by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 13, 2026

Iowa Lawmaker Renee Hardman Makes History As First Black Woman Appointed To State’s Senate

Hardman's win also ensured that Iowa Republicans would not get two-thirds control of the senate.

Renee Hardman is making history as a Black woman leader in Iowa.

Hardman was officially sworn in during the first legislative session of the season, Jan. 11. The historic ceremony made her the first Black woman to serve in the Iowa State Senate. The Iowa Senate Democrats marked the occasion for their party members’ achievement.

History was made this morning as Renee Hardman officially became the first Black woman sworn in to the Iowa Senate. Please help us welcome Senator Hardman! pic.twitter.com/jAYZLNVGKx
— Iowa Senate Democrats (@IowaSenate) January 12, 2026

The swearing-in ceremony took place minutes before legislators began the session. The State Board of Canvass certified Hardman’s appointment, allowing her to partake in the lawmaking process. According to CBS 2, Hardman will serve on multiple committees, including government oversight, health and human services, and natural resources and environment.

Hardman won the special election race held Dec. 30, sparked by the October death of Sen. Claire Celsi. She will now represent the residents of District 16, which serves parts of Des Moines. Her win maintained the seat for the Democratic Party amid the loss of her predecessor, while also ensuring that State Senate Republicans do not reclaim a two-thirds majority.

PBS previously reported that Hardman won by a wide margin against GOP candidate Lucas Loftin. The CEO of Nonprofit Lutheran Services of Iowa also has a background in city politics, having served on the West Des Moines City Council.

As she prepares to enact change on behalf of all Iowans, Hardman is well aware of the history she has made. Upon her victory, she thanked her supporters for allowing her to be a voice for their fight.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by State Senator Renee Hardman (@hardmanforiowa)

“I rest on the shoulders of my ancestors who fought the good fight and lost their lives so that I could serve,” remarked Hardman. “With this comes great responsibility — responsibility to live out those five words on my yard sign and be A Voice For All People — a beacon of light and hope that Iowa can be a better place — where every family has the opportunity to thrive.”

Hardman remains part of a shift toward Democratic appointments across several states, working to ensure that local legislatures stay blue as midterms near.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 13, 2026

L.A. Reid Settles Sexual Assault Lawsuit

L.A. Reid has settled with former Arista Records exec, Drew Dixon, who accused him of sexual assault and harassment.

Music mogul Antonio “L.A.” Reid has reached a settlement with former Arista Records executive Drew Dixon, ending her sexual assault lawsuit and sidestepping a trial where John Legend was slated to testify.

The case was settled on Jan. 12, just ahead of jury selection and opening statements in Dixon’s lawsuit alleging sexual assault and retaliation by Reid in the early 2000s, as cited by The Hollywood Reporter. Reid’s attorney, Imran Ansari, said the matter was “amicably resolved” without any admission of liability.

The settlement avoids a trial expected to feature high-profile testimony, including from John Legend, with whom Dixon worked during her time recruiting him at Arista before later reuniting when she became general manager at Homeschool Records.

Dixon, who filed the suit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act—which temporarily reopened the window for sexual misconduct claims regardless of the statute of limitations—said she hopes her advocacy for the law “helps to bring us closer to a safer music business for everyone.”

“In a world where good news is often hard to find, I hope for survivors that today is a ray of light peeking through the clouds,” she said.

In a 2023 New York federal lawsuit, Dixon accused Reid of sexually assaulting her twice in 2001—once on a private jet and again in a car—and alleged he retaliated after she distanced herself, creating a hostile work environment that pushed her out of the industry. The suit followed Dixon’s earlier public allegations in 2017 against Russell Simmons and Reid, which she later detailed in HBO Max’s 2020 documentary On the Record.

Dixon has said the alleged assaults, retaliation, and resulting health issues derailed her career.

“Drew has been one of the most courageous and outspoken supporters of survivors of sexual abuse,” said Kenya Davis, a lawyer for Dixon. “Her advocacy, including her instrumental role in advancing the Adult Survivors Act, has helped shift the balance of power in the music industry, creating a path to justice for survivors.”

