McMicken Hall University of Cincinnati; Bearcat Grant

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 12, 2026

University Of Cincinnati Launches New Grant Providing Free Tuition To Students In Families Making Under $75K

The University of Cincinnati has a new grant program that makes tuition free for students in families making under $75,000.

The University of Cincinnati has launched a new grant program to make college more affordable for students from households earning under $75,000.

On Jan. 7, the University of Cincinnati announced the Bearcat Affordability Grant, which will cover remaining tuition costs for Ohio Pell Grant-eligible students. Starting in fall 2026, students from families earning under $75,000 annually can access the grant, creating a path to tuition-free college.

“This grant program will be transformational for students, families and for this region,” said Jack Miner, vice provost for enrollment management. “Despite their dreams and years of hard work, college is just out of reach for so many students and families. This grant will make dreams a reality for literally thousands of students.”

The Bearcat Affordability Grant is available to first-year students starting in fall 2026 across all three UC campuses. It covers any remaining tuition costs after Pell Grants and Ohio College Opportunity Grants are applied.

The university views the grant program as a way to expand opportunities for students while supporting workforce development in southwestern Ohio.

“The Bearcat Affordability Grant strengthens families and communities across Ohio, from our largest cities to our rural regions,” says UC President Neville Pinto. “By removing financial barriers and expanding access to a UC education, we are preparing many more students to enter high-demand fields and contribute to a workforce that keeps our state competitive. This is an investment not only in individual students, but in Ohio’s long-term prosperity and the employers who depend on a strong, steady talent pipeline.”

The announcement comes as UC reports a surge in applications, receiving over 35,000 for fall 2026, nearly a 15% increase from last year. Miner noted that the Bearcat Affordability Grant, alongside UC’s CPS Strong initiative, which supports readiness, access, and success for Cincinnati Public Schools graduates, will help students pursue career-focused education. In addition to the grant, the Marian Spencer Scholarship for CPS students covers tuition, books, room and board, and a study abroad service trip.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 12, 2026

Ex-In-N-Out Employee Sues Over Alleged Discrimination Against Locs

The 21-year-old plaintiff claims his In-N-Out manager pressured him to cut off his locs to fit work policies.

A former Black employee at In-N-Out has sued the fast food chain over his bosses’ alleged hair discrimination against his locs.

Elijah Obeng is seeking legal action against his employer for wrongful termination. The 21-year-old California native claims that management mistreated him over his hair, alleging that his bosses pressured him to remove the natural hairstyle.

According to KIISFM, Obeng is seeking at least $3.2 million in damages for workplace discrimination and wrongful firing. He filed the lawsuit with the Compton Superior Court in June 2025, also alleging harassment and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Invoking the CROWN Act, a statewide law that prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and natural hair styling, Obeng says management pressured him to change his hair to comply with In-N-Out’s grooming policies at its Compton location.

“In-N-Out had grooming and uniform policies that required employees to wear hats and keep hair tucked underneath, and I was pressured to change my hair to comply,” Obeng says.

Obeng says that, while he did try to comply, even braiding his locs to fit under his hat, management continued to say it was not enough to meet work standards. They even suggested that he cut his hair or change his style further, reportedly sending him home one day to shave his sideburns.

He called the public dismissal “humiliating,” later stating that the employers fired him from the Compton storefront.

“I contend that the stated reason was not the true reason and that my natural hair/hairstyle and my resistance to discriminatory grooming expectations were substantial factors in the adverse actions taken against me,” added Obeng.

Obeng maintains that his hair was a natural style that aligned with his racial and cultural identity. However, he says that his bosses did not respect this notion, leading to his lawsuit.

Since it was signed into California law in 2019, the CROWN Act has legally protected against race-based hair discrimination in schools, workplaces, and other establishments. As of this year, 28 states have CROWN Act regulations in place to ensure these prejudices do not limit academic or professional opportunities.

