by Sharelle B. McNair

March 10, 2026

Black, Middle Class New Yorkers Feel New Tax-Hike Plan Makes Them A Direct Target

"“It doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, yellow, green, or purple! it doesn’t matter! If you fall into a certain category, your family is gonna be affected, and it is so unfair."

Several Black, middle-class New York City residents are speaking out against the Democratic Socialists of America’s proposed plan for tax hikes, saying it would cost them the years they spent financially building, the New York Post reported.

The proposal includes higher taxes for individuals who make more than $300,000 in addition to taxing on inheritances over $250,000. Lorraine Smith-Singleton of Jamaica, Queens, feels it would hurt the Black residents who spent decades building retirement accounts, paying off homes, and estate planning to benefit loved ones. “The reason you invest is to acquire wealth with the hopes of putting it towards your legacy, for your family — and this will greatly affect my family,” the retired 77-year-old nurse said.

Laurelton, Queens resident and 58-year-old consultant James Chavis called the plan “feels un-Democratic” and “extremely unfair.” “As an African-American homeowner, I think it’s extremely unfair to most middle- and upper-middle-class New Yorkers to raise taxes, especially when incomes are not increasing in our current economic environment,” Chavis said.

”The super-rich manage to skirt the tax by whatever means, and the middle-class continually carries the burden. It’s the reason that so many have chosen to leave the State of New York and New York City.”

Democratic leaders like New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins have continued to push the plan to increase taxes on the state’s wealthy and corporations, going against Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is against the idea. Despite pushback from the niche demographic, Stewart-Cousins calls it a “robust progressive and corporate tax proposal,” with a “version of a millionaire’s tax.” “I think I’ve said repeatedly that we are certainly trying to meet the moment, and revenue raisers will certainly be part of our package,” she said, according to CBS News.

All eyes are on Hochul after her record $260 billion state budget proposal failed to include any income tax raises, despite pressure from Big Apple Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has continuously called on the state to “tax the rich.” Democratic Socialists of America’s “Tax the Rich” campaign co-chair Batul Hassan said she needs to pick a side. “This will be Hochul’s tax on homeowners if she refuses to choose a side and tax the super rich,” Hassan said.

Without support from the state, Mamdani claims he will have no choice but to raise property taxes by 9.5% and raid the city’s reserves. While Smith-Singleton is in favor of his “millionaire tax” plan, she feels it shouldn’t be at the expense of working New Yorkers — regardless of race. “I favor taxing the rich — the super-rich, but I’m not in favor of taxing middle-class working people. I own two properties, and I intend to give whatever’s left to my children, not the government,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, yellow, green, or purple! it doesn’t matter! If you fall into a certain category, your family is gonna be affected, and it is so unfair. We already pay more taxes now than what we should be. Everything is sky high.”

But it seems a majority of New Yorkers are on Mamdani’s side as a Siena poll shows 62% of residents are in favor.

by Ahsan Washington

March 9, 2026

Remembering The Notorious B.I.G. On The Day Of His Untimely Death

Biggie’s death happened just six months after Tupac Shakur's death during the mid-1990s

On March 9, 1997, hip-hop lost one of its most influential voices, Christopher Wallace, also known as “The Notorious B.I.G.” or “Biggie,” in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. The 24-year-old Brooklyn rapper had attended a party at the Petersen Automotive Museum when a vehicle approached the SUV he was traveling in while stopped at a red light and fired shots. The shooting occurred shortly after midnight. The Notorious B.I.G. died at 1:15 a.m. despite receiving emergency surgery.

Biggie’s death happened just six months after Tupac Shakur’s death during the mid-1990s East Coast-West Coast rap beef. The murder case remains unsolved after three decades of police investigation.

The release of the docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning brought the case back into public discussion, as it examines the theories about Wallace and Shakur’s deaths. Interviewees state that industry conflicts and Wallace’s decision to visit Los Angeles created dangerous circumstances for the beloved rapper.

