living wage, basic needs, struggle, families

by Kandiss Edwards

January 9, 2026

Teen Scammer Collects $7K Child Support From Ex-Boyfriend For Non-Existent Baby

Hardy later told the man she was pregnant with his child and requested financial support.

A Georgia teen has been arrested and charged after authorities said she scammed her former boyfriend into sending her more than $7,000 in child support for a non-existent child.

The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office said Brya Hardy of Newnan was arrested on Dec. 31 and charged with theft by deception, US Weekly reported. Investigators said the case began earlier in December when the alleged victim contacted deputies to report that he believed he had been scammed.

According to the Coweta Sheriff’s Office, Hardy and the victim had been in a relationship several years prior to her arrest. Deputies said Hardy later told the man she was pregnant with his child and requested financial support. The man sent her more than $7,000, authorities said.

Investigators said Hardy provided her ex-boyfriend with photographs of a child she claimed was theirs. Deputies later determined the child in the pictures was related to neither Hardy nor the victim. No reports have properly identified the infant.

An 18 y/o Coweta County woman, Brya Hardy, was arrested and charged with theft by deception after allegedly scamming her ex‑boyfriend out of about $7,000 in child support by falsely claiming he was the father of a baby that was neither his nor hers. pic.twitter.com/wHX7HKm57I
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) January 7, 2026

“The victim sent Hardy over $7,000 for a child that was not his,” the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office stated.

The sheriff’s office said investigators obtained an arrest warrant after determining the claims were false. Hardy was taken into custody without incident, according to CBS News Atlanta.

The case remains under investigation, and authorities did not immediately release details about Hardy’s bond status or upcoming court appearances. Deputies asked anyone with information related to the case to contact the sheriff’s office.

Hardy has not publicly commented on the charges, and it was not immediately clear whether she has retained an attorney. The charge of theft by deception is pending in Coweta County, and no additional charges have been announced as of publication.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 9, 2026

James Bernard, Founding Editor Of XXL And The Source, Dies

James Bernard, the trailblazing hip-hop journalist behind XXL and The Source, has passed away.

James Bernard, the trailblazing hip-hop journalist and co-founder of XXL who helped shape The Source‘s voice in the late ’80s and early ’90s, has died.

No cause of death has been disclosed, but Bernard’s passing has been confirmed by colleagues and friends, including Questlove of The Roots, who shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram honoring the influential journalist and media executive, AllHipHop reports. According to the Grammy and Oscar-winning musician, producer, filmmaker, and DJ, Bernard played a pivotal role in helping to shape the voice of hip-hop in its early days at a crucial time when the art form “often received with a kind of snark.”

“One of the turning points was The Source magazine during its golden era (roughly 1988–1994). It taught us how to listen critically. Even now, I create with that 5-Mic standard in mind—thinking about all those classic 5 Mic reviews,” Questlove wrote.

He continued. “At the center of those debates stood James Bernard, who oversaw their record reviews. They were GOSPEL. He taught me that taste is subjective, that regionalism matters, and that criticism—done right—can sharpen your ear and your purpose. Ironically, Do You Want More??!!! became the last review he oversaw in that era.”

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Bernard is regarded for his work as co-editor-in-chief at The Source, where he helped cement the magazine as the defining voice of ’90s hip-hop. He shaped an editorial approach that brought legitimacy to the then-burgeoning art form through pieces that showed how rap music sparked political commentary and cultural analysis, all while staying deeply connected to the culture.

After departing The Source over creative differences, Bernard co-founded XXL with fellow editor Reginald Dennis in 1997. The magazine quickly emerged as The Source’s main rival and paved its own lane through long-form journalism, in-depth artist profiles, and a wider editorial scope that showcased the pop-star abilities of hip-hop artists. The magazines’ now-iconic XXL Freshman list is among the many elements that have positioned XXL as a lasting institution in hip-hop media.

“His passion of music was legendary. A Class Act,” Questlove added. “James helped shepherd hip-hop from skepticism to seriousness, from novelty to culture. This loss hits deep for everyone who learned how to listen through his words. Rest In Beats Sir.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 9, 2026

Philadelphia Sheriff Lambasts ‘Wannabe’ ICE As ‘Fake Law Enforcement’ After Minneapolis Shooting

Bilal said ICE officers are "made-up, fake, wannabe law enforcement"

Philadelphia’s sheriff harshly criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Jan. 9, denouncing the federal agency as “fake law enforcement” and warning that ICE agents who break the law in her city could face arrest. This reaction follows a controversial fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.

