Jackson State University Honors 2 Students Killed When Cops Shot Up HBCU Dorm 55 Years Ago
The student protests against racial harassment on John R. Lynch Street led to police violence on campus.
Jackson State University is honoring the slain students and survivors in the 55th anniversary of the Gibbs-Green Tragedy.
The killings occurred after months of protests in 1970 against white motorists who harassed and threatened the Black students as they rode through John R. Lynch Street. For years, racism fueled discord on the street, from throwing items at Jackson State students to even hitting a pedestrian.
Inspired by the Black Power movement in the late 1960s, students protested for the closure of Lynch Street on campus. Their non-violent, direct action approach was gaining traction when tragedy struck, impacting the campus forever.
On May 14, 1970, a large dump truck was set aflame on Lynch Street by an unknown individual that evening. Shortly after, Jackson city police and Mississippi highway patrolmen arrived in riot gear. They were accompanied by a “Thompson Tank,” a fully armored personnel carrier bought by and named after Jackson’s segregationist Mayor, Allen Thompson.
Emboldened by a false claim that a sniper shot at them from the 4th floor of a women’s dorm, Alexander Hall, the police began to shoot 400 rounds of bullets in every direction. Eyewitnesses claim a student threw a bottle at the police, with their shootout triggered by the glass breaking at their feet.
In the aftermath, two young men were killed in the police shooting. One of the victims, Philip Lafeyette Gibbs, dreamed of becoming an attorney, studying political science at the HBCU. The other was 17-year-old Philip Green, a high school senior returning home from work.
Dozens more faced bullet wounds and other injuries, but ultimately survived. However, no one was ever charged for the murder of Gibbs and Green.
Their families and other survivors tried suing the city of Jackson and the state of Mississippi. Through this endeavor, they became clients of civil rights attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey. However, they lost the civil suit despite going all the way to the Supreme Court.
To this day, John R. Lynch Street remains closed. Despite this, the Jackson State community was undoubtedly shaken by a tragedy that history seemingly forgot. However, the school and its local community continue to honor the lives lost and those who endured the violent ordeal.
Their stories are remembered through the JSU legacy project. The tragedy and triumph of its survivors are further highlighted in an exhibition, showcasing the students and their loved ones’ resilience in the face of racial violence.
Now, their stories live within and beyond Jackson State, emphasizing that the right to a safe education is a cause worth fighting for.
Created in collaboration with Brazilian jeweler Ara Vartanian, the ARA x MR DEAN collection introduces a new line of everyday jewelry for men, Something About Rocks reports. The inaugural release includes brooches, cufflinks, necklaces, chain bracelets, and two-finger rings that highlight Vartanian’s intricate attention to detail.
Described as “an exploration of structure, boldness, and shared creative language,” the pieces were made “for daily wear, not just formal occasions” to reflect “a modern approach to men’s jewelry.”
The partnership was years in the making, with Swizz first discovering Vartanian‘s work after coming across the jeweler’s signature three-finger rings online. The hip-hop super producer was impressed and reached out directly to commission an emerald suite for his personal collection.
By 2019, Swizz was spotted wearing Vartanian’s designs, igniting a friendship and early conversations about collaborating. Now, six years later, their joint collection for men has officially launched, with future plans to expand into gender-inclusive jewelry design.
What began as an idea for a brooch collection quickly evolved when Vartanian considered Swizz’s fascination with his two-finger rings. Inspired, Vartanian shifted focus to create a custom bespoke two-finger ring crafted with finely tuned precision.
With the two creative mastermind’s putting their ideas together, there’s nothing average about the collection. The bespoke ring was built around a kinetic structure to include a dynamic movement system developed and perfected through multiple prototypes. The results showcase Vartanian’s commitment to both innovation and craftsmanship.
The brooches, developed “early in the collaboration,” have emerged as a standout of the collection. Featuring trillion-cut stones, sleek tubular structures, and bold, angular silhouettes, the pieces embody the striking aesthetic that defines the entire line.
”They express the collection’s architectural essence,” a statement read. “They evolved into bold, graphic statements — central to the visual identity of the project.”
