Florida, Frederick Pierallini III, Jacksonville
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 27, 2025

3 More Prisoners Captured From New Orleans Jailbreak

Lenton Vanburen was caught in Baton Rouge, while Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald were arrested in Walker County, Texas

Three fugitives who escaped from a New Orleans jail May 16 have been recaptured, bringing the number of escapees, out of 10, to eight returned to police custody.

According to social media postings by Attorney General Liz Murrill of Louisiana, two of the escaped prisoners were discovered in Texas. She also announced that a third was rearrested in Baton Rouge, leaving only two men still free after the 10 prisoners escaped from Orleans Parish Correctional Facility in what has been described as the biggest jailbreak in the state’s history.

All three men were captured May 26. The Baton Rouge Police Department arrested Lenton Vanburen in Baton Rouge. At the same time, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald were arrested in Walker County, Texas.

Murrill stated that Vanburen was initially jailed on charges of parole violation, possession of a firearm by a felon, and illegal carrying of a weapon.

The attorney general also said that Tate was incarcerated initially on charges of burglary, possession of a firearm by a felon, and illegal carrying of a weapon. He has been jailed for attempted second-degree murder. Donald was jailed on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated battery, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Louisiana State Police have also announced that several people have been arrested in connection with the prison outbreak at the Orleans Parish Correctional Facility.

“For assisting Antoine Massey (still-at-large):
Diamond White, 21 years old – Principal to Aggravated Escape and Obstruction of Justice
For assisting Lenton Vanburen (captured):

Lenika Vanburen, 28-years-old – Accessory after the fact

Tyshanea Randolph, 27-years-old – Accessory after the fact

Patricia Vanburen, 18-years-old – Accessory after the fact

Angel McKay, 41-years-old – Accessory after the fact

Lenton Vanburen Sr., 48 years old – Accessory after the fact

All arrested were ultimately booked into the Plaquemines Parish jail.”

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information about the two remaining escapees to contact them.
• LSP.org – Report Suspicious Activity Link
• Call the LSP Fusion Center
• Crime Stoppers GNO
• FBI Hotline
The following rewards are being offered per fugitive for information leading to their arrest:
• Crimestoppers GNO – $5,000
• ATF – $5,000
• FBI – $10,000
• Total = $20,000.
Charles B. Rangel, New York, Harlem, Puerto Rican, Black American
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 27, 2025

Former U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel Dies At 94

Rangel supported the upliftment of Harlem throughout his career while still promoting international causes.

Former U.S. Representative and global leader Charles B. Rangel has passed away at the age of 94.

Born in Harlem in 1930 to a Puerto Rican father and a Black American mother, Rangel became known as a long-time U.S. congressman. He served in this role for 23 terms, marking 46 years as a representative of New York’s 13th congressional district. During his tenure, the “Lion of Lenox Avenue” sponsored 40 bills while becoming the first Black and Puerto Rican chair of the House’s Ways and Means Committee. He also served as a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Before his appointment to Congress in 1970, Rangel served in the military. The decorated war hero received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service during the Korean War. His family announced the news of his passing on Memorial Day. They noted his lifelong career of serving others and championing social causes.

“A towering figure in American politics and a champion for justice, equity, and opportunity, Congressman Rangel dedicated over four decades of his life to public service,” the Rangel family said in a statement, as reported by CBS News.

“Throughout his career, Congressman Rangel fought tirelessly for affordable housing, urban revitalization, fair tax policies, and equal opportunities for all Americans.”

Rangel’s advocacy started in Harlem. As part of Harlem’s proclaimed “Gang of Four” coalition, alongside Basil Patterson, Percy Sutton, Herman “Denny” Farrell, and former Mayor David Dinkins, he helped dismantle racial and class barriers to uplift the diverse communities within the neighborhood. He also played a leading role in the creation of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation to boost the economic presence of Harlem.

As a global voice for change, Rangel played a key role in developing policies that benefited international causes. His “Rangel Amendment” in 1987 denied tax credits to U.S. companies invested in South Africa during apartheid. His work also boosted U.S. trade relations, building opportunities with developing nations in the Caribbean and Africa.

