Black Writers Face Greater Challenges In UK Publishing, Industry Leaders Say
Black writers matter.
According to some industry insiders, UK publishing is now less accessible to Black authors than it was five years ago.
In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement prompted some publishing houses to confront racial inequality. However, some literary professionals claim that the number of Black writers being published has significantly decreased over the past 18 months.
Sharmaine Lovegrove, cultural strategist at Hachette UK and co-founder of The Black Writers’ Guild, stated that it is now more complicated for new Black authors than before 2020. Lovegrove notes that the industry struggles to build diverse audiences and cater to the specific needs of Black authors, who are sometimes labeled as “difficult” when they advocate for themselves.
“The biggest mistake was seeing it as a trend as opposed to an opportunity to cultivate something meaningful that was missing,” Lovegrove told The Guardian.
Selina Brown, founder of the Black British Book Festival (BBBF), shares these sentiments. In an interview with The Guardian, she pointed out the absence of cultural sensitivity in the publishing industry.
“Marketing teams within publishing follow a process: they target white consumers,” she said. “They put all the books on a conveyor belt, and it’s the same every time. It can’t work. You cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach to every book,” she said in an interview with The Guardian.
Brown also mentioned that she has observed a significant decline in the number of Black authors pitched to her. She pointed out that some publishers view diverse authors as a “risk.”
Despite these challenges, Brown’s brainchild, the BBBF, continues to grow. It operates a community library in London and plans to open another. In collaboration with the Glastonbury Festival, the BBBF launched a children’s book festival in Birmingham.
This year’s festival will be held March 29 at Manchester Central Library. Its lineup includes notable writers such as Kit de Waal, Kehinde Andrews, and Jeffrey Boakye. Admission to the event is free.
Kenyan Police Officer Killed In Haiti After Gang Ambush
Kenya has sent at least 800 police officers to Haiti to assist in combating gangs.
A Kenyan police officer has been killed in Haiti. Bénédict Kabiru was a member of the international force battling the ongoing gang violence that has plagued the nation.
Kabiru was reported missing after suspected gang members ambushed two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles this week in Pont-Sondé, located in the Artibonite region about 60 miles north of Port-au-Prince, according to the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). The Presidential Transitional Council of Haiti later confirmed that the officer had died.
“This valiant police officer, engaged alongside Haitian forces to fight insecurity, made the ultimate sacrifice for a better future for our country. His bravery and commitment will never be forgotten,” the council stated, CNNreported
Kariru and his colleagues attempted to retrieve an armored police vehicle that was lodged in a ditch, which the MSS suggested may have been deliberately dug by gangs. During the recovery operation, they came under attack from gang members.
The U.S. has been a financial supporter of the MSS. This week, Secretary of State Mark Rubio met with Fritz Jean, a member of Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council, in Jamaica.
“On Haiti, we look forward to continued partnership with the United States as we seek to work with the Haitian leadership and stakeholders to address the ongoing crises in Haiti,” Rubio said in a statement.
An estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, is under gang control. Since the MSS arrived last year, the gangs have spread to rural areas of the island and taken over territory in the Artibonite region, which is the largest rice-producing area in the country.
In October, the United Nations said the Gran Grif gang killed at least 70 people in the same town where Kabiru was slain.
Violence in Port-au-Prince has resulted in unprecedented levels of displacement. In a March 26 press briefing, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that nearly 23,000 people had been displaced in just one week. Dujarric also noted that nearly five million people — almost half of the population — are food insecure.
“OCHA warns that the scale and pace of displacement is rapidly outpacing the capacity of humanitarian actors to respond,” Duijarric said.
Babysitter Discovers Real-Life ‘Monster’ Under Child’s Bed
Twenty-seven-year-old Martin Villalobos Junior was found under the bed after a child tells babysitter that there was a monster there
A woman in Kansas was babysitting children, and after putting them to bed, one of them complained about a monster under the bed. As she went to prove to the child that there wasn’t one, she was surprised to discover that a man was hiding there.
In a Facebook post by the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, authorities stated that the man, identified as Martin Villalobos Jr., was under the bed when the babysitter confronted him on March 24. The babysitter told officers she put the children to bed when one of them said to her that Villalobos, the monster, was under the bed, and after going to check, she came face-to-face with him. As he was discovered, an altercation happened between him and the babysitter, and in the struggle, one of the children was knocked down as Villalobos ran and escaped the residence.
