Most people recognize life insurance’s primary purpose of providing a death benefit to their loved ones and other beneficiaries. However, certain policies can also serve as valuable tools for wealth building and estate planning, creating options to fund present-day goals and pass on assets for future generations to build on. As part of our special “Money Moves That Matter” series of Beyond The Hype episodes, John Hancock Head of Insurance Hector Martinez joins to underscore the value of life insurance as a wealth strategy.
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
September 10, 2025
Italian Journalist Responds To Criticism But Never Assumes Accountability For Excluding Ayo Edebiri From BLM Question
Federica Polidoro focused more on the hate she has received than why she initially slighted the actress.
The Italian journalist who caught backlash for excluding actress Ayo Edebiri from a question about Black Lives Matter pushed back on assertions that her comments were tone-deaf and exclusionary.
During a press interview with Edebiri and her After The Hunt co-stars Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield, Federica Polidoro posed a question directly to the two white actors about social justice movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter.
The moment quickly went viral as Edebiri interjected herself into the response anyway. Social media questioned Polidoro’s intentions with her phrasing of the question, but the journalist’s response focused more on the hate she received from the incident.
“I find it striking that those who unjustly accuse me of racism and consider themselves custodians of justice find acceptable violent language, personal attacks, and cyberbullying,” wrote Polidoro in a formal statement to Instagram.
She added, “I would like to clarify that, rather than focusing on the thoughtful responses of Ayo Edebiri, Julia Roberts, and Andrew Garfield, the discussion continues solely on how I should have phrased the question.”
Polidoro claimed people “unjustly accuse[d]” her of racism. She further deflected by stating the “real racists” are those who took offense to her interaction with Edebiri.
“In my view, the real racists are those who see racism everywhere and seek to muzzle journalism, limiting freedom of analysis, critical thinking, and the plurality of perspectives,” Polidoro.
The defense, unsurprisingly, did not appease critics.
Notably, Polidoro’s statement did not include any apology to Edebiri or her co-stars, all of whom appeared confused and perhaps offended by how she posed the question. However, others also noted how Polidoro’s nationality may have played a role in the slight.
Global anti-racism advocates have long critiqued the Afrophobia found in Italy, particularly within its law enforcement and societal marginalization. According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Afrophobia, a specific form of racism and violence against those of African descent, has been on the rise throughout the continent.
Additionally, these anti-Black sentiments have permeated throughout Italy, which hosts a prominent immigrant community given its coastal location close to Africa. The Council of Europe’s Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) released a 2025 annual report in May that found Italy to be a significant perpetrator of racist incidents and harassment by its police.
As Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and Deputy Minister both lead far-right parties, the elected officials refuted the claims made by the council. However, the refusal to recognize this growing problem could lead to more harm to African Italians, as well as influence how Italians interact with Black people across the Diaspora.
Commenters did not let Polidoro off the hook, especially as her home country continues to struggle with heightened racial prejudice.
“You refuse to address the actual concerns about why you intentionally excluded Ayo Edebiri—a critically acclaimed Black woman actress you had the honor of being in proximity with, let alone interviewing—whom the subjects of the question are most pertinent to,” a commenter said. “This question in particular was not asked with respect or responsibility regarding her, and made your guests visibly uncomfortable…It seems to be apparent to everyone but you how inappropriate and harmful that was.”
Others also called her out for her deflection, including Djarah Khan, an Italian-Ghanaian writer and cultural activist. Khan commented in Italian about how Polidoro’s statement plays into the “provincialism” that stifles the country.
“This text is the manifesto of Italian journalism that cannot save itself from its own provincialism,” wrote Khan. “I’m Italian and I’m very embarrassed by the way [she] developed [her] profession. I’m even more embarrassed by her inability to acknowledge that such criticism could help her be a better journalist.”
Neither Edebiri nor her co-stars have addressed Polidoro’s controversial response.
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by Kandiss Edwards
September 10, 2025
Texas First Lady Put Worship Leader On Blast In The Name Of Jesus
First Lady Cassandrea Pope was in her feelings because she didn't get a hug!
First Lady Cassandrea Pope of Macedonia Worship Center in Texas is under fire for chastising and firing the church’s worship leader during service.
A TikTok user named Mahogonee posted a video of the Sep. 7 service. In her caption, Mahogonee said she’s been the lead of the praise and worship for two years.