Following his retirement in 1971, Rangel remained committed to serving his hometown while continuing to amplify his global leadership. In 2002, he established the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs program to provide opportunities and resources for students interested in pursuing a career in foreign service.

“There are many who will attempt to imitate, but the great Charlie Rangel will never be replicated,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement. “Whether in the United States Army, the federal courtroom, the halls of Congress or the streets of Harlem, Congressman Rangel led a life of public service that is second to none. The prayers of a grateful nation are with his family and the legions who loved this iconic leader. May Charles B. Rangel forever rest in Power.”

The Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service resides at the City College of New York. Now, the center honors the legacy of a man committed to a lifetime of civic duty. He is survived by his wife, Alma, their two children, and three grandchildren.

When asked how he would like to be remembered, Rangel’s statement reflected his unshakable might and resilience.

“If I’m gone, quite frankly, I don’t give a damn.”

RELATED CONTENT: Five Years Later: George Floyd’s Murder And The Creeping Tide Of Regression

Melissa Butler, The Lip Bar, HBCUs, HBCU Lip Gloss
by Mary Spiller

May 27, 2025

The Lip Bar’s Target Sales Are Definitely Down, CEO Melissa Butler Confirms

Butler stated her Black-owned business has seen a 30% decrease in sales in Target.

The founder and CEO of successful Black-owned makeup brand The Lip Bar took to social media to confirm that sales have been down since the start of the Target boycott earlier this year. Melissa Butler stated that her beauty brand’s sales at the big-name retailer have dropped 30% since the boycott started in response to Target rolling back its DEI initiatives.

In a clip reposted on May 25, Butler encouraged people to buy from Black-owned businesses like The Lip Bar through other channels to make up the difference.

Detroit-born Butler began the video, “It is so crazy to me when people ask me, like, how our Target business is doing, and then I tell them that it’s terrible that people are shocked. They’re like, oh my God.”

She continued to reveal how much The Lip Bar’s sales have plummeted at Target.

“I’m like, yeah, our sales are down 30, 40%. Like that’s exactly what we thought was going to happen.”

Butler assured fans of the beauty brand that the drop was not unexpected but an anticipated side effect of supporting the Target boycott.

“And that’s not to say that people should continue or go back to shopping at Target. It’s just to say that we knew that there was going to be a huge impact, and to offset the impact, it requires people to be really intentional about where they are shopping,” Butler said.

She explained, “Meaning you have to go directly to that business, either to that business’s website or shopping them in other channels. But like we knew that that was going to happen.”

As previously reported, earlier this year, patrons began boycotting Target after the company removed all of its related diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the country. The move was made to better align the retailer with President Donald Trump’s current push to remove DEI across federal entities.

According to the company, the boycott and tariffs imposed during Trump’s presidency led to a steep fall in sales last quarter.

Butler concluded in her video, “The question is, can businesses sustain in the event that people don’t go back to Target, period? So, like, where do the dollars come from? It is so crazy.”

View on Threads

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Abby Phillip
by Mary Spiller

May 27, 2025

CNN Anchor Boldly Clocks Republican Analyst’s Lies On Nonexistent White South African Genocide

Abby Phillip's questioned Jennings' support of President Donald Trump's "White Genocide" in South Africa rhetoric.

CNN anchor Abby Phillip and Republican analyst Scott Jennings got into it over President Donald Trump’s recent Oval Office rant about a “white genocide” in South Africa. During a May 21 segment on CNN NewsNight, Phillips joined Jennings and fellow panelists Elise Labott, Charles Blow, Ashley Allison, Shermichael Singleton, and Tara Palmeri to discuss the recent refugee controversy.

The context that sparked the heated debate between Phillips and the Republican Jennings ensued after President Trump publicly insinuated that White South Africans are being subjected to “genocide” and claimed that they need to be accepted as refugees, while turning away other suffering groups.

In the segment of CNN NewsNight, Jennings defended Trump’s rhetoric, claiming that white farmers were being targeted in South Africa.

When Phillip pushed back with data supporting her rebuttal, the CNN anchor finally asked Jennings in a heated debate, “Why are you only concerned about white people?”

