Devin Vassell — photo credit: Photo by Jacob Gralton, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 3, 2025

San Antonio Spurs Player Devin Vassell Bears Gift, Expertise To 30 High School Students In Jamaica

He hosted a basketball clinic at the Herbert Morrison Technical High School

NBA player Devin Vassell visited his father’s homeland, Jamaica, to host a basketball clinic at the Herbert Morrison Technical High School.

According to The Jamaica Gleaner, the San Antonio player was on the island June 30 to give back to the community and brought some Nike gear with him. Thirty students had the opportunity to interact with Vassell, who also gifted them with socks, knapsacks, T-shirts, and shoes.

Vassell said that he enjoys giving back to the community.

“I just want to pour back into the community. This is a dream come true.”

The students who attended the clinic were from Herbert Morrison, Muschett, Holland, Green Pond, Cornwall College, Spot Valley, and St James High. The Spurs player spoke with the 30 guys and signed autographs for them, and he also offered them some advice about the sport of basketball. This was his first time visiting a high school on the island of Jamaica. He stated that he wants to help the students so they can be prepared to take their skills to the next level, and he wants them to have the necessary gear and equipment needed to get there.

“When I was younger, I didn’t have all the resources I needed either, so my biggest thing is to try and help out.”

Although this is his first clinic in Jamaica, he also conducts several in the States.

It was a family affair, as his father, Andrew, who was born in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, accompanied him, along with his mother, sister, and brother.

“It touched my heart. It is an overwhelming feeling,” Andrew said. “This is the first of many, and it just makes our entire family happy.

“The feeling and emotion is huge for me, knowing what we will do in this Third World country we originated from.”

The 24-year-old has recently expressed interest in representing his father’s country in the upcoming Olympics, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in 2028.

Vassell has been in the NBA since being selected by the Spurs at No. 11 at the 2020 NBA Draft after playing his collegiate career at Florida State University.

Assata Shakur,Chicago Teachers Union — Trenton Times, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Keka Araújo

July 2, 2025

New Jersey’s Misplaced Focus: 77-Year-Old Assata Shakur Tops The State’s Most Wanted List

Is this truly where New Jersey’s finite resources and political will should be directed, when deeper systemic crises fester within its own borders?

On May 12, in a move that defies contemporary relevance and strains credulity, the New Jersey State Police recently unveiled its 2025 “Most Wanted” list, placing 77-year-old Assata Shakur—formerly Joanne Chesimard—at its apex.

The designation, accompanied by a $2 million reward for her capture, arrives decades after Shakur received political asylum in Cuba, became a Cuban citizen, and earned a master’s degree from the University of Havana. The state’s unwavering focus on a figure long beyond its reach begs a searing question: Is this truly where New Jersey’s finite resources and political will should be directed, when deeper systemic crises fester within its own borders?

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Shakur’s history is undeniably fraught. On May 2, 1973, America’s most wanted woman was involved in a fatal roadside shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that left State Trooper Werner Foerster dead and Trooper James Harper seriously wounded. Convicted of first-degree murder in 1977 and sentenced to life, Shakur escaped prison in 1979 and has resided in Cuba since 1984, where she was granted asylum.

The New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association has consistently advocated for her return, calling her presence in Cuba “an affront to every resident of our state.”

The White House, under various administrations, has also cited Cuba’s harboring of fugitives, including Chesimard, as a point of contention in U.S.-Cuba relations. Trump even used Shakur’s exile as a way to double down on his trash Anti-Cuba/ anti-Black rhetoric on June 30 with his “Strengthened Policy From the United States Toward Cuba.” Yet, the pursuit of a septuagenarian exile, however symbolically charged, appears a jarring misallocation of attention when juxtaposed against the urgent, tangible suffering of New Jersey’s present-day populace.

