Ludacris Drops In On FAMU For His ‘Pull Over Challenge’
'Had to Gas up the Jet To PERSONALLY see FAMU’s @TheMarching100 who killed the #PullOverChallenge'
Atlanta recording artist Ludacris is back, and after initiating his #PullOverChallenge to celebrate his latest single, “Pull Over,” the rapper/actor pulled over to make a stop at Florida A&M University (FAMU).
The “Southern Hospitality” lyricist posted a video to his social media account revealing his visit to FAMU to check out the school’s Marching 100 band. As a way to promote his latest single, the lead song off his upcoming project, his first in over a decade since the 2015 “Ludaversal” album, he has challenged marching bands to match the energy and spirit of the song. The song sounds like it was recorded with a marching band.
Ludacris appears in the video clip to let his followers know that FAMU accepted the challenge and that he visited the school. Not only did Luda fuel up the private jet for the excursion, but he also brought one of the school’s best-known alums, film producer Will Packer. Packer is also seen in the video with the Atlanta actor.
“Had to Gas up the Jet 🛩️ To PERSONALLY see FAMU’s @TheMarching100 who killed the #PullOverChallenge 🤯🤯 BUT which college is NEXT?? Tag them in the comment section! 🥁🏎️💨”
However, Ludacris didn’t have to go far, as Clark Atlanta also answered his call, and he didn’t have to fly, since the hometown HBCU had already hosted him weeks before the FAMU visit.
Ludacris announced to the world in March that he had resumed his recording career while hosting the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. He introduced “Pull Over” while performing a medley of his hits that evening. No release date for the album has been announced.
Ex-Officer Arrested For Plan To Shoot Up New Orleans Jazz Festival To Harm ‘Black People’
A former cop out of North Carolina was arrested after his family warned authorities about his alleged plans to carry out a mass shooting against Black people.
A former North Carolina police officer was arrested in Florida after allegedly threatening a mass shooting at a New Orleans festival and expressing plans to target Black people, according to his family.
Christopher Gillum, 45, was taken into custody at a hotel in Destin, Florida, on April 22 after being sought in Orleans Parish on terroristic threat charges, NOLA reports. Authorities say he allegedly planned to travel to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to carry out a mass shooting before taking his own life.
Gillum’s family first alerted authorities, reporting that he was armed with a Glock handgun and had recently made racially motivated threats targeting Black people. Deputies in Okaloosa County later arrested him at a hotel in Destin, where they found him with a handgun and roughly 200 rounds of ammunition.
During the encounter, Gillum allegedly told officers he planned to drive to New Orleans on Thursday morning, the day the Jazz Festival was scheduled to begin. Gillum’s arrest followed a rapid, multi-state investigation. Police in Burlington issued a bulletin to locate him, noting he was missing and potentially a danger to himself. Project NOLA alerted the Louisiana State Police after receiving a tip, and officials later tracked his vehicle in Okaloosa County on April 21 using license plate readers.
Gillum moved between North Carolina agencies in the years before his arrest. He served with the Chapel Hill Police Department from 2004 to 2019, later worked for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, returned to Chapel Hill in a civilian role, and was rehired by the Sheriff’s Office as a deputy in January 2025. He resigned in September with no disciplinary record and had even been named “Officer of the Month” the previous summer for his attention to detail during a robbery investigation.
Jazz festival organizers have since released a statement thanking law enforcement for their swift response in stopping what could have been a devastating tragedy.
“Jazz Fest is grateful to all law enforcement partners for their dedication and exceptional service in protecting our community,” organizers said. “As always, we coordinate closely with the FBI, Louisiana State Police, NOPD, NOCEM, and other agencies, and we will continue to do so as we look forward to another safe and joyful Jazz Fest.”
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry praised law enforcement agencies for their coordination, saying protecting New Orleans has been a top priority since the 2025 Bourbon Street terrorist attack that killed 14 people.
“Since the terror attack last year, we take protecting the city very seriously,” Landry said. “We’re going to continue ramping up security to keep people safe.”
Trump Believes His 2019 Rally Had More Clout Than MLK Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ Speech
Data from the National Constitution Center recorded an estimated 250,000 people came to the nation’s capitol on August 28, 1963 to march for civil rights before hearing King’s speech.