Phillips began, “This is straight out of the conspiracy land of the far right, and it is not based in fact. And it’s amazing that this has actually become the foreign policy of the United States based on just straight up — I mean, we have the numbers. It is completely unsubstantiated.”

Jennings pushed back, “You’re saying it’s not true that some white farmers have been murdered.”

Phillip quickly clarified, “No, it’s not true that there is a genocide against White farmers…How many white farmers have been murdered in South Africa?”

Jennings stated on the broadcast that he did not know, allowing Phillip to continue, “I know why you don’t know? Because those numbers don’t exist broken down by race.”

When Phillip questioned Jennings on how many Black farmers have been killed recently in South Africa, the 47-year-old conservative responded, “Look, you guys are so triggered over 59 [dead] people.”

Phillip cited the South African police as she pulled data to respond.

“There are 19,000 murderers in South Africa, 36 were on farms. Seven of them were victims of farmers, okay? The other 29 victims who were included in the farm killings were farm employees who tended to be Black. So, the vast majority of people killed on farms in South Africa are Black. Where is the concern about them?”

Jennings doubled down on supporting Trump’s viewpoint, alleging that the American government is concerned about white farmers experiencing violence overseas.

Phillip finally questioned Jennings upfront, asking, “Why are you only concerned about white people?”


Jennings explained that he was focused only on white people because, “They’re getting status, and now everybody’s freaking out about it.”

Fellow panelists finally began to chime in during the debate, fact-checking Jennings and expressing that “There’s no evidence that white people have been targeted.”

Many of the tensions discussed in the CNN episode by Jennings and Phillip began during a May 21 bilateral meeting in the Oval Office between President Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Things got heated after a reporter questioned Trump on clarifying the refugee policy. Trump responded by displaying a video during the meeting, accusing South Africa of conducting a “White Genocide.”

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Chicago, robbery,, red line train
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 27, 2025

Chicago Police Suspect A Gang Of Over 10 People Robbed And Pepper-Sprayed Couple On The City’s Red Line

The suspected individuals are believed to be Black men and women between the ages of 15 and 25.

Chicago police are looking for at least ten suspects involved in robbing and pepper-spraying a couple while on the train.

The robbery occurred on the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line train on the evening of May 7. Fox 32 confirmed the suspects as a large group of Black men and women between the ages of 15 and 25. The couple told Chicago police that the individuals used pepper spray on the couple while robbing them. It’s Onsite also showed photos of the alleged culprits.

While police did share 14 photos of the suspects, they released no further identification to the public. The incident occurred in Printer’s Row around 11:23 p.m., but as far as the public knows, the police have yet to apprehend anyone involved.

Furthermore, Chicago police did not disclose which individuals did what, including who used pepper spray on the unidentified couple. According to ABC 7, the couple detailed that one of the perpetrators also brandished a knife. They allegedly beat the couple during the robbery as well.

While cops continue to investigate, social media has its own thoughts on such a large and young group carrying out the crime.

“It’s [gonna] get to a point these kids are [gonna] start being unalived thinking they can’t be touched robbing people, it’s so sad,” shared one Instagram user.

Some expressed their belief that the minors involved should face charges as adults. Others believe that the parents are also to blame for the violent outbursts. While homicides in Chicago are down, Illinois Police also reported a 20-year high in aggravated assaults in the midwestern city.

Another added, “At some point, we have to start holding the parents responsible for their kids’ actions or have steeper consequences for their actions.”

Chicago police have encouraged anyone with information on the 14 suspects involved to contact Public Transportation Detectives at 312-745-4447.

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degree, incarceration, former inmate, graduate
by Keka Araújo

May 27, 2025

Ninth Degree, No Stopping Him: Meet 86-Year-Old Hurl Taylor, Emory University’s Oldest Grad

Looking ahead, Taylor, who describes himself as “semi-retired,” plans to integrate his Goizueta education into his business and legal ventures.

Hurl Taylor, 86, a dedicated member of Perimeter College’s Dean’s Advisory Board, has once again earned the distinction of being the oldest graduate at Emory University, this time for the class of 2025. 

