Pastor Jamal Bryant, Black Friday, Black Business Maket
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 7, 2026

Pastor Jamal Bryant Jokingly Claps Back At Wife’s Ongoing Dress Controversy

Pastor Jamal Bryant wants naysayers to focus on bigger battles within the church community.

Pastor Jamal Bryant, the lead pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, is letting the saints have it over their opinions regarding his wife’s now-infamous formal dress.

The couple sparked controversy when Karri Turner Bryant wore a black and flesh-colored gown worn at the UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Ball in December. Bryant decided to take a lighthearted approach to the conversation on church respectability politics, posting a photoshopped version of their outfits from the evening, including Turner in “church-approved” dress.

“Saints, y’all win… come on @mzkarribaby we now are church approved! Thanks to our new stylist @mannie_35 … Let God ARISE. Happy New Year, everybody. Let’s move forward with the whole armor of God. The kingdom has bigger fish to fry,” captioned the Pastor.

Bryant also aimed to let the conversation die down, emphasizing that the community has bigger issues to address. At his New Year’s Eve service, he called out the “false barometer of holiness” that people have placed on his partner.

But the continued chatter prompted Bryant to make another comment, albeit with more humor, to finally close the chapter.

Others weren’t quite ready to do that. Another clergy critic had harsher words for the pastor’s wife and her choice of attire. COGIC Pastor Bishop Patrick Wooden condemned the outfit, saying Turner looked like a “$2 whore” in the gown.

“And there is nothing classy about that. There’s nothing modest about that,” shared Wooden of Bryant’s defense of the outfit.

Bryant has yet to address Wooden and his remarks directly,.

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ICE, Hampton Inn, federal contract, DEI
by Kandiss Edwards

January 7, 2026

Minnesota Hampton Inn Turns Away Ice Agents And Loses Federal Contract

Hilton, backed ICE, saying its hotels are a "welcoming place for all."

The U.S. General Services Administration has removed a Hampton Inn by Hilton in Lakeville, Minnesota, from its list of approved federal lodging programs.

The move came after the Hampton Inn refused to lodge Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Jan. 5. Administrator of the General Services Administration, Ed Frost, said after the refusal that he investigated the Hilton’s compliance with the GSA FedRooms program and found the establishment lacking.

Frost detailed his findings in an X post. 

“After I was informed that a local Hilton property canceled rooms reserved for @DHSgov ICE, @USGSA immediately reviewed the matter and found the hotel to be in clear violation of its government lodging program requirements. The property has been removed from the programs and booking tools effective immediately. GSA unequivocally supports our federal law enforcement partners.”

The removal means the Minnesota hotel is no longer used in the GSA FedRooms program, which provides discounted accommodations for federal employees and contractors. GSA officials said the decision to refuse service was based on violations of program requirements. 

DHS publicly shared screenshots on social media of what it said were emails from the hotel indicating it would not house “any ICE or immigration agents.”

The DHS did not specify which person in the organization sent the letter. In one message shared by DHS, the sender wrote that reservations for agents would be canceled due to an influx of government bookings.

The agency accused the hotel and its employees of supporting “rapists” and “murderers” because of the refusal. 

“This is UNACCEPTABLE. Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?”

In a statement on X, Hilton Worldwide Holdings said the Lakeville property is independently owned and operated, and that actions did not reflect corporate values. The company reaffirmed its policy of welcoming all guests and emphasized that it does not tolerate discrimination.

Additionally, Hilton said it has removed that Minnesota Hampton Inn from its systems.

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Trump, oil, barrels, Venezuela, canada
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 7, 2026

Trump Brags On Venezuela ‘Giving’ 50M Oil Barrels To U.S. 

The efforts will be led by Energy Secretary Chris Wright who said the country will “indefinitely” sell Venezuelan oil following completion of sale.

President Donald Trump proved all the thoughts from lawmakers about the sudden beef with Venezuela being about oil to be true after announcing the country’s “immediate” transfer of 50 million barrels to the U.S. 

Trump made the announcement Jan. 6, just three days after America woke up to news of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro being captured by U.S. authorities. Forbes reports that the interim authorities of Venezuela, led by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, agreed to provide the oil barrels. Trump bragged about it with a post on his Truth Social platform.

“The oil will be sold at market price, and that money will be controlled by me, as the President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States,” he wrote. 

