by Stacy Jackson

May 16, 2025

Alondra Nelson Resigns From National Science Board And Library Of Congress

She resigned with a clear message that she will not participate in dishonest systems

Despite Alondra Nelson’s deep care for the National Science Board and the Library of Congress Scholars Council, the policy advisor says certain boundaries have been crossed, leading her to step away from both federal institutions.

“Today, I am resigning,” Nelson wrote in a May 13 essay published by Time. “The aim of my resignation is to break free of powers that seek to limit knowledge and silence voice.”

Nelson, the Institute for Advanced Study’s Harold F. Linder professor, explained that her decision to resign stems from the growing realization that institutions like the National Science Foundation, the Library of Congress have lost sight of integrity and “it is impossible to fulfill their missions in good faith.”

Nelson wrote that scientists, librarians, program officers, and policy analysts have continued their work despite the increasingly hostile political environment among these institutions. Since January, she has witnessed civil servants face termination under claims they did not reach the mark, vendor contracts ignored, and the cancellation of grants and fellowships.

“In both these roles, over the past few years, I’ve been asked to serve on diverse bodies that offer guidance about how the executive and legislative branches can be stewards of knowledge and create structure to enable discovery, innovation, and ingenuity,” wrote Nelson. “In the instance of the National Science Board, this ideal has dissolved so gradually, yet so completely, that I barely noticed its absence until confronted with its hollow simulacrum.”

Nelson was appointed to her role with the National Science Board in 2024, an independent agency that has invested in transformative technologies and supported vital research in the social and behavioral sciences. However, the arrival of the Department of Government Efficiency may have resurfaced tension between “the promise of scientific freedom and the peril of political control.”

“Last week, as the Board held its 494th meeting, I listened to NSF staff say that DOGE had by fiat the authority to give thumbs up or down to grant applications which had been systematically vetted by layers of subject matter experts,” said Nelson. “When grant applications are vetoed, and whole organizations restructured, the freedom to speak becomes meaningless when disconnected from the possibility of being heard.”

Nelson now believes her course of action lies in the refusal to participate in dishonest systems.

Room to Read 2025 New York Gala, Salt n Pepa

by Jameelah Mullen

May 15, 2025

Salt-N-Pepa Performs At Room To Read’s Annual New York Gala

The hip-hop queens ripped the stage for a worthy cause

Room to Read, a global education nonprofit that provides educational support to underserved communities, held its annual New York Gala on May 13 at Tribeca Rooftop.

The organization celebrated its silver jubilee with a performance by the legendary hip-hop duo, Salt-N-Pepa. The rappers, whose real names are Cheryl James (Salt) and Sandy Denton (Pepa), were excited about the gig, which they hyped on Instagram.

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A post shared by Salt ‘N’ Pepa (@saltnpepaofficial)

“Push it real good… for education! We’re excited to hit the stage at the @roomtoread New York Gala next month, supporting the organization’s mission to create a world where every child has the room to read, learn, and grow – because education changes everything.”

The Grammy-winning group performed a medley of their hits for 350 attendees. The event, hosted by Room to Read’s Regional Board of Directors, honored supporters who helped the organization raise more than $1 billion to support global education, including Goldman Sachs, which has invested more than $27 million in the organization.

The emcees are no strangers to lending their celebrity to a worthy cause. In 1992, at the height of the AIDS epidemic, the group remixed their song “Let’s Talk About Sex” to “Let’s Talk About AIDS” to raise awareness about safe sex and to debunk stigmas surrounding HIV and AIDS.

In 2020, Cheryl ‘Salt’ James recorded another remixed version of their hit song called “Let’s Talk About Salt.” The song, along with an animated music video, was a joint collaboration between Hip Hop Public Health and the American Heart Association aimed at teaching children the health risks of excessive sodium intake.

Salt-N-Pepa, along with DJ Spinderella, whose real name is Deidra Roper, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on November 8 in Los Angeles.

