Pastor Jamal Bryant, Black Friday, Black Business Maket — (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

May 28, 2025

Pastor Jamal Bryant Is Calling For A Dollar General Boycott Due To Consumer ‘Betrayal’

Pastor Jamal Bryant is holding Dollar General accountable for its divestment in DEI initiatives, calling for an electronic boycott.

Pastor Jamal Bryant is calling for an electronic protest against Dollar General due to rollbacks of its DEI policies.

Pastor Bryant urges consumers to conduct “a mass technological campaign of telephone and e-mail and social media,” essentially overwhelming all communications.

In an exclusive interview with USA TODAY, he discussed why Dollar General has become the newest target. He cites the elimination of DEI policies as a betrayal of the store’s main customer base.

“Like other corporations, Dollar General has bowed to pressure from the Trump administration and rolled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives,” Bryant said. “Dollar General also needs to be held accountable for failing to invest in the very Black and low-income communities that make up the backbone of their customer base. This isn’t just a corporate retreat − it’s a betrayal of the people they profit from.”

Bryant’s demands are straightforward. He wants a return of DEI, community reinvestment fund, and more Black-owned vendors, and address systemic racism within Dollar General’s corporate culture.”

40-Day Target Fast

As pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Bryant organized the 40-Day Fast. The social movement boycotted Target. Bryant asked people to no longer consume its goods and services. Bryant believes the initiative has been successful. As a result, he is turning his sights toward Dollar General.

“Target is canceled since they have betrayed and walked away from our community, and we’ve gone on from there,” Bryant told USA TODAY. “We’re done with Target, and then our next focus will be around Dollar General.”

Bryant acknowledges that the Target boycott was geared toward impacting sales. Food deserts in rural communities do not necessarily have the luxury of avoiding the company.

According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Access Research Atlas, food deserts are found all across the United States. Thirty percent of Mississippi residents currently live in a food desert. Following Mississippi is New Mexico, with 29% of its population lacking access to larger retailers and fresh foods. However, Northern states are seeing better statistics. New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont come in under 10% of residents living in food deserts.

Serena Williams, Selfies, Gym, body, can relate — Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 28, 2025

Serena Williams Reigns As Latest Awardee Of Spain’s Princess Of Asturias Prize For Sports

The prize's jury recognized her legendary tennis career and current investment of women in sports.

Serena Williams can add yet another accolade to her stacked list of accomplishments. The Queen of tennis has been awarded Spain’s Princess of Asturias Prize for Sports.

The Princess of Asturias Awards annually recognize those with strong achievements in a variety of sectors, including the arts, social sciences, and more. Its Sports category honors those who have excelled in their field, with this year celebrating the 23-time Grand Slam winner.

According to AP News, the award’s organizers announced the news May 28. Although Williams retired from tennis in 2022, the 43-year-old remains a legend for her 73 career singles wins. She will also receive the 50,000 euro monetary allotment that accompanies this esteemed award.

The Jury for the 2025 awards met in Oviedo, Spain, to confer its latest nominee. Deeming Williams as “one of the greatest tennis players in the history of the sport,” they emphasized how her advocacy off the court also played a role in her selection.

“In addition to her extraordinary sporting career and competitive spirit, Serena Williams has always been a staunch advocate for gender equality and equal opportunities between men and women in sports as well as in society in general,” stated the awards in a press release.

The list of Williams’ career achievements continues to grow. She has already received multiple honors, from the NAACP Image Award’s 2003 President’s Award to the CFDA Fashion Icon Award in 2024. The 2025 Time 100 nominee remains an influential public figure, cementing herself as a trailblazer for diversity and gender equity in the sports industry and beyond.

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However, the current entrepreneur and mother of two has expanded her dominance in athletics. Williams recently became co-owner of the WNBA’s first international franchise, Toronto Tempo, previously covered on BLACK ENTERPRISE.

As a women’s sports pioneer, Williams continues her efforts to invest in new athletic ventures for the next generation. With this latest award, her work and career as a formidable champion remain highlighted in international history.

retirement, Nickson, wealth, welfare, savings, life insurance — Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels

by Kandiss Edwards

May 28, 2025

Michigan Native Vows To Donate $1M To Non-Profits During ‘Pull Up Season’

Chris Sain Jr. is pulling up on Michigan nonprofits and pouring $1 million dollars into the community as a part of his "100 Days of Giving."