In addition to Reid, Dixon sued Simmons in 2024, accusing him of defamation for denying her allegation that he raped her in 1995. The case is pending, in the discovery phase, as Dixon is among roughly 20 women who have accused the disgraced hip-hop mogul of sexual assault or misconduct.

ICE, immigrants, citizens, video, agents

by Mitti Hicks

January 13, 2026

Residents Are Banding Together To Film, Monitor ICE Agents. Is It Legal?

Legal experts say people have First Amendment protections to record and report on federal law enforcement in public spaces.

There’s a group in Minneapolis that monitors and informs residents when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct raids in the community. The group, known as neighbors, is precisely that.

They are a group of residents, all of them volunteers, who check license plates and flag vehicles they believe are carrying ICE agents. According to USA Today, they carry whistles during school drop-offs to warn parents, drop off groceries to neighbors who are afraid to leave their homes, and even take their neighbors to doctors’ appointments.

You will find them throughout Minneapolis, including the neighborhood where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent on Jan. 7. The South Minneapolis neighborhood has seen a heavy presence of immigration agents in the past six weeks, prompting the coalition of residents to band together to protect their neighbors.

It’s been one week since Good died, and the group of “neighbors” said they are not backing down. Her death has sparked protests nationwide and debates over the tactics used by ICE agents and the community groups that monitor agents.

“I don’t see anyone deterred. What I see is more people clear-eyed,” Neighbors Organizer Andrew Fahlstrom told USA Today. “The murder of Renee Good made it clear to everyone in the city just how dangerous and unhinged this group of armed agents actually is.”

Is It Legal To Monitor ICE Agents?

While President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have called groups that track ICE agents and warn neighbors “domestic terrorists,” it is legal to monitor or film federal agents while they’re on duty.

Since Trump’s inauguration, the co-director of The States at the Core, Jill Garvey, said more than 10,000 Americans have taken its virtual ICE Watch training. The training teaches volunteers how to monitor ICE activity and focuses on how to help those detained. The group also teaches volunteers about their observer rights and what can get them in trouble, such as interfering with an arrest.

According to CTM Legal Group, people have strong First Amendment protections to record and report on federal law enforcement in public spaces. However, there’s a critical legal line that could result in serious federal criminal charges if crossed.

Seven federal circuit courts have all confirmed that the First Amendment protects your right to film police and federal agents in public spaces. This protection exists regardless of immigration status.

States at the Core said that more than 1,000 Minneapolis residents signed up for Community Defense and ICE Watching training the day after Good died.

Morris Brown College, president, Kevin James

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 13, 2026

Interim Leadership Appointed At HBCU, But Former President Of Morris Brown College Isn’t Leaving Quietly

Ex-Morris Brown President Kevin James called out the board's decision, calling it "deeply concerning."

As Morris Brown College announces that a new interim president will lead the HBCU, its former leader says he was fired for no cause.

The institution shocked community members with its push to distance itself from its longtime president, Kevin James, whom it thanked. It acknowledged James for helping it reach its current point of fruition. The Morris Brown College Board of Trustees announced that one of its members, Ms. Nzinga Shaw, will assume the responsibilities of interim president.

The revived HBCU overcame years of accreditation issues before finally allowing students back on campus. Now, as it seeks to return to its former glory, the school is parting ways with the president who served it during this transition.

However, James has spoken out about his apparent firing, which came as a surprise to the educational leader as well. In a Facebook post, he wrote of the “deeply concerning” transition of power without an apparent reason.

“Today, the Morris Brown College Board of Trustees terminated my service as President without providing specific cause or substantive explanation,” wrote the academic leader. “This action is deeply concerning. Research and my lived experience demonstrate that many HBCUs have struggled with board overreach and interference. Unfortunately, those dynamics are evident in this situation.”

James has served as president of Morris Brown College for the past seven years. During his tenure, he helped the school in its reaccreditation efforts, which they finally secured after almost two decades in 2022. He further noted that news of his removal could jeopardize the school’s upcoming reaccreditation review.