Reuters reports that a preliminary settlement was reached on May 8 in Oakland federal court, covering over 4,000 Google employees in California and New York. It now awaits judicial approval. Despite agreeing to the settlement, Google denied any wrongdoing and maintains that it fully complied with all applicable laws.
“We strongly disagree with the allegations that we treated anyone improperly and we remain committed to paying, hiring and leveling all employees consistently,” Google spokeswoman Courtenay Mencini wrote in an emailed statement.
The lawsuit comes three years after the California Civil Rights Department launched an investigation into Google’s treatment of Black female employees in 2022. The tech giant was accused of fostering a “racially biased corporate culture” where Black employees were steered into lower-level roles, paid less, received lower performance evaluations, and were denied opportunities for advancement.
The lawsuit states that in 2021, Black Google employees made up just 4.4% of the company’s overall workforce and only 3% of its leadership. Plaintiff April Curley, who was hired to strengthen outreach to historically Black colleges, claims she faced repeated discrimination during her six-year tenure.
According to the lawsuit, Curley was denied promotions, labeled an “angry” Black woman, and ultimately fired while she was preparing a report on the company’s alleged racial bias. Additional complaints allege that Google managers spoke down to Black employees, claiming they weren’t “Googley” enough or lacked “Googleyness,” terms the plaintiffs described as racial dog whistles.
Curley and fellow plaintiffs Desiree Mayon, Ronkia Lewis, Rayna Reid, Anim Aweh, and Ebony Thomas will share in the settlement. Attorneys representing the group are expected to request $12.5 million in legal fees for their work on the case. Renowned civil rights lawyer Ben Crump served as one of the lead attorneys.
The settlement comes two months after Google reached a $28 million settlement over racial pay disparities. Under the racial bias agreement, Google will “continue to analyze pay to identify unexplained differences based on race,” and will”maintain well-publicized methods for employees to report concerns related to the terms and conditions of their employment,” the court filing said.
Social Justice Organization Claims Tory Lanez ‘Never Fired The Gun’ That Shot Megan Thee Stallion
United the People says former bodyguard for Kelsey Harris overheard her admitting to shooting Megan The Stallion
After the prison stabbing of Canadian recording artist Tory Lanez was reported, the bodyguard and driver for Megan Thee Stallion’s former best friend, Kelsey Harris, claims that Harris admitted to shooting Megan before Lanez knocked the weapon out of her hand.
According to Fox 11, at a press conference by United the People (a non-profit that fights for social justice), the CEO of the organization, Ceasar McDowell, stated that Lanez did not shoot Megan and that Harris was overheard saying she fired the shots that hit Megan’s foot on that fateful night that eventually led to Lanez being convicted for a crime he always denied he did. With the latest information revealed, they request that Lanez be released from prison and either granted a pardon or given a new trial. They have made a public plea to California Gov. Gavin Newsom to consider.
“We think it’s time. Enough is enough. It’s time to bring the brother home,” said Ceasar McDowell at the briefing.
“Mr. James informed Unite The People that he was a witness to the conversation Ms. Harris had, where she stated she had the gun, she fired it three times,” Roberts shared with reporters. “Mr. Peterson (Lanez) grabbed her arm and knocked it down, and the gun fired two more times. In essence, Mr. Peterson never shot anybody…never even touched that gun. Never fired the gun.”
Lanez has support from various people who spoke at the press conference.
Gianno Caldwell, who was writing an article for The New York Post, revealed some of his findings in his investigation of the trial. He blames the alleged injustice at the trial of former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that Tory Lanez was railroaded by the former district attorney, George Gascón,” Caldwell said.
He stated that it was all a political stunt, and the evidence collected that night was mishandled. There was no DNA linking Lanez to the weapon, and no one else on the scene, including Megan, Harris, and the bodyguard, was tested for gunshot residue. He also stated that the “DNA analysis showed that there was a 0.01% chance the Tory touched the actual gun itself.”
He also questioned why the prosecutors gave Harris immunity or why she pleaded the Fifth Amendment during her testimony at the trial.
Attorney Walter Roberts also spoke and stated that it was Harris who shot her former best friend that night.
