Ralph Yarl, Civil Lawsuit, Andrew Lester
by Kandiss Edwards

February 20, 2025

Andrew Lester Dies After Admitting Guilt In Shooting Of Black Teenager Ralph Yarl

Andrew Lester shot a 16-year-old honor student in 2023. One day after pleading guilty Lester died.

Andrew Lester pled guilty to shooting a Missouri teen, Ralph Yarl, who had knocked on his door by accident. One day later, Lester died, AP reports.

The 86-year-old man was arrested in April 2023 after shooting Yarl, a 16-year-old honor student. After two years of court motions, Lester chose not to fight the charges. Instead, he signed a plea deal, admitting to second-degree assault, a lesser charge than the original first-degree assault.

In a statement, Yarl’s family expressed their disappointment at the length of time it took to reach closure. According to the family, Lester successfully delayed his prosecution, meaning Ralph will never see his assailant face justice.

“Now, another Black child harmed by prejudice will never see the man who shot him face the full weight of the justice system,” the family said. “While Lester finally admitted guilt, it came at the very last moment—after two years of stalling. That delay leaves our family reeling.”

Though Lester has passed away, this may not be the end of the saga. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the Yarl family’s civil suit against Lester’s family.

On April 29, 2024, Yarl’s mother, Cleo Nagbe, released a statement:

“Today, on behalf of my son Ralph Yarl, we stand before you to announce a significant step towards justice and accountability… This incident not only shattered our family but also exposed a critical gap in our societal fabric, where the safety of our children is jeopardized by reckless actions.”

The suit alleges “negligence” on Lester’s part. The shooter claimed he mistakenly shot Yarl because he assumed the teen was a thief. This assumption is being challenged by the family’s attorney, Lee Merritt.

“The suit is based on what [Lester] said,” Merritt said. “If he’s saying, ‘I mistakenly thought this person was a robber,’ we’re saying that’s negligence. You weren’t paying close enough attention. Everybody who rings your doorbell can’t be a robber.”

The family is also suing the neighborhood’s homeowner’s association. The civil case is still ongoing.

RELATED CONTENT: NYPD Faces Backlash For Falsely Accusing Black Teen Of Mass Shooting

Monique Rodriguez Will Be A Luminary Award Honoree At The 19th Annual Women Of Power Summit
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 20, 2025

Monique Rodriguez Will Be A Luminary Award Honoree At The 19th Annual Women Of Power Summit

Monique Rodriquez is an entrepreneur and Luminary Award honoree at the 19th annual Women of Power Summit.

The 19th Annual BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit will honor entrepreneur Monique Rodriguez and recognize her incredible achievements in the beauty industry. Taking place March 5 at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the summit will present Rodriguez with this year’s prestigious Luminary Award.

Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, a haircare company that has grown from a small in-home experiment into a thriving business. The company began as a personal project in Rodriquez’s kitchen and is now an independent subsidiary of P&G Beauty.

 

From Dream To Reality

Rodriguez began her startup in 2014. With a strong online presence and a passion for healthy hair, she began selling her products online. Through innovative and strategic marketing, Rodriguez was able to scale her business. She rapidly expanded her product line and built a loyal customer base. Her hard work and dedication eventually led to the acquisition of Mielle Organics by P&G Beauty.

Marketing Through The Pandemic

Rodriguez’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Six months after launching Mielle Organics, she made a significant career shift. The budding entrepreneur left her nursing job to fully devote herself to the growing business—her commitment paid off in 2020, the breakout year for Mielle Organics. Many businesses struggled during the pandemic. Rodriguez, however, ensured that Mielle remained at the forefront of customers’ minds. She hosted daily events on social media, engaging with her audience and driving sales. BE reported the company earned $40 million in sales.

 

Scaling Up

The company’s organic success led to Berkshire Partners, a private equity firm, investing $100 million. Despite her marketing success, Rodriguez is quick to point out that the quality of her products has driven Mielle Organics’ sustained growth.

