by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 9, 2025

Myles Garrett Donates $25K To Hampton University

The Cleveland Browns player donated to his mother's alma mater

Hampton University received a generous gift from Cleveland Browns defensive player Myles Garrett on a recent visit to the institution.

According to HBCU Gameday, the NFL player donated $25,000 after he hosted a panel at the Virginia school. Hampton University was the school that his mother, Audrey, attended during her collegiate career as a student-athlete at the school.

Garrett’s mother attended Hampton on a track scholarship, where she became an All-American while at the school. Currently, a part of the Southern University Law Center, she is a doctoral candidate in strategic leadership as well as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc..

The football player was at Hampton, along with the CEO of Johnson Energy Storage, Brandon Martin, for a panel discussion on the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). In September 2024, Garrett invested in Johnson Energy Storage.

They also discussed the benefits of students pursuing other academic interests instead of just sports.

In March, Garrett signed a contract extension to stay with the team until 2030 after publicly requesting a trade in February following a disappointing season when the Browns posted a 3-14 record.

ESPN reported that his extension would pay him an average of $40 million per year. With $123.5 million in guaranteed money, Garrett is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Garrett played for Texas A&M University, where he was a unanimous All-American as a senior before entering the 2017 NFL Draft.

Garrett has been with the Browns for eight seasons after being selected No. 1 by the team in the 2017 NFL Draft. The six-time Pro Bowler won the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year and was in the running to win the award in 2022 and 2024.

Although the Browns had a dismal season, he was a bright light for the franchise. During the 2024 season, he became the 45^th player in NFL history since 1982 to have 100 career sacks. Garrett was the fourth-fastest player to achieve that feat when he did it in his 115^th game and the only player to accomplish that before turning 29.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 9, 2025

Netflix Announces ‘Power Moves With Shaquille O’Neal’ Detailing Hall of Famer’s Work With Reebok

'I know it’s not going to be easy relaunching Reebok'

After hiring NBA Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson to help revitalize the brand, Reebok has teamed with Netflix to produce a docu-series showcasing their efforts.

A trailer was released announcing that the series will air on Netflix June 4. The project, Power Moves with Shaquille O’Neal, will focus on the former Orlando Magic center making executive decisions to bring back the brand that sponsored him and Iverson during the heydays of their respective NBA careers.

“Reebok was Shaquille O’Neal’s first sponsor, and now we will follow him as he takes on the role of President of Reebok Basketball to try and revive this struggling brand and restore it to its former glory. Along with Allen Iverson as VP, we will follow Shaq and the team hustling to pull it off at the Reebok HQ in Boston.”

When the brand hired Shaq as the President of Reebok Basketball, one of his first moves was to sign Angel Reese, a fellow LSU (Louisiana State University) phenom (Shaq attended the school 1989–1992), in 2023.

Shaq and Iverson’s close bond to hip-hop during their playing days meant that they, like hip-hop fans, enjoyed the culture. As such, the duo talked about launching two classic Reebok collections from two of the genre’s most successful businessmen.

In March 2024, during an episode of Sneaker Shopping With Complex, they discussed possibly bringing back Jay-Z’s S. Carter Collection and 50 Cent’s G-Unit Collection, both popular when released.

The S. Carter Collection was named after Jay-Z’s given name, Shawn Carter, and the G-Unit Collection represented 50’s company name, which started as a record label and is now the name of his film and television studio (located in Shreveport, Louisiana) and production company.

“I know it’s not going to be easy relaunching Reebok,” O’Neal said in the trailer. “We’re going up against some major brands, however, we on your ass.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 9, 2025

TikTok Gone Wrong: High Schooler Shot Dead By Homeowner Following ‘Ding-Dong Ditch’ Prank

The tragedy happened just hours before the senior prom.

A Virginia homeowner is facing second-degree murder charges after he shot and killed an 18-year-old following a “ding-dong ditch” TikTok prank that went wrong, People reports.

Tyler Butler, 27, was arrested and charged after he allegedly “fired shots” at Michael Bosworth, Jr. and two other teenagers on May 3 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, killing the social media user. Officers from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office were called to what was initially reported as a possible “residential burglary in progress” at approximately 3:00 a.m. Butler claimed the shots were fired after he suspected Bosworth and the two other teenagers were breaking into his property.

