Generations Community Bank Is Indiana’s First Minority Depository Institution — Organizers Exceed Fundraisng Goals
Generations Community Bank will be the 155th MDI bank in the United States.
Two branches of Indiana’s first minority depository institutions are opening in Indianapolis. In an effort led by Evansville-based Old National Bank, Generations Community Bank is also the first-of-its-kind collaboration.
Now that it’s open, Generations will be the 155th MDI bank in the United States.
“Generations Community Bank has a separate board, charter, and CEO,” Rafael Sanchez, chief impact officer and market president for Old National, told the publication. “Generations is a completely separate institution. We’re just helping get it organized and started.”
The Makings Of Generations Community Bank
The bank has been four years in the making, following Old National Chairman and CEO Jim Ryan’s discussion of getting involved in an MDI. After researching MDIs for nearly a year, Ryan decided to move forward with building one in his own community rather than elsewhere.
Financial industry veteran Al London will serve as president and CEO of Generations. So, the bank has been well-received by the community and investors alike. Bank leaders have raised $29 million in startup capital. The original goal was $24 million.
Twelve other banks from Indiana have joined Generations Community Bank as investors, along with Old National. The other banks include Lake City Bank, Community Bank, First Farmers, North Salem Bank, First Financial, and more.
“We’re not here to reinvent banking. We’re here to give the people the tools and resources they need to experience financial success,” London said.
One branch will be located at 2110 N. Illinois Street, a former Indianapolis Power and Light facility just north of downtown Indianapolis. The other branch is opening at 7900 Shelby Street, inside the Arthur Baxter YMCA on Indianapolis’s south side.
From Exclusion To Empowerment: The Evolution Of Black Golf Philanthropy
On the Green and In the Community
Written by Dr. Dionne Mahaffey
Golf has long been associated with exclusivity, quiet greens tucked behind gates, and a culture that did not always welcome Black players. But over time, that narrative has shifted. Today, golf is not only a growing recreational outlet within the Black community but also a powerful vehicle for philanthropy, connection, and economic impact. Across the country, Black organizations are increasingly turning to golf tournaments as a cornerstone of their fundraising, blending tradition with purpose in ways that resonate across generations.
The Legacy of the Fairway
To understand the significance of this moment, you have to look back. Golf was once a symbol of exclusion. Players like Charlie Sifford broke barriers in the 1960s as the first Black golfer to earn a PGA Tour card. Lee Elder made history in 1975 as the first Black man to compete in The Masters Tournament, while Althea Gibson transitioned from tennis greatness to the LPGA. Their presence carved out space where none had existed before.
Today, that legacy is being expanded in meaningful ways. A new generation of Black golfers is stepping onto the course, supported by organizations that are intentionally dismantling barriers to entry. Groups like Black Girls Golf, We Black -We Golf, and The First Tee are introducing the game to youth, women, and beginners who may have never considered golf accessible. These organizations are not just teaching swing mechanics. They are building confidence, community, and exposure to networks that extend far beyond the fairway.
Why Golf Tournaments Win as Fundraising Tools
That sense of community is precisely why golf tournaments have become such an effective fundraising tool for Black organizations. Unlike traditional galas or ticketed events, golf tournaments create a full-day experience. They offer space for relationship building, intergenerational connection, and strategic networking, all while supporting a cause. Sponsors gain visibility. Participants feel engaged rather than obligated. And organizations benefit from multiple revenue streams, including sponsorships, player registrations, on-site fundraising, and donor cultivation.
From historically Black Greek-letter organizations to civic groups and nonprofits, the golf tournament has become a staple. These events reflect a broader shift toward experiential fundraising, where engagement drives giving.
Case Study: “The Links on the Links” Charity Tournament
That impact was on full display at the inaugural “The Links on the Links” charity golf tournament hosted by The LaGrange (GA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Held at Point University Golf Club, the event brought together community members, sponsors, and supporters for a day that extended well beyond the game itself.
Participants had the option to play a full round of golf in the shotgun-style tournament or take part in skill-building experiences. A golf clinic led by Quincy Heard, PGA Professional and Head Golf Coach at Alabama State University, offered hands-on instruction for beginners and those looking to refine their game. In a nod to accessibility and inclusivity, the event also featured a pickleball clinic, introducing attendees to another growing sport and expanding the day’s appeal.