In light of the filing, attorneys for In-N-Out have filed to settle the matter privately, as the employee contract states disputes can be arbitrated. However, Obeng wants to keep the matter in public court. He argued that signing the agreement as a 17-year-old minor makes him eligible to evade its stipulations.

The cult-favorite eatery has also denied Obeng’s claims that his firing stemmed from this hair discrimination. A hearing remains scheduled for Jan. 22 over the motion to handle the case privately.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 12, 2026

Jan. 6 Rioter Who Carried Nancy Pelosi’s Podium Running For Florida Office

Adam Johnson hopes to “bring MAGA principles to county government and root out the corruption that’s been costing you money and destroying our quality of life.”

Unlike others convicted of crimes, members of the Jan. 6 pro-Donald Trump, anti-Joe Biden mob, like Adam Johnson, is getting a second chance—by running for political office in Florida.

Johnson, who was photographed taking former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s podium, filed to run as a Republican for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission on the fifth anniversary of the attack.

In the now iconic shot, Johnson smiled and waved with the podium in hand while someone snapped a shot. His campaign logo, according to the Associated Press, is an outline of the viral photograph of him carrying the podium.

On the 5th anniversary of J6, Adam Johnson, the Florida man who carried Nancy Pelosi’s lectern during the peaceful protest at the Capitol has filed to run for Manatee County Commission District 6 at large. pic.twitter.com/R1tt63pBOa
— Booker (@RealBookerScott) January 7, 2026

On Jan. 6, 2021, he placed the podium in the center of the Capitol Rotunda and pretended to make a speech while posing for photos.

Johnson claimed he “exercised” his “First Amendment right to speak and protest,” which resulted in him pleading guilty to a misdemeanor of entering and remaining in a restricted building or ground. He said he used the Jan. 6 filing date to his advantage, saying “it’s definitely good for getting the buzz out there.”

Dubbed “the podium guy,” Johnson once bragged about being “finally famous” and claiming he “broke the internet.” His thoughts have gone back and forth, once telling U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton during sentencing that he felt posing with Pelosi’s podium was a “very stupid idea” and regretted the move since it resulted in prison time.

Johnson has since downplayed the incident, saying, “I walked into a building, I took a picture with a piece of furniture, and I left.”

Located near Tampa Bay, Johnson has had a rift with Manatee County since March 2025. That’s when he filed a lawsuit against the county and six of its commissioners, objecting to the county’s decision not to obtain attorneys’ fees from someone who sued the county and dropped the lawsuit.

In response, Manatee called Johnson’s claims “completely meritless and unsupported by law.”

In addition, he labeled county leaders as wasteful by opposing the county’s high property taxes and overdevelopment. “I will be more heavily scrutinized than any other candidate who is running in this race,” Johnson said. “This is a positive and a good takeaway for every single citizen, because for once in our lives, we will know our local politicians who are doing things.”

Johnson is expected to run against four other Republican candidates, according to The Hill.

According to his campaign website, he hopes to “bring MAGA principles to county government and root out the corruption that’s been costing you money and destroying our quality of life.”

He is one of several indicted insurrectionists who have run for office since the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Jake Lang, pardoned after being charged with assaulting an officer, civil disorder, and more, announced his campaign to run for the vacant U.S. Senate seat in Florida after former Sen. Marco Rubio was named Secretary of State for the Trump Administration.

The administration seemingly stands by those who served time and were pardoned for participating in the attacks. A website launched by the White House blamed Democrats for “masterfully reversing reality” and claimed the pardons “corrected a historic wrong” against individuals who were “unjustly punished.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 12, 2026

Mathew Knowles Launches ‘Destiny’s Child Reimagined’ Orchestra-Style Tribute Tour

Mathew Knowles is celebrating the legacy of Destiny's Child through a new orchestra-style tribute tour.

Mathew Knowles is honoring Destiny’s Child with a new nationwide tribute tour, featuring orchestra-style renditions of the group’s iconic hits.