While taking questions from the press, President Donald Trump compared the crowd size of his 2019 4th of July rally to the crowd size of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech, claiming he had “the exact same crowd.”
Trump opened up about the status of the construction at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and the renovation ideas he has for Washington, D.C., including the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, calling it “filthy” and “dirty” and in need of overdue upgrades. “It’s not representative of the country,” he said, according to The New York Times.
He held up pictures of the pool, which is more than 2,000 feet long, a historic site for many events like King’s speech that drew many people to hear. The president rambled about having the same amount for his 2019 rally, but also admitted it wasn’t even close. “That’s where Martin Luther King gave his great speech, and he had a million people, and I had the same exact crowd, maybe a little bit more, but they said I had 45,000 people,” Trump said.
“I have pictures of Martin Luther King’s crowd, my crowd, it’s the exact same everything, but it was 70 years difference. The exact same crowd. I actually had more people, but that’s OK. They gave him, they gave him a million people.”
Trump: "That's where Martin Luther King gave his great speech. He had a million people. And I had the same exact crowd, maybe a little bit more. I actually had more people." pic.twitter.com/lDvIjei2WN
Data from the National Constitution Center recorded an estimated 250,000 people came to the nation’s capital on Aug. 28, 1963, to march for civil rights before hearing King’s speech.
This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to compare participation at his events to other Black dignitaries like former President Barack Obama.
When the media released photographs in 2017 that appeared to show more people attending Obama’s 2009 inauguration, he claimed the media was being “dishonest” and asked the then-administration to hold them accountable. Trump’s then-Press Secretary Sean Spicer claimed attendance for his inauguration was “the largest audience to ever see an inauguration.”
Even Trump said “it looked like a million and a half people” attended, but the figures added up to just under 750,000 people.
Social media users used the same tactic and posted a side-by-side comparison of his 2017 inauguration to the 1963 speech, with one user asking, “Who wants to tell him?”
Others showed concern about Trump even comparing something that happened so long ago. “Martin Luther King Jr intimidating Trump from his grave. What a weak & insecure failure Trump really is,” @peter_fox 59 wrote on X.
Annually, Earth Day brings significant awareness around environmental sustainability. However, specialists stress that true environmental change requires more than a yearly call to action, it calls for a shift in mindset and continuous daily practices.
Protecting the planet demands ongoing work from individual and community participation, and policy impact across various social levels. A great way to kickstart environmental change is understanding how environmental responsibility extends beyond one day.
Adopt reusable practices and reduce waste to decrease your environmental footprint. Use reusable items consistently across your home, workplace, and shopping activities. Implement the “reduce, reuse, recycle” model to conserve natural resources and decrease landfill waste and pollution.
Cut Energy Consumption at Home and Work
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/blue-solar-panel-board-356036/
Reducing environmental damage through energy conservation depends on homeowners, renters, and employees. Regular actions, such as disconnecting unused electronics and using energy-efficient appliances, are essential. Properly managing heating and cooling systems in both residential and professional settings also reduces unnecessary electricity consumption.
The primary objective is to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce pressure on energy infrastructure to fight climate change. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, building energy efficiency improvements represent the quickest and most economical method to decrease emissions.
Rethink Transportation and The Impact on the Environment
photo credit: pexels
The public must change travel habits by choosing public transit, biking, walking or carpooling instead of using single-occupancy vehicles for daily commutes. Transportation produces a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions, and vehicle emissions dominate urban and suburban areas. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that cutting vehicle miles traveled produces immediate benefits for air quality.
Support Sustainable Consumption and Local Economies
African American couple browsing produce in farmers market
Environmental health depends on consumers supporting sustainability by choosing eco-friendly products and local goods with minimal packaging. These behaviors should be regular habits rather than seasonal choices. As demand for sustainable products grows, companies are pressured to transform production methods and decrease their environmental impact. The Natural Resources Defense Council states that intentional consumer behavior creates systemic transformations in manufacturing and supply chains.
Engage in Community and Environmental Education
HELPING OTHERS: Stress can be reduced through volunteering or helping others. Performing these acts raise a sense of purpose and provide meaning. Helping other people has a good influence on physical health such as lowering blood pressure and decreasing the risk of depression; both of which result in stress reduction.