Consider the stark realities demanding the state’s immediate and comprehensive intervention:

Persistent Racial Wealth and Income Gaps: New Jersey, a state of considerable affluence, harbors one of the nation’s most egregious racial wealth disparities. Data from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) reveals a median household wealth gap where white households command approximately $662,500, while Black and Latina/o households possess less than $20,000. This chasm has reportedly doubled in size since the COVID-19 pandemic, representing a profound economic injustice. Furthermore, median household income for white families stands at $110,100, starkly contrasting with $76,100 for Latina/o households and $68,900 for Black households. These are not historical footnotes; they are active, debilitating inequities.

Entrenched Educational Segregation and Achievement Gaps: New Jersey’s public education system, while often lauded, is marred by deep-seated racial and economic segregation. The state ranks among the most segregated school systems in the nation, funneling many minority students into underperforming schools. This concentration of poverty and racial isolation demonstrably impedes academic advancement. Post-pandemic data from the New Jersey Department of Education indicates that despite some overall improvements, significant disparities persist, with districts serving predominantly Black and Hispanic students consistently lagging behind their white peers in academic recovery.

Aging and Inadequate Infrastructure: The state’s physical backbone is crumbling, imposing substantial financial burdens and raising critical concerns for public safety and economic vitality. New Jersey drivers collectively incur an average of $713 annually due to vehicle repairs and inefficiencies directly attributable to dilapidated roads. A troubling 7.8% of bridges are classified as structurally deficient. Modernizing the state’s drinking water systems is estimated to require $8.6 billion, and its public schools face a staggering $1.58 billion capital expenditure gap for essential facility upgrades and maintenance.

Persistent Health Disparities: Health outcomes in New Jersey are shaped by race and socioeconomic status. Black and Latina/o residents face disproportionately higher uninsured rates, rendering them acutely vulnerable to financial catastrophe from medical emergencies. Black residents are more than twice as likely to lack health insurance as white residents, while Latina/o residents are six times more likely to be uninsured. Compounding this, New Jersey’s maternal death rate is among the nation’s highest, with Black mothers tragically seven times more likely than white mothers to succumb to pregnancy-related complications.

Challenges in Affordable Housing and Housing Instability: The crisis of housing instability disproportionately afflicts racial and ethnic minorities and low-income households across New Jersey. Financial obstacles are the most common impediment to securing safe and desirable housing. Black and Hispanic residents are more than twice as likely as white and Asian residents to confront housing barriers. Alarmingly, more than one in 10 New Jerseyans either lack stable housing or live with the gnawing fear of losing their homes, signaling an urgent demand for expansive affordable housing solutions and robust support systems.

The decision to spotlight Shakur, a 77-year-old woman living under political asylum in Cuba as the state’s paramount fugitive, while these quantifiable crises persist, speaks volumes about a deeply misguided sense of priority. It suggests allocating attention and potential resources to a historical grievance, however deeply felt by some, rather than to the immediate, pressing needs of hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans struggling with economic disenfranchisement, educational inequity, crumbling infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, and housing insecurity.

A truly just and effective government would, with unwavering resolve, address the tangible suffering within its own communities, rather than chasing ghosts across international waters.

#TeamAssata

General Mills — photo credit: chaddavis.photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 2, 2025

General Mills Employee Reported ‘Offensive’ Messaging Around Black History, Company Allegedly Retaliated

There was nothing fun about the Tulsa Race Massacre, labeled as one of the single worst incidents of racial violence in American history.

A lawsuit accuses food manufacturer General Mills of retaliating against a former employee after reporting alleged “fun facts” during Black History Month, referencing sensitive historical events including the Tulsa Massacre and Black Codes, Fox 9 News reported.

The discrimination and retaliation lawsuit was filed by Storms Dworak LLC on behalf of L. Lee Tyus Jr., a Black man, who alleges the company violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act when he was terminated for speaking up. The Minnesota-based company allegedly passed out flyers during the February 2025 celebration, labeling violent acts of history like the Tulsa Race Massacre as “Fun Facts.”