Khalid Kamal, mayor, Kobi, racist, messages, investigation, south Fulton

by Kandiss Edwards

May 15, 2025

Mayor Khalid Kamau’s Alleged Misuse Of City Property Dates Back To 2022

South Fulton, Georgia's outgoing mayor has had questionable practices with the city’s resources since 2022, according to emails

Mayor Khalid Kamau’s misuse of city equipment was brought up in South Fulton, Georgia’s May 13’s council meeting, leading Kamau to walk out of the meeting.

Councilmember Helen Willis said the issue has been ongoing and is not limited to the mayor.

“We need clear guidelines, and we need to make sure when people use our city vehicles, they are only used for city use and not personal use,” she said.

In February, Kamau was stripped of his city-issued vehicle due to alleged misuse.

Emails from 2022 reveal that former finance director Karen Slaton-Dixon raised concerns about the mayor’s request to use a city vehicle for a retreat, noting it could be considered “double dipping” since he already received a monthly car allowance intended for personal vehicle use on city business.

The council is now considering proposals to establish comprehensive policies to ensure city vehicles are used appropriately for business-related trips.

The outgoing mayor has faced significant scrutiny over his financial practices during his tenure. A city council audit revealed that Kamau spent approximately $26,000 on international travel to destinations such as Ghana, Colombia, and France, as well as on office furnishings, including a $1,800 pool table.

Kamau defended these expenses as efforts to promote South Fulton to the global diaspora, aiming to attract economic development to the city.

“We’ve been chasing these Fortune 500 companies, trying to get them to invest in our city, and all we get are warehouses and data centers. When I started talking about us being the blackest city in America, we started getting invitations from all over the world.”

Despite his justifications, the city council took action, stripping him of most of his privileges, including access to the mayoral budget and city buildings.

Additionally, Kamau’s wages were garnished after he failed to pay a local small business for an unauthorized mural in his office. Facing mounting controversies and financial challenges, Kamau announced he would not seek re-election. His term ends this year.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 15, 2025

Ex-Morgan State Football Player Elijah Williams, Signs With Minnesota Vikings

Elijah Williams, who attended Morgan State University, has just signed an NFL contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

An undrafted Jersey City defensive tackle who attended Morgan State University has just signed an NFL contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

According to the NFL team, after being invited to the Vikings’ rookie minicamp, Elijah Williams impressed the coaches with his stellar play, resulting in a signed contract. The team also announced the signing of another tryout player, Matt Harmon.

Morgan State made it known that Williams had joined the Vikings.

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While attending Morgan State from 2021 to 2024, Williams was active in 42 games, making 216 tackles, 52 tackles for loss, performing 31 sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He saved his best play for his last season at the institution when he registered several career highs in games played (12) and sacks (11). The 15 tackles for loss were the second most he had in a season during his collegiate career. He had 19 during the 2022 season. Although he had four sacks as a freshman in 2021, he had at least seven sacks in each of his final three seasons.

Some of his accolades include MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, AFCA Championship Subdivision Coaches’ All-American, BOXTOROW HBCU All-American, and Stats Perform FCS All-American. He was also a Buck Buchanan Award finalist. Williams was also one of 10 finalists for the Urban Edge Network’s inaugural HBCU+ National Player of the Year Award.

He is in the top 10 in career sacks for the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). The 31 sacks place him in the seventh position in the conference.

Before heading to Morgan State, Williams played three seasons at Lincoln High School, where he recorded 74 tackles (57 solo) in 10 games as a senior. He was the Defensive MVP during his junior year, and during a game on Sept. 28, 2018, he collected 10 tackles and five tackles for loss, and that effort earned him the Defensive Player of the Week.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 15, 2025

Suge Knight Thinks Diddy ‘Has A Fair Shot’ At Trump Pardon If He’s Found Guilty

Suge Knight thinks Diddy has a strong chance of getting pardoned if he’s found guilty

Sean “Diddy” Combs may be behind bars as he awaits the fate of his high-profile trial, but Suge Knight believes that if convicted, he could still walk free with a pardon from President Trump.

