Bank of America, employee, disabled client
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Racist Arrested After Attacking Mentally Disabled Man With Knife

Oklahoma City police detained a man after he allegedly tried to attack a mentally disabled man with a knife


Oklahoma City police detained a man after he allegedly tried to attack a mentally disabled man with a knife. CCTV footage shows 47-year-old Lawrence Kuykendall yelling racial slurs at a janitor at a local strip club before charging at him with a knife. “According to police, the janitor defended himself by beating Kuykendall with a broom. 

“Just before 12:50 a.m. Friday, Oklahoma City police responded to a reported assault at a store in the 1100 block of North Meridian Avenue. At the scene, officers located Lawrence Kuykendall, who had cuts on his face and was bleeding, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Kuykendall told police that a man ‘who was mentally challenged’ had assaulted him on the northeast corner of Northwest 10th Street and North MacArthur Boulevard. He said he had pulled out a knife in self-defense as the man walked up to him,” the police report obtained by News 4 Oklahoma states.

According to police, the victim, whose name was not released, claimed Kuykendall had been walking past his workplace for several days, calling him racial slurs and other derogatory names. The man asked Kuykendall to leave him alone and said he did not want to fight. He told investigators that on August 2, Kuykendall returned and resumed harassing him. The man, Kuykendall, then approached him with what he estimated to be a 6- to 8-inch knife and tried to stab him. He told investigators that he fought back, initially hitting him with a broom and then punching Kuykendall in the head multiple times. 

Investigators viewed video footage of the altercation, which corroborated the janitor’s story.  Police reports state that when Kuykendall stopped fighting, the man also stopped. After receiving medical attention, the Police arrested a bloodied Kuykendall. They detained him at the Oklahoma County Detention Center on complaints of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and racial, ethnic, or religious harassment.

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Japan, Africa
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Japan Announces Plans To Invest $1.5 Billion In Africa

Investors claim they will generate funds for sustainable development on the continent.


Japan aims to increase its presence in Africa. Over the next three years, the Japanese government plans to invest $1.5 billion to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage sustainable growth on the continent.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency, along with private investors, plans to raise funds to support projects that promote environmental sustainability. Japan’s $1.7 trillion Government Pension Investment Fund announced its plans to invest in these initiatives, Bloomberg reports.

Vice Minister for International Affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, Takehiko Matsuo, said the country’s recent economic recovery has caused the private sector to become more eager to provide financial backing to support sustainability in Africa. 

“Now the mindset of Japanese business leaders has changed dramatically, and they are now much more proactive about expanding their business globally,” Matsuo tells Bloomberg.

Significant areas of focus for Japan include critical minerals and base metals. The country aims to reduce its reliance on China, which is currently Africa’s largest trading partner.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called on private companies to invest in the project.

“It’s more important than ever to leverage the energy of the private sector for the sustainable development of Africa, amid growing demand for funding to address social and economic challenges,” Kishida said at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, as reported by Nippon.

Japanese companies, like Isuzu Motors South Africa, have already expanded their presence in Africa. Billy Tom, president and CEO of Isuzu Motors South Africa, has stated that the company is negotiating with Japanese stakeholders about building additional production facilities in Africa. 

“We’re saying to them, instead of producing vehicles in Japan, you’ve got a facility in Africa. We can produce the vehicles here,” Tom tells Reuters.

The automobile giant aims to boost its African manufacturing share to 45%, a 15% increase from six years ago.

While the government’s $1.5 billion fund focuses on sustainability and environmental issues, the presence of companies like Izuzu is an indicator of the country’s long-term commitment to investing in Africa’s economic development.

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Eve
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Eve Says Past Romance With Suge Knight Was Meant To Upset Dr. Dre

Eve once dated Suge Knight as a form of "sweet revenge" on Dr. Dre.


Eve is revealing details about her brief fling with Dr. Dre’s longtime rival Suge Knight, a relationship she says began as a form of “sweet revenge” against the hip-hop mogul.

As readers dive into Grammy-winning rapper Eve’s memoir, Who’s That Girl?, released last September, new insights into her private life are emerging, most notably her gutsy move to date Death Row co-founder Suge Knight to get under Dr. Dre’s skin.

“I was still in my little mood about Dre even though we made a solid hit together, so having Suge, his former boss at Death Row, stomping around Interscope felt like some sweet revenge,” Eve recalled, as captured by Hip Hop DX. “I am not really sure how I concocted this idea, yet here we were.”

