by Mitti Hicks

April 6, 2026

Africa’s Wealthiest King Leads $750 Million Investment To Boost Gold Production

The investment comes as gold prices have reached a historic high. As of April 6, 2026, the live spot price for gold is hovering around $4,670-$4,690.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, Africa’s wealthiest monarch with an estimated net worth of $5 billion, is leading a $750 million investment to boost gold production on the continent. Morocco-based Managem Group, owned by Al Mada, the royal family’s office under King Mohammed VI, has committed the multimillion-dollar investment to increase gold production by 134% by 2030.

According to Business Insider Africa, Managem Group is planning new developments in Gabon and Guinea. Currently, the organization operates in eight African countries, with flagship projects including the Gabgaba gold project in Sudan, the Pumpi copper-cobalt project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Eteke gold project in Gabon, and the Boto gold project in Senegal.

The company is also advancing gold mining projects in Morocco, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, to strengthen its position as a major player in Africa’s mining industry. Currently, the gold market has a valuation exceeding $10 billion.

The investment comes as gold prices have reached a historic high. Managem’s gold production increased by 26% in 2025, thanks to a 44% increase in global gold prices, which averaged $3,445 per ounce. As of April 6, 2026, the live spot price for gold is hovering around $4,670-$4,690.

Silver also reportedly rose 18%, reaching $40 per ounce. Managem is projected to exceed $2 billion within the next two years, driven by higher production and sustained gold prices.

While there have been some market fluctuations, JPMorgan forecasts that gold could rise to $6,300 per ounce by the end of 2026, supported by central bank buying and lower U.S. interest rates.

“Gold prices have set new records in 2025, driven largely by global central bank purchases. We expect this trend to accelerate and broaden as investor participation increases,” said Whitney George, chief executive officer of the global asset manager Sprott. The company focuses on investing in precious metals and critical materials.

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by Sharelle B. McNair

April 6, 2026

Jet Fuel Crisis From Iran Conflict Triggers Flight Cuts; Airlines Urge Early Booking

O’Leary “strongly advises” anyone planning a trip during the summer 2026 months to book as soon as possible before airfares get heftier.

As the summer months approach, airline executives encourage travelers to book flights in advance amid jet fuel shortages stemming from heightened conflict in Iran, which has led to canceled flights, Fortune reports.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary warns that airlines may be forced to cancel flights ahead of the busy travel season if the U.S.-Israel war on Iran continues, limiting fuel and increasing costs. “So we will then look around, and we will be trying to ground one or two aircraft and minimize the inconvenience for customers,” O’Leary said.

“But it’s going to be difficult. It’s going to be challenging.”

O’Leary “strongly advises” anyone planning a trip in the summer of 2026 to book as soon as possible, before airfares get heftier and gas prices rise. Jet fuel prices have risen even higher than gas prices since the start of the Iran war, bottling up one-fifth of the world’s oil supply.

The country’s leading airport hubs, such as Chicago’s O’Hare, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York, have seen the average price of a gallon of jet fuel reach $4.88, nearly double the pre-war price. As a result, airlines have been forced to hike luggage-checking fees, drawing criticism from travelers. However, that isn’t stopping flights from being booked.

The airline executive believes travelers will be OK with booking well in advance, despite concerns that flights could be canceled, and it’s a “gamble” some are willing to take. “Life is a gamble. I think we’re looking at maybe the risk of 5 or 10% of cancellations in June or July, but 95-90% of flights will still operate,” he said.

“So I think you’re really not taking much of a gamble. I would be much more concerned if you delay your booking, because you and your family will be paying much higher prices.”

United Airlines became the first major U.S. carrier to dial back its schedule in March 2026 after CEO Scott Kirby announced the airline would start “tactically pruning flying that’s temporarily unprofitable in the face of high oil prices” with a 5% flight cut. “The reality is, jet fuel prices have more than doubled in the last three weeks. If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11B in annual expense just for jet fuel, Kirby wrote in an employee memo, according to The Hill.

“For perspective, in United’s best year ever, we made less than $5B.”

But the Ireland-based airline Ryanair is doing what it can to help mitigate rising travel costs, boosting its cabin baggage allowance to two free bags without incurring extra fees.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 6, 2026

Ye’s Scheduled Appearance At London Festival Raises Concern

The controversial artist is scheduled to perform at the Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park in North London, which takes place between July 10 and 12

Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is embroiled in controversy after the announcement of an upcoming show in London led to a major sponsor pulling out, and pressure from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer weighed in on his appearance, saying it was “deeply concerning” that Ye has been booked.

