Emerging Black Composers Project, DEI, Federal Funding

by Daniel Johnson

March 9, 2025

Emerging Black Composers Project On Hold After DEI Memo Threatens Federal Funding

The program was created in 2020 to help Black composers overcome barriers to their participation in the field.

As the Trump administration continues its war on diversity, equity and inclusion, the latest casualty of its efforts is the Emerging Black Composers Project, an initiative that was created in 2020 to help Black composers overcome barriers to their participation in the field; that initiative is now paused indefinitely.

According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the winners of the program, which is awarded through a collaboration between the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the San Francisco Symphony, receive a $15,000 commissioning fee, a premiere with the Conservatory, the San Francisco Symphony, or the Oakland Symphony as well mentorship from those organizations’ music directors.

Jens Ibsen, the 2022 Emerging Black Composers Project winner, told The Chronicle that he feels the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights wants to censor art, using the threat of pulling funding for diverse creators in order to accomplish this goal. “The government is using the pulling of funding as a cudgel to basically censor art by people they just don’t care to hear from,” Ibsen said.

Although the Department of Education’s Feb. 14 memo describes efforts to increase diversity as “shameful” and “repugnant,” the Conservatory and the San Francisco Symphony are thinking of ways to continue the program, including having the Symphony, which is not subject to the Department of Education’s purview, take over the program.

The two organizations issued a joint statement to The Chronicle, indicating that although they have not worked out the details, they believe strongly in the program’s future.

“The San Francisco Symphony is not impacted by this recent Executive Order and remains fully committed to ensuring that the Emerging Black Composers Project will continue. We are still working out the details for how the project moves forward, but this project remains important to both the Symphony and SFCM,” the organizations said in a statement.

Like various lawsuits by Stephen Miller’s America First Legal, the memo from Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor argues that programs like the Emerging Black Composers Project, which seeks to correct the marginalization of Black composers, is discriminatory against white people, a perversion of Civil Rights anti-discrimination legislation passed thanks to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.

The letter states,“Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism,’” and according to Trainor, DEI programs “stigmatize students who belong to particular racial groups based on crude racial stereotypes.”

Martha's vineyard film festival, Michelle Obama

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 9, 2025

Michelle Obama And Brother Announced As Featured Guests At South By Southwest Festival

The session will take place on March 13 at the Austin Convention Center.

Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, will appear at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) as featured guests.

The sibling duo will conduct a featured session at SXSW, which hosts programming that ranges across media, entertainment, and technology. The Austin-based event released a statement confirming the news that Mrs. Obama and Robinson will be part of this year’s festivities, which began March 7.

“Michelle Obama has long been an inspiration to us at SXSW and to millions of people around the world,” said SXSW President Hugh Forrest, as reported by Yahoo News. “Her belief that we lift each other up by sharing our stories with one another is a core part of the SXSW experience and a key catalyst in helping creative people achieve their goals. It is the ultimate honor and an incredible thrill to welcome Michelle and her brother, Craig Robinson, to the 2025 event.”

The session will take place on March 13 at the Austin Convention Center. While little has been revealed on what the session will entail, attendees can expect Obama and Robinson to speak on their success and insights from multiple avenues.

Since stepping out of the political spotlight, Obama has become a voice for empowerment and positivity, especially for women audiences. Her New York Times-bestselling books Becoming and The Light We Carry have become global phenomenons, with the former earning a Grammy award.

She continues her advocacy work through the Obama Foundation, under which she founded the Girls Opportunity Alliance. The initiative supports young girls around the world and local leaders dedicated to brightening their futures.

As for her brother, Robinson has become a formidable force for change, especially in sports. He currently serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), while also hosting the Ways to Win Podcast under the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions. With a storied career in investment banking as well as professional and collegiate basketball, Robinson will join his sister in this all-star event spotlighting their achievements.