The Emory News Center highlighted Taylor’s journey from Vietnam to Emory Law, Candler, and Goizueta, and what he’s learned from a life dedicated to knowledge in service of others. This milestone marks his ninth advanced degree and his fourth from Emory.

Taylor graduated with a master’s in business for military veterans (MBV) through a new program at Emory’s Goizueta School of Business, where he is part of its inaugural graduating cohort. This isn’t his first time as Emory’s most senior graduate; he also held that title in 2016 when he completed a master of Religion and Public Life (MRPL) at Candler School of Theology.

The university highlighted Taylor on its Instagram page, writing, “As the Goizueta community prepares for commencement, we’re proud to spotlight Hurl Taylor 25MBV. At 86, he’s earning his fourth Emory degree and continuing a lifelong journey of service and learning. A veteran, attorney, professor, and business owner, Hurl now mentors others through the Master’s in Business for Veterans program. 🎓”

His academic journey at Emory also includes a 1985 juris doctorate and a 1986 master’s in litigation, both from the university’s law school. In addition to his impressive academic record, Taylor holds five additional advanced degrees from other institutions.

“I have been accused of being a lifelong learner, and I plead guilty to it,” Taylor said. “It all started many years ago. As a young boy growing up, I used to try to read some of the novels that my mother had in her small library, like ‘Pride and Prejudice.’”

Known for his passion for empowering students and strengthening the community, Taylor finds a strong connection with Emory. 

“There’s great familiarity here, and it goes back to reputation,” he said. “Emory takes care of all its students. They look at their financial wealth, their health and their spiritual well-being. It’s just the complete package.”

A significant factor in his return for the MBV program was the opportunity to connect with fellow veterans. Taylor, a U.S. Army veteran and a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, found a unique camaraderie among his classmates. “As veterans, we have our own language,” he explained. “We sometimes forget that we are in a civilian world, and we’ll revert back to military talk — you know, the bathroom is the head; the kitchen is the galley.”

He added, “I also know there are many times I can relate to classmates only because I’m a veteran. Some of these folks have seen combat. They’ve had to watch each other’s backs. And even in class, we’re watching out for each other.”

Victoria Johnson, a classmate who served four years in the U.S. Air Force, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the bond formed through shared military experience and Taylor’s personal qualities. “I sat by Hurl on my first day of class and was immediately put at ease with his presence,” Johnson said. “I had been nervous about my classes and the academic environment. Understanding the courage it has taken Hurl to go through his career and life made me realize I could settle in and make it through.”

Johnson described Taylor as “an incredible mentor and friend,” adding, “He is authentic and honest and truly lives by his values.”

While Taylor’s personality is outgoing, he acknowledged the challenges of adapting to the technological aspects of the business program. “I noticed one thing that was not a strong suit for me: computer skills,” he said.

Ken Keen, associate dean for leadership at Goizueta and a retired Army lieutenant general, recalled Taylor’s initial inquiries about technology. “Shortly after he was accepted to the program, he asked me what kind of computer he needed. I soon realized he had never owned a computer.”

Taylor credited his younger classmates with helping him navigate the digital world. 

“In society today, things are moving very rapidly,” the octogenarian observed. “I watched how my young classmates were bringing out all these fancy iPads — and i-this and i-that — and I was just amazed. I said, ‘I’m going to learn from these folks.’ And my peers helped me a lot with my digital skills.”

Keen lauded Taylor’s perseverance, stating that his willingness to learn new digital skills is “a great lesson that we are never too young or old to take on new challenges and learn.”

Taylor believes that learning involves absorbing both the curriculum and the dynamics of different communities. “My curiosity is piqued by just pure observation and listening,” he said.

With his new MBV, Taylor hopes to assist friends and family with their small business needs. His motivation for pursuing multiple degrees stems from a fundamental desire to learn and to use that knowledge to help others. “You need to give back to the community,” he said. “It’s just as simple as that.”

Looking ahead, Taylor, who describes himself as “semi-retired,” plans to integrate his Goizueta education into his business and legal ventures.

