Malcolm Kenyatta, Democratic, chair
by Sharelle B. McNair

February 3, 2025

Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta Elected To Serve As Democratic National Committee’s Vice Chair

Congratulations, VC Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta!

Pennsylvania State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta was elected to serve on the Democratic National Committee as Vice Chair, Temple News reports. 

He won the election on Feb. 1, day one of Black History Month 2025, announcing the news on X. “Thank you, Democrats! Last night I was honored to be elected Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee,” he wrote. “Now let’s get to work rebuilding our party: for our future and for our working families!”

Kenyatta will serve next to newly-elected chair Ken Martin, the longtime leader of Minnesota’s Democratic Party organization, and will continue to represent the state’s 181st District. Announcing his candidacy in January 2025, the Temple University alum is preparing to work alongside other vocal advocates and vice chairs, including Artie Blanco, a union and Latino civic engagement advocate from Nevada, and David Hogg, a Parkland High School shooting survivor and gun violence activist from Florida. Kenyatta celebrated their wins, saying they had “inspired him for years.” “My fellow Vice Chairs at Large — @ArtieBlancoSays and @davidhogg111 — have inspired me for years and now we get to be in this fight together for a future that working families deserve!,” he wrote. 

Kenyatta first popped on the political scene in 2018, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly and being the youngest, according to Democrats.org. He continued to make history in the years following. In 2022, Kenyatta was named the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color in American history to run for a U.S. Senate seat. The following year, he was appointed by former President Joe Biden to serve as chair of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.

During the 2024 general election, Kenyatta secured close to 3.1 million votes, resulting in being the second-highest total vote for any Democrat on the ticket that year.

With leaders like Kenyatta and Martin on board, the new chair, succeeding former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, Martin said it’s time to get back to the fight, sending a message directly to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. “Donald Trump, the Republican Party, this is a new DNC. We are not going to sit back and not take you on when you fail the American people,”

Martin said shortly after his victory: “The role of the party is not just to go out there and build the infrastructure. It’s also to make sure we’re defining them. And we’re out there making sure the American people know what the stakes of not only these coming elections are, but what’s happening in this country.”

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A$AP Rocky
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 3, 2025

A$AP Rocky Influences Judge To Shut Down Use Of N-Word During Trial

The Harlem rapper asked the court to 'refrain' from using the actual word in court.

A$AP Rocky is on trial for an alleged shooting in Los Angeles, and during court testimony, the N-word has been used throughout the trial. After intervention from the rapper, the judge has instructed that the actual word, n**ga, be replaced by simply saying the “N-word.”

According to Complex, Harlem-raised A$AP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, objected to the word n**ga being said in court as his attorney read back some text messages from former friend and A$AP Mob group member, A$AP Relli, who Rocky is accused of shooting in Los Angeles in 2021. When Rocky’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, repeatedly said the word as he was reading from the text messages, his client blurted out to Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold, asking that he refrain from using the full word.

The N-word was incessantly mentioned during the trial.

While Tacopina was questioning Relli, the judge interjected and addressed Tacopina and the courtroom about refraining from using the actual word and replacing it with the more politically correct term. The judge did respond by saying, “In the future, and this is for all counsel, if there’s any exhibit or any recording that has the n-word, I want you in court to say ’n-word. I don’t want you to say what it says. It’s the ’n-word’ from now on … That applies to everybody.”

 

Relli has accused his former friend of firing twice at him in Los Angeles on Nov. 6, 2021, after the two were having a heated dispute on the street. After being arrested for the alleged incident, Rocky pleaded not guilty to the two felony counts related to firing a weapon at the former A$AP Mob group member. Right before the trial started, Rocky reportedly rejected a last-minute plea deal from prosecutors that would have placed him in prison for 180 days. He would have also received a suspended seven-year sentence plus three years of probation. Prosecutors wanted him to enter a guilty plea for one of the two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

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WAP, money, 250000, lawsuit, University of Tennessee
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 3, 2025

Woman Wins $250K After University Of Tennessee Threatened Expulsion For Posting Lyrics From Cardi B’s ‘WAP”

Diei won the money after a court ruled that her social media posts were protected under the First Amendment.

A woman has won $250K after the educational institution she attended threatened to expel her for posting lyrics from Cardi B’s “WAP” to social media.

