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.

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.”

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.

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“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.

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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.

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.”

The US Constitution does not grant the President this unilateral authority.

In Illinois, we will stand against unlawful actions that would harm millions of working families, children, and seniors. https://t.co/MOt4fnlzl7
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) January 28, 2025

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.

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.
.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 3, 2025

TikTok Superstar Khaby Lame Named Senegal UNICEF Ambassador

That's how you give back...

Khaby Lame, the most followed influencer on TikTok, has been appointed as a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador for his native Senegal, Deadline reports.

Raised in Italy, Lame joins a list of other celebrities who serve as ambassadors, including Donald Glover (AKA Childish Gambino), Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Ricky Martin, and Shakira.

The announcement came while the social media star was in the African nation, meeting with children and young people to promote positive change in the country.

“From my own experience as a child fearing poverty, struggling to find my passion at school, and losing my job during the COVID-19 pandemic, to finding my place and calling in the world, I know that all children can thrive when they are given a chance and opportunity,” Lame said in a statement.

“It’s a true honor to be appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and be part of an organization that puts children’s rights front and center every day.”

During his visit, Lame connected with children at a shelter in the capital city of Dakar who shared stories of escaping violence, abuse, and exploitation. Lame, grew up struggling with dyslexia and dyscalculia, also visited a school for children with disabilities.

“I’ve met many young people who are standing up in their communities and making a change–be it learning technology skills, finding solutions for climate change, or empowering each other with ways to stay safe from violence,” Lame said

Lame, who has more than 162 million followers on TikTok, came into the limelight during the COVID-19 pandemic for his silent posts making fun of life-hack videos, starting with a short film featuring him peeling a banana with his hands.

Based in Italy, his presence soon took over popular U.S. influencers Charli D’Amelio and MrBeast, who are the second- and third-most followed TikTokers.

“We are thrilled to welcome Khaby Lame to the UNICEF family as a Goodwill Ambassador,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement. “His creativity and unique perspective on the world have inspired hundreds of millions of followers, and will continue to motivate others in raising their voices and telling their stories in their own unique ways.”

Tournament of Roses Parade, North Carolina A&T, band, blue and gold marching machine,

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 3, 2025

NC A&T Ranks Top 10 In ‘Best Online Programs 2025’ On U.S. News & Report’s List

Way to go, Aggie!

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University received a high ranking on the U.S. News & Report’s “Best Online Programs” list as a leader of online learning in higher education, according to a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Three undergraduate and six graduate programs made the list – two making the top 10 – and two others entering the top 30 nationwide. The Greensboro-based HBCU has programs focused on veterans, coming in at number six among the online master’s in information technology programs for vets, and the bachelor’s veteran program ranking at number 21, tied with Penn State. The master’s in education programs for veterans fell to the 26th place, while the MBA program ranked at 42.

Some of the regular programs tied with some of the top schools in the nation, including information program tied in 10th place along with Rice and Boston Universities, online undergrad programs listed at 39 with 11 other schools, online MBA programs tied in 72nd place with two other universities, and the master’s in education tied for the 85th place with 11 other listed colleges and universities. An online bachelor’s in business program ranked with eight other schools in 87th place.

Assistant Vice Provost of Distance Education and Extended Learning, Dr. Tonya Amankwatia, celebrated the accomplishment as the home of the Aggies is “committed to ensuring that quality education is accessible to learners” everywhere. “Our distance education offerings are a vital part of this mission, and the rankings are a testament to the dedication of our faculty, advisors, and staff,” Amankwatia said.

“Together, we are creating flexible, supportive, and transformative learning experiences that empower learners and help them thrive in a rapidly evolving world.”

As online learning continues to grow in a hybrid environment, online programs have proven to have benefits outside a physical classroom, providing students with accessibility and flexibility to sustain a fulfilling work-life balance. In addition to flexibility, the online financial benefits are highlighted as being cheaper, while still giving learners the advantage of being competitive in the job market. While A&T enrolled a record 14,311 on-campus students in fall 2024, the number of online students or a mixture is just as impressive, growing by 550.

Online-only learners leaped to more than 1,700, a 5.5% increase from the 2023-2024 academic school year.

