Target’s Drop In Foot Traffic In Its 8th Straight Week As DEI Boycott Continues
The retailer continues to face blowback for its shocking stance to cut back on DEI measures.
Target continues to feel the negative impact of its DEI cutbacks as the retailer faces its eighth consecutive week of decreased foot traffic.
The traffic slump came almost immediately after Target announced its scaledown of DEI programming and initiatives. In light of the news, especially for a retailer that had championed minority-owned brands, many leaders in the Black community called for a boycott of the store.
The calls have seemingly worked. Target’s foot traffic has steadily decreased for the past two months. According to Fortune, data from Placer.ai confirmed that foot traffic fell by 5.7% in a Year-over-Year comparison for the week of March 17.
The losing streak appears to be more than a fluke. Target has suffered an average weekly decline of 6.2%.
Target was a primary name listed on Black clergymen’s 40-day boycott that coincided with Lent. Sparked by Georgia Pastor Jamal Bryant, the initiative surpassed its original goal of 100,000 people signing up to protest. The petition so far has earned more than 150,000 signatures.
The superstore believed its Easter-focused products would raise its numbers. So far that doesn’t seem to be the case. Easter is April 20. It also hopes to make a comeback with its sales-focused Circle Week, which ended March 29,.
Target has refused to comment on what many deem to be the obvious reason for its dwindling sales. Pro-DEI stores have actually seen a boost in foot traffic. Costco, whose shareholders voted against an anti-DEI measure, has seen itself gain visitors. During the week of March 17, foot traffic rose 5.2% in comparison to last year. In fact, Costco is seemingly on a roll, with 13 straight weeks of growing foot traffic.
Eatopia Eatery, D.C.‘s Lauded Ethiopian Restaurant, Eyes 2nd Location In Nearby Virginia
Eatopia Eatery is looking to Arlington to indulge a new crowd in the DMV area.
Eatopia Eatery, an Ethiopian hotspot praised as one of the best new restaurants in Washington, D.C., has begun searching for a second location outside the nation’s capital.
The family-owned-and-operated restaurant has already had a monumental first year. Upon its success, owner Surafel Gizachew set his sights on expanding his growing food empire within the DMV area.
Gizachew told ARLnow that he wants to open a second location in the Arlington area. The neighborhood sits across the Potomac river, providing a different scene than his U Street locale. Gizachew has narrowed his choices to spaces in Crystal City or Ballston, each a short distance from the heart of D.C.
Arlington is already home to several notable locations surrounding Washington, including the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport. He hopes to bring his Ethiopian delicacies and delights to another crowd of Washingtonians.
“Most of our clients are non-Ethiopians, which is like, because they love Ethiopian food and they want to try it,” he said. “With the Eatopia concept, I’m trying to tell the whole story.”
Gizachew and his wife, Eden Yimer, manage the restaurant. Every dish has a homemade flair, with Gizachew’s mother supplying the recipes and even training the staff to recreate them. Gizachew also believes this hands-on guidance makes all the difference.
Ethiopian food typically comprises shareable platters with different proteins and side options placed under injera, a flatbread. Alongside doro wat, a chicken stew known as the national food of Ethiopia, these meals tell a story about the culture and heritage of these delicious bites.
However, Gizachew is all about spreading wealth and promoting other businesses. Eatopia also hosts pop-up markets every quarter, highlighting Ethiopian and local entrepreneurs.
In his latest endeavor, he aims to foster new relationships with fellow business owners to scale up his operations.
I want, also, help from any of the business development areas or the people that work around Arlington, that can help us with processing,” Gizachew said. “I just want to give the heads up.”
As Eatopia Eatery continues its successful run, its achievement proves D.C.’s food scene’s diverse taste and appeal.
Pastor Marvin Sapp Talks Death Threats Received From Viral ‘Close The Door’ Video
Pastor Marvin Sapp said he had no intentions to coerce churchgoers.
Marvin Sapp sat down with The Breakfast Club on April 1 to address the controversy surrounding the viral clip of him soliciting donations during a church service. The gospel singer clarified the situation, took accountability for his tone, and revealed how his church is handling the fallout.