Kimberly Diei argued that the University of Tennessee violated her First Amendment rights over social media use. In 2020, Diei posted to X, then known as Twitter, with her version of the popular yet provocative song by the rapper. In the post, she asked if she could be on the remix for the chart-topper.


“I ain’t got that WAP he give gwap so that he can get a lick,” read Diei’s post, as reported by USA Today. “He ain’t my pops, but I call him DAD cuz he got that dop ass dick. @iamcardib @theestallion, let me be on the remix, please.”

She continued to use her social media to express herself freely. She also posted a selfie saying, “Spent all this time getting my hair done just for your man to fuck it up.”

The posts caught the attention of her college, which deemed her social media as “crude, “vulgar,” and “sexual.” In response, the former pharmacy student sued the University, with the help of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, in 2021 for their alleged policing of her off-campus and personal activity.

A district court initially dismissed Diei’s lawsuit in August 2023, claiming the First Amendment did not protect her social media posts. However, a new ruling deemed otherwise last September. Diei expressed her elation at confirming her right to public expression because of the lawsuit’s success.

“This ruling confirms what I’ve known all along,” Diei said in a press release from the foundation. “I have a right to express myself in my private life that’s separate from school, and so do my classmates. I enrolled in pharmacy school to learn, not to have my taste in music and my thoughts on culture policed.”

The woman’s attorney, Greg H. Greubel, also shared that UT learned an “important lesson” about respectability politics in academia.
“UT’s pharmacy school learned an important lesson today. There is nothing unprofessional about students expressing love of hip-hop and their sexuality on social media,” asserted Greubel. “Kim has proven something FIRE has said for 25 years: The First Amendment robustly protects students’ rights to have a voice outside of school, even if college administrators don’t like what they have to say.”

Diei remains an unabashed personality on social media, telling her “haters” about her “250,000 reasons to smile.”

“It’s at this time that I want to sincerely extend a shout-out to my haters,” shared the pharmacist. “Please continue to watch my page and get mad at every single post that you see. Though you are still unknown to me at this time because you chose to file anonymous reports.Throwing stones and hiding your hand. I hope my continued success in the future eats you up inside and you think about me every single time you log on.”

The woman added, “Karma will handle you better than I ever could, so please remain anonymous because I do not wish to be tempted. Thank you again for giving me 250,000 reasons to smile.”

With her new funds, Diei told the news outlet she plans to pay off her student loans, invest the money, and take a vacation.

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HBCU Marching Band, Alabama State University, battle of the bands
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 3, 2025

West Coast Sees Its First HBCU Battle Of The Bands With Nick Cannon and GloRilla

HBCU pride was on full display at SoFi stadium for the first-ever Honda Battle of the Bands in Los Angeles.

For the 19th year, Honda has supported and amplified HBCU culture with its annual Battle of the Bands showcase. But this year, Honda took the initiative further by hosting it in Los Angeles for the first time. 

Six marching bands from historically Black Colleges and Universities were brought out to L.A. to perform at the new and improved SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The HBOB performers did not disappoint as their musical percussion electrified SoFi Stadium in solo sets, stand-offs, and points where they came together to show off their HBCU pride. 

From kicking off the show with a unified performance of the Black National Anthem and National Anthem while spelling out “HBCU” with their bodies, to storming the field following their solo sets to cheer on GloRilla who closed out the show, the six bands exemplified Black Excellence from start to finish.

Schools who featured in the 2025 showcase include: 

  • Alabama A&M University – Marching Maroon and White Band
  • Alabama State University – Mighty Marching Hornets
  • Hampton University – The Marching Force
  • North Carolina A&T University – Blue and Gold Marching Machine
  • Southern University – Human Jukebox Marching Band
  • University of Arkansas Pine Bluff – Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South

With the coveted showcase coming in the wake of the devastating wildfires in L.A., Honda made sure the event supported the city and the victims affected by the natural disaster. 

“It’s a beautiful thing what Honda is doing,” Cannon said in a press conference ahead of the showcase.

“In the midst of the catastrophic fires that this city has experienced to see community come together, even at a time where it’s like, ‘OK, can we party yet? Can we have a good time?’”