Integrating Community Wellness: The Black K.A.R.E. Partnership
But the day was about more than sport. It was also about health. The chapter intentionally integrated kidney health awareness into the experience, highlighting the importance of physical activity and education in improving long-term outcomes in the Black community. Through resources and information shared in partnership with Black K.A.R.E., powered by Vantive, attendees were exposed to critical insights around kidney disease prevention, early detection, and the role that movement, including activities like golf and walking, can play in supporting overall wellness.
A Model for Future Impact
For Chapter President Linette Horris-Ward, the event was about more than recreation. It was about impact.
“We were intentional about creating an experience that brought people together while supporting the work we do in the community,” Horris-Ward said. “This tournament reflects our commitment to service, to wellness, and to ensuring that our programs continue to uplift those we serve.”
Proceeds from the event support The Links Foundation, which helps fund the chapter’s local programming across the arts, youth services, health and human services, and initiatives addressing national and international trends. It is a model that blends purpose with participation, demonstrating how thoughtful event design can translate into meaningful outcomes.
In many ways, the rise of golf tournaments as a fundraising tool speaks to a larger truth. Black organizations are continuing to innovate, finding ways to meet the moment while honoring tradition. Golf, once a symbol of exclusion, is now being reclaimed as a space for empowerment, visibility, and economic growth.
And in this day and time, our community has to focus on creative fundraising to generate the resources needed to elevate our own communities.
Dr. Dionne Mahaffey is an award-winning entrepreneur, journalist, professor, technologist, organizational psychologist, and licensed professional counselor licensed in Alabama, California, and Georgia.
Megan Thee Stallion at the 2023 Video Music Awards. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV)
Megan Thee Stallion Exits ‘Moulin Rouge’ After Very-Public Breakup With Klay Thompson
Megan will end her eight-week run in the musical a week early.
Megan Thee Stallion is cutting her time on Broadway short, sharing her early departure from Moulin Rouge.
The rapper announced the news just days after confirming her breakup with NBA player Klay Thompson. Megan initially sought to end her run May 7, as she currently stars as “Zidler” in the musical.
Now, the curtains will close for Megan a week earlier, with her last performance set for May 1. She posted on Instagram, thanking her fans for supporting this Broadway journey and remarking on the dedication of theater actors.
“It’s been such an honor to be part of thee Moulin Rouge family, and I’ve met so many amazing people in this theater,” wrote the 31-year-old. “Y’all work so hard, and I have so much respect for the dedication, the stamina, the work ethic, the time and the effort y’all put into the work! I’m so grateful for the cast and crew that made this experience so meaningful.”
While Megan did not provide a reason for her early exit, fans speculate that personal drama may have prompted the abrupt transition. Prior to her Moulin Rouge update, the rapper revealed that her now ex-beau cheated on her. The two confirmed their relationship last July.
The Houston native shared on her Instagram stories about Thompson’s alleged cheating and mood swings about his game performances. She also claimed Thompson struggled to stay in a monogamous relationship, leading the two to part ways.
“I’ve made the decision to end my relationship with Klay,” Megan told E! News in an April 25 statement. “Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward.”
Although she did not confirm if her breakup triggered the exit from Moulin Rouge, Megan has evidently taken a step back from the show lights to regroup.
Megan added, “I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.”
The rapper-turned-actress also had some other hiccups during her run on the show. During a March 31 performance, Megan was rushed to the hospital for “extreme exhaustion and dehydration, vasoconstriction and low metabolic levels,” as detailed by her rep to E!
Megan will now conclude her eight-week run in the theater. However, the Grammy-winner hinted to her fanbase, the Hotties, that more remains in store.
“And to all the Hotties that showed up or planned to attend, thank you for supporting me during this incredible journey,” she continued on the post. “I LOVE YALL. See you soon.”
New York Woman Found Guilty After Tossing Dynamite In Boyfriend’s Bedroom
Keyonna Waddell faces up to 25 years in prison for the crime.
Keyonna Waddell of Long Island, New York, faces up to 25 years in prison for throwing a stick of dynamite into her then-boyfriend’s bedroom in 2024.
According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Waddell, 35, was found guilty of assault in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree by a jury on April 24.
The victim lost his hand due to the incident.
“Domestic violence can escalate to deadly levels, and this case is a sobering reminder of that reality,” said District Attorney Tierney in a written statement. “Thanks to the outstanding work of our prosecutors and the Suffolk County Police Department, a dangerous individual has been held accountable and will face a lengthy prison sentence for this horrific act.”
