by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 19, 2025

Patti LaBelle Performs ‘Lady Marmalade’ With Kolbi Jordan On ‘American Idol’ Grand Finale

Patti LaBelle joins Kolbi Jordan for a powerhouse vocal performance on the "American Idol" season 23 grand finale.

Patti LaBelle didn’t miss a note while performing her 1974 classic “Lady Marmalade” with vocal sensation Kolbi Jordan on the season 23 grand finale of American Idol.

Jordan made a powerful return to the American Idol stage after her double elimination earlier this month. The Tulsa, Oklahoma, native captivated the crowd with a soulful duet alongside her idol, the legendary Patti LaBelle.

The “Godmother of Soul” dazzled in a coral tulle two-piece and white pumps, while Jordan wowed in a striking gold gown.

The duo brought the audience to its feet with a powerhouse performance packed with soaring high notes, signature riffs, LaBelle’s trademark, and Jordan’s fan-favorite strength.

Fans praised the duet, highlighting Jordan’s admiration for LaBelle and celebrating LaBelle’s timeless beauty and remarkable vocal range after over six decades in the spotlight.

“They were incredible!!! Kolbi was fangirling and Patti still slaying even at 81!!!” one viewer wrote.

“This was incredible! Kolbi not only had a dream come true, but sang her heart out in an outstanding performance,” added someone else.

The performance was another highlight in Jordan’s breakout season, which included earning a Platinum Ticket and making it to the Top 24. Her journey began with a powerful audition with Chrisette Michele’s “Epiphany,” which earned unanimous approval from all three judges.

LaBelle wasn’t the only star to take the Grand Finale stage alongside former contestants. Canaan James Hill teamed up with gospel icon Kirk Franklin for a powerful performance of “Melodies From Heaven” and “Love Theory.”

Christian artist Brandon Lake joined finalist Breanna Nix for his emotional track “Daddy’s DNA.” Artist-in-residence Jelly Roll hit the stage with finalist Jamal Roberts for a heartfelt duet of “Unpretty” and “Liar.” At the same time, Luke Bryan performed “Deeper Than the Holler” alongside finalist John Foster.

Ultimately, former physical education teacher Jamal Roberts made history as only the second Black man to win American Idol. During the three-hour finale, he clinched the title over finalists Breanna Nix and John Foster, impressing voters and judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 19, 2025

Antonio Brown Looking Into Pressing Charges Against Individuals Who Jumped Him in Miami

Police officers detained the former NFL player before releasing him with no charges.

After being detained for an altercation in Miami on May 17, former NFL player Antonio Brown said on social media that he is considering legal action against “the individuals that jumped me.”

According to CBS News Miami, Brown, 36, got into an altercation at an event hosted by streamer Adin Ross. Afterward, Brown returned with a weapon. Police officers took Brown in for questioning, and then released him.

When Brown posted on X, he wrote that he would speak to attorneys about pursuing action against his attackers.

Brown claims he was jumped by several people who attempted to steal his jewelry. Several videos that went viral on social media and through news outlets showed him being placed in handcuffs. He promised to keep followers abreast as he takes the steps to seek legal recourse.

Regarding the boxing event that happened last night. I was jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me. Contrary to some video circulating, Police temporarily detained me until they received my side of the story and then released me.…

— AB (@AB84) May 17, 2025

A Miami police department spokesperson, Officer Kiara Delva, confirmed that several people were questioned but no one was arrested. Delva said there were no injuries at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Brown had an accomplished, but controversial, NFL career (2010-2021) with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New England Patriots, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a championship with the Bucs in 2021 with quarterback Tom Brady. He ended his career in a season finale against the New York Jets by taking off his football jersey while still on the field and heading toward the tunnel.

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 19, 2025

T.D. Jakes Encourages Morris Brown Grads To ‘Change The World’ While Donating $100K

Morris Brown leaders highlighted that the funds from Jakes couldn't have come at a better time as HBCUs are labeled as being financially under attack.

Morris Brown College received a huge surprise from Pastor T.D. Jakes, during its 2025 commencement ceremony after he announced a donation of $100,000, Atlanta News First reported.

The Potter’s House leader made the pledge towards the end of his moving speech geared toward resilience, legacy, and leadership, securing payment for more than 150 workforce certification exams that will help students with credentials in high-demand fields. “The surprise announcement underscores a key theme from his commencement address: That legacy is not what we inherit but what we invest forward,” a Potter’s House representative said in a statement.

