by Sharelle B. McNair

March 9, 2026

Trump Doubles Down On ‘Some People Will Die’ Comment While Taking A ‘Guess’ On Retaliation From Iran

While Trump boasts about killing "all their leaders," American voters worry about retaliatory attacks to the home base.

President Donald Trump is taking a gamble on retaliation efforts from Iran, giving a response of “I guess” when asked about concerns of attacks on U.S. soil.

In an interview with Time, Trump said the United States is seemingly prepared for anything after Operation Epic Fury began Feb. 28 in Tehran with one of the most expansive air operations in decades.

The attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in addition to several senior officials in line to become potential successors, something the president patted himself on the back about. “I’ve killed all their leaders. That room is gone,” Trump said.

The attacks also caused damage to civilian areas, killing more than 150 people after a barrage hit a girls school.

It’s these types of facts and comments that have caused grave concern from political leaders and American voters on retaliatory attacks at, to which Trump said, “I guess. But I think they’re worried about that all the time. We think about it all the time. We plan for it.

“But yeah, you know, we expect some things,” he added. “Like I said, some people will die. When you go to war, some people will die.”

Those were some of Trump’s comforting remarks in first announcing the conflict. He described those who lost their lives already as “patriots.”

While leaders are leaning on the possibility of a ceasefire, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that’s not happening.

“We are not asking for a ceasefire, and we don’t see any reason why we should negotiate with the U.S., when we negotiated with them twice and every time they attacked us in the middle of negotiations,” Araghchi said. “So there is no request for a ceasefire from us and there is no request for negotiation with the U.S. from us. We are waiting for them.”

He also said there is no need to go past American bases overseas, as the issue isn’t with American citizens.

“…I have been in touch with their foreign ministers, and I have explained that we are not targeting you,” he said. “We have no problem with you. We are only targeting the American installations.”

But their eyes are still on Trump. Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amol has publicly called for “Trump’s blood.”

“Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret [the] precedent it has set,” Araghchi said, according to The Hill.

The president seems to be backtracking on his campaign promises, including vowing to end wars, not to start them. Trump has authorized attacks in eight other countries, with three of them never experiencing direct attacks from U.S. forces before.

In 2025, he approved more individual airstrikes than former President Joe Biden did over four years.

by Ahsan Washington

March 9, 2026

It’s Women’s History Month And These Black Women Are Definitely Owning The Moment

The narratives around incredible Black women are truly inspiring

Nationally and globally, the narratives around incredible Black women are truly inspiring, especially during Women’s History Month. The measurable impact that Black women have on society, and specifically among their own communities, shows through their work and accomplishments — whether it’s hanging on museum walls, navigating movie sets, leading corporate boardrooms, or performing on the Olympic stage. BLACK ENTERPRISE is highlighting several women who actively inform the cultural trends, create artistic movements, and develop economic systems. These Black women define life and work on their own terms. During Women’s History Month, they are having a moment. In fact, they are the moment.

Teyana Taylor

Through her diverse artistic career, Teyana Taylor has redefined the concept of the modern multihyphenate. Taylor received major critical praise for her work as a singer, actor, director, and choreographer. Taylor has demonstrated her directing skills through her work in fashion and music visual production. Taylor recently released “A Rose In Harlem,” her signature Jordan sneakers. In February, Taylor landed her first Golden Globe award. Since 2023, Taylor’s career has skyrocketed, gaining popularity from her performances in A Thousand and One and One Battle After Another, and fashion collaborations with international brands. Through complete control of her image and narrative, Taylor obliterates boundaries in the entertainment industry that typically confine Black women.

Amy Sherald

Amy Sherald, the renowned contemporary realist painter, is known for her iconic portraits, which include the former First Lady Michelle Obama. Sherald’s current exhibition, American Sublime, features a collection of artworks that investigates Black identity and visual representation. Sherald’s artwork is on view at the Baltimore Museum of Art till April 5; however, tickets for the exhibition are sold out.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis was recently honored at the NAACP Image Awards ceremony with the Chairman’s Award for Excellence, Impact, & Advocacy. The EGOT-winning actress and producer continues to produce film and television projects that center Black stories while expanding her production company, JuVee Productions. Davis’ influence extends beyond her role as a Hollywood performer; she is also involved in global film distribution, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Davis’ humanitarian work and achievements, including her 2023 Grammy win, have contributed to her legacy as a trailblazer who uses her influence and prowess to fund stories that historically lacked backing, making her both an institution and a disruptor in the industry.

