Essence Fest Takes The Blame For Lauryn Hill’s Late Performance
Essence Fest takes the blame for Lauryn Hill's late performance.
Essence Festival is stepping in to ease the pressure off Lauryn Hill, who performed later than scheduled through no fault of her own.
On July 7, the festival posted on its official Instagram account a highlight from Hill’s performance and addressed misconceptions about why her set ended at 3:37 a.m. despite being originally scheduled for 12:35 a.m. According to Essence, Hill deserves the utmost respect, and any delay was their responsibility, not hers.
“Family is family, and around here, we protect our own no matter what the PEOPLE have to say,” Essence wrote.
“Let’s be very clear— WE don’t play about Ms. Lauryn Hill. Not for clicks. Not for headlines.”
The media outlet continued. “She arrived on schedule, stepped on that stage, and delivered the kind of performance only a legend can.”
Hill didn’t hit the stage until 2:30 a.m., following sets from Maxwell, Babyface, the Isley Brothers, and GloRilla, which all ran behind schedule. As a result, Essence took the blame for her lateness.
“The delay? Not hers. We will take that,” Essence included in its caption.
As for Hill’s legacy, it’s “Still unmatched,” they wrote.
“Put some respect on her name. Keep the takes, but keep her out of them,” the caption read. “All love and deep, profound admiration for Ms. Lauryn Hill.”
The Grammy-winning singer released a statement thanking Essence for clearing up that “the delays were not my fault.” She also shined a light on the intricate care and meticulous detail she invests in every live performance.
“Family, let me address a few things: I am involved in every aspect of what it takes to put on my shows because it requires THAT much involvement to protect the integrity of my message and the quality of what I do,” Hill wrote.
While arranging her music “diligently,” the “Doo Wop (That Thing)” singer is also busy being a present “parent, grandparent and steward to my immediate family and community.” And Hill does her work “without complaint because it is truly labor of love.”
The statement seemed like a subtle reply to past criticism about her reported lateness at live shows and to further emphasize that any delays at Essence Fest 2025 were not her fault.
Montgomery Newspaper Launched During Civil Rights Movement Gets Historic Marker
The Southern Courier dared to report on civil rights news in ways other publications would not.
The Southern Courier, a Montgomery newspaper launched during the Civil Rights Movement, will receive a historic marker.
The occasion aligns with another milestone for the publication, its 60th anniversary. The marker, placed at the Courier‘s former office, is a result of a years-long effort to recognize its place in the city’s and civil rights history.
The newspaper came into existence in 1965, founded by a group of journalism students from Harvard University. According to the Montgomery Advertiser, it documented the booming Civil Rights Movement across the southeastern United States. The newspaper recruited local writers to help cover injustice and the progress toward racial equality.
One of its young reporters, Viola Bradford, recalls how the newspaper shed light on the fight for justice that other publications had systematically ignored.
“We were doing stuff that no newspaper was doing,” explained Bradford, who joined the paper at 14 years old. “It was a courageous paper written by courageous people.”
The paper, unfortunately, did not have a long run. It only lasted for three years as it struggled to secure sustainable funding. However, its legacy remains as a fearless platform whose writers uncovered the racism at play during this turbulent time. For example, Bradford’s reporting on a firebombing of a young Black woman’s home revealed the crime stemmed from the student’s role in integrating a local high school.
The woman, Sophia Bracy Harris, commended the work of the Courier at an event last January. She recalled the newspaper reporting the truth, no matter the cost.
“Those are memories that I think are so important for our generation this day to recognize, it is not impossible for us to turn the clock back,” shared Harris. “I think the courage that was demonstrated by The Courier, reporters, and all who were supported in terms of the leaders who were courageous enough to work with them, it is the kind of thing that is so important for us to pass on and plant seeds.”
Bradford’s time with the Courier is evident in her current advocacy for revolutionary journalism. She has since founded the Sankofa Service, a nonprofit whose first event will be the marker’s dedication. The event will take place on July 26.
Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac Will Now Consider Rent History When Assessing Credit
Freddie Mae and Fannie Mac are now allowed to calculate rent history in the algorithm for determining credit history loan approval.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will now use multiple methods to assess mortgage applicants due to a new decision by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
Both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac back nearly half of all U.S. mortgages. The institutions will now consider a potential homebuyer’s VantageScore 4.0 alongside the traditional FICO 10T model.
