by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 2, 2026

Going Viral Doesn’t Mean You Own It. Inside The ‘TENDERNISM’ Trademark War

The phrase has become the center of a multiparty trademark dispute involving Walter Johnson (aka 'Unc'), Diamond Smokehouse Enterprises Inc., and attorney Kenneth Harris.

By Caleb L. Green, Esq.

Few viral food trends have captured public imagination the way “TENDERNISM” has. The term exploded across TikTok and Instagram as viewers watched an older gentleman — known affectionately as “Unc” or “Mr. Tendernism” — dramatically test smoked meats to see whether they were truly fall-off-the-bone tender.

But now, the phrase at the heart of this viral phenomenon has become the center of a multiparty trademark dispute involving Walter Johnson (aka “Unc”), Diamond Smokehouse Enterprises Inc., and attorney Kenneth Harris. This is a story about virality, intellectual property, and a cautionary tale for creators and businesses who wait too long to protect what they build.

Who is ‘Unc’? Meet Walter ‘Mr. Tendernism’ Johnson

According to multiple reports, the man behind the phrase is Walter Johnson, a former staff member at Destination Smokehouse, a California-based barbecue restaurant whose videos recently went viral. Johnson is widely credited with coining the term “TENDERNISM,” describing meat that is so tender “you don’t need no teeth.”

Johnson — frequently referred to as “Unc” — became a viral sensation for his charismatic demonstrations of tenderness tests, which garnered millions of views. His popularity grew even further after attention from large creators such as @Jordan_the_stallion8 and food critic Keith Lee, who traveled to the restaurant specifically to meet the man behind the movement.

https://www.tiktok.com/@officialmrtendernism/video/7612397974647360799

Diamond Smokehouse Enterprises Inc.: The Business Behind the Brand

Diamond Smokehouse Enterprises Inc., located in Murrieta, California, is associated with the Destination Smokehouse brand — where Johnson worked and where the Tendernism phenomenon took root. The company is now asserting that it — not any outside party — is the rightful owner of the TENDERNISM mark because it has been using the phrase commercially in connection with its restaurant operations and branded merchandise.

The Trademark Filings: Two Sides, Four Applications

However, when it came to filing a trademark application with the United state Trademark Office, a North Carolina-based attorney named Kenneth Harris, beat Diamond Smokehouse and Johnson to the punch. On Nov. 21, 2025, attorney Kenneth Harris filed two trademark applications for TENDERNISM, both on an Intent-to-Use (ITU) basis:

• Application Serial No. 99510317 (ITU) in class 43 for restaurant services.

• Application Serial No. 99498965 (ITU) in class 25 for clothing.

Notably, Mr. Harris has not submitted any proof of use of the TENDERNISM trademark, meaning he does not yet have any legal use in commerce associated with the mark. Some public reports suggest that Harris may have reached out to “Unc” to offer the trademark filings to him or leverage them for business purposes. While this claim remains unverified, it has circulated widely online.

Diamond Smokehouse Enterprises Inc. filed two trademark applications on Dec. 5, 2026 and Jan. 8, 2026, both based on actual use in commerce, claiming first use dating back to April 17, 2024:

• Application Serial No. 99584462 (UseBased) in class 25 for apparel.

• Application Serial No. 99533763 (UseBased) in classes 35 and 43 for restaurant-related services.

These trademark filings assert that the company — and by extension “Unc” — began commercially using the TENDERNISM mark well before Harris’s ITU filings.

Intent-to-Use vs. Use-in-Commerce: Why the Difference Matters

To understand who holds the trademark rights to TENDERNISM and where this dispute is heading, it’s essential to break down the legal meaning of the trademark filings.

Harris’s Intent-to-Use (ITU) Applications

An ITU application allows a person to reserve rights in a mark before they begin using it in commerce. However, ITU filings do not establish trademark rights until the applicant uses the mark in commerce. Usually, the ITU trademark applicant demonstrates use of the mark by filing a “Statement of Use” accompanied by evidence (photos, packaging, sales receipts, etc.). Thus, Harris currently has no trademark rights in TENDERNISM, because rights flow from use, not filing an ITU application alone.

