PASTOR, GOD, MONEY, Reuben Armstrong — Photo by Ivan S from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/priest-holding-bible-and-rosary-8957581/

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 3, 2026

Former Pastor Says ‘God Doesn’t Need Your Money,’ Calls Out Prosperity Gospel Culture

Reuben Armstrong, a former minister-turned-best-selling author and activist, is stepping into one of the most controversial religious debates in America with his bold new book, God Doesn’t Need Your Money: God Isn’t Collecting, Your Pastor Is. He says that every Sunday, millions of Americans who are struggling financially are being victimized as they place both their faith and their money in the hands of churches across the country, especially Black churches.

Armstrong is confronting what he describes as a culture of pressure, guilt, and blind giving, where believers are encouraged to give faithfully but discouraged from asking honest questions about how their money is used.

He comments, “As a former minister myself, I’ve seen how this system works from the inside. Congregations are often made to feel guilty if they don’t give, pressured to hand over money meant for bills, rent, even food for their families, all while being promised a blessing. That’s not faith. That’s a system taking advantage of belief.”

Armstrong points directly to the influence of high-profile megachurch leaders such as T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, and Jamal Bryant as central figures in the rise of prosperity-driven church culture – a system he says has reshaped how millions view faith, money, and leadership. He argues that this culture has created an environment in which financial sacrifice is expected, but financial transparency is rarely demanded.

“This isn’t about attacking God,” he says. “This is about exposing a system that has learned how to profit from people’s belief in God.”

Armstrong says the conversation is especially urgent in the Black church, where faith, loyalty, and financial sacrifice have long been deeply connected–– but emphasizes that the issue extends across all modern megachurch systems. With trust in major institutions continuing to decline across the country, he believes churches cannot remain beyond scrutiny simply because the subject is uncomfortable.

His book, God Doesn’t Need Your Money: God Isn’t Collecting, Your Pastor Is, is available on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and eBook formats.

Previously posted on BlackNews.com.

cake stand, Cortrell Winkfield — Photo by Marijana Blažarić from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/birthday-cake-on-a-golden-cake-stand-14578688/

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 3, 2026

Black Entrepreneur Unveils First-Ever Heated Cake Stand—Revolutionizing How Desserts Are Served

Velvera is now available on VelveraWarm.com and Amazon, with continued product development and scaling underway.

At just 25 years old, Cortrell Winkfield is redefining how desserts are served and experienced with the launch of Velvera, the world’s first heated cake stand designed to keep cakes, pastries, and baked goods warm while on display.

He says that the concept first came to him in a dream when he was 22 years old. In the dream, he saw his grandmother placing a pineapple upside-down cake onto a glowing digital cake stand. He woke up immediately, wrote down the vision, and began developing the idea that would eventually become Velvera. From that moment, Winkfield took action, filing over 11 patents to protect the innovation and bring the concept to life.

Velvera combines elegance and functionality, offering a sleek cake display with built-in warming technology and adjustable temperature control. The product is designed for both home and professional use, allowing bakers, hosts, and businesses to elevate presentation while maintaining optimal serving temperature.

“This isn’t just a product–it’s a new category,” he says. “Velvera is about creating an experience. When people see it, they immediately understand the value.”

The brand has already gained national attention, appearing on The Tamron Hall Show and being covered by WAVE News in Louisville, following viral traction on social media. With its cordless, rechargeable capability and modern design, Velvera is positioned as both a functional kitchen innovation and a premium lifestyle brand. The company aims to expand into retail, hospitality, and event spaces, with plans to grow beyond a single product into a full ecosystem of elevated serving solutions.

Velvera is now available for purchase on VelveraWarm.com and Amazon, with ongoing product development and scaling.

Previously posted on Blacknews.com.

Black Financial Influencers, Money — (Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 2, 2026

Ole Miss Football Star Trinidad Chambliss Is Amazed By His NIL Earnings, ‘Wow, I Have That Much Money’

Ole Miss star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss still can't believe how much money he's earning from NIL deals.

Trinidad Chambliss, star quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels, is still reeling over his million-dollar NIL earnings that have him leading among the top 50 highest-paid college athletes in the nation.

In a recent profile with Vanity Fair’s Bomani Jones, Chambliss said he’s still amazed by his NIL earnings, recalling his early college playing career in 2023 on the Ferris State Bulldogs, where he lived on just $100 for two weeks of groceries.

“It’s just wild to see, like, the first check hit and it’s like, Wow, I have that much money. That’s crazy,” Chambliss said.