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Dee Michelle, Invisible K-Tips, Hair Salon, Beauty Industry, Entrepreneurship, Hair Care
by Daron Pressley

May 27, 2025

Dee Michelle Introduces Invisible K-Tips: The Secret to Seamless Extensions

With her visionary approach, robust network, and unwavering dedication to elevating others, Michelle is not only transforming the beauty industry with Invisible K-Tips hair extensions but also building a legacy—and she’s just getting started.

Deonna “Dee Michelle” Fletcher — affectionately known as Dee Michelle — isn’t just styling hair; she’s redefining what it means to lead in luxury haircare, entrepreneurship, and empowerment. With over two decades of experience, the licensed cosmetologist, mother of four, and Pittsburgh native has built a powerful brand rooted in innovation and influence.

Known widely as the “Invisible K-Tips Queen,” she counts celebrities like Keyshia Cole, Jayda Cheaves, and Lira Galore among her elite clientele. Dee Michelle is seizing the moment as the global salon services industry surges, valued at $122 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $230.5 billion by 2034. She’s expanding her empire by opening an 8,000-square-foot luxury salon in New York City and hosting an exclusive one-day masterclass to empower fellow stylists with the tools to build their beauty businesses. What began as a passion has evolved into a movement that blends service excellence with mentorship, education, and legacy-building.

BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with Michelle about her new 8,000-square-foot salon, the Invisible K-Tips Method, and her passion for educating.

The Invisible K-Tips method
Dee Michelle’s signature Invisible K-Tips hair extensions method has disrupted the hair industry by providing versatility and a natural appearance without sacrificing comfort, which is highly sought after by women from all backgrounds. The unique technique Michelle began using in 2019 ensures that your extensions blend flawlessly with your natural hair, giving you complete, voluminous looks without compromising your natural hair.

“The Invisible K-Tips hair extensions method is truly innovative because it offers a flawless, undetectable finish that blends seamlessly with the client’s natural hair,” Michelle said.

“Something scarce in the world of extensions, especially for textured hair types like 4C,” she added. This method bridges beauty and practicality, empowering everyone from athletes to businesswomen to feel glamorous without compromising comfort or lifestyle.

Teaching the Business of Beauty
On May 25, Michelle will host the Invisible K-Tips Hair Extensions Masterclass in Atlanta, joined by Love & Hip Hop stars Yandy Smith-Harris and Kendra Robinson. The event is a bold extension of her brand’s core message: Beauty is Business.

“Stylists who attend the Invisible K-Tips Hair Extensions Masterclass will leave with much more than technical skills,” Michelle explained. “They’ll walk away with a blueprint for building a successful, sustainable business.”

The masterclass will cover everything from branding and client communication to pricing models and payment systems. But most importantly, it’s about giving stylists the mindset and tools to build long-term wealth.

“I’ll also be sharing insights on how to package and present their classes or services, helping them turn their talent into a legacy,” she added. “Most importantly, they’ll gain the confidence and mentorship needed to position themselves as experts in the industry and start creating wealth through their craft.”

Introducing the Dee Michelle Private Salon Experience
Dee’s expansion into New York City marks a significant milestone. Her new 8,000-square-foot luxury salon is set to redefine the salon experience.

“I’m beyond excited to announce the opening of my new luxury salon in New York City, a monumental step forward from my roots in Pittsburgh,” Michelle shared. “After the incredible growth and support I’ve received at my first salon, especially from clients across the East Coast, I knew it was time to expand and take this leap.”

Designed to feel more like a spa than a traditional salon, the Dee Michelle Private Salon Experience will offer a tranquil, upscale environment that caters to women from all walks of life.

“From the moment clients walk in, they’ll be pampered with upscale service, soothing ambiance, and top-tier care that goes far beyond the traditional salon vibe,” she says. “This is more than a salon—it’s a destination for transformation, education, and self-care.”

The space will also serve as a training ground for stylists looking to master the Invisible K-Tips hair extensions technique in a professional, supportive setting.