The HBCU’s commencement ceremony, held on May 17, took place at Atlanta’s Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, where 58 students crossed the stage from college students to students of the real world. According to 11 Alive, the donation was made through the T.D. Jakes Foundation as Jakes drew a correlation between the graduation and Morris Brown’s legendary comeback. “This gift is not about what we’ve inherited, but what we invest forward,” Jakes said, who walked away with an honorary degree.

morris brown gave TD Jakes a honorary doctorate pic.twitter.com/T9SeoPzLtH
— micheal penix durag (@officia1_dell) May 17, 2025

Morris Brown, home of the Wolverines, has overcome mass adversities, bouncing back from losing accreditation to opening their doors to students of schools like Limestone University, which announced its closure in May 2025. The college made national headlines in 2022 for becoming the first HBCU to regain accreditation after 20 years.

As companies like Chick-fil-A have made huge donations in the past, Morris Brown leaders highlighted that the funds from Jakes couldn’t have come at a better time, as HBCUs are labeled as being financially under attack. But Jakes encouraged graduates to continue the fight, not just for their alma mater, but for the climate of the world. “You’ve come too far not to get up. Fight until you build your business or company, find a cure for cancer, franchise yourself, or get on your feet,” Jakes said.

Atlanta-based HBCUs were busy in mid-May, with a number of Black celebrities giving commencement speeches, touching on different topics. Civil rights advocate and former presidential candidate Dr. Cornel West spoke to Morehouse College grads, focusing on “spiritual wickedness in high places” while Academy Award-nominated Actress Taraji P. Henson touched on Spelman College graduates leaning on their circles “for sisterhood” while surviving in a political and social world “where Black women have been exhausted of their ongoing efforts.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 19, 2025

Hiker Tiffany Slayton Recalls Time Spent Missing 3 Weeks In California Wilderness

The woman endured snow storms and harmful animals as she fought for her life.

A Black woman who went missing and survived for weeks in the California wilderness is finally speaking out about her experience.

According to ABC News, Tiffany Slayton was first reported missing on April 29. While the 28-year-old loves outdoor activities, she never expected her trip in Fresno to end in struggle. A considerate resort owner luckily found the millennial alive on May 14 after a three-week search.

She told reporters during a press conference on May 16 about her three-day camping trip gone wrong.

“I may never do a vacation longer than three days ever again,” she said during the meeting.

Slayton relied on her survival instincts to get through the California mountains. Slayton, originally from Jeffersonville, Georgia, raised alarms for her parents when they had not heard from her in over a week.

An serious fall off of a cliff led her to survival mode for almost a month. The fall knocked her unconscious for hours and left her with serious leg injuries. She recalled having to splint one of her legs while popping her knee back in place in order to move.

Despite always loving nature, she now holds an even deeper respect for the outdoors. She called nature “quite terrifying” to maneuver when put in more precarious conditions.

“Nature is quite terrifying. Once you start finding things that are scary for you, you do your best to keep moving and get over it,” added the trained horticulturist.

Additional obstacles, such as a recent avalanche blocking access to the main road and virtually no cell signal, resulted in her extended delay in returning to civilization. Through her experience, she endured harmful animals, snow storms, and arduous hikes.

Living off leeks and boiled snow, her survival is a testimony to her own strength, resilience, and knowledge to make it off limited supplies. While she initially started with sleeping bags and a bicycle, Slayton could only hold a lighter and a knife through the end.

After a days-long search effort spanning 600 miles yielded no results, Slayton’s parents nearly gave up hope. However, the woman stumbled upon an open cabin at a Lake Edison resort. The resort’s owner intentionally left the home accessible in case of an emergency like hers.

“[I] left a cabin unlocked as a precaution for this exact situation where someone who is lost could seek shelter and increase their chances of surviving the outdoor elements and harsh weather,” explained the cabin’s owner Christopher Gutierrez.

He added, “As soon as I saw her, she didn’t say a word, just ran up and all she wanted was a hug. It was a pretty surreal moment.”

Slayton lost 10 pounds and endured eye damage, covered by sunglasses at the press conference. Despite this, Slayton remains in relatively good health, including “perfect” bloodwork, given the circumstances.