The former Death Row CEO appeared on NewsNation’s CUOMO on May 13, where he explained why he’s not worried about Combs’ fate in his ongoing racketeering and sex trafficking trial.

“I still feel that Puffy’s gonna be all right and have a fair shot at it, because Puffy didn’t — he’s not a dummy,” Knight told host Chris Cuomo, as captured by The Hill.

“I’m quite sure somebody’s going to talk to those jurors and convince one or two of them — that’s all you need, is one,” Knight continued. “So, at the end of the day, it’s going to be a real exciting situation, but I think he’s going to be all right.”

When Cuomo asked the Knight, 60 if he thinks Combs will be “all right,” possibly due to jury tampering, the imprisoned former hip-hop executive, who’s currently serving a 28-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter, cited Combs’ “influence,” adding that it doesn’t “seem like the prosecution is that bad against him.”

“I think he got some favors with the government. I think they’re going to show him a little leeway. It might not seem like it when it’s all said and done, but I don’t think he had nothing to worry about,” Knight said. “I don’t think he’s worried, because he’s going to be federal. And if he gets convicted, Trump’s going to pardon him.”

Sex trafficking charges are a different ball game, but Knight still feels the Bad Boy founder has a good chance of securing a pardon from Trump should he be found guilty.

“S‑‑‑, he pardoned Michael Harris,” Knight said, referencing the founder of Godfather Entertainment, the parent company of Death Row Records. Harris spent 33 years in prison on drug charges before being granted clemency in 2021 and endorsing Trump’s 2024 presidential bid.

“They don’t care about that. It’s all about, you know, what’s in it for the long run,” Knight added.

The incarcerated Death Row founder remains optimistic about Combs’ outcome despite being mentioned during Cassie Ventura’s testimony. Ventura recalled a “freak off” incident where Combs abruptly left after learning Knight was dining nearby. She also testified that Combs kept weapons at home and expressed fear that he might confront Knight.

”Please don’t do anything stupid,” Ventura recalled telling Combs about his longstanding feud with Knight.

by Stacy Jackson

May 15, 2025

YWCA South Hampton Roads Conference To Honor Women Shaping A More Equitable Future

"Conference on R.E.S.T. is not just a conversation—it’s a call to action," said YWCA South Hampton Roads CEO, Michelle Ellis Young.

YWCA South Hampton Roads, the world’s oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization, is preparing to honor women’s voices, resilience, and leadership during its 4th Annual Conference on R.E.S.T. (Racial Equity and Social Transformation).

The June event will celebrate the theme, “What About the Women?” as attendees gather with the organization ahead of Juneteenth to acknowledge women’s critical role in advancing justice and equity, even as they face everyday challenges.

“In a time of unprecedented global change, this year’s question, ‘What about the Women?’ demands urgent attention,” a press release stated. “Women’s rights remain at a critical crossroads, as hard-fought progress faces new challenges in the form of policy rollbacks, economic disparities, and persistent gender-based violence. From the erosion of reproductive rights to the widening wage gap, the stakes have never been higher.”

The Conference on R.E.S.T. will kick off with a Legacy Awards Breakfast where Hampton Roads leaders will be recognized for their contributions to shaping a more equitable future for all. 2025 honorees include: Delceno Miles, president and CEO of The Miles Agency; Vivian Oden, vice president for Equity and Inclusion at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation; author and survivor advocate Kemba Smith; and Virginia Organizing.

This year’s keynote speaker, best-selling author Mikki Kendall, will address attendees with illuminating perspectives drawn from her literature, advocacy, and work as a thought leader. A $1,000 Racial Justice Scholarship will be awarded to Norview High School rising senior York-Page Seaton.

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“The Conference on R.E.S.T. is not just a conversation—it’s a call to action,” said Michelle Ellis Young, CEO of YWCA South Hampton Roads. The event expands on YWCA South Hampton Roads’ ongoing mission to drive meaningful change by eliminating racism, advocating for the critical needs of survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and acting as a source of empowerment for women and families facing crisis.