“People took issue with my tone, and looking at the video, maybe I was a little more assertive than I should have been, and I can apologize for that,” said Sapp, who leads The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas. He maintained that his request for donations was rooted in biblical principles of stewardship and giving, citing 1 Chronicles 29 as his scriptural basis.
Since the video went viral, the “Best of Me” singer said he and his church have received death threats. People have shown up at his church to confront him and his staff. The public response has caused Sapp to increase security measures at his church.
Sapp emphasized that leadership in the church comes with added responsibilities, which is why he encouraged those in leadership positions to contribute at a higher level. He reiterated that his fundraising approach aligns with biblical teachings but remains confident in his role as a spiritual leader.
“I take full responsibility for how people may have perceived what I said, but I also want to make it clear that my intention was never to manipulate or coerce anyone,” he said.
The controversy stems from a service held in 2024 at a national church conference in Baltimore. A clip captured Sapp instructing ushers to close the church doors while he attempted to raise $40,000 for a conference budget. Critics took issue with preventing attendees from leaving, fueling speculation that congregants were locked during the fundraising.
Sapp told The Breakfast Club that the doors were never locked and that his words were misinterpreted.
HBCU Basketball Program Scores Landmark Partnership With AND1
Wilberforce's new women's basketball coach, Rachel Naughton, brought the partnership to fruition.
The basketball program at Wilberforce University has scored an historic partnership with AND1, which seeks to elevate and invest in Black college athletes.
AND1 will partner with the Ohio-based HBCU to highlight the ingrained connection between streetwear culture, basketball, and Black youth. Now, the athletic brand that catapulted street-ball aesthetics to the mainstream will merge its talents with the athletes at these hubs of Black culture.
Wilberforce’s women’s basketball coach, Rachel Naughton, helped bring the partnership with AND1 to fruition. The visionary, who helped turn around a previous loss-filled season, connected with AND1 about this opportunity to uplift this community.
The HBCU grad spoke to BET News about the impact of this deal and what it means for the future of HBCU athletics. She detailed how her One Goal One Youth nonprofit prompted these discussions to further AND1’s reach at the underfunded school.
“AND1 has a rich history of developing Black leaders,” expressed Naughton. “I just thought that the synergy was just a blessing. I was hired [as Wilberforce’s head women’s basketball coach] last June, and then here we were in August, proposing sponsorship to a major brand.”
Naughton took over the women’s basketball program after it earned only two wins. Without much help or even an assistant coach, Naughton overhauled the program, leading it to an impressive 11 wins this past season. Now, the AND1 partnership has also become the final piece of the puzzle.
“I always respected AND1 and what they did for our community and for basketball,” she continued. “I just feel like I’m a part of that movement now, because now, we’re doing some big things at the HBCU level. HBCUs are undervalued, we’re underdeveloped, we’re underfunded, and we’re absolutely underrepresented. It just means a lot to me that AND1 is using their platform and branding to elevate our community.”
For Naughton, AND1 is vital in building a “winning culture” at the university and across HBCUs. Her goal remains to encourage Black athletes to aspire for more while at these storied institutions.
“The whole idea is just fostering a winning culture, and I want to leverage and use this partnership to attract new talent, absolutely, because they made our players feel valued, and that was the key, that was the blessing,” she added.
In an era where college players can be millionaires before going “pro,” Naughton wants to level the playing field and recruit talented ballers to represent HBCUs. With AND1 supporting her and her continued journey at Wilberforce, Naughton hopes to make long-lasting changes while bringing more wins to the school’s athletics program.
“I’m a competitor; I’m a leader, and I pride myself on that. I’ll make an opportunity happen, whatever that entails.”
Did A Fake 911 Call Result In The Death Of Rapper Young Scooter?
The woman reportedly confessed to making the 911 call while on Instagram Live before her arrest.
Atlanta police have arrested a 31-year-old woman whose alleged fake 911 call prompted the March 28 death of rapper Young Scooter.
