Courtesy of Boardroom and Legacy Classic
Photos by Evan Pierce and De'Andre Henderson for Boardroom and Legacy Classic
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 24, 2026

Taylor Rooks Foundation Helps Erase Over $2.1M In Medical Debt For People In Gwinnett County, GA

The Taylor Rooks Foundation’s latest initiative is working to eliminate medical debt for residents in her Georgia hometown.

Taylor Rooks is giving back to her hometown of Gwinnett County, Georgia, by helping locals tackle their medical debt.

On April 22, Rooks announced a new partnership between the Taylor Rooks Foundation and Undue Medical Debt that has erased more than $2 million in medical debt for over 1,800 residents in her hometown of Gwinnett County, Georgia.

“Health challenges aren’t always within our control, and the cost shouldn’t define anyone’s future,” Rooks shared in her caption. “I’m truly proud that, together, the @taylorrooksfoundation and @unduemeddebt have been able to erase over $2.1M in medical debt for 1,805 people in my hometown.”

Medical debt affects more than 100 million Americans, totaling nearly $220 billion nationwide. It leaves many households juggling past-due bills or long-term payment plans, often forcing people to dip into savings, cut essentials, or take hits to their credit score. Larger unpaid bills that go to collections can damage credit for years. The burden also falls unevenly, with Black Americans more likely to carry medical debt, worsening financial strain, and widening wealth gaps.

The issue is personal for Rooks, who shared that her younger sister’s diabetes diagnosis often leads to hospital stays and mounting medical bills.

“My baby sister has Type 1 Diabetes,” Rooks said. “So I know firsthand just how medical bills can pile up; sometimes it can feel like you’re drowning, and it seems like there’s nothing you can do about it.”

She added, “This kind of relief has real impact. It eases financial stresses that many carry with them silently and gives people the ability to focus on their health, their families, and everything that comes next.”

Through the partnership, Rooks said her foundation will continue to expand access, breaking down barriers, and creating real opportunities for people to rebuild their financial stability. She also thanked those who support her foundation in its mission to advance a future rooted in equity, where everyone has the resources not just to survive, but to thrive.

RELATED CONTENT: Taylor Rooks and Joy Taylor Discuss Being Each Other’s ‘Dreammate’ As Black Women In The Sports Industry 

Muhammad Ali ,WWE, legislation
Photo by KoolShooters : https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-boxing-gym-9944634/
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 24, 2026

Muhammad Ali’s Grandson And Oscar De La Hoya Confront US Senate About American Boxing Revival Act 

Muhammad Ali's grandson and former boxer Oscar De La Hoya are the leading critics against a controversial new bill named after the late boxing legend.

Muhammad Ali’s grandson and Oscar De La Hoya joined forces to address the U.S. Senate over a controversial new bill bearing the boxing legend’s name.

Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, joined boxing champion turned boxing promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, at a U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing in Washington on April 22 to oppose the bipartisan Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, Yahoo Sports reports. The hearing comes one month after the bill, backed by TKO Group Holdings, the parent of UFC and WWE, passed the House by voice vote and is expected to be introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz.

De La Hoya and Walsh have been leading critics of the bill, warning it could give TKO Group Holdings monopolistic control of boxing through the proposed Unified Boxing Organizations. They argue that UBOs would blur the line between promoters and sanctioning bodies, allowing a single entity to control rankings, titles, and events—similar to TKO’s model in the UFC.

“The Ali Act was built on a simple principle. The people controlling fighters should not also control the entire marketplace those fighters depend on,” Walsh said. “The separation exists to prevent conflicts of interest and exploitation. The new Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act would undermine that principle by allowing one entity to operate across promotion, management, and matchmaking. It removes independence.”

Walsh also objected to the bill bearing his late grandfather’s name, arguing that it represents values that Muhammad Ali strongly opposed.

“If this bill is passed in its current form, ⁠it should not have my grandfather’s name on it, as it would betray the principles his Act was created to protect,” Walsh said.

UFC fighters are widely believed to earn around 20% or less of event revenue, while boxers often take a much larger share. They’re also required to wear standardized gear, limiting sponsorship opportunities. Walsh argued that boxing’s freedom to secure sponsors and express individuality through attire creates additional income streams outside the ring.

De La Hoya and Walsh also pushed back against WWW President Nick Khan, who argued the bill would bring more money into boxing. They countered by citing the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s high profit margins and fighters’ well-documented dissatisfaction with its model.