He continued. “But to show, yeah, we’re going to have a good time in spirit and celebrate the people that, you know, the first responders. We’re going to continue to feel and emote for the people who have lost loved ones, their possessions, their homes, their businesses. And that’s what this (HBCU) culture has always done in times of hardship is come together and unified. So the fact that we can be a beacon in that setting, in the city, right now that probably matters the most, or needs it the most.”

“The Honda leadership team continues to stress music brings people together and that the city needs this right now,” said Jasmine Cockfield, Project Leader for Honda Battle of The Bands and Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. 

In addition to supporting local businesses, the showcase accepted donations and hosted a food drive with local organizations “so the people who are attending the event can donate canned goods and non-perishable items,” Cockfield added. “That just continues to show the spirit of Honda.”

BLACK ENTERPRISE was invited to go even further into the Honda Battle of the Bands experience with test drives of the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid, the 2024 Honda Prologue, and MotoCompacto, in addition to touring the American Honda Collection Hall where we saw an exclusive collection of Honda cars, motorcycles, power products, and race machines that work together to tell a story from Honda’s past into the present. 

The Honda Civic Hybrid test drives allowed us a chance to enjoy a scenic drive around the lavish Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, and see just why this electrified variant of America’s most popular compact car, has been honored with the prestigious 2025 North American Car of the Year award.

The day of test drives and Collection Hall touring also included a special invitation to Honda’s Battle of the Bands VIP Reception where the automotive manufacturer giant shared its continued commitment to HBCUs and their infectious culture. 

“I had a student from UAPB come up to me and hug me and say, ‘Thank you, Miss Jasmine. I’ve never been on a plane before. Neither have I ever stayed in a hotel.’ That’s a story, right? That’s Honda’s commitment,” Cockfield shared.

Since 2003, Honda has proudly hosted the Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB), a premier event celebrating the talent and culture of marching bands from HBCUs. The 2025 edition marked its 19th year, continuing its legacy as a platform for HBCU students to showcase their musical artistry and dynamic choreography to a wide audience. 

Widely regarded as a blueprint for celebrating HBCU culture, HBOB highlights Honda’s enduring commitment to HBCUs through scholarships, programs, and various initiatives that support student success. After a successful debut in L.A., students and fans are hopeful for another HBOB on the West Coast.

Donald Trump, Elon Musk, DOGE
by Mitti Hicks

February 3, 2025

Musk On USAID, ‘Time For It To Die,’ And Trump Agrees

President John F. Kennedy’s administration established USAID in 1961 to alleviate poverty, treat diseases, and respond to natural disasters and famines."


Tech billionaire and unelected official Elon Musk said he believes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is a “criminal organization” that should die.

Musk, who President Donald Trump appointed to lead the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), posted his sentiments about the organization and how it’s “time for it to die” on his social platform X.

He added, “With regards to the USAID stuff, I went over it with (the president) in detail, and he agreed that we should shut it down,” said Musk.

His comments come as USAID employees were told not to report to work on Monday, My Journal Courier reports. USAID’s website has also been taken down.

With a budget of over $40 billion approved by Congress, USAID is an independent federal agency focusing on long-term socioeconomic development. It is guided by the U.S. State Department and administers civilian foreign aid and development assistance.

USAID Employees Told Not To Return To Work

President Trump reportedly told reporters Sunday that the organization has “been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out, and then we’ll make a decision.”

Trump’s latest comments come following days of speculation and growing concerns about the agency’s future after its funding was frozen and employees were put on leave.   

According to CNN, two top USAID security officials were put on administrative leave Saturday night after refusing to give DOGE members access to the agency’s systems.

So far, at least 60 senior USAID staff members have been placed on leave after being accused of attempting to circumvent Trump’s executive order to freeze foreign aid for 90 days despite no evidence of wrongdoing.

President John F. Kennedy’s administration established USAID in 1961 to alleviate poverty, treat diseases, and respond to natural disasters and famines. The organization also promotes democracy building and development by supporting non-government organizations.

The organization’s fate remains unclear, but the Trump administration’s decision to delete its website and social media accounts signals that its end could be near.

“They have announced no plan and given no rationale — they’re just taking everything down,” Jeremy Konyndyk, who led disaster relief under President Obama, told NPR. He also led disaster relief for COVID and Monkey Pox under Biden with USAID. “They’re trying to do it behind the scenes rather than openly,” adding, so they don’t have to “defend what they’re doing” in public.  

