100 Black Men of Metro St. Louis Host ‘Dollars and $ense’ Competition To Teach Youth Financial Skills
The competition showcases its youth participants' financial knowledge.
The 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis hosted a new contest for young people to display their financial prowess.
The “Dollars and $ense” Financial Literacy Competition took place on April 5. It inspired the youth to save and invest their cash and encouraged participants to incorporate these wealth-building skills into their everyday lives.
The young participants helped develop a plan for prospective clients. They created strategies to boost savings while fixing spending issues and managing credit.
“[Financial literacy] is not really talked about in school,” said Carter Higgins, a 7th grader, to First Alert 4.
The contest also wants young people to get an early start on money management. Especially in periods of economic uncertainty, these skills can help navigate times of financial stress.
“Money is kind of limited for most people, inflation is going around,” said Jeremiah Hathorn, president of the 100 Black Men of St. Louis. “But how do you manage that? You manage that with a budget. You manage that with cash flows. That’s what we teach our mentees today.”
“Dollars and $ense” is a national program for the 100 Black Men of America organization. Across chapters nationwide, youth participants can join programs that introduce these personal finance skills. In partnership with State Farm Insurance, the national competition aims to eradicate financial illiteracy among youth of color.
In St. Louis, the program also runs from January to June for high schoolers. Not only does the program teach fiscally responsible principles and values, but encourages attendees to pursue higher education and apply for college.
“The program is designed to introduce students to topics that are challenging, yet reachable,” described the chapter’s website. “Committed students will be rewarded for their effort, become knowledgeable in personal finance and investments, and develop a desire to pursue these topics in a higher educational environment.”
Students can also receive scholarships based on their quizzes, competition scores, and attendance in the free course. The program promotes an integral pillar of the 100 Black Men of America, economic empowerment for the community.
The top three local finishers in St. Louis will head to the national competition in New Orleans while representing their city.
Unrivaled 3-On-3 Women’s Basketball League ‘Almost Broke Even’ In Debut Season
The league brought in over $27 million in revenue in its first year in business
Nearly two years ago, WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart announced a new 3-on-3 basketball league that would be “Unrivaled.” After its first season, the league said it ‘almost broke even’ in its inaugural debut.
Unrivaled commissioner Micky Lawler admitted that the league did not do too badly this year, bringing in over $27 million in revenue in its first year in business. She informed the media outlet that the new league almost broke even and that more could be done to make the league successful. She anticipates that Unrivaled could start seeing a profit in its second year.
“We almost broke even in the first year,” Lawler said. “We know there’s more that we can do.”
With a deal with TNT and several major sponsors supporting the league, Unrivaled was able to snare some prominent WNBA players to participate in the new venture. The average salary for the 36 women who played this past season was $200,000. Statisticareported that the average salary in the WNBA, which also plays a longer season than Unrivaled, is around $120,000. The first season saw the league average 221,000 viewers during the regular season and the playoffs, with the championship game bringing in 364,000.
League president Alex Bazzell said that, after Unrivaled’s first year’s success, there are plans to generate more revenue for the upcoming season.
“We ended up doing, I believe, $1.4 or $1.5 million in merchandise sales this year,” Bazzell said. “How do we double or triple that right away just by being more efficient? Ticket revenue, we know we’re going to add seats to our venue. We want to remove the back panel area where players walk in that you’re going to see on TV, create more seating which increases our revenue from that standpoint.”
The league played its games at one arena but plans to take them to additional venues. It has not been determined where, but they anticipate playing in two cities outside its Miami base.
“This is sustainable,” Lawler said. “There’s definitely an appetite and great support for it.”
Karmelo Anthony’s Lawyer Wants $1M Bond Lowered Arguing Self-Defense In Austin Metcalf Murder Case
Police claim Anthony confessed, saying, 'I’m not alleged, I did it'
The lawyer for Karmelo Anthony, the Black teenager accused of fatally stabbing white Texas high school track star Austin Metcalf, wants his client’s $1 million bond to be lowered, arguing it could be a case of self-defense, the New York Post reports.