Diamond Smokehouse’s UseBased Applications

A “use in commerce” application is filed only after the applicant is already using the mark commercially. Diamond Smokehouse claims use since April 17, 2024, which, if true, predates Harris’s ITU application filings. This is important because trademark law is built on a first-come, first-served principle. The first person or entity to use the mark gets the right to use that mark. In the case of the TENDERNISM mark, Diamond Smokehouse appears to be the trademark owner.

What Happens Next? — USPTO Procedure Complicates Things

Even though Diamond Smokehouse has submitted evidence of earlier use of the TENDERNISM mark, Harris’s ITU applications will be examined first because they were filed first. But critically, Harris’s applications will not achieve registration unless he provides evidence of actual use of the mark in commerce. Even if Harris presents sufficient evidence of use, Diamond Smokehouse will almost certainly oppose Harris’s applications if they reach the publication stage.

In an opposition, Diamond Smokehouse would likely argue that it has senior rights based on earlier commercial use.

The Public Outcry: Accusations of “Stealing“ a Viral Phrase

While Harris and Diamond Smokehouse jockey for trademark registration with the USPTO, both have faced criticism online from people who believe “Unc” should own the mark — or who assume that any filing is an attempt to “steal” a viral term. And while Walter “Unc” Johnson undeniably coined and popularized the term “TENDERNISM,” it is important to remember a foundational rule of trademark law:

Creating or coining a word does not make someone the trademark owner.
Trademark rights arise only through “use in commerce” to identify the source of goods or services.

This is often counterintuitive to the public. In trademark law, the legal “owner” is the party who uses the mark commercially in connection with goods or services, not the individual who first said it, created it, or made it go viral.

Even viral personalities — especially employees — do not automatically own rights in the phrases they make famous.

In this case, even though Unc coined the word, the relevant legal question is who used TENDERNISM in commerce first, and the evidence currently indicates that Diamond Smokehouse began doing so long before any filings by Harris. This distinction is crucial not only here, but for creators and businesses everywhere.

Conclusion

While the internet may believe that “Unc” should automatically own the trademark because he coined the term, unfortunately, trademark law simply does not work that way.

Trademark rights belong to the party who uses the mark in commerce — not the one who invents it, popularizes it, or appears in viral videos using it. In many cases, that means the employer, not the employee, acquires the rights when a phrase becomes tied to the company’s goods or services.

At the same time, this dispute highlights a deeper truth: both creators and businesses must be proactive.

Whether you’re a restaurant, a content creator, or a brand trying to harness viral momentum, if it’s worth going viral, it’s worth protecting early. Had Diamond Smokehouse filed immediately when TENDERNISM began gaining attention, the current conflict might never have arisen.

As this matter proceeds, all eyes will be on whether Harris can prove use, and whether Diamond Smokehouse’s prior use rights prevail. But whatever the outcome, the broader message remains: Viral fame does not create trademark rights.
Use in commerce—and timely filing—does.

Caleb L. Green is a partner at Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC and a law professor at the William S. Boyd School of Law. He practices as an intellectual property attorney and is deeply focused on trademark law, brand protection, and portfolio management. He represents businesses, creatives, and emerging brands in securing, enforcing, and maximizing the value of their trademarks across the United States and abroad. With extensive experience in trademark prosecution, clearance, enforcement, TTAB proceedings, and brand strategy, Caleb guides clients through every stage of developing, protecting, and defending their brand identities.

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 2, 2026

Zohran Mamdani Admits To Excluding Black Americans And Not Telling ‘The Full Story’ With Comment That ‘City Built By Immigrants’

When Coleman said “she felt a type of way,” the young mayor said it's understandable and looked right in the camera to say “that’s why I’m here to apologize.”

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is attempting to right a wrong by admitting he failed to include Black Americans during a previous comment made about the Big Apple being a “city built by immigrants,” The Grio reported.

During a sit-down with podcaster and historian Latoya Coleman, Mamdani admitted to being guilty of excluding Black Americans during his 2025 mayoral election speech where he described NYC as a “city built by immigrants.” As a wrap-up to the 100th Black History Month, Coleman asked how people can include enslaved people and indigenous people who have built the foundation of America in New York City as well.