According to The Associated Press, after a successful sold-out performance in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium following the release of his newest project, “Bully,” Ye was announced as a featured performer at the upcoming Wireless Festival at Finsbury Park in North London, which takes place between July 10 and 12. The Prime Minister spoke out, stating his fears that Ye was booked to perform at the festival, according to The Sun.

“Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly wherever it appears. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure.”

The lead sponsor for the festival, Pepsi, has already withdrawn, seemingly due to Ye’s inclusion in the event. Although it did not specifically state the reason was because of Ye, it has been speculated as such, as the withdrawal took place after the announcement that the “Late Registration” rapper was involved.

“Pepsi has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival,” the company said in a written statement.

Other sponsors of the festival, including Budweiser and PayPal, are being urged to follow suit.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the board of deputies of British Jews, has also spoken out against Ye’s intended performance at the festival, saying it was “absolutely the wrong decision” to allow Ye to play.

Ye has had a successful comeback with a sold-out performance in Los Angeles, with 70,000 people coming out to see him perform, despite past controversies, specifically his antisemitic views he’s shared in recent years, which led to a downfall and loss of support. On April 3, while on stage, he thanked the fans who came out.

“I want to thank y’all for sticking by me all these years. Through the hard times, through the low times,” he told the crowd. “I love you for that.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 6, 2026

Angel Reese Joins Atlanta Dream, Bringing The Bayou Barbie Back Down South

Reese will say goodbye to the Windy City in this new trade.

Angel Reese is officially with the Atlanta Dream, marking her departure from the Chicago Sky.

The WNBA All-Star, known by fans as the “Bayou Barbie,” will return to play hoops in the South with the new trade. In the deal, confirmed by ESPN, Reese will play for the Dream as her former franchise received two first-round picks.

The 6-foot-3 forward announced the news herself with her signature No. 5 on the red Dream jersey. The former LSU player wrote that it’s an “Angel’s dream” to join the franchise in the Georgia capital city, with the city also honoring one of its new star players.

Bayou Barbie 🤝 ATL
Welcome to the 🅰️, Angel pic.twitter.com/egHdbK9oaK
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 6, 2026

Reese will become a new asset for the team, having already established herself as a formidable player on the court. In her sophomore season, she averaged 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. As the leading rebounder for the league for two consecutive seasons, she intends to help the Dream secure its first WNBA championship.

Beyond her on-court prowess, the Vogue cover star has become a growing advocate for women athletes. With her sneaker collaboration with Reebok and her career as a media personality, Reese will now become attached to a cultural hotspot.

The Atlanta Dream has also prepped fans’ excitement for the upcoming season. The franchise already has Reese’s jersey on sale, with part-owner and former player Renee Montgomery also congratulating the 23-year-old on the news.

Fans also commented on what a “dream” trade this was for the women’s basketball organization, especially as Reese can promote new opportunities within the vibrant Atlanta scene.

This is the perfect market. In a majority Black city, centralized in the South so LSU, SEC, & DMV fans can travel, and with several HBCUs close by. I can already see her speaking at Spelman and her number 5 jersey being a staple like Michael Vick’s was. https://t.co/F2fapTdIvD
— Queer Latifah ✨ (@TheAfrocentricI) April 6, 2026

“This is the perfect market. In a majority Black city, centralized in the South so LSU, SEC, & DMV fans can travel, and with several HBCUs close by,” shared one X user. “I can already see her speaking at Spelman and her number 5 jersey being a staple like Michael Vick’s was.”

Reese will face her former team at a pre-season game in Chicago on April 29. However, WNBA fans can catch Reese in her first home game with the Dream as they play against the Las Vegas Aces on May 17. Tickets to the game are on sale now.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 6, 2026

Neighbor Calls Out Caregiver Who Allegedly Forced Elderly Man To Walk Outside In A Diaper As Punishment

Many on social media are concerned about the well-being of an elderly man who appeared to be forced outside in a wet diaper by a caregiver.

A concerned neighbor in Wilmington, North Carolina, has sparked outrage after sharing a viral video that appears to show a caregiver forcing an elderly man to walk outside in a wet diaper as punishment.

Concern grew after a Facebook user, Jonathan Maurice Pigford, shared a nearly two-minute video on April 3 that captured a disturbing encounter with an elderly man wearing only a shirt and diaper, who appeared to have been forced outside by an upset caregiver, allegedly claiming it was meant “to teach him.”