The city of Atlanta released an arrest update confirming that Demetria Spencer was taken into custody April 1. She was immediately charged with Transmitting a False Public Alarm, Atlanta News First reports. The charge only happens if “serious bodily harm or death” comes from the police or other public safety agency’s response.
According to Baller Alert, Spencer is a recurring personality on Zeus Network’s Baddies who goes by the name of Demi Blanco.
TMZ also confirmed she initially called police to report a naked woman being severely beaten. She later switched her story to allege that she had suffered from the assault.
By the time officers arrived to the scene, they found no evidence of a crime or of a woman in distress. Spencer was also not present.
Scooter, whose real name was Kenneth Edward Bailey, was at home with another man. As police arrived to the door, both men proceeded to flee the out the back, prompting a pursuit on foot. The chase resulted in a fatal leg injury that police believe led to Scooter’s death.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed in an autopsy that Scooter died from a “penetrating injury” of his right thigh which led to significant blood loss. It was his 39th birthday.
“When officers located him on the other side of the fence, he [Scooter] appeared to have suffered an injury to his leg,” Lt. Andrew Smith of the Atlanta Police Department said in a report “Just to be very clear, the injury that was sustained was not via the officers on the scene. It was when the male was fleeing.”
Ahead of her arrest, Spencer confessed on Instagram Live that she placed the 911 call over allegations of abuse.
“There’s a reaction for every action. In the narrative it looks like i was trying to set this man up…I’m giving you what led up to the call,” explained the reality TV star. “I was physically abused so I called to protect myself…I never had any intentions to get anybody hurt. I was the one that was getting hurt. I came here to say my truth. That’s it, that’s all… At the end of the day, I’m a woman and I was physically abused multiple times.”
As investigators continuing uncovering more information on the alleged fake 911 call, Spencer remains detained in Fulton County jail.
Pinky Cole On The ‘Final Destination’ Accident That Caused Her To Overhaul Her Life And Business
After admitting she 'wasn’t the operational person,' Cole learned the hard lessons of what happens when other people handle things you created.
Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole opened up to Peopleabout a life-changing accident that caused her to reevaluate her business.
Cole was driving 70 m.p.h. on an Atlanta highway last year when a mattress flew into her windshield and smashed. “It was like Final Destination,” Cole said. “I’m not the person to get in accidents, and I wasn’t on the phone. I wasn’t texting.”
The mother of three said she took it as a sign from God for her to rest “so he threw a damn bed on me,” she said. “In life, we always worry about the things that really don’t matter until your life is on the line. I have a newfound perspective on the things that I prioritize now after that accident.”
However, other issues lurked in the shadows that almost cost her Slutty Vegan. Cole learned the hard lessons of what happens when other people handle things you created.
“Our corporate overhead was about $10 million,” the fast-food chain founder said. “I was chasing something that I couldn’t catch for so many reasons.” The restaurant was famous for having hours-long queues, but the entrepreneur said it was “a situation where something is just too far gone.”
Cole decided that “the best thing that you could do is let it die so that you can rebirth it.” She put her business through a restructuring process, forcing her to relinquish control and ownership of the company. Cole admitted that she was fearful of the change, cringing at having “to face the opinions of others.”
She said she thought about confessing her struggles on social media but didn’t want to be a “victim.” Instead, she worked with a headhunter to find new leadership for the company. But Cole recently bought back the company for an undisclosed amount under the new name of “Ain’t Nobody Coming to See You, Otis,” a popular quote from The Temptations biopic.
She even trolled fans with a seemingly emotional video posted to Instagram teasing the “new owner” and announcing her focus to what she calls “Slutty Vegan 2.0.”
“Global expansion is big for 2.0. We’ve been talking about Dubai and Africa and just really scaling Slutty Vegan beyond the U.S.,” Cole revealed. “There’s some great opportunities for other people to get invested in the brand by way of having their own Slutty Vegan, which I’ll be able to share [more about] that in the future.”