The mayor jumped right in by saying he has been guilty of it and gave some insight on how to correct it. “I think the first thing is, if we’re being honest, we have to tell the full story. And when we tell a sweeping generalization like that, we lose sight of the fact that Black New Yorkers helped to build New York City,” he said.

When Coleman said “she felt a type of way,” the young mayor said it’s understandable and looked right in the camera to say “that’s why I’m here to apologize.” “Because you learn from it. And I think as much as we want to and we should support immigrant New Yorkers and their incredible place in the city, doing so doesn’t necessitate that we overlook contributions of Black New Yorkers,” he said.

“We can tell the full story.”

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The narrative of Black immigrants being overlooked has floated throughout social media as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been terrorizing American cities, resulting in protests and deaths of several U.S. citizens. During the 2026 Grammy Awards, Nigerian-American country singer Shaboozey received massive backlash for stating that “immigrants built this country, literally” during his acceptance speech.

Since his historic win as the city’s first Muslim and youngest mayor at just 34-years-old, Mamdani has made positive strides but seemingly rubbed some Black residents the wrong way with certain policies. Particularly when it comes to the housing market, residents feel like they may be driven out of the communities they built after the mayor threatened to hike property taxes as a way of targeting the wealthy.

As a 2023 article from the New York Times highlighted “the city’s Black population has declined by nearly 200,000 people in the past two decades,” president of the NAACP New York State Conference, L. Joy Williams, surveyed Black residents, showcasing that homeownership is a priority.

After Mamdani declared war on bad landlords, Williams celebrated the effort but said supporting first-time homebuyers should be a high priority. “Our members want policies that turn renters into owners to close the racial wealth gap,” she said, according to NY Mag.

“It is clear from the lack of conversation and engagement that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of focus and attention on the needs of Black New Yorkers in the city.”

by Ahsan Washington

March 2, 2026

It’s Time To Do The-Do With ‘The Doux,’ Your Hair Will Fall In Love

The Doux delivers clean ingredients among other benefits

What’s more romantic than an investment in personal self-care? Paying attention to your hair’s health is a good jumping-off point.

Licensed cosmetologist Maya Smith established The Doux as a Black-owned haircare brand that delivers science-backed formulas and salon-tested performance products for textured hair. The Doux delivers clean ingredients, high-function styling, and treatment solutions that deliver moisture, strength, and definition at an affordable price point. Consumers are getting the quality typically associated with luxury brands at luxury-brand prices. Budget buying also screams self-care. Do the “Doux” and take a deep dive into BLACK ENTERPRISE’s top three self-serving haircare products.

Deep Hydration Hero: The Doux Sweetest Thing Honey Moisture Mask

The Doux Sweetest Thing Honey Moisture Mask serves as the Deep Hydration Hero. The moisture mask uses super-charged honey to deliver hydration that reaches past the cuticle to transform dry, dull hair into soft, elastic strands. The honey-and-aloe combination in this treatment enhances moisture while strengthening strands and reducing frizz in brittle, heat-damaged curls.

Start with clean, soaking-wet hair before applying the product to your scalp. Massage the product through your curls while gently detangling, then leave it on for 15–30 minutes (using a cap or steamer helps with absorption). Rinse. The Doux official website sells this product for about $16.99 USD. This product suits natural hair enthusiasts who need deep hydration.

Quick Deep Conditioning: The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam

The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam (5-Minute Deep Conditioner) provides fast deep-conditioning results that make hair soft and calm the scalp within minutes. The formula includes honey, green tea, and slip agents to provide the necessary moisture while instantly reducing frizz.

Apply the product to clean, wet hair in sections, detangling as you go. Rinse the product completely after letting it sit for a maximum of 5 minutes. The mint extract creates a mild tingling sensation that indicates improved circulation and conditioning effects. The Doux official store sells this product for approximately $14.99.

Strength + Definition Booster: The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel

The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel is a styling treatment gel that provides flexible, defining curls, conditioning them and helping them to resist humidity. The product contains babassu oil and keratin, both of which feed and protect hair during curl formation. The gel works well at creating hold for sleek hairstyles and wash-and-go styles, keeping curls soft and defined. The product is ideal for a treatment-based styling solution that provides definition, softness, hold, and hair health maintenance.

