by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 4, 2026

British Rapper Ghetts Receives 12 Years In Prison Over Hit-And-Run Death

The accident took place on Oct. 18, 2025.

British rapper and actor Ghetts is going to prison for his role in a hit-and-run death in London.

According to BBC News, the recording artist, born Justin Clarke-Samuel, was given the sentence for killing 20-year-old Nepalese student Yubin Tamang on Oct. 18, 2025. Along with the 12-year prison sentence, Ghetts is banned from driving for 17 years.

The incident took place in North East London. Ghetts, 41, admitted to causing Tamang’s death.

“We speak today with hearts broken beyond repair,” Tamang’s family said in a statement after the sentencing. “Our only child, a precious soul, has been taken from us far too soon. Justin Clarke-Samuel has stolen our son’s future and ours with it… we can never forgive him for what he has done.”

During the court testimony, it was revealed that Ghetts was speeding, driving at more than 60 mph in a 30 mph zone. His BMW M5 hit Tamang while the student was crossing the road. The rapper/actor kept going.

Prosecutor Philip McGhee said Ghetts was drinking alcohol on the evening of the crash. His blood alcohol level was said to be one and a half times over the legal limit. Ghetts initially stated that he had three glasses of brandy with his meal at a restaurant.

When he left the restaurant and headed home to Woodford, he did not stop at six red traffic lights. He repeatedly veered onto the wrong side of the road, mounted the curb, and collided with a motorcyclist and another vehicle, a Mercedes, causing damage. When doing so, Tamang was struck by Ghetts.

“Mr. Tamang was catapulted into the air before crashing down on the roadway. He sustained catastrophic injuries,” McGhee said. The footage was captured on CCTV.

In a letter that Ghetts wrote to the family, in which he apologized, he stated that he felt “extreme regret, shame, and remorse” over Tamang’s death.

“This may be the only chance that I get to apologize. It was truly an unintentional act on my part and I am so sincerely sorry for the suffering and emotional distress that I have caused.”

Ghetts has 12 previous convictions for 27 crimes since he was 16, including robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, and other driving offenses.

Los Angeles, Black Lives Matter, lawsuit

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 4, 2026

Black Lives Matter Founder Seen Fighting A Female Staffer Who Accused Him Of Misappropriating Funds

Newly released video shows the moment a Black Lives Matter founder got into a physical fight with a staffer who accused him of misusing funds.

A shocking video shows a heated physical confrontation between a Black Lives Matter founder in Illinois and a female staffer who accused him of misusing the organization’s funds.

Newly released bodycam footage shows police in Waukegan, Illinois, responding to the Black Lives Matter Lake County Resource Center in January after reports of a battery involving Founder Clyde McLemore and Project Manager Nyesha Hill, the Daily Mail reports. Video shared on social media captured the pair in a heated argument that escalated into a physical altercation at the worksite.

https://twitter.com/dom_lucre/status/2028935715233431943

When speaking with police, both Hill and McLemore said the dispute was about money, according to a police report. McLemore told officers that Hill burst into his office demanding cigarettes and cash, prompting him to ask her to leave. He claimed the situation escalated when he attempted to walk away and she grabbed him by the hood of his jacket and punched him in the face, leading to a physical struggle and his decision to call 911.

Body-camera footage shows McLemore telling officers the organization “ain’t got no money,” adding that funds from a grant had already been spent.

‘That money is gone,’ McLemore said on video, referring to the grant.

Officers noted that McLemore had visible injuries, including a scratch on his forehead and lip. Despite this, he told police he did not wish to press charges.

Hill told police she worked for McLemore as a project manager and had gone into his office to ask why she had not been paid. She acknowledged confronting him about how funds connected to Black Lives Matter were being used.

“I told him, ‘It’s not fair that I come here and I work and you running around taking care of other things that don’t got nothing to do with Black Lives Matter with Black Lives Matter money,’” Hill told police.”

“I’m the one that make this joint work,” she added.

Women of Power, Executive lesdership, mentors

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 4, 2026

Level Up Your Leadership: Unlock One-on-One Executive Coaching At The Women of Power Summit

The BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit is offering exclusive 25-minute laser-focused coaching sessions, intentionally designed to turn ambition into action.

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, staying competitive takes more than talent and hard work; it requires strategy, positioning, and ongoing growth. That’s why the BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit continues to offer confidential, high-level executive coaching designed to sharpen decision-making, elevate leadership presence, clarify vision, and turn goals into actionable plans.

For nearly two decades, the BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit has stood as the premier professional development experience for executive women of color.