“I know that my client said it was self-defense,” Deric Walpole said. “I don’t have any reason to disbelieve that, but I need to develop facts, talk to people, and figure out what’s going on before I make any statements about what I think happened. I don’t have any reason to think it wasn’t self-defense at this time.”
Without making bond, Anthony has been in Collin County Jail since the fatal stabbing took place on April 2.
Metcalf, a junior at Memorial High School, allegedly asked Anthony, a student from Centennial High School, to leave Memorial’s pop-up tent during a rain delay. After Anthony refused, a witness claimed he unzipped a bag and told Metcalf, “Touch me and see what happens.”
Shortly after, Metcalf “grabbed Anthony to tell him to move and Anthony pulled out … a black knife and stabbed Austin once in the chest,” according to police. Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, rushed to the scene to try to save his brother.
Austin Metcalf died in his brother’s arms.
According to NBC DFW, Anthony fled the scene but was caught by police. When he was apprehended, the high school student allegedly confessed, telling one officer, “he put his hands on me, I told him not to.” He also asked if the victim was going to be OK.
Metcalf was remembered for being a stand-out athlete who had potential football college scholarships.
“My son and I are profoundly thankful for the overwhelming support, prayers, and love we have received,” Hunter Metcalf and his mother, Meghan, said in a statement. “Tragedies inevitably raise questions that remain unanswered. We will entrust the detectives handling the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Austin’s passing while our family, Hunter, and I prioritize commemorating and honoring Austin.
Anthony’s father, Andrew, is defending his son.
“He was not the aggressor,” he said. “He was not the one who started it. Everyone has already made their assumptions about my son, but he’s not what they’re making him out to be.”
Honey Beez Heartbreak: Boyfriend Charged With Capital Murder In Slaying Of Alabama State University Dancer
Gennia Grimes’ death has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with the hashtag #JusticeForGenniaGrimes circulating on social media.
Rogers McCloud Jr., 20, has been charged with capital murder in the death of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Gennia Grimes, a member of the Alabama State University Honey Beez dance team and senior at the HBCU.
The warrant was issued April 4. McCloud was arrested the same day and is being held without bond in the Montgomery County Detention Facility.
The investigation into Grimes’ death began March 27, when Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a shooting on Highway 80 East in the Waugh community of Pike Road.
Grimes, a Georgia native, was found at the scene. Paramedics attempted to perform lifesaving measures on the young mother before she was airlifted to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched an investigation.
According to Sheriff Derrick Cunningham, McCloud, who was in the vehicle with Grimes at the time of the shooting, provided conflicting reports of what occurred.
“The evidence just wasn’t linking up the way he described it,” Cunningham said.
“This case involves domestic violence where a young innocent woman was murdered at the hands of her boyfriend,” Richerson said. “To protect the integrity of the case, we have not publicly discussed the details of this investigation. However, please do not confuse our silence with inaction. We have been meticulously working to gather evidence and to determine the facts surrounding Gennia’s death.”
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation are assisting the sheriff’s office in the investigation.
Grimes, a junior criminal justice major at ASU, was set to graduate in August 2025. A GoFundMe page established to assist her family described her as a “dedicated mother and a bright student at Alabama State University” who wanted to be a lawyer. The page also highlighted her talent as a dancer and her “passion for making a difference.”
“She was the youngest in her family—their miracle baby—so full of kindness and grace,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Now, instead of celebrating her future, we are preparing to lay her to rest.”
The fundraiser is collecting funds to cover funeral expenses and to support efforts to bring Grimes’ 9-month-old child to say goodbye to his mother. Sources told Fox 5 Atlanta that McCloud was the father of the child.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all touched by her kindness and spirit,” Alabama Sate University said in a statement posted on Instagram. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones during this difficult time.”
Alabama State University drum majors also posted a touching tribute to Grimes on its Instagram account, highlighting the 21-year-old Honey Beez’s jaw-dropping performances and swag.