Now, Slayton can return to her Georgia hometown with her family. She journaled throughout her three-week struggle and hopes to reflect on those documents as she recovers.

by Ahsan Washington

May 19, 2025

7 Malcolm X Quotes On Black Empowerment

The honorable X was an activist who fought fiercely for Black dignity, equality and justice

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, largely known as Malcolm X, was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925. The honorable Malcolm X was an activist who fought fiercely for Black dignity, equality, and justice throughout the civil rights movement until his untimely murder Feb. 21, 1965. It did not matter if he was in a mosque, abroad, on stage, or giving an interview, Malcolm X was crystal clear in his messaging: Black folks deserve their freedom, a right to choose their path, and real economic power. X was a great orator and his raw, honest words about Black empowerment still hit home today. Celebrating his 100th birthday, BLACK ENTERPRISE is sharing seven of Malcolm’s most impactful quotes that inspire Black communities across the diaspora.

1) “Who taught you to hate your own kind?”

Malcolm X fired this question during a 1962 speech in Los Angeles, after William Stokes was killed by LAPD. He was calling out how Black people are programmed to hate themselves through racism. Malcolm wasn’t playing. He challenged Black folks to question who convinced them that they were less than. It’s all about throwing off those mental chains and embracing Blackness and self-love as resistance.

2) “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

Malcom X stated this powerful quote during a speech at the Founding Rally of the OAAU, June 28, 1964. Why is it impactful? Malcolm ties education directly to empowerment and freedom. This quote reminds Black people that knowledge is a tool of liberation, not just a credential. It inspires an investment into education for Black youth.

3) “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has freedom.”

During a speech in 1965 in New York City, Malcolm X delivered this powerful statement which continues to hit. The quote reveals how people advocate for peace without addressing real oppression. It calls out the hypocrisy of expecting oppressed people to remain silent while their rights continue to be suppressed. According to Malcolm, true peace requires more than silence. True peace emerges from the presence of justice and freedom. The message continues to affect us deeply in the present day.

4) “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.”

While eulogizing William Stokes at his funeral, Malcolm X acknowledged what Black women were dealing with. He was ahead of the curve at placing Black women at the heart of liberation struggles. The quote would go on to become a rallying cry for respect and justice that still hits hard in today’s climate of disparity and discrimination against Black women.

5) “I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against.”

This powerful quote is from Malcolm X’s autobiography that was co-written with Alex Haley and published after his death in 1965. It’s not just talk, it shows how Malcolm put principles above being liked. After splitting from the Nation of Islam, he developed a wider, more inclusive worldview based on justice for all. What makes it so inspiring is how it pushes Black folks to embrace truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable.

6) “It is time for the Black Americans to band together and do whatever is necessary to see that we get the type of protection we need.”

Malcolm X revealed this profound truth during What makes this statement so powerful is that it reveals that Black liberation requires both organized resistance and strategic planning. People must fight for it while maintaining strength and demonstrating determination. His words served as a battle cry for movements that refuse to compromise or surrender. Malcolm understood that there are situations where you must demonstrate your power instead of simply making polite requests.

7) “By any means necessary.”

Malcolm X dropped this bomb during his 1964 speech at the Organization of Afro-American Unity. Probably his most famous line ever. Why’s it hit so hard? It’s basically saying: do whatever it takes to get free. No waiting around for permission. It told Black folks they had every right to chase freedom through any channel — political moves, cultural resistance, self-defense, whatever works. Not about sitting back and taking it, it’s about grabbing your own destiny. Raw power in just four words.

Virginia State University, HBCU, Accredited Social Work Program

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 19, 2025

WHERE DEM FANS AT? Virginia State Shows How An HBCU Graduation Gets Down With ‘Boots On The Ground’ During Commencement

The school's commencement showed how HBCUs continue to display the culture.

Virginia State University showed everybody how HBCU graduations get down. During its commencement ceremonies, the school’s graduates broke out into the popular “Boots On The Ground” line dance.

The dance breaks came from a surprise moment during both ceremonies on May 17. According to HBCU Gameday, the move was sparked by the University’s president, Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. Ahead of graduates crossing the stage, President Abdullah encouraged students to look under their seats to find handheld fans and start the party.

Our graduates are ready to hit the ground running. In fact, they already got their " BOOTS ON THE GROUND." pic.twitter.com/0MONhEj697
— Virginia State University (@VSU_1882) May 17, 2025

“Our graduates are ready to hit the ground running,” shared VSU in the viral post. “They already got their “BOOTS ON THE GROUND.”

People use the fans to perform the dance made popular by the song 803Fresh. This is another addition to the long list of line dances that have taken social media by storm. However, in a VSU twist, the fans also displayed the HBCU’s colors of blue, white, and orange.

As soon as graduates heard the song’s now-famous lyrics, “Where them fans at?” the crowd began to rise. The accomplished students and their families began to put their boots to work as they hit the steps to celebrate the milestone. The professors on stage also joined in the fun, with the pause from speeches offering a light-hearted moment for the traditional ceremony.

