Michelle Obama Talks Making Her Own Decisions, Divorce Rumors, Event Absences
Michelle says she's no longer using her daughters' lives as an excuse. "It's the first time in my life all of my choices are for me."
Amid divorce rumors, former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama reminded the public that she is focusing on being the best version of herself and will continue to make her own decisions about how she spends her time.
During an April 8 episode of Sophia Bush’s “Work in Progress” podcast, Obama addressed idle speculations surrounding her and her husband Barack Obama’s marriage status. Whispers surrounding a divorce surfaced amid Michelle’s absence at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral and President Donald Trump’s inauguration earlier this year. However, for Michelle, it was nothing more than “a grown woman just making a set of decisions herself.” She explained that women struggle with disappointing people so much that people “couldn’t even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing,” she told Bush.
The Obamas have been married for 32 years and raised two daughters, Sasha and Malia, who are adults now, which gives the former FLOTUS more time for herself post-White House duties. When asked what her social life looks like right now, she told Sophia, “It’s whatever I want. It’s me focusing on being the best me I can be.” These days, the questions she is asking herself are a little different. “Who do I truly want to be every day? Who do I want to have a lunch with? How long do I want to stay in a place? Do I want to travel? If a girlfriend calls and says let’s go here, I can say yes,” she said. “And I’m trying to do that more and more.”
Happy anniversary, @MichelleObama! 32 years together, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner and friend to go through life with. pic.twitter.com/04t41YYfN6
Michelle says this is the first time in her life that all her choices are for herself. Since the Obamas exited the White House following an eight-year term, the couple has launched their production company Higher Ground Productions, and Michelle has ventured off into some of her own endeavors like her podcast, IMO, a project BLACK ENTERPRISE previously noted she recently embarked on with her older brother, Craig Robinson. She has also been busy as an author, releasing books like, “Becoming” and “The Light We Carry.” Her decision to step away from some of her political duties does not exclude the attorney’s commitments to her public speaking engagements and girls’ education initiatives.
Michelle and Barack have been “couple goals” since they entered the spotlight. However, they have also been open about the rough stages. In Barack’s memoir, A Promised Land, he got candid about how he sensed a subtle yet constant undercurrent of tension in Michelle despite her success. According to Hello Magazine, the politician recalled the days before their White House duties when his wife’s smile was “more constant” and their love “less encumbered.” In 2024, Michelle discussed how she and Barack handle tense disagreements. “It’s the choice to figure it out, not to quit when it gets hard,” she said during the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast.
Listen to the full episode of “Work in Progress: Michelle Obama: The Conversation Continues…” on Sophia Bush’s Apple Podcasts channel.
Hope Fades After Jet Set Nightclub Roof Collapse, Rescue Efforts Yield To Recovery
President Luis Abinader declared three days of national mourning from Monday to Wednesday in response to the immense loss
The catastrophic roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo in the early morning hours of April 8 has killed over 200 people, Dominican authorities announced the following day as the agonizing search for survivors transitioned to the grim task of recovering bodies.
Juan Manuel Méndez, the director general of the Emergency Operations Center (COE), delivered the somber update at a press conference, conveying “great regret and pain” at the escalating death toll. He extended condolences to the families of the victims, offering a “virtual hug” during their time of immense grief.
Méndez affirmed that rescue teams would remain at the disaster site until every possibility of finding the missing had been exhausted. His statement came hours after a government release that some had misinterpreted as signaling the end of the search efforts.
“It would be an incentive for us if we could find someone with vital signs under the rubble, but since yesterday at three in the afternoon, we have not rescued anyone alive,” Méndez said.
The Ministry of the Interior and Police announced that the next official update on the death toll and related information would be provided at 6 a.m. local time Thursday, April 10.
The tragedy unfolded around 1 a.m. Tuesday while popular merengue singer Rubby Pérez was performing. Authorities confirmed that Pérez, 69, was among the deceased. Pérez’s manager, Enrique Paulino, also confirmed the news to Rolling Stone.