Being signed to Interscope Records via Ruff Ryders Entertainment, Eve’s fling sparked controversy with label head Jimmy Iovine and his close friend and business partner, Dr. Dre.

“I feel like he (Jimmy) took his anger out on my third album,” Eve said of her third project, Eve-Olution.

The “Love is Blind” rapper realized she had to end the romance to protect her music career after her Ruff Ryders bosses (co-founders Dee and Waah Dean) urged her to call it off.

“They didn’t like the idea of me hanging out with Suge at all,” Eve shared. “When my guys said it was time to cut the cord, I didn’t think twice.”

With Knight being a fellow label head and music executive at the time, the former Death Row CEO fully understood Eve’s decision to part ways.

“If I was your little sis, I would tell you the same thing,” Eve recalled him telling her.

Eve broke ground at Ruff Ryders with her 1999 debut Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, which went multi-platinum and made her the first female rapper to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Her 2002 Dr. Dre-produced hit “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” earned her a Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. After breaking records, dabbling in TV and film as an actress, and starting a family with wealthy business magnate, Maximillion Cooper, Eve cashed in on her music catalog in 2024, selling it to Iconoclast for an estimated eight-figure deal believed to range between $25 and $50 million.

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Howard University, hospital, trauma
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6 Howard University Alums Have ‘Fulbright’ Futures Ahead

Howard University continues its legacy of educating global leaders as six recent graduates have earned 2025–2026 Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants.


Howard University continues its legacy of educating global leaders, as six recent graduates have earned 2025–2026 Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants. Howard’s newsletter, The Dig, announced the news. The new Fulbright scholars will reap the rewards of labor with paid accommodations and training opportunities across the world.

The scholars will bring their HBCU excellence all over the world. The Howard alum will teach, study, and conduct research in Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, Colombia, France, and the United Kingdom. A few scholars spoke with Hilltop Online about the opportunity and honor.

Courtney Bartlette, who graduated with a degree in public relations and a minor in English, will serve as an English teaching assistant in Costa Rica. 

Diane Fakinlede, summa cum laude in biology and a 2024 Astronaut Scholar, will explore neuroimmunology in Denmark, focusing on protein aggregation and its ties to Parkinson’s disease. 

“Since the summer before my freshman year, I have always wanted to receive the Fulbright. I often doubted myself because I was not aware that I could ever receive something as prestigious as the Fulbright,” Fakinlede said.

Ann Laurie M. Pierre, a biology graduate with minors in chemistry and Afro-American studies, will continue her medical interests while teaching in Paris.

Laurie M. Pierre described her plans for Paris: “While abroad in Paris, France, I plan to not only teach but also shadow doctors and scientists. I am a big fashion enthusiast and even created a fashion design collection of my own, so being in one of the fashion capitals, I plan on getting the inside scoop of fashion.”

Ananya Hota, a biology graduate with minors in chemistry, Latin, and psychology, is bound for Germany. 

Ariella Williams, dual-degree holder in Spanish and interdisciplinary studies, will teach English in Colombia. 

Ellis Walton, a J.D. graduate from Howard Law, will pursue a master’s in environmental policy and regulation at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Walton reflected on the honor, saying, “It’s not lost on me how significant this opportunity is for me, my family and the communities I hope to serve,” adding that he looks forward to sharing “the rich culture and history of my community.”

Howard’s success with Fulbright scholars is deeply supported by its ACE Scholars Program, which offers personalized mentorship, application support, and confidence-building for competitive fellowships such as Fulbright. The university has produced more than 165 Fulbright alumni and was recognized as a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader by the U.S. Department of State.

These scholars will travel abroad this fall, not only to advance their disciplines but also to serve as cultural ambassadors, embodying Howard’s motto of Leadership, Excellence, Truth, and Service.

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Dwayne Wade, podcast, iHeart
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Dwyane Wade Recalls Playing Basketball With Obama At The White House

'He’s smooth–like he talks, like he walks'


Many people are aware that President Barack Obama is a big basketball fan, and The Basketball Network recalled a time when NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade mentioned that he played ball with the fellow Chicago native over 10 years ago, while Obama was still in office.

The former president was such an avid basketball fan and player that he had a full-sized basketball court installed in the White House during his administration. During his high school years, Obama was good enough to make it onto the varsity team at Punahou School in Hawaii. The school won the state championship in 1979, but we never really heard why he never pursued the sport. But to this day, he can be seen at occasional games. He usually gives his opinion on the sport and still interacts with many former and current NBA players.

Obama was known to invite many NBA players to the White House to participate in some pick-up games while he was in office. 