Sheriff Rochelle Bilal’s remarks came during a news event in Philadelphia, where she aligned with District Attorney Larry Krasner in condemning ICE’s actions. Bilal said ICE officers are “made-up, fake, wannabe law enforcement” whose conduct violates both “legal law” and “moral law.” She asserted that if ICE agents commit crimes in Philadelphia, they would be subject to arrest and prosecution, declaring, “You don’t want this smoke, because we will bring it.”

Her comments reflect mounting backlash to the case in Minneapolis this week in which a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a woman during what federal authorities described as a ‘targeted immigration enforcement operation.’ Authorities identified the woman as Reneé Nicole Good, and the Department of Homeland Security has said the agent acted in ‘self-defense’ after the vehicle reportedly blocked officers and posed a threat. Many who viewed the video, including current lawmakers, disagree.

Bilal and Krasner were joined by immigration advocacy groups and community leaders who have criticized ICE’s role in local communities and called for tighter oversight or abolition of the agency. Protesters held vigils and expressed broader concerns about federal immigration enforcement practices, urging officials to protect residents from heavy-handed actions by federal agents.

Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Caleb Arnold and other speakers emphasized that ICE agents do not have unrestricted authority to detain U.S. citizens without proper legal justification, highlighting legal complexities around immigration enforcement.

The dispute highlights growing tensions between local officials and federal immigration authorities.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 9, 2026

Chrisean Rock Takes Boxing Serious, Signs With XRumble Fighting Championships

She has been seen in recent video clips training

After being seen on video taking up boxing training at the Fortune Boxing Gym in California, reality TV personality Chrisean Rock has signed to become a boxer under the XRumble banner.

According to TMZ, the aspiring boxer has signed with the celebrity boxing company founded by Damon Feldman. She is expected to take part in the first female Super Middleweight Championship that will take place on April 25. No opponent has been selected for the bout, which will be at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Feldman, who founded Official Celebrity Boxing in 2003, told the media outlet that they are seeking someone in the 160- to 170-pound range to face Rock. He says she is training with Calvin Ford, Gervonta Davis’s former boxing coach, in her native city of Baltimore.

During the Christmas holiday, Rock filmed several workouts in a gym and outdoors and posted them on social media. In one clip, she is working out at the Fortune Boxing Gym with a trainer, and on what appears to be Christmas, she is shown walking and then jogging up a hill with her son in a stroller.

Before getting serious about the boxing arena, she was known more for her reality TV appearances, where she was typically beefing with her former boyfriend and baby father, Blueface, and his mother. She has also been publicly criticized for how she cares for the son she had with the rapper.

AllHipHop reported that she is returning to athletics after abandoning it for the spoils of reality television. When she was 12, she started training for track and field. As she got older, she started competing in sprints and relays, even making it to the Junior Olympics before attending Arundel High School in Maryland, where she continued her track career.

After completing high school, she was a Division I student-athlete at Santa Monica College in California. While there, she studied Kinesiology and Exercise Science.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 9, 2026

Megan Thee Stallion Teams With Dunkin’ To Launch New Protein Milk Mango Refresher

Megan Thee Stallion is helping Dunkin' unveil its new Protein Milk addition with the launch of her signature Mango Protein Refresher.

From Popeyes to Dunkin’, Megan Thee Stallion continues to serve her Hotties’ flavor. The Grammy-winning rapper’s latest fast-food collab teams her up with Dunkin’ to debut a signature drink tied to the brand’s new Protein Milk product.

Unveiled on Jan. 7, Dunkin’s new Protein Refreshers deliver bold, refreshing sips made with Protein Milk, with Megan Thee Stallion’s signature Mango Protein Refresher featuring a juicy mango flavor promoted through the brand’s ’80s-inspired “Dunk N’ Pump” workout campaign with “Pro Tina.”

“Time to target those sip muscles with new Protein Refreshers, only at Dunkin’! 💗🧡” she captioned an Instagram announcement.

