Smoothie King, refuse service, Ann Arbor

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 3, 2026

Smoothie King Fires Two Employees Who Denied Service To Trump Supporters

Two Smoothie King workers lost their job after denying service to Trump supporters.

Two women who worked at a Smoothie King location in Michigan have been terminated over a now-viral video showing them denying service to a couple of Trump supporters.

The smoothie chain confirmed in a March 2 social media statement that two employees at a Smoothie King location in Ann Arbor are “no longer with the business” after a couple said they were denied service because the husband was wearing clothing bearing President Donald Trump’s name.

“Following an investigation into an incident involving a guest who was refused service at a franchised location in Michigan yesterday, the franchise owner has taken immediate action and the two employees involved are no longer with the business,” the company wrote on X.

location in Michigan yesterday, the franchise owner has taken immediate action and the two employees involved are no longer with the business. Both the franchise owner and Smoothie King corporate have reached out to the guest several times to apologize and will continue to follow
— Smoothie King (@SmoothieKing) March 2, 2026

The terminations came after a woman shared a video alleging she and her husband were denied service because he was wearing a hoodie with Trump’s name on it. The footage shows the couple in a heated exchange with two employees, who said they had the right to refuse service because they felt “uncomfortable.”

“We were just wanting a smoothie, and you literally looked at us, and I asked you if everything was okay, and you said, ‘We don’t feel comfortable serving you’ because of my husband’s hoodie. That is discrimination,” the woman said.

“Okay, well, have a great day,” one of the employees can be heard saying.

”That is illegal,” the man’s wife says.

“I said Trump discriminates (against) us,” another employee says.

“Okay, well, that has nothing to do with us getting a smoothie,” the man’s wife replies.

The man’s wife then tells the employees that she intends to call the police as she leaves the business.

https://twitter.com/Real_Ames/status/2028530846441861485

According to reports, a GoFundMe campaign launched by one of the terminated employees, who claimed she received death threats after being filmed without her consent and as a minor, was later taken down.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 3, 2026

Black-Owned Hanifa Brand Pauses Production After Backlash on Delayed Orders

Mvuemba announce she will scale back on the fashion brand's production as backlash against the company mounts.

Anifa Mvuemba, founder and owner of Hanifa, has hit a pause on the fashion brand’s production amid pre-order woes.

Mvuemba sent an email confirming the production shift to customers. In the message, she informed her based on the constraints that led to her decision.

“We’re pressing pause. The last season stretched us in ways I’m still processing,” Mvuemba wrote in the email obtained by The Grio. “There’s been a lot of learning. A lot of responsibility. A lot of growth happening in real time.”

While the site will still keep up with normal operations, no restocks are on the horizon for the near future. Instead, the company will focus on fulfilling current orders and instilling better communications with its community.

“Fulfillment will continue within our standard processing times, and everything currently available is ready to ship,” added the founder. “We won’t be restocking at this time. There isn’t a set timeline for when we’ll move again. I’m allowing space for clarity instead of rushing into the next chapter.”

The Black-owned luxury label has received some backlash on social media after several customers noted delays in their pre-ordered items. Some patrons also took part in their Hanifa Friday sale last November. However, many did not receive their items until months later, in February.

Amid the fire, Mvuemba posted another vulnerable snippet into how keeping up with Hanifa has drained the new mother of two. In the post, “Why I’ve Considered Shutting Hanifa Down,” the founder spoke candidly about how manufacturing issues and other delays nearly jeopardized her business.

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A post shared by Anifa M (@anifam)

She continued,”When timelines started shifting, some customers should have known sooner. 1000%. Two things can be true at the same time. We did not abandon our customers. And we did not execute perfectly. Both are true.”

After months of online complaints, Mvuemba has chartered a course to make things right for her dedicated customers. She says, as of now, that all customers have finally received their orders. However, she still plans to shift the image of her brand.

“I owned it. Accountability, to me, is more than saying sorry. You have to do the work to make it right. We did that, and we plan to continue doing it. …I also believe you can hold someone accountable without being cruel,” she emphasized.

However, she still notes the disproportionate criticism aimed at Black women founders. She noted the “exhausting” backlash that made her contemplate leaving the industry altogether.

“Founder-led brands operate under a different kind of scrutiny,” added Mvuemba. “And when you’re a Black woman, the margin for grace is thinner. That reality is exhausting. “

While she has no timeline on when new styles will drop, Mvuemba is more focused on keeping her peace and providing good customer service for her business as it stands.