“No level of marketing can keep customers coming back if you don’t have great products,” Rodriguez said on BE’s New Norm.

Rodriguez’s story is one of perseverance, vision, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Join us as we honor this Luminary at the 19th annual Women of Power Summit.

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KATHY HOCHUL, New York,
by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2025

Black NY Lawmakers Press Gov. Kathy Hochul Not To Remove Eric Adams Amid Corruption Indictment

That's a lot of pressure for the governor....

Black elected officials throughout New York City are rallying against Gov. Kathy Hochul, urging her not to remove NYC Mayor Eric Adams as a motion from the Department of Justice pushes to dismiss his corruption indictment.

In a letter posted on social media, the group, led by Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D-Flatbush), make it “crystal clear” that a removal will result in political backlash for her. They “strongly oppose” any removal plans of Adams. “As Black legislators we have seen this over and over again: double standards and unfair process when it comes to our leaders,” the lawmakers wrote. 

“If a move against the mayor is made without a justifiable legal reason, our communities will never forget it.”

Assembly members Nikki Lucas, Alicia Hyndman, Clyde Vanel, and Al Taylor, as well as state senators Roxanne Persaud, Leroy Comrie, and James Sanders, are supporting legislators. 

Since early 2024, Adams has come under fire after facing corruption and bribery charges, which resulted in a domino effect of mass resignations from his staff. After making an appearance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the DOJ pressed for corruption charges to be dismissed. Critics allege Adams made a deal with Trump for his freedom, which he denies. 

Those same critics are the ones pushing for Hochul to step in and remove Adams if he doesn’t resign. However, while the governor is aware of the issue it could cause in City Hall, she wants to wait to see what a federal judge says in regard to the reasoning for the charge dismissal before she makes any moves. “I recognize the immense responsibility I hold as governor and the constitutional powers granted to this office,” Hochul said in a statement. 

“In the 235 years of New York State history, these powers have never been utilized to remove a duly elected mayor; overturning the will of the voters is a serious step that should not be taken lightly. That said, the alleged conduct at City Hall that has been reported over the past two weeks is troubling and cannot be ignored.”

While the letter-writing lawmakers allege it should be up to New Yorkers to choose if they want Adams to continue leading — with an election coming up in June 2025 — Adams seems to be getting additional support from state leaders in Washington, D.C. Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, the only GOP leader representing New York, jumped onboard with her colleagues, warning Hochul against moving Adams, according to Fox News. 

She openly admitted to disagreeing with Adams’ policies in the past, but swiftly targeted Hochul, accusing her thoughts of removal being aligned with the mayor working with the Trump administration. 

“As often as I’ve criticized Mayor Adams and disagreed with his policies, the Governor is wrong here and is being motivated by politics, not law,” Malliotakis wrote in a statement. 

“She is rushing to remove him because he is working with the Trump Administration to rid our city of dangerous foreign criminals and gangs. The real question is, why is Governor Hochul going to such great lengths to protect criminals in our country unlawfully who have preyed on New Yorkers?”

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MTA Board, NYC, traffic, congestion
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 20, 2025

Is New York City’s Congestion Pricing Dead?

The Department of Transportation has rescinded its approval of the program.

Less than two months after New York implemented a congestion pricing zone in Manhattan, the Department of Transportation has rescinded its approval of the program.

According to CNN, the controversial plan, which has been met with disapproval from many New York City residents, may be forced to go away after US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy informed New York Gov. Kathy Hochu that the current administration also disapproves of the congestion pricing.

Gov. Hochul was informed of the decision in a letter sent to her on Wednesday, Feb. 19.

“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working-class Americans and small business owners,” Duffy stated. “Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few.”

During his campaign in 2024, President Donald Trump stated that he would not allow the congestion price to happen if he were elected. He took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce that congestion pricing is dead.

“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” Trump stated.

The program went into effect on Jan. 5, to the dismay of New Yorkers battling high prices everywhere in the city. Motorists entering below 60th Street have to pay $9 during peak hours (5 a.m.- 9 p.m.) and $2.25 during non-peak hours (9 p.m.-5 a.m.).