Since 2006, this transformative four-day gathering has delivered unmatched inspiration, high-level networking, and the kind of empowerment that fuels real career breakthroughs. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking event, the energy is even more intentional.

Beyond the dynamic panels, inspiring keynotes, and award galas, one of the summit’’s offerings is the exclusive 25-minute laser-focused coaching sessions, intentionally designed to help participants turn ambition into action.

In partnership with JPMorgan Chase, each session pairs participants with a seasoned executive coach for a guided, results-driven conversation tailored to your professional goals. Whether you’re:

Preparing for your next leadership role
Navigating organizational change
Positioning yourself for a board seat
Scaling your influence
Or recalibrating your long-term strategy

Coaches partner with participants to develop a clear, actionable roadmap for accelerating professional growth. These are not surface-level conversations, but focused strategy sessions designed to refine leadership vision, uncover blind spots, strengthen executive presence, and build concrete action plans, all while equipping participants with the confidence to navigate career transitions with clarity and purpose.

In just 25 minutes, you’ll gain insights that can shift your entire trajectory. The Women of Power Summit is more than an event; it’s a launchpad for high-performing women ready to lead boldly and build a legacy.

Coaching sessions are limited and fill quickly. Sign up to secure your spot and advance your impact.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 4, 2026

Dress For Success At This Year’s Women Of Power Summit With BE’s Official Style Guide

This year's Women of Power Summit is all about making a lasting impact.

With Black Enterprise’s 20th Women of Power Summit on the horizon, attendees are preparing for a week filled with networking and inspiring programming.

The Summit, taking place March 11 through 15 at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, expects to bring out a record number of diverse professional women. Ahead of the trailblazing events, BE has released its official style guide, providing tips on what to wear during its immersive schedule.

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Programming ranges from panels to executive coaching and wellness activities, making one’s packing list more varied than usual. With this in mind, the women behind the Women of Power Summit want attendees to be ready for all that is in store.

To kick things off, the opening night of the Women of Power Summit will commence with its Legacy Awards Gala, honoring icons Angela Bassett, Carla Harris, Bennie Wiley, Shellye Archambeau, and Rosalind “Roz” Brewer. The Gala is about making a statement, so be sure to dress to impress, and be “red carpet ready.”

The Women of Power Summit is all about uplifting women in their professions. Therefore, the following day’s programming means business, with attendees encouraged to dress for success. BE encourages attendees to think “polished, professional, and comfortable,” as the ample networking sessions and panels may require a bit of moving around. There are also several fitness activations, so pack your workout clothes! And don’t forget your outfit to paint the town on Friday for Girl’s Night Out, where you can explore all that Vegas has to offer.

For the last day of the Summit, Saturday is all about glowing in all-white with touches of gold at the Crowning Glory celebration and Brunch. The “white hot” occasion will follow days of expert coaching and informative panels, allowing attendees to bask in the new sisterhood that will take their careers to the next level. With bubbling champagne matching the energetic spirit, this closeout event will be a day party to remember.

With a variety of activities and festivities on the schedule, participants should pack smart while still making an impression. As the Women of Power Summit aims to support diverse women in their careers, organizers encourage attendees to showcase their professional style as they connect with industry leaders. Registration remains available now.

by Jeffrey McKinney

March 4, 2026

Boardroom Blueprint: Governance Expertise And Analytical Skills Open Board Director Roles For Black Women Executives

Securing sponsorship can play a vital role in being selected for board director membership.

Though progress has been made in recent years, Black women still face a tough battle to secure seats on corporate boards.

Insufficient sponsorship, minimal access to professional networks, and entrenched racial and gender bias reportedly are contributing reasons fueling the inequalities.

Women made up 38% of director appointments last year, below 42% in 2024 and declining from a peak of 47% in 2020. The figures are from this index, which includes directors in a diverse class.

Offering some perspective, the 2026 BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit will feature sessions on women who oversee the highest levels of corporate leadership.

Melonie Parker, vice president of employee engagement at tech powerhouse Google, provided expertise on how Black women in executive roles can transition to board director positions.

She has first-hand experience. She is on the boards of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Virginia HBCU, Hampton University, and a board director at The Executive Leadership Council. The distinguished global organization centers developing Black corporate C-suite and board leaders.

Parker supplied BLACK ENTERPRISE with email insights to help Black women evolve to board directorship. She reflected on shifting your focus from operations to governance. She says when you become a board member, your focus shifts from day-to-day operations to strategic governance.

She explained that your role on a board is one of oversight, including setting ethical guardrails, managing enterprise risk, and ensuring strategic alignment. She says, “The ability to pivot your expertise from managing operations to a higher-level governance mindset is crucial for success.”

