hiker, black hiker — photo credit: pexels

by Jameelah Mullen

June 26, 2025

Family Of Black Hiker Who Fell From Volcano Blames Rescue Team for Her Death

The Brazilian woman was trapped for four days after she fell while hiking Indonesia’s second-highest volcano.

Juliana Marins, a 26-year-old Brazilian tourist, was found dead after falling off a cliff during a hike on an active volcano in Indonesia. The news of her death attracted international media attention, but her family believes the death of the hiker was preventable.

A post on Instagram from Marian’s family criticized the Indonesian rescue team, accusing them of not taking proper action during the rescue.

“Juliana suffered great negligence on the part of the rescue team,” the family posted on June 25, as translated by People.

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A post shared by @resgatejulianamarins

“If the team had reached her within the estimated time of 7 hours, Juliana would still be alive,” the family’s post continued. “Juliana deserved much more! Now we are going to seek justice for her because that is what she deserves! Don’t give up on Juliana!”

On Saturday, June 21, Marins, a group of friends, and a tour guide set out to hike Mount Rinjani, a volcano over 12,000 feet tall. Around 6:30 a.m., the 26-year-old allegedly slipped and fell off a ridge on the volcano.

Marins initially survived the fall, according to reports. Drone footage showed images of the dancer, where she appeared to be moving. A rescue team tried to reach her, but were stalled by bad weather conditions. When rescuers returned to the spot where they first found Marins, they discovered she had slipped nearly 1,600 feet further into the crater. By the time they sent more drones to find her, Marins was unresponsive.

Marins’ body was reached four days after her fall. Her family confirmed her death.

“With great sadness, we inform you that she did not survive,” Marins’ family said. “We remain very grateful for all the prayers, messages of affection, and support that we have received,” BBC reported.

Marins is one of several people who have died while hiking the volcano. In May 2025, Rennie Bin Abdul Ghani, a 57-year-old Malaysian hiker, died after falling about 328 feet. Kaifat Rafi Mubarrok, 16, also died after falling more than 600 feet.

Authorities have not yet specified the cause of Marin’s death.

Marilyn Mosby, conviction overturned, fraud, Baltimore — Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

by Sharelle B. McNair

June 26, 2025

Marilyn Mosby Free From Home Detention After Federal Perjury Charges

Mosby garnered support from the NAACP, National Council of Negro Women and the National Urban League who felt she was targeted.

Former Baltimore City State Attorney Marilyn Mosby is breathing fresh air once again after ending her federal home detention bid following a perjury conviction, WMAR 2 Baltimore reports.

Mosby’s bid ended June 20, completing one year of home-based incarceration after being convicted on two federal counts of perjury and one count of making a false statement on a home loan application. In a motion dated June 16, Mosby will avoid two additional years of home detention. “United States Probation has advised undersigned counsel that it also plans to file a motion for early termination of Ms. Mosby’s supervised release upon the completion of her detention condition on June 20, 2025,” the motion read.

Legal issues for the former state attorney started in November 2023 after being charged and found guilty of lying about finances surrounding early withdrawals from retirement funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2024, she was found guilty again of fraudulently claiming that $5,000 was a gift from her now-ex-husband when it was actually hers, while closing on a Florida condo.

While many people side-eyed the former prosecutor’s legal woes after climbing to notoriety following the Freddie Gray case, Mosby garnered support from the NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, and the National Urban League who felt she was targeted. In a five-page letter to former President Joe Biden, the civil rights organizations outlined their concerns about Mosby being unfairly targeted and unjustly convicted: “The only thing Marilyn Mosby is guilty of is the desire to provide her family with a better life,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said at the time.

However, it looks like luck is on her side following her dismissal. U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby granted Mosby’s motions to have her passport returned and waived a $1,447 location monitoring fee after she described the charge as “hefty” amid financial distress. “Although Ms. Mosby is currently employed, she has been financially devastated over the course of her prosecution in this case, which started 3 ½ years ago,” Mosby’s legal team wrote to Griggsby.

“During this lengthy period of time, her savings were depleted due to legal fees, long periods of unemployment, and credit card debt—so much that she became indigent and required the services of the Office of the Federal Public Defender.”

On social media, news of her release was seemingly met with praise by supporters who continue to join her in maintaining her innocence. One supporter on X accused her former husband of setting her up. “She should never have been prosecuted when her husband set her up! Funny how he lied and she did the time and that n**** sitting pretty as City Council President!” @rosempearl2 wrote.