FHFA Director William Pulte announced on X that mortgage lenders can now choose either credit scoring model without needing to reconfigure their systems and algorithms. This marks a shift away from previously proposed dual-score mandates.
“Effective today, to increase competition in the Credit Score Ecosystem and consistent with President Trump’s landslide mandate to lower costs, Fannie and Freddie will ALLOW lenders to use Vantage 4.0,” Pulte wrote.
Effective today, to increase competition to the Credit Score Ecosystem and consistent with President Trump’s landslide mandate to lower costs, Fannie and Freddie will ALLOW lenders to use Vantage 4.0 Score with no current requirement to build new infrastructure (stays Tri Merge).
Federal Housing Finance Lenders will continue to receive credit reports from all three major bureaus.
However, VantageScore 4.0, developed by Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, can incorporate alternative data, such as rent, utility, and telecommunications payments, into its calculations.
The intent is to broaden mortgage access for “forgotten” borrowers, including renters and rural residents. Additionally, the move will open access to homeownership to those with limited credit histories. FHFA estimates the change could open the door to homeownership for up to five million people. Economist Joel Berner spoke to the Realtor about the benefits of the change.
“This should help folks with thinner credit files get qualified for mortgages, which will add to the pool of potential homebuyers and boost the market as a whole,” says Berber. “People who haven’t taken out much debt on things like auto loans or credit cards will have the opportunity for their rental history to help them qualify for a loan.”
The announcement sent FICO stock tumbling, with shares dropping up to 15% before partially recovering. While FICO remains dominant, the introduction of VantageScore 4.0 breaks its exclusive hold and may put pressure on pricing, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The FHFA’s initiative follows its 2022 directive validating both FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0 for GSE-backed loans and launching efforts to transition from tri-merge to dual-merge credit reporting by late 2025.
National Black Women In Sports Day 2025 Launches Study To Elevate Representation
National Black Women in Sports Day (NBWISD) 2025 aims to amplify Black women sports agents and fans through new study.
The 3rd annual National Black Women in Sports Day (NBWISD) marked the occasion by unveiling a new study that spotlights the different roles Black women play in sports and their impact and visibility within the industry.
Released July 7 in collaboration with Diverse Representation and global agency Wasserman, Part I of the Diverse Representation x Wasserman Black Women in Sports Report spotlights the cultural impact and persistent barriers faced by Black women agents and fans in the sports industry. Part II, set for release in November 2025, will explore the experiences of Black women executives and athletes.
“We created National Black Women in Sports Day as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the work, excellence, and energy Black women bring to every part of the sports ecosystem,” Jaia Thomas, founder of Diverse Representation, said in a statement. “This partnership with Wasserman is a critical step forward in moving beyond symbolism toward structural change. Our hope is that this data not only inspires but demands more intentional hiring, marketing, and investment in Black women. Not just one day a year, but every day.”
Among the report’s key findings is the stark underrepresentation of Black women agents, who comprise just 2.3% of all NFLPA-certified agents and only 2% of NBPA-certified agents. The major barriers to advancement were also highlighted, with over 87% of Black women agents who run their own firms citing limited opportunities for growth at mid-to-large agencies.
Visibility matters, especially in sports, but just 11.7% of Black women sports fans say they feel fully seen and represented by sports organizations. Despite rising interest in women’s sports, 73% of Black women report only following them occasionally, crediting their limited engagement to a lack of cultural representation.
The report also emphasizes the value of engaging Black women as fans, noting they’re more likely to attend sporting events when they feel an emotional connection to the teams, not just for entertainment.
“Being in partnership with Diverse Representation during this National Black Women in Sports Day gives Wasserman a great opportunity to shed light on the role of Black women across sports, give flowers and recognition to those continuing to pave a way forward, and demonstrate thought-leadership on key issues that impact how Black women maneuver throughout this industry,” said Lindsay LaBennett, vice president, Impact & Inclusion at Wasserman. “We’re excited to use this moment for not just celebration but for education and furthering a lot of great research work The Collective has achieved here at Wasserman.”
Kodak Black Receives Key To Hometown of Pompano Beach
He was recognized for "his outstanding generosity and lasting impact on the community."
Bill Kapri, better known to the world as rapper Kodak Black, was presented the key to Pompano Beach, Florida, his hometown. A social media post from the the city acknowledged the act on July 8.
“Today, the City of Pompano Beach honored Grammy-nominated rapper and philanthropist @kodakblack with the Key to the City, recognizing his outstanding generosity and lasting impact on the community.”