(Photo credit: Luis Alvarez, Getty Images)
Community members, educators, and local leaders are encouraged to participate in environmental education programs, including annual cleanups, workshops, and public discussions. These activities occur in neighborhood spaces, schools, and digital platforms to educate the public about pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. This engagement is vital because it expands individual contributions through shared responsibility and informed decision-making.
Advocate for Systemic and Policy Change
Activists doing a demonstration outdoors
Voters, activists, and organizations are pushing for environmental policies that tackle major problems through emissions regulations, conservation programs, and corporate responsibility initiatives at all levels of government. Citizens can engage in advocacy during elections, legislative sessions, and public comment periods to affect policy decisions.
Build Long-Term Habits Beyond Earth Day
(Getty Images)
People and organizations should move beyond single-event participation in Earth Day activities. Instead, they should adopt permanent environmental habits, such as composting, water conservation, and food waste reduction. These behaviors must become part of regular routines in residential, workplace, and community settings. While single-day initiatives produce minimal results, ongoing actions produce tangible and permanent environmental benefits.
Dreamerz Collective Debuts Official Timberland Collab At Harlem Haberdashery
The Dreamerz made its collective debut with its custom Timberland collaboration.
Dreamerz Creative Group debuted its custom Timberland collaboration with a Harlem pop-up for New York City’s stylish community.
The Dreamerz Collective launched its partnership with the legacy shoe brand in its birthplace, Harlem. To showcase the new kicks, the two parties hosted an unveiling at the famed Harlem Haberdashery.
The intimate affair took place on April 10 and 11, boasting the limited-edition custom boots as the latest entry to the streetwear scene. The Dreamerz, as well as the city’s own tastemakers and trendsetters, made up their minds to head to New York City’s uptown to check out the new collection.
The vibrant colorways bring a new spin on the classic Timberland boot silhouette, marking the official debut of the transformed shoe that made the crew a household name. The colors take creativity and self-expression to new heights, with options labeled as Toasted Peanut Butter & Jelly, Slime Time, and Raspberry Cornbread.
The Dreamerz Creative Group’s co-founders, Justin Payne and Deisia Hopkins, celebrated the legendary partnership as they solidified the creative house as a dynamic force. First established as an Instagram moment-turned-movement, Dreamerz has further put their product collaboration with Timberland on the cutting edge of fashion and culture.
“We created what we wanted to see,” the founders shared with The Hype. “And the world responded.”
Their influence on the culture was also amplified by the placement of their activations at Harlem Haberdashery. As a famed locale for new waves in Black fashion, the boutique also made for a unique mashup of local landmarks and global brands.
Now, Dreamerz Creative Group plans to take its fashion vision to New York’s biggest runways. While it rolls out new apparel, accessories, and seasonal collections, Fashion Week attendees are expected to keep an eye out for more launches this fall.
“I’m not just building a brand,” Hopkins added. “I’m building legacy.”
Atlanta On Track To Shelter All Unhoused People In Downtown Area In Time For The World Cup
Downtown Rising is a homelessness program in the city that had a lofty goal to help unhoused residents before the soccer tournament begins in Atlanta.
An Atlanta program is working to meet its goal of providing unhoused people in its downtown area with stable housing ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Downtown Rising is a homelessness program in the city with a lofty goal of helping unhoused residents before the soccer tournament begins in Atlanta. Thus far, Atlanta News First reports that the program remains on track to reach its mission of placing 450 people in permanent housing.
They aim to accomplish this by June, when the World Cup kicks off. With mere weeks left to get everyone a home, Downtown Rising, alongside Partners for Home, has raised the stakes for their cause.
“It’s almost the exact opposite of, ‘We don’t want to see you to I see you. Let me help you.’ And I think that’s really what the Downtown Rising program is about,” said Adam Hawkins, director of outreach for HOPE Atlanta, another partner organization in Downtown Rising, to ANF.
Since launching its mission, Downtown Rising’s outreach teams have connected with 20 to 50 unhoused people daily. For those who agree to the program, advocates work with them to stabilize their lives with a home they can call their own.
However, some are initially hesitant to take the relief. Despite these drawbacks, Downtown Rising remains committed to advocating for and connecting with people experiencing homelessness.
