Real estate, black millennial, home, buying, market, home, tips
(Photo: The Good Brigade/Getty Images)
by Ahsan Washington

August 1, 2025

Black Content Creators Who Make Real Estate Approachable

These content creators make real estate approachable

A wave of professionals in real estate is reshaping the industry through their social media influence. They guide home buyers and sellers through the process, sharing insights that motivate future investors and contribute to community prosperity. From Atlanta to Los Angeles, these tech-savvy agents and investors are expanding their brands and empowering their followers through videos and candid discussions. Here are seven influencers who are making the real estate world more approachable, captivating, and diverse.

Quiana Watson

Quiana Watson hails from Georgia and specializes in the luxury real estate sector, where she’s the proud founder of Watson Realty Co. Watson has remarkable achievements in the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Her work encompasses presenting properties and providing guidance to clients, as well as sharing stories of successful customer experiences, her community involvement, and philanthropic activities.

Montaz Maurice

Montaz Maurice is a real estate agent based in Maryland who provides clients with guidance on residential real estate matters, including legal advice and negotiation strategies. Maurice has a background in law and is recognized as one of the top 10 realtors in the state of Maryland. 

Melissa Burns McClendon

Melissa Burns McClendon is a real estate agent and investor based in New Orleans, Louisiana,  where she resides and works with her team at Latter & Blum Compass. Burns McClendon’s content focuses on understanding real estate market trends and assisting clients in buying homes, while also exploring property investments for long-term financial security.

Sharelle Rosado 

Sharelle Rosado is a real estate professional who focuses on Florida’s Tampa Bay region. Rosado is now making moves into the Southeastern area as well. Rosado is the founder of Allure Realty and a prominent figure on Netflix’s show Selling Tampa. Through her work on the show and in her business endeavors, Rosado showcases high-end property. The real estate pro also shares stories of client relocations and offers mentorship opportunities, particularly geared toward women of color looking to build their presence in the real estate industry.

Kofi Nartey

Renowned luxury broker and speaker Kofi Nartey is based in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, California. Nartey’s expertise is highly regarded by entities such as Christie’s and The Wall Street Journal. Nartey delivers engaging content that features property, valuable investment tips, and motivational business stories.

Kymber Lovett Menkiti

Kymber Lovett Menkiti, a Washington, D.C. native, resides in the metro area. With a wealth of experience, Menkiti serves as the founder and CEO of KW Capital Properties, leading The Menkiti Group. Additionally, Menkiti is a community development and real estate investor. Menkiti’s content covers a range of topics, including investment cases, brokerage leadership, lifestyle, and local culture.

Jemal King

Jemal King is a Chicago native who has been working as a real estate entrepreneur since 2010. Throughout his career in the real estate industry, King has amassed a portfolio worth millions. King has also successfully developed his own unique personal brand. King’s focus is on sharing advice on building wealth through real estate investments and various business endeavors, along with offering perspectives and insights.

RELATED CONTENT: Real Estate Developers Now Optimistic On Building Affordable Housing

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Photo by Clément Proust: https://www.pexels.com/photo/high-tea-dessert-selection-in-scotland-29283850/
by Janee Bolden

August 1, 2025

How ‘Eat My Biscuits’ Brought An Atlanta-Based Breakfast Concept To The Great Food Truck Race

From DMs to the Food Network

Vanetta Roy, Chef Kedric Barrett, and Chaya Conwell brought biscuits, brilliance, and Black excellence to The Great Food Truck Race—and they’re just getting started.

Sometimes all it takes is one DM to change the game.

When Eat My Biscuits founder Vanetta Roy was contacted via Instagram by a casting agent for The Great Food Truck Race, she didn’t have a truck. What she had was a bold concept, a brick-and-mortar restaurant in East Point, Georgia, and a whole lot of confidence in her culinary brand. “They said, ‘You have a food truck, right?’ I said, ‘Nope.’ They said, ‘I think they’ll get one for you.’”

That leap of faith led to her assembling a powerhouse team: pastry and cocktail savant Chaya Conwell and veteran private chef Kedric Barrett. Together, the trio stepped into a six-week, high-stakes reality competition that would test their skills, patience, and teamwork like never before.

While the show is known for its intense culinary challenges and camera-ready drama, the Eat My Biscuits crew quickly learned they were the only team without an actual food truck. “They gave us an RV,” Vanetta recalled. “So we had to adjust. That changed everything about how we operated—from prep space to cooking equipment.”

