by Sharelle B. McNair

January 23, 2025

Keisha Lance Bottoms Plans Return To Georgia Politics, Eyes Governor’s Seat

Think Georgia is ready for Lance Bottoms to take over?

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is ready to return to Georgia’s political sector—possibly as the next state governor after her time in the Biden-Harris administration, WSB-TV reports.

After a public back-and-forth on social media with President Donald Trump, Lance Bottoms says she is putting that in the past as she looks forward to helping the Peach State.

“When I left the mayor’s office, I always said, ‘Never say never,’” Bottoms said. And she isn’t talking about serving just Atlanta. Bottoms has bigger things in mind.

“Well, there will be a governor’s race on the ballot,” she suggested.

As Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp can’t run for a third term, there is room on the ballot for a new GOP and Democratic candidate.

With a lengthy and impressive political resume, people wonder if Georgia is ready for a female governor and a woman of color. State Congresswoman Stacey Abrams ran for the position against Kemp twice, falling in defeat. However, when asked if she thinks the state is ready for such leadership, she responded, “Absolutely.”

Lance Bottoms said she was taken aback by Trump’s social media stunt alleging she was “fired” from her position as a senior advisor for former President Joe Biden. His message came in the middle of the night hours after he was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. “I said… oh, he thinks he fired me too,” Lance Bottoms said. “So I was quite tickled to see one, the president of the United States is thinking of me the day after his historic inauguration at 1:30 a.m.”

The caveat to his move was that the former mayor had already submitted her resignation on Jan. 4, leaving her post effective Jan. 20, the day of Trump’s inauguration.

On his Truth Social app, the indicted commander-in-chief included Lance Bottoms in a group of White House officials he declared no longer employed, including chef Jose Andres, Retired U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley, and Brian Hook, who served under Trump during his first term, according to 11 Alive.

“I don’t know why Donald Trump singled me out at 1:30 a.m. following his historic inauguration,” she said.

“I’d like to think that I’m in great company, but I can’t begin to tell you why President Trump does any of the things that he does.”

Despite her viewpoints on the new president, Lance Bottoms hopes for the best with the new administration. She points out that she will be watching to see if he keeps some of his campaign promises, like reducing inflation, the immigration influx, and ending the war in Ukraine.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 23, 2025

Death Row Co-Founder ‘Harry O’ Defends Snoop Dogg’s Performance For Donald Trump

According to the cofounder of Death Row Records, Snoop is 'a nonpolitical guy.'

After performing at an event honoring President Donald Trump on Jan. 17, Snoop Dogg angered many people. But the man who helped start Death Row Records, Michael “Harry O” Harris, is defending Snoop, perhaps the label’s biggest artist.

Fans have been in an uproar ever since it was revealed that Snoop would perform at Crypto Ball in Washington, D.C. He did take the stage, along with Nelly, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy.

TMZ spoke to Harry O, who had his sentence commuted by Trump, with the assistance of Snoop as the former president left office in January 2021.

According to The New York Post, at the time Snoop Dogg said, “That’s great work for the president and his team on the way out. They did some great work while they was in there and they did some great work on their way out.”

The Death Row Records co-founder was imprisoned for over 30 years on drug trafficking and murder charges.

Harry O told TMZ that he and Snoop spoke about the Crypto Ball backlash.

“I mean, like, Snoop is appreciative, just like I am and my family for what Donald Trump did for me and my family by letting me out. But at the same time, Snoop is a nonpolitical guy. I mean he’s America’s favorite. He didn’t want to get mixed up into the politics and so he kind of kept who he who he felt should be the president to himself and whoever became the president, he wants to support them.”

He added that Snoop has been a pillar in the community, donating his time and money, particularly with the youth through his football league.

“And now to be bastardized because he made a choice to do something and to do it at the inauguration with our new president. You know, there were people who were flat out calling Snoop a sellout and that he sold out not just himself, but hip-hop in general by doing this.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 23, 2025

Al Sharpton Wonders Why A$AP Rocky Only Received 4 Black Jurors For His Assault Trial

Rev. Al Sharpton criticizes the underrepresentation of Black people on A$AP Rocky's jury.