The unresolved murder of Biggie continues to linger as one of the most enduring unsolved crimes in hip-hop history. B.I.G. remains one of the most influential hip-hop lyricists. During his short career, Biggie gave interviews that reveal his experiences as a rising artist who dealt with stardom, his criminal past, and the competitive nature of the music business. Through interviews that capture his thoughts at the height of his career, his voice and cultural impact continue to thrive.

Rare 1994 Interview – Biggie Explains His Path Into Rap

In this rare 1994 interview, Biggie shared his unique approach to achieving success in the rap industry. He shares his reasons for joining Bad Boy Records and talks about the steps he took to create his debut album, Ready to Die. Sean “Diddy” Combs’ mentorship helped Wallace transform from a Brooklyn street hustler into a hip-hop legend, as revealed in this interview.

1994 Behind-the-Scenes Interview – The Making of “Warning”

During the filming of the music video for his debut album single, “Warning,” The Notorious B.I.G. gave an interview to the media. The rapper revealed during this interview that the song’s storytelling method originated from real-life incidents and neighborhood stories. The real-life experiences that influenced him created the hard-hitting storytelling approach that defined his debut album “Ready to Die.”

The Dog House Radio Interview (1997) – Biggie Talks Security Concerns

On March 5, 1997, Biggie appeared on The Dog House, which aired on San Francisco station KYLD (Wild 107). The interview served as a promotional event for his Life After Death album. During this interview, Wallace spoke about the additional security measures he put in place because of his fame, which revealed the state of hip-hop security at the time. The interview took place only four days before the deadly shooting in Los Angeles.

Rap City Interview (1997) – Biggie Discusses Life After Death

The Notorious B.I.G. discussed life and death and the effects of Tupac Shakur’s murder during his 1997 Rap City interview. Joe Clair interviewed Biggie during which they discussed the upcoming Life After Death album, his artistic growth, and his thoughts about the hip-hop environment after Shakur’s death. People consider this one of the last television interviews Wallace gave before he died.

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 9, 2026

George W. Bush Is Invited To The Opening Of The Obama Presidential Center, Trump Not Invited

Much like his legendary 2008 presidential campaign, the former president continues to push the narrative of “hope” to the American people, highlighting the feeling visitors may feel upon arrival.

The guest list and date for the opening of the Obama Presidential Center have been set and there is a prominent name missing.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 18, with the public opening scheduled for June 19, known as Juneteenth. People reported that the guest list includes former Republican President George W. Bush, but not President Donald Trump.

The March 7 announcement came from the first Black President and First Lady via Instagram, holding importance as the anniversary of the civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, and with increased anticipation since the project’s September 2021 Chicago groundbreaking. In the post, Obama reminisced about some words visitors will see when they look up. “When visitors look up at the Obama Presidential Center’s Museum building, they’ll see three words: ‘You are America.’ Those words come from a speech I gave in Selma on the 50th anniversary of the March across the Edmund Pettus Bridge,” he said.

“They’re meant to honor the men and women who came before us, and to inspire the next generation to be messengers of hope.”

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A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama)

While Trump isn’t invited to the opening center, he’s not banned from ever making a visit. Former Obama White House adviser and Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said he’s welcomed to visit. “As I said, this is really a chance for us to celebrate with the people who joined President Obama on this journey, the ordinary people who did extraordinary things,” Jarrett said, according to Fox News.

“So, no, but I will say, I hasten to add, that after we open to the public, should President Trump want to come and tour the center, President Obama would be delighted for him to do so.”

Much like his legendary 2008 presidential campaign, the former president and Illinois state leader continues to push the narrative of “hope” to the American people, highlighting the feeling visitors of the presidential center, featuring a museum, new library branch, and more, may get upon arrival. “It is easy to look around right now and feel like the challenges we face are simply too big. But hope is not about ignoring the hard stuff,” Obama said.