“[Harris] fired at [Megan] three times. Mr. Peterson grabbed her arm and knocked it down, and the gun fired two more times. In essence, Mr. Peterson never shot anybody. Never even touched them. He never fired the gun. This statement aligns with the statement of the only non-party witness to the case, Mr. Sean Kelly, who at trial testified he saw two women fighting.”
“There were three potential suspects in the car that night. And yet the only DNA sample was taken of Mr. Peterson, even though unknown DNA was found on the gun.”
Complex reported that Roberts stated that a man named Bradley James spoke to him because his conscience would not allow him to leave a man in prison for something he did not do.”
“Mr. James informed us he was working as the bodyguard and driver for Ms. Kelsey Harris during Mr. Peterson’s trial,” said Roberts during the press conference. “Mr. James informed us he was not under a non-disclosure agreement or a confidentiality agreement and was free to speak with Unite the People and that he was doing it because his conscience would not let him not speak and leave a man in prison for something he did not do.”
Roberts alleged that James told him that a “witness” to a conversation in which Harris admitted she had the gun during the shooting, and that she fired it three times.
Diana London, the CEO of the Secret Weapon Agency, also gave her theory regarding the injustice surrounding the case where Lanez is currently serving a 10-year sentence for a crime he said he did not commit.
“As a woman who has worked in Congress on criminal justice reform, I deeply believe in law and order,” she said. “But I also know the legal system without integrity is no justice. When we get it wrong, when our courts fail the people they’re meant to protect, we don’t just ruin lives, we erode trust in the rule of law itself,” London remarked.
“This isn’t about fame. It isn’t about celebrity. It’s about fairness. Tory Lanez doesn’t want special treatment. He’s demanding equal treatment. And if we Americans still believe in a system where guilty must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, then we must admit this case raises serious concerns because the truth is, Tory Lanez is serving a ten-year sentence for the crime. The evidence laid out here today overwhelmingly suggests he did not commit.”
After attending a party with Megan, Harris, and a bodyguard on the night of July 12, 2020, Megan was shot, and she stated that the Canadian rapper was at fault. He was charged in October 2020 with one felony count each of assault with a semi-automatic firearm (personal use of a gun) and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. When the trial took place in 2022, a jury found Lanez guilty on Dec. 23, 2022, of three charges for shooting Megan in both feet in a dispute between the two.
He is currently recovering after being stabbed 14 times in a prison altercation.
Rumor Has It, Derek Chauvin To Be Pardoned, Minnesota State Leaders Prepare For Civil Unrest
He is expected to be released from state custody in 2035
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and state leaders, including the National Guard, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, are preparing for potential civil unrest following rumors that President Donald Trump is pardoning former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, convicted of killing George Floyd, KSTP reports.
State Attorney General Keith Ellison said that’s not happening: “He still owes Minnesota 22-and-a-half years. And, he’s going to do it either in Minnesota or somewhere, but he’s not getting out,” he said.
Rumor has it that the Minnesota Department of Corrections is preparing to pick Chauvin up from a federal penitentiary in Texas and bring him back to Oak Park Heights Prison in Minnesota to serve the rest of his 22-and-a-half-year sentence.
The rumor is seemingly circulating to everyone but Trump, who, when asked in March about possibly pardoning Chauvin, said, “No, I have not heard about that.”
Walz shared similar sentiments, confirming that the White House hasn’t communicated about Chauvin being pardoned. However, Walz says he will be ready, saying it “behooves” the state to prepare for such acts. “If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional right to do so, whether I agree — and I strongly disagree with him — if he issues that pardon, we will simply transfer Derek Chauvin to serve out his 22-and-a-half years in prison in Minnesota,” Walz said, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.
“So, no indication whether they’re going to do it or not, but I think it behooves us to be prepared for it. With this presidency, it seems like that might be something they would do.”
As the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s death approaches on May 25, Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette is preparing for both celebrations of life and civil unrest. “We’ve heard the same rumors as everyone else–– but the bottom line is that Derek Chauvin would remain behind bars serving his state sentence even if his federal charges are pardoned,“ Barnette said.