Apply product to damp hair after moisturizing or conditioning, then scrunch through curls or smooth it into twist-outs and wash-and-go styles. The formula delivers strong hold with shine enhancement and frizz control. The Doux Big Poppa Defining Gel sells between $12.97 and $15.99 online and at main retail locations.

The Doux is a sponsor and supporter of BLACK ENTERPRISE’s 20th annual Women of Power Summit.

RELATED CONTENT: Lighting The Path For 20 Years Of The Women Of Power Summit, As Shared By One of The Women Behind It

by Keka Araújo

March 2, 2026

Dr. ‘Shyne’ Barrow Charts An Impressive Course For Diasporic Excellence At Island Music Conference 2026

Amid the rhythmic resurgence of the Caribbean’s creative economy, the Island Music Conference (IMC) 2026 converged at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston, Jamaica, as a high-stakes nexus for the global music community. Positioned as a critical industry “reset,” the summit gathered an elite cohort of artists, DSP executives, and financial power players to bridge the gap between regional talent and international acclaim.

The four-day event, which started Feb.25, culminated on Feb. 28 with a high-level discussion on global recognition, as the Hon. Dr. Moses Michael Levi “Shyne” Barrow officially joined the “Grammys & Your Career” panel. This conversation reframed the intersection of artistry, professional recognition, and long-term career strategy for the modern creator.

Technical panels further dissected the digital landscape, with “Streaming Math: How to Actually Make Money on DSPs” featuring veterans from YouTube, TikTok, Apple Music, and AudioMack. These sessions provided rare transparency regarding royalty distributions and algorithmic visibility, ensuring island creators are equipped to become sophisticated owners of their intellectual property.

Expanding the creative pipeline, the IMC 2026 Songwriters Workshop provided a focused environment to equip creators with the technical tools and creative insights necessary for the global market. Directed by veteran executive Brandon Bakshi—noted for his leadership with the BMI London Awards—and Assistant Director Tasha Thorbourne, a BMI Award-winning songwriter and co-manager of Brick & Lace, the workshop bridged the gap between raw talent and international publishing standards.

By leveraging Thorbourne’s extensive relationships across North America and Africa, the program ensured that participants left with a practical understanding of how to write for a competitive, boundaryless music economy.

The conference reached its crescendo at 6:00 p.m. with IMC Films, a curated showcase that transformed the auditorium into a sanctuary of visual storytelling. Far more than a simple screening, the evening served as a poignant tribute to the past, present, and future of reggae and dancehall culture. The lineup included the world premiere of the new Peter Tosh video, “Here Comes The Sun,” and the debut of “Hot Gyal Summer,” directed by the visionary duo Shamara Spencer and Anastasia Chin.

The visual journey continued with “Someone Loves You,” featuring the incomparable Nadine Sutherland, alongside deep dives into musical royalty via The Dennis Brown Documentary and the Skip Marley feature, “Let’s Take It Higher.” For those who remained through the week’s intensive sessions, the film showcase provided an elevated conclusion to a marathon of industry insights—a moment destined to dominate the digital conversation long after the final frame.

Beyond the high-profile deliberations on the Recording Academy, the IMC functioned as a masterclass in modern infrastructure for attendees. The core of the event, held in Kingston, was anchored by the keynote from Moses “Shyne” Barrow: From Stage to State, in which the Belizean Leader of the Opposition detailed the discipline required to transition from a legendary recording career to the halls of government–including the proverbial bumps and bruises along his storied journey.

Addressing a room of aspiring creators and seasoned executives during his keynote on Thursday, Barrow pivoted away from industry jargon to discuss the invisible architecture of achievement. He challenged the audience to look past the superficial metrics of fame and embrace a more rigorous, almost spiritual, work ethic.

“Perseverance is key. Discipline. A tedious work ethic. There’s a network, a metaphysical network that is an accurate account… That’s where we get things like karma and life repaying you, good and bad.”

For Barrow, the transition from the streets of Brooklyn to the legislative chambers of Belize was not a matter of luck, but a relentless application of focus. He urged the delegates to ignore the statistical improbabilities that often haunt the Caribbean creative sector.

“Everyone is gonna tell you why it won’t be… You are responsible for shattering the ceiling, for bursting through the doors with your work ethic.”