Secure your spot today and meet YWCA South Hampton Roads at Norfolk State University, June 11, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NFL, Brother-Sister Duo, Ashley & Trey Smith

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 15, 2025

NFL Postpones Upcoming Diversity Coaching Program, Says It Will Return In 2026

'This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the feedback and engaging with stakeholders so we can ensure a successful program in the future'

The NFL has postponed its coach accelerator program, which was launched to help increase diversity in coaching positions. It was to be held during its spring meeting in Minneapolis on May 20 and 21.

According to ESPN, the league is reimagining the initiative so it can return in 2026.

This notice comes after President Donald Trump started peeling back DEI initiatives from the government and threatened companies that continued to implement similar programs with sanctions or withdrawing their funding.

“We believe diversity of thought and background is essential to our success, and it’s reflected in the policies, programs, and partnerships that help us attract, develop, and retain top talent at every level on and off the field,” Dasha Smith, NFL chief administrative officer, said in a statement. “Every offseason, we take a step back to reflect on the positives and areas for improvement of our programs and assess ways to make them more impactful. This year, we assessed and identified additional opportunities with the Accelerator—including combining the coaching and front office programs to ensure the Accelerator continues to be as impactful as possible.

“We have decided to hold the next iteration of the Accelerator in May 2026. This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the feedback and engaging with stakeholders so we can ensure a successful program in the future.”

Earlier this year, after Trump announced his anti-DEI initiative, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell assured fans that the DEI policies of the league would be going nowhere.

“We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League, and we’re going to continue those efforts because we’ve not only convinced ourselves,” Goodell said. “I think we’ve proven ourselves that it does make the NFL better.”

by Kandiss Edwards

May 15, 2025

Dad Demands Answers After Son Is Allegedly Exposed To Gay Porn On Teacher’s iPad

A Minneapolis teacher is on leave after given one of their students a device that displayed gay porn.

A Minneapolis Public Schools parent, Levi Chapman, is demanding accountability after his third-grade son was allegedly exposed to pornography on a teacher’s personal iPad during class, KSTP reported.

The incident occurred two weeks ago at Las Estrellas Elementary when the child, who had forgotten his district-issued laptop, borrowed the device from his teacher.

According to court documents and interviews with his father, Chapman, the student described a pop-up displaying “a bunch of naked men lying on top of each other” before the teacher intervened and reclaimed the iPad.

“Him and another student were sitting there, and they closed out a tab. Well, that tab that had popped up to them. My son described it as ‘a bunch of naked men lying on top of each other… The teacher came over to see what was happening, and my son said that he got angry with him and said, You know, ‘You’re violating my personal privacy’ and took the iPad from him,” Chapman said.

Chapman said the teacher initially refused to swap in a loaner laptop, leaving his son “very uncomfortable” until he finally received the proper equipment.

Minneapolis Public Schools placed the teacher on administrative leave as it investigates the circumstances that allowed access to explicit content.
In a statement to KTSP, the district said it takes such allegations seriously and will follow all relevant protocols, but it cited data privacy laws and declined to provide further details. “Minneapolis Public Schools take allegations like these seriously and will follow any relevant district protocols. These allegations are currently under investigation, and due to data privacy laws, we are unable to disclose specific details relating to this incident.”

Chapman, who has also contacted the Minnesota Department of Education, said district staff have since created a care plan for his son and moved him to a different classroom.

“I wish the teacher had given him a proper device from the start,” Chapman said, adding that the family hopes the district revises its loaner-device policies to prevent similar incidents.

The state Department of Education is reviewing whether the incident falls under child maltreatment statutes and could pursue an independent investigation. Meanwhile, Chapman and other parents are urging MPS to strengthen digital safeguards, enforce clear protocols for device sharing, and ensure teachers receive training on supervising students’ device use. As schools increasingly rely on personal devices to bridge technology gaps, advocates say robust policies are vital to protect children from inappropriate online material.

by Stacy Jackson

May 15, 2025

79-Year-Old Graduate Spins The College Campus And Earns Her Degree

Ellis was over the moon about graduating college after six decades. "I just had a good time, in this whole process," she said.