“It is that thing inside us that insists something better awaits if we are willing to work for it.”

The center pays homage to the couple’s public service legacy and their love story. Michelle Obama referred to it as “a way of giving back to the community that has given us so much. “But it’s more than that, too. It’s a tribute to the big-hearted, open-armed people and communities who have defined this city — and buoyed our family through thick and thin,” the best-selling author wrote.

“It’s a launchpad for the next generation of young leaders who are going to change the world.”

Tickets will be available in May, with pricing aligning with other Chicago cultural institutions.

Social media users celebrated the opening, thanking and missing the Obamas leadership and announcing plans to visit.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 9, 2026

Tiffany Haddish And Jason Lee Team Up For ‘Read Across America’

Read Across America Day was established in 1998 by the National Education Association

Award-winning actress, comedian, and author Tiffany Haddish joined Vice Mayor Jason Lee in Stockton, California, on March 2, in celebration of Read Across America.

Vice Mayor Lee visited August Knodt Elementary School in Weston Ranch, while Haddish read to students at Aspire Secondary Academy in Sierra Vista. Lee and Haddish spent their time reading Haddish’s children’s book, Layla, The Last Black Unicorn to students. The story follows the journey of a unique Black unicorn who struggles to fit in at school before she realizes that what may make her different from others is ultimately her greatest strength.

After a successful day getting to know the students and educators of South Stockton, Haddish and Lee delivered books to Van Buren Library, Maya Angelou Library, and Weston Ranch Library, expanding children’s access to new reading materials beyond their classrooms.

“In a time when so many of our children are navigating identity and belonging, stories like Layla remind them that being different is not a weakness — it’s a superpower,” Lee in said a press release.

“When we put books in a child’s hands, we put possibility in their future.”

Haddish, best known for her work as a stand-up comedian and lead actress in Girls Trip, started writing and publishing books nearly a decade ago. Layla, The Last Black Unicorn takes inspiration from Haddish’s first book, a memoir titled The Last Black Unicorn. It is Haddish’s first of seven published works and takes us through her challenging upbringing. Readers are told deep, intimate stories from her life while experiencing her contagious personality. In Layla, The Last Black Unicorn,” similarities are drawn between Haddish and Layla—two unique beings realizing the power they have stored in themselves.

Read Across America Day was established in 1998 by the National Education Association (NEA) and is observed March 2, to honor the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. Its goal is to encourage children to read and develop strong reading habits that will give them lifelong support.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 9, 2026

T-Boz Recalls TLC Storming Into Clive Davis’ Office To Tell Arista, ‘Y’all Owe Us Money’

T-Boz is speaking out about the day TLC confronted Clive Davis over money the group believed Arista Records owed them.

T-Boz is revisiting TLC’s infamous dispute with their record label at the height of the group’s success, recalling the moment they stormed into Arista Records to confront executives and declare, “Y’all owe us money.”

As the group prepares to bring their legacy to theaters nationwide with CrazySexyCool — The TLC Musical, member T-Boz is reflecting on one of TLC’s most notorious industry battles in a new episode of Uncensored. A recently released clip shows her recalling the moment she and bandmates Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas and the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes stormed into Arista Records demanding money they believed the label owed them, the Grio reports.

“We went up to the record company like, ‘Y’all owe us money,’” T-Boz recalled.

According to T-Boz, the trio walked into Arista Records with a clear plan: remove anything in the office that had TLC’s name on it.

“We said we’re taking anything off the walls or desks that says TLC,” she recalled.

A frustrated TLC was eventually escorted to the office of legendary music executive Clive Davis. T-Boz recalled that Davis was in a meeting with Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was playing music when the trio walked in.

As tensions rose, another Arista executive, Roy Lott, was called in while the group continued demanding answers about their finances. The situation quickly escalated to the point that someone inside the building called the police.

According to T-Boz, when officers arrived, they “were laughing,” seemingly amused that three young women had stirred up so much commotion inside the offices of a major music label. T-Boz later joked that the incident may have left a lasting impression, given how tight security at Arista has reportedly become since then.

