Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, governor endorsement — Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Photo via City of Newark

by Daniel Johnson

May 24, 2025

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Earns Black Men Vote PAC Endorsement For NJ Governor

Trespassing charge against Baraka was dropped ahead of key gubernatorial endorsement.

After a trespassing charge against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was abruptly dismissed by U.S. District Judge Andre Espinosa, the Black Men Vote PAC endorsed him for New Jersey governor on May 23.

As Insider New Jersey reports, the endorsement signals a strong synergy between Baraka and the PAC as Baraka’s candidacy for the governorship continues to unfold.

Baraka also detailed to editors of the USA Today Network New Jersey Editorial Board shortly after being detained by Homeland Security officers that he believes the Democratic Party has lost touch with its identity as a champion of the working people, not the elites that have captured the party’s attention recently.

According to Michael Bland, executive director of Black Men Vote PAC, Baraka has been a champion for Black men and figures to continue that representation as he makes his intentions to better the State of New Jersey clear as the June 10 mayoral primary approaches.

“Ras Baraka has always met Black men where we are, whether it’s in the boardroom or on the block, in the classroom or on the court. He’s a mayor who governs with vision and conviction and he will do the same as Governor of the Garden State,” Bland said in the press release announcing the endorsement.

He continued, “Mayor Baraka’s leadership reflects the ‘both/and’ experience of Black men. We must both navigate systems that were never built for us and build new ones rooted in justice, dignity, and collective power. His entire life trajectory is evidence of the fact that when you empower Black men, you lift entire communities. He listens. He leads. And he delivers.”

Baraka accepted the group’s endorsement and remarked that it is a signal that his campaign speaks to and for the lives of Black men across the state.

“This endorsement from Black Men Vote PAC is more than political, it’s deeply personal and reflects the values that our campaign stands for,” Mayor Baraka said. “It affirms that our campaign is speaking to the real lives of Black men across New Jersey, men who are both resilient and visionary, both burdened by injustice and builders of a better future.”

The move is believed to be the first endorsement from the Black Men Vote PAC, and as Insider reports, it represents the PAC’s desire to move from mobilizing voters, as it did during Kamala Harris’ campaign during the 2024 election, into building more sustained Black political power that targets Black men specifically.

In April, Baraka received a notable endorsement from the Working Families Party and other progressive groups, as well as several unions, which a press release called an unprecedented and historic collective endorsement, and is a signal of his commitment to working people.

According to Dena Mottola Jaborska, executive director for New Jersey Citizen Action, “New Jerseyans face a grave affordability crisis, with health care, utility, and in particular housing costs continuing to spiral out of control. Ras Baraka stands as the best choice from a field of talented candidates to address this crisis. His commitment to uplifting working families, to economic reinvestments in hard-hit communities, and to sweeping reforms geared towards revitalizing affordable housing will ensure we build a New Jersey where everyone can thrive, not just the wealthy or politically connected. New Jersey Citizen Action stands ready to help build a coalition that will elect a champion and protector of low- and moderate-income people.”

by Mary Spiller

May 24, 2025

Uche Ojeh, Husband of ‘Today’ Show Host Sheinelle Jones, Dies Of Brain Cancer

Uche Ojeh was 45 years old.

The husband of NBC “Today” co-anchor Sheinelle Jones has died. Uche Ojeh died after battling an aggressive and persistent form of brain cancer at 45, according to NBC’s May 23 morning show report.

“Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie reported, “With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Ojeh, the husband of our friend and Today co-host Sheinelle Jones, has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma. There are no words for the pain we feel for Sheinelle and their three young children. Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him. And so we want to take a moment to tell you more about the remarkable man who was Sheinelle’s perfect partner in life.”

At the time of his death, Ojeh was 45, and he is survived by Jones and the three children they share.

Fellow “Today” co-anchor Craig Melvin shared his condolences and recalled playing golf with Ojeh just last fall.

“We had a number of conversations about just life in general,” Melvin expressed. “And one thing he always talked about, he talked about those kids. He loved those kids more than anything else in this world, and was just so proud. He was the dad that was on the sidelines every soccer game. He was at all the concerts and the recitals. He was that guy.”