“The UFC and its parent company agreed to a $375 million anti-trust settlement after fighters accused them of suppressing wages and restricting competition,” De La Hoya said.

“Boxing is not broken. If it were, UFC champions — at the height of their careers — would not be actively targeting boxing fights because of the fair pay,” Walsh added. “That movement is rarely seen in reverse due to the UFC’s centralized pay structure. Boxing has never been perfect, but one of its strengths has always been competition. Multiple promoters competing for fighters creates leverage and fair market value. When that competition is consolidated to one system, that leverage disappears.”

Khan argued the bill would expand choice, allowing boxers unhappy with the UBO model to stick with the current system. But Walsh warned that if one entity controls access, that “choice becomes theoretical,” with long-term consequences for fighters’ opportunities.

De La Hoya warned that the proposed UBO system could split the sport and limit cross-promotional matchups, preventing fighters from competing outside their organization. He argued this would create division, with some fighters staying in the current system and others moving to TKO Group Holdings or Zuffa, ultimately reducing top-tier fights between the best competitors.

RELATED CONTENT: Floyd Mayweather Eyes Ring Return, Officially Ends Retirement

UK
Photo by Lina Kivaka: https://www.pexels.com/photo/hanged-flags-beside-building-2773597/
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 24, 2026

Black Children In The UK Are 8 Times More Likely To Be Strip Searched by Police, Report Finds

New report reveals how much more likely Black children in the UK are to be strip-searched compared to their white peers.

A new report finds that Black children are eight times more likely to be strip-searched by police than their white peers in England and Wales.

A new report published on April 22 finds the number of children strip-searched has more than halved over four years, but warns that ethnic disparities remain and raises concerns about the use of force in some cases, BBC reported. Among the findings from Dame Rachel de Souza’s office of the Children’s Commissioner for England, Black children were nearly five times more likely than their white peers to face force during stop-and-search encounters.

The report, using data from the first half of 2024, estimates 377 strip searches for the year, down 56% from 854 in 2020. Still, Dame de Souza warned there are “far too many” taking place. It also found 26 searches were conducted in public view between July 2023 and June 2024, and 22 occurred without an appropriate adult present—something she said “should never be happening.”

The data revealed clear ethnic disparities, with Black children more likely to be strip-searched than those from other groups.

“Although only 6% of the population of 10-17 year olds in the 2021 census were black, 35% of the children strip-searched were of black ethnicity,” the report said.

For the first time, the report examined the use of force in stop-and-search cases, finding most involved children aged 11–17, though 46 incidents included children under 11. Nearly one in five searches involved force, yet 46% led to no further action, raising concerns about whether it was necessary or proportionate. The findings also showed racial disparities, with Black children overrepresented and white and Asian children underrepresented in cases involving force.

“I am particularly concerned about the ethnic disproportionality as to why officers say force was needed,” Dame de Souza said. “White children are more likely to be described as having a mental health need, while for black children the reason identified is simply their size or build.”

“We cannot accept that black children are subjected to use of force because of the way they are perceived,” she added.

Dame de Souza said the findings show child strip searches can cause lasting harm to mental health and damage trust in police, reflecting a failure to properly support vulnerable children. Following the report, Andy Mariner said policing has updated its strip-search policies since the Children’s Commissioner’s 2022 review.

“We’re introducing extensive safeguards for children and young people for strip searching and bringing in reforms to drive up standards in policing, improve vetting and tackle misconduct,” a Home Office spokesperson said.

RELATED CONTENT: California Cop Accused Of Stealing Thousands of Dollars From Civilians Won’t Face Jail Time

Trump, approval polls, immigration policies
(Photo: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
by Jameelah Mullen

April 24, 2026

Trump Claims D.C. And Puerto Rico Statehood Would Lead To  ‘Country-Destroying Sleazebags’ Taking Power

In the midst of a war, the president is on social media, with yet another rant.

Donald Trump scoffed at the idea of making Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico U.S. states. The former reality star claimed that if the U.S. territories became states, the country would be dominated by “sleazebags.”

The president expressed these sentiments in a Truth Social post longer than 300 words, slamming Democratic strategist James Carville, a vocal critic of Trump and a longtime advocate for making D.C. and Puerto Rico states.