Rev. Al Sharpton is raising concerns about the lack of Black jurors in A$AP Rocky’s upcoming trial for assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

The Grammy-nominated rapper is headed to trial after pleading not guilty to felony charges and rejecting a plea deal. However, Sharpton has learned that out of 106 people selected to possibly serve as jurors, only four were Black.

“It has been brought to my attention, by the National Action Network Los Angeles office, that out of one hundred and six (106) people called to potentially sit as jurors in A$AP Rocky’s trial in Los Angeles, there are only 4 black people,” Sharpton tweeted on Wednesday.

“I have been closely in touch with A$AP Rocky’s friends, and though I do not know the particulars of the trial, I do know he deserves to be judged fairly by his peers, as is his Constitutional right.”

It has been brought to my attention, by the National Action Network Los Angeles office, that out of one hundred and six (106) people called to potentially sit as jurors in A$AP Rocky’s trial in Los Angeles, there are only 4 black people.

I have been closely in touch with A$AP…
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) January 22, 2025

Jury selection began Tuesday at Los Angeles County Superior Court for Rocky’s trial (real name Rakim Mayers), two years after his LAX arrest. The rapper is charged with two counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm stemming from a November 2021 incident involving A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli (Terell Ephron).

Ephron has also filed a civil lawsuit against Mayers and his lawyer, Joe Tacopina, alleging defamation. According to reporter Meghann Cuniff, Rocky rejected a plea deal offering 180 days in jail, choosing instead to go to trial. His lawyer stated that the rapper is eager to “tell his story.”

Now, amid the jury selection, Sharpton is calling out the lack of “fair and representative” jurors for the father of two.

“It is absolutely ridiculous that the jury will be not fair and representative, so as to deprive A$AP Rocky of a fair trial,” Sharpton added in his tweet. “When we have four (4) black people in the city of Los Angeles, out of one hundred and six (106) — and exactly zero (0) within in the first thirty (30) possible candidates for the jury — something appears to be very wrong with the system.”

Sharpton continued. “I am monitoring this trial and challenging the Los Angeles District Attorney to ensure that fair and representative justice is afforded to A$AP Rocky.”

Judge Mark Arnold stated at a pretrial hearing his intention to expedite jury selection.

“I will let the jurors know that regardless of who a defendant is, whether they’re the richest person in the world or the poorest person, everybody is to be treated the same,” he said.

If convicted, A$AP Rocky faces up to nine years in prison.

by Kandiss Edwards

January 23, 2025

Video Comparison Reveals White Woman Pastor Ripping Off T.D. Jakes Sermon Bar For Bar

Social media users noticed the particular sermon actually belonged to Jakes.

A white woman pastor is being called out on social media for allegedly stealing a sermon from Bishop T.D. Jakes and claiming it as her own.

Pastor Christina Java, a visiting speaker at Kingdom Embassy Church in New York on Dec. 15, shared a clip of her fiery sermon.

Java credited Prophet Passion Java, the founder of Kingdom Embassy Church, for her ability to deliver the performance, but social media users quickly pointed out that the credit for this particular sermon actually belongs to Jakes.

The popular Texas bishop gave the exact sermon during one of his Woman Thou Art Loosed services in 2000. Instagram account Only Saints posted a comparison of both sermons to highlight the similarities. In both depictions, parishioners are seen standing, waving their hands and shouting in agreement.

“This is my moment, this is my time, and no devil in hell is going to stop it!” Java yelled to a cheering crowd in her footage.

A moment later, the clip shifts to Jakes’ original sermon during the Woman Thou Art Loosed conference. The comparison shows multiple instances where Java copies Bishop Jakes’ words and physical gestures.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Only Saints (@onlysaints.__)

Christina Java’s spiritual father and mentor, Prophet Passion Java, is the founder of Kingdom Embassy Church.

Passion Java’s website reveals he may be the spiritual father to many, as his mentoring services are available for purchase. For the low price of $26.99, anyone can access multiple online courses to aid them in their spiritual leadership journey. The professor and his wife, Lily Java, offer informative sessions such as “How to Be a Millionaire Foundation” and “How to Be Effective in Ministry–Being Born Again.”