After expressing concern, he was placed on involuntary leave. Upon his return, Tyus shared contact information of other employees who claimed to be offended by the content. After copies of the document he created were placed in the breakroom, the litigation alleges he was escorted out and fired.

The $50,000 lawsuit pushes for a civil fine and attorney fees, as, according to KARE 11, Tyus started working at General Mills in 2019. In January 2025, he received a performance review stating he was “on track.”

There was nothing fun about the Tulsa Race Massacre, also known as the Black Wall Street Massacre. Labeled as one of the single worst incidents of racial violence in American history, the event lasted for 18 hours on May 31 and June 1, 1921, resulting in an estimated 300 Black Americans being killed. In addition, a white mob destroyed over 1,000 homes and businesses, burning Oklahoma’s second-largest African-American community to the ground.

Once the violence ended, the city was placed under martial law.

Surviving Tulsa residents have been fighting for justice and restitution for decades. In 2024, the Oklahoma Supreme Court denied a request to reconsider a ruling that once dismissed a lawsuit filed by the last two known living survivors. The suit was an effort to force the city of Tulsa and others to make restitution for the destruction under the state’s public nuisance law. Legal reps also argued that the city appropriated Black Wall Street’s iconic reputation for its “financial and reputational benefit.”

In a statement, Tyus’s lawyer, Naomi Martin, said the lawsuit was filed because people should not be targeted for standing up for what they believe. “General Mills has a national brand and a deep Minnesota footprint. In my view, that kind of presence comes with responsibility, and a company of this size should be modeling what it means to support employees who speak up, not firing them. Mr. Tyus did what every employee should feel safe to do — he stood up, spoke out against what he believed was discrimination, and reported it. That took courage,” Martin said.

“And it’s exactly the kind of action the Minnesota Human Rights Act exists to protect. We brought this case because no one should face retaliation for doing the right thing.”

While General Mills failed to comment on the issue, the company did reveal that they “do not tolerate discrimination or retaliation.”

Mamie Till, Emmett Till — Photo: David Jackson Public domain

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 2, 2025

Anti-DEI Rhetoric And Federal Budget Cuts Put Emmett Till Monuments At Risk

Thanks to former President Joe Biden, monuments of Till and Mobley-Till were installed in 2023 at three sites with significant relevance.

National park conservancy groups are calling out the Trump administration for attempting to have national monuments of the likes of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, removed due to anti-DEI policies, CBS News reports.

While there are 138 national monuments across the U.S., budget cuts at the hands of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are threatening to eliminate the budget for National Park Service (NPS) by roughly $1 billion, putting the monuments of Emmett Till, whose brutal killing was a pivotal event of the Civil Rights movement, at risk. “We are seeing this effort to erase and reverse history and historic preservation,” said historian and Senior Director of Cultural Resources and Government Affairs for the National Parks Conservation Association Alan Spears.

“This is turning quickly into a dream deferred.”

Till’s story still resonates as an important moment in American civil rights history. The 14-year-old Chicago native was visiting cousins in Mississippi in 1955 when he was kidnapped and brutally lynched by a mob of white men after Carolyn Bryant, a white woman, falsely accused him of whistling at her. Thanks to former President Joe Biden, monuments were installed in 2023 at three sites of significant historical relevance.

The first one is located at Graball Landing along the Tallahatchie River in Mississippi, where Till’s body was found. The second is at the Tallahatchie County Courthouse, where his killers, who confessed to the crime, were acquitted by an all-white jury. The third can be found at the Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Chicago, where Till’s funeral was held after Mobley-Till insisted on having an open-casket procession to see what the men did to him.

Spears and fellow advocates have worked diligently to expand on the monuments, but that work may be eliminated due to the Trump administration’s DEI policies. “Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen to anybody else’s son ever again,” Spears said.

In a June 2025 legal opinion released by the Department of Justice, it was revealed that the president can downsize national monuments for the first time since the 1930s, adding to another attack on DEI. According to The Independent, other sites at risk of being removed include California’s Chuckwalla and Sattitla Highlands national monuments and the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona.