“If you fast forward to the 2:00 mark, you’ll witness me being fired from a church that I led worship at for the past 2 years up until this morning. The way that some ministry leaders treat those who have served under them should really be studied. Let this be an example of how NOT to treat those who have done nothing but serve and help to grow a music ministry.“
The footage shows Pope approaching the pulpit during worship service to rebuke Mahogonee because she did not greet her with a proper hug. She proceeded to turn to Mahogonee, point in her face multiple times and use scripture to justify the public humiliation.
With a raised voice, Pope declared, “The word of God tells us that open rebuke is better than secret love. So we can’t have that up in this house. So if you just want to go ahead and do what you have to do today, we are going to do that. We tried to talk about it, but you didn’t want to talk about it. So I’m just going to expose it and let you know, I know how you feel. Amen. So if you need to, excuse yourself, I’m going to go ahead and permit you to do that on this morning. But if not, you can just go ahead and sing for the Lord. Amen.”
Commenters on the video were appalled to say the least. One commenter said the interaction revealed the impure intentions of the Texas institution.
@Ms. PettyPolly: She thought she was exposing you, but really exposed herself 🤭. She wanted a scene, but you gave her silence 👑🤌🏽. Much respect for walking away with dignity. That’s why many of us stop attending church and keep our praise private, between us and God. Respectfully!
Another respondent attributed Pope’s actions to the work of the devil.
@ApplePie200 wrote,” Hi Mahoganee. What was done on that stage was spiritual abuse at its fullest. Do not let the wrongdoing of others stray you from your path. The Devil will throw sticks, but the house of the Lord is built on solid rock, and it will not fall. Keep your head up, God is watching over you. So sorry you have to deal with this.”
After the humiliation of Mahogonee, Bishop Walter Pope took the pulpit to support the public undressing. Neither the Pastor nor the first lady of Macedonia has responded to the viral video.
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by Jeroslyn JoVonn
September 10, 2025
Tyler Perry Accuser Breaks Silence To Force ‘Accountability’ From Mogul
Derek Dixon also shared texts that he says Tyler Perry sent him.
The actor suing Tyler Perry for $260 million, claiming sexual assault and harassment, said he is suffering from anxiety and depression due to Perry’s alleged advances.
Derek Dixon, who appeared in 85 episodes of Perry’s BET series The Oval between 2021 and 2025, sat down with Linsey Davis of ABC News Live on Sept. 9 to recall his complicated relationship with Perry, which allegedly included daily texts and calls and physical gropings that Dixon tried to avoid.
After filing the bombshell lawsuit against the media mogul, Dixon is hoping Perry takes “accountability for what happened” and learns to “not treat your employees this way and to never use someone’s dream to coerce them into a relationship that’s not professional.”
Speaking out for the first time since filing his civil complaint, Dixon said he didn’t “want to stay silent about it anymore” even though “it’s a vulnerable thing to talk about.”
“It’s been hard,” Dixon said. “There’s a lot of shame around it. Just trying to think what you could have done better and having to deal with the judgment of how you could’ve ended it better without being in that situation.”
Dixon was working at an events company when he met Perry in 2019. Perry took an interest in him, encouraging him to pursue acting with the promise of future opportunities. By early 2020, Dixon landed the role “he always dreamed about,” playing Dale The Oval.
In his lawsuit, Dixon claims that while working on the show, Perry began sending him text messages, some of which were sexual. In his interview with Davis, Dixon read aloud several of those texts and explained why he chose to keep the exchanges friendly despite their suggestive nature.
“One of them says, ‘What’s it going to take for you to have guiltless sex? Have y’all found that in therapy yet? I would hope that you would let someone hold and make love to you,” Dixon said.
“In all these texts, I tried to de-escalate them and make a joke out of them,” he added.
That changed in January 2020, when Perry invited Dixon to stay at his guest house over after a night of drinks.
“I got into bed and then I noticed that he climbed into bed with me as well and started rubbing my leg,” Dixon said. “I jumped out of bed…he had said, ‘Turn around so I can look at you’ and just comment on how I looked. And then he got up and left. So I thought after that instance, it was pretty clear that I was not interested in that type of a relationship.”
When Dixon’s character was shot at the end of Season 2, he feared, “If I don’t make him happy, I could stay dead on the show.” After filming the scene, Dixon said Perry invited him to his trailer and asked if he was attracted to him. Trying to defuse the moment, Dixon recalls responding that Perry was an “attractive man.”
“That’s when he pushed me up against the wall and grabbed my a** again. I remember leaving his trailer and calling my friend immediately and just feeling sick about it,” Dixon said.