What followed was a chaotic mix of mechanical failures, long shoot days, and cooking in extreme heat—with no ventilation. “I was under that truck trying to plug in the generator, in the dirt,” said Chef Kedric. “I felt like Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon: ‘I’m too old for this s***.’”

Despite the setbacks, they pushed through. Fresh biscuits were rolled daily from scratch. Custom dishes like the Deep Dive Seafood Biscuit, Georgia Peach Cobbler Biscuit, and the unforgettable Savannah Banana Biscuit became crowd favorites. “We sold out more than once,” Kedric added. “People were coming back looking for more.”

While each team member brought their own flavor to the kitchen, it was their chemistry and balance that made the Eat My Biscuits trio stand out.

“Chaya’s the young hothead,” Vanetta laughed. “She’s bold, creative, and her cocktails are like baked desserts in a glass—beautiful and powerful.” Chef Kedric, on the other hand, was described as “the zen master,” keeping everyone focused and centered. “I’m more vocal,” Vanetta admits, “but I’m flexible. Ked brings the balance we need.”

Their dynamic worked because they respected each other’s lane, held space for conflict, and always circled back to community, love, and a shared mission.

Eat My Biscuits isn’t just a cheeky name. It’s a full sensory experience rooted in flavor and confidence. What started as a fried biscuit moment at Vanetta’s original Chicago restaurant, Surf’s Up, grew into a vision. “I realized biscuits could be sweet, savory, sexy, risky—even suggestive,” she said. “It’s a culmination of who I am.”

After moving to Atlanta post-COVID and teaching for 25 years, Vanetta opened her East Point location in 2023. The restaurant offers brunch, lunch, handcrafted cocktails, and a vibe you can’t replicate.

Their experience on The Great Food Truck Race was challenging, but it has bonded them for life. “We made lemonade out of grapes,” Vanetta said. “And I’m proud of that.”

Chef Kedric echoed the sentiment: “Being on a food truck in that kind of environment opened my eyes. I have so much more respect for folks who do this day in and day out. It’s not just cooking, it’s survival.” He also highlighted a major career moment: “To get guidance from Tyler Florence—a Michelin-starred chef—that’s something I’ll never forget.”

The biggest takeaway? Stay flexible. “Don’t overthink it,” Vanetta said. “Have a plan, but be ready to pivot. And if your team is solid, you’ll find your way back to each other, even after hard days.”

The restaurant continues to grow, with Atlanta diners flocking to East Point for chicken cheddar biscuits, peach cobbler creations, and cocktails crafted like couture desserts. Kedric continues to build his private dining brand, while Chaya is developing her gourmet dessert line and handcrafted drink menu.

As Chef Kedric reflected: “It made me appreciate people who work in food trucks a lot more. Because we do private chef stuff in houses, but people who are in food trucks every day, that’s a different kind of grind.”

And for Eat My Biscuits, the grind is just the beginning of something even greater.

Catch the Eat My Biscuits team on The Great Food Truck Race: Truckin’ Awesome premiering Sunday, August 3 at 9pm ET/PTon Food Network,  and streaming the next day on HBOMax.

RELATED CONTENT: Food Truck vs. Brick-and-Mortar: Which Restaurant Model Works Best?

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Rapper Jeezy performs during The Shhh Show at Buckhead Theatre on June 20, 2023 in Atlanta. (Photo: Prince Williams/WireImage)
by Kandiss Edwards

August 1, 2025

Jeezy Unveils Self-Portrait By Fahamu Pecou, Proceeds Will Support Atlanta Arts Initiatives

Created by Fahamu Pecou the portrait coincides with the 20th anniversary of Jeezy's debut album, "Thug Motivation: 101."

Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins debuted a self-portrait created by Dr. Fahamu Pecou.

The unveiling took place at the Johnson Lowe Gallery in Atlanta. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Jenkins’s debut album, Thug Motivation: 101, the gathering was a celebration of longevity and transformation. 

The sale of the image will benefit Jeezy Jenkins’s Street Dreamz Foundation and Pecou’s African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta. The portrait displays the rapper in an all-white ensemble. He sits atop what appears to be a stool reading a fictitious book, They We Didn’t Realize We Were Seeds. Additionally, Jenkins is surrounded by symbolic imagery: a school chair, a clear backpack filled with cowrie shells, engraved with his signature snowman emblem, and more.