“Had to flip on my crazy neighbor again,” Pigford captioned the post. “She makes this man walk around like this in the winter, too. Fkn ridiculous. Authorities are involved. I’ll update later.”

The video, reposted by It’s Onsite, shows Pigford approaching the elderly man who appears to be jogging half-dressed down the street of their residential block.

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A post shared by Onsite!® (@its_onsite)

“Are you OK? Come on, let’s go home—I’ll take you,” Pigford tells the man, who responds that he’s fine and says “thank you.” But as they approach the home, an upset caregiver emerges and demands the elderly man “turn around and go back where you came from.”

“What do you mean? He’s wet,” Pigford tells the woman.

“He’s supposed to be out here. He’s going to go all the way back to where he’s supposed to go,” she explains.

“Where is he supposed to go? Don’t he live here?” Pigford asks.

“He knows,” the woman scowls, before asking the elderly man, “Are you supposed to be out here? No!”

“But why would you make him go all the way back there?” Pigford asks.

“To teach him,” the woman said.

Pigford continued addressing the caregiver, telling her the man’s behavior is typical of aging. When she told him to “mind his business,” he pushed back, accusing her of exploiting the man for a paycheck. The exchange escalated before Pigford ended the video, saying he was calling the police.

In a follow-up, Pigford thanked supporters and confirmed authorities were called to the home, though he said he had no update on whether the elderly man remained in the caregiver’s care.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 6, 2026

NYC Mayor Mamdani Taps Cardi B To Promote Jingle Competition For 2-K Program

The mayor and the Bronx rapper want NYC families to take advantage of this free childcare opportunity.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Cardi B are joining forces again, this time to promote a new initiative for local families.

The boots-on-the-ground mayor and the Bronx-born rapper are promoting the release of 2-K program applications for New York residents. According to CBS News, the Childcare for All program expects to start in the fall, with 2,000 seats available for families to apply for.

As a mother of four, Cardi B understands the importance of these opportunities for both child and parent. Not only does the 2-K program help children get an early start to education, but it also provides free childcare for working parents.

“Sometimes, us women, we can’t really go forward because we don’t have nobody to help us take care of our kids,” she said.

However, the 2-K program has a short application window. Submissions open June 2 with a deadline of June 26. Families can expect to hear if their child has gained a spot in August.

While the program already has the A-list entertainer to help with its marketing, the rapper wants others to join the promotion through a jingle competition. New Yorkers can submit original 15 to 30-second jingles all about turning in those 2-K applications.

“As Cardi B says: ‘I can get ’em both. I don’t wanna choose.’ With universal child care, New Yorkers won’t have to,” Mamdani said in a statement. “For too long, families have been forced to choose between affordable care and staying in the city they love. Now, they can have both—free care in the greatest city in the world.”

A panel of guest judges, including the “Get Up 10” rapper, will decide on the winner. The winning jingle will become the official song for the program and will be heard across New York radio stations.

Those opting to apply for the jingle competition must do so by April 17.

In the meantime, Mamdani is preparing to roll out one of his biggest plans yet with the Childcare For All program. Partnering with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, this first-year rollout will pave the way for increased spending and more families to take part in the 2-K program.

by Mitti Hicks

April 6, 2026

Caribbean Airlines Loses $255 Million Since Acquiring Air Jamaica

The numbers show that while the Air Jamaica routes have made money for the airline, with the exception of 2020 during the pandemic and 2025, personnel and administrative costs have increased since 2020.

A new investigation revealed that Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has incurred losses of over TT$1.7 billion (U.S. $255 million) since acquiring Air Jamaica (AJ) in 2011 and managing AJ’s base operations.

The investigation by the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian analyzed unaudited account figures from 2012 to 2025. The numbers show that while Air Jamaica routes have made money for the airline, with the exception of 2020 during the pandemic and 2025, personnel and administrative costs have increased since 2020.

CAL sources told the regional outlet that the Jamaican government has not contributed any money to the airline since becoming a part-owner in 2011. Under the original ownership agreement, Jamaica held a 16% stake in the company, but that share has since decreased to 11.8%. Sources indicated that if Jamaica’s stake falls below 10%, the country will lose its right to have a representative on the airline’s board of directors.

Currently, there are two Jamaican directors on the CAL board.

CAL Is Feeling The Financial Impact

While CAL has pressed Jamaican government officials for financial support for the airline, nothing has been offered.