However, the surviving teens told the police they were recording a take on the popular “ding-dong ditch” TikTok prank, in which pranksters knock on someone’s door randomly, and then run away before they can respond. Investigators secured a video from one of the teens successfully pulling off the prank earlier that night.

https://www.tiktok.com/@giosofamous/video/7363071144057982250

According to NBC Washington, Bosworth was a senior at Massaponax High School who played lacrosse, football, and was on the wrestling team. The tragedy happened just hours before the senior prom.

Butler, who was held without bond at the Rappahannock Regional Jail, faces additional charges including malicious wounding and use of a firearm in commission of a felony, however, charges weren’t initially filed due to an ongoing investigation.

Bosworth’s stepfather is described as “heartbroken” over the tragic incident.

Mixed reactions to the story have circulated on social media since the incident happened. Some are calling for justice for Butler, claiming if he were white, he may not have been arrested.

If Michael Chase Butler was a pale white man and Michael Bosworth, Jr. was a Black 18-year-old high school senior, no arrest of the homeowner would have been made.

SKIN COLOR GAMES!!! https://t.co/uw5DnUUJfK
— NIC MAG (@NICMAG_) May 8, 2025

Others feel that at 18 years old, Bosworth should have known better. In a number of states, like Idaho, ding-dong-ditching can get pranksters in trouble. While it’s not illegal, if the prank escalates, residents can file misdemeanor harassment or disturbing the peace charges. In the state, a misdemeanor is punishable by a maximum of 6 months in county jail and a fine of $1,000.

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 9, 2025

Librarian Of Congress’ Carla Hayden Abruptly Fired Amid Trump’s Massive Government Purge

Top Democrats condemned Hayden’s firing as the Barack Obama appointee has been a prominent public figure.

In an abrupt move, President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, The Associated Press reported. Trump is continuing to purge federal government workers who oppose his agenda.

Hayden, the first woman and African American to hold the position, received notice from the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office on May 8 thanking her for her service, as her tenure was scheduled to expire in 2026. “Carla,” the email began. “On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as the Librarian of Congress is terminated effective immediately,” the email read. “Thank you for your service.”

Confirmed by a Senate vote of 74-18 in 2016, Hayden efficiently used her time as the Librarian of Congress by launching a strategic plan for the library and curating a complete overhaul of the visitor experience, including structural changes, in hopes of creating a new way for visitors to view the iconic reading room.

During April 2025’s National Library Week, Hayden spoke about how libraries changed her life. “Libraries are the great equalizer,” she posted on X.

“And when you have a free public library in particular,” you are providing an opportunity center for people from all walks of life, and you are giving them the opportunity to make choices on which information, entertainment and inspiration means the most to them.”

Happy National Library Week!#NationalLibraryWeek pic.twitter.com/2oxmShXZBJ
— Carla Hayden (@LibnOfCongress) April 7, 2025

However, not everyone was a fan of her work. Hayden came under scrutiny from conservative advocacy group American Accountability Foundation (AAF) that promised to sniff out leaders standing in the way of Trump’s agenda. The group once accused her and other library leaders of pushing children’s books with “radical” content and literary material published by Trump opponents. The group celebrated Hayden’s termination on X. “THANK YOU @POTUS!!!! Woke & radical Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has been fired!,” they wrote with a fire and American flag emoji.

https://twitter.com/Theswampmonitor/status/1920666471585263924

Top Democrats condemned Hayden’s firing as the Barack Obama appointee has been a prominent public figure. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called the decision “unjust” and a “disgrace” after Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), the leading Democrat on the House committee overseeing the library, slammed the President for “firing a patriotic public servant,” according to Politico. “Hayden has spent her entire career serving people — from helping kids learn to read to protecting some of our nation’s most precious treasures,” he said.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described Hayden’s termination as “the latest foray in [Trump’s] relentless campaign to dismantle the guardrails of our democracy and punish public servants who don’t bend to his every will” and said, “enough is enough.” “Just as we’ve moved to bring accountability to the Architect of the Capitol, we must assert our congressional prerogative by making the position of Librarian of Congress appointed by a Congressional commission, not by presidents that treat federal appointments like reality TV prizes,” Schumer said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 9, 2025

Frustrated Draymond Green States, ‘I’m Not An Angry Black Man’

'The agenda to try to keep making me look like an angry Black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.'

Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green has sent a message to the world and is frustrated that he is always portrayed as “an angry Black man.”

According to ESPN, the controversial athlete was visibly upset after receiving another technical foul in the NBA playoffs, making it his fifth, with the possibility of being suspended for a game if he picks up two more. The latest foul assessed against him took place in the second quarter as the team played the Minnesota Timberwolves at the opposing team’s home court at Target Center.

Although Naz Reid was called for a personal foul against Green, after the forward was fouled, he flailed his arm and hit Reid on the head, resulting in Reid falling to the basketball court. After looking at the film, the referees called a technical foul, angering Green. This led to him yelling at the officials and leading Warriors coach Steve Kerr to sub in Jimmy Butler for him to try to alleviate the situation.

“I could see he had gotten pretty upset,” Kerr said, “And I just didn’t want him to get another technical, so I took him out at that point, and I know he’s going to have to be careful now that he’s two techs away.”

After losing the contest by a score of 117-93, he complained to reporters in the locker room, saying he was sick of the narrative about him.

“I’m sick of the agenda to make me look like the angry Black man. I’m not an angry Black man,” Green said. “I’m a very successful, educated Black man with a great family. And I’m great at basketball, I’m great at what I do. The agenda to try to keep making me look like an angry Black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.”

Draymond Green just wanted to give one quick postgame statement: “The agenda to continue to keep making me look like an angry black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.” pic.twitter.com/ay7TLFhjWL

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 9, 2025

Making matters worse, a fan was thrown out of the arena in the fourth quarter after calling Green a racial slur while he was on a stationary bike in the tunnel near his team’s bench. This may have added to his anger.

by Kandiss Edwards

May 9, 2025

Smokey Robinson Says He Is ‘Appalled’ By Sexual Assault Allegations

Smokey Robinson speaks out after being accused of sexual assault by former housekeepers.

Motown icon Smokey Robinson has publicly expressed his feelings about a series of sexual assault and labor abuse allegations. The allegations are coupled with a $50 million civil lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Robinson issued a brief public comment in response to the $50 million lawsuit. In a phone interview with the Daily Mail, he stated, “I am appalled,” and declined to comment further.

Robinson’s legal team has framed the lawsuit as an “extortion attempt,” accusing the plaintiffs’ attorneys of orchestrating a campaign to pressure a settlement.

“As this case progresses, the evidence (the crucial element that guides us) will show that this is simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon — $50 million, to be exact,” Christopher Frost, Robinson’s attorney, said in the statement.

The lawsuit names Robinson and his wife, Frances, as defendants. Four former housekeepers allege that Robinson sexually assaulted them between 2007 and 2024. They claim the assaults took place at his homes in California and Las Vegas. The women, identified as Jane Does, claim Robinson used his celebrity status to isolate, intimidate, and abuse them during their employment.

“As low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options necessary to protect themselves from sexual assault throughout their tenure as employees for the Robinsons,” Jane Doe’s attorney, John Harris, said.

The lawsuit also accuses Frances Robinson of creating a hostile work environment, failing to intervene, and allegedly using racially insensitive language. The plaintiffs further allege unpaid wages and other labor violations.

As of May 8, no criminal charges have been filed, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has not opened a criminal investigation into the claims. Fear of retaliation, embarrassment, and immigration concerns were cited as factors in the plaintiff’s decision not to initially report the abuse. These are also stated as reasons that Jane Does have yet to file criminal charges.

Mara Brock Akil, Judy Blume, forever, Netflix

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 9, 2025

Mara Brock Akil Received Judy Blume’s Blessing To Reimagine ‘Forever’ Through The Lens Of Black Adolescence

Mara Brock Akil shared how her connection with Judy Blume helped her secure the TV reimagining of the classic novel "Forever."

Mara Brock Akil, the mastermind behind hit shows like Girlfriends, The Game, and Being Mary Jane, is returning to the spotlight with the release of her new Netflix series Forever. The show serves as a contemporary reimagining of Judy Blume’s iconic and controversial 1975 novel of the same name. Though Blume is known for being protective of her work, she granted Akil her blessing to bring the coming-of-age story to a new generation.