They will join other featured speakers, such as U.S. Rep. Ayanna Presley and Ben Stiller, at SXSW. More information on their designated session and other scheduled events can be found at SXSW’s website.

by Daniel Johnson

March 9, 2025

Xavier Worthy Not Charged After Arrest In Alleged Domestic Incident

Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick dismissed the charges against Worthy, a former standout player for the University of Texas, after speaking with multiple witnesses

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will not be charged following his March 7 arrest on suspicion of an assault against a family or household member by impeding their breathing, a third-degree felony in Texas, where Worthy still maintains a residence.

According to The Austin American-Statesman, Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick dismissed the charges against Worthy, a former standout player for the University of Texas, after speaking with multiple witnesses.

Per an email Dick’s office sent to The Statesman, “After further investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and further discussion with a third-party witness, Mr. Worthy and his attorneys, this case is being declined at this time pending completion of the investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Worthy and his lawyers are fully cooperating with this investigation,” the email read.

Dick’s office continued, “We will continue to evaluate the case. As is our practice with all declines, should you develop additional information indicative of probable cause in this case, our office will consider that information and may present the case at that time to a Williamson County Grand Jury.”

Although Worthy remained in the Williamson County Jail some time after 5:50 p.m. on March 8, Dick’s office informed the outlet that it typically takes a few hours for any release to process, and he has since been released from custody.

Two of Worthy’s lawyers, Sam Bassett and Chip Lewis, maintained their client’s innocence shortly after news of his arrest broke.

Per their statement to The Statesman, Worthy’s arrest is allegedly part of a plot by someone Worthy was romantically involved with.

“We are aware of the allegation that led to Mr. Worthy’s arrest. We are working with law enforcement in Williamson County to ensure they have the benefit of the totality of circumstances that led to this allegation. The complainant was recently asked to vacate Mr. Worthy’s residence upon discovery of her infidelity. She has refused to do so and made a number of extortive efforts prior to resorting to this baseless allegation against Mr. Worthy.”

According to the Texas State Penal Code, the charge of which Worthy was originally accused is defined as “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person’s throat or neck or by blocking the person’s nose or mouth,” and carries a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and/or a maximum fine of up to $10,000.

Per a report from ESPN, Worthy and the woman, whose name has not been released, were in a dispute after she allegedly refused to leave his residence when asked, according to his lawyers.

Per his representation, the woman caused property damage and scratched Worthy’s face, but he informed the police that he would not seek to press any charges against her.

Worthy’s arrest marks the second consecutive offseason that a Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver has found themselves being investigated by law enforcement after their rookie season, following Rashee Rice’s alleged hit-and-run incident in 2024.

Purdue, Trey Kaufman-Renn Racist Taunts ,Illinois

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 9, 2025

Purdue Star Trey Kaufman-Renn Slams Racist Taunts At Illinois Game: ‘Unbelievable’ Attack On His Brother

Kaufman-Renn, a leader on Purdue's roster, says Illinois fans made racist taunts at his 13-year-old brother.

Purdue basketball standout Trey Kaufman-Renn says his 13-year-old brother, Jaylen, faced racist comments from fans while at the Boilermakers’ game in Illinois.

CBS News confirmed Kaufman-Renn revealed the incident after the March 7 game against the Fighting Illini. Kaufman-Renn’s mother and girlfriend told him about the comments hurled at his little brother from the opposing school’s student section.

Illinois’ “Orange Krush” section has become infamous for students’ raucous behavior. However, as their taunts turned darker, the issue prompted the 22-year-old to speak out.

“I was informed after the game by my mom and my girlfriend that there was some racist comments being said toward my brother, as well as my family being cussed out,” Kaufman-Renn said. “I just hope the security, especially at Illinois, can be better…I told them after the game that that’s something I would fight for. In no way am I saying anything about all Illinois fans, but unfortunately, the students that participated.”

Purdue plans to file a report with the Big Ten conference regarding the issue. Kaufman-Renn wants better security measures to protect attendees, especially children, from racial harassment.