She called to report what occurred at around 10:30 p.m. When police officers arrived, the suspect was no longer in the area.
On March 25, police officers continued the search for Villalobos, who was then seen in the area of the home. After a short foot chase, he was captured and arrested. Officers discovered that he used to live at the home and that an order of protection was issued against him that instructed him to stay away from the property.
The 27-year-old suspect was taken to Barton County Jail, where he was booked on charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, child endangerment, felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and violation of a protection-from-abuse order. He is currently being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.
No details were released regarding why he was given the protective order or whether he has any relationship with the home’s occupants.
Trinidad And Tobago Joins Colombia, Jamaica, Guyana, And More On The U.S. Level 3 Travel Advisory List
The U.S. is urging Americans to reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tabgo as the country extends its State of Emergency.
Trinidad and Tobago has been added to the U.S. Level 3 travel advisory list, joining countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Colombia, Jamaica, Guyana, and others.
Bangladesh, Guyana, New Caledonia, and Macau have also been added to the list of countries in which U.S. travelers are urged to reconsider visiting due to growing security concerns, Travel and Tour World reported. The advisory, issued in response to rising violent crime and a nationwide State of Emergency, places Trinidad and Tobago alongside destinations flagged for terrorism, civil unrest, and limited consular support.
The travel advisory was issued after Trinidad and Tobago extended its State of Emergency through April 2025 due to “heightened risks of terrorism and kidnapping.” Under the ongoing SOE, Trinidadian authorities have the power to arrest individuals suspected of illegal activity and conduct searches of both public and private properties.
“On December 30, 2024, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) declared a nationwide State of Emergency (SOE),” the State Department website reads. “This is due to ongoing criminal activity that could threaten public safety. On January 13, 2025, Parliament extended the SOE until April 2025.”
The State of Emergency was initially declared in December. The State Department advises Americans traveling to Trinidad and Tobago to purchase travel insurance, avoid displaying signs of wealth such as jewelry, and remain cautious of online dating scams, among other safety precautions.
“Foreigners and a U.S. legal permanent resident have been recent victims of kidnapping,” the advisory warned. “Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Port of Spain.”
Due to security risks, U.S. government employees stationed in Trinidad and Tobago are restricted from traveling to specific areas on the island, including:
Laventille
The southern end of Charlotte Street between Oxford Street and Park Street (past the General Hospital)
Piccadilly Street
Besson Street
Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queens’ Park Savannah
After dark:
Downtown Port of Spain
Fort George overlook and all beaches
The advisory says common violent crime include:
Murder
Robbery
Assault
Sexual assault
Home invasion
Kidnapping
The classification comes at a crucial time, coinciding with the twin-island nation’s peak tourism season. The designation raises concerns about a potential drop in international visitors and undermines traveler confidence in the safety of the popular Caribbean destination. A decline in tourism could also pose significant risks to the country’s overall economy.
The incident took place at Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas. During a sermon, Sapp instructed church ushers to “close the doors” of the sanctuary until attendees contributed the full amount. He told the congregation, “Giving is worship,” as he urged both in-person and online participants to donate.
Sapp framed the request as achievable, estimating that the 1,000 congregants could meet the goal if each donated $20. The “Best in Me” singer insisted the amount was not unreasonable, even invoking his late wife’s memory to illustrate its value.
“When my wife, Melinda B. Sapp, was alive, $20 was a good date. I could take her to the movies, buy a box of popcorn, get one soda with two straws. I wasn’t cheap—that’s swag. I was looking in her eyes, she was looking in mine. You can’t do that anymore,” he said.
Sapp then asked participants on stage to contribute $100, stating, “It costs to sit [on the stage].”
It is unclear whether Sapp raised the full $40,000. Regardless, social media users reacted with outrage.
One X user described the act as a “shakedown” and accused Sapp of being a hustler and exploiting his congregation.
“Marvin Sapp is clearly HUSTLING his congregation for 40k—and using God’s name to do it. He’s calling for the doors to be locked? That’s not faith, that’s a shakedown and a false prophet. Someone had a bill to pay, and it wasn’t to the church,” an X user posted.