Angel Reese

Angel Reese became a leading figure in the WNBA after winning the 2023 NCAA championship and turning professional. After leading the LSU Tigers women’s basketball team to a national championship, Reese was selected seventh overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Reese has broken rookie rebounding records and has since established valuable endorsement deals.

Rihanna

Rihanna wowed NFL audiences when she took the stage during Super Bowl halftime. Since then, the fashion killer and mom of three has reached billionaire status from establishing both Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, and continues to grow her global beauty and fashion empire. Fenty disrupted conventional beauty industry standards for product shade while proving that inclusive branding can be profitable. Rihanna recently teased new music after years of not producing a follow-up album to ANTI.

A’ja Wilson

A’ja Wilson has led championship runs while expanding her endorsement deals and increasing her media exposure as the WNBA champion and league MVP. The league’s growth and sponsorship increase have been driven by Wilson’s outstanding performance.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer’s ascension into a notable place in entertainment has been marked by her recent films Alice and Nope, and her podcast Baby, This Is Keke Palmer. The actress, producer and founder of KeyTV Network extends her digital network to serve creators of the next generation. The network will launch on both digital streaming services and creator platforms. Palmer intends to establish KeyTV as a platform builder beyond just being a platform for on-screen talent while she plans network expansion for 2026.

by Janee Bolden

March 9, 2026

From Gospel to Groundbreaking: Bishop Hezekiah Walker Is Building Community

Walker is expanding his ministry into real estate

For decades, Bishop Hezekiah Walker’s voice has been a constant in Black households. His songs play at Sunday services, family reunions, hospital bedsides, and victory celebrations. But the gospel legend says the work he is most proud of right now has nothing to do with a stage.

Today, Walker is expanding his ministry into real estate and community development. His latest project, HezHouseApartments in Brooklyn, is a 10-story affordable housing development where residents begin moving in this spring.

“I see myself as part of the legacy, but I also see evolution,” Walker told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“Growing up in the Black church, I went because my mom made me go. And when I got old enough to make my own decisions, I decided to stay. I decided to help the church grow.”

For Walker, music became the door that led him to ministry. When people began approaching him for prayer following concerts, he realized he wasn’t confident in his biblical knowledge. Soon, he enrolled in Bible school. Preaching followed, then pastoring. Eventually, he founded his own church, renting spaces and slowly expanding. Years later, he purchased a property he didn’t yet know how to use. He held onto it, even when plans to build a larger sanctuary seemed obvious.

“Something just said don’t sell that property,” he recalled. “I was in prayer, and the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘Don’t build a church.’”

Not long after, the pandemic reshaped congregations nationwide.

“Every church is online,” Walker said. “God, thank you. Because I would have built this church, 2,000-seater, and the church would have been on a decline.”

When New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio approached him about using the property for housing, his congregation immediately supported the pivot.

“They stood up and started clapping,” he said. “They were so excited. They were like, ‘Yes, let’s do something for the community. Let’s leave a legacy.’”

The first residents of HezHouse Apartments, Walker’s $80 million affordable housing development in East New York, Brooklyn, will move into the 236-unit building this month. A remarkable feat, considering Walker first entered the project with no real estate experience.

“I didn’t know anything about development. I didn’t know anything about the contracts,” he said. “It took us six years.”

The bishop assembled lawyers, advisors, and members from inside and outside his church to guide him through financing, city approvals, and negotiations. At one point, the city attempted to buy the land outright. Walker refused.

“You can build the building, but the land will always be ours,” he said. “So we still own the land. We leased the land for 99 years. That’s what legacy is all about. We leave it for those that’s behind us.”

The development also includes commercial space that hasn’t yet been designated, but Walker told Black Enterprise he is leaning toward creating an adult daycare for seniors whose families work during the day.

“We talk about community, but we don’t do community,” he said. “The church must evolve. We can no longer sit.”

And while he’s heard the jokes about megachurch pastors and performative theology, Walker argues the Black church remains one of the most underestimated economic forces in America.

“They definitely underestimate that,” he said. “They just look at what we get and what we obtain. And unfortunately, we have those who obtain for themselves, but we have others who obtain for the people.”

In his own church, he points to practical programs such as financial education, credit repair, and first-time homebuyer support.

“We have a clean-up-your-credit ministry,” Walker said. “We have first-time homebuyers. We show them how to do that. We give them the principles of wealth.”

Even as Walker leans deeper into housing and community development, music remains central to his ministry. A new single, “Favor,” will be released this month.