He noted, “The fact that my brother can be put in that situation is really unbelievable. For a league like the Big Ten, they just need to be better about that.”

Illinois also released a statement upon hearing about the news. The university apologized to its competitor school and noted that it would continue investigating the matter.

“Late in tonight’s game, Illinois staff was made aware of allegations of inappropriate comments made by members of the Orange Krush toward Purdue players, coaches and fans,” Illinois said in a statement. “We received additional details after the game’s conclusion. We take such allegations seriously, and we will continue gathering information to determine appropriate action. In the meantime, we have been in touch with Purdue to apologize and express our disappointment.”

While the Boilermakers lost 88-80 to the Fighting Illini, both are set to participate in the NCAA’s March Madness tournament.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 9, 2025

Bill Withers To Be Honored By West Virginia With Statue And Plaza In His Name

The city of Beckley will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the new plaza and statue.

The West Virginia town of Beckley will recognize legendary singer and songwriter Bill Withers with two new awards. The acclaimed musician, who was born in nearby Slab Fork, will also receive a new statue and plaza dedicated in his honor.

According to WV News, the city will also host a dedication ceremony to unveil the statue and plaza on March 28. Inside Bill Withers Plaza, located in Beckley’s downtown area, a 7-foot-tall statue will display the singer’s likeness. The ceremony will also feature guest speakers and performances, including a rendition of Withers’ hit song “Lean On Me” performed by students and staff at a local middle school.

The plaza will honor Withers’ contributions to the arts and music with interpretive signs, musical playground instruments, and public art installations. His wife, Marcia Withers, is also expected to attend the statue dedication.

The Bill Withers Statue Committee brought the installment to fruition. Members hope the statue and its accompanying plaza will bring tourism into the area as it remembers one of its legendary figures.

Although born in Slab Fork, Withers’ mother raised him in the neighboring city of Beckley. After graduating from Stratton High School, he served in the Navy. After nearly a decade in the military, Withers moved to Los Angeles to pursue his musical ambitions.

He went on to release classics such as “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Lovely Day,” and “Just The Two Of Us” with Grover Washington Jr. The multiple Grammy Award winner’s contributions led to his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

While Withers saw success outside Beckley, he remained connected to the city that raised him. Before his death in 2020, he frequently returned to attend high school reunions and bought a home right outside the town.

In 2024, Withers posthumously received the Hometown Legend award at a county gala. At the event, a family friend recited the words Withers once said about the potential of young people from smaller areas.

“The challenge is to get young people who grow up in places like West Virginia to take the limits off of themselves, and realize there’s no magic that somebody else has in the world that they don’t,” quoted Michael Lipton, as reported by The Real WV. “They’re just people – and man, that’s a lot.”

The city has also hosted a Bill Withers Memorial Festival since 2021, celebrating his life and music. The festival will continue this June, with the plaza serving as its permanent location. The musical festival will also feature live performances by local artists inspired by Withers’ timeless artistry.

Black Youth, Incarceration, Racial Disparities

by Daniel Johnson

March 9, 2025

Teen’s Incarceration With Adults In Alabama Draws Criticism

Djovani Jean-Pierre is 17.

After Djovani Jean-Pierre, an Alabama teenager, was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and two misdemeanors for allegedly using a gun to steal another loaded gun at a party, his lawyer argues that the charges were racially motivated amid tensions in Albertville surrounding the growing Haitian population. Activists are now condemning the decision to house the 17-year-old with adults in jail.

According to The Associated Press, although an Alabama law gives judges more discretion about whether or not to deny bail for those accused of violent crimes, juvenile justice advocates and other activists have made the case that housing Jean-Pierre with adults puts him in a dangerous situation.

Djovani Jean-Pierre, a 17-year-old Black teen of Haitian descent, has been held in an adult jail in Alabama for over six months while awaiting trial. His case has drawn attention to the dangers of incarcerating minors with adults, as it violates federal and state laws #news pic.twitter.com/5g04EbZOPS
— Dubon007 (@gdubon007) March 8, 2025

However, Phil Sims, the Marshall County Sheriff, told the AP that removing him from the general population in jail would mean solitary confinement, which is also detrimental to his mental health.