Also, she urges prioritizing enterprise-wide strategy and analytical acumen. For Parker, she says the most valuable preparation came from holding strategic, enterprise-wide strategy roles. This means being in positions where your decisions affect the trajectory of the entire organization, not just one function.

In summary, Parker advises cultivating great analytical skills. The ability to synthesize information quickly—to analyze large amounts of data and distill that down into the most salient points—is critical, as you must be well-read and ready to contribute strategically to complex decisions. She added it’s important to look at the types of positions you hold there, not just membership, to start building that essential skill set for board work.

As such, she recommends proactively networking with key people who can help provide access to available opportunities. “My appointment was based on my more than three decades of experience and the valuable relationships I’d built along the way,” she reflects.

Parker suggested formalizing your commitment with dedicated training. She says, “Start your preparation one to three years in advance by formalizing your commitment and learning the mechanics of how boards work.” She took courses from organizations like The ELC and the Monarchs Collective.

Further, Black women can increase their chances of becoming corporate board members by strategically networking and leveraging executive search firms, research shows. According to a 2020 Harvard Business Review report, nearly 55% of Black directors had a pre-existing relationship with a CEO or board member before being appointed.

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 4, 2026

As Baby Boomers Start To Retire, $5T Worth Of Businesses Will Be Sold, Here’s Why

Of those businesses, only about 28% of the ownership transfer is expected to go to women and Black and Latino individuals.

A new report by the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility reveals that, by 2035, as the baby boomer generation retires, one million businesses owned by them are expected to be sold, with an estimated value of $5 trillion, Forbes reports.

The report, called the “Great Ownership Transfer,” calls the business transfer “a new era of business stewardship,” which might sound enticing, but it’s not what everyone may think. As small businesses make up 99% of all operating companies in the U.S., with 60 million workers on payroll, researchers warn that “without intentional action,” several beloved workplaces are at risk of closing or being transferred.

Intentional action can refer to what new owners tend to do with the business, such as expanding it or dumping it for a whole new idea or revised concept. The younger generations of entrepreneurs have the potential to fill the small-business gap with new ventures. Data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor show that U.S.-based entrepreneurs ages 18-24 are starting businesses at higher rates—24% of participants in 2023 identified as business owners.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t possibilities of closures. According to Fortune, 92% of small businesses are eliminated by closure, 5% are listed as completed sales, and 3% are transferred. The generations buying the businesses once owned by baby boomers are listed as Gen X, who are estimated to inherit $1.4 trillion per year over the next 10 years. Millennials are the ones expected to become the richest generation on record, inheriting close to $300 billion in 2025.

While the data from the report may be looked at from a financial aspect, the global management consulting firm highlights it as a structural test of the economy, with a focus on financing and first-time buyers. The argument is that “ownership of a small business has long been one of the most powerful pathways to wealth creation in the United States.” But the data doesn’t cater to all demographics. Of those businesses, only about 28% of the ownership transfer is expected to go to women and Black and Latino individuals.

There is also the threat of large corporations scooping up small businesses, as advocacy group Project Equity warns of massive layoffs and further concentrating wealth if boomers sell a large part of their businesses to them, especially without a succession plan. While there are plenty of resources out there for entrepreneurs to get their ideas off the ground, McKinsey recommends a market for ownership transfers as a financing tool, since SBA 7(a) loans require personal guarantees that several first-time or underrepresented buyers can’t meet.

The report calls on banks, lawmakers, and civic institutions to emphasize underwriting standards, bundle advisory services, and label small business acquisitions as a scalable market for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 4, 2026

DNC Shifts Focus From Midterm Convention To 2028 Convention; Host Cities Revealed

Five cities — Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia - were announced as the potential host cities for the 2028 Democratic National Convention (DNC).

Five cities — Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Philadelphia — were announced as the potential host cities for the 2028 Democratic National Convention (DNC) after the committee scrapped plans for a midterm convention, Politico reported.

After receiving feedback from Democrats, Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin, said the desire was for the party to focus on fundraising to potentially defeat Republicans in 2028. However, DNC executive director, Roger Lau, revealed this was the plan all along, admitting to “baiting” the GOP “into wasting time and money on a midterm convention,” while the DNC has “put resources where they’re needed most.”

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has plans to host a midterm convention as they are eyeing the potential of losing control of the House. President Donald Trump supported the effort with a September 2025 statement on his Truth Social app. “The Republicans are going to do a Midterm Convention in order to show the great things we have done since the Presidential Election of 2024,” Trump wrote, according to CBS News, after Democrats floated the idea of doing the same.