Earlier reports had offered a glimmer of hope, with Pérez’s family stating he had been transported to a local hospital after paramedics found him in the rubble. Graphic video footage revealed Pérez was in the middle of performing when the roof collapsed. A man could be heard speaking off-camera about debris he witnessed falling from Jet Set’s ceiling right before the incident.
His daughter, Zulinka Pérez, told the press, “We hope to God that he recovers soon… He’s injured, but he’s hospitalized; they found him singing. He started singing so they could hear him.”
The “Tú Vas A Volar” cantante was later transferred to the Plaza de la Salud hospital, where he died. The Ministry of Culture announced that his funeral would be held today.
The roof collapse also claimed the lives of former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel, 51, and Tony Blanco, 44, both beloved figures in the Dominican Republic. Fashion designer Martín Polanco and the governor of Montecristi province, Delsy Cruz, the sister of seven-time MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz, were also among the victims.
The government reported that the decision to transition to the body recovery phase was based on the findings and conditions observed by the more than 300 first responders. After exhausting all reasonable possibilities of finding more survivors, the focus has shifted to the “recovery of human remains with the due respect and dignity that each victim deserves.”
Méndez noted the emotional toll of the tragedy, saying some relatives collapsed upon learning of their loved ones’ deaths and required treatment in ambulances, inadvertently fueling earlier, unfounded rumors of new survivors being found.
President Luis Abinader declared three days of national mourning from Monday to Wednesday. Public festive activities were suspended, and the national flag flew at half-mast on all public buildings.
Numerous governments and international organizations have expressed solidarity with the Dominican Republic during this period of profound grief.
Lamentamos profundamente el fallecimiento del ex Grandes Ligas, Tony Blanco. Su legado quedará en la historia del béisbol nacional.
Acompañamos en su dolor a sus familiares, amigos y compañeros, y elevamos nuestras oraciones por su eterno descanso.
Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr. expressed the league’s deep sadness at the deaths of Dotel, Blanco, and Cruz, acknowledging the deep connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic.
Commissioner Manfred issued the following statement today regarding the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz in Tuesday morning’s tragedy in Santo Domingo: pic.twitter.com/hzEgQeLO0t
We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic death of former Major Leaguer Tony Blanco in Tuesday’s tragedy in the Dominican Republic’s capital city of Santo Domingo.
Blanco played in 56 games for the inaugural Washington Nationals team in 2005, including the first game in… pic.twitter.com/14BWiXY7Os
Pedro Martinez, a Dominican American Hall of Fame pitcher, revealed that he had family members who were initially unaccounted for at the nightclub. In a video posted to social media, Martinez conveyed the nation’s collective sorrow and resilience, stating in the following translated message.
“We’re all sad. We’re all affected by the tragedy. We’re a country that prays a lot and remains united all the time.”
Eyewitness accounts painted a picture of a joyous Monday night turned into unimaginable horror. Máximo Peña, a devoted father who faithfully frequented Jet Set every Monday night for 30 years, had invited his wife to see Rubby Pérez perform. She ended up not going, and it saved her life.
His 17-year-old daughter, Shailyn Peña, spoke of the agonizing wait for information, highlighting the desperate hope that lingered even as the chances of finding survivors, specifically her dad, dwindled.
“I feel the urge to just go in there and push aside all the rocks and pull him out. But as much as I want to, I really can’t. I just have to sit here and wait it out,” she said Wednesday afternoon.
International assistance arrived in the form of search teams from Israel and Mexico, utilizing sophisticated heat-seeking equipment in a final push to locate any survivors. By Wednesday evening, authorities concluded that the conditions at the site made further live rescues highly improbable.
In a touching display of solidarity, 12 Puerto Rican Fire Brigade firefighters went to Santo Domingo to aid in recovery and rescue efforts.
Following the tragedy at Jet Set, the club wrote a statement in Spanish.