“The timing of this decision is particularly troubling, as the institution is approaching its accreditation reaffirmation review in a few weeks,” detailed James.

In his public appeal, James also reminded the Morris Brown community of his work to lead the school into good standing. He emphasized enrollment growth, the return of financial aid for students, and the successful financial audits conducted by the school. Given the accolades he received during his tenure, he expressed concern about what might lead to his removal, especially at this crucial time for the school’s future.

He added, “It is important to note that I recently completed a successful annual evaluation and have received consistently strong performance reviews throughout my seven years of service. Morris Brown College has literally made history under my leadership as President…I dedicated myself fully to the restoration and resurgence of Morris Brown College, and I stand firmly behind the progress we achieved together.”

While James thanked the Morris Brown Community for allowing him to serve for years, others also noted that the Board’s hasty removal could impact the school’s future. Supporters of James highlighted the Board of Trustees’ apparent “lack of transparency” regarding what led to their unexpected decision.

One commenter wrote, “This lack of transparency from the Board of Trustees is precisely why institutions struggle to reach their full potential. Decisions made without explanation undermine trust, accountability, and progress you’ve made. We stand firm with you.”

Another added, “To dismiss a president with a valid contract, strong evaluations, and historic outcomes, especially on the eve of accreditation review, raises serious governance concerns that deserve scrutiny.”

James also noted that his removal also violates his existing contract with the HBCU, which states that he remains in leadership until 2029. Given this, he intends to “pursue all rights and remedies” in light of this legal violation. As his firing gained traction, a Board spokesperson released a statement.

“Dr. James has played a meaningful role in guiding the institution through critical seasons of growth, resilience, and transformation,” detailed the statement obtained by 11Alive. The Board thanks him for his dedication to the students, faculty, staff and alumni, and the broader Morris Brown College community, and wishes him well in his next chapter.”

While this story is developing, check out BLACK ENTERPRISE’s podcast interview with James on Class Is In Session.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 13, 2026

Mattel Releases First Ever Autistic Barbie In Doll Line Dedicated To Diversity And Awareness

The doll features several additions that align with the experiences of autistic people.

Mattel has released a new Barbie doll that serves a unique purpose, representing those on the autism spectrum.

The first-ever Autistic Barbie will join Mattel’s line of Fashionista dolls that amplify diversity and inclusion in our world. The line includes several Barbies, including some with Down syndrome or even blind dolls, to help every doll enthusiast feel empowered through the toys.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MATTEL (@mattel)

According to ABC News, Mattel worked with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network for over 18 months on the doll’s development. The end product featured several additions aligned with the needs of those diagnosed with autism.

The doll itself has elbow and wrist articulation, allowing for stimming, hand flapping, and other gestures often used by those in the autism community to express themselves or their emotions. The dollmakers also included an eye gaze. This addition allows the doll to avoid eye contact, another recurring habit among many autistic people.

And of course, no Barbie feels complete without its accessories, and the same goes for its autistic version. However, this doll has more than a purse and some high heels. Instead, the doll has an all-pink fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones, and a tablet to help with sensory overload. This Barbie’s outfit was also mindfully curated. It’s a flowy, purple A-line dress that allows for less fabric-to-skin contact, paired with flat-soled shoes for stable movement.

With these heightened details, the doll aims to authentically represent autistic people’s experiences. In its promotion, Barbie has joined forces with vocal members of the autism community. These advocates were able to get a first look at this transformative doll for autistic youth.

“Barbie has always strived to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine, and we’re proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work,” said Jamie Cygielman, Global Head of Dolls, Mattel, in a press release.

“The doll, designed with guidance from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, helps to expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie.”

To further celebrate this ground-breaking toy’s release, Barbie will donate 1,000 of these specialty dolls to hospitals serving autistic children. This toy will also help children of color, particularly Black children. According to Autism Speaks, Black children in the U.S. have the third-highest rate of autism prevalence among other racial groups. Now, this awareness amplified through Barbie will comfort children who want to feel seen in all aspects of life.