Trinidad & Tobago Guardian’s investigation revealed that CAL’s expenses come amid a trying time for the airline, as it seeks further financial support to offset rising fuel costs. Without the Jamaican government’s support, travelers could see an increase in overall ticket costs, a reduction in “lower revenue routes,” and a fuel surcharge to help write off its billion-dollar debt.

Former Director of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Trinidad and Tobago, Ramesh Lutchmedial, told the outlet that the “Jamaican diaspora never supported CAL.”

“Instead, [they] chose to fly with other airlines. CAL stuck to the agreement, and in the first two years, CAL lost over USD$200 million. Eventually, CAL had to drop the loss-making routes,” said.

He continued, “Also, during the pandemic and throughout CAL’s loss-making periods, despite the fact that Jamaica is a shareholder and employs hundreds of Jamaican citizens, the Jamaican Government has not injected a single cent into CAL.”

In 2025, CAL discontinued flights between Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Montego Bay and Kingston due to “poor performance.”

The Shade Room, Angelica Nwandu, Maury Povich

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 6, 2026

The Shade Room Founder Reveals She Declined $100M Offers To Sell During Election Season

The celebrity blog caught the eyes of political organizations for its influence, especially during election season.

Angelica Nwandu, founder of The Shade Room, talks about the company’s rise to receiving $100 million offers, especially during election seasons.

During an appearance on the “On Par with Maury Povich” podcast, the CEO shared rare insights on her journey to The Shade Room and its tremendous growth. Despite her platform’s major following, Nwandu has kept a relatively lower profile. However, the Nigerian-American has remained steadfast in keeping The Shade Room under Black ownership, especially at a time when influence means everything.

As the former television host revealed that Nwandu has turned down 9-figure offers to sell her company, she explained why she passed on the payday to remain true to her Black audience.

“It’s because of the community that I have and that we serve. I really love them. I’m really protective over where they’ll go,” she responded when asked by Povich about her refusal of the offers.

Notably, these sizable checks would come during election season. Given The Shade Room’s massive Black audience, new owners could have marketed certain candidates or political views to its viewers. However, Nwandu wanted to maintain the integrity of the platform she built and was willing to forgo the payday to do so.

She explained, “Because a lot of times when the offers would come, it would be during an election year.”

“So they would change it for some partisan reason,” inquired Povich.

Nwandu responded, “Exactly.”

Nwandu built The Shade Room from the ground up, starting the celebrity news blog in 2014 after she lost her job as an accountant. She has since grown the primarily Instagram-based platform to over 28.7 million followers, whom she fondly refers to as “Roommates.”

However, protecting the “roommates” has become a big priority for Nwandu. Knowing the Shade Room’s influence within the Black community, and with more young voters getting their political news from Instagram, she declined to switch owners for the sake of a check.

“For politics, because it was a large Black audience, and like, you know, their voting ability, and so, like, they would, it would usually be election year,” she continued. “So 2020, 2024. So on Instagram, we are the, well, in the last 30 days, the No.1 source of politics on Instagram…we built a really big community.”

Not only were politically minded organizations on the prowl, but so were celebrities featured on the page. Although she did not name any famous offers, she insisted that keeping ownership in her hands was the best play for the TSR audience.

“If someone bought it out, they would change it up completely,” she added. And to me, like I didn’t want to do that…or it would be like an entertainer, who would be someone that we report on, that would want to buy it, would want to gather investors to buy it. So it just wasn’t the right play.”

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soul food, southern food, Busy Bee, Atlanta

by Ahsan Washington

April 6, 2026

9 Soulful Spots Keeping Black Culinary Legacy Alive

They’re cooking up a tale of migration, grit and flavor, and culture.

From the smokiness of barbecue pits to the charm of Creole dining rooms, Black chefs and restaurateurs have long transformed traditional family recipes into cultural menus and dining experiences. Across the nation, these culinary landmarks do more than dish out meals; they dish out memories, resistance, and community.

Each establishment cooks up a tale of migration, grit, flavor, and culture that still shapes America’s palate. BLACK ENTERPRISE shines a light on nine soulful spots keeping Black culinary legacy alive one plate at a time.

Dooky Chase Restaurant—New Orleans

Dooky Chase Restaurant, the storied Creole‑soul kitchen that Leah Chase and her family opened in 1939, has long stood as a civic and culinary pillar of New Orleans. It has doubled as a hub for civil‑rights strategizing, a sanctuary for Creole customs and a showcase for art. Over the decades, the business has been handed down like a family heirloom along with recipes, neighborhood feasts, gallery‑like art installations, and the stories that simmer on every plate. In 2025, Dooky Chase added another accolade to its shelf: the James Beard America’s Classics Award.