“I’ve been so busy with the housing until I happened to have the time to concentrate on the music, but I like to listen and see what our culture needs, and that’s when I start looking for songs,” Walker shared. “There was a young man who introduced the song to me, I listened to the lyrics, I added some stuff to it, and it’s a testament that’s on my life and on many lives.”

“Favor will open doors that were closed in your face,” he continued. “We would not be who we are if we did not have favor. Even in the midst of what our people went through, favor was on our people. And we’re here because of that favor.”

That favor has led Walker to extend his ambitions internationally. After visiting South Africa more than 15 years ago, he says the trip transformed him.

“It changed my entire life,” he said. “When I got there, I felt like this is where I belong. I felt like, ‘I’m home.’”

He is now developing a performing arts center in Cape Town to provide young people with access to music and performance training.

“There are so many talented kids over there, but they just don’t have the resources,” he said. “I want a place where they can learn music, learn dance, and showcase their talent.”

Back stateside, HezHouse Brooklyn is only the beginning. Walker is already planning housing projects in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

“The Lord pulled the brakes and told me to build housing,” he said.

For Walker, the mission is clear. The church, he believes, cannot only inspire. It must also build.

“Everybody’s not walking in the church,” he said. “We bring the church to the people.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 9, 2026

Rihanna Safe Following Gunfire Attack at Her Beverly Hills Residence; Police Apprehend Suspect

The suspect, a woman in her 30s, has been detained after firing 7 shots toward the home.

Rihanna is reportedly safe after a woman was arrested for firing multiple shots into the star’s Beverly Hills home.

The shooting occurred in the early afternoon of March 8, with the alleged shooter pulling the trigger several times toward the property. Los Angeles Police confirmed to CNN that the shots hit the gates of the home, but not the actual property itself.

However, others were reportedly inside the property at the time of the shooting, including its famous owner. Rolling Stone reported that Rihanna and as other undisclosed people were at the home when the shots broke out. Fortunately for the “Diamonds” singer, no one suffered any reported injuries.

Los Angeles police also found multiple “assault rifle casings” at the scene, as told to CBS LA. The suspect reportedly fired the seven gunshots before speeding off in a white Tesla. Police later located her car at the Sherman Oaks Galleria shopping center, about eight miles from the home.

Police found the woman, who appeared to be in her 30s, before swiftly taking her into custody. No motive for the shooting has been released to the public.

The local news outlet also obtained aerial footage of the property, which showed the gunshot holes in the gate. The footage also showed police vehicles blocking off the area as they investigated the scene.

While it is unclear if Rihanna lives at the home full-time, local officials confirmed her ownership of the Beverly Hills residence. The singer has yet to comment on the ordeal.

The incident comes nearly 6 months after Rihanna gave birth to her third child. Last September, she announced the birth of her first girl, named Rocki Irish Mayers, with partner A$AP Rocky. She has two boys with Rocky as well.

Since giving birth, the Barbados native has also hinted at returning to the studio for her long-awaited 9th studio album. She transitioned away from music in recent years to pursue other aspects of her professional and personal life, including the launch of her flagship company, Fenty Beauty, and motherhood.

WNBA, 2024 Season, Basketball, DICK BARNETT, BIG3

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 9, 2026

Morehouse College Wins First SIAC Basketball Championship In Over 20 Years

Morehouse College defeated Tuskegee University 66/56, ending a 23-year championship drought

After not hoisting a basketball title for over 20 years, Morehouse College defeated Tuskegee University to grab the 2026 SIAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship title with a 66-56 victory.

The Maroon Tigers beat the Golden Tigers March 7 at the Clayton County Convocation Center, bringing home the SIAC title for the first time since 2003. The No. 1 seed won the school’s seventh SIAC Tournament Championship, improving its overall record to 22-9. With the victory, head coach Larry Dixon set a school record by becoming the first coach to win 22 games in his inaugural season.

Morehouse will advance to its first NCAA Division II Tournament since 2018.

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A post shared by Morehouse Basketball (@morehousebasketball)

With the school’s stellar play throughout the postseason, three of its players, Josiah Lawson (who also won Tournament MVP), Since Moore, and JerMontae Hill, earned spots on the SIAC All-Tournament Team. Another milestone was that Morehouse’s athletic director, Harold Ellis, became the first Morehouse Man to win both a regular-season and a tournament championship in the same season, as both a player and as athletic director.