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Dunkin’s new Protein Milk can be added to a wide range of beverages, from lattes to refreshers, whether made with dairy or non-dairy bases. To inspire customers, the chain suggested drinks such as the Strawberry Protein Refresher, Almond Iced Protein Matcha Latte, Iced Protein Latte with Sugar-Free Vanilla, and Caramel Chocolate Ice Protein Latte.

Megan wants her fans to know that her signature flavor fits perfectly into their everyday routines.

“Teaming up with Dunkin’ to bring my new Mango Protein Refresher to life has been such an exciting experience, and I can’t wait for the Hotties to try it,” Megan said in a statement. “Whether you’re drinking it to boost your fitness routine or just to power through a busy day, it’s the perfect drink for any occasion.”

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Beverages made with Protein Milk pack 15 grams of protein per serving, delivering a creamy, familiar taste without any chalky texture or aftertaste.

“We saw protein milk as a natural way to give our guests more flexibility in how they enjoy the Dunkin’ menu throughout the day,” the company’s Chief Marketing Officer Jill Nelson, said in a statement.

The launch is part of Dunkin’s broader winter menu update, which features new protein-focused drinks, seasonal beverages and snacks, and value options. Highlights include the return of the Sweet Black Pepper Bacon and a $5 Meal Deal featuring a Wake-Up Wrap, hash browns, and a medium coffee, hot or iced.

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 9, 2026

Ken Ofori-Atta, Former Finance Minister Of Ghana, Detained By U.S. Immigration For Overstaying Visa

As speculation circulated that Ofori-Atta’s arrest was connected to the extradition request, Ghanaian activist and lawyer Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor said that wasn't the case.

Former Finance Minister of Ghana, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been detained by U.S. Immigration officials over an accusation of overstaying his visa, the BBC reports.

Ofori-Atta’s legal team says their client left the African nation in 2025 due to medical reasons, and that Ghana has pushed for his extradition. The former leader’s lawyers claim the request correlates to the number of allegations against him. In February 2025, Ghana prosecutors labeled Ofori-Atta a fugitive, claiming he was attempting to dodge investigators.

The leader faces an abundance of charges, including conspiracy to commit procurement fraud and causing financial loss to the state—all tied to his time in office, January 2017 to February 2024, when his New Patriotic Party was in control. Ofori-Atta’s lawyers released a statement calling their client “law-abiding” and that he was in the process of applying to change his immigration status so that he could to stay in the United States “past the period of validity of [his] visa.”

As speculation circulated that Ofori-Atta’s arrest was connected to the extradition request, Ghanaian activist and lawyer Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor said via X that wasn’t the case.

“Ken Ofori-Atta was not arrested over our extradition request. He was arrested for overstaying his visa,” he wrote. “He is liable to be deported. Not extradited.”

Ken Ofori-Atta was not arrested over our extradition request. He was arrested for overstaying his visa.

He is liable to being deported. Not extradited.
— Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor (@barkervogues) January 8, 2026

He expressed what would have happened if the former leader is shipped to Ghana. “If Ofori-Atta had come…he would have been given bail there and there; no matter the amount of Ghana money he would be accused of stealing,” Barker-Vormawor continued. “Bail refusal in Ghana is only for poor people charged with low-level misdemeanor offenses. Now see?”

If Ofori-Atta had come. He would have been given bail there and there; no matter the amount of Ghana money he will be accused of stealing.

Bail refusal in Ghana is only for poor people charged with low level misdemeanour offenses. Now see?
— Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor (@barkervogues) January 8, 2026

In December, John Mahama from the National Democratic Congress was elected president and pledged to crack down on corruption. Ofori-Atta’s attorney, Enayat Qasimi previously told the BBC that his client was “committed to fully complying with the laws of Ghana and…answering for anything he did when he was finance minister.”

The news comes less than a week after the United States thrust itself into Venezuela’s national affairs. While Ghana and the U.S. have decent ties, the African nation condemned the “invasion” that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, describing it as an “abduction.”

by Kandiss Edwards

January 9, 2026

Georgia Sheriff Says IHOP Has ‘Lost Its Ever-Loving Mind’ For Not Paying Its Employees

Coleman said during his lunch additional workers came forward with similar claims.

An IHOP restaurant in Chatham County is being put on blast after multiple employees told a local sheriff they had not been paid for over 80 hours of work.