For those wanting to purchase the doll for a developmentally diverse person in their life, the dolls are available at multiple Mattel retailers.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 13, 2026

Yeah, Right! Trump Claims Civil Rights Act Prompted White People To Be Treated ‘Very Badly’

Referring to it as “a reverse discrimination,” Trump admitted “it accomplished some very wonderful things” but his policies tout other viewpoints.

Echoing claims from Vice President JD Vance and other Trump administration officials about a sudden discrimination against white men and people, President Donald Trump dialed in, stating it all comes from the Civil Rights Act of 1964, creating space for white people to be “treated very badly,” The New York Times reported.

In an interview, the 47th president said he thinks the legislation signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson set white people back in several ways, touching on admission to colleges and universities. “White people were very badly treated, where they did extremely well, and they were not invited to go into a university or college,” he said. “So I would say in that way, I think it was unfair in certain cases.”

Referring to it as “a reverse discrimination,” Trump admitted “it accomplished some very wonderful things,” but his policies tout other viewpoints.

During his second term campaign trail and after taking office, the president has zeroed in on “anti-woke” politics that have resulted in the controversial overturning of affirmative action, ending race-conscious admissions in higher education, following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina.

The case served as a domino effect, resulting in the termination of Black student unions and even grants for Black women-owned businesses, as the ruling claimed they violated the Equal Protection Clause.

Trump seemingly expressed his thoughts on “woke” policies and white discrimination well before the ruling and well before serving as commander-in-chief during the Black Lives Matter uprising. In 2017, during a protest in response to a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, a woman was run over and killed by a driver. In response, the president defended racist protesters, saying, “You had some very fine people on both sides.”

The sentiments have resurfaced since the chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Andrea Lucas, pushed for white men to come forward if they felt they have been discriminated against in the workplace. “Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex?” Lucas said in a cringey video posted on X, reposted by Vance.

“You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws. Contact the E.E.O.C. as soon as possible. Time limits are typically strict for filing a claim. The E.E.O.C. is committed to identifying, attacking, and eliminating ALL forms of race and sex discrimination — including against white male applicants and employees.”

As the vice president labeled diversity policies as “a deliberate program of discrimination primarily against white men,” according to The Independent, NAACP President Derrick Johnson blasted Trump’s comments regarding the Civil Rights Act, saying there is “no evidence that white men were discriminated against as a result of the civil rights movement, the Civil Rights Act, and efforts to rectify the long history of this country denying access to people based on race in every measurable category.”

However, evidence of discrimination against Black people in the workplace — and beyond — is overwhelming and growing. Studies reveal that because of the administration’s anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, Black people, particularly women, suffered immensely, with the number affected directly reaching the thousands.

Gender economist Katica Roy said it was “not a coincidence” as public sector jobs gave Black women a “lifeline” that they once lacked in economic opportunities.

South Africa, Freedom Day, Nelson Mandela

by Ahsan Washington

January 13, 2026

10 South African Entrepreneurs Who Are On The Come Up

The next generation of Black entrepreneurs in South Africa includes township-born fashion disruptors, tech founders, and clean-energy innovators, who create businesses that merge cultural pride with economic ambition.

These founders create companies that generate employment opportunities, transform traditional industries, and establish new power structures in Africa’s most dynamic economy. BLACK ENTERPRISE presents 10 emerging Black entrepreneurs from South Africa.

Rivoningo Mhlari

Rivoningo Mhlari leads Rikatec as its CEO and co-founder, pioneering tech advancements that have transformed commercial transport safety through predictive maintenance powered by vehicle data. Rikatec emerged from Phalaborwa in Limpopo, South Africa, in the late 2010s and quickly gained fame by making Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list. Mhlari aims to establish Africa’s first AI/telemetry solution to transform the commercial transport industry.

Nondumiso Sibiya

Nondumiso Sibiya serves as the co-founder of Boomba.mobi and leads innovative initiatives in waste management. The Waste-for-essentials platform developed by Sibiya transforms waste materials into essential food, clothing, and hygiene products. Sibiya works from Diepsloot, Johannesburg, to eliminate illegal waste disposal, fight hunger, and create small economic opportunities for underprivileged communities.