In an essay on Substack, Pecou wrote about the significance of Jeezy’s legacy and metamorphosis over the years. She celebrates his decades-long journey and likens his walk to that of Black people in general. Dr. Pecou believes the Soul Survivor rapper’s music is “both mirror and map—a reflection of struggle” and “a blueprint for transformation.”

“This collaboration is a celebration of legacy—not just Jeezy’s or mine, but the broader legacy of Black creativity that thrives in the face of constraint. It honors what we’ve survived, what we’ve built, and what we continue to imagine,” Pecou wrote.

The event highlighted a growing trend where artists and musicians partner to channel creativity in order to uplift their respective communities. 

Indeed, Jeezy has been on a roll supporting Atlanta communities. On July 26, the rapper partnered with Local Initiatives Support Corporation to organize a community day for College Park residents.

Atlanta and its artists continue to thrive and continue its rich cultural history. The unveiling reflects Jeezy’s ambition to merge art, business, and social uplift in ways that generate both inspiration and impact.

RELATED CONTENT: Jeezy Sues Longtime Manager, Business Partner For Mishandling Earnings While Withholding Financial Records

Desmond Watson
photo credit; Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 1, 2025

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Rookie Desmond Watson Placed On Non-Football Injury List For Weighing Over 450 Pounds

'It's just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more,' head coach Todd Bowles said.

Desmond Watson, an undrafted NFL player who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April, weighed 464 pounds earlier this year, and even though he has lost a couple of pounds since then, the team has placed him on the non-football injury list because of his weight.

According to The Associated Press, the 6-foot-6 rookie defensive tackle is the heaviest player in the NFL, and the team is working with him to bring his weight down to a comfortable playing level. He went to the University of Florida for his collegiate career, and Tampa Bay’s head coach, Todd Bowles, wants to give him more time to get healthier so he can get on the field for the Buccaneers.

“It’s just about trying to get him better, to be a healthier player and getting him on the field a little more,” Bowles said. “That’s kind of where I’m at right now. He’s working at it, and we’re working with him, and that’s all you can ask right now.”

Watson has been focusing on his weight loss and is currently working with a team nutritionist; however, there is no confirmation as to what the team’s target weight is for him to consider, which would allow him to play for the franchise.

“I don’t have a timetable on what we can get him down to or when that comes,” Bowles said. “He’s from Armwood, he went to Florida, so he’s used to the heat. That’s not a big factor in it. We’ve just got to see what happens.”

It was recently reported that the Bucs have told the defensive player that he has to run 10 laps, even in the brutal heat of Tampa Bay. 


https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1949945530743763302

The team seems to have confidence in his playing abilities, but also wants to monitor his health.

RELATED CONTENT: Why Robert Golden Walked Away From The NFL To Build A School In His Hometown

ColorComm
Photo credit: Erchel Raymond
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 1, 2025

ColorComm ‘Breaking New Ground’ In 10th Annual Conference Marking Growth In Communications

Women and men across sectors assembled to celebrate the occasion while navigating a new era in the industry.

ColorComm recently celebrated 10 years of driving change and diversity in the communications industry with its annual conference.

ColorComm returned to Miami to mark a decade of growth and community as it builds upon its network of diverse communications professionals. Women and men across sectors, including tech, corporate, entrepreneurship, and media, assembled to celebrate the occasion while navigating a new era in the industry.

Taking place from July 24-26, hundreds of attendees gathered at the Fontainebleau Hotel to talk about “Breaking New Ground,” this year’s conference theme. Meeting new faces and reconnecting with past guests, the first day hosted a thought-provoking yet inspiring on the “Elephant in the Room,” Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Panelists such as Ron Busby, president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers Inc.; Vanessa Santos, entrepreneur and investor; and Soon Mee Kim, chief DEI officer at Omnicom CCN, discussed how to repackage DEI initiatives that drive change under an evolving political climate.

Star Jones, ColorComm
Photo credit: Erchel Raymond

The night culminated in ColorComm’s 2025 Circle Awards. The organization’s CEO, Lauren Wesley Wilson, and the event’s emcee, Star Jones, welcomed guests and recognized trailblazers w=in communications.

Honorees included Malaak Compton-Rock, founder of The Angelrock Project; Meredith O’Sullivan, co-founder of The Lede Company; and Cristal N. Downing, executive vice president and chief communications officer at Merck.