The efforts will be led by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who said the country will “indefinitely” sell Venezuelan oil after the sale is completed. Wright mirrored sentiments of the president, saying the funds will be “deposited into accounts controlled by the U.S. government” and will then “flow back into Venezuela to benefit the Venezuelan people.”

“Instead of the oil being blockaded, as it is right now, we’re gonna let the oil flow … to United States refineries and around the world to bring better oil supplies, but have those sales done by the U.S. government,” he said while the U.S. took over a Russian-flagged tank with ties to Venezuela, according to Politico. 

“We’re going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela, first this backed-up stored oil, and then indefinitely, going forward, we will sell the production that comes out of Venezuela into the marketplace.” 

Lawmakers assumed the seemingly random rift with the South American country was all about oil, since it has the world’s largest oil reserves, estimated at 300 billion barrels. While some voters would assume the seizure was about drugs, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) alleged early on that that wasn’t the case.

“It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month,” she wrote on X. 

“It’s about oil and regime change. And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from Epstein + skyrocketing healthcare costs.”

Former Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris shared similar thoughts, speaking out for the people over Trump’s definition of democracy. “Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable. That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price,” she wrote. 

“The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to. This is not about drugs or democracy. It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman. If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies.”

While Wright is scheduled to meet with oil industry executives at the White House, with Trump supervising, leaders and analysts warned of the cost of rebuilding Venezuela’s oil fields in full. Industry leaders also allege it will be challenging to get shareholders to make the massive investment when oil fields in other parts of the world offer easier returns.

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Snoop Dogg, exhibit
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 7, 2026

Guest Analyst Snoop Dogg Hilariously Calls NBA Game

Snoop had basketball fans in tears.

Snoop Dogg has once again show why he is so loved after appearing on a recent Los Angeles Clippers-Golden State Warriors NBA broadcast on NBC’s Peacock.

The “Gin & Juice” recording artist, who will helm the microphone at the upcoming Winter Olympics, is known for his slick soliloquies and captivating lyrics. After more than 30 years as a recording artist, Snoop has proven he hasn’t lost a step; in fact, it seems he’s kicked up a few new tricks.

When NBC Sports announced that Snoop would be an analyst for the second half of the Jan. 5 game, alongside analysts Reggie Miller and Terry Gannon, fans geared up. And the man did not disappoint!

Fans reacted to Snoop’s commentary, which was delivered with the rapper’s typical swag. Among the highlights: Snoop’s reaction to Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, a University of Arizona alumnus, being ejected after an emotional outburst toward the referees.

“Back him up, back him up, GP [Gary Payton II, Warriors guard], back him up, Steve,” Snoop shouted. “Steve bangin’ Inglewood right now. Inglewood, G. Steve. You in Inglewood, Steve. The Arizona Wildcat that came out,” with the ‘Murder Was the Case’ emcee growling to add emphasis, as the analysts laughed at Snoop’s reaction.

https://twitter.com/NBAonNBC/status/2008405571972518357

Some X users appreciated the way Snoop handled the ejection.

https://twitter.com/Itachi_On_Chain/status/2008483802486911403
https://twitter.com/Saraboychuk_/status/2008529802605850717
https://twitter.com/StroStudios/status/2008523872363335843
https://twitter.com/TheaCamilleXO/status/2008428613985591701

In February, Snoop will have his hands full. He was recently announced as the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC)’s first-ever honorary coach, a voluntary position to help celebrate and support athletes when they are not competing. Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo are co-hosting the games.

The 2026 Winter Olympics, dubbed Milano Cortina 2026, are taking place in Italy, starting Feb. 6. Snoop will also be behind the mic to provide coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics for the Peacock Network.

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Uncle Nearest , whiskey, fawn weaver, barriers business
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 7, 2026

Uncle Nearest Founders File Civil Lawsuit Against Former CFO Alleging Fraud 

The Weavers claim because of the narrative, they were forced to cancel speaking engagements, which cost them more than $1 million.

Fawn and Keith Weaver, co-founders of the popular Uncle Nearest Whiskey brand, have filed a civil lawsuit against former chief financial officer, Michael Senzaki, over allegations of fraud and abuse of power, The Spirit Business reports.

In a complaint filed in Bedford County Chancery Court, the Weavers claim a massive amount of hidden information came to light following his departure in 2024. Senzaki allegedly abused his position by adjusting invoices to make it look like vendor payments were settled all while redirecting money and forging stock transfer documents using Fawn’s equity without her consent. 