“I don’t want to rush just to prove resilience. I don’t want to pretend everything is fine just to keep going…I don’t know exactly what the future of Hanifa looks like at this very moment. And for the first time in 14 years, I’m okay with saying that out loud. “

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Trump, ballroom, DC Hillbillies

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 3, 2026

NAACP Issues Statement After Creating Distance With Latino Influencer Who Came For Rep. Jasmine Crockett

The national organization jumped in after Luis Magaña, who goes by @RogueDNC on social channels, took things too far jumping into Black women’s business.

The NAACP is putting some space between itself and a social media influencer who sparked a rift over Texas U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Jasmine Crockett and a popular Black female political influencer, The Grio reports.

The NAACP jumped in after Luis Magaña, who goes by @RogueDNC on social channels, took things too far by jumping into Black women’s business, using an award he received from a local chapter as a buffer against claims that he is against Black women. “Everyone has the right to share their opinions, and we fully respect that. But let’s be clear: the NAACP won’t serve as a buffer in this debate; therefore, don’t use us as a justification for your views, especially when it comes to issues that impact Black women,” the organization said on Threads.

“We celebrate the voices and experiences of Black women and believe they deserve to be at the forefront of these discussions. Let’s keep the conversation authentic and respectful. Not focused on our org as justification for position.”

Magaña posted to an old clip of Crockett speaking with Lynae Vanee, host of the Instagram series “Parking Lot Pimpin’” and Revolt TV’s “The People’s Brief,” about the Israel-Palestine conflict. “How disappointing. Not a good look for Ms. Crockett,” Magaña said in reference to the past clip.

But when Vanee caught wind of the comment, she immediately chimed in, accusing Magaña of perpetuating misogynoir between two Black women — and not doing the same for Talarico, who has similar views. “Do not ever in your life think it’s okay to use me to perpetuate misogynoir against any black woman,” the influencer said.

“When both Jasmine and James have similar voting records on the issue of Gaza, and both of them have the same stance supporting defensive weapons to Israel, while stopping offensive weapons— it’s overtly clear that you simply don’t want this black woman to win. And you’re scared that she could beat him.”

When Magaña failed to back down, Elizabeth Booker Houston (@bookersquared), a lawyer and political commentator, shared DMs between her and RogueDNC — resulting in him creating a photoshopped image into a racist caricature.

While Crockett hasn’t chimed in on the issue, it is clear that the outspoken congresswoman is seen as a threat in the historically red-leaning Lone Star State. Both she and Talarico are hoping to change the narrative, as, according to the Austin American-Statesman, the last time a Democrat held the U.S. Senate seat in Texas was in 1988.

January 2026 polls revealed Crockett had a chance to defeat Talarico to take over Sen. John Cornyn’s seat.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 3, 2026

This NBA Player Doesn’t See The Magic In Hawks’ ‘Magic City Monday’ Game Night

Luke Kornet called the theme disrespectful to the women who are part of the NBA family as well as the adult entertainment workers who face abuse and harassment.

An NBA player has called for the Atlanta Hawks to cancel the events of its upcoming “Magic City Monday” game.

The Hawks caused an uproar after announcing the uniquely-themed game against the Orlando Magic, which pays homage to the famed “Magic City” strip club, known for its entertainment and its “Lou Will” lemon pepper wings, named after Atlanta native and former Hawks player, Lou Williams.

Not everyone is a fan. Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs has called out the idea, and has encouraged the Hawks to “respectfully” stop the Magic City madness.

“The NBA should desire to protect and esteem women, many of whom work diligently every day to make this the best basketball league in the world. We should promote an atmosphere that is protective and respectful of the daughters, wives, sisters, mothers, and partners that we know and love,” Kornet wrote in a Medium blog post.

Kornet, a white player from Kentucky, believes the promotion of strip club culture also does not align with the values of the professional sports league.

“Allowing this night to go forward without protest would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society,” he wrote. “Regardless of how a woman finds her way into the adult entertainment industry, many in this space experience abuse, harassment, and violence to which they should never be subjected.

He continued, “We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience. The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”

He asked others to join in his petition the Atlanta Hawks against moving forward with “Magic City Night.”