The ceremony also highlighted ColorComm’s first male honorees, one of which included Damon Jones, chief communications officer at Procter & Gamble. In his speech, Jones encouraged conference attendees to stay strong.

“To everyone in this room tonight and who is here in this moment, we stand as a testament the transformative power of representation,” he explained. “Both the physical manifestation of a gathering and the spirit that fills the hallways when we’re together, we just speak volumes to each other. We pour into each other, and we reinforce the importance of visibility and connection. But importantly to the enduring impact of those who dare to challenge convention together.”

He continued, “My message this evening is very simple. Stay the course. Stay the course constructively, challenging the status quo with unapologetic honesty.”

ColorComm
Photo credit: Erchel Raymond

Panels ranged from legacy building and modern leadership to protecting one’s peace amid social change. Attendees also engaged in sessions about navigating motherhood with a career, running a podcast, and joining the right corporate board, with additional wellness activities such as vision workshops and sound bath exercises.

The professionals also joined a Lunch & Learn featuring radio and media greats Rocsi Diaz and Sybil Wilkes, while Cari Champion moderated a “Get in The Game” panel on excelling as a female executive in a male-dominated field.

Attendees nationwide participated in this holistic experience, while emphasizing how its 10th year celebration allows for greater access to this established legacy. Wesley Wilson also detailed her pride with BLACK ENTERPRISE about ColorComm’s success in the communications industry.

“Over the past fourteen years, ColorComm has transformed into the nation’s leading business community,” shared the founder. “Over the past 10 years, ColorComm has produced the premier business conference for intergenerational leaders in the communications, marketing, advertising, and broader business community. We are proud to celebrate 10 conferences and 14 years in business.”

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SDI Productions/Getty Images
by Jameelah Mullen

August 1, 2025

How Older Job Seekers Can Improve Their Chances of Getting Hired

Job hunting over 40? Here are some tips to help you land that job.

Entering a competitive job market can feel intimidating for mature job seekers, but even in an ageist environment, there is hope for experienced professionals. With a few strategic changes, mature candidates can help level the playing field.

Loren Greiff is the founder of Portfolio Rocket, a career coaching business for 40+ job seekers. She said that candidates often believe they are “powerless” against ageism. Although ageism exists, Greiff suggested that a shift in perspective could be one of the most valuable tools to overcome this obstacle. 

The expert reminded older adults that having more work experience doesn’t always mean more value for the company.  Some employers may favor candidates with less experience if they demonstrate drive and the business savvy to meet specific company needs.

While it is natural to discuss the past on a résumé, employers are more interested in the present. Grieff suggested rephrasing your bullet points to highlight your current abilities. Even when mentioning past achievements, Greiff recommended framing them in a future-oriented way to demonstrate your focus on the impact ahead. 

“Stop giving them reasons to worry about your value or impact and start giving them reasons to buy it — numbers don’t lie, and they don’t age,” the expert told Business Insider. “Don’t say ’20 years in tech.’ Say, ‘Company transformer through AI integration, most recently reducing costs by 40%.'”

Candidates who demonstrate that they are actively and continuously learning may perform better in the job market. Employers look for candidates who value their continued professional development. 

While some shy away from putting frequent job changes or freelance work on their resumes, Greiff said this could be beneficial because it tells a story of career evolution. The career consultant reflected on a client who did just that. 

“While other 40-plus creatives were ashamed of their freelance patchwork, he showcased every single gig — 22 of them—on LinkedIn,” Greiff said. “Most older workers think job-hopping makes you look like you’re inconsistent or can’t hold down a job, but he made it look like he wasn’t bouncing around — he was building,” she told Business Insider.

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fraud, overtime
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-staying-up-late-in-office-working-on-papers-8370960/
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 1, 2025

Return-To-Office Mandates Pose Challenges To Families And Singles

Return-to-office mandates might not be practical for the average person, especially those with children.

As more companies roll out return-to-office mandates, employees are finding it increasingly challenging to balance workplace demands with their personal needs and responsibilities, especially families.

In recent years, a large portion of the corporate workforce has been forced back into the office, whether through full-time schedules or hybrid models. These return-to-office (RTO) mandates have been driven by a range of factors, from meeting commercial lease obligations to aligning with generational attitudes about remote work. As a result, many major corporations have enforced strict in-office requirements for their employees.