Jones has been on an extended leave of absence from her role on the NBC morning show since the end of last year to deal with what she described as a “family health matter.”

She has been a part of the “Today” show family for over a decade after joining in 2014 to work alongside Dylan Dreyer and Craig Melvin under NBC News.

Jones and Ojeh married in 2007, after the pair met at Northwestern University. Ojeh proposed to Jones on the university campus.

Arson, Fire ,Clayborn Temple, Restoration — Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/flare-of-fire-on-wood-with-black-smokes-57461/

by Mary Spiller

May 24, 2025

Arson Investigation Underway After Fire Guts Historic Clayborn Temple

The Memphis Fire Department confirmed they believe the fire was set intentionally.

A fire that caused significant damage to a historic Black church in Memphis, Tennessee — once the organizing hub for the 1968 sanitation workers’ strike that drew the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to the city — was deliberately set, investigators confirmed May 21. The fire at Clayborn Temple undid work completed in a renovation effort that has been ongoing for years.

The Memphis Fire Department stated the Clayborn Temple blaze was set on the interior of the church, and investigators are currently searching for an individual suspected of being involved in starting the fire.

Flames tore through the historic downtown Memphis church in the early morning hours of April 28 and left its interior destroyed.

Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat reported later that day that while the inside of the building was likely a total loss due to the flames, some parts of the exterior facade might still be salvageable for restoration.

A few weeks after the initial fire in Clayborn Temple, the Memphis Fire Department announced that the structure had been stabilized, allowing investigators to conduct a more thorough examination to determine the true cause of the fire.

The investigation eventually led to the suspicion that the fire was set intentionally.

Executive Director of Historic Clayborn Temple Anasa Troutman delivered a statement on the impact of the fire May 21.

Troutman said, “Clayborn Temple is sacred ground — home to generations of struggle, resilience, and creativity. This act of violence is painful, but it will not break our spirit.”

Before the blaze, the historic church was in the middle of a $25 million restoration effort to preserve its Romanesque Revival architecture and rich cultural legacy. Plans included restoring a massive 3,000-pipe grand organ and turning the site into a hub for neighborhood revitalization, with a museum, cultural programming, and community outreach initiatives.

Clayborn Temple is located just south of the iconic civil rights Beale Street, and was built in 1892 as the Second Presbyterian Church. After being sold in 1949, it became a pillar for Black congregations.

It later brought civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis in 1968. King supported over 1,000 Black sanitation workers who went on strike to protest the inhumane treatment they received while being exposed to unsafe work conditions.

The Clayborn Temple was home to nightly meetings at the height of the strike, producing the movement’s recognizable “I AM A MAN” posters and becoming a station during marches.

Clayborn Temple was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Following King’s assassination and the conclusion of the Memphis workers’ strike, the church fell into disuse, and it was left vacant until recent renovation efforts began restoring it to its former state.

Before the recent fire, around $8 million had been poured into Clayborn Temple for renovations, and while the interior was still a work in progress, the exterior had been fully restored, according to Troutman.

Melvin Edwards, Sculptor, Black Resistance, Dies — Photo by Numan Gilgil: https://www.pexels.com/photo/lighted-candle-in-close-up-photography-9299394/

by Mary Spiller

May 24, 2025

Sacha Jenkins, Influential Journalist And Ego Trip Co-Founder, Dies at 54

Jenkins died of complications stemming from Multiple System Atrophy.

Influential journalist and filmmaker Sacha Jenkins has died. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that the cultural legend who co-founded the 1990s magazine Ego Trip, died due to health complications May 23 at 54.

Jenkins’s cause of death was confirmed by his wife, fellow journalist Raquel Cepeda. On the morning of May 23, Jenkins suffered from multiple system atrophy, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects both the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous system.

Jenkins, a Philadelphia native, built a long and diverse career in journalism through his passion for culture and the arts. His career took off when he launched Graphic Scenes & Xplicit Language, credited as one of the first magazines focused on graffiti art.

Later in life, he partnered with his longtime friend, Elliott Wilson, who would continue working in journalism and television, to start the hip-hop newspaper Beat Down. Jenkins and Wilson’s next major project was the iconic Ego Trip, a magazine that blended hip-hop culture with skateboarding.