After winning the championship, Morehouse was selected as the No. 8 seed for the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball South Regional in the field of 64 teams. They are facing the No. 1 seed Nova Southeastern, which received the Sunshine State Conference’s automatic bid and enters the regional as the country’s top-ranked team.

The two teams will meet this weekend (game time has yet to be announced) at Rick Case Arena on the campus of Nova Southeastern in Davie, Florida. The 2026 NCAA Division II Tournament starts with first- and second-round games on March 14–15, with the regional finals taking place on March 17. The last eight teams in the tournament, the Elite Eight, will then play their games from March 25–27. The national championship is scheduled for April 5.

For further information on the Maroon Tigers, fans and followers can check them out online at www.morehouseathletics.com or on Instagram @morehousebasketball.

by Janee Bolden

March 9, 2026

‘Pop The Balloon’ Creators Bring Their Matchmaking Formula To A Dating App

The move into tech was a natural progression in response to the audience

In February, Bolia “BM” Matundu and Arlette Amuli, the couple behind the viral dating game show Pop the Balloon or Find Love, hosted a gala outside of Phoenix to celebrate the latest evolution of their matchmaking experiment: a dating app called Luv or Pop.

The couple say the move into tech was a natural progression in response to their audience.

“We got so many DMs, emails, and comments from people, like, ‘I’m too shy to come on the show. Can you please do something for those of us who don’t want to be out there publicly?’” Amuli said. “The dating app is the perfect way.”

“That’s where it is right now — everything is tech,” Matundutold BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Everybody uses the phone and we just wanted to interact with our fans more.”

The app mirrors the show’s defining mechanic: the red balloon signaling interest or rejection.

“You can actually collect balloons and pop on the app,” Matundu explained. “It kind of gives you the experience without having to come on the show.”

Amuli says Luv or Pop is also designed to address the fatigue many singles feel on traditional dating platforms.

“The way we’re trying to cut down on it being another swipe, swipe, swipe kind of app is with preference-based searching,” Amuli shares. “You put in your preferences, if you want kids or if you want someone that’s six feet. People who come up on your feed would be someone that’s your type based on what you put in, so it limits the whole swiping aspect.”

“People that apply on our show very intentional,” Matunduadded. “They’re looking for real love. You have to verify your identity, so it’s real people on the app and no fake bots …verifying is very important for success.”

While many viral clips from Pop the Balloon circulate because contestants fail to find matches, Amuli and Matundu say the show’s real impact changed how they saw their work.

“When people started finding real love and we had couples getting engaged and married, that’s what really blew up for us,” Matundu said.

“For me, it was during our first proposal we had with Mike and Khe,” Amuli added, referring to the engagement of contestants Mike Braswell and Nicole “Khe” Okeke in 2024. “That’s when I was like, ‘Oh my God, wait! People are really coming on with the intention to find a match and actually get married.’ That’s when like the light bulb went off.”

The series has also turned Amuli into an unlikely relationship referee. Her reactions, questions, and occasional offer to return a popped balloon have become part of the show’s appeal.

“She’s great on camera,” Matundu said. “She knows what to say. She keeps the conversations going and calms people’s nerves.”

“I think it’s just being personable,” Amuli said. “I like to make people feel welcome.”

Amuli credits her husband’s production eye for the show’s consistency.

“He’s a perfectionist,” Amuli said. “When you look at the set—the shots, the lighting—that’s all him. That’s what I think really keeps the people tuned in, the production is so crisp and clean.”

The couple expanded the concept in 2025 when Netflix launched a live adaptation of Pop the Balloon, with Amuli and Matundu serving as executive producers and comedienne Yvonne Orji hosting. The transition underscored both the show’s reach and the challenge of scaling a format built on intimacy.

Now they face a similar test with Luv or Pop: translating a community built around watching strangers date into one that’s actively participating.

“The hardest part is getting people to trust in what you’re building,” Matundu said. “There’s going to be bugs. There are issues you have to fix. The hardest part is keeping people there. We’re going to make it work.”

“It’s getting people to see what’s different about this app” Amulia dded. “You have to come on and experience it for yourself before you decide if it’s for you.”

At the Luv or Pop gala, supporters greeted the couple enthusiastically, cheering their arrival and posing for photos — a reminder that the show has grown beyond online entertainment into a shared social experience.

Luv or Pop app is currently in beta testing. Whether the formula that produced engagements and marriages on YouTube will translate to a dating platform remains to be seen. But Amuli and Matundu say their goal isn’t simply downloads. They want participation. And, ideally, more real-world matches.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 9, 2026

Logan Paul, Le’Veon Bell Finally Agree To Terms For Upcoming $1M Boxing Match

The influencer and the former NFL running back expect to meet in the ring this March.