Michigan resident Chris Sain Jr. is embarking on the 100 Days of Giving initiative.

Through the 100 Days of Giving initiative, Sain will donate $1 million to various Michigan nonprofits. As part of Pull Up Season, Sain hand-delivers checks, in person, to worthy organizations. Sain wants to demonstrate how individuals can make a direct impact on their community.

In an interview with a local Michigan news station, News 8, WOOD Grand Rapids, Sain spoke about his motivations.

“There are so many people doing awesome things and so many organizations doing awesome things but a lot of times they go underfunded, and they get overlooked,” Sain said. “Because I am in a position to do things, and I’m very aware of these areas and the community, I wanted to make sure I sowed into not only the people but the work they are doing. I believe in their mission just like they do. They are focusing on those that need the support the most — the youth, at risk youth, the ones that are one mistake away from maybe not having their freedom.”

One of the first recipients of Saint’s generosity is the Endless Opportunities mentoring program. On May 27, Endless Opportunities was awarded a $25,000 check from Sain. Afterward, AJ Hills of Endless Opportunities spoke with WOOD Grand Rapids about the difficulty in obtaining funding. He also expressed gratitude for the gesture.

“In the nonprofit world, everyone is looking for funding and, in the climate, we are in now, there is a lot of uncertainty with who is funding what and what type of initiative can be funded,” Hills said.” The opportunity for Chris and Corinthia to come in and sow a seed in our program is incredible.”

Similarly, Hill’s sentiments are echoed by the owner of another youth mentoring foundation. Malique Grear, founder and CEO of Positive Impact for Life, received $10,000 on the first day of Pull Up Season. According to Grear, smaller organizations are often overlooked. As a result, she was not expecting the donation.

“Usually we are left behind,” Grear said. “I was in awe, I was grateful, I was shocked, and I was appreciative.”

There are 99 days left in the Pull Up Season. Meanwhile, you can follow along with Sain as he pours into the Michigan community by visiting his YouTube Channel, where he documents his experience.

Diddy, delay, trial, judge Prison, Sean combs — Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 28, 2025

Capricorn Clark, Diddy’s Ex-Assistant, Says Mogul Threatened Her Repeatedly On The Job

She also testified that she was kidnapped when he broke into Kid Cudi's house

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former assistant, Capricorn Clark, told the court that the entertainment mogul threatened to kill her and also kidnapped her when he went to Kid Cudi’s house, where he threatened to kill the rapper who was seeing Cassie at the time.

According to Yahoo! News, during the tenth day of the explosive federal trial of Diddy, Clark shared how she was treated during her time as his assistant, giving details about the times the No Way Out executive had threatened her. During her testimony, she stated that when she was hired in 2004, she was immediately threatened on her first day once he discovered that she worked for his hated rival, Suge Knight, at Death Row Records.

She stated that on the night of her first day of employment, Diddy and one of his security guards took her to Central Park at 9 p.m. and threatened her.

“He told me that he didn’t know that I had anything to do with Suge Knight and if anything happened, he would have to kill me,” Clark testified.

Clark told the courtroom that in 2006, at his home in Miami, he told her that she essentially had no life if she wanted to work for him.

“See, your problem is you want a life, and you can’t have that here,” she alleges Combs said.

She also testified that in 2011, during the Kid Cudi fracas between Diddy, Cassie, and the rapper, she was kidnapped and forced to go with Diddy when he broke into the Day ‘n’ Nite rapper’s house.

“He just said, ‘Get dressed, we’re going to go kill [him],'” Clark stated. After telling Diddy she did not want to go, he forced her to accompany him and his security to Cudi’s place. He allegedly told her, “I don’t give a f**k what you want to do, go get dressed,” before they headed to the residence.

The former assistant also testified that she witnessed Diddy putting his hands on the ‘Me & U singer.’

Patti LaBelle — (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Essence)

by Kandiss Edwards

May 28, 2025

‘Somebody Loves You,’ Patti LaBelle: Icon Celebrates 81st Birthday

The legendary singer was showered with a surprise birthday tribute during her performance at "The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage" tour stop in Brooklyn, NY

On May 24, fans, friends, and family celebrated the 81st birthday of the one-and-only Patti LaBelle.

The R&B icon is currently on “The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage” tour alongside fellow superstars Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, and Chaka Khan. During her performance at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, the outspoken diva shared a message with the audience, taking pride in aging gracefully.