“We just keep asking the question over and over and over again, we don’t stop just because someone says today they don’t want housing, it doesn’t mean they won’t want housing tomorrow or next week,” added Hawkins.
The Atlanta initiative, however, does not want this opportunity to disappear once the games are over. Instead, they also offer holistic services, such as mental health support and rent assistance, that aid recipients in the long run. They not only ensure that these formerly unhoused people have a safe place to rest their heads, but also help them gain financial stability through city jobs.
However, combating homelessness in the city has remained a priority for local leadership. The city has developed numerous affordable housing complexes and programs, as Atlanta hosts over a quarter of Georgia’s unhoused population, as detailed by the Atlanta Mission.
The support comes as Atlanta gears up for the world stage with the FIFA World Cup. Ahead of the matches, the city has launched new developments, artistic attractions, and roadwork construction to ensure its readiness for global visitors.
The “Anaconda” rapper will attend as a VIP guest of Fox News, which is having a party before the festivities begin with other high-profile party guests including Turning Point USA’s Erika Kirk and NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore.
Minaj has raised eyebrows and drawn criticism for her seemingly sudden support of Trump and members of his administration. She even sat down with Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, at a Turning Point USA event where she praised the president and Vice President JD Vance for their “relatability.” Then she took things up a notch by speaking at a Treasury event in January to endorse “Trump Accounts,” even participating in a viral TikTok trend using her song “Beez In The Trap” with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
It’s a vast change for the self-described Trump’s “number one fan.” During his first term in 2018, Minaj, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, publicly criticized Trump’s immigration policies, admitting that she came to the U.S. “illegally” as a child and couldn’t imagine the “horror of being in a strange place & having my parents stripped away from me at the age of 5.”
Known as “Nerd Prom,” the correspondents’ dinner gives D.C. news media a chance to wine and dine together, receive some awards, and potentially be roasted by attending comedians — or the president himself.
According to CNN, Trump is scheduled to attend the event that celebrates the very people he is known to berate on a weekly basis, depending on who they are reporting for. While the journalists who invited him, the board of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), claim to be excited that Trump is ending his boycott and embracing the tradition started in 1924, critics feel the president will use this as a chance to continue his anti-First Amendment rhetoric toward career journalists.
But WHCA president and senior White House correspondent for CBS News, Weijia Jiang, said “there is no confusion about what this dinner is about.”
“Everyone in attendance has chosen to be there knowing that it is a dinner dedicated to recognizing the importance of the First Amendment,” she said.
“Especially as we mark America’s 250th birthday, our decision to gather — as journalists, newsmakers and the president in the same room — is a reminder of what the free press means in this country.”
Other hip-hop “patriots” scheduled to make an appearance during correspondents’ weekend is Grammy-winning rapper Nelly, who will reportedly perform at Donald Trump Jr.’s Executive Branch members-only event.
The Simple Vue Academy Celebrates Success As A Finance-Focused Charter School In Atlanta
The Simple Vue Academy has noted high attendance as well as math and reading skills improvement among its student body.
The Simple Vue Academy is celebrating a successful first year of providing financial literacy in the classroom.
Founded by Spelman alumna and education advocate Nandi Edouard, The Simple Vue has changed the academic landscape by incorporating an entrepreneurial learning model. As a trailblazing charter school in Atlanta, it highlights the importance of personal financial knowledge for students.
With the help of communal, familial, and academic stakeholders, Edouard opened The Simple Vue Academy in August 2025. Throughout the school year, students have learned topics that are often left untouched until adulthood, such as entrepreneurship skills and financial awareness.
The HBCU alum says the tuition-free charter school differentiates itself by simultaneously uplifting students’ professional and academic ambitions. Furthermore, the school’s vision, supported and co-developed with the community it serves, has led to a better overall educational experience.
“Co-created solutions aren’t just more equitable, they’re more effective and sustainable,” Edouard said. “The blueprint was already there. We just had to listen.”
The school incorporates entrepreneurship principles and financial literacy terms into its STREAM-based curriculum, which includes reading/writing and the arts within the traditional STEM focus. Students then work on collaborative experiences and project-based exercises to strengthen their skills with new concepts.
As the school year winds down, The Simple Vue now celebrates a 95% attendance rate. On average, students also had 20% to 30% academic gains in reading and math.