The dance has captivated not only this HBCU graduation but Black culture at large. An official music video for the hit song has already garnered over 1.8 million views on YouTube despite premiering four days ago. The cultural and TikTok hit has also made mini-celebrities, such as three-year-old Miss Shirley, who has gone viral for her bite-sized rendition of the line dance.

While “Boots On The Ground” continues to get the Black community grooving, HBCUs also prove to be cultural hubs.

Tory Lanez, pardon petition, gov. Gavin newsom

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 19, 2025

Viral Petition Pressures Gavin Newsom To ‘Correct Deep Injustice’ and Pardon Tory Lanez

Calls for a pardon resurfaced after the “Say It” artist suffered a brutal attack in prison

Celebrities like Chris Brown, Drake, and Amber Rose agree with over 266,000 people who signed a petition calling for California Gov. Gavin Newsom to pardon incarcerated singer Tory Lanez.

The petition on Change.org outlines alleged legal reasons why the governor should release the Canadian artist, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, from prison. The conviction wasn’t supported by conclusive physical evidence, according to the rapper’s legal team, including Lanez’s DNA not being found on the firearm’s magazine, and gunshot residue being detected on both Lanez and Kelsey Harris. However, they allege Lanez’s DNA was the only one tested.

In addition, attorneys claim affidavits and eyewitness accounts contradicting the prosecution’s narrative were ignored.

Creators of the petition, the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, leaned on the words of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to push for Newsom to grant a pardon.

“As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. warned, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” this is one of those moments,” the petition read.

“We respectfully call on Governor Newsom to: grant a full pardon to Tory Lanez, remove politically motivated sentencing enhancements and order a full and impartial review of the case to ensure no one else is subjected to a similar injustice. Justice must be rooted in due process, fairness, and truth—not politics.”

Calls for a pardon resurfaced after the “Say It” artist suffered a brutal attack in prison, where he is serving a 10-year sentence for allegedly shooting fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion, whose real name is Megan Pete, in 2020. Lanez was allegedly stabbed 14 times on May 12 after an altercation with a fellow California Correctional Institution inmate.

It also comes after a bombshell revelation alleging it wasn’t Lanez who shot the “Hot Girl” rapper but Harris, Meg’s former best friend, for the shooting. Harris’s bodyguard allegedly came forward with new evidence. However, since the new claims have yet to be filed in court, according to the Hollywood Reporter, Meg’s attorney, Alex Spiro, said the trial is done with and is pushing back against claims that the matter is political.

“Tory Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system,” Spiro said.

“This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law.”

Newsom, who has been called a popular candidate to potentially run for the White House in 2028, has yet to come forward with any updates on whether he is considering a pardon or even if he’s been in discussion about it. However, supporters like Drake have high hopes, using Instagram to call for Lanez to “come home soon.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 19, 2025

Pastor Jamal Bryant Calls Onsite Boycott Of Target On Anniversary Of George Floyd Murder

The protest will continue to hold Target accountable for scrapping its DEI initiatives.

Pastor Jamal Bryant is calling for another boycott of Target over its axing of DEI policies, this time occurring on the fifth anniversary of the killing of George Floyd.

According to Fox 5, the megachurch pastor and his congregation will stage a protest at a Target in Metro Atlanta. He initially helped launch a nationwide protest against the retailer after it announced a scale-back of its DEI policies earlier this year.

Target once initiated its policies to uplift Black employees and promote Black-owned brands in response to national protests over George Floyd. Now, on the fifth anniversary of his death, this sector of the Black community will honor the loss while continuing to hold Target accountable. Bryant told Newbirth Baptist Church during a recent Sunday service that the protest will take place on May 25.

The original boycott officially lasted until Easter, during which Target saw continual declines in sales and foot traffic at its stores. The store noted a lower performance, which many experts attributed it to a loss of Black shoppers.

“It is so critical and important that corporations would recognize and respect the Black dollar and our consumer power,” Bryant told the news outlet in April. “Their stock has gone down; at the bottom of it, the valuation has gone down as well as the foot traffic.”

While Target has held discussions with religious leaders such as Bryant and Rev. Al Sharpton, the retailer has not met all their demands. Despite agreeing to fulfill its former $2 billion pledge to support Black businesses, Target has yet to comply with bringing back its DEI efforts.

Given their refusal, Bryant hopes that this act of civil disobedience directly at stores will apply more pressure on Target. He says that he and his congregation are in for the “long haul” for corporations to take their spending seriously.