The Future of Beauty Is Scalable, Digital, and Personal
As the beauty world continues to evolve, Dee sees an opportunity for stylists to not only master their craft but to build powerful, profitable brands that reflect their stories. “The future of beauty entrepreneurship is all about specialization, scalability, and storytelling,” she explained. “Clients are no longer just looking for a service. They’re investing in an experience, a transformation, and a connection with a brand that reflects who they are or aspire to be.”


With the rise of digital platforms, social media, and content creation, Dee encourages stylists to think beyond the chair. “Stylists who combine mastery of their craft with content, education, and systems will win,” she said. That’s part of why Invisible K-Tips hair extensions are not just a style, but a gateway to building brand equity.

Advice for Aspiring Six-Figure Stylists
For those looking to build a six-figure brand in the beauty industry, Dee offers no-nonsense advice: “Get clear on your niche, invest in the client experience, and treat your business like a business,” Michelle urged. “That means setting goals, tracking your numbers, learning marketing, and creating systems that let you grow beyond the chair.”

While social media might get your name out there, consistency and service will keep it ringing in rooms you have yet to enter.

“Social media can get you seen, but consistency, branding, and service will keep your name in rooms you haven’t even entered yet.”

With her visionary approach, robust network, and unwavering dedication to elevating others, Michelle is not only transforming the beauty industry with Invisible K-Tips hair extensions but also building a legacy — and she’s just getting started.

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Pinky Cole, Slutty Vegan, Hoagies, Franchise
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 27, 2025

Pinky Cole Switches It Up Again—This Time, It’s All About Plant-Based Hoagies

Cole hopes to reclaim her restaurant glory with this new sandwich shop concept.

Pinky Cole has seen the highs and lows of starting a restaurant empire. Now, the “Slutty Vegan” founder hopes to be on the up again with her new sandwich shop concept.

Cole has now launched “Voagies,” a term for vegan hoagies, in the same location where she first became a household name with Slutty Vegan. The West View location in Atlanta was the first of many multi-state storefronts where customers could order plant-based burgers and more.

“There was a lot of people that thought I was dead, metaphorically,” Cole said at the Voagies grand opening. “But let me tell you how even in that dirt, flowers will grow higher.”

According to 11Alive, Cole had lost her business earlier this year in February to creditors. However, a little over a month later, she restored her ownership of the multi-million-dollar food empire. She said the decision came as cash-flow issues and operation costs troubled the growing entrepreneur.

Now, Cole hopes to begin anew with the “Slutty Vegan 2.0” venture. She hopes to elevate the typical sandwich shop experience, citing her own boredom with traditional options when ordering.

“This concept was born because I was tired of going to sub shops and just getting veggies on bread,” she said. “I wanted to be able to create something that I could appreciate, and I knew that it was guilt-free, and I knew that the market was wide open for a vegan hoagie shop. So I decided to do that… I’m so excited that this concept has finally manifested itself.”

She added, “I wanna say, all the people who ever doubted me — I hope that you have a front-row seat to the success” she said. “I hope that you are sitting in VIP to all this greatness that’s happening and is about to happen.”

Slutty Vegan’s cheeky schtick made vegan meals fun and engaging, with Atlanta proving itself as the first indicator that the restaurant would succeed. Now, she hopes to include the same charm that made her original restaurant soar. She remains optimistic that she will expand this empire across the U.S. and the world.

“This is the first business in Slutty Vegan 2.0. This is a hoagie shop like you have never experienced before,” explained Cole. “This brand is going to scale in a way that you ain’t never seen before… We will see this all over the world.”

RELATED CONTENT: Pinky Cole’s Bar Vegan In Atlanta To Close

Jamaica, chicken, beach, shore
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 27, 2025

Jamaica Announces Record Drop In Poverty Rates, Marking Lowest-Ever In Nation’s History

Poverty rates nearly slashed in half in both urban and rural areas across the Caribbean nation.

Jamaica is celebrating a record drop in its poverty rates, with 8.2% being the lowest in its history.

The Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry, announced the news May 21. Henry shared the figures from 2023 during the PIOJ’s quarterly media briefing on the state of the economy.

According to Loop News, this percentage was nearly half of the recorded poverty rate of 16.7% in 2021. This latest 8.2% rate became the lowest ever recorded since Jamaica began measuring poverty rates in 1989.