“The Mighty Marching Hornets would like to take this moment to honor the life of our beloved Gennia Grimes. Gennia was not just a Honeybee; she was so much more. She was a sister, a friend, a daughter, a cousin, a mother, and truly a gift from above. We extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time. Gennia will always be remembered for her love, compassion, kindness, and excellence. Rest in Power
The case has brought renewed attention to the issue of domestic violence on college campuses, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
A 2021 study on intimate partner violence (IPV) at an HBCU revealed that a significant percentage of students reported experiencing IPV victimization and perpetration. Yet, few sought help from formal or informal support systems. The study emphasized the need for culturally tailored IPV prevention programs and increased access to mental health services for Black/African American survivors on HBCU campuses. (Smith et al., “Intimate Partner Violence and Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Students at a Historically Black College and University,” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2023).
Alabama State University has a Violence Against Women Program (VAWP), also known as M.O.V.E., which aims to provide resources and services to students affected by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The program offers mandatory education for incoming students, campus-wide awareness events, and a 24-hour crisis line. The VAWP also collaborates with the ASU Police Department and the university’s judicial affairs staff to provide training and support.
VAWP’s mission is to “coordinate comprehensive services and resources for the University that help to reduce offenses in the areas of sexual assault, domestic violence and dating violence and stalking.”
The program fosters a “zero-tolerance” campus environment. It provides “assistance, aid, and comfort to victims while collaborating with all legal and law enforcement entities that will work to bring criminal sanctions/charges against the perpetrators.”
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) also provides grant programs to support institutions of higher education in addressing violence—whether it’s from dating sexual assault and/or stalking. The Campus Program, for example, encourages institutions to develop and strengthen security, investigation, and prevention strategies.
The program also supports a special initiative to enhance culturally specific campus approaches at HBCUs, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). (U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, “Campus Program,” 2024).
Grimes’ death has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with the hashtag #JusticeForGenniaGrimes circulating on social media. Her family and friends are determined to ensure that the young mother’s death was not in vain. The investigation remains ongoing.
Master P Signs HBCU Player Of The Year From Transfer Portal
Gibson is a two-time HBCU Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year
Master P used to sign rappers to his No Limit Records roster; now he has just signed HBCU basketball player of the year Jamal Gibson to the University of New Orleans basketball team.
According to HBCU Gameday, in less than three months as the President of Basketball Operations for the University of New Orleans, the No Limit owner has signed Gibson to play for the school for the upcoming season. Gibson recently entered the transfer portal and is a two-time HBCU Athletic Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year.
Gibson is joining a program that posted a 4-27 record this past season.
After playing this past season with Southern University in New Orleans, Gibson is joining the Privateers. Although he is 26 years old, he was a freshman who recently took up the sport of basketball (in an organized basketball league) and made an immediate impact. Gibson averaged 21 points and 15.8 rebounds per game while leading the nation in total rebounds (453). He set single-season records in points scored (579), rebounds (453), and double-doubles (27).
Athlon Sports reported that Gibson averaged 22.4 points, 15.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game last season while recording 43 double-doubles during his college career.
Although Master P is known for his storied music career as a No Limit soldier and entrepreneur, his basketball history is well-documented.
He played his collegiate career for the basketball teams at both the University of Houston and Merritt College in Oakland, California. However, even as he started his label, No Limit Records, he had playing stints in the CBA (Continental Basketball Association), which predated the current NBA G League as a developmental league for NBA teams (The CBA folded in 2009).
The entrepreneur played for the Fort Wayne Fury, the San Diego Stingrays, and the Las Vegas Rattlers in the CBA. Although he never made it to the regular season in the NBA, he was on the rosters of the Charlotte Hornets and the Toronto Raptors during preseason. He also participated in the NBA Summer League, playing with the Dallas Mavericks, the Denver Nuggets, and the Sacramento Kings.
Au Naturel Only: Ivory Coast Pageant Shocks Contestants With Wig & Weave Ban
Pageant organizers hope the changes will allow more women to participate.
The Miss Ivory Coast Pageant has released a shocking new rule for contestants’ appearance.
The pageant for the West African country has announced a ban on all wig and weave extensions. Instead, it wants participants to showcase the beauty of their natural hair.
The Ivorian competition will forbid those vying for the crown from wearing fake hair or hair extensions in its preliminary stages. These qualifying events will take place in 13 cities and two international slots.