In a separate alleged incident at Perry’s home in June 2021, the mogul made drinks that left them both intoxicated. Later that night, Perry allegedly invited Dixon to try out a weight monitor that required him to undress.
“He reached down and pulled my underwear down and grabbed my a** and I tried to stop him and pull back my underwear up and he grabbed my arms and said, ‘No, no, no, it’s OK, just go with it.’ I said, ‘Stop, I don’t want to be naked,'” Dixon claimed.
After ending his personal and professional relationship with Perry in 2024, as well as losing rights to a script he pitched to Perry that didn’t make it past a pilot shoot, Dixon followed up with an EEOC filing in January before filing his civil lawsuit.
As for the $260 million he’s after, Dixon said “part of that number is my lost job, my lost income, the loss of a show. The other part of that is a deterrent for how do you stop a billionaire who won’t stop themselves from doing this.”
For Dixon, justice would “look like thinking I’ve made a change and that something like this won’t happen to another actor that works for him or another actor in the industry.”
Perry’s attorney Matthew Boyd responded to Dixon’s interview.
“This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam,” Boyd said. “Tyler will not be shaken down, and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail.”
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by Kandiss Edwards
September 10, 2025
‘Mama We Made It:’ Detroit Man Wins Jackpot Makes Mom His First Call
A Detroit man calls his mom to let her know they are leaving the hood after he won a casino jackpot.
After winning FireKeepers Casino’s largest-ever jackpot, Detroit resident Anthony W. Jr. made a tear-filled call to his mother to tell her about his life-changing win.
Anthony struck gold with the second-biggest win in casino history, $1,376,465.30. After hitting the jackpot on the Blackjack Triple Diamond Progressive machine, he made a call to let his mother know. The moment was captured on video. Anthony was seen pacing the casino floor, waving his hands around frantically, while speaking to his mother.
“Momma, we are out of the hood!” he told her, his voice full of emotion. “We’re leaving tomorrow.”
Onlookers witnessed his joy, and the phone call went viral. For Anthony, the jackpot offered a way out of longstanding economic hardship.
Anthony is not the only person celebrating a major gambling win. Two, currently unnamed, people recently won the $1.787 billion Powerball jackpot, according to Powerball. The win was reportedly the largest in U.S. lottery history. One ticket was sold at a convenience store in Fredericksburg, Texas, while the other was purchased at a gas station in suburban St. Louis County, Missouri. The winners now face a choice: take an annuity totaling $893.5 million or $410.3 million immediate payment. Both amounts before taxes. Their victory ended a record-breaking drought of 41 drawings without a jackpot winner, according to AP News.
While individuals won big, states all over the U.S. were able to gain from the exorbitant proceeds from all ticket sales, which contribute to schools and state services. In addition to the jackpot winners, 18 states each saw at least one player win.
As winners prepare to claim their prizes, fortunately under anonymity protections, they’re encouraged to secure their tickets, sign them, and seek financial and legal guidance.
While Anthony does not have the benefit of anonymity, he does have the benefit of a large win.
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by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
September 10, 2025
D.C. College Students, Including Howard University, Walk Out Against Federal Occupation
The protestors hope to put pressure on Congress to vote against extending the occupation.
College students across Washington, D.C., staged a walkout on Tuesday, Sept. 9, to protest the ongoing federal occupation in the nation’s capital.
Students from schools such as Georgetown, George Washington, and Howard University stood in solidarity with one another to protest President Donald Trump’s deployment of national troops to the district. Faculty from these esteemed institutions also walked out of their scheduled classes to hit the streets for the cause.
The ongoing occupation of federal police throughout D.C. has left residents feeling uneasy. Anyone in the district could be stopped without any due reason, such as speaking another language or appearing to not belong based on skin color.
At Howard’s walkout, the HBCU students spoke about their fears regarding the potentially extended federal occupation.
“I feel so bottled up in my emotions in this overwhelming time of occupation in D.C.,” said Funmilayo Coates, a freshman at the HBCU, according to HUNewsService. “I even feel targeted myself, as I am part Nigerian. I’m scared that just because of my name or if I’m caught speaking another language, I could be stopped.”
According to WUSA9, one of the walkout’s organizers, The Sunrise Movement, shared the walkout’s demands on social media. While noting how college students in the city are “rising together,” they demanded that their school administrations fight to protect them, and that Congress “reverse the state of exception” on Trump’s takeover.
“As we return to school, our city is under attack—Trump has sent the military to patrol our streets and ICE to take away our loved ones. But in this moment of crisis, DC students are rising together,” the walkout flyer declared.