“That’s why security is so tight at Arista now,” she said.

After accusing their label of withholding money, TLC’s dispute with LaFace Records and its distributor, Arista Records, escalated into one of the music industry’s most high-profile contract battles. In 1995, despite selling millions of records, the group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, revealing they were earning only a small fraction from album sales after expenses were deducted.

The filing sparked a two-year legal fight that ultimately ended in a 1996 settlement granting the trio a new contract with improved royalty terms and greater financial control. The group has since reflected on the ordeal as a pivotal moment in their journey, one they’ve revisited in their televised biopic and will bring to the stage in the upcoming musical set to premiere June 26 at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage.

As for Uncensored: T-Boz, that premieres March 12 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on TV One.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 9, 2026

The Doux Honors International Women’s Day With ‘Our Kind Of Women’ Photo Exhibit In Atlanta

The "Our Kind of Women" exhibit portrays Black womanhood in its strength and beauty.

Black-owned haircare brand The Doux celebrated International Women’s Day with a new photography exhibit focused on Black womanhood.

The “Our Kind of Women” exhibit, which took place March 8, celebrated Black women over 40 for “boldly defining radiance, power, and purpose on their own terms,” a press release read. Combining a gallery exhibit with a “cultural storytelling experience,” the event brought together women and local leaders across Atlanta for its empowering message.

The Doux’s founders, Maya and Brian Smith, collaborated with actor, director, and philanthropist, Terri J. Vaughn, to develop this female-focused celebration. However, “Our Kind Of Women” initially came to life through visual storyteller Bessie Akuba Winn.

The ongoing photography series and upcoming coffee table book is a visual triumph and testimony to Black women’s livelihoods. As Vaughn and Maya Smith became participants in this community movement, the latter wanted to find an additional avenue to showcase this profound work.

To do so, The Doux partnered with Our Kind Of Women as the two entities find common ground in Black women’s upliftment and care. With the gallery’s opening, Winn spoke about the deeper connection between Black women and the spaces in which they care for one another.

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“Maya Smith, the co-founder and CEO of our presenting sponsor, The Doux, talked about this in her feature,” explained Winn. ” She said that beauty salons were one of the first places that black women learned how to care for each other, how to gather, and how to show up for one another. And that’s real.”

She added, “It makes perfect sense that The Doux is aligned with Our Kind of Women, because what they represent and who they represent and stand for, is the same spirit behind this entire project. Women who came up in spaces that shaped us, [and] women whose experiences laid the foundation for how we evolve, how we lead and how we show up in the world.”

The partnership led to featured attendees, including Georgia gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, speaking on the importance of uplifting women no matter their age or background.

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Smith also shared how this event “felt familiar,” especially as it speaks to this demographic’s representation and recognition. As a champion of Black women’s hair and holistic health, Smith hopes to inspire others to see their beauty in all forms.

“When I first saw this project, it felt familiar to me,” said Maya Smith, co-founder and CEO of The Doux. “It’s about Black women being seen where we are right now in our lives. So many of us over 40 are still building, still creating, still evolving. We don’t age out of relevance. We grow into ourselves. Supporting Bessie and Our Kind of Women felt natural because it reflects the kind of visibility and representation we truly believe in here at The Doux.”

While primarily an International Women’s Day event, the exhibit left a long-lasting message that Black women deserve to feel seen.

Trick Daddy Releases Self-Titled, ‘Trick Daddy Pots’ Cookware

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 9, 2026

Trick Daddy Releases Self-Titled, ‘Trick Daddy Pots’ Cookware

'I want people to feel proud in their kitchens,” says Trick Daddy. “This is about family, culture, and cooking with love.'

Miami-based hip-hop legend and reality-TV star Trick Daddy recently introduced his latest venture, a premium cookware brand, aptly named “Trick Daddy Pots.”