Launched on his birthday, Jan. 9, “Destiny’s Child: Iconic Reimagined Tribute” is a 60-minute live show featuring a five-piece band performing orchestra-style versions of the group’s biggest hits, including “Say My Name,” “Independent Women,” and “Survivor,” Page Six reported. The show kicked off in the group’s hometown of Houston, with planned dates in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami.

As Destiny’s Child’s founder and former manager, Knowles also takes the stage to share behind-the-scenes stories of their rise to fame, promising fans a “sophisticated” evening.

“The moment you walk into the room and you see the ambiance and 3,000-plus candles surrounding a stage, and these amazing quintet musicians, and violinists, it starts there,” he said.

Knowles founded the Grammy-winning group in 1990, guiding it through multiple lineups, including, at one point, 11 members and even a male rapper, he revealed. The group eventually solidified as a trio with Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, and his daughter Beyoncé, achieving global acclaim both together and in their solo careers.

Knowles credits part of their success to his method of “practicing failure,” where management intentionally created stage mishaps during rehearsals to train the group to handle mistakes with poise.

“They didn’t know when the lights were going to go off, when the sound would go off, or a heel might break. All the things that could happen. We practiced that,” he said. “It was all planned by management.”

The aim was to train the group to stay composed and adapt quickly whenever a mishap happened during a live performance.

“They didn’t know once they got on the stage, that the sound was going to get muted at a certain point. We did that, so they wouldn’t panic,” he said.

It’s something Knowles can still see the benefits of whenever his daughters hit the stage.

”You can also see that happen with Beyoncé and Solange during a Beyoncé performance, when Solange slipped, and then they made a routine of it. Those things you practice when you’re the very best,” he said.

The “Destiny’s Child: Iconic Reimagined Tribute” heads to Atlanta next, with a performance at Guardian Works on Jan. 16.

Cea Weaver, Black homeowners, white supremacy, Mamdani, New York

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 12, 2026

Black New Yorkers Push Back On Mamdani Ally’s Claim That Homeownership Is ‘White Supremacy’

The New York City mayor backed his tenant czar.

As Zohran Mamdani settles into office as New York City, more eyes are on his appointees.

That includes Cea Weaver, executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, who is facing backlash after 2019 tweets resurfaced showing her critical views on home ownership in the city, the New York Post reports.

“Private property, including any kind of ESPECIALLY homeownership, is a weapon of white supremacy,” Weaver wrote in the archived tweet.

“Homeownership is racist/failed public policy,” she wrote in a separate post, which allegedly called for a “collective” ownership and “shared equity” of property in the future.

Non-white homeowners in New York City, where Black residents make up around 33 percent of the city’s homeownership rate, objected to Weaver’s comments.

“White supremacy? I’m not white,” said Renee Gregory, president of Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant Inc., an organization founded in 1978 to help maintain representation of Black homeowners in the historically Black neighborhood.

“I read Weaver’s comments. I don’t know where they come from,” she added.

Black homeowners in Brooklyn, where brownstones often start around $1 million, are proudly celebrating their ability to own property in pricey NYC. Many feel Weaver—a middle-class white woman from Rochester, New York, who attended elite schools like Bryn Mawr and NYU—is out of touch on the issue.

“Homeownership is an essential element of Black wealth. It’s repugnant to attach yourself to policies that would look to devalue homeownership,” said Marlon Rice, a candidate in the Democratic primary for the 25th state Senate District in Brooklyn. “We should be fortifying pathways to homeownership.”

Philip Solomon, 51, who has owned a brownstone on Green Avenue in Bed-Stuy for 17 years, described Weaver’s remarks as “illogical.”

“I don’t want to believe that that’s what she intended to say,” Solomon said. “I grew up watching [The Cosby Show], and looking at a brown family on national network television. It gave me the idea that one day you can have a home in New York City. In a way, this is kind of like a dream realized.”

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams blasted Weaver in a tweet, wondering “completely out of your f–king mind.”

“Homeownership is how immigrants, Black, Brown, and working-class New Yorkers built stability and generational wealth despite every obstacle,” Adams wrote.