The Zimbabwean businessman’s empire is vast. His portfolio boasts 33 Kingdom Embassy churches around the world. According to his website, Passion Java has “the ability to see and interact with angels.” He spreads his expertise and knowledge of the Word of God through a premium membership offered on his website.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 23, 2025

Meet The Woman Whose Program Helps Black-Owned Businesses Get Government Contracts

Lori Smith, founder and CEO of Acu-Elligent LLC, a leading Black-owned business coaching and management consulting firm, has launched a program called GovCon Revenue to help other Black entrepreneurs get access to federal government contracts.

Lori Smith, Founder and CEO of Acu-Elligent LLC, a leading Black-owned business coaching and management consulting firm, has launched a program called GovCon Revenue to help other Black entrepreneurs get access to federal government contracts. Based in Savannah, Georgia, Lori brings over 41 years of invaluable experience in federal service to this groundbreaking initiative.

“Our goal with GovCon Revenue Strategy is to level the playing field for small businesses in government contracting,” she comments. “We’re providing the insider knowledge and proven strategies that can transform a small business into a successful government contractor.”

She has also announced the release of GovCon Revenue Strategy: The Ultimate Guide for Small Businesses to Win Higher-Priced Contracts, a comprehensive guide that aims to revolutionize how small businesses, particularly minority-owned enterprises, approach and succeed in the federal contracting marketplace.

Key Features of GovCon Revenue Strategy:

• A step-by-step roadmap for navigating the complexities of government contracts

• Strategies for identifying hidden opportunities and leveraging set-aside programs

• Techniques for building valuable relationships with agency contacts

• Guidance on crafting winning proposals that justify premium pricing

Impact and Vision

This initiative represents Acu-Elligent’s commitment to empowering small businesses to thrive in the $700 billion federal marketplace. By sharing her expertise gained from overseeing a $128 billion contract portfolio, Smith aims to help small businesses overcome common challenges and position themselves as valuable partners to government agencies.

Learn more about the company at its official website, AcuElligent.com

About

Founded by Lori Smith, Acu-Elligent LLC is a business coaching and management consulting firm dedicated to helping companies successfully navigate the complexities of federal contracting. With a team of seasoned experts, the company provides mentorship, training, and strategic guidance to businesses seeking to grow in the government contracting sector.

For press inquiries, contact info@acuelligent.com.

This news first appeared on Blacknews.com

by Sharelle B. McNair

January 23, 2025

New WNBA Champion Partnership Helps Mela Vitamins Address The Importance Of Black Women’s Health Journey

Did you know vitamin D deficiency correlates to all these issues?

Black-owned health brand Mela Vitamins announced a partnership with WNBA champions Azurá Stevens and Dana Evans to highlight the importance of women of color starting a wellness journey, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The Los Angeles Sparks and Chicago Sky players join Mela as brand ambassadors and investors with a shared passion for encouraging women and young girls of color on the power of nutrition and wellness. Mela Founder and CEO Ashley Harmon referred to Stevens and Evans as “incredible role models” and celebrated the partnership for such an important mission.

“More than 80% of Black women are vitamin D deficient, a condition linked to double the rates of heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and type 2 diabetes,” Harmon said.

“This partnership is about creating impactful solutions to address these health disparities while empowering our communities to prioritize their health and wellness. Azurá and Dana are incredible role models, and we’re honored to have them champion our mission.”

The creator of the first multivitamin specifically designed for the needs of women of color, Daily Essentials, came up with the concept after years of struggling with vitamin D deficiency. Knowing firsthand how vitamin deficiency can affect the performances of WNBA players and the everyday Black woman, Harmon hopes that working with these basketball champions will break down barriers and help combat the inequality in women’s health. Wellness is so much more than physical health; it’s about equity, access, and community,” Harmon continued.

Stevens shared similar sentiments, reflecting on noticing how much the right resources can make a difference in your game. “As an athlete, I’ve seen firsthand how access to the right resources can make all the difference in achieving your full potential,” the WNBA power forward said.