Marvin Sapp is clearly HUSTLING his congregation for 40k— and using God’s name to do it.
he’s calling for the doors to be locked? that’s not faith, that’s a shakedown and a false prophet.
Some critics cited scripture to condemn Sapp’s actions. The user claimed the altar call was “why Christianity is lost.”
One user referenced 2 Corinthians 9:7, which states: “Every man as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Others questioned the necessity of the money and whether it would benefit the community.
Marvin Sapp holding them church folks hostage over 40K. What plans does he have with that money?? Are you opening a community center? Anything beneficial for the community?
Sapp is neither the first nor the last pastor to request large tithes and offerings. However, some historically significant African American churches are not facing the same financial pressure.
In February 2025, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the third annual Preserving Black Churches (PBC) grant program, which aims to protect the legacy of longstanding religious institutions. The program will award grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 to 30 churches. The funding will go toward preservation efforts, including repairs and structural maintenance.
While Sapp’s Chosen Vessel Cathedral is not a historic site, it is ineligible for the grants.
DHS Spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said that the department is implementing a “reduction in force” in three offices: the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman.
McLaughlin said that while the DHS is committed to “civil rights protections,” the offices facing reductions have been roadblocks to immigration enforcement.
“These officers have obstructed immigration enforcement by adding bureaucratic hurdles and undermining DHS’s mission,” she said. “Rather than supporting law enforcement efforts, they often function as internal adversaries that slow down operations.”
Functions of DHS Offices That Oversee Civil Rights Protections
The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties was created over two decades ago by the Homeland Security Act of 2002, following the September 11 attacks. Employees within the office investigate hundreds of complaints each year about the agency’s mission and recommend changes.
In contrast, the Office of Immigration Detention Ombudsman and the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman are independent offices within Homeland Security.
The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman is not connected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection. Its job is to ensure that immigration detention facilities are safe and humane. Meanwhile, the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman resolves issues with the agency that oversees immigration benefits.
Democrats who oppose the cuts at DHS say the move by the Trump administration will hurt transparency.
“With Trump’s mass firing of the entire DHS Civil Rights and Civil Liberties workforce, he is ensuring in advance that there will be no transparency or oversight of his extreme agenda,” Rep. Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi told the AP. Thompson is the top Democrat on the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Rep. Justin Pearson Confronts Fellow Lawmaker Over Personal Attacks During Gun Control Hearing
Pearson responded to Farmer's comments, starting by calmly letting him know that his comments made him "very, very angry.”
Things became heated during a Tennessee State legislature gun control hearing when Rep. Justin J. Pearson (D-Memphis) confronted Rep. Andrew Farmer (R-Sevierville) over allegedly feeling personally attacked, WREG Memphis reports.
After a passionate speech on the House floor correlating gun laws to the tragic death of his brother on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Pearson charged toward Farmer to confront him over what he called “disrespectful” comments about his work ethic. Pearson has been absent from House duties, taking time to be with his family following his brother’s passing on Dec. 1, 2024, due to gun suicide. “I know every member in this committee has been here this year working during committee, during session, voting on bills. And I know you may have some things going on, but you have not,” Farmer said.
“So, I don’t think it’s fair for you to come in front of this committee and lecture us on hard work and convictions, and hard work for our committee.”
Pearson responded by calmly letting Farmer know that his comments made him “very, very angry.” “It is a pathetic excuse for you to not answer the question of why we are doing nothing about the gun violence epidemic, then to personally attack me. But let me explain to you what I have been doing… since you asked. My brother… one of the loves of my life passed away from gun suicide,” Pearson said.
“And since that happened, it shattered my family like gun violence has shattered so many families… I buried my brother. I planned for his entire funeral, my fiancée made his obituary, I made sure that he was taken care of – even in death. That’s what I’ve been doing.”
The confrontation happened shortly after the committee voted against HB 1392 – 7-2 — a bill supported by Pearson, according to Fox 13 Memphis. Under Tennessee law, a person commits an offense who carries, with the intent to go armed, a firearm or a club. If Pearson’s bill had been approved, exemptions would have been removed that would allow a person to avoid prosecution under that law, with permitless carry being repealed. “We have a responsibility to do all that we can to protect our kids and protect our community to make sure they are safe,” Pearson mentioned.