While the rules limit the hairstyles, contestants can still wear their real hair in any fashion they choose. However, the pageants want to distance themselves from promoting cosmetic surgery and skin lightening.
“We want the candidates to be natural – whether with braids or straightened hair, it should be their own. Beauty must be raw,” Victor Yapobi, president of the Miss Ivory Coast organizing committee, told the BBC.
The organizers hope to encourage contestants to embrace their natural beauty. They also decided to eliminate certain costly barriers that prevent many from competing.
While the new rule allows women to spend less on their hairstyles, other changes to the entrance fee and age requirements allow more to try out. Now, women at the age of 28 can enter, and for $30 less than prior years, with the lowered cost now at $50.
Yapobi added, “This change in criteria is because we observed these young women were putting up a lot of money to participate, and it was becoming a bit of a budget drain.”
While some have praised the changes, others have condemned the “attack” on popular fake hair styles like wigs. Deemed “protective styles,” these looks offer women more creativity with their hair expression, while not damaging their real tresses.
On the other hand, the new rules require some contestants to reflect on what makes them feel beautiful to others.
“I would see other girls with long, artificial hair, and they looked so beautiful,” 21-year-old Emmanuella Dali, a 21-year-old real estate agent, said to the publication. “This rule gives me more pride as a woman – as an African woman.”
Wigs are a popular hair form in West Africa and across the Black diaspora. However, the stark change in the pageant reflects a trend toward natural beauty and hair. Wigs are also a pricey investment in women’s appearance, with human-hair units costing hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Some hairdressers are concerned that the pageant’s new declaration will decrease sales and their own profits. However, in a culture where one’s natural hair is still considered inappropriate in some professional settings, the ruling seeks to change the narrative.
Despite this, some naysayers say women should define their own beauty and not have pageants determine these standards. For those who see both sides of the issue, acceptance of women regardless of their natural or altered hairstyling remains the priority.
Thus far, the ban only applies to the preliminary rounds. Yapobi has not disclosed if the 15 contestants who will compete on the main stage will have to adhere to the controversial guideline. The official pageant will take place at the end of June in Abidjan.
Flourish Art Accelerator: 2 HBCU Alums Elevate Creatives Of Color
Hampton University graduates provide creatives of color with resources that don’t always trickle down equitably
Oscar and Tammi Bedolla, a husband-and-wife duo, are elevating artists and curators of color in Chicago through their nonprofit Flourish Art Accelerator. Inspired by tech sector accelerators, the Hampton University graduates provide creatives of color with resources that don’t always trickle down equitably, such as financial support, professional services, and mentorship.
Oscar’s mission is personal. His mother, Myrtis Bedolla, founded Galerie Myrtis, one of the country’s few African American-owned art galleries.
“I grew up hanging artwork like Amy Sherald,” Bedolla told BLACK ENTERPRISE. First Lady Michelle Obama commissioned Sherald to paint her official portrait for the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
“Having a mother who was an entrepreneur in the space, I witnessed how she helped artists grow. I wanted to take my professional background in tech and the accelerator model and apply it to the art world to support people like my mother.”
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How Flourish Art Accelerator Strengthens Chicago’s Creative Economy
Chicago is a canvas for creatives who find innovative ways to share art. The city also attracts millions of visitors yearly to its art fairs, museums, galleries, and public art displays.
However, Oscar and Tammi often struggled to find art that resonated with them. When they would come across these pieces, many of these artists were tucked away in the fairs and not given the spotlight they deserved. They wanted to change that and talked to museums about accelerating the growth of underrepresented artists. The Bedollas secured partnerships with local fine art museums, the business community, and art fairs, such as EXPO Chicago.
Flourish brings these artists and their work to the forefront. Creatives apply and are then selected for the accelerator. They have access to advisors, funding, and a network of art professionals to grow their entrepreneurial practice.
“Our idea is to eventually build a stronger pipeline to fine art galleries and museums,” says Bedolla.