As Chambliss enters his sixth college season and second with Ole Miss, he’s projected by On3 to be among the top 50 highest-paid college athletes, with an NIL valuation of $1.6 million. He says he now has a financial advisor, agent, and marketing team in place while staying focused on football.

At the same time, Chambliss was facing a legal battle after a Mississippi court ruled against the NCAA over its denial of his request for an additional year of eligibility tied to health issues at Ferris State. The NCAA’s appeal, arguing that the documentation was insufficient, was also rejected, and Chambliss was granted an additional year at Ole Miss.

Now one of the hottest names in the NIL space, Chambliss has landed deals with AT&T and others. With a $1.6 million valuation that could double or triple this season, he’s emerging as a strong NFL Draft prospect—potentially earning more than projections for rookies selected outside the top 54 picks, according to Spotrac.

Chambliss and defensive end Suntarine Perkins are viewed as top prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft, though early projections suggest that could shift—several mock drafts feature players from the Ole Miss Rebels. Running back Kewan Lacy and defensive tackle Will Echoles are already being mocked as first-round picks.

Druski — Photo by Udo Salters/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 1, 2026

That’s Wassup! Druski Becomes Youngest BET Awards Host

“I grew up watching the BET Awards and, to know the comedic legends that hosted before me set the bar so high, I’m just grateful to be a part of the history."

Comedian and content creator Druski will host the “BET Awards” 2026, taking place live at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The 31-year-old comedian is the ceremony’s youngest-ever host, supplanting Kevin Hart, who hosted the show in 2011.

https://twitter.com/druski/status/2049885974675456189

“It’s an honor to be the youngest host EVER for the BET Awards,” Druski said in a written statement. “I grew up watching the BET Awards and, to know the comedic legends that hosted before me set the bar so high, I’m just grateful to be a part of the history. BUT I’m still bringing my brand of comedy to the stage, so expect a little chaos, a lot of laughs, and some of your favorite Druski characters to pop out along the way.”

The BET Awards can be seen on various channels under the Paramount umbrella, including BET, BET HER, and CMT. Additional announcements, including nominees and performers, are expected.

For now, the BET Experience 2026 (BETX), three days of immersive, fan-focused events, takes place June 25-27, before the awards show airs.

Druski’s popularity has been steadily rising—and has ruffled MAGA members feathers—after recently releasing a video, “How Conservative Women in America Act.” The video shows Druski in full drag, wearing white makeup and a blonde wig, seemingly mocking Turning Point USA’s CEO, Erika Kirk.

The clip has amassed more than 100 million views after being released.

He has caused several controversies, including an ongoing skit for his fictional record company, Coulda Been Records. In a viral clip from over two years ago, he was seen being chased by Cash Money Records’ Birdman and having his jewelry snatched. Earlier this year, while targeting preachers at mega churches, he upset many pastors with his portrayal of popular televangelists.

dentist, lawsuit — Photo by Zamrznuti Tonovi/Getty Images

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 1, 2026

All-Black Women Dental Practice Breaks New Ground With Tech-Driven Care

An all-Black women–led dental practice in Houston is redefining care with a tech-driven approach and a mission to close gaps in access to quality dental services.

Dr. Ashandra Batiste is redefining the dental industry with her multimillion-dollar, tech-driven practice led entirely by an all-Black team of women dentists.

Inspired by her training at Howard University College of Dentistry, where she embraced a culture of excellence and collective ownership, Dr. Batiste credits that foundation for shaping her approach to Elite Dental Wellness—a multimillion-dollar Houston practice led by an all-Black team of women dentists, where breaking down barriers to quality dental care is the mission.

“There’s still this disparity in healthcare where people are like, ‘I didn’t even know that you guys existed’ … That is insane to me that in the year 2026, people are still like, ‘Wow, there’s Black female dentists,’” Batiste told Afro Tech.

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At Elite Dental Wellness, Dr. Batiste works alongside Dr. Lindsey Sinclair Miller, Dr. Sarah Glenn, and Dr. Tamaara Willis to offer comprehensive care, from preventive and restorative services to cosmetic and emergency dentistry. The practice is focused on closing gaps in access by serving patients with or without traditional insurance.

Technology also plays a key role, with tools like the Nomad X-ray system for more efficient, lower-radiation imaging, and the PerioLase MVP-7 for minimally invasive gum therapy that can replace traditional surgery.