“Last night, a tragedy struck a deep note in the hearts of all of us who are part of Jet Set and all Dominicans. The loss of life leaves us in a state of profound pain and dismay. In this difficult time, our prayers are with each of the affected families. We share their pain as if it were our own, because we are also in mourning. We are collaborating fully and transparently with the relevant authorities to assist the victims and clarify what happened.”
The IG post continued, “From the very beginning, we have activated all possible mechanisms to provide support to those affected. Additionally, we inform you that renowned journalist María Elena Núñez has agreed to be our official spokesperson during this difficult time. From now on, she will be the one to provide clear, responsible, and constant information to the public and the media. We join in solidarity from across the country in this unexpectedly painful situation.
The focus now remains on the solemn and painstaking process of recovering the bodies of the deceased, providing closure for grieving families, and allowing the Dominican Republic to begin to process the scale of what’s happened. Our prayers go out to all those affected by this devastating tragedy at Jet Set.
Millions of Americans Blocked From Accessing $731 Billion in Home Equity
Two significant shifts in the post-pandemic economy changed equity access: higher-for-longer long-term interest rates and the normalization of “jungle gym” careers, including gig work.
Pre-pandemic, the steady rise of home values and low interest rates made home equity loans and lines of credit a natural choice for life’s liquidity needs. However, two significant shifts in the post-pandemic economy changed equity access: higher-for-longer long-term interest rates and the normalization of “jungle gym” careers, including gig work.
What’s Causing The Shift In Home Equity Access?
Jungle Gym Careers
According to the study, career and earnings trajectories are no longer monotonically upward progressions. Instead, straight career paths are trending downward while gig and fractional work have become more common. Sideways and downward career transitions, including self-employment, are all associated with adverse shocks to borrowers’ credit scores and the ability to document income for new mortgage debt. Job loss also plays a significant role.
Higher-For-Longer Interest Rates
With high interest rates, borrowers who take a loan against accumulated home equity have substantially increased monthly debt compared to the past. According to researchers, this means the out-of-pocket and opportunity costs of borrowing against accumulated home equity are higher than those of borrowing against future home equity gains.
Overall, researchers found that the old solution of selling your home to trade up or down isn’t realistic, and borrowing against home equity isn’t an option for many American homeowners either. This could change how financial institutions work with consumers.
“With traditional home equity lending increasingly out of reach for many Americans, the industry is just starting to adapt to these new economic realities and develop innovative ways to provide homeowners with the financial flexibility they need precisely when they need it,” Aaron Terrazas, an economist, told Realtor.com.
TV One’s ‘Savor The City’ Takes Chef Jernard Wells On A Black Culture And Food Journey
The show's first season will taste the flavors of New Orleans, Martha's Vineyard, and more
TV One’s Savor The City features famed chef Jernard Wells on a Black cultural journey of delicious bites.
The network’s original series premiered April 3, taking viewers to the sweet sips of Napa Valley. Hosted by the James Beard House honoree, the debut episode featured Black-owned wineries and barbecue hotspots.
Wells connected with Robin McBride of the family-owned McBride Sisters wine collection. While in Napa, Wells saw more of the Black community’s growing impact in the region. This included a visit to the Brown Estate, the first Black-owned estate winery established in the area. Later, according to a press release, Wells took a pit stop for barbecue at Stateline Road Smokehouse.
Wells indulged in a culturally infused food and wine pairing at Vin En Noir, highlighting Black-owned brands. The episode offered a glimpse of more to come this season as Wells embraces the diverse palettes of distinct regions within and beyond the United States.
The show’s premiere was further celebrated at a red-carpet event at Atlanta’s ZuCot gallery. With tastemakers and media personalities present, TV One toasted its new way of showcasing Black American food culture.
BLACK ENTERPRISE caught up with Chef Jenard to find out what’s on Savor The City‘s menu. Chef Jenard told BE that he is “Sharing the highlights about food and the creativity and the resilience that’s tied to our culture,” and giving the producers of Black culinary art their “flowers” in the moment
As Wells continues his mission to explore each city’s vibrant food scene, he will voyage across America to meet the souls behind these soulful meals. Blending travel, food, and culture, this immersive experience will inspire viewers at home these dishes. The first season will explore New Orleans, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Bahamas to try the delicacies of the diaspora.