Another poignant segment of the incredibly thoughtful keynote addressed the friction between artistic expression and state security. Barrow, whose own early poetry was a visceral reflection of his reality, defended the artist’s right to document their surroundings while simultaneously challenging the state to address the root causes of societal discord.

“I was hoping that by capturing that truth and making that truth a body of work that was consumed by millions… that the powers that be would pay attention to the other Shynes and fix the issues that I was rapping about.”

The IMC 2026 wasn’t merely about the mechanics of PR or the dividends of digital service providers; it was a call for the “Island Music Industry” to recognize its collective power.

Shyne, Dr, Moses Michael Levy Barrow, IMC, Island Music Conference,keynote — Photo Courtesy of Keka Araujo

During his powerful keynote, Barrow concluded with a stirring reminder of the divine timing of the Diaspora’s journey, referencing the biblical crossing of the Red Sea to illustrate a world that, despite its imperfections, is rigged in favor of the persistent.

“You gotta work hard, and when you get there, you gotta jump and know that the universe comes and conspires for you to win.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 2, 2026

Victor Glover Will Become First Black Astronaut To Fly To The Moon

Victor Glover will soon lift off as the first Black astronaut to fly to the moon.

NASA has plans to diversify space. The agency has selected the first Black astronaut to voyage to the moon.

The inaugural astronaut, Victor Glover, will lift off in a new mission called Artemis II. The trip will continue on the journey established by its predecessor, Artemis I. Following the successful completion of Artemis I, this latest launch brings NASA one step closer to landing on Mars.

The launch will mark a historic repeat for NASA, returning to the moon for the first time in 50 years. However, the astronaut will not actually land on the celestial body. Instead, Glover will complete a flyby around its perimeter, alongside the first woman to make the trip.

Glover previously spoke about the Artemis program and how it inspires others to reach beyond the stars. He follows in the footsteps of fellow astronaut Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to fly to space.

“The benefits of the Artemis program are technological, but they’re also cultural,” explained Glover in a 2024 NASA video. “What really means something to me is the inspiration that will come from it, inspiring future generations to reach for the moon, literally to reach for the moon.”

The mission will showcase NASA’s research efforts and still-blossoming potential. Danielle Wood, a professor in the astronautics department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also emphasized how the space program expanded requirements that bolstered the recruitment of diverse recruits to go above the skies. While excited about this feat, more work is needed to expand diversity in space.

“It is still the case that there are many firsts, many glass ceilings, that need to be broken by Black women and Black men and women in general — that’s still real,” shared Wood to CNBC.

However, landing on the moon again remains uncertain, especially as budget constraints and new administrations come with new barriers. With some considering space exploration frivolous, especially at times of political, economic, and environmental distress, space enthusiasts expressed concern about new missions.

Despite these factors, supporters remain cautiously optimistic about the future of space travel. Artemis II is also a gesture of international goodwill between countries across the East and West. Participating countries have opted to share research regarding how these astronauts will experience space travel and the planetary findings.

“There’s so many challenges with this program right now stemming from policy, not from the astronauts or the engineers, just stemming from the fact that space is so complicated and so rooted in politics and so expensive that it’s hard to be that thrilled about this as the next step when everything else feels so tenuous,” explained space historian Amy Shira Teitel to CNBC.

While initially scheduled for February, the launch has faced delays. However, it expects to lift off in the near future to further discover new horizons in our solar system.

“It’s marking a new era of leaving low Earth orbit, which we haven’t done since 1972,” added Teitel. “It’s still a significant step because at the end of the day, we’re still going to gain some information that can be applied to whatever the next step is.”

by Ahsan Washington

March 2, 2026

10 Museums That Center Black Women’s Art And History

These museums push the envelope and inspire future female history makers

The importance of understanding women’s and Black women’s history lies in recognizing the significant yet often overlooked contributions they have made across various fields, in everything from activism to the arts. These contributions not only shaped society but continue to push the envelope and inspire future female history-makers. These 10 museums dedicated to women’s history highlight Black women’s narratives. Each provides a platform for reflection, education, and empowerment to its visitors. These museums not only preserve women’s history but also serve as essential resources for the research and study of Black women. BLACK ENTERPRISE encourages you to check out these historical institutions that honor Black women for Women’s History Month.