In celebration of the president’s 49th birthday, he invited fellow Chicago natives Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, and future NBA Hall of Famer LeBron James, along with several other players, for a mix of professional ballers and some who weren’t in the NBA. Not too many people were privy to the games. Still, when a reporter from Time Magazine asked Wade about playing ball with the president in 2012, he gave a description that seemingly fit Obama’s personality.

The former Miami Heat player stated that the president was passing the ball a lot and didn’t take many shots. He also said that he gave the president an assist when Obama hit the game-winning shot during one of their pick-up contests.

“He was kind of like a point guard. He was passing a lot. He’s smooth–like he talks, like he walks. He didn’t shoot too much, but I passed it to him, and he hit the game-winning shot. That was cool.”

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New Jersey, auto shop,
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9 Black Car Reviewers You Can Trust

These reviewers do more than just test drive the latest vehicles


The car world is lacking when it comes to Black voices, and Black automotive reviewers are changing that. They’re bringing a perspective to the industry that combines knowledge with cultural understanding, authenticity, and authority. These reviewers do more than just test drive the latest vehicles. They share real-life experiences, tell stories that resonate, and show an awareness of the communities they’re a part of. This makes the whole conversation around experiencing and purchasing cars more dynamic. By highlighting their work, BLACK ENTERPRISE acknowledges the role each plays in the car and media scene by giving consumers someone they can actually relate to and trust.

Teia Collier

Teia Collier is a Georgia-based car journalist with a passion for her work. She’s also a dedicated educator, a mom, and somehow still finds time to volunteer. What sets Collier apart, though, is her ability to bring humor and a refreshing personality to her content about cars. Check her out. 

Brian Armstead

Brian Armstead has been around the block when it comes to writing about vehicles, having over 49 years of automotive industry knowledge under his belt. His content has been featured in national publications, including BE and Traveling Dad. Through his work, Armstead is persistent in making the car industry an inclusive place. He currently writes for Pursuitist.com, U.S. News & World Report, and WTOP.com.

Kimatni Rawlins

Kimatni Rawlins is a name you should be familiar with. Rawlins has been a journalist in the car industry for some time, writing for Automotive Rhythms, and is currently contributing car reviews for BE. Rawlins is also part of the Black Automotive Media Group. Rawlins has a captivating style. He uses car reviews to tell stories that go beyond the vehicle performance. He shares culture and experience behind the wheel. Rawlins is a voice for representation and change within the market and partners with several HBCUs through the internship program he’s created, introducing students to various career paths and roles within the automotive industry.

Andrew Beckford

Andrew Beckford is a car journalist from California. He writes about anything related to motorsports. Think racing games, car modifications, and big events like Formula Drift, IndyCar, and F1. What sets Beckford apart is that he was the first to feature a celebrity on the cover of MotorTrends print magazine. Beckford’s coverage also delves into the world of tuner culture and one-off car builds, giving his readers an inside look at the motorsports scene.

Donald Osborne

Donald Osborne is the go-to guy when it comes to the history of cars. He’s spent years honing his craft as a historian, and his take on what makes a vehicle valuable is unmatched. He has appeared on Jay Leno’s Garage. Osborne is the expert people call when they need to figure out what a car is worth. With a passion for preserving heritage, he’s made a real name for himself in the classic car world. His knowledge is pretty steep, and he’s always happy to share it.

Derin Richardson

Derin Richardson creates content for multiple platforms: The Mustang Source and Dodge Forum. He does an excellent job of breaking down automotive jargon into simple terms, and he offers insight into the community’s perspective on vehicles. Whether it’s tech insights or just straight talk from car enthusiasts, Richardson has got car lovers and consumers covered.

William Irvin Lewis

William Irvin Lewis is a Michigan-based automotive writer who contributes to MotorTrend. Lewis is involved in the grassroots motorsports scene. What’s interesting about Lewis is how he seamlessly integrates his love of writing, drifting, and cultural understanding into everything he does. It’s a combo that seems to work well for him.

Antuan Goodwin

Antuan Goodwin heads reviews over at CNET Road Show. His car comparisons are always on point. Goodwin has a wealth of automotive knowledge that is easy to follow, which is more than likely why he appeals to such a range of people. Goodwin has a knack for making automotive content straightforward.

Forrest Jones

Forrest Jones has made a name for himself on YouTube with his car reviews on Forrest’s Auto Reviews. Jones covers just about everything you can think of when it comes to automotive, the cars you see every day, and the crazy custom jobs that are over the top—and he keeps it 100% with his direct style. 