The radio show host has partnered with The Source, a creative brand-building and digital merchandising platform, and Elevate Digital Merchandising, a leading TikTok Shop and e-commerce company, to release the 15-piece ceramic cookware collection. The Let’s Go rapper has been showing off his culinary skills on social media and has used his well-known cooking skills to branch out and launch this collection.

“I want people to feel proud in their kitchens,” said Trick Daddy. “This is about family, culture, and cooking with love. Trick Daddy Pots is for everybody.”

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Trick Daddy Pots was inspired by the Miami businessman’s cooking content and his love for real food and real flavor, reflecting his philosophy of bringing people together through food. The collection includes fry pans, saucepans, stock pots, tempered glass lids, and multi-use utensils, all coated with a durable ceramic non-stick coating, heat-resistant construction, and an easy-clean design. The set can be purchased for $169.99 at the product’s website.

People who buy the pots will get:

1.5 Quart Saucepan with Lid

3 Quart Stock pot with Lid

7 Quart Stock Pot with Lid

8 Inch Skillet

11 Inch Skillet

4 Pieces Stainless Steel / Silicone Cooking Utensils

Stainless Steel Frying Basket

2 Pieces Oven Mittens

“Trick Daddy Pots is exactly the type of authentic, creator-led brand we exist to build,” said Ted Lucas of The Source. “It’s rooted in culture, community, and real storytelling, something consumers genuinely connect with.”

The rapper and now entrepreneur also has a restaurant in Miami, Sundays Eatery, which has been a soul food staple in “The Magic City” since 2019.

Real 106 Cleveland reported that Trick Daddy took to the stage with fellow artist, Ludacris, on March 8 at Jazz In The Gardens, where he performed several songs, including “Can’t F*** Wit Me,” “Sugar (Gimme Some),” and “Nann.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 9, 2026

New Edition Calls Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Nomination The ‘Blessing That We Have Been Waiting For’

New Edition sees their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination as a dream come true.

New Edition is celebrating their nomination to the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, calling the recognition a powerful testament to their decades of hard work, legacy, and enduring brotherhood.

The legendary R&B group discovered their milestone nomination through a group text sent shortly after performing in Cleveland, home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Boston Globe reported. A few members had even visited the museum just days earlier while passing through the city.

“It’s just ironic that we’re leaving Cleveland, and here comes this blessing that we have been waiting for, to a certain extent, all of our careers,” said group member Ronnie DeVoe. “It was just fitting.”

“It feels incredible,” added Bobby Brown. “Just knowing that our prayers are being answered and everything is going in the direction that we had hoped for, and we wished upon, and we worked hard for … it’s a great thing.”

Comprised of Ralph Tresvant, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Johnny Gill, New Edition has spent the last four decades cementing its place as one of the most influential R&B groups in music history. The Boston-bred group helped shape pop, R&B, and hip-hop culture with their polished choreography, youthful style, and signature harmonies, paving the way for later acts such as Boyz II Men, *NSYNC, and New Kids on the Block.

Their multi-platinum catalog includes classic hits like “Candy Girl” (1983), “Cool It Now” (1984), “Mr. Telephone Man” (1984), “Can You Stand the Rain” (1988), and “If It Isn’t Love” (1988). More than 40 years later, all six members continue to perform for fans around the world.

“To pull off what we pulled off, it’s very hard to do,” Gill explained. “When you can get something that unique to happen, listen, this is one for the ages.”

Last summer, when being honored by their hometown with “New Edition Day,” which included the renaming of Dearborn Street as “New Edition Way,” Michael Bivins shared that two major milestones still remained on the group’s list: winning a Grammy and being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Now that the nomination has arrived, the group is encouraging fans to cast their votes.

“We know that there’s still work that has to be done,” DeVoe said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 9, 2026

Chicago Rapper Common Uses FAMU Marching ‘100’ In ‘NBA On Prime’ Promo

Common attended the school 1991 and 1992.