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California, black history month
by Daniel Johnson

February 3, 2025

California Marks Black History Month With These Kickoff Events

There are several Black History Month celebrations planned in Southern California

There is nothing stopping communities in all 50 states (and Puerto Rico) from celebrating Black History Month, and that is what is happening in California.

According to ABC 7, several Black History Month celebrations are planned in Southern California.

On Feb. 4, the Woodcrest Library is hosting an African American and Black History Month Activism Through Art event. This event teaches teenagers aged 13 to 17 about the impact of youth activism and allows them to create activist coasters in support of their own causes. Registration is required in advance because space at the library is limited.

The Annual Pan African Film + Arts Festival will take place between Feb. 4 and Feb. 23 at multiple locations, including the Westfield Culver City Shopping Center. According to its website, it is “the largest Black film festival” and features over 150 films from around the world.

On Feb. 7, at the Temple City Library, participants will learn “how Black and African American writers have used poetry to express themselves. We will review some poems and learn how words can be used to construct images of who we are,” at an event titled African American and Black History Month: Empower Through Poetry.

The 2025 Allensworth Black History Month Celebration will be held at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park on Feb. 8. This year’s theme is “African American & Labor: The Past, The Present, Our Future.” Attendees will tour the park’s historic buildings and enjoy live entertainment, music, and food.

Also, on Feb. 8, at the Monticello Library, participants of the Build Like Philip Freelon event will learn about Freelon, an architect who designed the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Houston.

On Feb. 9, the Inner City Youth Orchestra of LA will perform at an event held in collaboration with African Americans for LA Opera, LA Voices: Black History Celebration With Inner City Youth Orchestra of LA. This event, which will take place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, will feature well-known and esteemed compositions created by Black composers.

On Feb. 12, at the Lomita Library, children ages 5-12 will learn about the mixed-media art of the late Faith Ringgold and will use her trademark style and techniques to create their own masks inspired by her work.

These are just a few of the celebrations planned in response to the Trump administration’s attack on the federal government and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

According to KTLA, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 12 other attorneys general pushed back on Trump’s attacks on DEI via a joint statement.

“These orders have nothing to do with combatting discrimination,” the statement began. “Instead, the [Trump] administration is targeting lawful policies and programs that are beneficial to all Americans. These policies and programs are not only consistent with state and federal anti-discrimination laws, they foster environments where everyone has an opportunity to succeed. That is the opposite of discrimination,” the attorneys general wrote.

They continued, “As state attorneys general representing tens of millions of American workers, we strongly oppose the President’s attempts to weaponize decades-old policies, which have been supported by Democratic and Republican administrations alike, to combat historical inequities faced by underrepresented communities and the ongoing, insidious discrimination that still exists in our country.”

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Beyoncé, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Grammys
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 3, 2025

Beyoncé, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar Make Black History At The Grammys

Beyoncé took home her long-awaited win for Album Of The Year.

The 2025 Grammys saw Black artists win big during its awards ceremony Feb. 2. Beyoncé, Doechii, and Kendrick Lamar took home top awards for their momentous year in music.

Beyoncé continued her trailblazing effort to reclaim country music with her 2024 LP Cowboy Carter. Ahead of the ceremony, she took home her first ever Grammy for the genre, winning Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “II Most Wanted” featuring Miley Cyrus. Appearing shocked, she graced the stage to express her gratitude and remind artists that genres should never limit their art.

However, the records kept breaking for the most decorated Grammy winner in history. During the live ceremony at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, Beyoncé also won Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter.

“I feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” expressed the singer, referencing the long-time snubbing she faced in the category of Album of the Year, which she also won that night.

“I want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, [for] all of the hard work. I want to dedicate this to [Linda] Martell. And I hope we just keep pushing forward and opening doors.”

In a full sweep, Kendrick Lamar took home the Grammy in every award he was nominated for. The “Not Like Us” rapper took home Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year, all for the chart-topping diss record. The accomplishment also broke the record for a rap song with the most Grammy wins.

The monumental night was also a big won for women in rap. For her debut project, Alligators Bites Never Heal, Doechii became the third woman in the awards’ history to win Best Rap Album. In her speech, the Best New Artist nominee encouraged young Black girls to keep pursuing their craft.