Though originally born in Philadelphia, Jenkins was raised and shaped in New York City. He moved to Queens in the late 1970s to put his finger to the pulse of hip-hop, where it was truly taking off. In the epicenter of the city, graffiti and skateboarding were both emerging as popular mediums of expression.

In a 2024 interview with Idea Generation, Jenkins explained, “It was very important for me to be directly involved, because I learn from hip-hop, from hardcore, from graffiti, whatever. Being a practitioner, being involved, or understanding these cultures and subcultures has always been very germane to my evolution. Having that experience really helped me navigate the world at large.”

Jenkins had a prolific creative career. In journalism, he began by writing underground zines, but continued writing and editing for major magazines such as Vibe, Rolling Stone, and Spin. Most recently, he was the creative director at Mass Appeal.

Over the years, he engaged in telling and poignant interviews with big-name artists from different musical backgrounds, wrote several books centering on graffiti, created an off-Broadway play, and directed multiple films.

As a filmmaker, Jenkins was also a force in the industry. Most recently, he produced the documentary “Louis Armstrong’s Black & Blues” and still has a new film on the way called “Harley Flanagan: Wired for Chaos,” which focuses on the life of legendary Cro-Mags bassist and frontman.

Jenkins directed multiple notable films, including “Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James” in 2021, “Fresh Dressed” in 2015—which takes a dive into the history of Hip-Hop fashion—”All Up in the Biz” in 2023, a documentary about rap legend Biz Markie, and a 2019 four-part series on the “Wu-Tang Clan, Of Mics and Men.” Some of Jenkins’s other credits include: “Everything’s Gonna Be All White,” “Around The Way,” “Supreme Team,” “Generation Dead: The Walking Dead Fan Documentary,” “You’re Watching Video Music Box,” “Rolling Like Thunder,” “Cypress Hill: Insane in the Brain,” and “City Girls Point Blank Period.”

Tabitha Brown, Target — Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

by Mary Spiller

May 24, 2025

Tabitha Brown Claps Back At Haters: ‘No Amount Of Hate Will Stop Me From Uplifting Black Creators’ As Target Boycott Impacts Authors

Emmy winner Brown called out haters over her video on the Target boycott’s impact on Black authors and businesses.

Emmy-winning actress, entrepreneur, and author Tabitha Brown took to Instagram to speak on the discourse surrounding her opinions on the Target boycott. On May 20, the 46-year-old internet personality dropped a video to respond to those hating on her for her previous statements, and to encourage others to combat the negative impact that the boycott is having on Black authors whose books are sold on the retailer’s shelves.

As a well-known advocate for Black authors, Black-owned businesses, and creatives, Brown had previously warned people to be mindful of the Target boycotts, as it would negatively impact many Black authors as well as big businesses.

The “Donna’s Recipe” haircare brand founder began by addressing the online users sending her hate messages in her recent Instagram video, “This is my prayer for you. I pray that love finds you, true love. I pray it finds you and it holds you tight,” she began.

Brown continued, “I pray that someone will love you enough to see you, to see you when you are not well, to see you when you need true support, to see you when you need compassion, to see you when you need kindness. I pray that somebody loves you enough to sacrifice their life for you. I pray that type of love finds you so that you can understand.”

Brown echoed her own sentiments in the caption of the video as well. The vegan food influencer wrote, “To all the people in the comments and my DMS with your uneducated hate messages…There is no amount of hate and ignorance that is going to stop me from using my platform and my voice to support and uplift small businesses, Black-owned businesses, Black content creators, and Black authors.”

Brown confirmed that she would not stop speaking out about the Target boycott and its impact on Black authors and that she will continue to inspire others to find ways to support them in the deficit.

“Take it up with God because he gave me my voice, he blessed me with a platform, and I’m going to use it,” Brown concluded.

Previously, Brown took a deep dive into how the Target boycott — launched at the beginning of this year in response to the retailer’s rolling back its DEI initiatives under President Trump’s new federal framework — has impacted the landscape of Black authorship.