Chicago-bred recording artist Common incorporated his alma mater’s marching band, Florida A&M University’s Marching “100,” in a promo for a recent NBA basketball game that aired Mar. 7 for the opening of the Orlando Magic vs. Minnesota Timberwolves contest on NBA on Prime.

On the broadcast, Common and the FAMU marching band recreated the “Victory” song that the streaming network uses for its official NBA on Prime theme. A video shows the band practicing and performing the song on the school’s basketball court, with several outdoor scenes and backdrops. A narrator mentions that Common was enrolled at the school in the early 1990s and uses his success after leaving as a reason for others to pursue their dreams and to carry the FAMU flame.

Among the voices heard during the clip are those of students discussing their goals and dreams of attending the university. The video continues with the bandmates preparing to play their instruments, as the students in the middle of the gym perform the “Victory” song. Common’s voice is then heard professing that he is a “Rattler for life” as he continues to voice his approval of hearing the band play.

“I’m a Rattler for life. And when I came down from Chicago, it was always about y’all (Marching 100). Y’all were our pride, man, so I just heard some of the rehearsals, and I was like, man, it started giving me chills.”

HBCU Gameday reported that the theme was composed by “Can I Borrow a Dollar?” lyricist, along with composers Karriem Riggins and three-time Grammy Award winner James Poyser. With the three of them collaborating, this was the first time that three Black composers created a national NBA broadcast theme.

You can watch the full video clip below:

https://twitter.com/NBAonPrime/status/2030372162087866500

Although Common attended FAMU from 1991 to 1992, he did not graduate from the famed university.

St. Louis Organization, Black Fathers Reclaim Their D

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 9, 2026

More Black Fathers Take Active Roles In The Birth Process Thanks To New Programs And Advocacy

As the medical community works to combat the Black maternal health crisis, there are growing efforts to get more Black fathers involved.

As health professionals and advocates work to address the Black maternal health crisis, there are growing efforts to equip Black fathers with the tools to play a more active role in the birthing process.

Through government-funded initiatives and expanded nonprofit support, more Black fathers are becoming active participants in the pregnancy journey, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Organizations like the National Healthy Start Association, founded in 1998 to improve infant and maternal health outcomes, now employ “fatherhood practitioners” at its 116 project sites.

These specialists, alongside case managers, provide resources such as webinars, text-based support services, and even cooking classes designed for expectant fathers. Kenneth Scarborough, who has served as the organization’s fatherhood and men’s health consultant for a decade, says he has seen a growing emphasis on involving male partners in efforts to support pregnant women’s health.

“There’s more research that is being done to be able to change those narratives, without a shadow of a doubt,” Scarborough said. “The challenge with that is still getting these institutions to understand the value of making sure that Dad is there and he is at the table.”

JaKobi Burton is among a growing number of Black fathers taking a hands-on approach to parenthood from the very beginning. The first-time dad began preparing months ahead of his child’s birth by joining Dads to Doulas, an initiative created by Dear Fathers that trains expectant Black fathers to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support before, during, and after childbirth.

“I want you to know that I was involved and that I was looking out for you from the very beginning, and I’m always going to be your biggest protector,” Burton tells his 1-month-old daughter. “That’s what I did from the beginning of this experience, trying to learn as much as I could.”

Despite growing initiatives, barriers within the healthcare system remain. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, founder and director of the Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice at Tufts University, says Black fathers are often left “on the fringes of the conversation” in medical settings and are frequently stereotyped as “scary and rough.” She noted that many fathers report being ignored in exam rooms, even though research shows paternal involvement is directly linked to better outcomes.

Deborah Frazier, CEO of the National Healthy Start Association, said medical institutions must move past stigmas around paternal participation, as Black and brown fathers still face persistent stereotypes of absenteeism.

“We have data and interviews with fathers, and those fathers have told us that they wanted to be there with their partners, and they wanted to be present for their births,” Frazier said.