ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA, AKA, SORORITY, ARKANSAS, regional conference,

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 8, 2025

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Convenes Regional Conference In Arkansas, Donates $20K To Child Advocacy Center

“We are so grateful to the South Central Region of AKA for their presence and donation of $20,000,” said Elizabeth Pulley, Executive Director of Child Advocacy Center of Arkansas.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA) recently held its 93rd South Central Regional Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, drawing over 4,000 attendees.

The conference, themed “A R.E.A.L. Diamond Adventure in the Natural State,” took place at the Statehouse Convention Center. Members and guests from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico participated in the event, which generated an estimated $9 million economic impact for the central Arkansas community.

“It was a great honor to host our 93rd South Central Regional Conference in the beautiful city of Little Rock, Arkansas, where our members were able to experience informative and inspiring events and activities throughout the week,” Dr. Shawn E. Simmons, 27th South Central Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “In addition to conducting the business of our Sorority, we were dedicated to supporting local businesses and organizations that work to uplift the local community.”

The sorority donated $20,000 to the Child Advocacy Center of Arkansas (CACar) as part of its service initiatives. Members toured the CACar facility, which provides support to child victims of abuse and neglect.

“We are so grateful to the South Central Region of AKA for their presence and donation of $20,000,” said Elizabeth Pulley, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center of Arkansas. “The donation will help our 34 locations that serve all 75 Arkansas counties with continuing our mission of providing essential tools and resources for children who are enduring trauma due to abuse and neglect.”

The conference included workshops on leadership development, networking opportunities, and professional certifications. Other events included a concert by NEXT, a baseball outing supporting historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) athletics, a Gospel Brunch featuring Zacardi Cortez, and a “Parade of Pearls” tailgating celebration.

Danette Anthony Reed, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated International President and CEO, was among the notable attendees. Three former international presidents, nine former regional directors, and members of the AKA Board of Directors also attended.

The South Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. comprises over 19,000 members and 145 chapters.

For more information about the South Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated®, visit www.aka1908.com/southcentral.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 8, 2025

Fan Files $100M Lawsuit Against NFL For Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Tumble

John Doe accuses the league of violating antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection laws as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress

The Sanders family took an emotional hit when Shedeur Sanders dropped to the fifth round in the NFL Draft, but one fan really took it to heart, filing a $100 million lawsuit against the league over the quarterback’s unexpected tumble.

According to MSNBC, an unidentified fan of the University of Colorado Buffaloes, where Sanders played college ball, from Georgia, filed the paperwork alleging that the NFL violated antitrust, civil rights, and consumer protection laws, and caused intentional infliction of emotional distress and trauma.

The fan is seeking the nine-figure amount as well as a “formal acknowledgment from the NFL regarding the emotional distress caused by their actions and statements,” a “retraction of the slanderous statements made about Shedeur Sanders, along with an apology for any harm caused to his reputation” and “fairer practices in the drafting process to ensure that talented players are recognized and given opportunities based on merit.”

John Doe felt reports of Sanders’ off-putting behavior during team interviews negatively impacted him. The anticipated first-round draft pick fell and fell and fell before the Cleveland Browns selected Sanders with the 144th pick.

The fan is accusing the league of collusion because several teams needed a quarterback of Sanders’ ability but selected lesser-known athletes with stats that didn’t come close to matching Sanders’ at Colorado.

Although he filed the lawsuit under a pseudonym, the slighted football fan did talk with WFAA in Dallas.

“I felt victimized, I felt traumatized,” John Doe said. “I mean, I was listening to a lot of the dog whistles that, if you lived the Black experience, you heard certain overtures coming from…people that were reporting on the draft.”

There are several theories behind Sanders’ stock dropping, including the involvement of his father and head coach at Jackson State and Colorado, NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, and an attitude during pre-draft interviews that reportedly irked many teams.

Marc Lamont Hill, racist white woman, Lilly Gaddis, Piers Morgan

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 8, 2025

Marc Lamont Hill Cooks Delusional White Woman Panelist Who Says She’s Racist Due To Black Folks’ ‘Bad Behavior’

Marc Lamont Hill called out a white woman who blamed her racism on Black people's 'bad behavior'

Marc Lamont Hill maintained his composure during a heated exchange with a white woman who blamed her racism toward Black people on their “bad behavior.”

