagree’

The Queens, New York native is a heavyweight in the music scene

Steve Stoute shared his management style, which includes encouraging his team to engage in healthy conflict with one another.

”There’s something wrong” if a business has “no conflict,” Stoute told The New York Times.

“Getting people comfortable around challenge in a respectful way is a very important value,” he said. “What I’m trying to do is have people embrace the idea that it’s OK to disagree.”

Stoute, 54, the UnitedMasters CEO who counts major names like Jay-Z, McDonald’s, the New York Knicks, and Google’s Lorraine Twohill among his clients, actively promotes healthy conflict within his teams. Aware that video conferencing tools like Zoom can make it easier to sidestep tough conversations, the record executive created a work environment that makes productive conflict resolution routine.

“The same way I talk about bonuses or healthcare or wins or losses, we talk about conflict,” Stoute said. “If tension gets overlooked, then the company will not reach its full potential.”

The Queens, New York, native is a heavyweight in the music scene, having concurrently served as executive vice president of Interscope Geffen A&M Records and President of Urban Music at Sony Music from 1999 to 2009. While at Sony, Stoute helped launch the music career of Will Smith and managed artists like Nas, Mary J. Blige, and super producers Trackmasters.

His business advice on supporting healthy conflict in the workplace is supported by industry experts who cite the benefits of tackling the hard-hitting conversations to build morale and authentic team connection.

”The work of being conflict resilient is entering into a landscape that doesn’t have a script because it’s motivated by a sense of curiosity about something of the other person,” Robert Bordone, the founder and former director of the Harvard Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program, told CNBC Make It.

Kurt Gray, a social psychology professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, advises approaching disagreements as conversations and not as “a chance to score points or try to make the other person look stupid.”

RELATED CONTENT: Coke Florida, A Black-Owned Beverage Company, Recognized As 2025’s ‘Best Managed’ In The U.S.


Mercedes benz, Atlanta, HBCU
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 6, 2025

Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium To Host A New Annual College Football Game

The inaugural Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic will feature Georgia Tech and Georgia.

AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE), the owner of the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons, is launching a new annual college football game that will debut this fall at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The inaugural Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic will feature Georgia Tech hosting the University of Georgia. The date of that contest has not been announced. The 2026 participants, however, are already lined up: Georgia will take on the University of Florida.

“Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium have long been recognized as a premier destination for college football, and the Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic is the latest opportunity for us to continue to build on our legacy of hosting world-class events,” Vice President of Stadium Events and Premium Sales for AMB Sports and Entertainment Doug Roberts said in a written statement.

Tickets for the Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic are first being offered exclusively to Georgia Tech football season ticket holders. Then, they will be offered to Atlanta Falcons PSL holders and UGA football season ticket members as a part of their road game allotment.

“We’re proud to partner with Invesco QQQ to deliver an exceptional college football experience here in Atlanta,” said Nana-Yaw Asamoah, chief commercial officer at AMB Sports and Entertainment. “This innovative new partnership allows us and Invesco QQQ to showcase high-profile, nationally significant matchups to audiences across the country.”

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets finished last season with a 7-6 record (5–3 Atlantic Coast Conference). The Florida Gators finished their season with an 8–5 record (4–4 Southeastern Conference).

For more information about the game, visit the website.

RELATED CONTENT: Will Atlanta Be Awarded Super Bowl LXII In 2028?

Softball, Sports, NIL Deal, College Softball
by Stacy Jackson

June 5, 2025

Texas Tech Pitcher NiJaree Canady’s $1M NIL Deal Proves What’s Possible In Women’s Sports

Texas Tech softball coach Gerry Glasco new a deal to get Canady needed to be higher than her agent's proposed offer of $400,000.

Reigning USA Softball National Player of the Year, NiJaree Canady, hit the ball out of the park after accepting her latest NIL deal with Texas Tech.

Canady made headlines last July when she transferred from Stanford, and she is garnering public attention again with the historic deal worth $1,050,024 from Texas Tech’s NIL collective, The Matador Club. According to ESPN, the NIL deal is broken down into a million for Canaday, $50,000 for living expenses, and $24 for her jersey number. The star athlete who led Stanford to two consecutive Women’s College World Series appearances is now pitching in West Texas with the Red Raiders and showing other female athletes what’s possible in women’s sports.

“There are a lot of male athletes who get that, and it’s not a headline anymore,” Canady said. “I hope that happens for women’s sports, too. I feel like it can be a pressure if you let it be, but honestly, I think it’s just a privilege. I hope someone tomorrow comes in and builds it even more.”

Red Raiders coach Gerry Glasco drafted up a sweet pitch to score Canady as a player at Texas Tech. “We’re talking about a once-in-a-generation player that’s already made a name all over America,” he said. “She’s a folk hero in our sport, and she’s a sophomore.” After two seasons at Stanford that only accounted for Canady hitting just 35 times, Glasco, who has three daughters who pitched and hit, made hitting a main focus in his pitch, and he didn’t overlook Canady’s worth. “When you’re an athlete, the one thing you don’t want to be is a pitcher only. In our sport, the pitcher is so important, so we limit them. And I think that’s what she felt like in her college career,” he said. “She wants the opportunity.”

While the athlete’s agent initially sought $400,000 to make the move from Stanford, Glasco knew the offer was too low for the rising star.