“You have some periodontists who don’t use it … But then again, where’s the empathy at? How are you thinking about your patients?” asked Dr. Willis, the practice’s periodontist, who is the only provider performing the procedure and specializes in both dental implants and LANAP therapy. “You’re gonna take them through all that pain, you’re gonna take them through the sensitivity, you’re gonna take them through their teeth looking long like piano keys just because you can get the same result when it’s unnecessary?”

Looking ahead, Elite Dental Wellness is leaning into technology, using AI-powered scanners that can instantly preview results for Invisalign, crowns, and veneers to enhance patient care. The team is also engaging the community through its Glam & Glow event, featuring women-owned vendors offering services like lash extensions, brow grooming, glam makeup, and nutrition consulting.

The event takes place May 9 at the practice’s office in Houston and requires an RSVP.

doctor, Black Income — (Image: iStock/dragana991)

by Kandiss Edwards

May 1, 2026

TSU And Meharry College Offering Full Ride To Young Black Men Interested In Medical Field

The scholarship was established to honor the pioneering legacy of alumnus Dr. Levi Watkins Jr.

The Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund is seeking candidates interested in pursuing medical and dental professions.

The scholarship was established to honor Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr., the TSU alumnus and cardiac surgeon who revolutionized medicine with the first internal defibrillator implantation.

The fund is designed to remove the cost barriers that often discourage underrepresented students from pursuing high-level medical careers. By providing significant financial support, the endowment allows scholars to bypass the traditional eight-year educational route in favor of a streamlined seven-year curriculum without the burden of overwhelming student debt. Currently, the applicant pool is meager, which leaves the opportunity wide open, according to the Mutual Alliance Restoring Community Hope (MARCH) Foundation.

The endowment specifically rewards academic high achievers who meet the rigorous standards of the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute. Eligible students must be interested in the medical field. Additionally, they must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and an ACT score of 28 or a 1300 on the SAT.

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Scholarship recipients will gain more than just tuition assistance. Funds are utilized to support:

Accelerated Undergraduate Study: Covering the intensive three-year pre-medical phase at TSU.
Professional Transition: Supporting the bridge into the four-year medical or dental programs at Meharry Medical College, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, or the Frist College of Medicine.
Professional Identity: Funding essential milestones such as the White Coat Ceremony and specialized physician shadowing opportunities.

The financial security provided by the fund has allowed scholars to focus entirely on their demanding coursework, resulting in a 61% increase in the Biology Department’s graduation rate at TSU. Furthermore, the inaugural cohort of scholarship recipients produced the university’s top two graduates in 2024, both of whom maintained perfect 4.0 GPAs throughout their accelerated undergraduate tenure.

Taye Diggs, — Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 1, 2026

Taye Diggs & Partners Launch Vertical Storytelling Platform For Filmmakers

Taye Diggs has teamed up for the launch of a new platform that puts the power of vertical content creation in the hands of creators.

Taye Diggs is investing in the future of filmmaking by partnering to launch Microhouse Films, a vertical video platform that puts distribution directly in filmmakers’ hands.

On April 30, Diggs and partners Autumn Federici, Shelby Stone, James Black, and Troy Brookins announced the platform’s launch, aimed at supporting the next generation of vertical series, Deadline reports. As part of its service offerings, Microhouse Films will enable creators to produce, distribute, and monetize their work within a single platform.

“When we thought about how to meaningfully impact the vertical space, we immediately focused on the creators and storytellers whose livelihoods depend on where this industry is headed,” Diggs said in a statement. “Microhouse Films is about creating a model that supports them in this next phase and allows them to keep telling stories that move us.”

A mobile-first storytelling platform, Microhouse Films will be free to use, with no subscription or hosting fees, while giving creators full control over monetization. Operating without ads, filmmakers can decide which episodes are free and which are behind a token-based pay system, setting their own pricing, release strategy, and revenue model.

The platform will also feature built-in discovery tools, including customizable genre tags, as well as promotional features such as shareable, branded landing pages for each series. It expands on the growth of microdramas in recent years. Also known as “verticals” for their phone-first, portrait format, the recording style gained popularity in China during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since grown in the U.S., with platforms like ReelShort and DramaBox attracting audiences to short, low-budget, serialized content.

“The industry is rapidly changing, and we have an opportunity to redefine who benefits in this new ecosystem that puts control directly in the hands of filmmakers,” partners Federici, Stone, Black, and Brookins said. “We’re excited to introduce a model for vertical storytelling with Microhouse Films that places a premium on both the quality of the work and the storyteller behind the content.”