Hill appeared on the May 6 episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored, where tensions rose after panelist Lilly Gaddis openly admitted to using the N-word toward Black people. In a clip shared by the show on X, Hill criticized Gaddis for trying to justify both her own racism and that of another white woman who sparked outrage in a recent viral video after allegedly calling a 5-year-old autistic Black boy the slur.

“I prefer not to live around Black people. I prefer not to live in a country where white people in our country are disproportionately attacked by Black people,” Gaddis said.

https://twitter.com/PiersUncensored/status/1919807969929101474

After noting her belief that racism is only when one views another as “less human,” Morgan quickly pointed out that Gaddis was making Black people sound like “lesser humans.”

“If they have bad behavior, if they want to act in a certain way, if I have to cross the street and be afraid that maybe because of the crime statistics that are very real, by the way, is that my fault or is that their fault for having bad behavior?” Gaddis responded.

Hill jumped in with a sharp rebuttal.

“That’s mind-boggling to me for multiple reasons,” Hill said. “I mean, we’re talking about bad behavior. We’ve never lynched you. We’ve never enslaved you, we’ve never done any of the deep-seated structural forms of injustice to white people that white people have done to Black people, and yet to claim some kind of moral superiority.”

He also brought the conversation back to focus on the white woman who called an autistic Black child the N-word and raised over $700,000 through the Christian fundraising platform GiveSendGo for relocation expenses because of threats she said she received over the video.

“In the midst of, and again, in the context of a conversation where a white woman is calling a five-year-old autistic child the N-word, and we’re talking about Black people’s bad behavior, this is absurd,” Hill said.

Comments on the woman’s GiveSendGo page were disabled after donors openly used racist language toward the child. Many supporters defended her actions, claiming she reacted out of frustration with the boy.

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Voices of Black women, Mississippi, American Cancer Society, volunteers,

by Stacy Jackson

May 8, 2025

Voices of Black Women Study Seeks Volunteers In Mississippi

The state has the highest cervical cancer death rate in the U.S. with Black women about 1.5 times more likely to die from it than white women

The American Cancer Society is seeking women volunteers in Mississippi to participate in its 30-year Voices of Black Women cancer stud to understand why the area’s cancer rates of Black women are so high, WLBT reports.

“In the state, Black women are nearly 1.5 times more likely to die from cervical cancer than their white counterparts,” said Barbara Rose Brooks, researcher and community health advisor with the Deep South Network for Cancer Control, in an essay featured in Mississippi Today. “The inequity in cervical cancer prevention and treatment…is often shaped by racism and systemic discrimination in healthcare.”

The American Cancer Society hopes the Voices of Black Women study will improve health outcomes and reduce cancer rates for succeeding generations. It has called on Black women across the United States to join the study, which is reportedly one of the largest ever conducted for Black women. Volunteers will complete hour-long health and life surveys and provide biannual updates examining how lived experiences can lead to cancer.

“This isn’t just a study; it’s a collective commitment,” the organization’s website reads. The study is a crucial step toward addressing health challenges faced by Black women, eliminating health disparities and combating inequalities in health research.

Research has found that Black women are 8% less likely to be diagnosed with cancer compared to white women, but 12% more likely to die if diagnosed with the disease.

“By joining together, we can gain valuable insights into the diverse experiences and health challenges faced by Black women and learn how to deliver culturally competent and effective interventions, treatments, and preventive measures,” the organization stated.

The Voices of Black Women study is based on four guiding principles: transparency, rigor, accountability and impact. Doctors with expertise in cancer disparities, minority health, and population-based cohort study design lead the research team.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 8, 2025

Stephen A. Smith Discusses Upcoming Appearance On ‘Law & Order’

The sports analyst plays a character who is discovered dead 'leaving the squad with a trail of suspects who wanted him gone'

When Stephen A. Smith appears in an upcoming episode of NBC’s Law & Order, the television show comes up with a storyline that many people may fantasize about: a murder mystery surrounding the controversial sports analyst.