Homeownership is how immigrants, Black, Brown, and working-class New Yorkers built stability and generational wealth despite every obstacle.

You have to be completely out of your f****ing mind to call that “white supremacy.”

That level of thinking only comes from extreme… pic.twitter.com/4q42ZAeMgm
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) January 6, 2026

Weaver, a veteran tenant rights advocate who previously led the New York State Tenant Bloc and helped pass the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act with Housing Justice for All, expressed regret for her past remarks but emphasized her continued focus on tenant rights—an issue affecting the vast majority of non-white New Yorkers who are renters.

“I think that some of those things are certainly not how I would say things today, and are regretful,” Weaver told NY1. “I do think my sort of decades of experience fighting for more affordable housing sort of stands on its own.”

Mamdani responded that “I made the decision to have her as our executive director of the mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, not because of her comments, but because of her work,” he said.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 12, 2026

Trump is ‘Big Mad’ He Can’t Claim ‘Nobel Prize Winner’ Title Like Obama During His Recent Rant

Unprovoked, claimed Obama did nothing to win the award in 2009 since he “was a bad president.”

In a meeting with oil and gas executives about Venezuelan oil, President Donald Trump proves former President Barack Obama has condos in his head by whining about him receiving the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize over him.

During the Jan. 9 meeting, Trump started ranting about why he should have received the award, claiming to have settled eight wars, “big wars.” Then, unprovoked, claimed Obama did nothing to win the award in 2009 since he “was a bad president.” “Look, whether people like Trump or don’t like Trump, I settled eight wars, big ones. Some going on for 36 years, 32 years, 31 years, 28 years, 25 years, some just getting ready to start, like India and Pakistan, where already eight jets were shot out of the air,” the 47th president said.

“I can’t think of anybody in history who should get the Nobel Prize more than me. I don’t want to be bragging, but nobody else settled wars. Obama got the Nobel Prize. He had no idea why. He still has no idea.”

TRUMP: "Whether people like Trump or don't like Trump, I settled 8 wars — big ones."

"I can't think of anybody in history that should get the Nobel Prize more than me."

"I don't want to be bragging, but nobody else settled wars. Obama got the Nobel Prize. He had no idea why. He… pic.twitter.com/enkHKo3KKe
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 9, 2026

The Nobel Committee labeled Obama as being perfect for the honor, given his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” according to The Grio. After the announcement, the 44th president said the recognition is not of his own accomplishments but “rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.”

Forty-seven says the selective award should be presented for “every war you stopped.”

Trump’s thoughts stem from his floating the idea that the 2025 recipient, Venezuelan politician María Corina Machado, present the award to him, which she offered to do. However, as the concept went viral, the committee stepped in with a statement saying the prize could not be transferred or shared after it had been awarded. “The Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute receive several requests for comments regarding the permanence of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s status,” the statement read.

“The facts are clear and well established. Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time.”

Despite the need to be honored, the real issue is Trump’s continuous claims that he solved a conflict between India and Pakistan. Since Jan. 1, the president has made such claims three times, totaling roughly 80 times since May 10, 2025, after announcing on social media that the two South Asian countries agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire following a “long night” of mediated talks in Washington.

Indian officials have denied any third-party interventions after Trump projected the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, gave him props for allegedly saving millions of lives by stopping the conflict. In his mind, the Pakistani leader “made a very public statement” of saving “a minimum of 10 million lives, having to do with Pakistan and India, and that was going to be raging.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 12, 2026

Car Tupac Shakur Was Fatally Shot In For Sale—Asking Price: $1.75 Million

The restored car is listed on celebritycars.com.

The BMW that Tupac was riding in when he was gunned down in Las Vegas in 1996 has resurfaced with a hefty price tag: $1.75 million.

The car, listed on celebritycars.com, has been restored, and is ready to be driven off the lot, according to the website. The site claims that this is the car that Death Row Records’ boss, Suge Knight, was driving on Sept. 7, 1996.