“To be clear, we have no credible intelligence about any pardon or planned disruptions here in Minneapolis. Since 2020, we’ve overhauled our emergency management plans and, out of an abundance of caution, are planning for any eventuality.”
Some congress members, like Georgia lawmaker Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, are fueling the rumors. On X, she reposted an article related to the pardon, saying she “strongly” supports Chauvin being pardoned and pushed a narrative that Floyd died of a drug overdose. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) immediately jumped in to correct her. “Marjorie, I know the truth confuses you and facts ain’t your strong suit—so let me break it down real slow,” Crockett said.
“George Floyd didn’t die from drugs. He died because Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for 9 minutes. That’s called murder. We all saw it. You can lie to yourself all day, but the rest of us remember exactly what happened.”
Marjorie, I know the truth confuses you and facts ain’t your strong suit—so let me break it down real slow:
George Floyd didn’t die from drugs. He died because Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for 9 minutes. That’s called murder.
— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) May 14, 2025
Chauvin isn’t expected to be released from federal prison until November 2037. He is scheduled to be released from state custody in December 2035 and then placed on supervised release until 2043.
Claressa Shields Earns A BET Nomination For ‘Sportswoman Of The Year’
The GWOAT’s nomination is well-deserved
Claressa Shields, boxing champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, made history becoming the first female boxer nominated for Sportswoman of the Year at the 2025 BET Awards.
Shields’s groundbreaking nomination places her alongside elite athletes such as Simone Biles, Coco Gauff, Sha’Carri Richardson and A’ja Wilson in the 2025 nominee class.
Shields expressed her excitement in an Instagram post, stating, “OMG I’m the FIRST Woman boxer to Ever be Nominated for Sportswoman of the Year at the @Betawards! Thank you.”
The Olympian’s nomination gives well-deserved acknowledgement to her dominance and dedication in the world of boxing. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist and undisputed champion in multiple weight classes, her achievements have paved the way for greater visibility of women in boxing.
The 2025 BET Awards are set to celebrate their 25th anniversary June 9 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with comedian Kevin Hart returning as host. The annual event will honor achievements across music, television, film, and sports, highlighting the best talents in Black entertainment.
A few other 2025 nominees include major artist like Kendrick Lamar. Lamar tops the nominations with ten nods, including Album of the Year for GNX, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” and multiple nominations for Best Collaboration and Viewer’s Choice Award.
Following Lamar, Doechii, Drake, Future, and GloRilla each received six nominations. Metro Boomin earned five nods, while SZA and The Weeknd each secured four. Artists such as Chris Brown, Tyler, the Creator, Ayra Starr, and Playboi Carti received three nominations apiece.
The ceremony will feature tributes to iconic BET programming, including a reunion of former 106 & Park hosts like A.J. Calloway, Free, and Terrence J. Performances by artists such as Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, and Mya are expected to pay homage to the show’s legacy.
Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/jerzygórecki-2233926/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2639720">Jerzy</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=2639720">Pixabay</a>
Key initiatives include a partnership between Mozambique’s state-owned Petromac and Nigeria’s Aiteo to build Mozambique’s first oil refinery, Business Insider Africa reports. Additionally, the Mozambique-Zambia joint gas pipeline project is underway, with a goal to boost regional energy security and strengthen economic ties.
“This project, to be implemented over a maximum period of 24 months, will increase storage capacity by 160,000 metric tonnes for liquid fuels and 24,000 metric tonnes for Liquefied Petroleum Gas,” Mozambique President Daniel Chapo said of the Petromac deal, emphasizing the project’s potential to reduce petroleum imports, generate employment, and boost the country’s GDP.
The initiative seeks to emulate Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote by developing Mozambique’s first-ever oil refinery in the southeastern African nation.
“The refinery will produce gasoline, diesel, naphtha, and Jet A1 with the ambition of conquering the regional market,” Chapo added.
Construction of the oil refinery is set to be completed by 2027, with local officials relying on the development to meet domestic gasoline demand while also enabling exports to neighboring countries, positioning Mozambique as a key energy hub in southern Africa.