According to People, the ESPN host will play “a tough-love sports agent” who “is found stabbed to death, leaving the squad with a trail of suspects who wanted him gone,” on the episode titled “Tough Love,” which will air on May 8.

The sportscaster said that the series has always been one of his favorites, as he has watched every episode from season three through 21. He’s been watching the show since Sam Waterson played the top prosecutor when he appeared on the long-running television drama.

“I really enjoy the show. I’ve been watching it for years, and when I was approached by a writer, who[m] I ran across here in Los Angeles, about making an appearance on the show, it’s something that I jumped at,” the controversial host told the media outlet.

Although we can be certain that he will not appear again in this role, as his character is killed, like many athletes he critiques daily, there is a trail of suspects the character has pissed off.

“That was fun for me. I knew I would know how to do that because I’ve been dealing with agents my entire career. So I know how they talk, I know how they act, I know how they feel. I know the nuances that come with their profession to some degree because I’ve experienced it. And so I just tried to bring that to the scene and tried to make it as real and as authentic as it possibly can be. And they say I was successful, so we’re going to go with that.”

He did say that he would have preferred playing a lawyer, but due to the current schedule (the NBA Playoffs are currently taking place) and the number of days the show films, he wouldn’t have been able to commit to the time needed to play a different role.

Although Smith has acted before in a recurring role on General Hospital (which started in 2016), he assures us that he will not be leaving the sports arena just yet.

“I’m always going to love sports and doing what I do. I mean, it’s made me who I am. Being synonymous with sports and giving sports commentary, and being a sports journalist and broadcaster spanning the last three decades, is obviously going to come first. I’ve never considered myself an actor or anything like that.”

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Trump, ballroom, DC Hillbillies

by Stacy Jackson

May 8, 2025

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett Speaks Truth About Trump Administration’s Impact On Black Community

Crockett told the House, 'In just 100 days, we've witnessed an administration hellbent on dismantling the very systems designed to protect'

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett did not bite her tongue when she approached the podium on May 5 to address the House about the Trump administration’s attack on the Black community within the past 100 days.

In a video clip posted to Crockett’s X page, the congresswoman and her Black Caucus colleagues made plans to resist, organize, and speak the truth clearly to the House due to the administration’s “full-blown attack on Black futures, Black prosperity, and Black freedom.”

Crockett broke things down with a reminder to President Trump that he swore under oath to protect and defend the Constitution. “We may want the president to look into what the Declaration of Independence was about,” she said. “We may want him to understand that was a foundational document as it relates to self-determination of those who had recently gained their independence from Great Britain.” Her hope is that President Trump spends some of the days in his second term to understand the idea that, according to the Declaration of Independence, “we are entitled to the right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Last night my @TheBlackCaucus colleagues and I took to the House floor to speak the truth: in just 100 days, this administration has launched a full-blown attack on Black futures, Black prosperity, and Black freedom. We will resist. We will organize. We will keep speaking truth… pic.twitter.com/jXkNR1YTts
— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) May 6, 2025

In the congresswoman’s speech, she reflected on the havoc the president has already managed to wreak following his appointment to the presidency seat. Within the first 100 days of the Trump administration, “we have unfortunately had to endure a lot of pain,” she said, with the perspective that Trump’s team is not ready to lead the country but rather on a mission to “tear down.”

“In just 100 days, we [have] witnessed an administration hellbent on dismantling the very systems designed to protect the most vulnerable amongst us,” Crockett added. “And for black Americans, those of us who have always carried the weight of a broken system and bad policies that, the danger is real, it [is] tangible, and it is urgent.”

She reminded the House that Trump has fulfilled actions that were drawn out in Project 2025. Addressing education, Crockett pointed out the Department of Education’s quiet rescission of guidance encouraging schools to teach inclusive Black history. “Instead, they [are] attempting to whitewash history and have begun to promote so-called patriotic education,” which excludes the honest teachings of slavery, Jim Crow, and systemic racism. She addressed Trump’s executive order to reinstate “common sense discipline” practices in schools. As previously mentioned by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the Department of Education warned that schools that failed to eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion programs would face loss of funding.