Former National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, who left his role in early 2025, labeled the possibility of Emmett Till and Mobley-Till monuments being removed as “very sad and egregious.” “People don’t like to look at their past when it shows a negative light of who we are, and I can understand that nobody likes to look at their own personal past that may have a negative light, but we also know that in order to learn from our own history, we also have to learn from our past mistakes,” Sams said.

“And we, as Americans, have never been actually scared to do so, and I don’t think we should be now. We look at our past, and we know that from our past mistakes that we have become stronger.”

However, the White House seemingly defended having the ability to shut down the sites, claiming it is part of Trump’s “promise” to “‘drill, baby, drill’ and restore American energy dominance.” Accordeing to The Independent, Anne Kelly, a White House spokesperson said in a statement: “Under President Trump’s leadership, [Interior] Secretary [Doug] Burgum is keeping our parks ready for peak season, ensuring they are in pristine condition for visitors, and restoring truth and sanity to depictions of American history in line with the president’s executive order.”

College Applications, Student, College Board, essays — (Photo: fauxels/Pexels)

by Kandiss Edwards

July 2, 2025

‘Making A Difference’ Initiative Invests Millions In Student Scholarships

Making a Difference initiative has topped all previous years’ donations

On July 2, 1-800-TruckWreck announced that it has awarded over $2.94 million in scholarships and job-readiness program funding through its “Making a Difference” initiative.

The “Making a Difference” initiative has topped all previous years’ donations for three consecutive years. To date, the program has awarded aid to 619 students. Over 500 scholarships have been renewed.

In 2025, 1-800-TruckWreck awarded $432,500 in scholarships to 173 graduating seniors. The initiative gave an additional $12,500 to five specially selected students. Furthermore, an estimated 179 previous recipients will have their scholarships renewed. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA. Additionally, students must carry a course load of 12 credit hours or more.

In a press release, Amy Witherite, owner of Witherite Law Group, emphasizes the importance of the “Making a Difference” initiative.

“For those who can’t afford college outright, accruing overwhelming student loan debt is a valid concern,” Witherite stated. “Financial assistance can be a lifeline to help students further their education, enhance their skills, and better position themselves for jobs of the future.”

Witherite collaborates with various organizations to support students. These include Fort Worth ISD, Atlanta Public Schools, Crete-Monee School District, and the Dunbar Vocational Career Academy.

Student Response

Georgia Tech student GeNaya Hough praised the scholarship’s impact, “Thanks to the financial relief this scholarship has provided, I haven’t had to work as many hours just to stay afloat. That freedom has allowed me to truly engage in my Georgia Tech experience and pursue leadership and involvement opportunities I’m passionate about.”

Deona Davis, a University of Georgia student, stated, “Their belief in me has not only opened doors but has also instilled in me a greater sense of confidence and determination as I pursue my ambitions in law.”

The “Making a Difference” Scholarship was established in 2014. It continues to recognize students who have demonstrated leadership in their schools and communities.

OKLAHOMA FUNDRAISER, Phone, Shocked — (Photo: Tessy Agbonome/Pexels)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 2, 2025

AI Videos Of Black Women Displayed As ‘Bigfoot Baddies’ Go Viral For Racist Depictions

The videos show Black women as versions of bigfoot engaging in racist tropes.

New AI videos of Black women depicted as bigfoot-human hybrids have become viral on social media.

Deemed “Bigfoot baddies,” the video showcases Black women in a stereotypical and racist light. Dressing up the artificially-made figure in acrylic nails and pink wigs, one garnered over a million views for its look and use of offensive tropes.

“We might have to go on the run,” said the figure on the AI video. “I’m wanted for a false report on my baby daddy.”

According to Wired, the video was generated by Google’s VEO 3. Since its launch in May, users have created videos of “Bigfoot baddies” simulating real-life vlogs. While the trend first used characters like bigfoot and even figures from the Bible to add to the trend, it has since emerged as an offensive display of stereotypes against Black women.