Mozambique currently relies on imports for most of its refined oil products, with India being the largest supplier, followed by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Malaysia, and the UAE. However, with the ongoing development projects, the country aims to join the ranks of major oil producers like Nigeria, Angola, Algeria, Libya, and Egypt, all of which produce hundreds of thousands of barrels per day.
Other initiatives include a major boost from the U.S. Export-Import Bank, which in March 2025 approved a nearly $5 billion loan to revive a long-delayed LNG project in Mozambique. Led by French energy giant TotalEnergies, the project marks a pivotal step in restarting development.
Mozambique’s Energy Minister Estevão Pale highlighted its significance for both global energy security and the nation’s economic growth. Gas production is expected to begin in 2029.
Not Even A Brain Dead Black Woman Is Safe From Abortion Ban
Adriana Smith was declared brain dead at 9-weeks pregnant.
Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old nurse and mother from Atlanta, has been declared brain dead for over 90 days. Despite this, she remains on life support due to Georgia’s strict abortion laws.
Smith, who was nine weeks pregnant, began experiencing severe headaches in early February. Her mother, April Newkirk, recounted that the hospital failed to conduct essential tests like a CT scan.
“They gave her some medication, but they didn’t do any tests. No CT scan,” Smith’s mother, Newkirk, told 11Alive.
“If they had done that or kept her overnight, they would have caught it. It could have been prevented.”
The following day, Smith was found unresponsive, and a subsequent CT scan revealed multiple blood clots in her brain. Doctors determined it was too late for surgery and declared her brain dead.
Smith’s heart-wrenching case underscores the complexities of abortion laws in the United States. Georgia’s laws are some of the most stringent in the nation. The state prohibits terminating a pregnancy after a fetal heartbeat is detected, typically around six weeks, unless it’s a medical emergency.
Under Georgia law, because Smith is pregnant and the fetus has a detectable heartbeat, doctors are legally required to maintain life support until the fetus reaches viability. This has left Smith’s family in a state of prolonged anguish.
Newkirk described the situation as “torture,” emphasizing the emotional toll of seeing her daughter’s body kept alive artificially. She also expressed concern for her grandson, who visits his mother, believing she’s merely sleeping.
Smith is 21 weeks pregnant, and doctors aim to sustain her body until at least 32 weeks to give the baby a chance of survival. However, there are concerns about potential health complications for the child. Newkirk highlighted the distress of not having the choice to decide on her daughter’s care.
“This decision should’ve been left to us,” the grieving mother said.
Newkirk is not only concerned with the state of her daughter, but she is also concerned about the health of the unborn fetus. With Smith unable to care for the fetus if it is brought to full term, family members like Newkirk are left to make decisions and arrangements for the care of the child.
“This decision should’ve been left to us. Now we’re left wondering what kind of life he’ll have—and we’re going to be the ones raising him,” she said.
This case brings to light the ethical and legal challenges posed by restrictive abortion laws, particularly in situations involving medical emergencies and end-of-life care. It raises questions about patient autonomy and the rights of families to make deeply personal medical decisions.
As debates over abortion rights continue across the country, Smith’s story serves as an example of the real-life implications of such laws on individuals and families.
Diddy Dropped A Whopping $20M 24 Hours After Cassie Court Filings
Cassie Ventura reveals the amount of her multimillion-dollar settlement with Diddy.
Cassie Ventura, R&B singer and former partner of Sean “Diddy” Combs, has publicly disclosed that she received a $20 million settlement from Combs in 2023.
Ventura filed a civil lawsuit on November 16, 2023, accusing Combs of rape, physical abuse, and coercion into drug-fueled sex acts. The lawsuit was settled within 24 hours, but the settlement amount remained confidential until Ventura’s recent court testimony, Complex reported.
The revelation emerged during her testimony in Combs’s ongoing federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan. The “Long Way 2 Go” singer said after she’d given Combs a few pages from her memoir, seemingly detailing the abuse, he dismissed her request for a settlement.
When asked how she got in touch with her former lover she replied:
“Through my attorney. And I reached out to K.K. I asked her if he read it. She said it was not taken seriously.”