Siyanda Mthethwa

Through his company Kuloola, Siyanda Mthethwa is transforming rural South Africa’s access to essential goods through an e-commerce and delivery service. Kuloola operates in South Africa’s rural and peri-urban areas to link businesses with customers. Mthethwa’s initiative showed promise in transforming neglected communities and stimulating economic development.

Mahlatse Mamaila

The green energy revolution needed a leader, so Mahlatse Mamaila established INO-Biodiesel. INO-Biodiesel transforms used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel and provides educational programs to local communities. INO-Biodiesel started operations in 2021 from Pretoria and has received the Visa She’s Next and UN Young Leader awards. INO’s mission unites sustainable practices, rural job creation, and renewable energy development throughout Africa.

Kay Yarms

The beauty industry features Kay Yarms as a prominent figure who founded Saxx Beauty and maintains a strong online presence. Her national attention on YouTube and Instagram has significantly increased her influence. Yarns is a trusted South African influencer in the beauty sector. Saxx Beauty is a glam studio in Cape Town that provides hair and makeup services to clients.

Sihle Magubane

Sihle Magubane established Sihle’s Brew as the first Black-owned, South African coffee brand to reach national retail distribution. Sihle’s Brew now sells its products online and through Pick ‘n Pay stores across South Africa. Sihle’s Brew started its journey more than ten years ago, and its latest growth phase has established it as a leading brand in the premium consumer market segment.

Kgothatso Moloto

Kgothatso Moloto, the founder of Niche Parfums, is a global perfume curator. Niche Parfums is a luxury fragrance line with an artisanal retail footprint and online sales. The shop is located in Johannesburg, Parkhurst, and the company also has an online presence. Niche Parfums expanded in the early 2020s. The company aims to reinvent luxury retail from a Black South African perspective and has export ambitions.

Aphiwe Khambule

Aphiwe Khambule received the Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 and beyond award for transforming funeral services and financial products through this entrepreneurial work. Through her role as COO at 21st Century Funeral Services, Khambule launched MYPrestige Rewards to improve policyholder benefits. Khambule leads innovative initiatives throughout South Africa’s death care industry, which generates R10 billion in revenue by merging financial support services with funeral services.

Fundi Sithebe

Sithebe Fundi, a pioneering South African business executive, made history as the first Black woman to lead a major horse racing organization. Her leadership has significantly impacted traditional business practices in both the sports and corporate sectors. She led 4Racing from 2021 to 2025 while maintaining her board memberships in corporate organizations.

Theo Baloyi

Theo Baloyi established Bathu Shoes, a South African sneaker brand, and, as founder and CEO, led its rapid expansion. Bathu Shoes has become a well-respected local footwear brand with stores across the country. Baloyi launched the brand in Hammanskraal, Gauteng, South Africa, in 2015 and has since earned recognition in Forbes 30 Under 30 and GQ Business Leader of the Year. Through his work, Baloyi demonstrates that African-owned brands have the ability to excel in design and retail impact while fostering cultural pride.

Jesse Lee Peterson, Black people, white man, George Wrighster III

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 12, 2026

Jesse Lee Peterson Vs. Black Literacy: Former NFL Player Utterly Baffled By Speaking ‘Like A White Man’ Statement

Jesse Lee Peterson is under fire after telling a former NFL player he speaks "like a white person."

Controversial online personality Jesse Lee Peterson is facing renewed backlash after asking former NFL player George Wrighster III why he “speaks like a white person.”

Wrighster appeared on the Jan. 10 episode of Peterson’s The Fallen State podcast to discuss his transition from the NFL to media and the personal growth that followed. The wide-ranging, hour-long conversation touched on sports, culture, and identity, while Peterson injected his trademark controversy throughout.

There were points where Peterson questioned Wrighster about seeing a therapist, criticized men who displayed vulnerability to women, and even took a swipe at Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett by calling her “Jasmine Crooked.”

A clip now circulating online highlights one of the interview’s most uncomfortable moments, with Peterson praising Wrighster for speaking “like a white person.”