She should never have been prosecuted her husband set her up! Funny how he lied and she did the time and that nigga sitting pretty as City Council President! https://t.co/gugQ2S8BSk
— Rose No fucking DM'S (@RoseMPearl2) June 24, 2025

@f2matts gave her some grace with claims that COVID was a time where everyone was looking for a come-up. “Marilyn Mosby has endured enough for her crimes, and I hope she returns to working in office with a new perspective. COVID was a wild time, and EVERYONE was looking for a come up, or an advantage in that time of uncertainty,” the X user wrote.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 26, 2025

Stormzy Earns Honorary Doctorate From University Of Cambridge For Helping Black College Students

Stormzy's scholarship program for Black students at the University of Cambridge earned him an honorary doctorate.

The prestigious University of Cambridge has awarded Stormzy an honorary doctorate in recognition of his scholarship program, which supports Black students at the institution.

The UK rapper, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., received a Doctorate in Law for his “transformative” scholarship program, which helps fund the education of Black students pursuing higher education at the University of Cambridge, according to the BBC.

“Stormzy’s scholarship programme has had a transformative impact and we are proud to recognise his work with this degree,” Prof Deborah Prentice, vice-chancellor at the university, said.

“Each of this year’s honorary graduates has made an extraordinary contribution to their field, and their work continues to inspire people in Cambridge and around the world.”

Launched in 2018 through his #Merky Foundation in partnership with HSBC UK, Stormzy’s scholarship has fully funded tuition and living expenses for 56 students. His impactful work earned him a place among eight public figures honored with honorary degrees at Cambridge’s 2025 commencement ceremony.

“It’s so important for Black students, especially, to be aware that it can 100% be an option to attend a university of this calibre,” Stormzy said when launching the scholarship program.

Since rising to fame, 31-year-old Stormzy has spearheaded numerous philanthropic initiatives in the sports and arts sectors. He launched the #Merky Books imprint to support Black British authors and purchased the AFC Croydon Athletic football club in South London with plans to transform it into a true “community asset.”

Stormzy’s honorary degree from the University of Cambridge marks his second, following one he received from the University of Exeter in 2022, “in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of higher education philanthropy and widening participation.” His honorary doctorate was awarded just a week after he premiered his short film, Big Man, on YouTube, released through his production company, #Merky Films, in partnership with Apple.

Theresa Randle, arrest, domestic violence — (Photo: Sasun Bughdaryan/Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

June 26, 2025

7 Dallas Family Members Plead Guilty To PPP Loan Fraud

The Dallas family admitted to conspiracy and wire fraud after creating fake businesses to receive federal relief funds.

On June 18, A Dallas family pled guilty to defrauding the government by receiving Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Seven adults, Lori Jackson, 63, Saidrick Jackson, 61, Saidrick Jackson II, 36, Saundria Jackson, 36, D’Andria Todd, 46, Bianca Williams, 33, and Valencia Williams, 53, admitted to conspiracy and wire fraud, according to the Northern District of Texas US Attorney’s office.

The Jackson and Williams family claimed to have owned various establishments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fabrication of the false small business establishments allowed the members to file for federal relief. Each family member claimed a monthly income of $8,000. The fabricated businesses ranged from a beauty salon to a childcare center to a youth sports league.

“The PPP loan applications that were submitted falsely claimed each family member was a sole proprietor with a monthly payroll of approximately $8,000. Purported tax documents filed in support of the applications provided additional false details about the sole proprietorships, including the type of businesses and annual net profits. PPP loans were approved and deposited into the family members’ personal bank accounts. In their plea papers, each family member admitted to receiving federal funds issued to non-existent businesses,” the US attorney’s statement read.

Each defendant faces a sentence of three to five years in federal prison.

Payment Protection Program Prosecution

The Dallas family members are not the only PPP loan scammers to face consequences for defrauding the program.

On May 28, 18 individuals in California were charged with obtaining over $25 million in relief funds. The defendants did operate multiple legitimate establishments. However, each conspired to inflate the employee count and employee pay. The cohort established an intricate scheme to funnel the funds.

“They allegedly submitted at least 29 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications that fraudulently inflated payroll expenses, doctoring bank statements and Internal Revenue Service tax forms to falsely reflect business income. They then routed PPP loan funds through a series of bank accounts to create a false paper trail of payroll expenses.”

Four of the defendants fled to Armenia, escaping prosecution. Five years after the pandemic, the government has vowed to track down abusers of the PPP program.