Other Black artists that took home awards include Muni Long, Lucky Daye, and Sza for R&B songs and performances. NxWorries, a rap duo comprised of Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge, tied with Avery*Sunshine for Best Progressive R&B Album. Furthermore, Chris Brown also secured his second trophy, earning Best R&B Album for 11:11.

Grammy darling Samara Joy also took home two awards that evening in the Jazz categories. Alicia Keys was also in attendance to receive the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. The acclaimed singer and advocate won Best Musical Theater Album as well for her Broadway show Hell’s Kitchen.

The ceremony also featured a tribute to Quincy Jones and his outstanding legacy in the music industry. Will Smith spoke on the mega-producer’s impact while singers Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, and Janelle Monae performed some of his greatest hits.

The night proved to be one of Black excellence and recognition, as these groundbreaking artists continue to make history and set the stage for this era of music.

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The January 6th Committee
by Mitti Hicks

February 3, 2025

Illinois Governor Blocks Jan. 6 Rioters From State Jobs After Trump Pardons

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has directed the state’s Department of Central Management Services, the state’s leading hiring authority, to restrict those who participated in the 2021 attacks.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is blocking rioters who took part in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol from working state jobs. The governor has directed the state’s Department of Central Management Services, the state’s leading hiring authority, to restrict those who participated in the 2021 attacks.

“One of my most important duties as Governor is protecting public safety in the State of Illinois,” Pritzker said in a written directive first obtained by NBC News.


“These rioters attacked law enforcement officers protecting people in the Capitol, disrupted the peaceful transfer of power, and undermined bedrock principles of American democracy.”

Trump Pardons 1,500 Jan. 6 Rioters

In Trump’s first week of office, his first order of business was issuing blanket pardons for approximately 1,500 rioters who stormed the Capitol building after he made false claims that Joe Biden stole the election in 2020. He also commuted the sentences of 14 others.

Pritzker says blocking rioters from state jobs is about public safety.

“These rioters were accused or convicted of a combination of felonies and misdemeanors, including but not limited to violence against law enforcement officers, threats against Members of Congress, destruction of federal property, and many other crimes,” Gov. Pritzker added in his directive. “These crimes attacks threatened public safety as Members of Congress, staff, and other workers who were forced to hide from the violence for hours.”

Pritzker says the state’s workforce should reflect Illinois’s values while demonstrating honesty, integrity, and loyalty to “serving the taxpayers.”

“No one who attempts to overthrow a government should serve in government,” he says.

According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Trump’s pardons affect more than 50 Illinois residents. It’s unclear what legal challenges lie ahead for Pritzker, but sources told NBC that his team is combing through personnel code ahead of pushback from the courts.

“The US Constitution does not grant the President this unilateral authority,” Pritzker wrote on X. “In Illinois, we will stand against unlawful actions that would harm millions of working families, children, and seniors.”

RELATED CONTENT: Former Jan. 6 Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie G. Thompson Condemns Trump’s Pardon Of Violent Rioters 

Jordan Williams, High Voltage Nails, press-ons
by Kandiss Edwards

February 3, 2025

High Voltage Press-Ons Is The Answer To Inflation In The Nail Care Industry

Jordan Williams, founder of High Voltage Nails, is making her mark in the DIY beauty industry.

Inflation in the beauty industry is rising at the same rate as the overall economy. The costly services are prompting many to seek alternatives to traditional cosmetic treatments. People across various demographics are turning to DIY approaches for lashes, hairstyles, and nails.

Jordan Williams created High Voltage Nails to capitalize on this new wave of self-maintenance. She offers press-on nails with multiple design styles, ready to wear at an affordable price.

BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with the businesswoman about launching the press-on nail line and scaling up. 

Williams began her journey trying her hand at the traditional face-to-face nail application method but found the environment inhibited her ability to create at her highest capacity.

“I was a bit defeated; the environment was high pressure. Clients were sitting right in your face, and the service took so long,” she said.

While the pandemic was a curse for many, it turned out to be a blessing for the metaphorical “beauty school dropout.”

Focusing on her talent for creation and her desire to thrive in the business world, she launched High Voltage Nails in 2019, offering handmade press-on nails with unique designs. With many people at home during quarantine, there was an influx of time for individuals to learn how to perform their own beauty maintenance, and Williams took full advantage.