Alongside the launch of Microhouse Films, Diggs has teamed up with his partners to executive produce the microdrama “Tides of Temptation,” starring Swag Boy Q. The project expands the world of “Terry McMillan Presents: Paradise With You,” which also stars Diggs.

Web Accessibility Oversights, Customers — (Photo: SeventyFour/Getty Images)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 1, 2026

LinkedIn Accused of Extensive Browser Surveillance Without Users’ Knowledge

LinkedIn is facing backlash after an investigation alleged the site used hidden code to monitor software and tools installed on users’ computers without their knowledge.

An April 4 report titled BrowserGate details findings from an investigation into LinkedIn that raise concerns about data collection, privacy, and corporate intelligence practices on the Microsoft-owned platform. Researchers described it as potentially “one of the largest corporate espionage and data breach scandals in digital history.”

According to a study by Fairlinked e.V., an alleged coalition of commercial users, LinkedIn may be using hidden browser scripts to scan installed extensions and gather detailed device data—potentially without user consent. Researchers say the activity resembles large-scale browser fingerprinting that could expose sensitive personal and corporate information.

The report alleges LinkedIn injects hidden JavaScript into user sessions to scan for installed browser extensions, ranging from productivity tools to enterprise software. Independent testing by BleepingComputer supports parts of the claim, identifying scripts that probe for more than 6,200 extensions, a stark increase from the about 2,000 reported earlier in 2025, suggesting the scope has rapidly expanded. The method works by attempting to access known resources tied to extension IDs; if they load, the extension is assumed to be installed.

LinkedIn is denying the allegations, claiming its practices are aimed at security and platform integrity and not surveillance. In a statement, the company acknowledged it detects certain browser extensions but said this is to identify tools that scrape data or violate its terms of service. LinkedIn also questioned the credibility of the BrowserGate report, claiming it stems from an individual whose account was restricted for policy violations.

“To protect the privacy of our members, their data, and to ensure site stability, we do look for extensions that scrape data without members’ consent or otherwise violate LinkedIn’s Terms of Service,” LinkedIn said in part.

“Unfortunately, this is a case of an individual who lost in the court of law, but is seeking to re-litigate in the court of public opinion without regard for accuracy,” the company added.

However, amid news of the report, LinkedIn is facing criticism on social media, with people urging a boycott of the platform.

“I HIGHLY recommend everyone stop using LinkedIn period,” one X user wrote. “LinkedIn sells your usage data back to the very companies you work for. Full stop, DELETE IT NOW.”

“Definitely wouldn’t recommend browsing LinkedIn right now,” another X user tweeted. “There’s like 30 browser vulnerabilities rolling out fixes too.”

Pras Michel, lauryn Hill, lawsuit — (Photo: Hamit Huseyin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 1, 2026

Fugees’ Pras Michél Reports To Prison For Start Of 14-Year Sentence

'Pras honors the legal process as he reports to begin his sentence,' his spokesperson said.

Pras Michel has reportedly turned himself in to begin his prison term after being convicted in 2023 of charges including money laundering, illegal lobbying, and campaign finance violations.

According to Rolling Stone, the convicted rapper reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Safford, Arizona, where he will start his 14-year prison sentence. Pras was originally scheduled to turn himself in on Jan. 27, but asked the judge to remain free on bail while appealing the sentence. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly denied the request, but gave him an additional 60 days to report to prison.

“Today is a painful day for Pras, for his family, and for everyone who believes in a fair system of justice,” his spokesperson, Erica Dumas, said in a written statement. “Pras honors the legal process as he reports to begin his sentence. The FARA-related charges that led to his conviction are being vigorously contested on appeal, and his legal team believes the record will show that his rights were violated and the truth was obscured. This chapter is difficult, but it is not his final one.”

Dumas added that Pras has been spending time with his family over the past two months. He was in Los Angeles last month, watching the Ye concert on April 3, when he hung out in a suite with Dave Chappelle and Eryka Badu and watched his Fugees cohort, Lauryn Hill, when she was onstage as a guest for Ye.

In 2019, Pras was arrested and charged with funneling money from fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, who is purported to be the mastermind of a billion-dollar 1MDB embezzlement scheme, for a lobbying campaign aimed at persuading the Trump administration (during his first presidency) to drop its investigation into the financier. The rapper was also accused of secretly funneling Low’s money to President Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign, and trying to influence an extradition case on behalf of China.

On Nov. 20, 2025, he was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after being found guilty on 10 counts, including witness tampering, conspiracy, and failing to register as an agent of a foreign government.