Brown reflected that since the beginning of the boycott, many Black authors have been struggling to get a reaction behind their books, with many people no longer shopping at Target, where they are sold.

Brown explained, “Target is a huge book retailer, right, that sells our books, and so because of the boycott, many of our Black authors’ books did not sell well because people were not purchasing the books because they’re sold at Target.

“This affected their sales. It affected their ability to be on the New York Times bestseller list. But the bigger issue is that it also affects the next deal.”

Brown encouraged people engaging in the boycott to be “mindful” of the more nuanced repercussions of not shopping at Target, and recommended supporting these Black authors by buying through other channels to help them “make their numbers.”

Brown also directly addressed publishers on her platform, urging them not to hold the sales of their Black authors during these past months of boycott as “truth” to their selling power.

“These numbers are not reflecting … their truth,” the actress expressed. “They’re talented writers with beautiful stories, and they’re being affected by something that they did not do.”

Brown has been receiving pushback since she spoke up in defense of Black-owned businesses and Black authors near the beginning of the Target boycott. According to previous reports, many did not receive her message to consider the Black business owners and creatives affected by the boycott kindly.

Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-man-sitting-at-his-desk-in-the-office-10376252/

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 24, 2025

Jordan Brand’s Larry Miller Redefines Second Chances For Formerly Incarcerated Through A Workforce And Education Initiative

Miller launched the Justice and Upward Mobility Project (JUMP) to push the formerly incarcerated to the top of hiring managers and chief human resources officers’ pool of resumes.

Jordan Brand Chairman Larry Miller announced a new initiative that gives second chances to formerly incarcerated persons with criminal pasts–just like him.

With the help of his daughter, Laila Lacy, Miller launched the Justice and Upward Mobility Project, also known as JUMP, to push the formerly incarcerated to the top of hiring managers’ and chief human resources officers’ pools of resumes. Known as a highly ignored demographic, Miller uses his story of being rejected by the then-Big Eight public accounting firm Arthur Andersen when he tells the hiring manager the truth about his past.

Years prior, Miller had spent time in a juvenile correction center for his role in the death of another teenager whom he mistakenly thought was from a rival gang. After fighting for years to turn his life around, Miller was concerned his secret would get out. “Every day I’m worried that somehow the story is going to get out and it’s going to destroy everything that I had built up to that point,” he remembered while speaking at Fortune’s Workplace Innovation Summit.

The work of JUMP is targeted at correcting this wrong while living in digital days, making it harder for the past to be hidden. Supported by corporate partners like NBCUniversal, Cisco, Jobs for the Future, and the Corporate Coalition of Chicago, according to Forbes, the initiative focuses on four pillars of education and employment: advocacy and policy, media and narrative, and coalition building.

The first pillar of education and employment focuses on creating workforce development programs that showcase opportunities to youths and adults still tied up in the justice system. Data from the Harvard Business Review showed that persons who once spent time behind bars have a 77% chance of returning between two and three years — but not without a trade. The number drops to 30% if that formerly incarcerated person learns a skill, and decreases to 6% if they obtain a bachelor’s degree.

While encouraging participants to foster relationships with employers in the sports, entertainment, and business fields, Miller’s JUMP is committed to working with local, state, and federal policymakers to curate supportive legislation geared toward education and workforce development. It will also help limit barriers for people with arrest records to gain employment, hence giving second chances to those labeled with a negative perception.

To the former Portland Trailblazer president, the data proves that there is a space for the formerly imprisoned to thrive. “To me, that’s a clear indication that if people are able to learn a trade, get an education—do something that allows them to rebuild their life, take care of their families, and get back to their communities, people don’t go back to jail,” he said. “That should be the goal.”

RELATED CONTENT: Jordan Brand Unveils Jordan Melo 10

Twin Sisters,Luxury, RVA, Open-Air Cruisers — Photo by Louis de Gonzague Kubwimana: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-t-shirt-driving-a-car-9350305/

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 24, 2025

Twin Sisters Turn Love Of Luxury Cars Into RVA’s Hottest Ride: How The Olivers Built A Open-Air Cruisers Empire

Twin sisters behind Richmond’s premier Slingshot rental company celebrate the resilience of Black women.