Pearson allegedly left the meeting after the altercation. However, he says he won’t let what happened stop his fight. While it’s unclear if either Pearson or Farmer will face consequences for the incident, the state leader feels gun violence isn’t just a Memphis problem but a state problem and encourages others to get involved. “We go to too many funerals for gun violence, this is not a way for us to live,” he said.
“We need to consistently draw attention to the issue, which is gun violence being preventable if we get the right leaders in place to act now.”
City Of Atlanta Opens Registration For Summer Youth Employment Program
Calling all Atlanta youth, the Summer Youth Employment Program is now open for registration.
Atlanta opened registration on Monday for its 2025 Summer Youth Employment Program. The program offers residents ages 14 to 24 a chance for hands-on job experience with pay.
Mayor Andre Dickens announced the program’s launch in a video on the city’s Instagram account. In the post, the mayor urged businesses and community organizations to get involved.
“Atlanta’s young people can access career-building opportunities, receive competitive pay, and gain experiences that will help shape their futures,” Dickens said.
Since Dickens revived the dormant program in 2022, nearly 14,000 young people have participated. The city reported hiring more than 5,700 participants in 2024 across 143 businesses and 15 municipal departments. Youth workers earned an average of $17.70 per hour, with total wages reaching $6.8 million.
High school students comprised more than 70% of last year’s participants, with those aged 14 and 15 encouraged to work with their Atlanta Public Schools counselors to obtain work permits.
Mayor Dickens’ Chief of Staff, Odie Donald, II, spoke to 11 Alive about the diverse opportunities available to the youth.
“Youth ventured beyond the conventional, immersing themselves in high-demand fields like augmented reality, robotics, coding, and even our city’s flourishing airport and film industries,” Donald said.
City data suggests the program has contributed to a decline in youth crime. In the summer of 2024, Atlanta saw a 46% drop in violent crimes involving young people. There was also a 5% decrease in arrests among residents ages 14 to 24.
Officials say structured employment, mentorship, and life skills training have played a key role in these results. Orientation sessions covered workplace professionalism, communication, and conflict resolution, according to a city report on the program’s impact.
To sign up for the Summer Youth Employment Program, click here.
Hazing Survivor Haunted By Caleb Wilson’s Death At Southern University
The Southern alum, who was left blind and paralyzed from a hazing incident at the same university in 1992, finds himself reliving his traumatic incident, demanding answers and change.
Decades-old wounds have reopened for Dr. Duronne Walker, a former Southern University student, as the recent death of Caleb Wilson, 20, during a fraternity ritual seemingly triggered painful flashbacks and a renewed call for accountability within Greek-letter organizations.
The Southern alum, who was left blind and paralyzed from a hazing incident at the same university in 1992, finds himself reliving his traumatic incident, demanding answers and change.
“When I heard about that young man, it brought me back to that dark place,” Walker said, his voice heavy with emotion. “And wondering why?”
Walker’s traumatizing hazing experience dates to his senior year at Southern University. The then-21-year-old student sought out to pledge Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, but the initiation process left him with devastating consequences.
“During that initiation and last night’s process, I was blindfolded and hit over the head,” Walker recalled. “The drinks that were provided to me left me blind and paralyzed. To my understanding, the blow and the things slipped in my drink caused me to have a stroke.”
Walker’s legal battle after the 1992 incident also underscored the difficulty of holding national Greek-lettered organizations accountable for hazing students. The physician, supported by his parents, filed a lawsuit against Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., alleging negligence and seeking damages for his injuries.
A Louisiana court document details the case, Walker v. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and the legal arguments presented. The fraternity’s national office moved for summary judgment, arguing it was not liable for the actions of its chapter members.
Court documents stated that the fraternity had “clearly prohibited any hazing activities” at the national level and had implemented a “haze-free membership process.”
Walker’s case also highlighted the organization’s structure, noting that local chapters operated independently and that the national headquarters is located in the District of Columbia, far from the Southern University campus.
The court ultimately granted the fraternity’s motion for summary judgment, concluding it could not control its chapters’ day-to-day actions.
“The evidence introduced as to the internal structure of this organization reflects that the National Fraternity was not in a position to control the action of its chapters on a day-to-day basis,”the court document stated.