David Banner — HOTSPOTATL, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 26, 2025

David Banner Credits T.I. For Turning Him Into A ‘Million-Dollar Producer’

David Banner credits T.I. for helping him become a "million-dollar producer."

David Banner struggled to gain recognition as a music producer until rapper T.I. stepped in and made sure the “Rubberband Man” creator received the credit he deserved, ultimately helping him become a “million-dollar producer.”

Banner recently appeared on Club Shay Shay, where he opened up about his rise as a music producer and rapper. Inspired by Jay-Z’s way of shouting out his producers on his hit songs, Banner sought to become the first hip-hop producer to include his name at the beginning of a song he produced.

Unfortunately, radio DJs often cut out Banner’s producer tag when playing the song, until T.I. stepped in and demanded that Banner’s name stay at the beginning of his 2003 hit “Rubberband Man.”

“What people don’t know is that I produced ‘Thug Holiday’ for Trick Daddy — but nobody knew who David Banner was at the time. So I wasn’t able to take advantage. I wasn’t even in the video. But T.I. is the person who allowed me to be a million-dollar producer,” Banner explained.

“‘Rubber Band Man’ changed the texture. He’s also, and people won’t admit this, the reason why producers can put their tags on their beat on the radio, cause my tag was on my beats way before ‘Rubber Band Man,’ but the radio stations would shave it off,” Banner said. “T.I. called [the stations] and said, ‘Don’t touch my music, that boy worked hard.’”

The reveal is also a nod to Jay-Z, who Banner says helped music producers increase the price tag on their work after receiving a shoutout from the hip-hop mogul.

“I noticed Jay-Z would say ‘Kanye, you a fool fool fool. Just Blaze, you did it again,’ and every time he would say their name, they could charge $10,000 extra, right,” Banner said.

While Jay-Z was known for spotlighting producers on his tracks, Banner noticed that recognition was often lacking in the South. Many producers behind iconic hits went uncredited because the artists using their beats didn’t give them shoutouts.

“Southern rappers hid their producers. It hurts me to this day,” Banner said. “KLC from Beats By The Pound, as big as ‘No Limit’ was, don’t nobody know who they are. They’re some of my mentors… I really think Beats By The Pound is as big as Timbaland and Pharrell, because they changed music in the same way that those people do, but we don’t know who they are.”

Rather than feeling discouraged, the realization motivated Banner to take action, prompting him to add his signature “DAVID BANNER” tag at the beginning of his tracks.

“And since I saw that, I said, ‘I’m not going to let them look over me. I’mma put my own name before my beat,” Banner said. “It got so hot at one time, and people don’t even give me credit for that… I think I was one of the first people to put my name before a beat, but nobody made it hot in contemporary America like I did.”

Las Vegas Aces, wnba, A'ja Wilson, sneakers — Photo by Lorie Shaull from St Paul, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 26, 2025

A’ja Wilson Scores 5,000th Career Points In The Least Number Of WNBA Games

She reaches the milestone in only 238 games

In a recent WNBA game, All-Star player A’ja Wilson became the fastest woman in league history to score 5,000 career points.

According to the Las Vegas Aces, the three-time league MVP (Most Valuable Player) reached the milestone in an 85-59 blowout victory against the Connecticut Sun. Wilson ended the game with 22 points as she surpassed the mark in the quickest time in WNBA history. Her current point total is 5,015.

She became the sixth player to score 5,000 points, grab 2,000 rebounds, dish out 500 assists, block 400 shots, and make 200 steals. With those totals, she also became the fastest and youngest to hit those marks as well.

With getting to 5,000 points in only 238 games, she got there quicker than Breana Stewart, who reached that mark in her 242nd game. Diana Taurasi did it in 243 games, while Angel McCoughtry reached it after her 257th.

Wilson ended the contest with 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals, and three blocked shots.

ESPN reported that Taurasi, who ended her career last season, is the league’s career-scoring leader with 10,646 points. She played in the WNBA for 20 seasons.

Wilson has been playing with the Las Vegas team after she was drafted No. 1 out of South Carolina back in 2018. After winning the Rookie of the Year Award in her first year, she has taken home multiple MVP awards starting in 2020, then repeating every other year, in 2022, and then again in 2024.

“One of the reasons they drafted me was to score the ball in many, many different ways,” Wilson said after the victory. “To be the quickest, the fastest [to 5,000], it’s a blessing.”

In her past 62 regular-season games, Wilson has scored in double figures, making her streak the 7th-longest streak in league history. If she continues to score in double figures for another three games, she will match Arike Ogunbowale, who owns the sixth-longest such streak with 65.