During her time of expanding Slutty Vegan to more than a dozen locations, including her hometown of Baltimore, Cole told TheGriothat it is important to keep the quality and experiences in her restaurants as a top priority. “You can create something great. But if it ain’t consistent, then they’re not coming back,” she explained. “What I’ve learned as I’ve evolved as an entrepreneur is hospitality and consistency and quality are the things that will make for a thriving and scaling brand.”
While restructuring may be a scary idea, the business owner encourages other entrepreneurs to take a step back and take a deep dive into the business assets.
In her book, I Hope You Fail, she opens up about her ideologies and how certain moments that feel like failures should be looked at as paving roads to success. “There’s going to be a couple of left turns that you’re going to make, you’re going to make a couple of U-turns. There’s going to be some speed bumps in the road,” Cole wrote. “Somebody’s going to throw a mattress at you — but that is not reason enough to give up.”
Twin Sisters Buy 43 Acres For ‘Bug Juice Meets HBCU’ Summer Camp For Black Youth
Alex and Angelica Young's Camp Legacy after is the culmination of 'a lifelong goal' to create a safe space for youth to experience the great outdoors.
Twin sisters Alex and Angelica Young went viral on TikTok (@43&me) for purchasing 43 acres of Northern California land for their nonprofit Camp Legacy, which is designed for Black youth to experience the great outdoors.
Camp Legacy was born in 2023 after the sisters became “committed to a lifelong goal” of starting a camp as a safe space for young people to take in the world’s wonders outside of city life. Going into its third year, Camp Legacy hosts summer camp sessions on different weekends at a time. With sessions being held in the Bay Area, Alex tells BLACK ENTERPRISE participants can look forward to a weekend of sports, arts and crafts, campfires, archery, camping, music, games and all the s’mores a kid could eat.
However, the twins are looking forward to hosting week-long sessions on their own terms.
That is one of the things that sets Camp Legacy apart from others. Alex says it’s rare to find those capabilities with other camps, often having to rent them out, a major reason why Alex says, “We’re going to do it on our own.”
Their passion for summer camp culture came while serving as counselors in Virginia after graduating high school. Alex said that she and her sister fell in love and enjoyed seeing the impact on campers but noticed something was missing. “We noticed a lack of diversity amongst the campers and it sparked our interest in providing and expanding the summer camp experience for more youth within the Black community,” Alex said.
There is some truth to that observation. In 2021, a study by the Afterschool Alliance, in collaboration with Edge Research, found 2.3 million parents of Black children said they would enroll their kids if camps were accessible in their area. A structured summer experience is labeled as a summer learning program, sports program, summer camp, or summer school. According to TheSeattle Medium, while just 38% of Black families revealed their child participated in a structured summer experience in 2020, cost was identified as a top reason behind Black parents failing to enroll their children.
Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant feels states and sponsoring organizations have “a responsibility to meet the needs of Black youth,” citing the needs for children to excel in other ways beyond the classroom. “More than ever, our kids need academic help, social/emotional support, and opportunities to engage with peers and caring adults, be physically active, and have fun this summer,” Grant told The Seattle Medium.
Alex and Angelica feel the same. Comments from more than 5,000 followers support the ideology. A number were warm wishes for success and to carry on. Other comments showed similar camps being potentially open in states like Kansas.
Going into the summer months, the Youngs are preparing for some returning campers and paying attention to some parents and adults looking for the twins to create a camp with a more “grown experience.” While there is still a ton of work to be done, Alex and Angelica reveal the overwhelming amount of support shows how important it is to create a space for Black youth to explore the outdoors.
“This year, we have a good amount of returning campers sign up, which shows us that this program is important and is hopefully making a lasting impact on campers,” Alex says. “We are looking to expand our impact so that the ‘summer camp’ narrative is more common with the Black community, even if some folks missed it as kids.”
Gimme The Loot! Texas UPS Employee’s $200K Luxury Theft Ring Lands Him In Lockup
Armando Garcia is the only person who has been arrested, but authorities suspect other UPS employees were involved.