Henry confirmed that figures for 2024 will be revealed later this year. The data is detailed in the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC), collected by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN).

While Jamaicans celebrate this achievement, Henry stated that these numbers remain unconfirmed. No poverty results were determined in 2022, with STATIN also revising the sample design and weighting methodology to the JSLC sample used to collect poverty rates.

Furthermore, Henry emphasized that rates from 2012 to 2017 were revised to better compare with later years. He reiterated that his fellow countrymen should remember this context while acknowledging this progress.

“Therefore, data prior to 2012 should not be compared with data for 2012 to 2023,” Henry advised. “While the trend in poverty reduction remains clear and credible, comparisons across years, particularly with pre-revision estimates, should be interpreted with caution,” he said.

He noted that the increased number in 2021 likely stemmed from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this variability, Jamaica has progressed in reducing its poverty.

“While this is a positive development, we observe that there was high variability around this estimate. As such, maybe [it was] less precise than others. It should therefore be interpreted with some caution,” said Henry.

These decreasing numbers impacted both urban and rural areas. The poverty rate in the Greater Kingston Metropolitan area dropped from 10.4% in 2021 to 3% in 2023. Rural areas’ rates slashed from 22.1% to 11.5% between these years.

Furthermore, Jamaica noted a decline in food poverty, also known as extreme poverty. The country also recently celebrated its lowest monthly murder toll in 25 years last March.

“In the Jamaican context, food poverty refers to the inability of a household to afford the minimum daily caloric intake required for good health,” explained Henry.

These decreased poverty numbers include Jamaica’s recovery from the impact of COVID-19 and a rise in employment. The progress also stems from an increase in the minimum wage as social protection programs better serve nationals.

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Texas DEI Ban, scholarship, HBCU
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 26, 2025

Attention College Students: This Popular STEM Major Comes With High Unemployment Rates

Computer science comes with a surprisingly high unemployment rate for the popular major.

It may feel like summer’s just begun, but as some college students prepare for their upcoming year, knowing which major to pursue should be considered a big factor in job security.

As the economy suffers from layoffs and inflation, knowing which majors offer the most job stability has become a priority. However, one popular major comes with a high unemployment rate.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York revealed that computer science ranks seventh among undergraduate majors with the highest unemployment rate. Newsweek confirmed that this job field has a steep rate of 6.1% of unemployed people.

The significance gained traction due to the rise in STEM and the tech boom during the COVID-19 pandemic. HBCUs even account for 25% of Black graduates with STEM degrees, according to the UNCF.

However, the subsequent tech crash a few years later led to thousands of layoffs. Tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta also continue to slim down their hefty workforces.

“Seeing such a high unemployment rate for majors like computer science may stun many Americans,” explained Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin. “After all, it’s been one of the most encouraged majors in recent years due to the unprecedented need in the field by many businesses.”

As for what led to this discrepancy, some experts believe that the need and skillset outweigh the talent.

“However, an abundance of those who major in a field doesn’t necessarily create more talent, and as many companies have developed more complex needs, they often want employees more skilled with a proven track record of success,” explained Martin. “As a result, some new graduates may find it more difficult than expected to obtain a job, especially in our current environment where some employers are scaling back.””

A similar major, computer engineering, also came with a steep 7.5% unemployment rate. These shocking numbers may cause more college students to question this career path for a more stable future. For those wanting steadier majors, degrees in nutrition sciences, construction, and civil engineering come with less than 1% unemployment rates.

However, unemployment rates for this latest cohort of college graduates have steadily increased. This new issue has made college a make-or-break move for some to find financial stability. If one still pursues computer science, being on one’s “A-Game” remains crucial to making it in a more competitive market.

“Every kid with a laptop thinks they’re the next Zuckerberg, but most can’t debug their way out of a paper bag… We created a gold rush mentality around coding right as the gold ran out, explained financial expert Michael Ryan. “Companies are cutting engineering budgets by 40 percent while CS enrollment hits record highs. It’s basic economics. Flood the market, crater the wages.”

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