The program was instituted to raise millions in funding, which will be used to fix the city’s infrastructure and ease congestion on some of Manhattan’s most clogged streets.

In his letter, Duffy stated that congestion zone pricing contradicts the federal highway program, which does not allow tolling on roads built with federal funds unless Congress provides an exemption.

“Commuters using the highway system to enter New York City have already financed the construction and improvement of these highways through the payment of gas taxes and other taxes. But now the toll program leaves drivers without any free highway alternative, and instead, takes more money from working people to pay for a transit system and not highways.”

Duffy said that the program does not offer alternatives for people who do not have a choice but to drive into Manhattan.

The governor did vow to fight the decision and has no plans to end the program.

“We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king,” Hochul said. “The MTA has initiated legal proceedings in the Southern District of New York to preserve this critical program. We’ll see you in court.”

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floyd Mayweather, Spruce Management,oer
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 20, 2025

Floyd Mayweather Interested In New York Giants Ownership

The undefeated fighter has partnered with real estate magnate, Meyer Orbach so they can place a bid to obtain a 10% stake in the NFL team.

Retired champion boxer Floyd Mayweather is trying to break into the NFL by leading a group looking to buy a 10% stake in the New York Giants.

According to TMZ Sports, the undefeated fighter has partnered with real estate magnate Meyer Orbach so they can place a bid to own a piece of the football team. It’s been reported that the offer will be around $700 million.

“My partners and I are always looking at different opportunities, including ownership of sports teams. I can’t comment further than that,” Orbach told the media outlet.

Forbes has valued the New York Giants franchise at $7.5 billion. The team owners, John Mara and Steve Tisch, reportedly want to sell some of their stake in the Giants.

Mayweather has been investing his money heavily in the New York City area in recent months.

In October, The Real Deal reported that the pugilist was investing $402 million into a 1,000-unit affordable housing portfolio with more than 60 buildings in Manhattan. He partnered with Josh Gotlib of Black Spruce Management. A month later, he outdid himself by investing in 601W Companies. That deal aligns him with the office landlord’s extensive portfolio, which includes a $10 billion collection of 18 buildings and 10 million square feet of space.

Before his 601W Companies investment, Mayweather put up a $100 million stake with office landlord SL Green. In a written statement at the time of the transaction, he said, “New York City is the center of the world. A wise person once told me if you buy real estate in New York and you hold on to it over the years, you will always make money and win.”

With all his recent money moves in New York City, Mayweather recently rented a duplex apartment in the Big Apple for $100,000 monthly. The unit is inside the Baccarat Hotel and Residences in midtown Manhattan.

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Keturah Orji, triple jump, Olympics, retirement
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 20, 2025

Triple Jump Athlete Keturah Orji Announces Retirement From Sport

Orji retires after contemplating it for several years

Olympian Keturah Orji has just announced her retirement from the sports world.

The triple jump athlete announced the news on her blog, citing six reasons for her decision.

“Here’s why –- but wait, before I dive into all my reasons, do know that prayer played a huge role in helping me make my final decision about retirement. This blog focuses on the other factors that influenced the decision.”

In a detailed entry, she listed the factors she listed as underperforming, her distance from her husband, citing that her love for the sport has disappeared, body pains, acceptance of untapped potential, and being undervalued.

According to The Sports Examiner, after the New Jersey resident graduated from high school, she went to the University of Georgia, where she won NCAA indoor titles in 2016, 2017, and 2018 while bringing home outdoor titles in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. In her last year, she also won the long jump title in 2018 for eight titles during her collegiate career.

She also won 10 U.S. national titles from 2019 to 2024, four indoor and six outdoor. She made the U.S. Olympic team three times in 2016, 2021, and 2024. She finished fourth place at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games while attending Georgia. She made it to three World Championships and four World Indoor Championship teams. Orji won a silver medal at the Pan American Games in the long jump in 2019. She set the American Record in the Triple Jump thrice in 2016 and then again in 2021.