The Busy Bee Café—Atlanta

The Busy Bee Café, a long‑standing soul‑food cornerstone and historic Civil Rights hangout, has been drawing civil rights leaders and members of the Black community together since it opened in 1947. Still run by the founding family, the café is hailed as an anchor safeguarding the time‑honored traditions of Southern Black comfort cooking.

Jones Bar-B-Q Diner—Marianna, Arkansas

Jones Bar‑B‑Q Diner, one of the longest‑running restaurants in the United States, has been slinging Southern‑style barbecue since the 1910s. The Jones family has guarded its time‑tested recipes, the way it smokes its meat, and its hard‑won local reputation, keeping a thread of community identity woven through each generation.

Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack—Nashville

Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack began in the mid‑1930s, as a kitchen born out of a grudge. Over the years, it morphed into a benchmark for Black culinary ingenuity and a name that food lovers now point to when they talk about innovation. The Prince family grew the single neighborhood joint into a handful of locations all while guarding the secret spice blend.

Harold & Belle’s—Los Angeles

Harold & Belle’s Creole restaurant, a time‑capsule that draws its lineage from the streets of New Orleans serves as an outpost of Gulf cuisine for Black transplants. Harold & Belle’s reserve a Southern sensibility. Since its 1969 launch, the Legaux family has steadily reimagined the space, rolled out vegan choices, guarded the recipes, and sewed a web of community ties.

Welton Street Café—Denver

Nestled in Denver’s Black Five Points neighborhood since 1989, Welton Street Café stands as one of the remaining authentic soul‑food outposts. At a time when such venues are scarce, it serves Black comfort cuisine that steadfastly preserving the essential flavors and generous hospitality that root Black heritage in Denver’s foodscape.

Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Café—Phoenix, Arizona

Since opening its doors in 1964, Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Café has been a Phoenix staple and living testament to Arizona’s culinary heritage. The cafe has an unmistakably local feel and stays true to its core soul‑food menu.

Sweet Home Café—Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.’s Sweet Home Café is tucked inside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of History and Culture and spotlights regional Black culinary traditions through four distinct food stations. Launched in 2016 the café’s purpose is to weave foodways into history, reworking historic recipes into approachable museum‑dining dishes and inviting guests to experience storytelling on the plate.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 6, 2026

R&B World Mourns the Loss Of Two Beloved Musicians

Drummer James Gadson (86) and singer Fred Simon (74) both were reported dead on April 3

Two R&B greats died over the weekend: drummer and songwriter James Gadson and The Lost Generation’s Fred Simon.

Rolling Stone announced Gadson’s death on April 3, while the news of Simon’s death was announced on Facebook by his wife, Diana Simon. Gadson was 86, and Simon was 74. No cause of death was listed for either artist.

Over Gadson’s long and productive career, the drummer has played with many legendary artists and has appeared on songs that most people of all ages have heard. His reach was massive because of his drumming talent, which began in the 1960s, with records by artists like the Temptations, Ray Charles, D’Angelo, and Herbie Hancock. Many artists, including rappers, used songs he played on as the backdrop for some of their own hits.

The Roots’ Questlove, who is also a drummer, posted on his social media about the impact Gadson had, listing many of the songs he’s played on, as well as some we may have heard that used samples featuring his drumming. He credited his drums on records, some of which were considered “breakbeats.”

“Some drummers are soulful. Some drummers are funky. Some [drummers] are rockin’. Some drummers are swinging—— but NO drummer has impacted the art of breakbeat drummer (danceable drums) like James Gadson.”

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A post shared by Questlove (@questlove)

According to Penn Live, Simon started his career as part of the R&B group, The Lost Generation. The group was formed in 1969, with the lead singer, his brother, Lowrell, Jesse Dean, Leslie Dean, and Larry Brownlee. They had several songs hit the charts, with “The Sly, Slick and the Wicked” peaking at No. 30 in 1970 and reaching No. 14 on the R&B charts. That same year, another song, “Wait a Minute,” made its way to No. 25 on the R&B charts in 1970.

Simon’s wife alerted his fans on their Facebook group page, The New Lost Generation.

“It’s taken me a minute to be able to write this post. So with a very heavy heart, my husband Fred Simon, the last original member and one of the founding members of The Lost Generation and New Lost Generation, has died.”