The Sunrise Movement hopes the walkout will put pressure on Congress as it gets ready to vote on an extension of Trump’s takeover.
“On the day before Congress votes to extend Trump’s federal control over the MPD, students on our campus and across DC are walking out of class,” the organization added. “We are calling on our university administration to fight for its students by resisting cooperation with Trump’s goons every step of the way. That means refusing to let the National Guard and ICE onto our campus.”
Students, chanting “We keep us safe,” staggered their walkouts, with Georgetown starting at 10 a.m. and American University students ending the protest at 2 p.m.
Despite the local emergency ending before midnight on Sept. 10, the National Guard has already received orders that they will stay in D.C. until at least November. Although a complete reversal seems unlikely, students hope their strength and advocacy will help in the long run.
“Even if this is for something that won’t materialize in our present, even if it is fighting for a sunrise that I know I will never see, I still have hope—hope that maybe the next generation, the next or the next will be that change,” shared one anonymous Howard student at the walkout.
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by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton
September 10, 2025
The Associated Press Removes Story Claiming LeBron James Wrote An Op-Ed For Chinese Media
A rep for the NBA player informed the outlet that James did not write anything for any Chinese media
After publishing a story that claimed to be an opinion piece written by future NBA Hall of Famer LeBron James, The Associated Press removed the article from its website after discovering that the All-Star forward never wrote an op-ed for any media outlet.
According to ESPN, the news outlet took the story down after reporting that James wrote the piece for a Chinese publication and that he said in the alleged article that “basketball is not only a sport, but also a bridge that connects us.” However, after publishing the story, The Associated Press was informed by one of James’ reps that he had made a statement, but did not pen an article for a Chinese publication.
The original story pointed to the Sept. 8 edition of the People’s Daily newspaper, which wrote that James is in China for two preseason games taking place in October in Macao between the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets.
The representative for the basketball player stated that he spoke with the Chinese media during a media session, and the statement attributed to him was made at that time. The original story noted that James said, “It’s super humbling for me to be able to come here, so far away from home, and get the reception and the love, I just wanted to pour it back to the community and to this country,” stating that Xinhua, the official news agency, supplied the quote.
Yet another Chinese media quickly doubted that “the mouthpiece of China’s ruling Communist Party” would allow an editorial from a foreign athlete.
The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post said, “It is rare for the mouthpiece of China’s ruling Communist Party to run articles carrying the byline of foreign sports stars. It is more common for international sporting heroes to connect with fans in China via Chinese social media.”
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by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
September 10, 2025
Walmart Will Open First Branded Stores In South Africa, Bringing U.S. Retailer To The Continent
Walmart also plans to work with local suppliers to stock its shelves.
Walmart will open its first branded stores on the African continent, starting with locations in South Africa.
The major U.S. retailer intends to open its doors for African customers this year. In South Africa, Walmart already owns a local subsidiary, Massmart, which it fully acquired in 2022, alongside its other chains, including Makro, Game, and Builders Warehouse. However, Walmart plans to introduce its own name and likeness to the country with a storefront.
The move not only aims to establish Walmart as a brand within the region, but also to insert itself with local competitors such as Shoprite, Woolworths, and Pick n Pay. However, the conglomerate also intends to work with African-based suppliers to stock its shelves to match its latest customer base’s interests.
“This strategic move underscores Walmart’s commitment to making high-quality, affordable merchandise accessible to more customers,” explained Walmart in a statement obtained by Business Insider Africa.
Staying true to the company’s ethos of offering a wide range of products at low prices, Walmart will blend a mix of grocery items, technology products, and household essentials in its offerings. Furthermore, they will immerse themselves in South African business and culture by stocking goods from local suppliers.
“Walmart will also offer a variety of locally sourced products. By partnering with South African suppliers and entrepreneurs, we aim to bring our signature every day low prices and global standards to the market while celebrating the country’s rich culture,” shared President and CEO Kath McLay to Reuters.
The move will also help Walmart compete in the e-commerce space, especially as other retailers, like Amazon and the more local Takealot.com, dominate this sector. They plan to open several stores by the year’s end, with opening dates expected in October.
In its news release, Walmart also highlighted its commitment to uplifting communities within South Africa amid the stores’ opening. Specifically in the country, the brand emphasized support in food security, disaster relief, and for local entrepreneurs. They also noted plans to increase workforce opportunities as well as communal outreach and sustainability initiatives to help fuel South Africa’s economy.