Flourish Art Accelerator 2025 Fellows
Flourish’s 2025 Fellows include one curator and three visual artists. Accelerator leaders chose each artist from a competitive pool of 40 Chicago-based creatives for their visionary projects that deepen community awareness, reimagine the collective future, and honor cultural icons shaping the next generation.
Flourish will award fellows a $20,000 grant and honor them at a special reception on April 25th at the Museum of Contemporary Art during a featured event of EXPO Chicago.
“Creatives fuel our city’s economy, preserve traditions, challenge perspectives, and shape the leaders of tomorrow,” Bedolla said. “We find ourselves in a defining moment to invest in the visionary imagination of artists—to ensure their trailblazing ideas take shape and their voices are heard. We congratulate each of these extraordinary individuals.”
As for what’s next, Bedolla says his team is not deterred by the ongoing efforts to scrutinize diversity, inclusion and equity efforts.
“We understand that there’s a pipeline of artists that need us, and we’re going to push through,” he said.
New Farmer’s Market Opens Up In Metro Atlanta To Address Food Insecurity For Residents
The market has 40 to 60 vendors that will sell artisan foods and handmade crafts, as well as lifestyle products.
Mableton, Georgia, has a new farmer’s market where Metro Atlanta residents can access healthy, local foods.
For many, the area could be considered a food desert, as the nearest grocery store is in another county. To address this need for accessible and nutritious food options, the city’s leadership sought to develop the market.
“We have families that want and need to have healthier options, and it’s a challenge. Bringing a farmer’s market here to Mableton is paramount; it is going to offer fresh food options for families,” said Mableton Mayor Michael Owens to WSB-TV.
Owens added, “If you go simply by the lack of having a grocery store, it is approximately a little less than half of our city. As vibrant as Mableton is with lots of different shopping options, we do have a part of the city that is a food desert.”
Dr. Christopher Boyd, general manager at the Riverside Epicenter, and his team brought the idea to fruition. Noticing the area’s food insecurity and limited produce options, lessening this gap became crucial for the community’s upliftment.
In partnership with Event Helperz, the EPIC Farmer’s Market will now be held at the EpiCenter. Deemed Georgia’s largest farmers’ market, it has already seen immense success in its first day of operations.
“We sold out of all of our produce in one day,” explained Dr. Boyd. “We saw somewhere between 700 to 1,200 people here.”
The farmer’s market features 40 to 60 vendors at different stalls. It also offers more than a typical grocery store. Vendors will sell artisan foods, handmade crafts, as well as lifestyle products. Located near Six Flags Over Georgia, families can get there by public transportation alongside ample parking space.
Mableton is home to a diverse community, with approximately 44.3% of residents identifying as Black, according to U.S. Census data. With this in mind, bringing a farmer’s market to this area will help Georgians of color have wider food options for the foreseeable future. Boyd also noted that one farmer was able to receive EBT payments for their goods, making it even more accessible for low-income customers.
“We’re able to attract because of the need a lot of farmers who want to exhibit their goods,” Boyd said. “Bell peppers and the watermelons and the corn, also smoothies and other things like that. We’re excited that we’re able to bring that right to this community. We’re excited about becoming the largest in Georgia.”
The market will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, with more information available on its website.
Kid Cudi’s Personal Items Bring In $850K On Pharrell’s Online Auction
People snatched up items to the tune of $857,439
In March, Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter website held an online auction to give people a chance to purchase items from Kid Cudi’s personal collection, and according to HipHopDX, the auction brought in more than $850,000.
The auction, On Another Planet: The Collection of Kid Cudi, which was held for two weeks, started March 13 and ended March 25. There were 75 items chosen by Cudi to place on the auction site. The items purchased reportedly brought in $857,439, with a custom Jacob & Co 14-karat N.E.R.D. pendant bringing in $243,750, making it the highest-priced purchase at the auction.
Cudi told GQ why the auction took place after the auction site approached him previously about doing something with him.
“Joopiter has been wanting to do something with me for a while, so I recently reached out to the team and let them know I had some stuff I was willing to part with, things I’ve collected throughout my career.”
Other items that went for a large amount of money included a rare Ben Baller x Takashi Murakami x Kid Cudi chain, which went for $187,500, although the expected price was below the $200,000 guide price. A pair of Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 Low sneakers, which was designed by the late Virgil Abloh, was bought for $82,500.