As a result, Jean-Pierre has been stuck in jail awaiting trial, with his attorney, Richard Rice, telling the AP that his client, a strong student, has been denied access to his school materials while incarcerated.

“Djovani deserves compassion and a second chance to learn from this experience rather than subjecting him to unnecessary detainment that fails to serve his best interests or those of the community,” Rice said.

According to former Tennessee assistant attorney general and the current policy director for the Campaign for Fair Sentencing, Preston Shipp, Jean-Pierre absolutely should not be housed with adults due to the danger it poses to his health and well-being.

“We know it is such well-settled law now that you cannot house children with adults. This is not a gray area anymore,” Shipp told the AP.

According to WAAY 31, Jean-Pierre’s mother, Francia Apollon, told the outlet in October 2024 that her son is afraid and hinted that his incarceration with adults is due in part to his race, an allegation that Marshall County District Attorney Jennifer Bray refuted, citing Alabama state law which indicates that Jean-Pierre’s charges mean he is to be tried as an adult.

“Every time my son calls me, he will cry. He says, Mommy, I’m scared. As a mom, for your son to tell you he’s worried; someone might touch your son, it’s hard. And no kid deserves that treatment. It doesn’t matter the color or the race. No one deserves to be treated like that. I think the system needs to do better with kids,” Apollon told the outlet.

In an email to the AP, Bray said that she hopes that she and Rice, Jean-Pierre’s attorney, can find a solution that allows for accountability from the teenager as well as compassion, which would allow Jean-Pierre to make positive changes in his life.

For now, Jean-Pierre wants to remind people of the words of Equal Justice Initiative Founder Bryan Stevenson, who said that he is more than the worst thing he has been accused of doing.

“It’s been hard. I just stay in my cell. If it wasn’t for my cellmate, Marcus, I don’t know. He just kept being positive, saying, ‘the trouble will pass,; takethis as a lesson.’” According to the AP’s reporting, Marcus has been transferred to another facility. “I want everyone to know I’m not a bad person. I just made a mistake,” Jean-Pierre told the AP. “I hope that whenever I can get out, I can change everybody’s mind, do right.”

video, hairstylist, dragged on floor, teen

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 9, 2025

18-Year-Old Hairstylist Faces Assault Charge After Dragging Client, 15, Across Floor Over Payment Dispute

The hairstylist could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.

An 18-year-old hairstylist in Maryland now faces a second-degree assault charge after video went viral of her dragging a teenage client on the floor after a payment dispute.

Jayla Cunningham posted the video showing her dragging the client across her salon after the 15-year-old allegedly tried to leave without paying for her weave install. Cunningham told Fox 5 that she felt like she had to take matters into her own hands after the girl already tried to run out on her $150 bill.

“Forget trash, she ran without paying me,” the hairstylist told the outlet. “I dragged her by her hood back into the salon until I could get paid or, you know, until the police come or until, you know, she let me take out the service, because it’s like she literally ran outside, like she was about to be gone…I feel like if I didn’t do that, she would have been gone… and I would have just never been paid.”

In the video, Cunningham tells the teenager to sit down until the money is sent. After dragging her back inside, she says the girl is “lucky” she didn’t get more physical. The stylist then proceeds to cut out the weave from the girl’s head.

“I’m not f—— playing. You just tried to f—— run. You lucky I ain’t beat the s— out you,” expressed Cunningham.

Court records obtained by People show Cunningham could receive an assault charge. If convicted, the hairstylist could face a sentence of up to 10 years and a $2,500 fine.

The girl’s mother claims she tried to send the $150 due for the service. However, she accidentally transferred the money to the wrong account. The parent described the situation as “absolutely absurd,” expressing concern over her daughter’s mental state following the video’s exposure. Cunningham also shared that she received death threats after the video went viral.