Akil’s changes go beyond nods to modern society’s love for technology and social media. The acclaimed screenwriter also reimagined the central love story of the two main characters. While Blume’s original followed white teens Katherine and Michael, Akil’s version centers on Justin and Keisha and how their experiences as Black youth shape their lives and relationship.

“I just had a lot of compassion for the Justins and Keishas,” Akil told Vanity Fair. “Katherine and Michael got the whole world to figure some things out, with a bit of guidance when they got off the rails. But our kids are having to find out who they are in the narrowest of gaps.”

The series centers on the romance between Justin and Keisha, portrayed by Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone, two Black teens in Los Angeles who meet on New Year’s Eve in 2017. Their first encounter, brought to life in an episode directed by Regina King, captures the spark of young love in a way that most can relate to.

“Yearning lives on in us, even as we get older and date,” Akil said. “But to fall in love for the first time? That’s a high we keep chasing for the rest of our lives.”

Blume and Akil first connected over Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic to discuss a possible collaboration. After an organic and meaningful conversation, Blume felt confident entrusting Akil with Forever and came on board as an executive producer for the series.

“Come on, a Judy Blume green light?” Akil exclaimed. “A little flex too is that I believe before I got to Netflix, they tried to get Judy Blume’s—and they couldn’t land that deal.”

Blume gave Akil the freedom to make major changes to the story, as long as she stayed true to the original book’s core message: “To allow young people to explore their feelings and curiosity around sexuality in a healthy way, and not jeopardize one’s future.”

“The only forever love is really self-love,” Akil said. “That’s the only thing you can really promise — and in a relationship, we should be evolving to our better self.”

Viewers will experience a heartfelt love story while gaining a deeper understanding of the Black family through the characters. Akil especially enjoyed writing scenes for Justin’s mother, Dawn, portrayed by Karen Pittman.

“Honey, writing is therapy. Dawn has allowed me to offer up a lot of my humanness, my vulnerability, my mistakes as a parent,” she shared. “Black mothers, specifically, love so hard.”

Catch Mara Brock Akil’s Forever when it premieres on Netflix on May 8.

RELATED CONTENT: Can Mara Brock Akil Change The Game?

Black Americans, Hollywood, Film, Content Creator, Actor, Actress

by Kandiss Edwards

May 9, 2025

YouTubers Bypass Hollywood To Build Independent Production Studios Of Their Own

YouTubers are not asking for a seat at Hollywood's tabIe. Instead, they are building their own in the form of production studios.

Hollywood’s traditional studio system is unraveling, and a new generation of creators and entrepreneurs is stepping in to take its place.

YouTubers are filling in the gaps by building new production studios. From digital influencers on YouTube to moguls like Tyler Perry and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, a growing number of creators are building independent production hubs.

A makeshift production campus was built in Burbank, California. The facility is complete with sound stages, editing bays, and production offices. Repurposed by creators, the space rivals segments of Disney and Warner Bros. backlots, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

This shift is powered in part by YouTube’s revenue-share model, which allows top creators to invest directly in high-end facilities.

“In most cases those top creators don’t even generate the majority of their income through that rev share, but it helped establish the basic framework of their business so they could then scale it out. It’s basically created this amazing feedback loop where the top YouTube creators are able to invest more and more into the production of their content,” media journalist Simon Owens wrote on LinkedIn.

Unlike the old model that required greenlights from studio executives, today’s creators release content directly to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and other subscription services. They maintain complete control over creative direction and retain all revenue from sponsorships, ads, and merchandise.

Jimmy Donaldson known to many as “MrBeast” is building a 70,000-square-foot studio complex in Raleigh, North Carolina. Meanwhile, Dhar Mann Studios recently expanded its Los Angeles campus, adding dedicated space for writers, coaching, and full post-production editing. These new digital-era studios feature everything from in-house sound stages to client hospitality suites.

But it’s not only digital stars reshaping the landscape. In Atlanta, Tyler Perry Studios stands as one of the largest independently owned film production facilities in the country. Built on a 330-acre former military base, Perry’s studio features more than a dozen sound stages and full-scale sets, from a replica White House to suburban neighborhoods. He has long championed creative independence, bypassing Hollywood to tell stories rooted in Black experiences.