The situation unfolded when Sheriff Richard Coleman was dining at the IHOP on Gateway Boulevard and was approached by a server who appeared distressed. Coleman said the employee told him she had not been paid for more than 80 hours of work. Coleman recounted the event on the Chatham County Sheriff’s Facebook page.

After speaking with the initial employee, Coleman said additional workers came forward with similar claims. Employees told him they were owed wages for weeks. Then complaints disturbed him; in an act of compassion, he confronted the franchise owner about the allegations. The encounter occurred while he was at the restaurant for lunch. He said the interaction with employees was unexpected and concerning.

“To sit here and labor people day after day and week after week and not receive a paycheck. You’ve lost your ever-loving mind,” Coleman said.

According to reports by WJCL, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation following the visit. Apparently, the restaurant was operating with an expired business license at the time of his visit, in addition to the wage complaints raised by workers.

When questioned by WJCL, the restaurant’s manager denied wrongdoing and disputed the claims, telling the station that employees were being paid.

In the Facebook Live video, Coleman asserted that he was the “wrong person on the wrong day” to hear the complaints. With attention now on the labor and compensation dispute, it seems like the inverse for employees, at least. The sheriff was the right person to bring light to the alleged injustice.

No criminal charges were announced at the time of the reports. Authorities did not indicate how long the investigation would take or whether regulatory action would follow.

Homebuyers, Ghosting Sellers: 10 Cities Where It's Happening Most

by Jeffrey McKinney

January 9, 2026

Five Tips Black Millennials Can Consider To Make Home Buying A Reality In 2026

Unexpected or hidden costs of homeownership and the incapability to qualify for a mortgage are among the top concerns for Black millennial home buyers.

New data show that Black millennials are desperate to buy a home, among the largest investments most people will ever make.

In fact, 53% of them planning to buy a home this year would spend more than half of their monthly income to become homeowners. That proportion is larger than 44% of respondents polled overall with the same desire.

This discovery comes as many Black millennials are excluded from gaining the financial security and asset accumulation that home ownership brings. They are often stifled by barriers such as high home prices, high mortgage rates, and affordability concerns.

Jaime Dunaway-Seale, author of the “Millennial Home Buyer Report: 2026 Edition,” provided BLACK ENTERPRISE with a breakdown of the findings. The survey by Clever Real Estate covered 1,000 American millennial homebuyers, including 145 Black respondents.

Some 94% of Black millennials indicated facing at least one homeownership barrier. Among them: Interest rates are too high (37%), saving for a down payment (36%), and homes are too costly (33%). High property taxes (30%) and qualifying for a mortgage (27%) were also referenced.

And while the median U.S. home cost $410,800, around 76% of Black millennials planning home purchases at this time aim to spend under $400,000. And 40% of those individuals would consider a mortgage only if the interest rate were below the current 6% level.

Hence, 93% are concerned about buying a home. Among their top worries: unexpected or hidden costs of homeownership and being unable to qualify for a mortgage (both 24%). Being unable to afford a mortgage (23%) and overpaying or making a bad financial decision (22%) were other concerns quoted.

Typically, Black millennials looking at home buying are facing strong economic concerns, sharing that sentiment with all younger people seeking the same thing.

However, Dunaway-Seale provided some strategies that can help Black millennials buy now without having to wait indefinitely for market improvement:

Use first-time buyer and down-payment assistance programs. She explained that many cities, states, and nonprofits offer grants or forgivable loans. She added that some of the methods are specifically geared to close racial gaps in homeownership.
Expand your search. Look beyond the most desirable neighborhoods, where you can still find a quality, but more affordable, home. “Smaller homes, condos, or town homes can be steppingstones to a larger property. If you buy a home with a guest bedroom, consider renting it out to offset the mortgage.”
Ask the seller to pay for a mortgage rate buydown. Dunaway-Seale says that action can help lower monthly payments. If the seller disagrees, another option is to refinance if rates fall.
Reduce your debt before applying for a mortgage. She recommends paying down high-interest debt first and avoiding new debt for six to 12 months before applying.
Improve your credit score to help you get a lower mortgage rate. Make your most recent payments on time. “If you have a one-time slip, call your credit card company and ask for a goodwill adjustment.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 9, 2026

Fulton County DA’s Office Ordered To Immediately Return Young Thug’s Possessions Seized After RICO Indictment

Fulton County Judge Paige Whitaker ordered items to be returned by 5 p.m. Jan. 9

In August 2025, Fulton County Judge Paige Whitaker ordered that Atlanta prosecutors return possessions belonging to recording artist Young Thug after he was released following his guilty plea in his RICO trial. Now, five months later, Whitaker has demanded that the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office turn over all property seized from the rapper by 5 p.m. Jan. 9.