“Wacko James Carville, a so-called Democrat “strategist,” wants the Democrats to make D.C. and Puerto Rico States and, most importantly, pack the Supreme Court, putting 13 Justices on the Court. Other Dems want 21 Justices,” Trump wrote on his social media platform. “If they pull off adding these two States, these Country Destroying Sleazebags will dominate politics in America, if we even have a Nation left, for 100 years (TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!).

Carville responded on his Politicon podcast, telling his co-host he is willing to debate Trump anytime.

 Residents of both Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have pushed for statehood for several decades. U.S. citizens of D.C. and Puerto Rico pay federal taxes and elect U.S. delegates to represent them in Congress. However, delegates are not allowed to vote on legislation or policy. The slogan “taxation without representation” appears on D.C. license plates to protest the district’s lack of voting representation in Congress. 

Markus Batchelor, national political director at People For the American Way, condemned the president’s statements and vehemently disagrees with Trump’s beliefs about granting statehood to D.C. and Puerto Rico.

“The people of D.C. and Puerto Rico serve and save this country every single day. D.C. residents pay federal taxes…. We raise families, build businesses, and contribute to the cultural and economic strength of this nation. Our communities — especially Black and Brown communities — have carried this country forward through sacrifice, resilience, and hard work,” Batchelor told theGrio.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Administration To Issue Tariff Refunds To Businesses, Consumers Sound Off

Michael Jackson
Photo by Ed Souza-Pool/Getty Images
by Kandiss Edwards

April 23, 2026

Antoine Fuqua Talks About His Decision To Omit Michael Jackson Assault Allegations From ‘Michael’

Michael is scheduled for a global theatrical release April 24.

The director of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has confirmed that the film’s conclusion was altered to remove depictions of the child abuse allegations that shadowed the later years of the pop star’s life.

In a recent interview with The New Yorker, director Antoine Fuqua explained the creative decision to shift the film’s final focus away from the legal battles and controversies that defined Jackson’s public image in the 1990s and 2000s. Fuqua stated that the goal of the project is to celebrate Jackson’s artistic legacy and humanity, rather than re-litigating the high-profile accusations that have been extensively covered in documentaries and news media.

The biopic, starring Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the title role, reportedly concludes by focusing on the singer’s preparations for his ill-fated This Is It concert residency in 2009. By ending the narrative at this point, the film bypasses a more detailed exploration of the 2005 criminal trial and subsequent posthumous allegations.

“I wanted to tell a story about the man and the artist,” Fuqua said. He argued that the film provides a balanced look at Jackson’s life by showing his struggles with fame and the pressures of his upbringing, while maintaining that the movie’s primary purpose is to showcase his “extraordinary talent.”

While some appreciate a focus on Jackson’s musical contributions, others argue that omitting the allegations presents an incomplete and sanitized version of the singer’s history. The 38% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects a viewership that varies in its position. Estate representatives, who are involved in the production, have maintained that the film is an objective look at Jackson’s life. Representatives for the Jackson estate consistently deny the abuse allegations against him.

Michael is scheduled for a global theatrical release on April 24. The film is expected to be one of the year’s biggest cinematic events, featuring elaborate recreations of Jackson’s most iconic performances. Despite the director’s attempts to center the narrative on music, the choice to exclude the controversies ensures that they will remain a part of the discussion.

RELATED CONTENT: Michael Jackson Biopic Taps Human Jukebox, Sonic Boom & Marching 100 To Honor His Legacy

NYPD, Sean Bell, film, Eyes In 'Aftershock: The Nicole P. Bell Story'
Photo by: Sergi Reboredo/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
by Kandiss Edwards

April 23, 2026

NYPD Call For Backup On WhatsApp Group Chat In Corner Store False Arrest

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard expressed his displeasure at officers serving without the proper equipment.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) has revealed that the detectives involved in a viral Brooklyn arrest were not equipped with body cameras and utilized the messaging app WhatsApp to coordinate backup.

The incident, which took place outside a Bedford-Stuyvesant liquor store, gained national attention after footage showed 34-year-old Andre Williams being forcefully detained by officers who had mistaken him for a drug dealer. Despite Williams’ audible pleas that he was not resisting, he was pinned to the ground and handcuffed before being released without charges.

In a follow-up investigation into the tactics used during the encounter, the NYPD confirmed that the detectives were part of a specialized unit. The unit is currently exempt from the department’s general body-camera mandate, Fox 5 reported. NYPD patrol officers have been required to wear cameras since 2019. However, many undercover and plainclothes units remain unequipped.