“You speak very well, and you’re black. How did that happen?” Peterson asks in the clip shared online.

https://twitter.com/KillaKreww/status/2010111311871623237

A visibly taken aback Wrighster expressed his confusion and asked Peterson what he meant by the question.

“You speak well. You speak like a white person. How did that happen?” Peterson asked. “How do I speak like a white person? All proper and right, and you can understand you. You use the right words, and how did that happen?”

Peterson doubled down, telling a visibly confused Wrighster that speaking “like a white man” was a good thing. Wrighster pushed back with sarcasm, explaining why he believes he speaks “like a Black man,” which Peterson quickly shut down, saying “no.”

“Oh, I don’t speak like a black man? Black men are well-read. We go to college. We take care of our kids. We pay our taxes. We do our responsibilities. So I don’t know how that is white. I know that’s what Black men do. That’s what I know,” Wrighster saidd.

Peterson then took the exchange a step further, asking Wrighster, “What’s wrong with the Blacks?”

The exchange sparked swift backlash online, with many criticizing Peterson for what they see as repeated jabs at the Black community during his interviews.

“Jesse Lee Peterson has to be one of the more profoundly absent-minded buffoons in all viral media,” one X user wrote. “Not only is he himself quite repetitively dull in manner, but he also sounds of low bar intelligence with a very effeminate lisp to go along with it.”

Another user offered their take on the topic of Black people being told they “talk white.”

“Sadly, a lot of black people think ignorantly like that man,” the user wrote. “They call it code switching, but really, it should be a normal thing to speak properly as black people, not to be told you’re sounding white when speaking proper English.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 12, 2026

Minneapolis Schools To Offer Remote Learning As ICE Raids Leave Students Feeling Unsafe

School administrators decided to implement the remote learning option so students can learn and feel safe in their homes.

Minneapolis Public Schools will allow students to learn from home as ICE continues to make its presence known in the city.

Following the violence surrounding ICE agents and the resistance to them in the city, Minneapolis is making provisions in its education system to ensure families and students feel safe. In light of incidents, such as an ICE agent’s killing of Renee Good, that have sparked national concern, the school system will transition to hybrid remote learning. School administrators sent emails to their staff telling them to make the adjustments to their learning schedules.

“This meets a really important need for our students who are not able to come to school right now,” a Minneapolis school administrator wrote in an email to their staff, as obtained by the Associated Press.

Over the next month, families who feel unsafe due to the heightened presence of ICE officials can stay and learn from home. According to The Grio, teachers will still report to the classroom and teach their lessons to both physically present and virtual students. The method should not be unfamiliar to most educators, as many used the hybrid model during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The offering also aims to combat declining school attendance, as many families have opted to stay out of the city amid the conflict between ICE agents and the local community. While the option of virtual school comes with its own drawbacks, including the potential gaps in lesson absorption, administrators have decided to prioritize keeping students engaged no matter where they are. This mandate will extend to the school systems almost 30,000 students.

“This will keep them safe and help them keep up with their work,” the school administrator explained in an email. “It will also allow them to be counted present, so we don’t have a ton of dropouts next week.”

However, the move still signifies the ongoing unrest felt among many Minneapolis residents as ICE raids continue. The news comes as President Donald Trump continues targeting the area’s large Somali community, threatening to send thousands of federal agents to the Midwestern city to crack down on their immigration status.

Despite the Trump administration’s move, schools have remained adamant about not letting ICE agents disrupt their learning environments. However, as the violence inches closer to school campuses, local education leaders have enacted new policies.

“The way ICE has escalated in our community has made it so that there are people who feel unsafe coming to and from school,” explained Natasha Dockter, first vice president of the local union representing Minneapolis public school teachers. “We’ve, you know, heard concerns from our members, from families, and wanted to advocate that there is an option for remote learning.”

The remote learning option has followed a pattern of implementation across the U.S. As ICE raids increase nationwide, other cities like Chicago and New York have offered virtual school for students. However, keeping their privacy and immigration status undisclosed, especially for students who choose virtual options due to this, remains a prevalent issue. As for Minneapolis, remote learning options will persist until Feb. 12.

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.