“Let me say something. I have so many people who are afraid to say how young they are,” she said in front of the sold-out arena. “Don’t be scared. 81 is wonderful, OK? Happy birthday.”

As the night progressed, LaBelle’s entourage surprised the Patti Pie founder with a bouquet and a cake that wished the Godmother of Soul a “Happy 81 [years] Young.” Leaders of the Black Promoters Collective, the 100% Black-owned company producing the tour, also surprised the On My Own singer with a luxury Goyard Saigon bag.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, LaBelle thanked all the people who continue to support her career.

“I can’t do all of this without my band, my crew, my lighting, my sound, my security—which I don’t need—but I’ve got Will. And this is for my son, Zuri,” said LaBelle. “God bless all of you.”

https://youtu.be/65-Uy9Ak7hQ?si=u5wbmGEFNBlr6OMq&t=36

The If Only You Knew singer has been a staple in Black households for over 60 years. Though a singer by trade, she’s acted throughout the years, most notably, as the mother of Dwayne Wayne on A Different World. LaBelle let her fans know that she is grateful for her years of success.

“We don’t take that for granted. We are such hardworking women,” she said, referring to her peers on The Queens tour. “I’ve been doing it for 65 years, and to still have people come to see our show, we are truly blessed.”

The iconic soul singer shared a post on Instagram thanking those involved in making the night special.

“Thank you to the Queen’s @ChakaKhan, @GladysKnight, and @StephanieMills, my family and team, and the @BlackPromotersCollective and everyone who joined us for the Queen’s tour at the Barclays Center. And helped me to celebrate my 81st birthday. If only you knew how much I’d do, Do love you!”

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After a successful show at the Barclays Center, LaBelle, Mills, Khan, and Knight will continue the Queens tour through fall 2025.

Due to high demand, there will be a second leg of the tour, beginning September 19 in Greensboro, North Carolina, and concluding on October 5 in Cleveland.

50 cent, G unit studio — Photo by Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 28, 2025

50 Cent’s Sire Spirits Granted Permission To Seize Former Employee’s House To Pay Down Debt

The money from the house will go toward the $7 million debt Mitchell Green owes

After suing Mitchell Green, a former employee of Sire Spirits, and winning over $6 million, 50 Cent has been given permission to seize the home of the former director of Brand Management to settle some of the debt owed to the ‘Many Men’ businessman.

According to The Los Angeles Times, the G-Unit executive will be closer to collecting the $7 million owed him from a lawsuit Sire Spirits filed against Green in 2022. A federal judge has stated that the 50 Cent-owned entity can take possession of the Connecticut home owned by Green as partial payment toward the now-$7 million debt the former employee owes to the company.

In March 2023, Green filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on his home, which gave him an automatic stay on the property, preventing Sire Spirits from claiming the home. During that time, attorneys for Sire obtained a judgment lien against the Westport, Connecticut, residence. In a recent decision, a bankruptcy judge lifted the stay after Sire’s legal team requested it be removed due to Green not having any equity in the home since he owed the company $7 million.

The latest order doesn’t really put a dent in the judgment owed, as the Connecticut home was appraised at $1 million in April.

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, owner of Sire Spirits, filed a lawsuit against Green, accusing him of stealing $2.2 million from the company. He was accused of selling the items from Sire Spirits for a higher price while receiving kickbacks from wholesalers. Court records revealed Green profited by labeling the funds he was given as “agency fees.”

The Connecticut home was appraised in late April at $1 million. That value will ultimately be credited against the judgment plus pre- and post-judgment interest, which now totals around $7 million.

Green had previously admitted to his ‘Get Rich or Die’ Trying scheme in February 2020. He admitted to “two years of embezzling from Sire Spirits” due to being extorted by an individual who was aware of his thievery and threatened to expose his past transgressions. The spirits brand fired him and then took him to arbitration.

The arbitrator found that Green was responsible for the money stolen from Sire Spirits and another $948,096 that the former employee paid to a wholesaler. He was then ordered to pay an additional $2.7 million in fees for costs, damages, and attorneys’ fees. Court records revealed that the total Green owed was $6.2 million, which grew to $7 million because of interest.

Rori Harmon,Texas , UCLA, Coach — (Photo: Markus Spiske/Pexels)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 28, 2025

Charlotte Denied Bid To Bring Oldest HBCU Basketball Tournament Back To City

The CIAA tournament was held in Charlotte from 2006 to 2020.