The depiction of Black women as a version of bigfoot themselves also carries a darker meaning. One expert says that the trend has taken the dehumanization and ridicule of Black women through AI to new heights.

“There’s a historical precedent behind why this is offensive. In the early days of slavery, Black people were overexaggerated in illustrations to emphasize primal characteristics,” explained Nicol Turner Lee, director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution. “It’s both disgusting and disturbing that these racial tropes and images are readily available to be designed and distributed on online platforms.”

Multiple videos have garnered millions of views each, spreading across apps like TikTok and Instagram. They showcase the hybrid animal-women speaking African American vernacular English, or AAVE, to further signify their Blackness.

Many, however, have warned about the sinister capabilities of AI video creation, comparing the perceived “harmless” technological advancement to the development of social platforms.

“One of the problems with generative AI is that the creators of AI tools cannot conceive of all of the ways that people can be horrible to each other,” explained Meredith Broussard, a professor at New York University. “So, they can’t put up a sufficient number of guardrails. It’s exactly the same problem we’ve seen on social media platforms.”

They not only include racist depictions of Black women, but also Black men. Some videos show Black men reconfigured as chimpanzees while on a fishing boat to catch fried chicken.

AI has already been called out for its bias against users who speak AAVE. Now, its unrealized racist implications have expanded to the content themselves. Furthermore, access to these AI-generative platforms remain on the rise, potentially subjecting minorities to even more virtual harassment and abuse.

Black Americans, Hollywood, Film, Content Creator, Actor, Actress — (Photo: Ignatiev/Getty Images)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 2, 2025

Isaac Hayes III Advises Content Creators To ‘Consider Yourself A Television Network’

Isaac Hayes III reminds content creators of their power in the digital space.

As digital stars like Kai Cenat, Khaby Lame, Druski, and Jackie Aina earn big in the streaming world, they’re being urged to brand and operate like modern-day TV networks because that’s exactly what they are, according to Isaac Hayes III.

As the founder of Fanbase, the content creator hub that helps creators monetize their creations, Hayes is offering sound advice to growing and aspiring content creators of today. With creators making millions a year in brand deals, endorsements, and viewership, long gone are the days when the youth sat in their rooms watching television for hours on end. Now, kids are catching their content online from a smartphone, video game, or computer, making them the MTVs and BETs of today.

“Consider yourself a television network, consider yourself the same way that Kai Cenat considers himself as he’s a network, but the big separator between what he does and these other legacy media platforms is he’s doing it inside a community infrastructure like Twitch,” Hayes said on the July 1 episode of the Black Tech Green Money podcast.

Through his Fanbase platform, Hayes is making content monetization more accessible to everyday users looking to speed up the process of becoming profitable creators.

“It takes the average content creator six months to earn their first dollar on other social media platforms,” Hayes explained. “We have people earning a dollar in minutes on Fanbase the day they sign up. And it’s not by even subscriptions; it’s from people actually tipping them for their content for something that you say in an audio room or a comment that you leave on a post or something that you say in a dm.”

The platform is growing fast, with Hayes revealing that Fanbase is close to reaching $13 million in its latest funding round, bringing its total equity crowdfunding to $27 million, a milestone he says marks a first for a Black tech founder.

“We’ve made history, and I want to continue to make history. I want to continue to be disruptive,” Hayes declared.

RELATED CONTENT: There’s A Rise of Six Figure Faceless Creators

young adults, cash, money, payment — via istock

by Kandiss Edwards

July 2, 2025

Companies Are Using Daily Pay Platforms To Combat Employee Financial Stress

As housing expenses and the costs of consumer goods rise employee wage remain stagnant driving employers to look for new ways to pay.

Businesses are integrating “daily pay” as an incentive to retain employees.

Many Americans are tightening their purses as housing costs rise. Simultaneously, consumer goods are rising as well. Employee benefits, such as 401(k)s and health insurance, are a draw, as is the opportunity for frequent access to wages. Pay platforms like Tapcheck, FlexWage, CloudPay, and DailyPay allow workers to access income when needed.