Crockett made it clear to the House that the recent decisions made under the Trump administration have a direct impact on Black children and their right to learn in safe and supportive environments. The actions of the Trump administration have also affected housing, citing HUD’s recent decision to cut fair housing rules that were initially created to fight discrimination.

Jay-Z, old west, black folks, book of Clarence, new testament, film, produce, movie, Reebok, super bowl

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 8, 2025

LIU-Brooklyn Program Backed By Jay-Z Under Investigation After Students Hit With Unexpected Debt

Jay-Z's Roc Nation School of Music at LIU-Brooklyn is under investigation after students were left burdened by unexpected debt.

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation School of Music at LIU-Brooklyn is under investigation after students were left burdened by unexpected debt.

On May 5, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection launched an investigation into the Jay-Z-backed music program at LIU-Brooklyn. The probe, typically reserved for predatory business practices, follows a Gothamist report revealing that students who were promised “Hope” scholarships and to “graduate without debt,” were instead left with unexpected balances ranging from $5,000 to $39,000.

“While we can’t discuss details of ongoing investigations, we urge students who feel they’ve been harmed by Roc Nation LIU’s conduct to reach out to us,” Michael Lanza, a spokesperson for the agency, said in a statement. “Consumers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/Consumers to file a complaint with DCWP.”

Launched in 2020, the partnership between LIU and Roc Nation offered degree programs in music production, sports management, vocal performance, and more. The Hope Scholarship, promoted as an opportunity for students with the “highest need,” was initially marketed on LIU’s website as providing a “debt-free education.”

LIU confirmed that 25% of each Roc Nation School class received the scholarship. However, in 2023, the language was quietly changed to describe it as offering a “tuition-free education” instead.

LIU maintains that the scholarship only covers tuition costs. However, several students admitted into the program under the guise of graduating debt-free say they were left with unexpected financial burdens.

At least four reported dropping out due to the accumulating debt, with one student who was living in a homeless shelter when he applied to leave the school after racking up $17,549 in charges. Additional complaints made by students include the lack of access to the state-of-the-art recording studios they were told they’d use.

The lack of studio space led to the students building a makeshift studio on their own. Others criticized the program for promoting high-profile guest speakers, such as Rihanna and DJ Khaled, who ultimately never appeared. LIU has yet to comment on the ongoing consumer protection investigation.

by Kandiss Edwards

May 8, 2025

Dekalb County’s First Woman CEO Is Set To Give State Of The County Address

Dekalb County's first Black-woman CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson set to give her first State of the County address.

Dekalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is set to present her inaugural State of the County address.

May 8, the event, themed “Mission Possible: Dekalb Reimagined,” will highlight her vision, priorities, and accomplishments from her first 100 days in office. The address will feature key policy updates and a blueprint for reimagining public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life across Dekalb County.

Local, regional, and state officials are expected to attend the sold-out event in Doraville, Georgia. For those unable to attend in person, the Dekalb State of the County address will be live-streamed on DCTV’s UStream channel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lorraine Cochran-Johnson (@lorraine4change)

Originally from Greenville, Alabama, Cochran-Johnson has been a Dekalb County, Georgia, resident for over 25 years. She holds degrees in Political Science, Criminal Justice, and Public Administration, with a concentration in economic development and grant writing.

Before her election as CEO, she served as County Commissioner for District 7 from 2018 to 2024, where she chaired the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee and spearheaded legislation on various county initiatives. As Commissioner, she allocated over $6 million in discretionary funding to non-profit and community-based organizations and saved taxpayers over $92 million through mandatory audits and contract reviews.

As the first African American woman to hold the CEO position in Dekalb County, Cochran Johnson’s leadership marks a significant milestone in the county’s history.

Reflecting on her journey, Cochran-Johnson spoke of her dedication to the office and to the people of Dekalb.

“There is a difference between a politician and an elected official … When it comes to public service, it requires an individual to be selfless, not selfish.”