The Central Intercollegiate Athletics Association’s (CIAA) Tournament has decided to pursue other venues for the next few years. Unfortunately, Charlotte won’t be among the destinations for the Division II conference’s men’s and women’s basketball tournament.

The CIAA, founded in 1912, is one of five athletic conferences comprised of HBCUs and is the oldest Black athletic conference in the United States.

The Charlotte Regional Visitor’s Authority announced the news in a joint letter with the CIAA. The Queen City was among the top finalists, including reigning host Baltimore, to take on the legendary tournament.

“We understand the CIAA considered several factors in making their decision, including the alignment of proposed dates with their preferred event schedule,” the bidding organizations said in a joint statement obtained by FOX8 “When the CIAA requested 2027 dates in early 2025, our primary venues were already committed due to previously scheduled programming—a reflection of Charlotte’s growing momentum as a premier host city.”

The city of Charlotte placed a bid for the tournament to return; the games had been an annual occurrence in the city from 2006 to 2020. Driving $55 million in economic impact for the city during its 15-year stint, the CIAA Tournament was its largest annual event.

The tournament moved to Baltimore in 2021, citing financial incentives and declining attendees.

The city, alongside the CRVA and Charlotte Sports Foundation, sought to reestablish the staple event. However, its ability to secure the Spectrum Center as its venue for the March event proved troublesome. The arena already hosts the city’s NBA franchise, the Charlotte Hornets, and had already booked the ACC men’s basketball tournament in 2028.

“We remain hopeful that Charlotte will have the opportunity to welcome the tournament back in the future,” the city said in its statement.

fatal car crash, sentencing, Richard Ferguson, Florida — (Photo: gorodenkoff/Getty Images)

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 28, 2025

Brian ‘Hakiym’ Simpson Supporters Lean On Oregon Governor For Clemency For Racial Self-Defense

The fellow firefighter admitted during the trial that he threw the first punch at Simpson, so where is the crime?

Supporters of Brian “Hakiym” Simpson, a wildland firefighter, are asking the governor of Oregon to grant him clemency, claiming he’s a victim of a co-worker who referred to him as a racial slur, KGW 8 reports.

The 42-year-old is currently serving six years at Snake River Correctional Institution following a second-degree assault conviction by an all-white.

Simpson’s legal team claims it was a case of self-defense and that his his co-worker threw the first punch during the June 2024 incident.

“I do not deserve to be here for defending myself,” Simpson said in an interview. “This is a constitutional issue of, you have the right to defend yourself if you are being attacked, and that is what I did.”

According to Simpson, fellow firefighter Brandon Olson, who is white, woke up and told Simpson and other coworkers to quiet down while the crew was staying in a firefighting housing facility on a day off.

When Simpson responded, Olson allegedly said, “Pull your f***in’ pants up, n*****.”

Simpson attorney Eric Fournier highlighted that during the trial, Olson admitted to throwing the first punch

“He admitted at trial that he threw the first punch at Hakiym, no ifs, ands or buts about it,” the attorney said. “My opinion is, I don’t think it was a crime because I think he was acting in self-defense.”

Supporters and advocacy groups like the Black Alliance and Social Empowerment of Southern Oregon (BASE) are calling on Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek to exonerate Simpson and have him released as soon as possible.

According to Ashland News, firefighters witnessed Olson acting differently the week leading up to the assault. Toxicology reports later showed illicit drugs in Olson’s system at the time of the fight.

When Olson called 911, witnesses claimed—and transcripts proved—he reported that he “got jumped.”

“They’re all gonna say I started a fight,” Olson told the 911 operator. “I was upset because people kept slamming the door while I was sleeping, so I went outside. … I slammed a door because I was tired of it, and I asked who was going on fire and no one told me. … My jaw is broken. I’m f****d up. I can hardly talk.”

Simpson admits he got a few more punches and kicks in before the other firefighters broke things up, resulting in Simpson driving away. However, Olson pursued Simpson.

Despite all the evidence presented, a judge sentenced him to 70 months in prison, highlighting the severity of Olson’s injuries—and Simpson’s two prior felony assault convictions.

Olson’s attorney sent Kotek a letter objecting to Simpson’s exoneration, calling Simpson “overly violent” and dismissing the case as not being racially motivated.

But supporters and Simpson say otherwise.

While Simpson appeals his conviction, he hopes Gov. Kotek steps in since the appeal process could take years. “Once this is done, I want to get back out there and continue to fight fire and do the best I can to be the best firefighter I can and the best person I can, for the community,” Simpson said.