After Combs’s initial dismissal, she filed her civil claim for $30 million. The case was quickly resolved.
“It settled for $20 million, in 24 hours,” Ventura said.
AUSA: How did you get chapters to Sean? Ventura: Through my attorney. And I reached out to K.K. I asked her if he read it. She said it was not taken seriously. AUSA: How much did you ask for the book? Ventura: $30 million. AUSA: Did you sue? Ventura: Nov 2023
AUSA: What happened with the lawsuit? Ventura: It settled for $20 million, in 24 hours. AUSA: Why are you testifying in this trial? Ventura: I can't carry this anymore. What's wrong is wrong. I tried people like they were disposable. Escorts, anybody
During her testimony, Ventura detailed a decade-long relationship marked by severe abuse. She recounted instances of being physically assaulted, including a 2016 hotel incident captured on surveillance footage. She also testified to being coerced into participating in “freak-offs,” drug-fueled sex parties involving male escorts, which Combs allegedly orchestrated and recorded. Ventura also testified that Combs used these recordings to blackmail her. The Ciroc mogul allegedly threatened to release the explicit videos in an attempt to control the singer.
The settlement’s disclosure has intensified scrutiny of Combs, who faces multiple federal charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Ventura’s testimony has been pivotal in the trial. Her story is shedding light on the alleged abuse and manipulation she endured. The courage to come forward has been acknowledged by advocates for survivors of abuse, emphasizing the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions.
Johnny Mack Revolutionizes Trinidad Carnival With An All-Inclusive Premium Cruise
EPIC is a game-changer for Trinidad Carnival tourism
By Noel Walker
Visionary entrepreneur Johnny Mack has transformed the Trinidad Carnival experience through an innovative solution to one of the island’s biggest tourism challenges: severe accommodation shortages during the world-famous festival. As CEO of EPIC Carnival Experience, Mack has pioneered the first “all-inclusive floating hotel” in Trinidad during the island’s famed Carnival celebration.
The concept is brilliantly simple yet revolutionary: a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that sails on a 9-day journey from a neighboring Caribbean island, then remains docked in Port of Spain for five of those days during Carnival. Having completed its second year in March 2025, EPIC has quickly become a game-changer for Trinidad Carnival tourism.
“Trinidad only has 2,500 hotel rooms in the entire country,” Mack explained, his eyes lighting up with passion. Forty thousand to 50,000 people travel to Trinidad for Carnival, creating a critical need for an elastic lodging supply. I created EPIC not only to offer an enhanced experience but also to address an economic necessity due to insufficient accommodations.”
A Carnival Baby with Music in His Soul
Born in Trinidad on Carnival Monday morning in 1980, Mack describes himself as a “real bona fide carnival baby.” His heritage reflects Trinidad’s diverse cultural makeup—his father is first-generation Chinese-Trinidadian, and his mother was born in Morocco.
Mack’s journey took him from playing rugby for Trinidad’s national team at just 17 to attending UC Berkeley on scholarship. In the early 2000s, he began producing concerts for Caribbean artists like Sean Paul and Damian Marley in California before establishing himself in Hawaii’s music scene.
“When I did my first music festival, I was 23 years old, and I had like 4,000 people,” Mack recalls with a nostalgic smile. “From there, I started evolving music festivals in Hawaii and then on the West Coast.” By 27, he had produced a three-island music festival featuring Lauryn Hill that attracted 12,000 attendees.
His reputation in the industry continued to grow exponentially. His events would go on to showcase artists like Snoop Dogg, Cardi B, and Usher, drawing enormous crowds exceeding 35,000 people, experiences that gave him invaluable insights into creating immersive events he would later apply to EPIC.
Overcoming Industry Barriers
Courtesy of Johnny Mack EPIC Carnival Experience
Creating EPIC Carnival Experience required overcoming significant hurdles, particularly convincing a major cruise line to dock in Trinidad for an extended period.
“No cruise liner wanted to come to Trinidad & Tobago because they were on a global security hazard list,” Mack revealed. “They refused to port more than one night. From 2015 until just before COVID, I kept knocking on everybody’s doors. Just before COVID, Royal Caribbean opened up and said they were willing to do this.”