The team has put out all the stops for the March 16 event, including specialty merchandise and a performance by homegrown rapper T.I. The event has also caused a frenzy across the city, with ticket sales skyrocketing after the announcement.

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A post shared by Atlanta Hawks (@atlhawks)

While Kornet encouraged the Hawks to take a step back from affiliating themselves with the strip club, city residents seem to have different thoughts on the matter. Many view Magic City as an integral part of the city’s social scene and nightlife. The issue may also be a cultural divide as well, especially with Atlanta’s status as a diverse city that pioneered trap music, a sub-genre of hip-hop.

The Hawks are ready to unleash its inaugural game paying tribute to this polarizing piece of Atlanta culture.

faith, homosexuality, baptism, homophobia, Jamaica

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 3, 2026

Buju Banton’s Son Credits Faith And ‘Boom Bye Bye’ For Stopping Him From Being Gay

Buju Banton’s son, Jahazeil Myrie, opened up about his sexuality and how his faith and father’s music redirected him.

Buju Banton’s son, Jahazeil Myrie, says he “almost turned gay,” but credits his faith and his father’s controversial track “Boom Bye Bye” with helping redirect his life.

On the March 1 episode of the faith-based podcast Sheena Power Talk, Myrie spoke candidly about his past struggles with his sexuality and the role his faith played in shaping his decisions.

“Bwoy Father God, I hope they don’t judge me wrong…I literally almost turn fish,” he said, using a Jamaican slur for a gay man. “Because you know say Satan manipulate your mind and your character.”

“My father’s song dragged back my memory. Mi seh wait nuh, my father sing “Boom Bye Bye”? …I got up the next day and walk go a church. This is it,” he continued.

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A post shared by @jahazeilmusic_

Minister Sheena Lyn Hanson then asked Myrie to elaborate on his statement, prompting him to clarify what he meant. “I almost turned gay because the enemy had my mind a certain way,” he explained.

When pressed on whether he had been lusting after men, he responded, “I wouldn’t say lust exactly — more so the idea of it.”

As for what he believes contributed to that period of questioning, Myrie, who has publicly embraced Christianity since his 2024 baptism, pointed to feelings of disappointment and rejection he was experiencing in his romantic relationships with women at the time.

”While me never fully understand what I was dealing with, I was facing rejection too. [I felt] like that door was closed at one point with women,” he explained.

Myrie added that baptism alone didn’t instantly resolve his struggles.

“I thought it would fix everything, but I realized you still have to do the inner work,” he said.

He also credited God with steering both his music career and spiritual journey, adding, “God always shows up right when I’m about to give up.”

Myrie’s remarks come years after his father agreed to stop performing his controversial 1992 track “Boom Bye Bye,” which was later removed from streaming platforms. Released when Banton was just 19, the song drew widespread condemnation for lyrics widely viewed as promoting homophobia and violence against gay men.

Banton stopped performing the track after signing the Reggae Compassionate Act in 2007, and it was pulled from streaming services in 2019. In subsequent years, he publicly acknowledged the pain the song caused to listeners, fans, his family, and himself.

Banton has said he wrote it as a frustrated teenager, intending it to target a specific individual in his community whom he alleged had harmed boys, not gay men more broadly. Those who watched Myrie’s interview applauded him for sharing his truth and offering insight on the sensitive subject.

”Thanks for sharing your testimony. Not a lot are able to. Blessings,” one Instagram user wrote.

”So much respect for you fam,” added another.

women's wrestling, Delaware State University,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 3, 2026

Delaware State’s Women’s Wrestling Team Sends 2 Student-Athletes To Championship In Inaugural Year

Icart Galumette and Louise Juitt will be competing March 6 in Iowa.

Less than two years after announcing it would launch the first-ever Division I women’s wrestling program at an HBCU, Delaware State University (DSU) has made it to nationals.

According to Andscape, in November, at the team’s first competition, the Hornets finished eighth out of 32 teams at the East Stroudsburg University Open in Pennsylvania.

The next month, the team won its first match, beating Greensboro College. Then, at the top of the year, in January, at the Tornado Open in Tennessee, the Hornets finished in second place out of 23 teams—quite an accomplishment for a new program.

“It’s incredible because when you look around, we’re the only team where it’s like every single person on our team is a person of color and is very, very deep into their culture,” freshman Christina Lisboa said. “When we go into tournaments, we’re chanting, we’re being loud, we’re not fitting into that box.