As Savor the City spotlights Black culinary excellence, it diversifies food and travel entertainment, ensuring everyone can get a taste. Interested viewers can also catch new episodes and the premiere on the TV One app or Video on Demand.
Kevin Liles Wants Sexual Assault Lawsuit Dismissed
The former Def Jam boss was accused of committing the acts between 2000 and 2002
Co-founder and former CEO of 300 Entertainment, Kevin Liles, has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit from a Jane Doe plaintiff, who has accused him of sexually harassing and assaulting her when he was an executive at Def Jam Recordings.
According to Rolling Stone, former Def Jam President Kevin Liles wants the lawsuit dismissed because he states the accusations against him are “patently false.” In February, the accuser filed a lawsuit against Liles, Universal Music Group, and Def Jam Records, claiming that the alleged sexual assault took place more than 20 years ago when she worked as his executive assistant.
She states that between 2000 and 2002, the executive sexually harassed her several times, and according to the lawsuit, Liles allegedly “pressed his body against [her] breasts” and “grabbed [her] on the buttocks.”
On April 8, Liles’s attorney, Krystal C. Durham, responded to the suit by saying that the plaintiff “offers zero factual bases for her salacious allegations.”
She stated that she gave no details regarding the alleged assaults. She points out that in the lawsuit, there were no specifics like dates, locations, or context to the alleged incidents.
“Plaintiff offers no detail whatsoever regarding the nature of the purported assault she suffered. She alleges that at unspecified times and in unspecified locations during a two-year window –- again, over twenty years ago -– Mr. Liles sexually harassed and assaulted her. She fails, however, to explain when these purported acts occurred, where in UMG’s offices they occurred, and identify a single person she reported this information to or who was present.”
The attorney also noted that the proposed motion to dismiss would also challenge the accuser’s right to file her lawsuit under the two-year lookback window afforded by New York City’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law. The window to file such a lawsuit expired in November 2023, months before she filed the suit against Liles.
UMG Recordings has also filed a motion to dismiss, stating that the label “is a music company, and the alleged conduct was indisputably not in furtherance of any business of UMGR.”
In Jane Doe’s lawsuit, she asserted that UMGR and Def Jam should also be held liable for the alleged abuse because they “enabled, permitted, directed, controlled, approved, managed, operated and ratified the manner in which Liles engaged with employees.”
Georgia’s ‘Library Dads’ Are Increasing Child Literacy One Playdate At A Time
As literacy rates in Black children are declining Library Dads are stepping up to build bonds through books.
Georgia resident Khari Arnold is on a mission to unite fathers and children through a shared love of reading.
Arnold, a lifelong book lover, founded Library Dads, a community-based program designed to foster literacy and connection among fathers and their children. His inspiration came from childhood trips to the library with his mother, a librarian, and later from his own journey into fatherhood.
Now, as a dad to a 2-year-old daughter, Arnold wanted to create a space where men could engage with their children and one another — building bonds through books and brotherhood.
“You can’t go through this journey alone,” Arnold said. “One of our favorite sayings is, ‘It’s one thing to have men in your circle. It’s another to have men in your corner.’ We’re increasing the joy on the fatherhood journey while increasing the literacy of our children at the same time.”
Library Dads meet at the Wolf Creek Library in Fulton County. Fathers and their children gather for 90-minute sessions built around three core pillars: bonding, books, and brotherhood.
The first 30 minutes focus on father-child bonding, free play, and exploring the library’s learning resources and toys. The next phase is all about reading — dads and kids select books and dive into shared storytelling. Finally, the session wraps with “brotherhood,” a time for fathers to connect, share experiences, and support each other in the challenges and joys of parenting.
Arnold said the program strengthens family relationships and promotes early literacy in an engaging environment. It has gained traction in the Metro-Atlanta area and has now expanded to include a second location.