According to WSB-TV, because the office has not done so, Whitaker said prosecutors have caused unreasonable and inexcusable delays by failing to order the required transcripts for their appeal. She also stated that the delays had exceeded 90 days, preventing Thug from retrieving his possessions.

Prosecutors did not want to return the items, citing that they were obtained as part of the rapper’s “criminal activity.”

In February, Thug received some of his jewelry back, but the District Attorney’s Office retained the rest of his items. What he has yet to get back is listed below:

$145,300 Cash
Glock 19X firearm
Glock 45 9mm-caliber firearm
FN Five Seven firearm
Smith & Wesson M&P .40-Caliber firearm
Glock .357-caliber firearm
Glock 30s .45-caliber firearm
2022 Chevrolet Corvette
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2021 Dodge Durango
2015 Can-Am Spyder

Last November, it was reported that the “Stoner” recording artist agreed to a non-negotiated guilty plea. Some of the charges included firearm possession and participation in criminal street gang activity, and Young Thug also pleaded no contest to racketeering and leading a criminal street gang. He remained in custody for more than 900 days after his initial booking in May 2022. He was one of 28 people named in a 56-count indictment.

When he entered his guilty plea, it ended the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.

In December, Thug made a significant life decision when, during a Dec. 16 concert in Atlanta, he proposed to his girlfriend and fellow Georgia native, Mariah the Scientist. The proposal took place at the State Farm Arena, where Thug headlined the charity event, “Hometown Hero: Young Thug & Friends.”

Mariah accepted the offer. No details have been released regarding when the nuptials would take place.

by Kandiss Edwards

January 9, 2026

Pay Me What You Owe Me: Dekalb Educator Says District Refuses To Pay Guaranteed Raise

Wayne Lomax, a teacher in the DeKalb County School District, said the raise was included in a contract executed during the tenure of former Superintendent Devon Horton.

A DeKalb County Schools teacher says he has spent months trying to receive a nearly $15,000 raise that is spelled out in his employment contract but to no avail.

Wayne Lomax, a teacher in the DeKalb County School District, said the raise was included in a contract executed during the tenure of former Superintendent Devon Horton. However, the additional pay did appear in his paycheck for the 2024–25 school year.

Lomax provided WSB-TV with copies of his signed contract, along with email correspondence showing repeated attempts to resolve the issue with the DeKalb County School District’s human resources department. The educator said he first contacted HR on Sept. 18, after noticing the raise was missing, and followed up several times in the months that followed.

“If I’m not being paid almost $15,000, then where is the money?” Lomax said in an interview with Channel 2 Action News.

After months without a resolution, Lomax retained an attorney. His lawyer sent a certified letter to the school district demanding payment of the raise outlined in the contract. Lomax said he contacted the local news station to bring awareness after receiving no response to that letter.

The district has previously said compensation adjustments can be delayed due to administrative review. Despite a delayed turnover time, Lomax believes his raise should have already been applied from the previous year. A spokesperson at the district office claimed they have no records of Lomax’s attempts to communicate his issue. The DeKalb educator refutes these claims. He also questions where the funds are, and whether they are now rightfully being disbursed.

“To know that it’s almost $15,000 that’s just out there; no accountability on where it’s at is beyond frustrating, and it’s hurtful,” he said.

DeKalb County Schools is one of Georgia’s largest districts, employing thousands of educators under contracts that include step increases, supplements, and role-based adjustments. Along with neighboring Fulton County, the district has offered significant pay increases due to teacher shortages. The new DeKalb Schools’ budget offers a 6% increase yearly for educators, according to Decaturish.

Lomax told WSB-TV he believes the issue could affect other educators if contractual pay provisions are not enforced consistently. He said he is continuing to seek payment through legal channels while remaining in his teaching role.