“Black women deserve wellness solutions designed specifically for them, and that’s why I’m proud to partner with Mela Vitamins. This partnership is about more than just supplements—it’s about advancing health equity, empowering our community, and giving Black women the tools they need to thrive.”

The multivitamin was curated with years of research and focus groups to address the health disparities epidemic against women of color. According to Nutra Ingredients USA, the formula holds a higher dosage of vitamin D3, B12, magnesium, and folate — nutrients that many women of color, specifically Black women, lack.

“Vitamin D deficiency is so common among Black women because melanin reduces the skin’s ability to absorb vitamin D from sunlight,” the founder noted.

“This deficiency is so crucial, as it is linked to double the rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and breast cancer.”

With products like Daily Essentials, Mela Vitamins is setting a new standard for inclusivity in the industry. The brand’s product line also provides resources addressing other growing health concerns, including hormonal imbalance, blood sugar management, and stress reduction.

veteran, war of 1812, South Carolina Gravesites

by Mitti Hicks

January 23, 2025

Planning Commission Approves Construction On Possible Gravesites Of Enslaved People In South Carolina

The Anderson County planning commission gave the green light on the project with a 7-0 unanimous vote.

Leaders in South Carolina have approved plans to move forward with a housing construction project on a property residents believe to be gravesites for enslaved people.

The Anderson County Planning Commission unanimously approved the project with a 7-0 vote. The approval comes months after a judge stopped Spano & Associates, Inc.’s plans to build more than 100 homes on the former Rivoli Plantation in South Carolina, where dozens of gravesites are reported.

It’s a blow for some residents who went the extra mile to review the site.

At Least 15 Gravesites Found on South Carolina Property

“When those slaves died, they just took them out behind the barn along where the creek is, and they buried them,” Deacon Albert Simmons of New Holly Missionary Baptist Church told local outlet WSPA. “Those bodies are still there. Our slaves, our ancestors are still there.”

Fox Carolina reports resident Stanley Hix hired an archaeologist after the judge overseeing the case gave him 10 days in October to find evidence of gravesites. The developer reportedly also conducted its own search. Hix told the outlet at least 15 graves were found.

“The search of the property by me and the companies I hired found enslaved graves on the property,” said Hix.

“The search done by the developer in the summer of 2024 did not find any burial grounds.”

According to Esri, from the start of slavery in 1619 until emancipation, plantation owners set aside marginal plots for burial sites of enslaved people. Nearly a century after the Civil War, Black families also faced restrictions on burial locations because of laws that supported racial segregation.

Because of that, communities nationwide are rediscovering forgotten and lost Black cemeteries. Many sites are uncounted, unprotected, and rarely documented on maps.

Hix, a lifelong resident and landowner in Anderson County, has suggested taking the matter back to the courts.

“We’ll be back before the judge and we’ll let him decide if what they come up with in this decision is just or not. I don’t think the judge is going to be very happy with the county, or the developer for their actions,” said Hix. “They’ll be consequences.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 23, 2025

Pharrell’s Latest Louis Vuitton Sneaker Resembles An Old School Classic

The men's creative director of Louis Vuitton is going back to the 1980s.

If you were a fan of the classic Nike Cortez, then Pharrell Williams has a new Louis Vuitton sneaker that you may want to check out.

According to Sneaker Bar Detroit, the fashionable recording artist and Men’s Creative Director for Louis Vuitton, has revealed the ButterSoft sneaker, which bears a strong resemblance to the Nike sneakers that were popular in the 1980s urban space.

The collection was displayed on Instagram through his skateboard account, which displays Pharell’s many creative stylings.

The photo displays many colors and seems to use various “skins” of the sneakers, including leather and canvas while showing off the famous LV that signifies the excellence of the brand. There are more than 40 different colorways for the footwear.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @skateboard

The ButterSoft sneakers are expected to launch as a part of Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection later this year.

Pharrell’s reputation in fashion rivals his reputation in music. In November 2024, GQ announced that the Virginia native as the publication’s Designer of the Year. f Louis Vuitton named him to replace the beloved and ultra-talented Virgil Abloh, who died in November 2021.