The 15-year-old’s family has also hired a Maryland-based law firm, Jackson and Associates, to represent her.

“This appalling incident involving a minor child and an adult stylist was most certainly avoidable,” shared their attorney, De’Aja Thompson. “Unfortunately, this case is just one depiction of the reality of what happens when citizens take the law into their own hands. As a result, in this case, a young girl suffered physical and psychological injuries for what ultimately turned out to be a mistake, and another young lady is now facing criminal charges that could have larger implications.”

Cunningham’s first court date remains set for April 18.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 9, 2025

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott Announces Birth Of First Daughter On International Women’s Day

Scott welcomed his first daughter with wife, Hana, on International Women's Day.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has expanded his family on a very special day. Scott announced the birth of his new child, a daughter, on International Women’s Day.

Scott shared the exciting news on social media on March 8, stating that his daughter was born on a day dedicated to women globally. Named Camden Lee Scott, the newborn is his second child with his wife, Hana.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mayor Brandon M. Scott (@mayorbmscott)

“Today on International Women’s Day at 12:35 P.M. Camden Lee Scott was born,” exclaimed the doting dad. “Measuring 19.25 inches in length and weighing 6 lbs even! Mama and Baby Camden are doing great, and Daddy is grinning from ear to ear!”

The Scotts previously welcomed a son, Charm, in late 2023. They also parent Hana’s eldest son, Ceron, from a previous marriage. The family of five continues to be a highlight for Baltimore residents and supporters of the mayor.

Their youngest children’s names also pay homage to Baltimore. Charm’s name takes inspiration from Baltimore’s nickname of Charm City, while Camden stems from Camden Yards, a ballpark home to the Orioles, the city’s baseball team.

The past year has also been a whirlwind for the mayor. While preparing for another addition to their family, Scott took on a reelection campaign for his office. The Democratic leader began his second term in December after beating former Mayor Sheila Dixon. Scott also made his reelection a family affair, with his stepson participating at his inauguration by reciting the pledge of allegiance.

As for his toddler, Scott also appears with the baby boy at some work events. His wife, Hana, is a self-proclaimed “mompreneur” with numerous projects under her leadership, including a Black women-focused nonprofit called Bmore Empowered.

As Scott enters the next phase of his political career and fatherhood, the family man continues to foster progressive policies for Baltimore’s people.

by Daniel Johnson

March 9, 2025

Broadway’s ‘Wicked’ Features First Full-Time Black Elphaba

Lencia Kebede, an Ethiopian actress, made history as the first full-time Black actress to portray Elphaba on Broadway.

While the cinematic version of “Wicked” is currently streaming on Peacock, the theater version of the musical made history during the week of March 7 when Lencia Kebede, an Ethiopian actress, became the first full-time Black actress to portray Elphaba, the green-skinned witch portrayed by Cynthia Ervio in the Hollywood version of “Wicked.”

According to The Associated Press, Kebede said her Broadway debut left her feeling as though she belongs in the world of Oz. “It’s hard to even pinpoint a single emotion because I feel that it changes like every five minutes. I woke up and I still sort of felt in the world of Oz,” Kebede said.

She continued, describing how she felt after she finished singing “Defying Gravity,” the song that punctuates Act 1 of the play.

“When the lights went off at the end of the song, I started sobbing. Not like just a gentle tear. Viscerally, I had to release. I really felt like I was flying, is the simplest way to put it. I felt like I’m doing it myself, though my own power — my vocal power, my emotional power, the power of all of my African ancestors,” Kebede told the AP.

Kebede also took the time to encourage the values of liberation and empowerment, telling the AP that the song made her feel like she could hold the audience in her arms.

“Everyone deserves a chance to fly. I’m projecting this message that no matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, you deserve liberation and you deserve empowerment in the way that the character feels in that moment. It just feels like I’m taking the entire audience in my arms,” Kebede said.