For more information about CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and her initiatives, visit the official DeKalb County website.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 7, 2025

Alabama Preschool Sued For Allegedly Treating Black Child ‘Differently’

A preschool in Alabama is headed to trial on claims that a white teacher treated a Black child 'differently.'

A couple in Gardendale, Alabama, is suing a local faith-based preschool for discrimination for allegedly targeting their then-two-year-old son.

Lee and Aletta Williamson’s younger son was expelled from Heritage Preschool in Homewood, Alabama after the parents threatened legal action due to their child being “treated differently,” People reported. The case is now moving to trial following a lawsuit filed in February 2024 by attorney Artur Davis and Public Justice lawyers on behalf of the Williamsons, alleging discrimination.

“The only way that we can bring about change is we have to first take action,” Aletta said. “It’s our job as parents to speak up for our children. If we don’t stand up for our children, who will?”

The couple claims the targeting began in spring 2023 after their son was moved into the two-year-old class. Their son, who is Black, had a white teacher who frequently sent him home with behavioral reports over minor issues, like not wanting to leave the splash pad, refusing to line up, or becoming upset when another child took his toy.

“Just small things,” said Aletta, 46, a 20-year veteran in higher education.

But the pattern “was very alarming,” Aletta added. “This is not something that we’re used to.”

According to the Williamsons, all of the behavior reports came from the same teacher. Whenever she was absent, whether sick, on vacation, or simply not in the classroom, their younger son never received any write-ups. An assistant teacher, who is also Black, reportedly told the couple privately that their son was being disciplined for behaviors that white students were not being penalized for.

School officials said the child would be put on a two-week “behavior plan” that would garner “next steps” if his behavior didn’t improve.

“We were hurt, we were shocked by what we were hearing. I told them that I’d worked in higher ed for over 20 years. We know our rights,” Aletta said.

During a meeting, Aletta told the school she would contact the federal Office for Civil Rights and get legal assistance on the belief that their son was being singled out. However, when they got home from the meeting, they received an email telling them their son had been expelled “due to threat of litigation.”

Heritage has denied the Williamsons’ claims and says it is ready to defend itself in the upcoming trial. The Williamsons are also prepared for the legal battle to ensure the safety and well-being of all children moving forward.

“This is about making sure that we stand for all children. The reason we wanted this lawsuit filed is we want to send a message loud and clear,” Aletta said. “If you look at their mission, it’s all about tolerance and patience and God’s love. Yet we did not experience that at all. The God that I serve loves all children, regardless of their race.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 7, 2025

Summit, NJ, Backtracks Bill To Ban Homeless Encampments

Summit, New Jersey is reconsidering a ban on homeless encampments.

The city council in Summit, New Jersey, is working to revise a proposed ban on homeless encampments that would jail and fine those found guilty.

Summit’s council is set to meet on May 13 to present an amended ordinance that will “prevent any penalization of involuntary homelessness,” Gothamist reports. The move comes a month after the council proposed a law that would impose a $2,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail on anyone found sleeping or camping on public property.

“There’s no legal basis for giving an unhoused person a summons, fining them, putting them in jail when their only ‘crime’ is that they can’t afford to live indoors,” said Attorney Jeff Wild, a founder of the nonprofit New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness.

The city council delayed a vote scheduled in April after entering into discussions with Wild, who criticized the original ordinance for violating a person’s right to pursue and obtain safety as outlined in the New Jersey Constitution. The revised ordinance also states that anyone without access to “available indoor housing” will not face prosecution under the new law.

The change follows public backlash at a packed city council meeting where residents blasted the original proposal for criminalizing homelessness and breaching constitutional rights. Public testimony on the proposed camping ban lasted nearly four hours during last month’s council hearing, stretching into the early hours of the next day.

Republican Summit Councilmember Jamel Boyer introduced the ordinance weeks after claiming a homeless man with a knife allegedly confronted his 11-year-old daughter and other children in downtown Summit. Boyer argues the law is necessary to prevent a rise in the city’s homeless population.

“ It will continue,” Boyer said. “So it’s not just about the five. It’s about the next five, or the next five after that.”

Residents will have a chance to voice their opinions during the May 13 city council meeting.