“She definitely put Texas Tech softball on the map,” said Tracy Sellers, a former softball player at Texas Tech. Sellers and her husband, John, a former Red Raiders football player, know Canady deserves a top NIL deal just as much as any male athlete. “She worked so hard to be the No. 1 pitcher in the country,” said Sellers. “I left that meeting and thought, this is who I would love to put a lot of effort into because of who she is.” The Sellers, who are top Matador Club boosters, previously donated $11 million to the athletic department in 2022. One million of the funding supported upgrades for the Red Raiders stadium.

https://twitter.com/TexasTech/status/1929710659757134159

Canady considered the offer with the Red Raiders for over a month before she accepted. The NIL deal for the Topeka, Kansas, native is about more than accepting a big lump sum of money, but about placing herself in a position to open doors for the next generation of athletes to benefit. She hopes to invest her money in opening her own facilities one day to coach youth.

As of today, the Texas Tech pitcher leads the nation with a 0.90 ERA (Earned Run Average). This year, she boasts 95 at-bats at .305 with 11 home runs and five doubles. She was honored as the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and led the Red Raiders to win its first Women’s College World Series. The championship series continues for Canady and No. 12-seed Texas Tech on Wednesday as they face off against No. 6-seed Texas Longhorns at 8 p.m. ET.

RELATED CONTENT: Nijaree Canady Reportedly Lands ‘Unprecedented’ NIL Deal


DHS, Noem, citizenship, ICE
by Jameelah Mullen

June 5, 2025

Atlanta Court Clerk Under Scrutiny For Pocketing Passport  Processing Fees

Not only is it legal in Georgia, it's a common practice.

A Fulton County (GA) Superior Court Clerk is facing backlash for keeping over $150,000 in passport fees collected from processing passports legally. 

In a letter to Fulton County commissioners, Che Alexander stated that her office processed more than 4,200 passport applications in the first quarter of this year, resulting in a total of $697,000. Of that, she kept $150,010. 

A Georgia law permits superior court clerks to either keep passport processing fees or allocate the funds to the county budget. A new law enacted this year mandates that clerks in Georgia disclose the amount of money they retain from state fees. While this practice is legal, some state officials say that it is immoral.   

Fulton County Commissioner Bill Ellis called the practice “ethically wrong” in 2022 and expressed his disappointment that Alexander did not attend a June 3 meeting to answer the board’s questions.

“When there are red flags raised, people should be open and responsive,” Ellis said. “This is not a debate around whether it’s warranted or legal; these are just basic questions,” Ellis told Atlanta News First Investigates.

Passport applicants in Georgia are required to pay two fees. The $130 application fee goes to the federal government; a $35 processing fee is paid directly to the superior court clerk’s office, where it can be utilized as needed. 

In a 2023 state legislative hearing, several county clerks defended their right to retain passport fees, with many stating that the service creates duties not included in their job descriptions.

Fannin County’s superior court clerk, Dana Chastain, said in smaller counties like hers, “post offices don’t process passport applications, which adds more to her workload.”

“Each passport you do, I try to do personally, unless I’m in court,” Chastain said, according to Atlanta News First Investigates. “It takes about 20 to 30 minutes. We go through rigorous training every year. We are the first line of defense for fraud, abduction, and human trafficking.”

RELATED CONTENT: State Department Announces U.S. Passports Can Be Renewed Online

 

Graduation, HBCU,Nigerians, Boko Haram, International, Global
by Stacy Jackson

June 5, 2025

Georgia Teen Heads to University Of Alabama With $1.8M In Scholarships

After her acceptance into over 50 institutions, the Wheeler High School grad will begin college in the fall at The University of Alabama.

Maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average and balancing extracurriculars has paid off for New Wheeler High School graduate Jada-Symone Batichon, who will begin college in the fall.

The Georgia teen is headed to the University of Alabama this fall after being accepted into 53 of 58 colleges she applied to. What’s even more impressive—the 18-year-old’s scholarship awards total around $1.8 million. “It’s everything I have worked hard for,” Batichon told People. “My mom and dad always talked about how they were the first to go to college, so that always motivated me.”

Getting ahead on how she would fund her college education was a personal choice for the Powder Springs grad. “I didn’t want to go into debt. My mom told me interest rates are high. A lot of people are stuck paying loans, and she is still paying hers.” To get the upper hand on things, Batichon began taking six high school courses in middle school. The young scholar was already well ahead by a semester and a half when she started high school. By the time the teen reached her junior year at Wheeler High, there was nothing left for her to take, allowing her room to pick up courses at Kennesaw State University and Chattahoochee Technical College and complete a certification as a nursing assistant.

Hitting the books wasn’t the sole focus for Batichon during high school. The student-athlete learned about balance early on as she juggled several extracurricular activities and her studies. Not only was Batichon involved in student government and cheerleading, but she also served as a lunchroom monitor at an elementary school. The teen lists other activities on her X account, including softball, track, and BSU. Talk about a well-rounded applicant! The National Honor Society member also knows something about starting her own thing. Batichon established Wheeler High’s EmpowHer club, where she managed to hold several workshops for girls who don’t have support. “…We talk about friendships, college, and advice,” she said. To top things off, the Kennesaw State University dual-enrollee recently passed a college-level psychology course with an A.

Batichon’s hard work is nothing short of spectacular, but the teen has her parents to thank for being spectacular role models. Her mom, Dr. Claudia Batichon, is a technical and agricultural education teacher at Wheeler High. The 39-year-old educator is a member of the first generation of their Haitian family to complete high school in the States. She now runs THINK Protégé, an initiative to help students prepare for college and find scholarships.

“Roll tide!” As Batichon heads off to the University of Alabama to study business management, she plans to complete her undergraduate and master’s degrees within four years. The Tuscaloosa institution must have left a lasting impression on the teen when she visited back in ninth grade. Until she checks in on campus, the high school grad hopes to land an internship or job for the summer.  

RELATED CONTENT: Shaquille O’Neal Reps Alabama State, Announces Plans To Become College Professor

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