But Dr. Melissa A. Wheeler, Senior Lecturer of Business Administration at RMIT University, argued that return-to-office mandates are out of touch with today’s realities. Whether you’re a parent juggling childcare or a single adult navigating the pressures of inflation, Wheeler points to the growing challenges that make in-person work increasingly unmanageable for many.

“I need to be close to home, or at least, one parent in my household does,” she explained in Forbes. “The demands and costs associated with our modern lifestyles require two working parents. The reality is that both parents cannot logistically work full-time, commute, and care for children.”

When it comes to the impact RTO mandates have on working families, Wheeler listed three reasons why the mandates won’t work:

The Village Needed to Raise a Child is Gone

Gone are the days when extended families lived just a few miles apart. Many baby boomers who once helped care for their grandkids are now either still working, living far away, or are no longer physically able to provide that support. As a result, today’s parents have far less access to free or affordable childcare compared to previous generations. That often leaves one parent with a tough choice: either work from home or step away from the workforce altogether to care for their children without going into debt.

Childcare Costs Are At An All-Time High

Childcare costs have been on the rise, jumping nearly 29% over the last five years, outpacing overall inflation and making quality care harder to afford for many families. Even for those who can cover the cost, scheduling issues remain. Most childcare centers and before/after school programs don’t open early enough or stay open late enough to accommodate a full workday plus a commute. As a result, for many modern families, the most practical and cost-effective childcare solution has become having one parent stay home.

RTO Mandates Can Set Back Gender Equality

With the previous examples highlighting why one parent often has to stay home, it’s usually women who end up making that sacrifice, despite the progress they’ve made in the workforce. Many women put their careers on hold to raise children, which can mean missing out on promotions and long-term career growth. Meanwhile, men often work longer hours to make up the difference, even as a single income still struggles to cover costs in an economy where dual incomes have become a necessity.

For those without children, return-to-office mandates still bring their own set of challenges. The loss of work-life balance, coupled with rising transportation costs, can put severe strain on already tight budgets. According to Wheeler, something as routine as a daily commute can cost workers up to $1,700 a month.

“With rising costs of fuel, highway tolls, take-away coffees, and lunches out, working from home is a necessary cost-saving mechanism for many employees,” she explained.

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Lil Baby, Spelman College, Atlanta, student loans
(Photo: Minorkid21, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 31, 2025

Lil Baby Gifts Thousands Of Students At 5th Annual Back To School Fest In Atlanta

The event took place July 26 at West End Production Park

Recording artist Lil Baby gave back to his community, hosting his fifth annual Back to School Fest at West End Production Park for thousands of families.

The Atlanta native and his nonprofit organization, The Jones Project, gifted over 4,000 families with much-needed supplies to help send children back to school and alleviate the pressure on those who cannot afford certain items. Many sponsors and partners also came out to support the efforts of “The Bigger Picture” rapper.

J.McCallister Events, The Jessie Rose Project, The Athlete’s Foot, Fanatics, Slim & Husky’s Pizza, Zaxby’s, and Dr. Bombay assisted in providing thousands of students with complimentary items, including school supplies, uniforms, backpacks, shoes, wellness kits, exclusive Fanatics-branded gear, and more.

Lil Baby’s 5th Annual Back To School Fest! @whamcbfw4 pic.twitter.com/eobFewM2IJ

— 📸 (@alexxshotthat) July 30, 2025

Attendees were able to enjoy themselves inside a warehouse that was transformed to provide the families with space to enjoy themselves and the activities there. Kids got the chance to enjoy the carnival rides, various games, face painting, and a bounce house. There were also free haircuts and braiding services given.

City leaders from Atlanta attended the event to show support for the rapper and his nonprofit, including Atlanta City Council members Andrea Boone, Michael J. Bonds, and Marci Collier Overstreet, as well as Eshe Collins, a civil rights attorney and board member of the Atlanta Board of Education.

The Atlanta Voice got the opportunity to speak to Lil Baby at the event.

“It means a lot to be able to come back and give back, because I know so much comes behind not having shoes and school utensils and stuff for school, because that be a lot of kids’ reason to steer off,” Lil Baby told the media outlet. 

He stated he felt good knowing that with the efforts of his event, that’s one less thing parents don’t have to worry about.

“To know that the parents don’t have to stress about this part makes me feel good,” said Lil Baby.