Following High Voltage’s slogan, customers have embraced the idea to “stay pressed but never pressed.” They can enjoy the convenience and affordability of press-on nails without the stress of long wait times at nail salons or paying exorbitant prices for beauty services.

“We all feel good when we look good. This endeavor is genuine; it comes from the heart,” Williams said.

Offering nearly 50 unique nail designs, Jordan is currently a one-woman show. However, she has plans to scale up by training design techs and making concrete plans to expand her already thriving business. When asked what sets her apart, she emphasized the diversity of her products.

Jordan Wiliams, High Voltage Nails, Press-ons
Courtesy Of Jordan Wiliams

“I believe we have the most variety in nail shape, size, color, and design. We offer short nails, long nails, extra-long nails, and custom sets. When customers send me custom sets, I’m sometimes shocked by the inspirational photos. I wonder, ‘Who can create this?’”

The answer is that Jordan and High Voltage can create this—and so much more.

High Voltage Nails now also sells jewelry. The addition was an inspired marketing decision. Looking for ways to promote her business, Jordan realized that most interactions came from nail art when models wore jewelry, particularly rings. Seizing the opportunity, she added jewelry sales to her offerings. The products quickly expanded to include anklets, earrings, and bracelets, although they sell out fast.

Williams continues to network and strategize to keep her brand at the forefront of everyone’s mind. In 2024, she created the Manicure and Mimosas event in Washington, D.C., to network with other influencers and business owners in the beauty industry. Manicures and Mimosas proved a successful way to network as the event will expand to include New York in summer 2025. 

Now, on the cusp of her 31st birthday, Williams is poised to host the Vixens Day Party. Turning her focus on celebrating life, the entrepreneur aims to create enduring products and branded events.

High Voltage Nails has a robust inventory and will soon offer manicure tools, lashes, an expanded jewelry selection, and even more unique and diverse nail sets.

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The Aunties
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 3, 2025

‘The Aunties’ Cultivate Harriet Tubman’s Ancestral Land For New Digital Film Series

A Black gay couple is cultivating land Harriet Tubman used to help liberate Black people.

A Black gay married couple is exploring Harriet Tubman’s connections to Maryland and cultivating the land she used to help liberate her people, for a new digital shorts series set to debut during Black History Month.

The Aunties, an award-winning short film featuring two Black married women dedicated to preserving Harriet Tubman’s legacy through agriculture, education, and heritage preservation, will premiere on Black Public Media’s AfroPoP Digital Shorts on Feb. 17 in honor of Black History Month.

Created by Charlyn Griffith-Oro and Jeannine Kayembe-Oro, the film follows Donna Dear and Paulette Greene, a married couple who met in 1974 and are dedicated to teaching sustainability and conservation while tending their land. Dear, a former military officer, and Greene, an educator, identify as Black gay women and life partners.

Together, the couple purchased the Maryland-based farm, which borders land developed by Paulette’s great-grandparents. The documentary film offers a glimpse into their work at Mt. Pleasant Acres Farms, a 111-acre property on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and believed to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad.

The award-winning film The Ubuntu Climate Initiative follows a couple as they help cultivate land on a former plantation where enslaved people once developed agriculture along Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Dear and Greene represent a new wave of Black climate activists, using the ancestral site as a space for radical healing and environmental restoration.

“I first saw this film at BlackStar Film Festival in 2023 and it has continued to sit with me ever since,” said BPM Director of Programs Denise A. Greene. “The themes of land stewardship, cultural preservation, uplifting legacies, and climate justice woven together in a beautiful love story is inspiring and revolutionary.”

The film has even deeper ties of love with Griffith-Oro and Kayembe-Oro being a real-life married couple who worked together to help introduce The Aunties to new audiences. After spending time and working closely with Dear and Greene, they now proudly consider themselves among the couple’s many “nieces” and “nephews.”

The Oro’s also share Dear and Greene’s passion for land cultivation with them being deeply committed to climate initiatives. The Philadelphia-based filmmakers have led numerous tours to Mt. Pleasant Acres Farms since meeting the seniors in 2016, helping connect Black urban residents with rural land and food production. They also run a produce market that provides free food to neighbors in their Southwest Philadelphia community.
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