Similarly, rapper and media executive Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is developing G-Unit Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana. Jackson’s goal is to build a facility that uplifts the local community, while simultaneously handing power of creation back to creators.

“I’m bringing my vision to life and creating opportunities where they didn’t exist,” Jackson said in a press release.

As traditional studios scale back after labor strikes and unstable streaming revenue, these independent operations are attracting talent and crews seeking consistent work.

by Jameelah Mullen

May 9, 2025

Harlem’s Schomburg Center Celebrates 100 Years Of Black Culture Despite Anti-DEI Backlash

100 years of Black excellence.

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is celebrating its 100th anniversary amid growing concerns about the right-wing crackdown on government-funded programs that help preserve history, address historical injustices, and provide visibility to Black Americans and other marginalized groups.

The renowned center, part of the New York Public Library, will commemorate its centennial with a new exhibition called “A Century of Collections, Community, and Creativity.” The exhibition showcases the library’s history by displaying books and photos from the past century. The celebration will also include book giveaways of the children’s picture book, Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library. Additionally, the institution released a special edition of the New York Public Library card for New York state residents.

Schomburg Center supporters stress the importance of supporting the institution amid the Trump administration’s attempts to cut funding for DEI programs and eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which provides funding to libraries nationwide.

“Too few Black institutions reach 100 years, so it is a momentous occasion indeed for the Schomburg Center to celebrate this remarkable achievement. To reach the next 100 years, we must redouble our commitment to preserving Black culture–– at the Schomburg and beyond–– and provide a roadmap for future generations looking to protect truth with history,” actor, literally advocate, and host of Reading Rainbow, LeVar Burton said in a statement.

Tony Award-winning actress Kara Young echoed Burton’s sentiments. The Harlem native, who refers to the Schomburg Center as “home,” said preserving our history is our responsibility and an act of love and resistance.

The center, which is located inside the New York Public Library’s 135th Street branch in Harlem, was initially called The Division of Negro Literature, History and Prints. It started in 1925 as part of the Harlem Renaissance movement, when Black writers, artists, and scholars helped to reshape Black American culture. Writer and scholar Arturo Schomburg collected books, manuscripts, artworks, and other materials on African diasporic history. Schomburg sold his collection, which included over 10,000 items, to the New York Public Library in 1926. In 1972, the center was renamed to honor Schomburg.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 9, 2025

Pete Buttigieg Admits He Doesn’t ‘Have It All Figured Out’ With Raising His Adopted Black Children

Pete Buttigieg is speaking candidly on how much he's learning from his experience raising Black adopted children.

Pete Buttigieg shares his experience raising adopted Black children with his husband, Chasten. While the couple works to make their home rooted in love, the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation admitted that he’s still learning and growing within their unique family dynamic.

“We think about it all the time. It’s not like we have it all figured out,” Buttigieg shared on a recent episode of the Flagrant podcast.

Much like other families with a transracial adoption dynamic, Buttigieg receives supportive advice from Black parents when it comes to working with his children’s textured hair.

“They’re like, ‘let me tell you how to do it,’” he said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chasten Glezman Buttigieg (@chasten.buttigieg)

But that doesn’t stop the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, from having honest moments when he questions how well he’s doing as a father.

“You’re constantly asking yourself: ‘How can I be a good dad?’ Now it’s: ‘How can I be a good dad for kids who have a different racial identity than I do? How can I help them navigate that?” Buttigieg shared.

Transracial adoptees growing up with white parents today are having much different experiences than their predecessors, who have been taking to TikTok in recent years to share their childhood trauma from their experiences.

“Our first microaggressions are often with our White adoptive families.” DezaRay Mons, a transracial infant adoptee who goes by @TheOutspokenAdoptee online, told USA Today.

She shares her videos to raise awareness about the challenges she faced growing up in the ’80s and to help ensure that today’s adoptive parents of Black children are better informed and more prepared for the realities of the experience. Joni Schwartz, a white mother who adopted her now-adult Black daughter Rebecca, says she would have approached things differently had she been exposed to more open conversations about race.

“Knowing what I know today, I would have prepared very differently for several reasons … I would have known much more about White privilege and White saviorism, and I wasn’t prepared racially,” Schwartz said.