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American Basketball Player, Indonesian Prison, Cannabis Gummies,Compassionate Release
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Prison Debt Passed Down To Black Women Pushes Them Further Into Poverty

New research highlights how passed-down prison debt disproportionately affects Black women.


New research reveals how passed-down prison debt drives the loved ones of incarcerated people, particularly Black women, into deeper poverty.

With Black people making up 37% of the local jail and state prison population, incarceration fees are driving many women of color deeper into poverty, according to a new report from the Prison Policy Initiative. The findings spotlight how prison debt, driven by charges for housing and medical care, is passed down to families and hits Black women the hardest.

Women, particularly Black women, are disproportionately affected by the majority of states that allow “pay-to-stay” policies. Recent research shows that 83% of those covering fines, fees, and bail for incarcerated loved ones are women, whose earnings drop more sharply post-conviction than men’s ($75/year versus $26).

With Black mothers three times more likely than white mothers to be their family’s sole provider, the burden of passed-down prison debt further fuels the widening racial wealth gap.

“Because many incarcerated people can’t fully pay fees while in prison, the costs often pile up as debt they’re still expected to repay after their release,” Campaign Zero executive director DeRay Mckesson said.

Advocates warn that some states let debt collectors or probation officers demand full repayment within 30 days. Often, the prison debt ends up being passed to taxpayers, who cover costly legal efforts that rarely recover the money.

The prison debt crisis is widespread, as data shows 48 states allow at least one “pay-to-stay” fee, 42 states and D.C. charge incarcerated adults for room and board, and 43 states impose medical fees on those behind bars. Fees are automatically deducted from prison accounts or wages, but with most incarcerated people earning less than $1 a day, balances quickly accumulate, often following them long after release.

“We were the first to put this issue on the map — people were talking about mass incarceration, but no one was talking about families having their college funds and inheritances seized,” said Brittany Friedman, a USC sociologist who leads the Captive Money Lab and served as a consultant on the Campaign Zero project.

Advocates are calling out the outdated pay-to-stay policies, many of which date back to the 1970s when states like Michigan and California sought to shift incarceration costs off public budgets. The trend spread in the 1980s after federal funding cuts under President Reagan led states to charge incarcerated individuals for court-appointed counsel, supervision, meals, and phone calls.

While some argue these fees help cover victim restitution or public services, much of the cost is imposed on loved ones and taxpayers, even in victimless cases, such as drug possession.

“They weren’t designed to promote safety or rehabilitation,” said Nick Shepack, Nevada director for the FFJC. “They were designed to cut budgets — and they still are.”

Some states are taking steps to roll back these fees. Oklahoma recently passed a bill eliminating many charges, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore waived $13 million in unpaid probation fees earlier this year, and Nevada capped the amount prisons can garnish from family deposits while ending post-release collections of medical debt.

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doorDash
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Door Dash Customer Destroys Driver’s Car Over Fried Chicken

A 22-year-old Milwaukee woman tracked down her DoorDash driver and caused thousands of dollars in damage to the driver’s car. 


A food delivery dispute turned into a felony case after police say a 22-year-old Milwaukee woman, Janiyah Jones,  tracked down her DoorDash driver and caused thousands of dollars in damage to the driver’s car. 

Jones is accused of causing nearly $10,000 of damage to Faith Morris’s vehicle. If convicted, Jones faces more than three years in prison. According to court records, Morris lost cell service while attempting to deliver chicken wings and returned home to cancel the order. Morris spoke to TM4J about the incident.

Reflecting on the incident, Morris said, “She did this over a ten-piece chicken wing! She passed by Fryers [the restaurant] to come here.”

Morris believes her safety was severely compromised by DoorDash’s GPS, which continued working after the delivery had been canceled. The customer allegedly followed her location, then struck the car with a tire iron, hurled a brick, and shattered windows. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@ttshanell_/video/7535613224977255711?_r=1&_t=ZT-8z4FbEzAS0U

Morris was shocked by the turn of events that she says should not have been possible.

“There’s no way that she should have been able to call me for an hour after this happened. An hour? It’s absolutely insane.” Moments later, she recalled, “It was so crazy how the glass was just raining from the sky when she was hitting it.”

Milwaukee police secured a search warrant through DoorDash, which identified Jones as the suspect. They also matched Ring footage with body camera video from an earlier incident involving Jones.

DoorDash has condemned the actions. The company says it does not share personal driver information. However, the company did not comment on the capabilities of reverse GPS tracking using its app.