Black was recognized for helping others in the community when needed, including donating air conditioners to residents suffering during the hottest months and distributing turkeys around the holidays. The rapper also gave children Christmas gifts and has paid the rent for hundreds of residents were strapped for cash.
The city overlooked the rapper’s legal troubles over the years. Black had been sentenced to 46 months in prison on federal weapons charges in 2019 after he had admitted that he falsified information on federal forms to buy four firearms. His sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump right before he left office in January 2021. Black was also sentenced to probation in April 2021 for assaulting a teenage girl in a South Carolina hotel room in 2016.
However, this is not the first time Black has been honored by his hometown. In June 2021, Black received a proclamation issued by Commissioner Dale Holness in support of his philanthropic efforts.
“I believe in redemption,” Holness said at the time. “I believe every human being has the ability to redeem themselves from whatever wrong they’ve done. It (the proclamation) wasn’t about naming a day for him either, if anyone took the time to read it.”
Afterward, the rules for issuing proclamations were changed to make sure certain protocols are followed.
Georgia After School Programs Are Bracing For Closure Due To Freeze On Federal Funding
Atlanta YMCA and Boys and Girls Club are only a few organizations considering program closures due to federal funding freeze.
Georgia is expected to lose $100 million in grant funding due to the U.S. Department of Education’s pause on education grants.
Hundreds of after‑school and summer programs serving thousands of students in Georgia may face closure following a nationwide freeze on federal grant money. The Atlanta YMCA is one such organization. Kim Nelson, the chief program officer, says the funds are used as reimbursements for products and services necessary for operation.
“Unfortunately, the community that we serve they are in an at-risk and low-income community, and this funding is so important to be able to provide the different services, and the program would look completely different,” she said. “You’re basically saying that [the] majority of us would need to close our doors and not offer programming,” Nelson told WABE.
The federal grants support after‑school, summer enrichment, English language learning, adult literacy, and teacher training. Over $6 billion in funds were scheduled to stop on July 1. These programs support approximately 27,000 students across the state, with a particular focus on rural and underserved areas.
Katie Landes, director of the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network, said that the freeze poses a threat to programs in 60% of districts.
Landes said, “Parents are scrambling because they don’t know if that after‑school care is going to be there.”
Similarly, Lisa Morgan, head of the Georgia Association of Educators, said that multiple programs are in jeopardy weeks before school begins.
The Department of Education stated in a memo that it remains committed to directing funds in line with the president’s priorities. Those priorities include culling any program with a supposed “radical leftwing agenda.”
However, the agency offered no timeline for when the review would end.
In Alabama, Gadsden City Schools stated that it may have to shut down its after-school program, serving 1,200 low-income students and potentially affecting up to 75 staff positions, if funds are not released soon.
In Georgia, school districts and nonprofits are grappling with staffing shortages and dwindling program access for working families.
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Mounting Trash Piles Drive City Of Philadelphia To Reach Agreement with Union
Videos circulating on social media captured streets and entire lots overflowing with trash
Trash piled up across Northeast Philadelphia as AFSCME District Council 33’s citywide strike stretched into its eighth day, ultimately leading to a deal between the union and city officials.
Videos circulating on social media captured streets and entire lots overflowing with trash as 9,000 workers from Philadelphia’s largest blue-collar union went on strike after weeks of stalled pay negotiations. A 6ABC reporter shared a TikTok video highlighting the massive buildup of waste at Northeast Avenue and Gorman Street by the seventh day of the citywide walkout.
The trash pileup became a defining image of a chaotic week for Philadelphia residents, who also faced long wait times on 911 calls and the closure of libraries and pools during the peak of summer heat. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 33 represents 9,000 city employees, including police dispatchers, crossing guards, maintenance workers at Philadelphia International Airport, city sanitation workers who collect weekly trash pickups, and many more..
This marked its first major strike in nearly 40 years, with the last strike lasting 20 days and leaving the city’s streets overflowing with trash. To avoid things getting even worse, city officials worked to reach a deal, which was announced on July 9.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said the new three-year agreement grants District Council 33 members a total of a 14% raise during her first term. With the union already receiving a 5% increase in her first year, the new deal is likely to add another 9% in raises to be distributed over the remaining three years.
“We’re valuing our workforce and we’re safeguarding our city’s hard-earned fiscal stability at the same time. The strike is over!” Parker declared.