The 25-year-old twin sisters behind Virginia’s RVA Hot Wheelz are revealing the keys to their success in a male-dominated industry rarely navigated by women their age.

It’s been three years since Destiny and Dashia Oliver turned their passion for luxury vehicles into a thriving business with the 2022 launch of RVA Hot Wheelz, Richmond’s premier rental company featuring eye-catching, three-wheeled Slingshots with open cockpits for thrill-seeking riders. With a unique service offering, the Oliver sisters quickly found success, something they attribute to staying laser-focused on their business model and showing resilience as Black women entrepreneurs.

“The number one thing was tuning out the outside noise and focusing on what we were building. We seen the vision,” Destiny told WTVR, in a business profile.

“RVA Hot Wheels is proof that Black women can do anything. RVA Hot Wheels is resilience. RVA Hot Wheels is community. We are RVA Hot Wheels,” the sisters said.

Dashia, who Destiny says is the “critical thinker” of the pair, recalls the hard work and attention that went into deciding to launch the rental company.

“I was always interested in luxury cars,” Dashia shared. “We did a lot of research. We seen that there were no slingshot rental companies out here. And we were like, Why not us?”

Driven by passion for their brand, the Oliver sisters started with just one Slingshot, but operated as though they had a fleet of 10. As of 2025, they manage at least 13 Slingshot vehicles and run multiple pop-up locations.

“You can visit the beach, you can visit DC, you can go anywhere within our units,” Dashia said.

“I look for each customer to take when they leave this company is just take a sense of relief, like being able to let loose, let back, and really enjoy the ride,” said Destiny.

As their business continues to flourish, it’s earning recognition from the local Richmond community. With the added attention, the twin sister entrepreneurs remain committed to building RVA Hot Wheelz into an empire of exotic rides while inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

“Believe in your head that you can do anything, no matter what it may look like, no matter who may support you,” Dashia said. “You literally can do anything. If you put your mind to it.”

Dr. Betty Stewart, Hampton University — (Photo: The HBCU Advocate)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 24, 2025

11-Year-Old Daughter Of Hampton University Alum Performs HBCU Dance Tribute

The daughter of a former Hampton University T Force dancer honored her mother and HBCU culture in a video tribute.

The 11-year-old daughter of a proud HBCU alum let her child shine in a video performance that pays tribute to the vibrant spirit of HBCU culture through dance.

Dancer Harley J shared a video on May 21 in response to a challenge from Triple 7 Dance Studio to showcase what inspires her to dance. Drawing inspiration from her mother, a former dancer, Harley brought HBCU culture to life by portraying 12 different characters at a spirited football game, capturing the energy and essence of the experience.

“Why do I dance? Let me show you,” Harley says to the camera at the start of the video.

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A post shared by Harley J✨✨ (@welcome_to_harleywood)

Clips feature the young dancer embodying various iconic figures from an HBCU homecoming, including marching band members, dancers, football players, spirited fans, and even older alums playfully questioning if the dancers are wearing stockings. Throughout the performance, Harley holds up signs that reflect her journey and inspiration for dance, with each character representing a cherished part of the HBCU tradition.

“Dance is art!!” one sign reads as Harley is dressed as a crowd member.

“Dance is fun!!” says another.

Harley shared more about her love for the art form within her caption.

“I dance because I love to express myself, and it brings me so much joy,” she wrote. “Dance is also part of my history, and I choose to celebrate it. I train in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, and contemporary—but what I love most is how dance tells a story and how it makes people feel something.”

With her mom proudly representing Hampton University and the Ebony Fire Dance Team dance team, Harley donned her mom’s 2002 uniform and showcased classic majorette moves. Viewers praised the performance, celebrating Harley’s talent and the authentic HBCU spirit she brought to life.

“This is our Future!!!” one HBCU alum wrote.

“Magnificent!!! Like Mother Like Daughter !!!! She’s a natural talent, and I love it !!!!” added someone else.

Harley expressed hopes for more shares of the video, which is part of a contest that could earn her a free year of dance classes if she wins.