RELATED CONTENT: Season 3 Of ‘BMF’ To Feature Lil Baby, Saweetie, And Cynthia Bailey

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photo credit: FG Trade/Getty Images
by Kandiss Edwards

July 31, 2025

Atlanta’s Cascade Road Business Owners Say 3-Year Construction Is Hindering Revenue

After three years of construction on Cascade Road, local business owners are fed up with detours that divert and discourage patronage.

Business owners on Cascade Road are speaking out about the years-long construction project impeding their businesses.

Business owners say the delays and poor planning are hindering customer access and are playing a major part in declining revenue. On July 29, concerned citizens and business owners met to discuss the disturbance.

Trinket Lewis, owner of MoreLyfe Juice Co., said her sales dropped from nearly 950 customers a month in 2023 to just 380 now. Trinket blames detours near I‑285 for blocking what used to be robust lunch traffic.

“We’re averaging about a 72% drop daily,” she told Atlanta News First.

J.R. Crickets owner Trent Floyd says that after a million-dollar investment in his restaurant, patronage is at a standstill. Floyd hoped for an increase in customers as the neighborhoods on Cascade Road are flourishing. 

“That momentum came to a screeching halt… It’s critical for the corridor’s vitality,” Floyd told the Atlanta Voice.

Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet was vocal in her support of the local business community.

“These are not minor inconveniences—they are critical issues with real economic consequences for your livelihoods and our community’s cultural and commercial fabric,” Collier Overstreet wrote in an open letter.”

She continued, “I have advocated for Invest Atlanta to explore the provision of emergency grant funding—not loans—to support Cascade business owners during this time,” she noted. “Immediate financial relief can provide a vital bridge to ensure your businesses survive the temporary disruption and continues to thrive once construction is complete.”

Despite a $21 million investment plan approved in August 2021, the project has become a symbol of poor planning. Sidewalks were built too wide, and street lanes too narrow, failing to accommodate fire trucks and forcing redesigns that added months of delay—the initial design called for road resurfacing, traffic signal upgrades, and extended sidewalks.

Invest Atlanta has dispersed zero grants to date despite promises, Collier Overstreet confirmed. As a result, many business owners now wonder if Cascade Heights will survive. The roadwork has no foreseeable end date. Currently, business owners and residents alike will face disruptions. Additionally, they deal with uncertainty about the future of the local economy.

Swing by Cascade Road now, and instead of foot traffic, you’ll see dusty sidewalks and rows of “Closed” signs.

RELATED CONTENT: Morehouse College’s Newest President Talks Evolved Vision For the Atlanta HBCU

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Photo by Liudmila Chernetska/Getty Images
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 31, 2025

Raiders Reportedly Cut Christian Wilkins After Kissing Teammate

According to ESPN, that was not the only reason Wilkins was cut after just one season in Las Vegas.

The NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders cut Christian Wilkins partially because he kissed a teammate.

The NFL team released a statement July 24 confirming Wilkins’ release. But four days later, ESPN reported that he kissed a teammate on the head inside the team meeting room.

Although Wilkins reportedly intended the gesture to be “playful,” a source shared that the teammate found it inappropriate and took offense.

After an investigation, Wilkins was cut from the team.

“We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins, and he has been informed of his release from the team,” the Raiders said in a statement shared on X. “This franchise has a Commitment to Excellence on and off the field.”

Sources told ESPN that the kissing incident wasn’t the sole reason for Wilkins’ release. After joining the Raiders in 2024, Wilkins suffered a foot injury in October and underwent surgery. When the team recommended a second procedure, Wilkins refused.

As a result, the Raiders voided the remaining $35.2 million in guaranteed money from his four-year, $110 million deal, which initially included $84.75 million guaranteed. In response to his release, the NFL Players Association has filed a non-injury grievance on Wilkins’ behalf.

“With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season,” the Raiders said in a press release.

Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler addressed the situation, saying the team has “moved on” and offering a brief, general statement about the importance of mental health.

“Whatever you’re going through as a person, athlete, non-athlete or whoever… Whatever your struggle is, if you’ve got something going on in life, just talk to somebody. Get some therapy. Somebody out there in this world will hear you out,” he said.

Before signing with the Raiders, Wilkins spent five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, where he recorded a career-high nine sacks in 2023. In 2024, he collected 17 tackles, two sacks, and six quarterback hits in five games before his season-ending surgery.

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