DC 33 President Greg Boulware confirmed the new agreement requires union members to return to work by July 9 or “as soon as they can get to work.” While a deal was reached, Boulware noted the union isn’t fully satisfied with the outcome.
“There’s a deal that’s been reached, unfortunately,” Boulware said. “I’m not happy or satisfied with the outcome of things.”
The deal marks only a tentative end to the strike, as the new contract still awaits ratification by DC 33 members.
Johnson C. Smith University Placed On Probation, Accreditation At Risk
The school will stay on the probationary period until June 2026.
Johnson C. Smith University has been placed on probation by its accrediting agency for failing to show it can control its finances. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges (SACSCOC) issued the news in a July 8 statement.
According to the Charlotte Observer, the organization determined the HBCU has not demonstrated financial responsibility after a two-year review. The accreditor also stated that JSCU lacked control in its sponsored research and external funds.
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based institution could lose its accreditation if these issues are not fixed. Thankfully, the SACSCOC believes the HBCU can fix these infractions, placing it on probation for “good cause.” The standing means that SACSCOC expects the Johnson C. Smith to remedy its financial standing.
The HBCU has until next June to course-correct. If it fails to do so, the university could risk its accreditation. JSCU has kept its standing intact since 1933. It is the only historically Black college in Charlotte.
Despite the probation, JSCU believes the update signals improvement for the university.
“The ‘good cause’ designation signifies SACSCOC believes the institution is making progress and has the ability to ameliorate problems,” JCSU said in a statement to the Observer. “Given the longstanding issues that are being addressed by our current university administration, we are aware of the importance of directly addressing the standards that we have been cited for, and we are fully committed to doing so for the long-term sustainability of our university.”
The accreditation board will review the school’s improvements in a report delivered next year before deciding if JCSU can get out of probation, stay on it, or strip its accreditation entirely.
“Improvement is an ongoing process, and we appreciate the bandwidth SACSCOC has provided our institution,” added the statement. “We are confident that JCSU will meet the required standards, and we will work hard to do so for as long as we need to do so.”
The school faced similar risk before, going into probation in 2017 for financial issues. However, it hopes to recover from this latest infraction as it did years ago.
Stephanie Mills Says Essence Fest Was ‘Chaotic’ And ‘Falls Far Short’ Of Previous Standard
Stephanie Mills had a few words about her participation in the 2025 Essence Festival of Culture. Needless, to say the icon was displeased.
On July 8, Stephanie Mills penned an open letter to Essence amid rising criticism of its 2025 Essence Festival of Culture.
Queen of song and stage, Mills was a featured performer at this year’s event. However, the experience left her with conflicting emotions. Both thankful and concerned, Mills wrote about the disorganization of the event. An industry professional for over 30 years, Mills shared her experience both on and off the stage, but it was impeded by poor execution on the part of Essence.
The Wiz actress cites that poor time management, scheduling, and disorganization lead to a chaotic environment.
Beyond execution, Mills stressed that the “persistent” failings of the sound equipment were egregious. The Tony Award winner went on to make clear that Essence is known for quality, and these impediments were below the brand.
“The overall professionalism I witnessed fell far short of the standards I expect from such a highly regarded festival. The lack of technical preparedness is unacceptable for an event of Essence Festival’s caliber and prestige,” she wrote.
Unfortunately, numerous grievances are being raised about the 2025 Essence Fest. Local vendors have spoken out about being excluded from the New Orleans festivities. As the city’s culture has been an integral part of the Essence event since its inception, the lack of inclusion is baffling to many. Jalence Isles, founder of Where Black NOLA Eats, says the New Orleans culture and community are no longer active participants in festivities.
“Essence uses New Orleans as a venue, and that’s it. They’re not here to necessarily make specific impacts on the New Orleans community,” Isles told WWNO.
Much of the criticism directed at the company stems from the “Clean Zone Ordinance” imposed on local vendors.
The ordinance bars vendors from operating in designated parts of the city during the Fourth of July weekend, when the event is held.
In 2023, Essence organizers shut down a book fest for Black authors organized by local Black-owned bookstore Baldwin & Co. The rationale for the suit claimed that it violated the clean zone law. Additionally, the suit claims that the promotion of the event was misleading and unlawfully used the Essence trademark. The suit was dropped shortly after it was filed due to public backlash, NOLA reported.