RELATED CONTENT: Myles Garrett Donates $25K To Hampton University

Jussie Smollett, new film, The Lost Holliday, Vivica A. Fox — Photo by Dominick D, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 24, 2025

Actor Jussie Smollett To Pay $50K To Chicago Charity As Part Of Hate Crime Hoax Settlement

Jussie Smollett has finally reached a settlement with the city of Chicago, and looks "onward" to putting the alleged hate crime hoax behind him.

Jussie Smollett has agreed to pay $50,000 to a Chicago-based charity to settle a lawsuit the city filed over his alleged hate crime hoax.

The settlement, reached on May 22, allows Smollett to resolve the lawsuit by donating $50,000 to Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts, an organization that supports Chicago’s underprivileged youth, BBC reports. The donation is significantly lower than the $130,000 the city of Chicago initially sought to recoup its investigation costs.

“The city believes this settlement provides a fair, constructive, and conclusive resolution, allowing all the parties to close this six-year-old chapter and move forward,” a spokesperson for the law department said in a statement.

The agreement marks the end of a six-year legal battle after Smollett claimed he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in 2019. In a case marked by dramatic twists, Smollett was ultimately charged with filing a false police report about the alleged hate crime, an accusation he has consistently denied.

Although the charges were eventually dropped, the Empire actor has consistently professed his innocence and denied that the attack was fake. Following the settlement, Smollett shared a lengthy statement on social media reaffirming his stance and voicing his support for the $50,000 donation to the Chicago-based charity.

“Over six years ago, after it was reported I had been jumped, city Officials in Chicago set out to convince the public that I willfully set an assault against myself. This false narrative has left a stain on my character that will not soon disappear,” Smollett said. “These officials wanted my money and wanted my confession for something I did not do. Today, it should be clear. They have received neither.”

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The actor continued. “After repeatedly refusing to pay the city, I was presented with an opportunity to make a charitable donation in exchange for the case being dismissed. Despite what happened there politically, Chicago was my home for over five years and the people became my family. Therefore, making a donation to benefit Chicago communities that are too often neglected by those in power will always be something I support.”

trump, black pastor — The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

by Sharelle B. McNair

May 24, 2025

Analysts Feel Trump’s Tariffs Won’t ‘Make Manufacturing Jobs Great Again’ In The U.S.

While President Donald Trump made pledges during his campaign trail to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S., a new report from Wells Fargo economists predicts that tariffs won’t make it easy, calling it an “uphill battle,” Business Insider reports.

The report highlights Trump’s move doesn’t attribute to growth in the manufacturing field. There are factors like low factory job growth, high labor costs, the limitations of skilled workers to fill vacant positions, and limited population growth, given lower fertility rates and slower immigration. The employment rate for US-based manufacturing sits at 12.8 million, a massive drop from its 1979 peak of 19.5 million.”An aim of tariffs is to spur a durable rebound in US manufacturing employment,” Wells Fargo analysts wrote.

“However, a meaningful increase in factory jobs does not appear likely in the foreseeable future, in our view.”

Tariffs played a large part in Trump’s economic agenda in hopes of reviving a pathway for manufacturing to become steady in the U.S. The goal was to increase import costs in hopes of incentivizing companies to make goods stateside. “Jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country,” Trump said during his April 2 tariff announcement. “And ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers.”

However, his plan has turned more into a bullying strategy, starting a trade war with countries like China and American companies like Apple. According to the Associated Press, the 47 ofth president threatened the tech conglomerate with 25% tariffs on products if they failed to produce iPhones in the U.S.: “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”

Tariffs across the board are sitting at 10% in addition to 30% in duties on China, which keeps their current level of duties at the highest they have been since the 1940s. Analysts from Wells Fargo did the math on what needs to happen in order to make Trump’s plan a reality — but it’s a long shot. “In order for manufacturing employment to return to its historic peak, we estimate at a minimum $2.9 trillion in net new capital investment is required,” the report revealed.

“Assuming businesses are willing and able to invest such ample sums, questions over staffing remain.”

Experts estimate it would take the addition of approximately 6.7 million jobs for America to get back to its manufacturing glory days, but that number is the same figure of unemployed citizens, with the gaps outweighing the reality.