Before ending her blog entry, Orji explains that she had been considering retirement for several years before making her final decision.

“I first considered retirement in 2022 and later became more firm about the timing in 2023. While browsing a blog post, I stumbled upon the book Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, which solidified my decision. I remember people questioning my decision based on hypotheticals, and I reassured them that, ‘Even if I win an Olympic medal this year, I will still retire.’ A medal would not have changed my mind because the reasons stated above would still be a reality.”
 

Ja Rule, Sei Less, Mom's, Criminal Justice System
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 20, 2025

Ja Rule Gives Passionate Farewell At Irv Gotti Funeral Service

Jay-Z, Ashanti, Fat Joe, Gayle King, Angie Martinez were among those who paid their last respects.

The Feb. 19 funeral service for Murder Inc. founder Irv Gotti featured some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Among them was rapper Ja Rule, Gotti’s partner and Murder Inc’s breakout artist, who paid tribute to the man who launched his career.

“I just want to say Irv, I love you. Everyone in this room loves you. You touched everybody in your own way and I know everybody has their moments of that with him. So, we’re all here in celebration of your life because it will live on forever. I love you my brother; see you when I get there.”

According to TMZ Hip Hop, many notables attended the service at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, including artists whose careers Gotti shaped. Jay-Z, Fat Joe, Ashanti, and Gayle King were among those who paid their respects.

“Following the procession, Irv’s friends and fam gave him one last once-around through his Queens neighborhood, stopping at the park where he honed his DJ skills, as well as his childhood home,” the site reported.

Gotti, whose real name was Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., was pronounced dead on Feb. 5, 2025, after suffering a second stroke. Months before his death, Gotti had talked about how dealing with diabetes had impacted his life.

Gotti started the Murder Inc. Records imprint under the distribution of Def Jam Records. He helped advance the career of many artists through his production, guidance, and promotion of their work during his tenure at Def Jam.

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New Jersey, study, c-sections
by Sharelle B. McNair

February 20, 2025

White Woman Sues Fertility Clinic, Says She Gave Birth To A Black Baby That Was Taken Away

The fertility clinic called it 'an unprecedented error that resulted in a embryo transfer mix-up.'

Krystena Murray from Savannah, Georgia, has filed a civil lawsuit against Coastal Fertility Specialists, claiming she gave birth to the wrong baby and was forced to give it up, the Associated Press reports. 

Murray, who is white, gave birth to a baby boy in December 2023 and immediately knew something was wrong. She said she had a white sperm donor but gave birth to a Black baby, learning later that doctors had transferred another patient’s embryo instead of her own.

Despite the mixup, she raised the baby until he was five months old. But once she reported the mistake to the clinic, staff members found the baby’s biological parents who demanded custody. 

After realizing she couldn’t win the legal battle, Murray gave up the baby. 

“I have never felt so violated and the situation has left me emotionally and physically broken,” Murray said. “I spent my entire life wanting to be a mom. I loved, nurtured, and grew my child and I would have done literally anything to keep him.”

In a suit filed on Feb. 18, Murray labeled the clinic’s mistake as “extreme and outrageous” turning her “into an unwitting surrogate, against her will, for another couple.” According to CBS News, she hasn’t seen the child since handing him over to his biological parents in May 2024. She is looking for a jury trial in addition to $75,000 in judgment and other damages.

“To carry a baby, fall in love with him, deliver him, and build the uniquely special bond between mother and baby, all to have him taken away,” she said in a statement through her attorney Adam Wolf. “I’ll never fully recover from this.” 

Wolf, whose law firm has represented over 1,000 patients taking action against fertility clinics over mistakes, said cases like Murray’s are rare but do happen.

“Fertility clinics engage in vitally important work,” Wolf said. “With that amazing work comes a real responsibility. And when fertility clinics make mistakes like this, the consequences are life-altering.”

In-vitro fertilization treatments in the United States have increased by 33% between 2018 and 2023.