Logan Paul and Le’Veon Bell have finally agreed to terms for their highly anticipated boxing match.

The influencer and the former NFL running back expect to meet in the ring this March. An exact date has not been announced. The match has seemingly become official, with Bleacher Report confirming their stipulations for the proposed fight.

🚨 Logan Paul and Le'Veon Bell have agreed to terms on a boxing match – 10 oz gloves, no headgear, 3 min rounds "until someone quits"

Who you got? 🤔🔥 pic.twitter.com/Qh7d2g5n0J
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 6, 2026

Announced on March 6, the two expect to come out swinging the following weekend. However, they will have to conduct the fight with 10-oz gloves and no headgear. They will engage in 3-minute rounds “until someone quits” or a knockout occurs.

Paul also posted to X about their agreed terms, mocking Bell with a poll on when the 34-year-old retired footballer will throw in the towel.

Le’Veon Bell claims he’s down to fight me for $1M NEXT WEEKEND!! 10oz gloves, no headgear, 3 minute rounds until someone says “I quit!” or gets KO’d 🤪

I’m 99.9% sure I know how this will go but what do y’all think.

When does Le’Veon quit?
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) March 6, 2026

The fight came to fruition after Paul, known for his controversial and outlandish antics, opened a bet for $1 million to any NFL player who beats him in a match. Despite calling out football greats like Tom Brady and Myles Garrett to fight, one retiree answered the call.

ima football player, that would beat the dog sh*t outta Logan .. https://t.co/iF12FzaM2Z
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) March 4, 2026

“[i’m] a football player, that would beat the dog sh*t outta Logan,” expressed Bell.

Paul initially refuted Bell’s acceptance on several technicalities, noting that he’s not as big a name and has actually transitioned into boxing. Bell retired from the NFL in 2022 to pursue a career in the sport.

Despite this, the two continued to throw jabs virtually on X, leading to a new proposition and spotlight on the potential fight.

“STOP DUCKING [Logan Paul].. bro tryna fight an NFL player that’s never fought before .. let’s set it up bro, we all heard you say you can beat any NFL player .. we can fight in April, the NFL draft is in PITTSBURGH .. we can fight NFL draft weekend!” Let’ss make it happen,” said Bell in another post.

Paul’s initial hesitation dissipated, with the two now making the boxing match happen. However, both men may have to put up their funds before their gloves go on, with the $1 million bet having to sit in escrow.

However, details on exactly where and when the fight will take place remain unknown, as boxing fans expect to see more information posted to social media soon.

Iran, war, oil prices, LGN facility, Israel

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 8, 2026

Gas Prices Soar Nationwide As Iran War Disrupts Global Oil Supply

U.S. gas prices have risen to to a national average of $3.45 a gallon.

If you have noticed hikes at the gas pumps, currently geopolitical conflict is to blame.

Gas prices have seen a significant jump in the past week, jumping to a national average of $3.45 as of March 8, according to AAA. The increase stems from the recent eruption of conflict in the Middle East, particularly between Iran and Israel.

With travel and trade disrupted across the critical region, oil supply shortages have also skyrocketed crude oil prices to $90 a barrel. However, the news should not shock many, as geopolitical conflict can often disrupt the price.

“The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022 during the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict,” according to AAA.

While crude oil barrels remain on the rise, so do the tensions between Iran and Israel, with its tied ally, the U.S. Due to this, trade has also been strained, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.

Located off the coast of Iran, the major shipping route will be closed off to all ships belonging to the U.S. and Israel. A spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed the new restrictions to the The Wall Street Journal.

“We did not close the Strait of Hormuz and will not, but we will target ships belonging to the U.S. regime and the Zionist entity transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” shared the spokesman.

As for President Donald Trump, he remains unconcerned about gas affordability for Americans. He emphasized his belief that price will go down.

“I don’t have any concern about it,” he told Reuters. “They’ll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise, but this is far more important than having gasoline prices go up a little bit.”

However, federal officials have launched a plan to resolve the gas price hike before affordability becomes an issue. Alongside a 30-day waiver on sanctions toward the sale of Russian oil to India, the president also intends to use Navy personnel to escort cargo ships through the Persian Gulf as necessary.

“President Trump and his entire energy team have had a strong game plan to keep the energy market stable well before Operation Epic Fury began, and they will continue to review all credible options and execute on them when appropriate,” White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers told Time.