The car was leased to the company at the time.

The BMW has been restored to its original condition with a fresh coat of paint. The marking of a bullet that hit the BMW is still visible, to substantiate that this BMW was the one Tupac was riding in on that tragic night.

The car has been owned by several people since the tragedy, but the most recent owner commissioned its restoration. If anyone purchases the BMW, they will receive documentation verifying the vehicle’s history. Plus, it runs “exceptionally well.”

The car was previously listed for sale more than six years ago, according to Carscoops. It reported that the dealership received the BMW 750iL in 2017 and priced it at $1.5 million. After the car was featured on an episode of Pawn Stars, it remained at the showroom because no one purchased it. It was listed at $1.75 million in 2020.

The car is shown in the video below.

Tupac, the now-iconic rapper and actor, was shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting after a Mike Tyson fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1996. He never regained consciousness and died six days later. He was 25.

Former gang member, Keffe D has been charged in relation to the killing and will go on trial on Aug. 10.

Martin University, The Only Black College In Indiana, To Shut Down Over ‘Financial Challenges’

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 12, 2026

Martin University, The Only Black College In Indiana, To Shut Down Over ‘Financial Challenges’

The school's board of trustees decided to permanently shut down over substantial financial issues.

Martin University, Indiana’s only Black college, will close its doors after almost 50 years due to financial issues.

Throughout its decades of service, Martin University had struggled with accreditation issues stemming from its financial challenges. Although it regained its accreditation to continue teaching young Black scholars, the university’s Board of Trustees voted to shut down amid a recommendation from the Higher Learning Commission, as reported by the EDU Ledger.

The school was founded in 1977 by a Black priest, Father Boniface Hardin, to help underserved students across Indianapolis gain access to higher education.

The news outlet reported that the Board initially opted to pause operations but later decided to close permanently due to “insurmountable” financial concerns. “Without an endowment and given today’s political climate around higher education funding, this financial model is simply not sustainable,” the board stated in its public letter announcing the closure.

The “political climate” seems to refer to the Trump administration’s crackdown on higher education funding for institutions with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Trump has threatened to strip schools of all funding if they refuse to comply with these new policies.

Given the school’s mission to help students gain an education regardless of financial status, Martin relied on external sources, such as grants and government funds, to cover student fees and tuition. However, the lack of an endowment to sustain this business model led to ongoing funding issues and a decline in enrollment.

Martin University officials also tried to sustain the school by expanding opportunities for business partnerships, collaborations, and gifts.

Staying true to the school’s original values, administrators have assisted in transitioning students to other institutions, aiming to ensure they remain on track for degree completion. However, the news still sparked polarizing reactions across the Indiana community.

The letter urged public civility, especially toward the Board Chair and Executive Committee. The board also noted that monetary support remains invaluable as it seeks to fulfill outstanding financial commitments.

While Martin University is not technically an HBCU, the predominantly Black institution is the first to shut down since Alabama HBCU Concordia College in 2018. As anti-DEI legislation and accreditation issues impact several HBCUs’ futures, mainly as most rely on government funding to stay afloat, Martin is another indicator of the shifting tides for diverse higher education.

Hardin served as the university’s president for 30 years. He died in 2012.

“The closing of our doors does not erase the impact of this institution, nor the community that built it,” the board said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 12, 2026

Decoding Russell Simmons’ $100 Million Social Media Demand From HBO

The Def Jam founder claims that HBO "intentionally suppressed" evidence he claims would have refuted the sexual assault claims against him.

Last year, Def Jam Recordings founder Russell Simmons filed a $20 million defamation lawsuit against HBO and the directors of the documentary, On the Record, for the multiple sexual assault allegations levied against him.

Now, in a post on Threads, Simmons said the company owes him “100s of millions of dollars.”

He accused the company of being “horrific and malicious” in the documentary, and that evidence that may have cleared him was “intentionally suppressed.” For those reasons, he must be compensated with $100 million.