The sign of growth comes at a great time as the historic school prepares to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the A&T Four before Black History Month, according to The Rhino Times. On February 1, 1960, four freshmen – retired Air Force Major Gen. Joseph McNeil, Jibreel Khazan, formerly Ezell Blair Jr., the late Franklin McCain Sr., and the late David Richmond Jr. – had a hand in launching the civil rights movement by sitting in at a white-only lunch counter at the downtown Greensboro Woolworth’s and waited for service.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 2, 2025

Canada Warns U.S. Of 25% Retaliatory Tariffs And Targeting Red States

The tariffs would match Trump's own 25% tax against their imports.

Canada has responded to the Trump Administration’s emerging trade war by imposing their own tariffs against the United States.

The move comes after President Trump unleashed plans for 25% tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican imports, citing immigration and drug trafficking as the reason. According to Reuters, Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced the retaliatory tariffs on American goods set to go into effect on Feb. 4.

Trudeau spoke at a news conference on Feb. 1 stating that the move would severely impact both parties. With Trump also imposing a 10% tariff on energy imports from Canada, Trudeau warned of the immediate consequences.

“Tariffs against Canada will put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing facilities,” Trudeau said at the press conference. “They will raise costs for you, including food at the grocery store and gas at the pump.”

However, Trudeau also asserted that Canada did not want to resort to these measures. The outgoing leader expressed how their own tariffs defended the country against Trump’s controversial plan. Trudeau stated he would “not back down in standing up for Canadians.”

According to The BBC, these taxes will reportedly impact over $100 billion of U.S. goods, ranging from alcoholic products, clothing, fruits, and appliances. With an additional 10% tariff also on China, Americans face an uncertain future regarding the cost of goods from these countries.

Canadian officials also said they would target products from red U.S. states. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario will remove American alcohol from red states from its shelves in response to Trump’s tariffs on Canada. Ontario Premier Doug Ford has directed that the products be pulled starting Feb. 3, when the tariff is set to take effect.

The White House deemed the tariffs “necessary to hold China, Mexico, and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the United States.” However, many economists believe the emerging trade war will incur heavy inflation, immediately hurting Americans’ pockets.

Trump also warned of escalated tactics if the countries responded with taxes of their own. The administration has yet to reveal heightened tariffs or other plans since Canada imposed the new tariffs.

However, Canada has also revealed it will work with Mexico to thwart this effort. In the meantime, China has also said it would challenge Trump’s tariffs with the World Trade Organization.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 2, 2025

NYC Offers Unique Yet Inspirational Black History Month Events

From Harlem to Brooklyn, NYC has an array of BHM events.

New York City is a metropolis for diversity and culture, but has its own unique place in Black history.

Known for the Harlem Renaissance, the storied city hopes to celebrate this year’s rendition of Black History Month with its own selection of events, exhibitions, and eateries for natives and travellers. According to Timeout, NYC has plenty to offer those taking part in the month-long festivities, while paying tribute to their cultural roots.

NYC has many historically Black areas, from Harlem to parts of Brooklyn, while still fostering a community of artists and entrepreneurs. In Harlem specifically, one can take a bite at Black-owned soul food spots, from Melba’s to Sylvia’s, and also pay a visit to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

On brand for the city known for its trailblazing efforts toward equality, one can learn more about Black historical figures and support the LGBTQ+ community. Located in Brooklyn, C’mon Everybody will tell the story of Harriet Tubman through a drag queen show. Entertaining and educational, the show is a sight to see for those who love a cheeky approach to history.

To further engage in NYC’s vibrant arts scene, an all-Black variety show will take place during February. Conducted by UCBLK, those who love sketch comedy, stand-up, and improv will support Black entertainers in this innovative way to uplift the community.

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The Center for Brooklyn History will also host an exhibition detailing the borough’s lesser-known ties to the slave trade. The “Trace/s: Family History Research and the Legacy of Slavery in Brooklyn” exhibition is free for visitors to learn of these enslaved people’s experiences during this darker moment of Brooklyn’s history.

As many know, Black History Month celebrates the culture across the diaspora. With this in mind, the Rhythm & Movements of African American Culture Festival is debuting a performance that embraces African music genres and dance. Their 2025 theme of “Revolution Requires Resistance” will encourage its audiences to continue the fight for justice and equality through this art form.

NYC has an abundance of options to make this Black History Month more immersive and inspiring for all ages. As Black History Month boasts pride in one’s heritage and identity, NYC hopes to further this tradition and mission to uplift the diaspora.