“It’s great to set the tone at these tournaments and to just see people watch us. People come up to us all the time, and it’s like, ‘Wow, you guys are Delaware State women’s wrestling.’ It’s honestly really exciting to hear and really inspiring.”

The school announced in February that DSU had two of its wrestlers competing at the NCAA National Championship. Icart Galumette finished the season in third place in her division at 117 pounds, while Louise Juitt finished as the regional runner-up at 145 pounds.

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A post shared by Delaware State University Women’s Wrestling (@dsuwwrestling)

Both women will compete in the NC Women’s Wrestling Tournament at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, on March 6. Delaware State finished in seventh place out of 18 teams at the NCAA Regional Championship in Franklin Springs, Georgia.

Pinky Cole, Slutty Vegan, Hoagies, Franchise

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 3, 2026

Slutty Vegan Owner/Reality TV Star Files For Bankruptcy

The news come days after Cole officially joined the "Real Housewives of Atlanta."

Pinky Cole, the latest addition to the Real Housewives of Atlanta franchise, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy over her original claim to fame, Slutty Vegan.

The restauranteur said she owes around $1.4 million in debt from the vegan eatery’s operations. WSB-TV confirmed the court filings over the matter, which state that Cole owes $1.2 million to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Cole owes another whopping $192,000 to the Georgia Department of Revenue.

When Slutty Vegan launched in 2018, the small but mighty food truck became a massive hit in Atlanta. Known for its unique, and provocative, approach to plant-based fast food, first-time and long-time vegan eaters fell in love with the restaurant’s burgers and fries.

Its overnight success led to more store openings across the U.S., once growing to 18 locations. Cole struggled to keep up with her expanding empire, failing to pay rent for some storefronts. According to TMZ, Cole listed her personal properties to total around $3.7 million, with her monthly expenses equalling to over $41,000 a month.

The news comes just days after Cole confirmed her latest venture with Real Housewives of Atlanta. Alongside fellow newcomer, R&B songstress K. Michelle, the entrepreneur will join the show in its 17th season. Co-starring Porsha Williams, Phaedra Parks, Drew Sidora, and more, the show returns April 5.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pinky Cole Hayes (@pinkycole)

Ahead of her reality TV debut, Cole will have to appear at a bankruptcy teleconference, set for March 12. Following that, the court will approve a bankruptcy plan for Cole by June 12

Financial troubles have plagued Cole before. In February 2025, the business owner lost the restaurant over financial mismanagement, but regained ownership of the eatery the following month. She later opened the business up to franchisers, hoping to alleviate some financial stress.

Now Cole hopes to keep the customers, known lovingly as “sluts,” coming while figuring out the franchise’s next steps.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 3, 2026

PlayVS, Urban One Introduce HBCU Esports League

The league is slated to launch in 2027

Young Black gamers will have a place at HBCUs with the upcoming launch of an eSports league for historically Black colleges and universities.

PlayVS and Urban One have announced they are collaborating to launch a first-of-its-kind dedicated competitive gaming community for HBCUs nationwide. The partnership is for an initial three years, as the eSports league will have a long-term infrastructure within the PlayVS College League.

“Black gamers are among the most influential audiences in the industry, yet Black professionals represent only about 5% of its workforce,” said Tiffany Nasralla, chief revenue officer, Urban One, in a written statement. “The gap isn’t about talent. It’s about access. Through our partnership with PlayVS, we’re using our platform to build a national stage for HBCU students, expanding visibility, structured competition, and real pathways into the industries they’ve long helped define. This is about turning cultural influence into lasting opportunity.”

PlayVS is a scholastic and collegiate gaming platform that helps students unlock the educational, social, and personal benefits of competitive gaming. The PlayVS College League (PCL) launched in 2025.

The rollout for the eSports league has already started and will proceed through specific phases, culminating in a launch in Spring 2027.

The plan is to develop a National HBCU Esports Community. This will be done during the spring and summer of 2026, as PlayVS begins reaching out to HBCU institutions while introducing collegiate esports opportunities to its K-12 network.

The next phase will introduce an invitational series that begins in Fall 2026, during which participating colleges will have the chance to compete in PlayVS College League offerings. There will be dedicated HBCU-focused invitational events for institutions to join, enhancing competition and gaining national visibility. This will lead to the official league launch in 2027.