The 2028 DNC will be held in one of the five historically blue-leaning cities from Aug. 7 to Aug. 10, and while no final decision has been announced, social media supporters have already touched on which city should host, with Philly and Atlanta being the most popular. @NayelySpring910 said ATL is the most logical, especially if they want to focus on Black voters. “So, I’ll say Atlanta. I love Chicago, but if the Dems want to engage with Black ppl, the South would make sense, Houston should’ve been on this list or Dallas.”

So, I'll say Atlanta. I love Chicago but if the dems want to engage with Black ppl, the South would make sense, Houston should've been on this list or Dallas
— Chicagoan West Sider by birth (@NayelySpring910) March 2, 2026

@Chuck_NOLA7 said “ATL or Philly..I would vote for ATL.”

But another user gave a different perspective: host in a red state.

Should be in a red state.
— MC M♠️R (@Orlegoo) March 2, 2026

That might not be a bad idea, as the RNC already clapped back on the DNC’s plans, with spokesperson Kiersten Pels claiming “the DNC can’t afford to hold a midterm convention, financially or politically.” “They don’t have the money, and they certainly don’t have the courage to put their radical, failing agenda on full display for voters to reject,” Pels said.

Either way, the focus for both parties is control, with the midterms being the first to cross off of the party’s “to-do” lists. The midterm stakes for both parties are high. If Democrats retake control of the House, they could block much of Trump’s additional agenda during the last two years of his presidency. It seems that the GOP is very aware — and worried.

House Speaker Mike Johnson admitted during an interview of what would happen if the party loses. “If we lost the midterms — heaven forbid, if we lost the majority in the House — it would be the end of the Trump presidency in a real effect,” he said.

Black Boys, Maryland, graves, investigation

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 3, 2026

Maryland Pushes Bill To Identify 200+ Unmarked Graves of Black Children At Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery

Maryland lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at identifying the Black children buried in unmarked graves near Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery.

Maryland lawmakers are advancing legislation to establish a commission tasked with documenting and honoring the more than 230 Black children who died and were buried, some in unmarked graves, near Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery.

On Feb. 25, the State Senate considered legislation to create a commission tasked with compiling a full and public record of the children who died and were buried and forgotten, WUSA9 reports. If approved, the bill would require the commission to deliver a final report to the governor and General Assembly by Dec. 31, 2029.

The burial site lies in the woods beside Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, where children from Maryland’s House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, a state-run facility that opened in 1870, just six years after slavery ended in the state, were laid to rest and largely forgotten. Marc Schindler, a research professor with the Georgetown Center for Youth Justice, said the institution’s treatment of the boys in its care echoed the harsh practices of slavery, exposing them to severe abuse and neglect.

“The House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, similar to a plantation,” he said. “The boys were forced to work, that were leased out to area farms of White families. There was serious abuse and neglect, we believe, and we have evidence of that.”

It wasn’t until researchers closely examined the burial site that they discovered what was once believed to be about 100 unmarked graves was significantly higher.

“We then discovered, or re-discovered, I should say, approximately a hundred cinderblock markers that we believe mark the graves of other children,” Schindler said. “Research now shows that there may be as many as 230, possibly more, buried in that area.”

Georgetown University has named the effort the Forgotten Children Initiative. The project seeks to identify the children buried at the site to preserve their stories and, where possible, connect with living relatives.

“Some of those children that were just picked up for just truancy and just never made it back home,” said Tyrone Walker, who heads a reintegration program for former inmates at Georgetown. “What did they tell their parents? Or do their parents even know? They probably thought they ran away.”

Through the proposed legislation, lawmakers aim to uncover what occurred at the site while it was under state oversight. While officials and researchers agree that restoring dignity to the burial grounds and documenting the boys’ stories is critical, they say it is equally important to confront the lasting legacy of the institution, as it continues to affect Black youth in Maryland today.

State Delegate Jeffrie Long Jr., who introduced a companion bill in the House, said the effort is about accountability and reform. Long, who was front and center last September alongside members of the Legislative Black Caucus, said the legislation is part of a broader push to reform Maryland’s youth justice system and ensure past injustices do not shape the future of the next generation.

“We felt like action had to be taken because number one, this state has to reckon with the wrongs of our past and the dark period of slavery, but also too, it was prevalent because there’s been much discussion on how we as a state are number two in the nation in the auto charging of Black boys as adults, second only to Alabama, yet we’re so progressive in other areas,” Long said.

Diddy, delay, trial, judge Prison, Sean combs

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 3, 2026

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Gets Earlier Release Date After Acceptance Into Drug Rehab Program

Sean Combs is set to be released earlier than expected after being accepted into a drug rehabilitation program.