She continued, “I needed to regroup,” she said as she laughed aloud. “My makeup artist was like, ‘Just let it out, just cry, and then we can clean it up.’”

Although Kebede is the first full-time Black actress to take on the role of Elphaba, there have been other Black women to don the green makeup and tattered Black dress like Broadway standbys Saycon Sengbloh, Lili Cooper, Broadway understudy Brandi Chavonne Massey, and Alexia Khadime, a full-time West End Elphaba.

Kebede, who also sang backup for Beyoncé during rehearsals for her Coachella performance, pivoted to the world of theatre after graduating from Occidental College in 2016 with a double major in diplomacy, world affairs, and politics, which she intended to use for a career in law or public policy; however, the theatre was calling her, and she answered.

“I just had this creative craving in terms of storytelling in the theatrical way that I was missing,” she says. “So I sat my mother down and I was like, ‘Look, I think I need just a couple years to explore this creative endeavor,’” Kebede recalled to the AP.

Kebede also credited her training through touring, which included time at Tokyo Disney and multi-year tours as part of the casts for “Rent” and “Hamilton,” with preparing her for her turn as Elphaba on Broadway.

“The rigorous nature of touring, I think, prepared me immensely for this,” Kebede said. “I do feel very equipped — physically, vocally, emotionally. I feel like I know how to take care of my body and my mind, how I need to cool down emotionally after such an intense experience for three hours.”

Kebede’s family, including her mother, aunts, uncles, and cousins, were all in attendance, as were her boyfriend, agent, and casting directors, among others, which gave Kebede an immense feeling of pride.

“My whole family was in the audience — just everyone who I’ve ever loved, with everyone who has loved me and supported me through my life, is just like under me, lifting me and holding me,” Kebede told the AP.

She continued, “It was just so important to me to have people there that I could share this moment with, so I could say to their faces, ’I couldn’t be here without a piece of your heart that you gave me.’”

University Of Virginia Board Votes To Dismantle DEI Office

by Daniel Johnson

March 9, 2025

University Of Virginia Board Votes To Dismantle DEI Office

Although the resolution, which dismantled the university's diversity equity, and inclusion office, allows for the programs housed inside the office to be moved to other homes, it was not immediately clear what would be categorized as permissible in the resolution.

The University of Virginia’s board voted on March 7 to dissolve the university’s office of diversity, equity, and inclusion, becoming the latest university to acquiesce to the wishes of the Trump administration and the Republican Party to erase diversity from universities and other institutions nationwide.

According to The Washington Post, the University of Virginia’s governing board, the Board of Visitors, is largely controlled by appointees of Virginia’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Gov. Youngkin, who, like Trump, has been trying to rid the State of Virginia of DEI, signaled his approval, declaring that the board voted in the interest of “common sense.”

Although the resolution, which dismantled the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion office, allows for the programs housed inside the office to be moved, it was not immediately made clear what would be categorized as permissible in the resolution.

The resolution also contained a declaration from the board that it valued diversity and inclusion but instructed the university to comply with the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause and the Civil Rights Act. It also charged the University of Virginia to “ensure there are no efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race by relying on proxies.”

According to Brian Coy, a spokesperson for the University of Virginia, the university’s administration will review which programs are permissible for transfers.

“In accordance with the resolution, the administration will review the functions of the office, and all personnel and programs that are permissible under state and federal law will be transferred within the University,” Coy also added that the Office for Equal Opportunity and Title IX compliance along with other “important” functions were part of the diversity, equity, and inclusion office.

In contrast to the University of Virginia’s signal that they will likely go along with the resolution, which in turn is itself a capitulation to the Trump administration’s Department of Education’s stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Georgetown University’s law school did the complete opposite of the University of Virginia.

According to Slate, Georgetown Law Dean William Treanor told the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Colombia, Ed Martin, in no uncertain terms that his attempt to blackmail the university into not promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion by punishing Georgetown graduates was unconstitutional.