The death of Caleb Wilson, a member of the Southern University Human Jukebox marching band, has reignited the debate about hazing within historically Black Greek-letter organizations. Wilson collapsed and died Feb. 27 after participating in a ritual reportedly related to pledging the Omega Psi Phi fraternity at North Sherwood Forest Community Park.
Following Wilson’s collapse, he was taken to Baton Rouge General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:15 a.m. The Baton Rouge Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The Southern University Human Jukebox marching band released a statement expressing their grief over Wilson’s loss.
“His energy, spirit, and impact on those around him will never be forgotten,” the statement read.
In response to Wilson’s death, Southern University’s Division of Student Affairs suspended all activities for student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, and clubs, until further notice. The university has not indicated whether Omega Psi Phi will face sanctions or further investigation. The national chapter of Omega Psi Phi declined to comment.
Wilson’s father, Corey Wilson, is a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy. The department released a statement expressing condolences and support for the family. “The JPSO stands in support of Dep. Wilson and his family,” the statement said. “We ask that their privacy be respected as they mourn this unimaginable loss.”
According to witnesses, Wilson and other pledges were lined up and punched while wearing boxing gloves. After each hit, they were instructed to run to the end of the line. Wilson reportedly collapsed and experienced a seizure shortly after enduring the assault.
Investigators allege that members of Omega Psi Phi attempted to cover up the circumstances of Wilson’s death, failing to call 911 immediately and falsely claiming he collapsed while playing basketball at a park miles away from the actual location of the hazing.
Caleb McCray, Kyle Thurman, and Isaiah Smith have been charged with manslaughter and hazing in connection with Wilson’s death.
The tragic incident has also rekindled discussions about hazing culture within the Divine Nine, a collective term for historically Black fraternities and sororities.
Actress AJ Johnson, a Spelman College alumna and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member, spoke out against hazing during an interview with The Breakfast Club.
“I’m so glad you brought this up,” Johnson said, emphasizing that hazing is not endorsed by Delta Sigma Theta or any Divine Nine organization. She suggested that hazing often stems from individuals who were themselves hazed, driven by a “vendetta.”
“It’s a personal thing,” she explained. Johnson called for an end to outdated and harmful initiation rituals, advocating for alternative methods of discipline and bonding. “There are different forms of teaching and being authoritative,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be physical abuse.”
The Walker case, along with the recent death of Caleb Wilson, underscores the ongoing struggle to address hazing within Greek-letter organizations. While national organizations may have policies prohibiting hazing, the reality on the ground often tells a different story.
The hazing incident has prompted calls for greater accountability and reform within the Divine Nine. Many advocates have called for a shift away from harmful initiation rituals and towards safer, more constructive methods of building brotherhood and sisterhood.
Curt Hinton, an English teacher at Wilson Middle School in Phoenix, exposed himself to students in what he later claimed was an accident.
On March 18, four middle school students — one 13-year-old boy and three 12-year-old girls — reported hearing the sound of a zipper followed by running water while they sat in class. When they turned to look, they saw Hinton urinating into a can and adjusting his belt, the outlet reported.
The students immediately informed the school principal, saying they saw the teacher’s genitals as a result of his actions. School officials contacted police, who removed Hinton from the classroom.
When questioned by authorities, the 52-year-old teacher said he did not know how to call for another educator to relieve him so he could leave the classroom. He claimed his indecent exposure was a technique he learned in the military.
Hinton admitted he made a poor decision. He was arrested on four counts of indecent exposure and released on a $10,000 secured bond.
The former military member was placed on administrative leave following the incident. He resigned two days later, on March 20.
In a statement, Wilson Elementary School District said it prioritizes student safety and supervision at all times. While there is no specific policy addressing teacher restroom breaks, the school does not prohibit the practice.
“Wilson Elementary School District prioritizes the safety and supervision of students at all times. While there is no specific policy solely addressing teacher restroom use, it is standard practice for teachers to ensure appropriate coverage for their classrooms when they need to step away briefly. This typically involves coordinating with a neighboring teacher, instructional aide, or school administrator to ensure students remain supervised,” the statement read.
Hinton was scheduled to return to court March 26. Due to the crime being committed in front of underaged children the ex-educator could face multiple fines, jail time, and be added to the sex offender registry.