As a result, the company and Weavers individually, suffered personal and financial ridicule. 

The litigation seeks compensatory and punitive damages in accusing the former CFO of abusing his financial authority and trust by hiding liabilities and manipulating financial systems, all while pushing the narrative that the company was thriving during a crucial growth period. 

According to Tullahoma News, due to the abuse of power, the Weavers allege Senzaki constructed a false public narrative to portray the founders as being personally responsible for Uncle Nearest’s corporate debt. 

In July 2025, the company’s main lender, Farm Credit Mid-America, filed a federal lawsuit claiming Uncle Nearest and the Weavers defaulted on over $108 million in loans and breaching loan terms.

In the civil complaint, Fawn and Keith alleged they never personally guaranteed loans with the lender but it was Senzaki and unnamed co-conspirators who encouraged third parties to believe otherwise. 

The Weavers claim because of the narrative, they were forced to cancel speaking engagements, costing them more than $1 million, in addition to freezing almost $9.75 million in funding for Keith’s unrelated business ideas. 

Amid the Weaver’s legal battles, Fawn claims most of the narratives to be a “smear campaign” against her, her husband and the company. During a fireside chat at the October 2025  “Inc. 5000 Conference,” the popular business owner spoke out on the journey of entrepreneurship, saying there will always be a time when it seems things just aren’t working out. 

However, she encouraged the audience to look at the silver lining.

“Every entrepreneur is going to have a moment in time where it looks like all is lost,” Weaver said. “The only difference between those who have been the most successful entrepreneurs in American history and those who have failed are those who gave up in the in between.”

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Menopause
by Mitti Hicks

January 7, 2026

Black Women’s Health Imperative Is Ending The Silence On Menopause

Research shows that Black women tend to enter menopause about 8.5 months earlier than white women and have worse symptoms.

Black women experience menopause differently from white women. Research shows that Black women tend to enter menopause about 8.5 months earlier than white women and have worse symptoms, such as hot flashes, depression, and sleep disturbances. Black women are also less likely to receive hormone therapy and other medical and mental health services.

The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) is saying, enough is enough.

BWHI, the nation’s only national nonprofit solely focusing on the critical health needs of Black women and girls, is bringing perimenopause and menopause to the forefront of the conversation in our communities through its latest initiative, “Power in the Pause.”

“Too often, this transitional stage in life is something that has been shrouded in secrecy or shared. It’s just something we don’t talk about,” Joy D. Calloway, BWHI president and CEO, tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “We want to take this opportunity to redefine what menopause and perimenopause are, redefine this midlife period, and not just survive.”

Power in the Pause has fostered community nationwide. BWHI’s initiative brings women together nationwide for community events where health experts in medicine, nutrition, sexual health, and mental health share research and information for Black women navigating perimenopause and menopause.

BWHI Releases Groundbreaking Study

In 2025, BWHI conducted the largest-ever cross-sectional online survey of U.S.-based Black women aged 30 and older to understand their experiences, needs, and knowledge related to menopause. More than 1,500 Black women responded, representing an educated, insured, and professionally active group with strong earning power and access to care.

A few standout findings from the study include:

  • 43% of Black women report being discriminated against or mistreated when seeking healthcare
  • Black women experience menopause symptoms for an average of nine years —far longer than most expect
  • Even among highly educated, insured women, more than half say they don’t know which recommendations to follow.

“If this group of Black women said they didn’t have enough information, don’t know which recommendations to follow, what about our sisters who aren’t as well educated, formally educated, who aren’t able to be in this higher socioeconomic class?” Calloway says.

“What about these women who don’t have the time to focus on their health because they’re too busy trying to care for children, or working multiple jobs, or trying to make ends meet? That is what struck me.”

Where BWHI Plans To Go From Here

Calloway says BWHI will continue to educate Black women on menopause and perimenopause. Her team will bring “Power in the Pause” events to at least six cities in 2026, along with virtual events.

BWHI also plans to open more conversations about menopause as a workplace and economic issue and help companies understand that menopause can impact productivity and retention. The goal is to educate workplaces so that women’s needs are better met.

Change can only happen when everyone is involved, so BWHI is also working with state legislators in developing policies that support Black women.