There was also a Ben Baller chain that depicts the rapper in 18-karat gold, diamonds, sapphires, and rubies that was purchased for $43,750.
In a recent interview with Hube, the recording artist stated that he just worked on a project that will be released in the future that “did something” for him as an artist.
“When I first started making this album, I didn’t know if I would even be able to sing at the level I needed to in order for it to be executed in the right way. Working on these songs, collaborating with the writers and producers, and building songs from the ground up—it did something for me as an artist. I haven’t created like this in a long time. It’s been years. With my last few projects, I was getting beats from different people and building an album that way, but there is something about being in a room and creating something from scratch—from a simple hum—it’s so fulfilling.”
If We’re Asking Who ‘Taught’ Karmelo Anthony? We Must Also Ask—What Kind Of Parents Raised Austin Metcalf?
The white student died after confronting Karmelo Anthony, a Black student who felt threatened
By Stacey Patton
“I’m not trying to judge, but what kind of parents did this child have?”
That’s what Jeff Metcalf, the grieving father of Austin Metcalf, said as he forgave the Black teenager accused of killing his son.
Metcalf, a white high school student from Texas, was fatally stabbed during a confrontation with another student, 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony, who is Black. The incident occurred during a track meet in Frisco, where reports suggest the altercation began after Metcalf attempted to remove Anthony from an area under his school’s tent. Anthony is currently charged with first degree murder and being held on a $1 million bond.
In the aftermath, Metcalf’s father went on television and posed the question that has echoed across media and comment sections alike: “What was he taught? He brought a knife to a track meet and he murdered my son by stabbing him in the heart.”
It’s a familiar script. The suspicion, the blame, the scrutiny of the other child’s upbringing. The assumption that some kind of moral failing, parental neglect, or cultural deficiency must have led a Black boy to violence. Jeff Metcalf questioned Karmelo Anthony’s parents in the same breath that he asked God for peace.
But I wonder—what if we turned that question around: What kind of parents raised Austin Metcalf?
That’s the question, isn’t it?
Because whenever a Black youth is killed, the country performs its well-rehearsed ritual of digging into their home life, school performance, their behavior, their photos, their parents. America never mourns the loss of Black life without first dissecting us and leveling micro-inquisitions at Black families.
So, where did Austin Metcalf’s parents go wrong? What kind of household raises a boy like Austin Metcalf — a boy who, according to witnesses, used a racial slur during a confrontation with a Black peer?
What kind of parents raise a child who allegedly called another student the n-word? Reports circulating on social media suggest that Metcalf hurled that word at Anthony. If true, that wasn’t just a word, it was a weapon. A centuries-old threat. A verbal heirloom of white dominance, sharpened to remind Black children of their place in American society.
But when confronted with that possibility, Austin’s father went on TV and said, “This is not a race thing.This is not a political thing.”
And there it is, folks. The white American default: erase race the moment it becomes inconvenient. The moment whiteness stops being innocent and starts looking aggressive. The moment a slur forces the nation to reckon with the possibility that the boy they’re grieving may not have been just a victim, but an instigator.
What kind of white parents raised a boy who reportedly put his hands on another student and tried to police where he could sit at a school event? A boy who, along with his twin, posed proudly in multiple photos holding what appear to be AR-15s, dressed in camo, staring coldly and dead-eyed into the camera with the posture of kids who’ve already decided who the enemy is.
There are also social media posts circulating online of Metcalf flashing the middle finger and showing off weapons. But you won’t see those images in the mainstream media. There, Austin is presented in his Sunday best: smiling in a suit and tie, standing beside his father, or captured mid-stride as a wholesome student-athlete. Because when white boys die, their image is curated. Softened. Sanitized. But when Black boys die, their worst photos are resurrected and turned into character evidence. Their dignity is denied in life and even more viciously in death.
What kind of mother and father raise a child who feels entitled to dictate another student’s place under a tent at a school event? Who raised this boy to believe his whiteness came with the authority to police Black bodies, to engage in racial gatekeeping? Who taught him that his body, his voice, his dominance would not be questioned and that a Black boy who didn’t obey was a threat?