Prosecutors stated that the incident took place on March 22, 2024. After an argument in the apartment, the boyfriend left and told Waddell to leave as well. When he returned home, he went to bed thinking that she had left. A hissing sound woke him up, and he saw a flame on the floor. When he went to see what it was, he realized that it might be a stick of dynamite that had been thrown into the room. He tried to put the flame out, but when he couldn’t, he picked it up so he could throw it outside the home.
As he headed outside, it blew up in his hand. Feeling the pain, he realized his hand was gone, then ran to the end of the driveway and saw Waddell leaving the home.
The victim was taken to Nassau University Medical Center by police officers. The rest of his hand and a part of his arm were amputated.
Waddell was arrested the next day after police officers investigated the incident. They discovered that she had previously threatened to use the dynamite on him several times before this incident.
She is slated to return to court for sentencing on May 27.
Kameirah Johnson is one of five finalists for the art contest, with her drawing focusing on the legacy of Black hair in America. Her artwork, titled “Hair Power: The Crown that Grows From Us,” symbolizes her unbreakable connection to her tresses. Google and NBA all-star Giannis Antetokounmpo announced Kameirah as one of the esteemed finalists.
The Doodle for Google Art contest allows young artists to showcase their creative skills for a chance to get featured on the search engine’s homepage. Thousands of kids from grades K through 12 submitted drawings that align with this year’s theme of “My Superpower is…”
Kameirah opted to highlight her hair, representing a triumphant legacy for Black women and men to reclaim their natural styles.
“My superpower is my hair and the family history it carries. Each texture and style holds culture, care, and survival passed down without words,” wrote the high schooler in a statement. “Lying in the grass, our crowns rest without weakening. This kinky hair refuses conformity; it makes us different. Shaped by our lineage, our hair is undeniably beautiful.”
With her own crown, Kameirah hopes to maintain this history as she maintains her kinky curls. Her artwork, however, extends beyond the personal. By uplifting Black hair, she also spreads awareness of other movements that champion natural hairstyles. As social advocates continue to fight against hair discrimination, particularly through CROWN Act policies and legislation, Kameirah’s advocacy adds to this ongoing cause for diversity and justice.
Fans supporting her purposeful art can vote for Kameirah’s doodle until April 29. If she wins, Kameirah would receive a $55,000 scholarship and a $50,000 tech package for her school.
A blood sugar level of 535 altered his thoughts on how he lived
In a recent interview with People, Damon Wayans discussed having to cope with almost dying as he discovered that he had diabetes.
The near-death experience took place in 2008 when he found out that his blood sugar was at 535 (Normal blood sugar levels are typically between 70- 140), nearly placing him in a diabetic coma. It was then that he realized life changes would be the only thing that could save his life. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
“When I got diagnosed with diabetes, I needed triage. I needed to take insulin. I had to change my diet and get into exercise because my sugar was at 535, which is not sustainable. Just knowing that then set me on a path to learning more about what I can do to control it and the things that I can’t do and need to let a doctor do,” Wayans told the media outlet.
He is speaking about his experience as he raises awareness in the community about diabetic macular edema (DME). This condition can lead to temporary or permanent blindness in people with diabetes.
“I found out it affects Black and brown people two to three times more for vision loss, which is terrible. It’s something that is not really discussed in those communities. It’s nice to be able to maybe have a voice and lend it to something that’s important,” Wayans said.
Wayans is part of the Wayans collective, which got its start after the oldest brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans, entered Hollywood with his movie “Hollywood Shuffle,” which he co-wrote with Robert Townsend—leading to the television sketch comedy series, “In Living Color,” which starred Damon, Kim, Keenen, Shawn, and Marlon. The Wayans family was honored in 2025 at the 56th NAACP Image Awards when they were inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.
Civil Rights Memorial Center To Host Emmett Till Traveling Exhibit
The exhibit, "Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See," will be on display from April 28 to August 14.
The Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama, has been chosen as the next host of the traveling Emmett Till exhibit.
On April 28, the exhibit, “Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See” will open at the Civil Rights Memorial Center (CRMC) and run until August 14, WAFF reports.
The exhibit, created by the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center, the Till family, and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, serves as an interactive time-traveling, immersive experience that incorporates three notable installations in honor of the life and legacy of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley.
The exhibit is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Maddox Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the National Park Service.
Highlights include Eyewitness Account, an interactive rotary phone audio experience recounting Till’s kidnapping; The Emmett Till Funeral, a visual display of photos documenting his return home; and Courtroom Sketchpad, an interactive tool that recreates courtroom sketches and explains the trial.