“For our students, esports is more than just competition; it is a gateway to technology, media, and leadership,” said Jaden Roberts, the president of Howard’s Esports Association. “It is inspiring to see Urban One, with its deep ties to Howard through the legacy of Cathy Hughes, partnering with PlayVS to elevate that opportunity. We are eager to participate in this new league and to contribute to a dedicated community that gives HBCU talent the national stage it deserves.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 3, 2026

Golden State’s Steph Curry Out For An Additional 5 Games

He has a bruising on his right knee and will be re-evaluated in 10 days.

An injury has kept Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Stephen Curry out of the last 10 games, and the team has stated that he will be out for at least five more.

The team announced Curry has been missing in action due to patella-femoral pain syndrome/bone bruising in his right knee. The knee was recently evaluated, and although the athlete has made progress, Curry’s condition will be re-evaluated in 10 days.

ESPN caught up with the future NBA Hall of Famer over the weekend to discuss his knee and when he expects to be back.

“This is a weird one,” Curry said when approached during the team’s Feb. 28 contest. “It’s kind of unpredictable how it’ll heal.”

The team has been 4-6 as his knee continues to heal, but the club is taking a steady approach before bringing him back to play.

“It’s going to be a little longer,” Curry said. “Right now, with this one, it’s about each day. Can you stack good days? I’ve done that. Hopefully they can unleash me on the court soon and hopefully get back sooner than later.”

The Warriors are still in playoff contention with an overall record of 31-29. They are currently the eighth seed as the playoffs approach. The team still has time to rise in the standings, but it also wants Curry to have fresh legs for a legitimate playoff push in a couple of months.

“Trying to stay in shape, strengthen everything else around the body, knowing at this stage, once you get back, it’s a full sprint to the playoffs,” Curry said. “Once I get back on the court, it’s a little bit of a pain tolerance thing. But it’s just something you don’t want lingering because it can get worse.”

The Warriors have already lost one of their key men in Jimmy Butler, who is out for the season after he tore his ACL in January. The franchise will also look for help from the recent trade acquisition, Kristaps Porzingis, who has not been playing due to illness.

model, stabbing, nyc, ice cream truck, Detroit,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 3, 2026

Popular Detroit Restaurant Owner, Michael ‘Mike B’ Brown, Shot Dead

Brown, 52, was the owner of Sloppy Chops and Crab Sports Bar.

Detroit restaurant owner, Michael “Mike B” Brown, was fatally shot on Feb. 28, The Detroit Press reports.

Brown, along with two other people, was shot on the city’s west side outside the Suite 100 Cocktail Bar. Brown was the only fatality; the other victims were not identified. Police confirmed that the two victims were found across the street from where Brown’s body was found. Officials have stated that there have been no arrests and there are no suspects so far.

“At approximately 4:30 a.m., Saturday, there was a triple shooting that occurred at 15789 Schaefer,” Detroit Police Department (DPD) media relations manager Jasmin Barmore said in a written statement. “Two of the victims were found in front of the location, and the third across the street from the location. Unfortunately, the victim found across the street from the location, Mikey Brown, succumbed to his injuries.”

Detroit is mourning the loss of Michael “Mike B.” Brown, a beloved member of the city’s restaurant scene and community. https://t.co/TcMpskB1Vl pic.twitter.com/al9cej3qoN

— FOX 2 Detroit (@FOX2News) March 3, 2026

The 52-year-old restauranteur owned Sloppy Chops and Sloppy Crab. A popular figure around town who started as a party promoter and later became an entrepreneur, Brown entered the culinary business in 2020. He opened Sloppy Chops as a steakhouse that featured high-end cuts like ribeyes and tomahawks, but it was also known for its low-cost lamb chop specials. In 2021, he opened Sloppy Crab, a seafood restaurant that was later renamed Crab Sports Bar, which became popular with many celebrities.

“Detroit loves him,” Pastor Maurice “Mo” Hardwick, founder of the Live in Peace Movement, told Click on Detroit. “He was a real Detroiter who was about people, community, and about uplifting life.”

Hardwick added that how Brown did not represent who he was or how people felt about him.

“Community was embedded in him, and you could feel it in his food and his demeanor when you approached him—very approachable. Just loved the city of Detroit,” he said. “Loved his people.”

Anyone on the shooting with information can contact the Detroit Police Department’s homicide unit or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or through Detroit Rewards TV.