Authorities have apprehended Armando Garcia, 37, a five-year employee of UPS, in connection with a substantial theft operation conducted at the company’s Brownsville, Texas, Distribution Center.
The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office (CCDA) Special Investigations Unit (SIU), in collaboration with the McAllen FBI, UPS Security, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), executed a search warrant at Garcia’s San Benito residence, recovering over $200,000 worth of stolen luxury goods and electronics.
Garcia has been charged with theft—Texas Penal Code 31.03(e)(5), a third-degree felony. The investigation began after a report from UPS Security regarding missing high-value parcels was filed. Investigators traced the stolen devices to Garcia’s residence, leading to the search warrant.
The search revealed a significant cache of stolen merchandise, including luxury designer items from brands such as Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Ferragamo, and Dior, as well as Apple iPhones, iPads, smartwatches, high-end jewelry, designer clothing, power tools, and numerous UPS shipping bags containing discarded parcel boxes with original shipping labels.
Garcia was detained and taken into custody at his residence without issue. So far, he is the only person who has been arrested, but authorities suspect that there were other UPS employees involved in the theft.
“This was a deliberate and organized effort to steal high-value merchandise meant for paying customers,” District Attorney Luis V. Saenz said in a statement. “Crimes like this not only hurt businesses but also shake consumer confidence. Our Special Investigations Unit remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who engage in financial crimes are held accountable. Cameron County will not tolerate theft at any level.”
Saenz lauded the CCDA SIU for its diligence, noting the agency’s willingness to pursue the case after other agencies opted out.
The Cameron County theft incident isn’t UPS’ first rodeo with employees with sticky fingers.
In Sugar City, Idaho, Jarek Smith, owner of Holidae Fun and Games, claimed that he also suffered significant losses due to UPS employees stealing $25,000 in merchandise.
Smith reported he had missing packages containing valuable playing cards for the “Magic The Gathering” card game.
“We had a package go missing back in October 2023, and we never could track it down to figure out what happened,” Smith said in November 2024. “Within a week, we had a second one, and it was marked as damaged from a liquid spill of some kind. They claimed that another package had leaked out of it, or leaked its contents onto other packages, and that damaged it beyond repair.”
An internal UPS investigation led to the arrests of Jerry Hodges, John Forsyth, and Mitchell Wilwand. Hodges reportedly manipulated package designations to facilitate theft, while Wilwand and Forsyth admitted stealing various goods.
In February, in Riviera Beach, Florida, three UPS employees were arrested for stealing over $500,000 worth of iPhones, tablets, and accessories intended for T-Mobile retail locations in February.
“The investigation identified a fencing operation using a recording studio and cellphone repair shop, GoalMind Studios in Lantana, as a front for selling the stolen property,” the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.
Surveillance footage revealed UPS driver Sheldon Brown handed off packages to supervisor Giffton White, while Christopher Palmer was found with a stolen iPhone. The suspects created fraudulent tracking numbers to conceal their activities.
“The judge overseeing the suspects’ first appearance in court Wednesday noted the ‘systematic nature’ of the case and called it a ‘crime against humanity’ to steal from an employer,” WPTV reported.
All three face felony charges, including conspiracy to commit racketeering, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.
Delaware’s Winterthur Museum To Unveil First Of Its Kind Exhibit On The Black Experience
'Almost Unknown: The Afric-American Picture Gallery' opens May 3.
A new multi-sensory picture gallery exhibit is coming to the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library in Delaware that will immerse visitors in the energy and vibrancy of the Black experience across the diaspora.
Jonathan Michael Square’s Almost Unknown: The Afric-American Picture Gallery debuts Saturday, May 3. The 30-piece exhibit uses light and shadow, sound, intimate gallery spaces, and design elements to take visitors on a journey that honors and celebrates Black history and culture.
Square curated pieces for the gallery from Winterthur’s collection, supplemented by select loaned items. These include copies of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” Phyllis Wheatley’s “Poems on Various Subjects,” a silhouette attributed to Moses Williams, and a quilt by Priscilla Ballenger Leedom featuring an embroidered sketch of a bald eagle drawn by an unnamed enslaved boy.