Emmett Till was just 14 when he was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by white supremacists in the Jim Crow South in 1955. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, refused to let the truth be hidden, courageously sharing her son’s story with the world and helping ignite a movement that changed the nation.
While progress has been made, her mission for justice, healing, and reconciliation continues. This exhibit honors their legacy, telling their story, and urging visitors to carry it forward by making an impact in their own communities.
The traveling exhibit’s debut at the Civil Rights Memorial Center follows a three-month run at Minnetrista (IN) Museum & Gardens, where it was on view from January 24 through April 12.
“Emmett Till’s story is not distant history—it continues to shape the world we live in,” says Sebastián Encina, director of curation & exhibition at Minnetrista. “This exhibition asks visitors to sit with the reality of what happened, to understand the courage of Mamie Till-Mobley, and to recognize how memory, truth, and responsibility are deeply connected. Remembering is not passive work—it requires attention, care, and action.”
Metro Atlanta Residents Push Back Against Mass Surveillance Under Flock Safety
Metro Atlanta residents are speaking out against the growing mass surveillance throughout the city.
Residents across metro Atlanta are raising concerns about expanding mass surveillance, warning that the growing program is leaving communities uneasy.
On April 13, the Dunwoody City Council approved a contract with Atlanta-based surveillance tech company Flock Safety. Meanwhile, in DeKalb County, the expanding network tied to the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center is fueling concerns among residents who say the increased surveillance makes them feel watched rather than protected, Capital B News reports.
It “certainly feels like an invasion of privacy,” said DeKalb resident Brian Page.
Page’s concerns about the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center—often called “Cop City”—reflect a broader issue. Built on 85 acres of one of Atlanta’s last urban forests, the site is now part of a massive surveillance network of more than 60,000 cameras linked to law enforcement across the metro area.
For many Black residents, the project replaced a vital green space with a heavily monitored facility, that raised concerns about environmental impacts, public health, and increased digital surveillance in their communities.
Meanwhile, in Dunwoody, Jason Hunyar and his pregnant wife have been outspoken at city council meetings, raising concerns about Flock Safety. Despite resident pushback, officials approved the contract. In a statement, a Flock spokesperson disputed Hunyar’s claims, saying Dunwoody served as a demonstration partner and had authorized select employees to test new products and features.
“It’s baffling to me. Less than a week after we find out that Flock employees are watching children at a pool, they decide to continue to do business,” said Hunyar, who was outraged after learning Flock executives were logged into cameras at Dunwoody’s Marcus Jewish Community Center.
Training at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center features mock city blocks equipped with cameras, license-plate readers, and real-time monitoring systems, allowing officers to practice AI-driven tracking and crowd control. A 2025 analysis found Atlanta has roughly 124 cameras per 1,000 residents—among the highest rates globally—with systems capable of flagging “suspicious” activity even without a reported crime.
Civil liberties advocates warn these tactics are already being used locally and could spread to departments nationwide. A Harvard University study across 10 cities found surveillance cameras are most concentrated in gentrifying neighborhoods, increasing as white residents move in, even after accounting for crime and income.
Atlanta ranks among the U.S. cities with the most Black neighborhoods gentrified since 1980. As property values rise, policing often intensifies; one analysis found arrests increase alongside even modest gains in home values. Together, the data suggest redevelopment in Black communities is frequently paired with expanded surveillance and enforcement.
All the while, concerns about Flock Safety are spreading across metro Atlanta, as its tools—from license plate readers to surveillance cameras and gunshot detection—expand nationwide. In Marietta, a Cobb County meeting drew pushback from a product manager over local contracts with the company. At Emory University, a coalition of students, faculty, and staff submitted a petition with over 1,000 signatures calling to remove license plate readers, end the school’s contract, and launch a transparent review of campus surveillance.
As Georgia-based surveillance firms expand nationwide and cities push back over ties to immigration enforcement and protest policing, the debate in Atlanta is taking on national significance. Residents in Atlanta are joining a growing national movement pushing back on surveillance technology—a decentralized, cross-partisan effort that has led to at least 50 canceled or rejected contracts, or the removal of Flock cameras, over the past year, according to DeFlock.
Hunyar said his concerns center on “security, auditability, and transparency,” arguing that those standards are essential in any system of mass surveillance. For Atlanta community organizer Kamau Franklin, the development is unwelcome but unsurprising, saying it aligns with the broader trajectory of gentrification in Atlanta.
“The surveillance system, the environmental issues, and the gentrification of Atlanta go hand in hand,” Franklin said. “The focus and money poured into specialized police units and cameras feels far outstripped by anything invested in housing, green space, or jobs.”