DailyPay charges a flat rate to withdraw employee wages when necessary. There are no added fees or charges associated with the service.

The Chief Financial Officer of the Vonachen Group, Robert Ferlmann, adopted the program after identifying high turnover in the business.

Ferlmann spoke to CNBC about the reason behind the decision after switching from bi-weekly to weekly pay. Then, he was offered an opportunity to join the pilot program for DailyPay after confirming the contract posed no financial downfalls for the company, and he gave it a try. Ferlmann says the implementation of DailyPay has made a difference in employee retention.

“It is, without question, the most popular benefit we offer employees,” Ferlmann told CNBC.

Stacy Griener, CEO of DailyPay, says the service takes off the added stress on employees. Geirener says the need to choose between “groceries” and “gas money” greatly impacts employee performance. The ability to access immediate wages for necessities empowers employees.

“Partnering with employers to give their employees control over their financial wellness is more important than ever,” Greiner said. “People want to know if they have a bill or a need for their money, they can get access to it. It’s not a payday loan they have to pay back with interest. It’s money they’ve already earned.”

Resume Now’s 2025 Wage Reality Report outlines stressful realities for millions of surveyed average workers:

12% report they often cannot afford basic living expenses.

24% can afford essentials but struggle to do so.

Housing costs have risen (55%)

Prices for everyday essentials have increased (41%)

As financial stability for the lower and middle classes becomes more strained, more companies may adopt the daily pay method.

Jamaica, travel, violent crimes, Jamaican restaurant — (Photo: aboodi vesakaran/Pexels)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 2, 2025

Jamaica To Build Caribbean’s Tallest Hotel And First Innovation Township To Redefine Montego Bay’s Tourism

Jamaica unveiled plans to develop the Caribbean's tallest hotel.

Jamaica is looking to transform the Caribbean’s thriving tourism industry by developing the region’s tallest hotel and first-ever Tourism Innovation Township.

On June 28, Jamaica unveiled construction plans for the 33-story Moon Palace tower in Rose Hall, St. James, the Jamaica-Gleaner reports. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett boasted about the historic nature of the development, citing its innovation, scale, and inclusivity.

“This is a game-changer for tourism in the region,” Bartlett said during the 64th Annual General Meeting of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association. “It will be the first tourism innovation township in the Caribbean, arguably in the world.”

The Unico, Hard Rock, Moon Palace, and Iberostar mega-resorts will welcome the new township, turning the area into what will become the Caribbean’s largest cluster of hotel rooms in one area, with over 5,000 rooms all within walking distance, Bartlett said. It will be developed as a circular economic hub where hotels provide electricity and water to the nearby community while residents supply the goods and services that help power resort operations.

The township aims to revitalize the area by introducing a STEM school, improving healthcare facilities, upgrading local schools, adding supermarkets, and supporting the growth of light manufacturing and cottage industries.

“We are building a model where backyard farming, the production of condiments, sheets, pillowcases, and other essentials will be done right there in the community, feeding directly into the hotel supply chain,” Bartlett said.

“This model brings the people with it. It does not leave them behind. It is a future where tourism doesn’t just create jobs and builds communities.”

By 2030, Jamaica is set to add 10,000 new hotel rooms through major expansions at Harmony Cove, Palladium, Bahia Principe, Unico, Hard Rock, and Moon Palace resorts, as well as two new Sandals properties, one in Runaway Bay and the newly announced AC Marriott in Montego Bay. In addition to the township near Barrett Town, further commercial development is planned on the Rollins lands (Rose Hall Developments) across from the Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa (formerly Hilton), featuring service stations and retail outlets.

“Montego Bay is on the verge of an unprecedented tourism renaissance,” Bartlett declared. “This is a level of coordinated, large-scale investment that we have never seen before, not just in Jamaica, but in the Caribbean.”