LeVar Burton To Deliver Howard University’s 157th Commencement Speech ‘On The Yard’
A life-long education advocate LeVar Burton is well suited to deliver Howard's 157th commencement.
Howard University will hold its 157th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. on the historic Yard. The milestone event will feature a keynote address by acclaimed actor, director, and literacy advocate, LeVar Burton.
A lifelong literacy advocate and celebrated actor, Burton is well suited to deliver the keynote message to the next generation of historically Black graduates. His iconic roles in Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Reading Rainbow have cemented his legacy in the Black community.
Over the years, Burton has been recognized by some of the highest institutions in the entertainment industry. The icon has earned 15 Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and a Grammy.
The university will also present Burton with a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree during the ceremony. Additional honorary degrees will be awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence and impact in their respective fields:
Emery Neal Brown, Ph.D.: A pioneer in the fields of computational neuroscience and anesthesiology.
The Honorable Barbara Lee: A dedicated public servant who served in Congress for 27 years and played a key leadership role in the Congressional Black Caucus.
Lilian Seenoi-Barr: The first Black mayor in Northern Ireland, known for her work in community advocacy and civil rights.
Natasha Trethewey: A Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate.
This year’s graduating class is expected to be one of the largest in the university’s history. Graduates from all 14 of Howard’s schools and colleges will participate in the ceremonial “Long Walk” to the commencement stage. In the days leading up to the main event, individual schools will host awards and recognition ceremonies from May 7 through May 10.
Soulja Boy Accused Of Sexual Assault, Alleged Victim Asks For Nearly $75M In Damages
She claims the assault and physical abuse took place beginning in 2018
Recording artist Soulja Boy is being sued by a woman who claimed to be a former assistant, who has asked a jury to award her close to $75 million after accusing the rapper of beating, sexually assaulting, and imprisoning her.
According to Courthouse News Service, DeAndre Way, also known as Soulja Boy, has been sued by a former personal assistant. The unnamed alleged victim claims that the rapper raped and beat her several times in the time that she worked for him. She also says she was subjected to various acts of emotional abuse, including being locked inside a room without food for as long as two days. She says this took place beginning in 2018.
She also claims she wasn’t paid for her services and is asking for $73.6 million for her ordeal.
The jury will have to determine, based on testimony from the alleged victim and the “Crank That” rapper, if they find him liable, the economic losses and damages she alleges that she has lost. They also have to account for her accusations of sexual battery, assault, and gender violence, along with a set of labor violations, like unpaid wages. A dollar amount will have to be applied for future losses due to the trauma she’ll be left with.
During the civil trial, Soulja Boy denied that he formally hired her but offered her a place to stay in exchange for rolling blunts. The two did admit to engaging in a mutual romantic relationship, but when it soured, it led to mutual distrust.
“If you don’t believe my client, don’t give her a dollar,” the woman’s attorney, Ron Zambrano, told the jury. “But if you do believe her, give her everything.”
“He raped her. He punched her. He kicked her. He cut her. He pointed a Draco gun at her. He locked her in her room … He told her, ‘I hope you die slow.’”
Soulja Boy’s attorney, Rickey Ivie, disputed the accusations levied against his client. He accused the woman of wanting to “be paid” by lying about the allegations.
“She wanted to be paid,” Ivie said. “Which is what this case is all about. Because it’s not about the truth.”
The rapper is no stranger to being accused of physical violence.
PageSix reported that, in 2021, Soulja Boy was sued by a woman using the pseudonym Jane Doe, alleging that he assaulted her while she was pregnant in 2015, which caused her to suffer a miscarriage. She requested $10 million, $5 million for her pain and suffering, and $5 million for emotional distress. A judge entered a default judgment against him when he didn’t appear in court to defend himself.
In 2023, Soulja Boy was also ordered, according to RadarOnline, to pay over $230,000 to his former girlfriend, Kayla Meyer, for an assault that took place at his home several years ago.