“We’re thrilled to begin this journey introducing the iconic Walmart brand to South African associates, customers and communities,” added Miles Van Rensburg, Massmart president and CEO. “By listening and working together, we aim to build lasting relationships and deliver a delightful shopping experience that reflects the needs and aspirations of South Africans.”
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors
September 10, 2025
Black History Museums Face Rising Pressures Amid Federal Oversight
This isn’t just a polarized disagreement.
Written by Dr. Russ Wigginton
Black history museums across the country are confronting a growing wave of challenges fueled by recent executive orders and sweeping federal oversight. Such directives are a threat to undermine the integrity of fact-based historical interpretation and threaten to silence the very stories our institutions were built to preserve.
The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, founded in 1991, 23 years after the April 4, 1968, assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the hotel balcony outside of Room 306, maintains a mission to honor and preserve King’s legacy. We chronicle the American civil rights movement and tell the story of the ongoing struggle for human rights. We educate and serve as a catalyst to inspire action to create positive social change.
We remain steadfast and unapologetic about this mission.
Since our founding, our work has been grounded in well-researched and documented facts and data that speak to all aspects of our nation’s history.
Though private museums like the National Civil Rights Museum are not directly under federal control, we are not immune. The climate of fear, intimidation, and politicization extends beyond federal borders, seeping into state curricula, school partnerships, corporate giving, and philanthropic support. When school districts hesitate to schedule visits, when donors quietly back away, and when sponsors grow wary of being associated with “controversial” history, the impact is felt in real time—in attendance numbers, budget lines, and program cuts.
This isn’t just a polarized disagreement. It’s a calculated campaign to rewrite, repress, and reframe America’s racial history into what some might consider a more comfortable or easier-to-digest narrative. When oversight turns into censorship, and educational policy becomes propaganda, our democracy is questioned.
Yes, we’ve endured funding crises in the past. We’ve weathered recessions, political swings, and cultural backlash. In certain ways the threat of this moment feels different. But make no mistake about it, we have been here before—in post-Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras, for sure. The only way places that preserve the richness of Black history move forward in this moment is with persistence and pride.
We will remain resilient. Museums like ours have always been more than buildings with artifacts. We are community anchors, truth-tellers, and keepers of memory. We will not be bullied into silence, nor will we allow history to be erased.
But we cannot stand alone.
In this time of economic uncertainty and political pressure, the most powerful response is public action. The will of the people—not just at the ballot box, but at the museum box office—will decide what future we build. Every visit, every membership, every donation is a statement that history matters, that truth matters, and that the stories of ALL Americans will not be buried.
Let this moment be a call not just to resist, but to recommit.
Dr. Russ Wigginton serves as the president of the National Civil Rights Museum. He assumed this role in 2021 and has vast experience in education, fundraising, operations, and community engagement. Wigginton was the chief postsecondary impact officer for the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) from 2019 to 2021, where he led the organization’s work for postsecondary access, retention, and completion. He served as vice president for student life and dean of students at Rhodes College in Memphis from 2017 to 2019, where he oversaw the college’s co-curricular experience for students.
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton
September 10, 2025
Meek Mill Seeks $5M For Projects, Social Media Users Offer Suggestions
The Philly rapper said he needs the money to fund a book, album, and a short film.
On his X account, Philly recording artist Meek Mill complained that he can’t find investors for a variety of projects, namely $5 million for a book, album, and short.
Social media users were happy to provide some answers, not all of them helpful.
He was given advice or chastised for how he had moved in the past while others did not believe that he was in any position to garner any investment money.
One young lady called him by his given middle name, Rihmeek (which is where Meek derived from), and provided advice that some may find useful.
Another user placed the blame on the rapper for past transgressions and suggested that the “face” of his business (AKA Meek) is most likely the reason he is not getting past the doors, keeping him out of the investment pool.
The user even offered Meek to contact him directly for more advice, if needed. (No word if that happened.)
Someone else said he should be self-funded, using Meek’s branded company name, Dream Chaser, to make a point.
Continuing on the theme that Meek could do these things on his own, using his own money, another user suggested he approach a bank, which is something Meek alluded to in another post, which which was a better alternative than “begging” for the funds.
In the post below, though, Meek seemingly answered his own question.
Will the Philadelphia rapper take heed and attempt to fund his own projects? Or will he continue to look for investors to chase his dreams? Maybe having a conversation with Jay-Z or maybe 50 Cent, who are both successful in and outside of hip-hop, can lead him to what he is looking for. Time will tell.
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