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Jasmine Crockett, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Bleach blond bad built butch body
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 7, 2026

Jasmine Crockett Encourages America To Give MTG Grace Despite ‘Cowardly’ Retirement

"At the end of the day, calling it out is so important, so I applaud her for that."

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) wants Americans to extend Majorie Taylor Greene grace for speaking out against President Donald Trump before she retired from Congress this week.

Crockett, who is running for Senate, shared her thoughts on the former Georgia Congresswoman while appearing on ABC’s The View.

“I can only hope that she’s changed. I don’t quite believe it, but I do want people to give her grace to the extent that she is doing something that, honestly, most of the boys are too afraid to do,” Crockett told the co-hosts. “I will give her credit when credit is due. She is willing to call out what is wrong. Now her motivations behind it, who knows … but at the end of the day, calling it out is so important, so I applaud her for that.” 

Greene seemingly did a complete 180 amid the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, fighting for the victims of the convicted sex offender and pushing for the release of the co-conspirators’ names.

She called out Trump and her then Republican colleagues to do more, resulting in Trump starting a smear campaign against her.  

Crockett and Greene were not publicly fans of each other, starting with the viral moment that gave rise to the “Bleach Blonde Bad Built Bleach body” insult and continuing through her retirement.

“I also feel like it’s a bit cowardly, though, to then just quit. Because the heat that she’s facing because she’s on the opposite side of him — imagine what I get,” Crockett said in reference to the personal insults from Trump. 

“You get your protection, you get your detail because of your elected status and caucus,” Crockett added. “You don’t get it because you necessarily have a whole lot of death threats. So, you know, I say good luck to her. I say do better in the future. And I say go and talk to other folk that may be feeling like you, and tell them that he is not the leader that you need in this moment, and even if that means voting for a Democrat, do what is best for this country.”

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Ultra-processed Foods, Mortality, Junk food, Health, ULTRA PROCESSED
by Mitti Hicks

January 7, 2026

STUDY: Ultraprocessed Foods Linked To Mortality In Black Breast Cancer Survivors

In the study, the mortality rate was higher among Black women breast cancer survivors who consumed more ultraprocessed foods.

A new study shows that consuming ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) could be detrimental for Black breast cancer survivors. The study, published in the January issue of eClinicalMedicine, reveals that high consumption could adversely affect breast cancer prognosis.

Researchers from the Rutgers Institute in New Brunswick, New Jersey, examined the UPF-mortality relationships among 1,733 Black women diagnosed with breast cancer between 2005 and 2019. When looking at the mortality rates, researchers identified a total of 394 deaths, 206 of which were breast cancer-related.

These deaths were higher among women who averaged 8.1 servings of UPFs per day compared to women who consumed 2.6 servings each day.

“Maybe it’s too complicated for breast cancer patients to think about how to reduce consumption of ultra-processed foods in general,” Tengteng Wang, an assistant professor at the university, said in a statement. “But we find processed meat is the top worst contributor among all UPF subgroups. So maybe a more detailed takeaway is to avoid this one thing.”

Breast Cancer For Black Women

As researchers point out in the study, breast cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for women in the United States. However, mortality rates remain disproportionately high among Black women. These poor breast cancer outcomes for Black women are due, in part, to the critical gap and priority in cancer research.

There is mounting evidence that suggests an unhealthy diet may significantly worsen cancer outcomes, particularly with UPFs, food products that have undergone extensive industrial processing and contain multiple additives. They also lack adequate nutrients and are highly energy-dense.

Unfortunately, in the United States, UPFs account for roughly 60% of the daily caloric intake nationwide. Consumption has increased significantly over the last two decades, according to researchers.

To limit UPFs, cook at home. Swap sugary snacks with fruit, use whole ingredients, and include more plants, lean proteins, and whole grains in your cooking.

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H-E-B driver, truck, Lakeshia Brown, 19, Myunique Johnson, Taylor White, Breanna Brantley
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 7, 2026

Girlfriends’ Road Trip Turns Tragic After Police Say Truck Driver Was Distracted By Phone

Their families are now seeking legal action against H-E-B and the trucker for negligence.

Four girlfriends returning from a road trip looking to take in Colorado’s mountain views were killed in a crash involving a truck driver who authorities say was distracted by his phone.