Trump first announced his new tariffs during his “Liberation Day” speech in the White House Rose Garden, resulting in a price influx on several goods Americans rely on, including everyday groceries. However, the president took the time to give his opinion on the “old-fashioned” but “beautiful” terminology. “An old-fashioned term that we use — groceries. I used it on the campaign. It’s such an old-fashioned term, but a beautiful term. Groceries. It says a bag with different things in it,” he said.
He then claimed that he alleviated the price of groceries, saying, “Grocery went through the roof, and I campaigned on that.” “I talked about the word ‘groceries’ for a lot, and energy costs now are down,” Trump said.
“Groceries are down.”
Trump: "An old fashioned term that we use — groceries. I used it on the campaign. It's such an old fashioned term, but a beautiful term. Groceries. It says a bag with different things in it." pic.twitter.com/XbPXk2w4kA
However, the numbers—or lack thereof—paint a different picture. New tariffs on international goods are expected to heighten inflation, including grocery costs, which are expected to increase, causing additional stress to American consumers.
In early April 2025, Trump announced a universal 10% tariff on all imports coming into the U.S., with close to 60 countries seeing steeper tariffs as of Apr. 9. Several lawmakers, even some outspoken Trump supporters, have opposed the tariffs, highlighting how it will affect their constituents. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has been outspoken against the President’s moves, claiming that he is overstepping his authority, according to The Washington Post.
He, along with GOP Senators Susan Collins (Maine), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), voted with Democrats to scrap the national emergency that Trump declared to put pressure on Canadian tariffs. Paul seemingly called out fellow lawmakers who told him in private that they support him but will not speak out against Trump publicly. “They all see the stock market, and they’re all worried about it,” Paul said.
“But they’re putting on a stiff upper lip to try to act as if nothing’s happening and hoping it goes away.”
Social media users expressed their disdain for Trump taking credit for lower grocery costs when that isn’t the case. @ellenbarkin said, “Groceries are now called Things We can no longer afford.”
Groceries are now called “Things We can no longer afford”
Another user touched on Trump being out of touch with reality. @mambatuley mentioned how it’s not just groceries that are high-priced but also other necessities like gas. “My god, he is so out of touch. Eggs, my groceries, are not any cheaper than last year. Gas has actually been up since December,” she said.
“They constantly repeat these lies, and MAGA just eats it up.”
Cybertruck Sales Are Down So Bad Tesla Dealerships Have Deaded Trade-Ins
Several factors, including political backlash due to Musk's involvement within the Trump Administration, falling sales, and vehicle recalls, may be to blame
Tesla has reportedly stopped accepting its own Cybertrucks as a trade-in vehicle at its dealerships due to a surplus of Cybertrucks it cannot sell.
According to The Economic Times, Tesla dealerships have an overwhelming supply of Cybertrucks, and this may be due to several factors, including political backlash due to Musk’s role and moves within the Trump administration and vehicle recalls. The car company, considered to be the top electric vehicle in the country in recent years, reportedly has 2,400 unsold Cybertrucks in its inventory that may be worth approximately $200 million.
In September 2024, deliveries for the Cybertruck reached peak sales of 5,308 units but have dramatically dipped since then.
Elektrek has reported that used Cybertruck prices are down 55% year over year, 13% over the last three months, and 6% over the last month.
Some owners who have had problems with their Cybertrucks and tried to return them after having their vehicles in service for extended periods are being told by Tesla to go through the Lemon Law process.
With Tesla dealerships not accepting Cybertrucks, other dealerships have been offering Cybertruck owners who want to trade in their vehicles lower-than-usual deals because they may not be able to resell the vehicles.
After being “added” to President Donald Trump’s administration with the newly created DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) department, Musk has created many enemies due to the firing of thousands of federal employees under the guise of eliminating unnecessary waste. Also, eliminating departments and stating there is fraud has made Americans extremely upset with the Tesla owner.
Musk has also made controversial statements and actions that add to people’s distaste for the native South African businessman.
“Tesla Takedown” protests worldwide have contributed to woeful sales, as the demonstrations have taken place in at least 253 cities. This also factors into customer dissatisfaction with the brand.