View on Threads

The 2020 documentary featured several women accusing Simmons of sexual harassment, rape, and sexual misconduct.

HBO refutes claims that Simmons was ignored in the creation process. Although there was a one-year statute of limitations on his lawsuit, Simmons stated in the recent filing that, because the documentary was re-released, it continues to tarnish his reputation and falls within the one-year window.

A day after Simmons posted the latest demand, according to AllHipHop, three women went to a New York court to request that the mogul pay more than $3.4 million that he owes from sexual assault settlements.

Attorneys for the three women, Sheri Abernathy, Sil Lai Abrams, and Wendy Carolina Franco, filed the claim in the New York Supreme Court, alleging that Simmons missed a January 1 deadline to pay the settlements he signed in October 2025.

In October 2024, Abrams, Abernathy, and Franco filed for “confessions of judgment.” The request was filed after Simmons agreed to pay $1,265,000 each to Abrams and Abernathy, and $515,000 to Franco.

Based on recent documents filed, since Simmons allegedly failed to pay, they are now requesting increased “confessed” amounts, including interest and enforcement costs: $1,614,290.74 for Abernathy and Abrams, and $711,000.31 for Franco.

The recalculated amounts include 9 percent annual interest and additional legal fees.

Uncle Nearest , whiskey, fawn weaver, barriers business

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 12, 2026

Investor Group Looks To Buyout Uncle Nearest $108M Loan To Speed Up Sale

While spectators may think the case is about cleaning up a debt, it's more about who has control in Uncle Nearest’s future as it is unclear who has the final say when a company is in receivership.

Uncle Nearest Whiskey brand may be receiving some saving grace, as an investor group is seeking to buy out the $108 million loan to speed up the potential sale, the Lexington Herald Leader reports.

A group of individual and institutional investors who make up the investor group NexGen2780 hopes to buy out the $108 million loan to Kentucky lender Farm Credit, in hopes of speeding up the sale of the troubled Black-owned spirits brand owned by Fawn and Keith Weaver. Walter Miles of Johns Creek, Georgia, presented the idea in a letter filed in federal court before U.S. District Judge Charles E. Atchley Jr.

The Tennessee-based whiskey and bourbon brand has been in receivership since Fall 2025, with the Weavers fighting to regain control of the brand and to stop the sale of assets, including the popular distillery. Recently, the owners filed a civil lawsuit against former chief financial officer Michael Senzaki, accusing him of forging stock transfers and corporate fraud, costing the brand millions.

Fawn, who has been the face of the brand, claims that declining sales are one of the reasons they were trying to dump the receiver, citing that distributors have backed out of deals while bottles are being pulled from shelves and bars. But investors are pushing that time is up.

“We respectfully note our concern that the extended duration of the receivership proceedings may be contributing to a gradual diminution of enterprise value. Prolonged uncertainty can adversely affect brand equity, distributor and vendor relationships, employee retention, and overall market positioning,” Miles, who represents the investor group, said.

“NexGen2780 believes that a timely and orderly sale process, conducted under Court supervision, could help mitigate further value erosion while maximizing recovery for creditors and other stakeholders.”

According to The Lynchburg Times, court proceedings in the case have heated up as a group of entities affiliated with Uncle Nearest, including Grant Sidney, Inc., claim the receiver failed to make marked deadlines by raising vague allegations of financial trouble without identifying specific transactions, in addition to overstepping the required private clarification steps in favor of public court filings.

As a result, the entities requested that the court enforce their prior orders and confirm that they are not part of the receivership estate.

While spectators may think the case is about cleaning up a loan debt, it’s more about who controls Uncle Nearest’s future, as it is unclear who has the final say when a company is in receivership. The role of a receiver is to preserve value for creditors and, if necessary, recommend a sale despite shareholder objections.

Although Fawn is Uncle Nearest’s largest shareholder and controls the majority of board votes, a federal court-supervised receiver will shift how decisions are made moving forward.