 “This customer’s actions are completely uncalled for, unacceptable, and disturbing,” the company said in a statement. The platform confirmed it never shares a driver’s home address with customers.

Morris has not returned to work since the incident and described it as “a crazy situation.”

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Better, Bitcoin, Crypto Coinbase, mortgage, digital assets
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How College Graduates Can Launch Careers In AI and Crypto

AI has transformed the job market by creating new roles while eliminating others


Job opportunities for workers with artificial intelligence (AI) expertise are on the rise. According to Business Insider, Amazon posted three times as many AI positions as Google or Microsoft, with salaries reaching up to $263,700 before stock options. Last month, Meta made headlines for offering up to $1 billion to attract AI talent from competitors. Crypto jobs are just as competitive. This year, the industry has experienced a 60% rise in job postings. This makes it an excellent time for college students and recent grads to explore opportunities in the industry. Here are jobs and strategies to boost your visibility in the crypto and AI fields.

Engineers and Developers

AI and blockchain companies require engineering talent to develop new products and continually update their systems. Machine learning engineers are earning $160,000 to $200,000, with some job postings offering more than $200,000, Forbes reported. Starting salaries for Blockchain developers are around $150,000 and $250,000 for senior roles. 

Marketing and  PR Job Opportunities

 AI and crypto companies often struggle to explain their products to everyday users. Marketing and PR professionals can help translate complicated technical jargon into layman’s terms, making it easier for the average person to understand. Event managers handle the logistics of conferences and other public-facing events. 

Aside from marketing, other non-technical jobs are in high demand. Policy analysts, ethics specialists, and legal consultants all stay up-to-date with evolving policies and ensure companies remain compliant. 

How can college students and recent graduates position themselves to break into AI and crypto? Here are some steps job seekers can take to build a career in these fast-growing fields.

Develop an online presence 

Companies in both industries are more likely to hire people they’ve noticed online. A graduate who actively participates in online tech communities and social media might be more valuable than someone with a degree but no proven experience in the field. 

Networking 

Some of the best jobs in crypto and AI are not posted on traditional job boards. In these fields, networking plays a crucial role in hiring, and decision-makers are often more accessible than in other industries. Instead of relying solely on job boards, experts recommend that job seekers organize and participate in in-person meetups and online communities. These events provide opportunities to meet potential hiring managers, company founders, and colleagues. Forbes suggests platforms like Crypto Nomads, Luma, and similar event sites to find local events.

Both AI and Crypto have created some of the highest-paying career opportunities for new graduates. One key step is for graduates to get involved in the industry while it is still expanding and accessible.

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Power Stick antiperspirant deodorants
photo credit: pexels

FDA Issues Recall Of More Than 67K Cases Of  Power Stick Deodorant

Is your deodorant safe?


The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a major recall of popular deodorants sold nationwide. The recall, launched July 10, involves over 67,000 cases of Power Stick antiperspirant deodorants, making it the largest FDA deodorant recall in history.

The recall was voluntarily issued by A.P. Deauville, the manufacturer of the product. FDA inspectors classified it as a Class II recall, which means the products “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”  

The recall applies to three products: 

  • Power Stick for Her Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant Powder Fresh (UPC 815195019313)
  • Power Stick Invisible Protection Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant Spring Fresh (UPC 815195018194)
  • Power Stick Original Nourishing Invisible Protection Roll-On Antiperspirant Deodorant (UPC 815195018224)

The FDA  cited ‘CGMP deviations’ as the reason for the recall, but did not specify which regulations the manufacturer violated. 

“Adherence to the CGMP regulations assures the identity, strength, quality, and purity of drug products by requiring that manufacturers of medications adequately control manufacturing operations. This includes establishing strong quality management systems, obtaining appropriate quality raw materials, establishing robust operating procedures, detecting and investigating product quality deviations, and maintaining reliable testing laboratories,” the organization says on its website. 

Additionally, the CGMP ensures that companies have adequate quality control systems, use safe raw materials, and that testing laboratories meet standards.

According to its website, A.P. Deauville manufactures its products in an FDA-regulated facility. The company also makes shampoo, conditioner, and body sprays. 

In 2005, the California Air Resources Board fined A.P. Deauville $50,000 over its Power Stick products, claiming that the product contained volatile organic compounds above the state limit.

All recalled products were sold in the 1.8-ounce size at major retailers, including Dollar Tree and Amazon. If you own any of these products, dispose of them or return them to the retailer. 

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