After a little push from her son to return to school, Patricia Sias Ellis officially graduated from college at 79.

Research shows that Black and female students are more likely to graduate from college later in life due to numerous barriers, like familial and personal struggles, that impact degree attainment. Ellis is a testament to the later-in-life college experience due to choosing to work and take care of her family. According to 11Alive, the senior’s May 10 graduation from Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia, comes 60 years after her decision to hold her college education to work and support her husband’s and son’s collegiate endeavors.

Ellis has finally made her way across the stage with a degree in criminal justice. “I always knew I wasn’t finished,” she said. “These experiences I should have had at 19 or 20 years old — they are the same at 79 years old.”

A slight nudge from her son to return to school prompted the matron to turn off her soap operas and enroll in a higher education program. Eight years ago, Ellis made the move and enrolled at Atlanta Metro College, CNN/WXIA reported. She later transferred to Clayton State and completed classes a few at a time. Her studies were derailed in 2022 after doctors found a 10-pound tumor on her kidney, which prompted surgery. However, Ellis recovered with the determination to complete her degree even faster.

“I just had a good time, in this whole process, especially this last year when I realized it’s really going to happen,” she said. “I’ve just been over the moon.”

Later-in-life graduates have accounted for about 20% of college graduates over the decades, according to research published by Brookings. Black students account for 32% to 49% of late college graduates compared to 15% to 26% of white college graduates. A report published by The Century Foundation, contributed by Qyana Stewart, an advocate and researcher on Black women’s economic mobility and equity in higher education, examined barriers particularly faced by Black women that impact college choice and degree attainment. The team of Black women scholars and researchers noted the impacts of limited access to financial aid resources, gendered racism and sexism, and familial and personal struggles. “A system not designed by or for Black women resulted in white men earning college degrees two centuries before them,” Stewart wrote. “White women and Black men earned bachelor’s degrees more than 30 years before Black women, making Black women the last group of American citizens to attain higher education.”

For Ellis, her later-in-life college experience has marked “the best years” of her life. As the new grad focuses her next chapter on contributing to her community, her future may find her in a master’s program.

by Jameelah Mullen

May 15, 2025

Ohio Man Accused Of Burning Library Books On Black And LGBTQ History

Local faith leaders unite as a possible hate crime sends shockwaves across the community.

An Ohio man is accused of burning 100 library books on Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ history. Police reported that the man obtained a library card from the Beachwood Library branch and checked out the books days later, according to WKYC News.

According to reports, the unidentified man allegedly told the librarian that his son was part of the LGBTQ community and that he was trying to learn more about it. The library learned that the man posted a photo showing a car trunk full of books with the library’s sticker on Gab.com. He then shared a video that appeared to show him burning those books.

The Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism describes Gab.com as “an online hub for extremist and conspiratorial content.” The organization notes that the site is mainly used by “conspiracy theorists, white nationalists and neo-Nazis.”

Interfaith Group Against Hate, a coalition led by Jewish, Muslim, and Christian congregations, publicly condemned the man’s actions and pledged to donate 1,000 books that focus on Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ communities to the library.

“We want to take this act of hate and turn it into a powerful symbol of unity, solidarity, and love,” Rev. Ryan Wallace of Fairmount Presbyterian Church told WKYC News.

State Sen. Kent Smith, a Democrat, called the man’s actions “un-American” and said they should not be tolerated.

“This act of violence is not just a crime against the public catalog of literature that was destroyed, but also is a violation of the marketplace of ideas that is a bedrock principle of American life,” the senator said in a statement.

Police said the case is likely a civil matter, and a local prosecutor will decide whether to file charges, leaving it unclear if the man will face criminal charges.

“Our department stands against antisemitism and all acts of bias-motivated crimes. We are committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting any hate-motivated incidents within the City of Beachwood. Our priority is to maintain a community that can thrive without the fear of threats of intimidation or violence,” Chief Dan Grispino said in a statement reported by WYCK news.