Further review of video evidence obtained by Fox 5 revealed that the detectives did not use standard police radio frequencies to contact back up. Instead, officers utilized a WhatsApp group call to alert nearby units. The provided video shows an unidentified detective complaining about the mode of communication.

“Any of these guys don’t get a radio ASAP, I’m making a big f***ing problem. I’m not doing this WhatsApp s*** no more,” the detective said. He added, “How are these f***ing guys coming to work unprepared? No one does anything.”

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard expressed his displeasure at officers serving without the proper equipment. He also acknowledged that the arrest was unwarranted.

“If this had been the right guy, and he had a firearm on him, they would have to use WhatsApp to call or backup. That’s insane,” Sheppard said. “You should have a radio on you to get help when you need it, and as you see, that was the problem here,” Sheppard said. “It took so long for them to find where their guys were, and to be able to communicate.”

The NYPD maintains that the detectives acted within current guidelines, given the nature of their assignment.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘I’m Not Resisting’: NYPD Beats Brooklyn Man They Allegedly Profiled As A Drug Dealer

Harlem, cannabis, New York
photo credit: pexels
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 23, 2026

Medical Marijuana To Be Reclassified To Schedule III Substance, Expanding Opportunities For Use

The drug would be officially reclassified as a Schedule III substance, listing its status among painkillers.

The U.S. Justice Department has moved forward with reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous substance.

NBC News reports that the Justice Department will reclassify state-licensed medical marijuana. The substance is currently listed as a Schedule I drug on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche shared on X about the Trump administration’s push to immediately reschedule the drug. The result would expand opportunities in the growing cannabis industry and its medical usage.

“These actions will enable more targeted, rigorous research into marijuana’s safety and efficacy, expanding patients’ access to treatments and empowering doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions,” wrote Blanche.

Currently, marijuana is deemed a Schedule I drug, detailed as “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” according to the DEA. Now, the Marijuana Policy Project confirmed that the substance’s official switch to a Schedule III classification would list it among the likes of painkillers and testosterone.

According to Yahoo Finance, this reclassification would have several impacts on medical marijuana usage. This issuance would pave the way for further research into its medicinal potential, enabling more healthcare professionals to recommend the drug to eligible patients, as emphasized by Blanche in a statement.

“The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” stated the attorney general in a press release. “This rescheduling action allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”

Last December, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that cleared the way for the DEA to approve a reclassification. The order urged for more medical research on the drug as federal regulation of marijuana shifts.

This news has already impacted the stock market, boosting the stock prices of cannabis-affiliated companies such as Canopy Growth and Tilray Brands. Another positive effect for such firms is that looser restrictions could lead to lower tax burdens and wider funding opportunities for newer companies.

With the latest order to reclassify medical marijuana issued, the federal government also scheduled a new hearing, set for June 29, to change marijuana’s legal status at large.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Signs Executive Order To Expedite The Reclassifying Of Marijuana

Brian McKnight, Niko McKnight, cancer
photo credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 23, 2026

Brian McKnight Sues Former Wife, Son and Media Outlets Accusing Them Of Spreading False Narratives

The R&B singer has filed a lawsuit against Julie McKnight, Brian McKnight Jr., podcasters Marc Lamont and Tasha K, as well as the New York Post.

Recording artist Brian McKnight has filed a lawsuit against his former wife, Julie McKnight, his son, Brian McKnight Jr., podcasters Marc Lamont and Tasha K, as well as the New York Post. He accuses them of spreading a false narrative about his parenting and his refusal to tell his dying son, Niko, that he loved him.

According to TMZ, the R&B singer is claiming that the accused were involved in a coordinated attempt to ruin his reputation and make money, through “malicious character assassination” in the lawsuit filed. He said that he is the victim of a “shockingly dishonest” and “sensational but false narrative” after they said that he abandoned his children.

In the suit, he also claimed that Tasha K falsely reported that he was a cheater and that he had sex with a minor. He says that his reputation has taken a hit because of the narrative they spread. He is seeking damages because the “relentless and persistent assault upon his character” gave him no choice but to take legal action.

The singer is keeping his lawyers busy.

In May 2025, McKnight also accused controversial singer Jaguar Wright of spreading salacious allegations online. He claimed that she said that McKnight hired and mistreated prostitutes during sexual encounters. The “Back At One” vocalist also denied Wright’s claims that he was abusive toward his former wife, Julie, whom Wright says is her cousin. The singer also said that she has been evading service, as multiple attempts have been made to serve her.