He has his hands on many items and campaigns with Louis Vuitton, which gives him the freedom to tap into his creativity that isn’t solely based on his music, which has been enjoyed by millions. He appreciates being able to utilize his talents and has to be reminded by the brand that he is “supposed to be in this position.”

Also in that interview with GQ‘s Will Welch, Pharrell said that the best day of the Louis Vuitton job has been every day.

Guess you could say he’s “happy,” huh?

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 23, 2025

Children Of Alabama State Alumni Launch Scholarship For HBCU To Honor Parents

For the Davises, attending Alabama State University was truly a family affair.

The children of two Alabama State University alumni have launched a scholarship for the HBCU in honor of their parents.

The late Warren L. Davis, III, and his wife, Dr. Tyna D. Davis, have been longtime supporters of the HBCU that educated them. Now, their legacy will live on at the institution through an endowment scholarship established in their name.

Dr. Wartyna Davis and her brother, Dr. Warren L. Davis, IV, decided to honor their parents at their alma mater after their father’s 2024 death.

“We know that Alabama State is a gem in the state of Alabama and has produced some of the most incredible graduates and alums. We wanted to find a way to honor our parents that is consistent with their lives and invest in the future of ASU students. That’s what their whole career was about—investing in young people,” said Dr. Wartyna Davis in a press release. “ASU graduates are transforming lives across the country. So, it’s important that we keep investing in the institution.”

Just like the Davises, scholarship recipients must major in math or science while demonstrating financial need and academic merit. The scholarship will prioritize applicants with the most financial need.

‘When Dad passed, it all crystallized at that moment as if to say instead of flowers, as a community, let’s all invest in something that will keep moving and keep giving as we move forward,” added Wartyna Davis.

Added Davis IV: “Our parents valued education. We were blessed to have intellectually curious parents who instilled that curiosity in us. Our parents majored in math and science, and we thought supporting students in these majors might help them reach their personal goals.”

His father obtained his bachelor’s in mathematics at ASU, while his mother majored in science. Tyna Davis was as part of the inaugural graduating class for ASU’s doctoral degree program in educational leadership policy and law. Her husband later became a dedicated educator himself, serving as a principal for various schools during his later years.

Of her children’s historic gift, Tyna Davis noted that her children remembered to give back so future generations could receive an education. Before retiring in 2013, she became an instrumental figure in education policy in Alabama.

“The university does a great job preparing its students for careers, and it is so important that we give back, when possible, so other people can have the same opportunities we had,” she said

The scholarship has raised around $20,000 of its $25,000 goal. Donations can be made here.

William McNeil, viral video, Recording The Police

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 22, 2025

Florida Cop Charged After Shooting A Driver With His Own Gun

Arrington said the accidental shooting has made it harder for him to work.

An officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in Florida has been charged with incompetence after a traffic stop late last year ended in a driver being shot with their own gun.

On Jan. 21, the sheriff’s office released bodycam footage of the Dec. 13 incident that injured Jason Arrington, a Black man, who People reported was stopped for running a red light.

Arrington, then 39, told Officer Shaun Lowry, a white man, that he was carrying a gun. Florida law allows for concealed carry of guns, with or without a specific license, if they meet the criteria for having one.

Lowry thanked Arrington for his honesty and told him to exit the vehicle for their safety. As he began to do so, two other officers approached his driver’s side door to remove the gun from a holster on Arrington’s waist.

However, one of the officers, identified as Mindy Cardwell, had difficulty removing the weapon. According to an incident summary, Cardwell “unintentionally placed multiple fingers inside the trigger guard of the firearm, causing the firearm to discharge.”

Officers took Arrington to the side of the road as officers called for backup and tried to stop Arrington’s bleeding ahead of medical personnel arriving at the scene.

Arrington entered the hospital in stable condition, but he revealed at a December press conference that the incident has impacted his ability to work.

“It messed with me as far as me working and stuff,” Arrington said, who works in physical labor. “Certain things in my job I can’t do no more, perform, like getting up on equipment and stuff, different things.”

An investigation into the matter resulted in Cardwell charged with incompetence. She now faces termination proceedings by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.