To be clear, there’s also a fake autopsy report circulating online claiming that Austin Metcalf had drugs in his system when he died. That report is false and spreading it is wrong. We don’t need to stoop to misinformation to make a point.
But the impulse behind it? That’s familiar. That’s straight from the American playbook — the same one used to justify the deaths of Black people for generations.
How many times have we been told that a Black victim had marijuana in their system, as if that makes a bullet or a chokehold more acceptable? They said George Floyd had fentanyl in his bloodstream and heart disease. They said Eric Garner was in poor health when he was choked to death in broad daylight by a New York City cop. They dug into Breonna Taylor’s past, looking for anything that could explain why she was shot in her own home.
When a Black person is killed, the question is never just “What happened?” — it’s “What did they do to deserve it?”
This fake autopsy isn’t just misinformation. It’s a mirror. A reflection of the very tactics used to dehumanize Black victimsand now, suddenly, being applied to a white boy. And it feels wrong, doesn’t it?
Good. Sit with that. Because Black folks have had to sit with the rage of losing our children and being blamed for decades.
What kind of parents raised Austin Metcalf? Did his parents talk to him about race? Or are they the type to say they don’t “see color,” while raising their twin sons to enforce the boundaries of whiteness anyway?
Are they the kind of white parents who share “Back the Blue” posts and said Kyle Rittenhouse was “just protecting himself” when he brought a weapon of war to a protest? Do they keep a Trump flag in the garage and rifles in the truck? What were those dinner table conversations like? Did they call it “just joking” when the n-word slipped out? Or was it said with the same venom Austin allegedly used?
Was Austin a “big kid?” Well, yes actually. He was a linebacker. Broad-shouldered. Hulking. A teenage boy built like the type of athlete people praise for being “tough” and “aggressive” on the field. But off the field, in a moment of confrontation with a smaller Black peer, that same body became a very different kind of threatening presence.
Should we talk about Austin’s size the way they talked about Trayvon Martin’s? At George Zimmerman’s trial, the defense famously dragged life-sized cutouts of the two into the courtroom just to make the unarmed teenager look larger, more threatening, to justify why a grown man with a gun felt scared. That courtroom moment wasn’t about truth. It was about performance. It was about making a Black boy look like a brute.
Should we describe him the way Officer Darren Wilson described Mike Brown Jr. — as a super demon, towering figure who made him fear for his life? Should we call Austin “menacing,” “threatening,” or “intimidating” because he was athletic, white, and raised in a culture that taught him he owns the space around him?
Should we call Austin Metcalf “no angel,” the way they did Mike Brown Jr.? Should we point to the photos of him flashing weapons and middle fingers, or the reports that he used a racial slur, as proof of a troubled character? Should we say he made choices and those choices had consequences? Or is that language only reserved for Black boys who die?
Oh, I already know the answer to those rhetorical questions. Folks will deflect and rediscover the concept of innocence and insist that Metcalf’s past actions are irrelevant to the incident.
What if Austin’s parents had taught him to mind his business? What if they had taught him not to put his hands on other people? What if they had taught him that he’s not the authority over who belongs in a space? What if they had taught him to walk away instead of escalate? What if they had taught him that using a racial slur isn’t just offensive — it’s violent? What if they had raised him to see Black boys as equals, not intruders? What if they had taught him that strength isn’t dominance, and that white masculinity isn’t about control?
So, I’ll ask again: What kind of parents raised Austin Metcalf?
How does it feel to have your parental grief met with suspicion? How does it feel to watch people dig through his social media for proof that he deserved what happened to him? To have his dead body turned into evidence against him? To see his death turned into a morality tale about what happens when white boys overstep? How does it feel to have your parenting dragged through the mud, your child’s smile turned sinister, their death twisted into a cautionary tale about someone else’s delusional fear?
Because this—THIS—is what Black families have lived through for generations. How does it feel to sit in the same rage Black parents have carried for centuries with no comfort, no grace, no benefit of the doubt? Sit with it. Because we’ve had to.