In an emailed statement, Coastal Fertility Specialists called Murray’s incident “an unprecedented error that resulted in an embryo transfer mix-up.”

“This was an isolated event with no further patients affected,” the statement continued. “We are doing everything we can to make things right for those affected by this incident.” The clinic said it has adopted new safeguards to prevent such mistakes from happening again. 

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Houston, waste management, jobs
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 20, 2025

Waste Management To Eliminate 5,000 Jobs By 2026 As it Stresses Technology

'It becomes difficult to find folks to drive a truck or to work on a piece of heavy equipment.'

Houston-based Waste Management plans to transition to a more automation-driven model in 2025, phasing out its physical labor workforce in favor of technology-driven solutions.

The Houston Chronicle reports that the waste and recycling company plans to cut 1,000 jobs in 2025. The breakdown: approximately 650 trucking positions through fleet modernization and 350 in its recycling plant workforce in favor of advanced upgrades.

By 2026, the company wants to eliminate 5,000 jobs. Kelly Caplan, Waste Management’s senior director of external communications, told the Chronicle that “increased automation is reducing the demand for these types of labor-intensive roles.”

The plan has been in development for a while, Caplan said.

“Our average heavy equipment operator is approaching 53 years old,” Jim Fish, Waste Management’s chief executive, told CNBC’s Jim Cramer last month on Mad Money. “It becomes difficult to find folks to drive a truck or to work on a piece of heavy equipment So this is almost by necessity that we’re using technology to replace difficult-to-hire roles. I think one thing that I wanted to make sure I was clear about on here, though, is we’re not laying folks off. All we’re doing is using attrition. Some of those jobs have very high turnover rates.”

Automated physical labor jobs will include a crane extending from the truck to grab trash bins and a conveyor-style system that picks up the trash and loads it into the truck.

“WM is increasing the use of technology and automation, which will reduce labor dependency for roles that are challenging to recruit and retain across North America,” the company said in a statement. “Technology is helping us mitigate the business risk associated with high attrition rates for these roles—a challenge not only for WM but for the industry at large.”

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Malcolm-Jamal Warner, foundation, widow
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 20, 2025

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s ‘Not All Hood’ Podcast Launches ‘More Than A Month’ Black History Series

Malcolm-Jamal Warner wants to celebrate and spread love in the Black community beyond Black History Month.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner is using his Not All Hood (NAH) podcast to launch an event series to spread love in the Black community beyond Black History Month.

NAH started its “NAH, More Than A Month” Black history series last week with an inspiring episode featuring Dr. Joy DeGruy, author of Posttraumatic Slave Syndrome. The conversation focused on the importance of fostering “Hope and Unity” in today’s sociopolitical landscape.

After the announcement of the extended series on Tuesday, Warner and his NAH co-host, award-winning journalist and TV personality Candace Kelley, sat down with Stacey Abrams (pen name Selena Montgomery) to discuss romance and the significance of novels that celebrate Black love. As part of the Black History series, Warner and Kelley will engage with the community through live social media events, discussions, and in-person gatherings.

Warner began NAH in June 2024 to explore the diverse experiences and identities of Black Americans through conversation, compelling guests, and discussions that show Black people are “Not All Hood.” Blending pop culture, music, and breaking news, the podcast explores the evolution, joy, and triumphs of Black identity, celebrating its diverse expressions while offering intellectual depth and affirmation.

Warner is building upon themes of Black pride he explored in his 2022 Grammy-nominated album, Hiding In Plain View. Featuring Dr. Daniel Black (of Clark Atlanta University), the album explores universal human experiences of vulnerability. Through NAH, Warner is able to share more of his personal story and insight into life as a Black American.

“This is the most vulnerable I’ve ever been,” Warner said in a statement. “The media keeps trying to tell us who we are, but the Black experience is not universal. This show will highlight the journeys and versions of Black confirmation…”

Fans can catch up on past episodes, which feature insightful discussions on topic such as Black masculinity, love, media representation, and more. Guests have included Lamman Rucker, Bill Duke, and Raheem DeVaughn.

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