Lakeshia Brown, 19, Myunique Johnson, 20, Taylor White, 27, and Breanna Brantley, 30, were driving down US Highway 87 in the Texas Panhandle on Nov. 5 when a trucker contracted with popular grocery chain H-E-B struck their car from behind.

According to a police report obtained by the Daily Mail, the black Nissan Altima swiftly flew into the median, becoming crushed when the 18-wheeler flipped over. The semi-truck’s driver, Guadalupe Daniel Villarreal, also hit the median, was injured.

Villareal was taken to a local hospital for his injuries. He was reportedly distracted by his phone, which prompted the deadly crash.

The report confirmed that the driver, 20-year-old Johnson, was traveling slowly due to a flat tire. Additional footage submitted by another car’s dashcam showed the slow-moving car as the 18-wheeler crashed into it.

The friends’ unexpected deaths have rocked their loved ones’ world. The victims’ families field a $1 million Dec. 23 against H-E-B, its subsidiary Parkway Transport, Inc. and Villarreal for their roles in the fatal crash.

“There are four beautiful girls who are no longer with us; it really is a damn shame,” said Keith Bakker, the families’ lawyer. “What’s even more heartbreaking is that they were coming back from a girls’ trip from Colorado. They were all friends.”

Bakker noted that the flat terrain of Texas gave the 18-wheeler a clear vantage point to see the women’s vehicle driving cautiously, leaving open questions about the severity of the collision.

“It wasn’t hilly, there weren’t obstructions to the view, and unfortunately, that tractor-trailer just violently impacted the back of our client’s vehicle and caused a serious, serious collision,” expressed the attorney.

He added, “When you’re driving an 18-wheeler on flat land, you can see much further ahead of you… You can see it from the video, you don’t even see it [the truck] try to get out of the lane, go to the next lane, or it looks like it didn’t even slow down. This just shouldn’t have happened.”

Although the women could not drive at the speed limit, Bakker emphasized how this does not justify the truck driver’s alleged recklessness.

“18-wheeler drivers, they’re held to a higher standard than that of a normal pedestrian driving around because there are federal rules they are regulated by,” he said. “It doesn’t excuse somebody, not only just to hit somebody, but at such a rate of force that it would cause an 18-wheeler to flip on its side.”

H-E-B has distanced itself as Villareal’s employer.

“The incident involved a third-party vendor driver, not an H-E-B Partner. H-E-B and the contractor are fully cooperating with the investigation,” a spokesperson said.

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Terry Kennedy
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 7, 2026

Skateboarder Terry Kennedy Paroled Months Before End Of 5-Year Prison Sentence

Kennedy was released New Year's Eve

Skateboarder Terry Kennedy is currently on parole after being released from prison after serving a portion of his sentence for an assault that led to the death of another skateboarder, Josiah Kassahun.

According to TMZ, the man known as “Compton-Ass Terry” was released Dec. 31, after being sentenced to spend five years in prison for his role in the assault on Kassahun. Kennedy was arrested in July 2021 after an altercation with the skateboarder and was found guilty of two counts of aggravated battery.

https://twitter.com/TMZ/status/2008244649920467083

Kennedy was also charged with first-degree murder, but the judge acquitted him during the trial. In 2022, after being convicted of the other two charges, he had been sentenced to two five-year sentences, which were “to be served consecutively at 50 percent.”

The media outlet previously reported that, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections, the 40-year-old “was eligible for and received sentence credit,” leading to his release last year.

The incident took place on July 21, 2021, at the Comfort Suites Motel in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. Prosecutors claimed that Kennedy, who was friends with Kassahun, was leaving the motel with him and Kennedy’s former girlfriend.

As they all walked to Kennedy’s vehicle, he became irate, and when Kassahun tried to calm him down, Kennedy punched him in the face. The action caused Kassahun to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement.

Kassahun later died from the punch that preceded the fall. The medical examiner’s office stated that the 23-year-old died from the multiple internal injuries that he suffered because of the incident.

Hip Hop Wired reported that Kennedy worked with fashionista music producer Pharrell Williams and his Billionaire Boys Club fashion label and skate team. He was also a competitor in events such as the X Games.

According to Complex, Kennedy also co-founded the clothing brand Fly Society, and he appeared in several MTV series, including “Viva La Bam,” “Bam’s Unholy Union,” and “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory.”

He will be on parole until June 30, which was his original release date.

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