With no ceasefire on the horizon, Americans should expect to pay more at the gas pump for the foreseeable future.

RELATED CONTENT: U.S. And Israel Launch Major Strikes On Iran

College, Whiz Kid, First Course, San Bernardino Valley College

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 8, 2026

Only 10 And Already In College: Whiz Kid Wraps First Course At San Bernardino Valley College

Honey Cooper is not your ordinary 10-year-old.

A 10-year-old gifted student is finishing her first art class at a local college in California.

Honey Cooper showed her above-average intellect at a young age. Although technically a fourth-grader, Honey has proven her collegiate prowess as she finishes a design class at San Bernardino Valley College.

In Art 120, the two-dimensional design course is usually meant for co-eds wanting to establish careers in art. While it could be considered a daunting class for the tween, her mother told the Los Angeles Times that Honey is more than up for the challenge.

“Even though they might be young, they still always need to be challenged. And this is a new way for them to be challenged,” said Mia Cooper.

However, Honey has more talents under her child-size belt. The GATE-identified student, a term used for academically gifted children in California’s school system, reads at a high-school level. She also loves other art disciplines, such as performing.

School officials began to notice Honey’s higher calling as her mother, a parliamentarian for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, often brought her to district meetings. An assistant superintendent in the district began to witness Honey’s intellectual capacity. From there, she and Honey’s mother began the process to get the 10-year-old to college.

Her participation in the class is a rare feat in itself. Honey was only able to attend by a special admit enrollment authorized under California law. With the regulation, Honey is allowed to attend the college-level course.

“Any student, regardless of age, can petition for admission as a special admit with parental permission and demonstrated academic readiness,” said Paul Bratulin, director of marketing and public relations at San Bernardino Valley College. “It is rare, but it does happen.

Despite her youth, her professor had no intentions of watering down the course material. However, Honey has become a welcome student in the class. As the course closes out, she is preparing to submit her final portfolio and end the monumental semester.

“I really like the college course,” said Honey. “We’re learning that lines can be anything and working on this with a family portrait collage project.”

However, her journey also represents the possibilities for students like her. T

“San Bernardino Valley College was founded 100 years ago on a simple but powerful belief: that higher education should be accessible to anyone who is ready to learn, regardless of background, age, or circumstance,” added San Bernardino Valley College President Gilbert Contreras. “Honey Cooper’s story is an inspiration to us all, and we are honored to play a role in her educational journey.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 8, 2026

Barber-Scotia College Wants 144,000 Women To Donate $1.44 To Help HBCU Stay Open

The North Carolina institution was one of the first to serve Black women scholars.

Barber-Scotia College, an HBCU in Concord, North Carolina, is calling on thousands of women to donate a small amount toward its future.

According to HBCU Gameday, the school has launched a grassroots campaign with the 144K Collective to hold its doors open amid financial woes. Barber-Scotia is calling upon 144,000 women to gift $1.44 toward the HBCU to keep it afloat.

Founded in 1867, Barber-Scotia initially aimed to educate Black women scholars. As it now tries to maintain operations, it has called upon the very demographic they once served to help them carry on.

Its legacy as a Black women-serving institution is another reason why advocates are fighting for its preservation. Its establishment came at a time when academic opportunities for women, especially Black women, had limits.

The initiative, launched during Women’s History Month, capitalizes on the occasion to celebrate women’s empowerment and achievement. This small donation allows women to take part in a ground-breaking effort to sustain one of the nation’s storied institutions.

“There’s no better time to be a woman and to make an impact,” explained Kirbie Speights, secretary of the 144K Collective, to WCNC.

The school has emphasized a need for more than payout. It has called on its overarching community to volunteer to fix some on-campus structures as well. For those willing to dedicate more of their skills and time, the HBCU has ample opportunity to give back.

“If you want to take over handling the maintenance of the grass or the campus, I would receive that,” said Barber-Scotia President Chris V. Rey. “If you have access to individuals that can fix the roof—I need it all here in Barber-Scotia right now.”

The school also has plans to regain its accreditation, lost in 2004. With their decades-long mission to restore Barber-Scotia to its original vision, the North Carolina HBCU hopes this latest effort will breathe new life on its campus.

“We’ll submit an application to them,” Rey added about regaining accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). “They will send reviewers to the campus to make sure that we are an actual campus…and they will look at our finances to make sure that we are fiscally sound to operate as a college.”

For women looking to support this lofty cause, HBCU supporters can head over to the donation website to make their contribution.