Many more criticisms of the festival continue. Social media users are concerned that Black American culture is taking a backseat to the African diaspora. Others believe that there is no longer a clear demographic for the event, and a money grab is all that remains.
Whether those concerns are founded in reality or not, one thing is clear. Mills, a legend in the Black community, has spoken. As an elder, Mills felt compelled to chastise the longstanding institution publicly. As a witness and participant in Essence Festival’s evolution over the past 30 years, her words are worth noting.
10 Actions Black Business Owners Can Take To Lessen The Sting Of Tariffs
Renegotiating contracts with suppliers and vendors and seeking domestic suppliers to cut reliance on imports could help lessen the impact of tariffs.
Black business owners face economic snags that are more severe than their non-diverse peers.
Some 52% of them report that they were already experiencing declining sales due to tariffs as of June 2025, according to Chuck Casto, head of research and news at Alignable. He indicated that it is eight percentage points above the national average for all small businesses last month. And the June rate was 19 percentage points higher for Black owners than in May 2025.
Alignable, which calls itself North America’s largest small business networking platform, polled more than 4,000 small business owners, with 196 responses from Black business owners. Two Harvard Business School researchers and an MIT economist contributed to the report.
Among the industries hit the hardest by the tariff fallout: restaurants, retail, and manufacturing, many of which are led or owned by Black entrepreneurs.
Simultaneously, President Donald Trump just announced new tariffs up to 40% for several countries. Generally, tariffs can hurt small businesses in many ways. For instance, they can boost the costs of imported goods that the firms depend on, reduce profits, and weaken their global competitiveness.
“Using the threat of tariffs as a short-term negotiation ploy is triggering real, long-term damage across our economy,” Alignable CEO and co-founder Eric Groves said. “It’s not just a few industries or importers. The uncertainty is cascading through supply chains, eroding margins, and eroding confidence. Small business owners are caught in the crossfire.”
Additionally, one in five entrepreneurs fear that their firms won’t make it to 2026 if the tariff trend lingers or intensifies.
Even so, Casto told BLACK ENTERPRISE via email that all respondents were asked about how much their networking has helped open doors for them. Those interactions include helping them find new customers, referral partners, or new suppliers.
He says that 53% of all survey respondents reported that ramping up their networking and other pivots—such as concentrating on retaining customers and cutting costs—has helped them, to some extent, fight back against the negative effects of tariffs.
As for Black business owners, 45% of them declared that networking and other pivots are helping them repel the effects of tariffs, Casto says. “Though it’s lower than the national average for June, it’s still a very encouraging number, showing just how resilient Black owners of small businesses are right now, with the current tariff situation.”
In examining the percentage of owners who fear closure in 2025 if trade policies don’t improve, Casto says there’s a slight silver lining: Only 8% of them fear that. That’s much lower than the national average of 20% who worry about shuttering before year’s end. Casto says the difference is another testament to the resilience of Black business owners amid the challenges.
Additionally, there are multiple actions that small businesses can take to help mitigate tariffs, reduce costs, and minimize revenue loss. Based on BE research, the actions could include:
Renegotiate contracts with vendors and suppliers to discuss the pricing of goods and ask if any adjustments can be made, if needed, to offset those costs.
Explore opportunities to invest in supply chain technology to enhance efficiency and reduce operational expenses.
Work with consultants specializing in supply chain international trade matters. They can potentially help on several fronts, including determining your exposure to tariffs, developing alternative sourcing and logistics strategies, and reducing customs penalties.
If tariff pricing adjustments are necessary, consider applying them gradually, if possible, rather than implementing them all at once. Be sure to clearly inform customers about the changes and be transparent about why they are necessary to help sustain their trust and loyalty.
Examine diversifying your supply chains by identifying alternative suppliers in countries with lower tariffs. Additionally, consider seeking local or other domestic suppliers to reduce dependency on imports.
Implement AI to receive recommendations on how much you can potentially increase prices without losing customers. For example, AI could possibly help you determine various pricing strategies that best suit your circumstances.
Consider utilizing AI to identify new sources for raw materials and other essential supplies. Also, be open to exploring new markets and expanding digital reach.
Analyze where you can trim overhead costs tied to tariff-related costs and maintain sufficient cash reserves to offset unexpected or sudden cost increases.
Conduct research to determine if your products or business may qualify for tariff exclusions or abatements.
Research whether trade groups or other organizations offer information on tariff-free markets.