The Aces have evened their record to 7-7 for the year as the Sun continued their losing ways by dropping to 2-13.

Texas, locs, school suspension — (Photo by Larry George II/Unsplash)

by Kandiss Edwards

June 26, 2025

Supreme Court Rules Rastafarian Can Sue After Locs Were Cut While Incarcerated

Damon Landor is an observant of the Rastafarian religion. A tenant of the religion frowns upon cutting one’s hair, specifically locs.

The Supreme Court ruled Damon Landor, a practicing Rastafarian, may proceed with his suit against the Louisiana Department of Corrections for cutting his locs.

Landor’s initial suit was thrown out of Louisiana’s 5th Circuit Court. However, the Supreme Court believes there is merit in his appeal. The court ruled that hearing the case “vividly illustrates the importance of a damage remedy to protecting religious exercise.”

Landor is an observant of the Rastafarian religion. A tenet of the faith, “the Nazarite Vow,” frowns upon cutting one’s hair, specifically locs.

Three weeks before Landor was scheduled to be released from jail, after serving the majority of his 5-month sentence, he was transferred to Raymond Laborde Correctional Center. Upon his arrival, the Raymond Laborde officers attempted to cut his hair.

The facility’s cleanliness and grooming code required the removal of the Rastafarian’s hair. However, Landor made clear that the offense is protected under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Officers ignored the paperwork, throwing it in the trash, and proceeded to shave Landor’s head bald.

The state of Louisiana acknowledges it was a violation of Landor’s rights. Yet, the judicial body stopped short of allowing the case to proceed. According to the petition, the 5th Circuit asserts, “individual-capacity damages are not available.” Landor would need to seek recompense from Louisiana Corrections.

Still, the state believes that since it has adjusted its policies, no intervention by the courts is needed. Moreover, the Louisiana Department of Corrections minimized the harm inflicted on Landor.

“There is no indication that Defendants’ conduct and/or policies, as they impacted Plaintiff’s exercise of his religious beliefs, resulted in a sufficiently serious deprivation of a basic human need,” the state’s response read.

Landor rejects the notion that he will receive no compensation for the harm caused. His brief states as much, stressing that government officials should not be able to violate laws without consequence.

“No relief is not “appropriate relief” in the ‘context of suits against Government officials,”’ the suit asserted.

Mack Wilds, Michael K Williams Tribute — Photo Credit Xavier E

by Jameelah Mullen

June 26, 2025

‘Surrounded By Stories’ Celebrates BIPOC Storytelling And Honors the Legacy of Michael K. Williams

Veteran Filmmakers pass the torch to emerging creatives.

Black filmmakers and creatives filled New York City’s historic SVA Theatre for Surrounded By Stories, a BIPOC-led film showcase hosted by Surrounded By Water, a collective co-founded by actor Tristian Mack and filmmaker Greg Cally to highlight films by and for Black artists. The June 21 event featured both emerging talent and seasoned professionals, all sharing stories often overlooked by mainstream media.

“Our collective Surrounded By Water wanted to create an inclusive space for BIPOC creators to not only showcase their works but to build on their projects, network to grow in this industry, and celebrate their accomplishments. We aimed to entertain, educate, and inspire, and although this was our first year, it was evident that we hit the mark, especially when honoring Michael K. Williams,” Mack Wilds told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The first to appear on the screen was “333,” a short film written and directed by actress Naturi Naughton. She co-produced the movie with her husband, Two Lewis. The film, which Naughton calls a “deeply personal” piece, stars Birgundi Baker from The Chi and Vanessa Bell Calloway.

Other films featured include Spillover, executive produced by Emmy Award winner Phil Tudeme, and Sincerely, Brad, written by Greg Cally and starring Carl Anthony Payne, known for his iconic role as Cole on The Martin Lawrence Show.

The showcase featured stories about Black historical figures, such as Victor Glover, the first Black person to travel to the moon. Some films addressed sensitive topics, such as the complex relationship between law enforcement and the Black community.

The event also featured “The Art Of Acting,” a panel with actors Naughton, Wilds, Guyviaud Joseph, and Chad Coleman, who shared their experiences and offered advice for aspiring actors.

The highlight of the event was paying tribute to the late actor Michael K. Williams. Williams’ nephew, Domenic Dupont, took the stage to present the first-ever Michael K. Williams Creative Fellowship. Originally planned for a single recipient, Wilds and Cally decided to name two inaugural fellows: Mitchell Campbell and Jessie Nunoo.