Sean Combs had his projected release date moved up by about six weeks after being admitted into a drug rehabilitation program that may reduce his sentence.

The disgraced hip-hop mogul saw his projected release date move from June 4, 2028, to April 25, 2028, after being accepted into a rehabilitation program last November, Page Six reported. The adjustment follows an earlier extension of his sentence, from May 8, 2028, to June 4, 2028, in November 2025, when he was accused of violating multiple prison rules at Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix, where he is serving a four-year term.

“Mr. Combs is an active participant in the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) and has taken his rehabilitation process seriously from the start,” a rep for the Bad Boy founder said at the time he was accepted into the rehab program. “He is fully engaged in his work, focused on growth, and committed to positive change.”

At the time he was admitted into the rehabilitation program, reports surfaced that he had gotten into “trouble with prison officials” over allegations of consuming homemade alcohol, claims he denied. He was also accused of participating in a prohibited three-way phone call. The “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper maintained that he was unaware that third-party calls were not permitted. His representative further disputed the allegation, describing the call as procedural and protected under attorney-client privilege.

Combs’ updated release date comes as he appeals his four-year sentence. Following a two-month trial, Combs was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and acquitted on the remaining charges. He filed his appeal in December.

His attorneys have sought his immediate release, arguing for either a reversal of the conviction or a reduced sentence, claiming prosecutors failed to prove their case and that the judge imposed an excessively harsh penalty in violation of his constitutional rights. Federal prosecutors pushed back in February, formally opposing his appeal.

Sarah Michelle Washington, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 3, 2026

New Research Finds Global Breast Cancer Cases To Impact Over 3.5 Million Women By 2050

New research has determined that breast cancer rates are on the rise for women globally.

CNN reported that breast cancer rates are expected to hit a new peak, estimated to reach more than 3.5 million cases by 2050. However, this is mainly due to gaps in medical equity between high- and low-earning countries.

While high-earning countries have seen a decline in breast cancer mortality, mainly due to investment in screening, prevention, and treatment, those in the global south have seen the opposite impact. Residents of high-income countries saw a 30% decline in deaths from breast cancer from 1990 to 2023. For those living in the lowest-income countries, breast cancer-induced deaths have increased by 99% within the same 30-year timeframe.

These findings come from a study published in The Lancet Oncology journal. The study also found that the diagnosis rate rose by 147% in these lower-income nations.

“There were improvements in mortality rates over time in higher-income settings, but there were really inequities in progress and increasing mortality in some lower-income settings,” said senior study author, Dr. Lisa Force.

In this current decade, these figures previously sat at over one million fewer cases. The study estimated that only 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. Of the women with the illness, 764,000 also died that same year.

These death rates remain particularly high for women in sub-Saharan Africa, where breast cancer mortality rates in this region double the global average. This is particularly due to the scarcity of medical treatments and centers available in the area.

Only half of African countries have external beam radiotherapy service, often used to treat breast cancer, leaving diagnosed women with limited resources to combat the disease. This sharply contrasts with the options a U.S. woman has when battling breast cancer, with surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted treatments also available.

Cost is another factor. Health insurance often covers the pricey treatment, a luxury that women in low-income countries often lack. While preemptive mastectomies can help if testing reveals a likely chance of diagnosis, the lack of infrastructure for postoperative care in certain nations makes this another insufficient option for women.

“In low-income countries, people are being left behind,” Dr. Kamal Menghrajani explained to the news outlet. “They’re finding cancer more frequently, and when they find it, they may not have the resources to offer the best treatment.”

However, breast cancer still remains one of the most diagnosed forms of cancer, representing nearly a fourth of all cancers diagnosed in women. Its more aggressive forms also disproportionately impact Black women, an issue still prevalent alongside regional barriers to care.

The study revealed that Black American women face even higher death rates than their white counterparts, despite seemingly having access to high-quality health care as opposed to non-Americans. In some respects, this internal health equity gap has prompted this demographic to have comparable outcomes to women outside the country.

“Disparities within countries are sometimes similar to disparities between countries,” added Force. “If you’re diagnosed later with breast cancer, the outcomes are generally poor.”

The World Health Organization has initiatives in place to reduce these gaps across the U.S. and on a global scale. However, these mortality numbers and cases are still on the rise. Given this, public health experts agree that more investment must occur at a systemic level to reduce breast cancer rates.

Menghrajani added, “We need to have strong infrastructure in place to be able to treat people who have cancer and support them all the way through so that they can be cured.”

In the meantime, getting appropriate screenings can also help identify and prevent this disease before it’s too late.