“Corporations will see they can’t take Black dollars for granted and that we’re in here for the long haul,” he added.

However, Bryant’s church will not be the only one protesting in front of Target stores across the country. The pastor also claimed that 67 other churches also plan to hold demonstrations. While prioritizing a peaceful protest, Bryant and fellow boycotters want Target to know that they mean business.

Purdue, Trey Kaufman-Renn Racist Taunts ,Illinois

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 19, 2025

Overseas Basketball Player Faces Potential Death Sentence For Allegedly Smuggling Drugs Into Indonesia

Police officers raided his apartment and seized 132 pieces of cannabis candy

An overseas basketball player from Dallas, Jarred Dwayne Shaw, has been arrested and is in danger of facing a death sentence in Indonesia after being accused of smuggling drugs into the country.

According to The Associated Press, Shaw, 34, who played college basketball for Utah State University and Oklahoma State University, was arrested after police officers raided his apartment and seized 132 pieces of cannabis candy. Law enforcement officials were notified after customs at the airport alerted them that the basketball player received a suspicious airway package from Thailand, according to Ronald Sipayung, the Soekarno-Hatta Airport police chief. The arrest took place May 7.

Shaw, who hails from Dallas, recently signed with the Tangerang Hawks of the Indonesian Basketball League and has been playing with several teams since 2022.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jarred Shaw (@slimnojim16_)

Due to the allegations and arrest, Tangerang Hawks’ manager, Tikky Suwantikno, stated that the club had immediately fired Shaw for breaching his contract. The Indonesian Basketball League chair, Budisatrio Djiwandono, said Shaw has been banned from playing in the league for life.

“We don’t tolerate players, administrators, or anyone in the field involved in drugs. There is no room for drug users in the basketball world,” Djiwandono said.

In Shaw’s apartment, the candy contained a gross weight of 869 grams (30.6 ounces) of illegal cannabinoid in the package. While being interrogated, he expressed to the police that he wanted to share the cannabis candy with his fellow basketball players.

“We are still running the investigation to uncover the international drugs network behind this case and to stop its distribution,” Sipayung said.

Due to the country’s strict anti-drug laws, Shaw could face a life sentence or the death penalty if convicted. He could face a firing squad as a convicted smuggler. The last time there were executions in Indonesia was in July 2016 when the country convicted a native and three foreigners.

Keke Palmer, Real Estate, Mother, Nope, Wills, financial planning, finances, Tru Jackson VP,birthday, pregnant, Creme of Nature

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 19, 2025

Keke Palmer Explains Why She Prefers Living ‘Under My Means’ Despite Making Millions

Palmer has been open about her financial journey in the past.

Keke Palmer may have reached Hollywood success, but that doesn’t mean her living standards have changed as much as her bank account.

The actress came from humble beginnings, with this upbringing shaping her outlook on money. Although she has plenty more than when she started acting, the 31-year-old mother understands that the millionaire lifestyle does not always equal a secure one.

“I live under my means. I think it’s incredibly important,” explained the podcast host, per CNBC. “If I have $1 million in my pocket, my rent is going to be $1,500 — that’s how underneath my means I’m talking. My car note is going to be $340. I don’t need a [Bentley] Bentayga, I’ll ride in a Lexus.”

While her net worth is not publicly listed, the actress has landed roles in hit films since age 9. She recently starred in the buddy comedy “One Of Them Days” alongside SZA, with multiple projects from film to podcasting underway.

Palmer was previously open about her financial awareness and how her parents impacted this frugality. In November, she appeared on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast to discuss her rise to fame and how she saves her coins.

“I learned from my parents very early on because they knew their limitations with money and finances,” says Palmer. “I believe in saving and frugality … I don’t play around with that.”

While not one to blow cash easily, Palmer still puts family first as they once did for her dreams. Thankfully, the author has enough to go around to support her loved ones.

“My dad gave up his pension for me to have an opportunity for my dreams. My mom gave up everything so she could travel with me,” Palmer said. “What’s mine is theirs and what’s theirs is mine … I would sacrifice 20 more years of my life working in this industry so that I can provide and we can have the business we have today.”

To some, Palmer’s humble lifestyle may seem like an outlier in Hollywood. While many celebrities buy mega-mansions or luxury vehicles, her choice to live like the masses comes from her insistence on learning about money management. She encourages others to do the same to make the best financial decisions for their future.

“Be curious about that kind of stuff, because you don’t want to do things based off of survival,” added Palmer. “You want to do them out of choice. That’s something that my mom and my dad taught me very early on.”