Ahead of the event, Surrounded By Water discussed the inspiration for the fellowship on its Instagram page.

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A post shared by Tristan Mack Wilds ✪ (@mackwilds)

“With the blessing of the estate of Michael K. Williams, it’s our honor to present the Surrounded By Water “Michael K. Williams Fellowship,” where we as a collective pass down the love, dedication, and tutelage that Mr. Williams passed down to us. This fellowship is open to bipoc actors, producers, directors, writers, and more.”

UBER, airports, air taxis, Joby, Blade — (Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

June 26, 2025

Violent Altercation Unfolds Between Atlanta Reporter and Uber Driver

Tabitha Turner, a sports reporter in Atlanta says she is being harassed, by social media users, after an altercation with an Uber driver.

An Atlanta reporter is claiming she was attacked and maced by her Uber driver. The Uber driver refutes the claims.

Tabitha Turner, a sports reporter for the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Dream, spoke with 11Alive to defend herself after a video surfaced of a physical and verbal altercation with Mericole Smith.

According to Turner, Smith violently attacked the woman after the woman had argued over the temperature of the vehicle. Smith also requested the reporter exit the vehicle while on Interstate I-85. She refused. Turner contends she only “wanted to get home to [her] daughter.”

Smith recounted her side of the events in a TikTok video, June 22. Subsequently, Turner released video of the altercation. As a result, Turner says she is being harassed. She also claims she was doxed. Observers are now contacting her place of employment and co-workers.

“They’ve flooded my social media with threats,” Turner said. “They’ve reached out to people I work with and work for.”

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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

While Turner denies any wrong-doing, Smith asserts the reporter threatened her. By Turner, allegedly, brandishing a weapon, Smith felt threatened. It was the perceived threat that led to Turner being sprayed with mace.

Smith showed 11 Alive the injuries she sustained once the women’s altercation turned physical.

“So, the bite mark is right here, right up above the end of my jawline,” Smith said. “And then for my eye, I have stitches here, and the blood vessels in my eye are bruised and healing currently.”

Police believe there is sufficient evidence to charge Smith in the assault. Turner is not currently facing charges for her part in the incident.

@mericolaaa #uber #uberdriverproblems @Uber #atlanta #atlantageorgia #lawsuit #lawsuitcheck ♬ original sound – MERICOLAAA

Turner was asked about her role in the situation. Her personal video documents her calling Smith multiple slurs. Turner did not respond to 11 Alive, instead opting to let her lawyer, Miguel Dominguez, speak on her behalf.

“There is no one who is going to watch this video and come away from it believing my client instigated this thing in any way,” said Dominguez.

Turner is planning to initiate a class-action lawsuit against Uber.

by Mitti Hicks

June 26, 2025

16 People Killed, 400 Injured During Anti-Tax Protests in Kenya

The demonstrations on Wednesday were held to commemorate deadly protests that occurred just a year prior.

Anti-government protests in Kenya’s capital of Nairobi turned deadly on Wednesday. While Kenyan officials have not disclosed the number of casualties, reports from local media and human rights groups say at least 16 people have been killed and over 400 injured during nationwide protests.

Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director Irũngũ Houghton told Reuters, “Most were killed by police.”

This is the latest outbreak of violence in Kenya, where people have taken to the streets over the last year to protest against police brutality, government corruption, and high taxes.

The demonstrations on Wednesday were held to commemorate deadly protests that occurred just a year prior. Police opened fire on a large number of protesters, killing at least 60 people on June 25, 2024, who attempted to storm parliament following the passage of legislation by members of parliament to raise taxes.

“We face an unfortunate paradox as a country where more lives are being lost as the people seek justice for the lives already lost,” Faith Odhiambo, president of the Law Society of Kenya said on X. “Our hearts break for all the victims of the continued trend of police brutality and excesses.”

She continued, “We urge all Kenyans to take responsibility for their safety and that of fellow citizens in these trying moments for our country. Let us keep each other safe.”

What Happened During the 2025 Protests in Kenya?

Thousands took to the streets in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisii, and several other major Kenyan cities on June 25th to mark the anniversary of the violent 2024 anti-tax protests. Protesters chanted “Ruto Must Go” and “Occupy Statehouse” in opposition to President William Ruto’s government, according to Al Jazeera.

Nationwide, banks and schools in Nairobi’s central business district were closed in anticipation of the protests.

According to the BBC, the majority of protests started peacefully before things took a turn. Local reporters saw police fire tear gas and water cannons in the Nairobi crowds.