“It is apparent that [Wright] is evading service,” McKnight’s attorney Ryan Saba said, as captured by Hot New Hip Hop. “Given that [McKnight] made reasonable attempts to serve [Wright] and [Wright] is evading service by refusing to answer the door or open the door, or to sign the return receipt, service by publication is necessary to provide notice of [McKnight’s] complaint.”

RELATED CONTENT: Brian McKnight and Estranged Daughter Settle Differences Before Court Battle

Arrested, Gun, Nashville, divorce, celebrate, Jose Vazquez
(Photo: Josh Beasley/flickr, Inset: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels)
by Kandiss Edwards

April 23, 2026

Man Accused of Providing Weapon that Led to Killing Of 8 Children

Charles Ford faces federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana has charged a 56-year-old man with illegally possessing and providing the firearm used in a weekend mass shooting that killed eight children

Charles Ford faces federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced April 21. Investigators allege that Ford provided the assault-style pistol used by 31-year-old Shamar Elkins to carry out the murders.

If convicted, Ford faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Ford initially denied having the weapon before admitting he possessed it. He later claimed to investigators that Elkins likely stole the gun from his truck in the weeks leading up to the shooting. 

“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) is engaged and committed to holding people accountable for illegal possession and use of firearms that harm our community,” said Alcohol, Tobacco, and Fireamrs Special Agent Joshua Jackson said in a statement. “Holding people accountable does not stop with the person who pulled the trigger but also includes those who give access to and proliferate firearms that are later used in violent crime.”

The shooting, described by officials as “beyond comprehension,” resulted in the deaths of seven of Elkins’ children and one of their cousins. The victims ranged in age from 3 to 11. Two women, including Elkins’ wife, were also shot and remain hospitalized. A ninth child escaped the massacre by jumping from the roof of the home during the shooting.

Elkins died following a police pursuit and a shootout with officers.

Because Elkins cannot face trial, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller said federal prosecutors are committed to holding those who enabled the violence accountable. Keller noted that tracing the weapon led investigators to Ford after the original purchaser of the firearm informed law enforcement she had given the weapon to him.

RELATED CONTENT: Louisiana Man Kills 8 Children, 7 Of His Own, In Mass Shooting

Draya Michele, stepson, son, NBA, Jalen Green
LOS ANGELES - MARCH 14: Media Personality Draya Michele arrives for the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Glenn Francis/Pacific Pro Digital Photography) Toglenn, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
by Jameelah Mullen

April 23, 2026

Chef’s Kiss: Draya Michele Reveals That She’s In Culinary School

The former reality star urges fans to embrace the pivot.

Former Basketball Wives star Draya Michele has stepped out from in front of the camera and into the kitchen as she embarks upon a new culinary career. 

The influencer revealed on social media that she had been quietly attending culinary school for months. In a series of Instagram photos and videos, Michele shared footage of herself in class, prepping ingredients and executing the French flambé technique, in which a chef adds high-proof alcohol to a hot pan and ignites it to create a burst of flames.

“Becoming a chef was never something on my mood board (until lately),” Michele wrote to over 9 million followers on Instagram. “I’ve enjoyed cooking for my loved ones for years, and now I’m just perfecting it.”

Michele described this new chapter in her life as her “Culinair era.” She encouraged her followers to pursue new interests, regardless of age or background. 

“You’re allowed to evolve. You’re allowed to pivot.” Her message said, “You’re allowed to discover new passions you never saw coming. It’s never too late to change your path or start something new. If you’ve been waiting for a sign… this is it.”

Michele has been incorporating cooking content into her social posts for several months, but she hasn’t positioned it as a pivot for her brand. 

Michele founded the swimwear line Mint Swim in 2011, using $12,000 to launch the brand, which offers high-quality swimwear for diverse body types. She also said she wanted to create a product that felt authentic to both herself and her fans.

“I wouldn’t start the company just to make a quick buck or to say I have a business. It’s something that I love, and I live, breathe, and eat it, and I think that my supporters that follow me, they can see that and they can tell. So, Mint Swim is just a genuine company altogether,” the entrepreneur told BLACK ENTERPRISE in 2016.

Also an actress, Michele has starred in nearly a dozen films. In 2022, she costarred with singer Ne-Yo in a BET+ film, The Sound of Christmas. 

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