“I want people to dig deeper into the stories of these and other transformative figures,” Square told Delaware Online. “I want visitors to feel the dynamism and vitality of African American history and culture, which is a story that’s layered and constantly evolving.”
Square based the gallery on his interpretation of a 19th-century essay by William J. Wilson, a Black journalist and educator born free in 1818. In Wilson’s 1859 essay, The Afric-American Picture Gallery, he leads readers through an imagined collection of artworks that both celebrate and critique the experiences of free and enslaved Black Americans in the 19th century.
In his work as a historian and educator, Square has used Wilson’s essay to teach courses at Harvard University and Parsons School of Design.
“The essay challenges us to consider our past, reflect on our present, and imagine a more inclusive future,” Square said. “It’s a difficult read. It starts off linear and straightforward, then veers into the fantastical. There’s tension in it.”
The curation and design of the exhibit draw inspiration from themes in Wilson’s essay, including Black childhood, the Underground Railroad, a Black Forest, and a decaying Mount Vernon. The design also incorporates elements reminiscent of 19th-century magic lantern shows, shadow plays, and silhouette puppetry.
In Almost Unknown, Square brings together drawings, paintings, sculptures, books, and other artifacts from Winterthur’s collection to reimagine Wilson’s gallery and reflect Black life in the United States and across the Diaspora. Square brings the almost unknown into the spotlight, shedding light on Wilson, his essay, and the often-overlooked yet significant stories behind these objects.
Almost Unknown: The Afric-American Picture Gallery runs May 3 through Jan. 4, 2026, with a guided house tour scheduled from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, beginning May 3.
CEO Taelor Salmon Encourages Wealth Building For Minority Women Entrepreneurs
The TJS Group CEO encourages minority business empires to consider working with federal agencies for longevity and stability.
As National Financial Literacy Month begins, TJS Group CEO Taelor Salmon is drawing from her own expertise as an entrepreneur and investor to empower minority women business owners to strive for financial freedom and build generational wealth.
As founder of the government contracting firm, Salmon has become an advocate for increasing opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs in industries like federal contracting, real estate investing, development, and IT security, and even though the path may feel daunting and unattainable for many women, she said in a press release, that “it all starts with knowledge.”
After years of running her minority-owned business, she now empowers minority women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses by leveraging government contracts and investing in real estate to build community and family wealth. Salmon has committed to her role as a mentor for clients seeking to navigate various sectors and grow financially.
“Financial freedom begins with identifying a need—one that creates short-term revenue and fuels long-term investments, ultimately building lasting wealth,” said Salmon. “I feel a responsibility to share my journey, shaped by the wisdom passed down from generations before me. Financial freedom comes from not only doing the work but also focusing on the need, the impact, and the value we create. Beyond that, oral tradition and shared knowledge are the keys to sustaining financial freedom and generational wealth. Knowledge is power, and I’m excited to share the insights, strategies, and lessons that have shaped my success.”
The entrepreneur told AFRO American Newspapers in January that business owners should consider government contracts because they provide longevity and stability. Her advice for minority business enterprises is to familiarize themselves and build relationships with government agencies, foster connections with the Small Business Administration, and network with peers in the procurement landscape.
Last April, Salmon was invited by the Urban Professionals Community to share insights on federal contracting and business growth. Key points during her discussion covered the importance of using certifications to differentiate a business, creating a capability statement and presenting your “why,” and using partnerships to get in the door.
Expanding business ventures and mentorship have come as a result of Salmon’s keen eye for identifying opportunities. According to her website, her commitment to innovation and impact has allowed her to scale businesses and build sustainable investments effectively. Salmon is an advocate for the National Fair Housing in Washington, D.C., an organization that helps individuals invest in real estate and build wealth. In February, TJS Group announced its latest federal contract providing project scheduler support to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Seattle District. The contract supports project managers with project development, maintenance and optimization, data quality, budget tracking, and new scheduled training.