FDA Fast-Tracks Good Trip With Approved Psychedelic Drugs For Depression
Three companies were granted a voucher to explore, develop and test two different serotonin-2A agonists, defined as a class of psychedelic medications, to treat depression.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) greenlit a review process of three experimental psychedelic drugs for depression, giving priority vouchers to three unnamed companies, USA Today reports.
In an April 24 announcement, three companies were granted a voucher to explore, develop, and test two different serotonin-2A agonists, defined as a class of psychedelic medications, and related products, while another company was granted permission to begin clinical trials on a third psychedelic drug.
The move comes less than a week after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to extend research into the therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs. “These medications have the potential to address the nation’s mental health crisis, including conditions like treatment-resistant depression, alcoholism, and other serious mental health and substance abuse conditions,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said in a statement.
“We owe it to our nation’s veterans and all Americans who are suffering from these conditions to evaluate these potential therapies with urgency.”
According to Fast Company, two of the companies are scheduled to research psilocybin as a treatment for depression, and another will study a drug called methylone, which is a stimulant similar to MDMA, the main ingredient in ecstasy — a Schedule I drug — for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The vouchers cut time on the FDA’s review process from its standard 10 to 12 months to one to two months, with government-approved psychedelics potentially being available by summer 2026. Before Trump’s EO, research into psychedelics had been limited since the drugs are illegal in the U.S.
Medical officials define “psychedelics” as a broad term often used in reference to a variety of hallucinogenic drugs that cause non-ordinary mental states and sometimes add images of hippies “tripping” on colorful MDMA pills. Psychedelics can also alter consciousness, often described as creating an otherworldly experience by targeting serotonin receptors in the brain to affect the senses and cause auditory, visual, and psychological sensations.
Schedule I drugs, such as ecstasy, heroin, and LSD, are deemed to be more dangerous and require higher regulation, causing criticism and skepticism from leading experts like Dan Troy, former FDA chief counsel and current managing director at Berkeley Research Group.
Troy feels the White House giving priority directives to the FDA is a move that could raise doubts on the agency’s independence and dedication to a process that has worked for decades. “There are many people who think that this avenue shows promise in the mental health space,” he said.
“I think the concern that some of us have is whether or not the White House should be telling the FDA which medicines to prioritize and which medicines not to prioritize. Because historically, that’s been something that has been more the province of the scientists.”
This isn’t the first time the Trump administration has pushed for the approval of some drugs. In a push to make state-licensed marijuana safer and more accessible, the Justice Department is planning a new hearing to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug.
On April 24, videos surfaced online showing The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum packing up her hair salon and moving out after issues with her landlord. Footage showed Moore’s salon furniture sitting on the street outside the location that was featured on her last season of the Bravo series.
“All of #KenyaMoore’s equipment being removed from her salon,” a tweet from Jay’s Reality Blog read.
All of #KenyaMoore’s equipment being removed from her salon.
Moore—who was fired from The Real Housewives of Atlanta after displaying explicit images of fellow alum Britt Eady at her salon launch—said she wasn’t forced out of the space but chose to withhold rent due to a dispute with her landlord.
“I have spent the last several weeks moving out of my salon as a result of my ongoing legal battle with the landlord who has failed to reimburse me nearly $80K of improvement funds I am rightfully owed,” Moore said in a statement shared on Instagram. “My only recourse was to withhold rent and file a countersuit. I already have my outfit laid out for court chile!”
Ahead of vacating the salon, court records shared by TMZ show a Georgia judge ordered Moore’s company, Moore Vision Media, to pay nearly $88,000 in back rent and utilities, split into two payments of about $44,000 while paying roughly $5,500 a month unless the property was vacated.
Soon after, the landlord claimed the company missed the first court-ordered payment and asked the court to grant immediate possession of the space.
Moore pushed back, claiming the landlord failed to deliver promised improvements to the space. With her departure, the dispute appears unresolved. In a statement, she thanked her clients and teased a new chapter ahead, encouraging fans to stay tuned.
“This salon chapter is closing, trust me, it’s not the end. It’s just the beginning of a new era. Stay tuned for what’s next!” Moore wrote.
Moore opened Kenya Moore Hair Spa in Atlanta in 2024. The salon catered to a loyal clientele but later became part of the drama surrounding her TV appearances and legal disputes. Eady has also drawn backlash after posting a video that appeared to mock Moore’s salon closing.