Edouard says, however, that this occurrence is not coincidental. Instead, she says it is a result of intentional focus on students’ individuality and overarching futures.
“These results are not by accident,” added Edouard. “When students attend schools that fit them, they thrive. When families see themselves reflected, they invest…When communities help build something, they protect it. That’s the difference.”
Edouard has remained a longtime advocate for underserved communities, opting not to view these areas as problems to solve. Instead, she has taken the wisdom and knowledge already ingrained in these neighborhoods and applied them back into learning institutions.
Now, her vision for The Simple Vue has challenged traditional education models, allowing students to thrive as future community leaders, entrepreneurs, or academic professionals.
Philly Teacher Leon Smith Named The ‘National Teacher Of The Year’
During his tenure as National Teacher of the Year, Smith will serve as an ambassador for the profession.
Leon Smith, a dedicated educator from the Philadelphia Public School District, has been named the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, making him the first teacher from Pennsylvania to receive the prestigious honor in over two decades.
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) made the announcement of its selection on April 22. Smith is an educator at Haverford High School. He teaches Advanced Placement (AP) United States history and AP African American studies and has been widely credited with transforming his school’s culture by integrating community-based projects into the curriculum throughout his 20-year career.
“It’s just such an honor to be able to represent teachers all over the country and really stand on the shoulders of so many others that have come before me that have done just such great work,” Smith said in an interview with CBS Mornings.
Governor Josh Shapiro praised Smith as a “shining example” of the excellence within the Pennsylvania public school system. Shapiro noted that Smith’s work extends far beyond the four walls of his classroom, as he frequently mentors young men of color who are aspiring to enter the teaching profession — a demographic that remains underrepresented in U.S. schools.
Pennsylvania history teacher Leon Smith, 46, was named 2026 National Teacher of the Year. He has taught AP U.S. history and African American studies for 25 years at Haverford High School in Havertown, PA. pic.twitter.com/eRR3fKMvq2
Smith’s selection comes at a critical time for American education, as districts across the country grapple with teacher shortages and post-pandemic learning loss. During his tenure as National Teacher of the Year, Smith will serve as an ambassador for the profession, traveling the country to advocate for increased teacher pay, mental health resources for students, and the inclusion of diverse perspectives in American history curricula.
The national selection committee highlighted Smith’s “unwavering empathy” and his ability to engage students in complex conversations about civic responsibility and social change. As the 2026 honoree, Smith is expected to be recognized by President Trump at a White House ceremony later this spring.
Michelle Obama Praises Angel Reese For ‘Carrying Herself’ Well
Reese has frequently been cast as a polarizing and problematic player in sports media narratives, Michelle Obama disagrees.
Former first lady Michelle Obama is standing firm in support of WNBA star Angel Reese. A strong women’s advocate, Obama urges the public to stop the “unfair and vitriolic” comments directed at the young athlete.
Obama has come to the defense of WNBA star Angel Reese, using a high-profile appearance on her podcast to push back against the “villain” narrative that has trailed the young athlete since her collegiate career.
In a newly released episode of the IMO podcast, Obama, Craig Robinson, and Reese engaged in open dialogue about the unique pressures of being perceived as a villain in the WNBA. The former first lady shared her own experiences with being mischaracterized during her eight years in the White House.
“It’s a big difference to have to deal with that kind of spotlight,” she emphasized. “It’s important to acknowledge that that’s not normal. There are few people who understand what it feels like to never, ever be able to blend in.”
Reese has frequently been cast as a polarizing and problematic player in sports media narratives. Reese responded to the high-profile shoutout with gratitude. The 2025 Victoria’s Secret model praised Robinson and the forever first lady for providing a safe space in the IMO podcast to tell her story.
“I appreciate you guys for making this a safe space for me because, as you said, the media has not always been great for me.” She continued, “I’ll take a fine before I have to go to media and feel like my back is against the wall… .This feels like a safe space. And one of the safest spaces that it’s been in a very, very long time for me.”
Obama praised the 23-year-old for taking her newfound fame in stride.
“You are handling yourself beautifully. I mean, it’s not just what you do, but the way you carry yourself, girl. I mean, it is really a joy to watch you manage it all, and you do it with a smile on your face with an excellent attitude,” Obama told her. “You are a special, special person.”