Harvard, Black student enrollment — (Photo: Caroline Culler (User:Wgreaves), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

by Mitti Hicks

May 28, 2025

Award-winning Journalist jarrett hill Debuts Solo Art Exhibition at Harvard University

Hill traded in his pen and laptop for paintbrushes at Harvard Divinity School.

After spending more than two decades putting words to paper—books and online—award-winning journalist and author jarrett hill focused on paintbrushes and art at Harvard Divinity School (HDS).

He created more than 40 pieces during his time in the program. Nearly two dozen of his pieces are part of his first solo art exhibition, “jarrett hill: an artist lives here.”

“I came to divinity school looking to get answers about being Queer and Black in the Black church tradition,” he tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.

hill’s exhibition takes people on his journey of searching for answers to questions he had as a child about race, culture, and sexuality within the Black church.

“[I wanted to get] a solid sense of how I felt and how I understood God to relate to queer and trans people.”

hill says he got his answers pretty quickly in the HDS program and now feels more liberated and more connected to God.

“While my relationship with the church has changed, my relationship with God has only gotten better,” hill adds. “It’s only gotten deeper and more thorough and more textured.”

jarrett hill’s Art Exhibition At Harvard Tackles The Relationship Between Black Church and Queer Community

Painting and drawing have always been outlets for hill to express himself artistically, so he chose art to reflect on his academic, emotional, and theological growth during his time at HDS.

hill says one of the most transformative works in his collection is “Create From Your Center.”

It’s a piece that shows movement inside and outside of what appears to be a heart. The movement is about everything radiating in and out of the heart. The piece is about listening to your heart, body, and the center. hill hopes pieces in the exhibition such as this will inspire people to confront some of the questions in their own lives and make space for the ideas they may be ignoring.

“I want people to ask themselves, what is that thing that is in me that’s been trying to come out? […] or the thing that perks up my ear when I hear it, but I ignore it?”

He adds, “This exhibition reflects my paradigm-shifting journey, exploring how this time in divinity school has helped me to more deeply understand, process, and start to heal my experience.”

“jarrett hill: an artist lives here” will be on display through early June. If you miss it, check hill’s website for updates.

As for what’s next for hill, he also has a background in interior design. He tells BE he plans to turn some of his artworks into pieces for the home.

Kevin Liles — photo credit: Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 28, 2025

Kevin Liles Accuses Former Def Jam Artist Lady Luck Of $30 Million ‘Extortion Attempt’

The ex-Def Jam president states her legal team requested the money to avoid putting false 'grooming' accusations in a book she plans on publishing

Former Def Jam president Kevin Liles has publicly accused recording artist Lady Luck of extortion after the former Def Jam signee and her legal team allegedly contacted him in an attempt to pay her $30 million to avoid publishing sexual accusations against him in an upcoming book.

The co-founder of 300 Entertainment took to social media to bring attention to what he labels an “extortion attempt” by Lady Luck.

After being contacted by her attorneys, Liles claimed that they requested that he pay her $30 million to prevent her from revealing allegations that he “groomed” her nearly 26 years ago when she was an artist on the Def Jam label. He also mentioned that she will accuse him of trying to force her to give him oral sex while sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle.

“None of this ever happened. Her threatened allegations are totally false. And they are contradicted by Ms. Jones’s many public statements about me and her experience at Def Jam. They are also at odds with her continued outreach and relationship with both my family and me for the past 26 years. Her story is a fabrication. Rather than pay her and her legal team, I am publicly addressing what I view to be an extortion attempt.”

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Liles also created a website, “Lady Luck’s Own Words,” where he wrote about how he initiated a professional relationship with Luck after hearing her freestyle on Hot 97, which led to a contract with the legendary label. He provides various examples, accompanied by news clips and social media postings, demonstrating that she praised and credited him for her recording career. Liles even goes so far as to reveal posts where she comments on some of his posts as examples.

He then states that he will not allow “those that threaten to ruin my reputation” to extort him, as he will defend himself against the false allegations and any lawsuit filed against him.

“Regardless of my empathy for Ms. Jones, I will not be extorted, nor will I pay a dollar to those [who] threaten to ruin my reputation or the legacy I intend to leave the culture I’ve spent my life serving. I will meet these false allegations (and any frivolous lawsuit filed against me) with all of the tools that the law provides.”