The persistence paid off, but the financial commitment required was substantial. “The average cruise ship is gonna be at least $3.54 million just to charter. Then on top of that, you have insurance, which is like $50,000. Then the cruise ship also wants you to hit on-board revenue figures… that’s another $1.2 million.”
As a Caribbean promoter in an industry dominated by major corporations, Mack operates with a different approach. “We handle business with a little bit more cultural family nuances and leniencies. We live more in the gray area than in the black and white. We’re open to making things work.”
The Caribbean entertainment industry maintains its independence in ways few other sectors have managed. “In the Caribbean diaspora, someone like Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, Capleton, or Buju will come to North America, and Live Nation will not own their tour. It will be someone from the diaspora owning the culture.”
Economic Impact and Cultural Mission
Courtesy of Johnny Mack EPIC Carnival Experience
EPIC isn’t just a business venture—it’s an economic engine for Trinidad and a platform for cultural exchange that comes straight from Mack’s heart.
“Based on the last budget, we spent about $500,000 U.S. on local Trinidad production, labor, transportation, marketing—all our needs. We spent about $1.2 million buying tickets to fetes, and then the average person spent about $1,000 on their carnival costume,” the EPIC CEO details. “Let’s say 1,000 people bought carnival costumes, that’s about $1 million there immediately.”
The business model solves multiple problems simultaneously. It provides affordable accommodations when hotel prices surge and flights become prohibitively expensive.
“Flights during Trinidad carnival time are outrageous because of high demand; they have surge pricing. A flight that would have been $300/$400 is now $1,500,” Mack explains, gesturing animatedly. “For EPIC’s first year, we flew into Barbados, and for our second year, we flew into Puerto Rico. The numbers made sense. Flying into Puerto Rico from anywhere along the East Coast is like a $300 round-trip. We’re saving everyone at least $800-$1,000 on flights.”
The carnival entrepreneur continues, “The average hotel room in Port of Spain during Carnival per night is about $800 U.S., which is crazy. When I priced what it cost for one of the lower-tier rooms on EPIC, it’s about $400 U.S. a night, which to me is a steal when you’re getting food, drinks, and events.”
Trinidad’s Unique Economic Landscape
Courtesy of Johnny Mack EPIC Carnival Experience
Unlike many of its Caribbean neighbors, Trinidad’s economy isn’t built on tourism—a fact Mack explains with the insight of someone who truly understands his homeland.
“Trinidad is not built on tourism like Jamaica, Barbados, and these other islands. We’re built on natural gas and oil, and resources,” Mack explains with pride. “We have something called the Pitch Lake. It’s a never-ending asphalt lake; we have a never-ending supply of it. So we’ve never built infrastructure.”
This resource-rich economic foundation explains the country’s limited hospitality infrastructure. “It makes no sense to build a new hotel, but it did make sense to bring a cruise ship that could come in and be a viable opportunity for Trinidad.”
Future Growth and Vision
The venture’s rapid growth is evident in its early ticket sales for the upcoming February 11-20, 2026 voyage.
“Right now, for the upcoming year three, we’ve sold 426 cabins, which we weren’t even able to launch this early for year two. We’re already halfway to our goal mark in March/April—one month since we launched EPIC this year,” notes the founder, excitement evident in his voice.
For Mack, this venture represents just the beginning of a larger vision that connects deeply to his personal story. “This is just the first step. I’m building an empire and a legacy where I can export my culture and share it with the world,” he declares. “The goal of EPIC is to expose pop America, pop Europe, to our culture, and make them feel at one with us.”
His ambitions extend beyond personal success to creating opportunities for his community. “Growing up in the Caribbean, we didn’t learn about 401(k) plans, life insurance, or having a trust for kids. Everything we have, we had to build ourselves. If I could help my community have a leg up, I want to do that for my family, and Trinidad.”
As our interview concludes, Mack’s phone rings with the distinct sound of soca music—a fitting reminder of the rhythm that drives both the man and his mission. “Carnival isn’t just an event for us—it’s who we are. And now, we’ve found a way to share that with the world.”