Spelman Museum of Fine Art

The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art is located on the historically Black campus in Atlanta, in the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed.D. Academic Center. The museum was established in 1996 and regularly features art by and about women of the African Diaspora. Through art exhibitions, programming, and a growing art collection, the gallery museum serves as a hub for learning, creativity, and cultural enrichment within Spelman and its surrounding community. The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, and currently on exhibition is “Calida Rawles: Away with the Tides” and “Repossessions.”

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Mary McLeod Bethune House

The Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Home, known as The Retreat, was built in 1905 by A.B. Raddick, a prominent Black architect of his time. The residence of Bethune-Cookman University’s founder until her passing — and preserved with original artifacts and furnishings — the home offers visitors a glimpse into Dr. Bethune’s personal life and historic legacy. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975, it continues to attract visitors worldwide, celebrating her impact on education and civil rights. Currently, the Mary McLeod Bethune Home is closed for renovations. Follow the website for updates on reopening.

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Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum

Palmer Memorial Institute, founded in 1902 by Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, educated over 1,000 African American students and now stands as a state historic site. The museum showcases Dr. Brown’s legacy and the contributions of African Americans to education with restored buildings, offering a look into the school’s history. The month of March at the museum is dedicated to Women’s Suffrage and programming.

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The Colored Girls Museum

Founded in 2015, The Colored Girls Museum in Philadelphia honors the overlooked experiences of Black girls and women, preserving their stories through exhibits and community programs. It serves as a sanctuary for Black girlhood and femmehood while fostering reflection, healing, and a reimagining of history and identity. The Colored Girls Museum is unique in its focus and proudly boasts that it is the “first cultural institution to center and champion the ‘ordinary’ colored girl of African descent.” Currently on exhibition is The Intermission, an interactive workshop.

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The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum

The Anne Spencer House & Garden Museum in Lynchburg, Virginia, was the home of Harlem Renaissance poet Anne Spencer and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. It retains much of the original furnishings and features of her restored garden and served as a meeting place for notable figures such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes. Visitors can schedule a tour for small or large groups.

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Black Women’s Museum

The Black Women’s Museum is a mobile museum dedicated to educating the public about the political, artistic, and social contributions of Black women, while also highlighting the unique challenges they face due to their intersecting identities. Through its traveling exhibits, the museum aims to raise awareness of Black women’s impact and struggles across history and contemporary society.

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Juanita Craft Civil Rights House

The Juanita Craft Civil Rights House and Museum in Dallas honors Juanita Craft, a key figure in the civil rights movement, who is known for her activism and leadership in the fight for racial justice. The museum highlights her contributions, including her work with the NAACP. It offers exhibits on the broader civil rights struggle in Texas, making it a vital resource for understanding the state’s history in advancing equality. The Craft home is open to visitors by appointment.

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The Women Of Color Museum

The True Black History Museum features a Women of Color exhibit that honors the contributions of African American women, showcasing rare artifacts, signed documents, and photos of influential figures such as Mary McLeod Bethune, Rosa Parks, and Oprah Winfrey. This traveling exhibit highlights the historical impact of these women and promotes cultural sensitivity and pride, and is also available virtually.

Tubman Museum

The Tubman Museum is a historic staple located in downtown Macon, Georgia. A Christian pastor established the space in 1981 as a hub dedicated to African American history, in Harriet Tubman’s name, for whom the museum’s mission is inspired. Currently on exhibit is Freedom Seekers, a presentation of runaway slave advertisements from the local Macon newspaper, The Macon Telegraph.

(Public Domain) Harriet Tubman
March 1833 – March 10, 1913
Dorchester, Maryland
Harriet Tubman made history as an abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad, leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom while also serving as a spy during the Civil War.

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/harriet-tubman

National Museums of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture, part of the Smithsonian Institution, preserves African American history and culture with over 40,000 artifacts. During Women’s History Month, it highlights the contributions of African American women, connecting past and present achievements in various art disciplines.

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by Jeffrey McKinney

March 2, 2026

AI Power Shift: How Black ‘Women Of Power’ Are Leading Ethical Tech And Positioning Themselves As Future-Proof Executives

Expert proclaims the demand for people who can bridge AI strategy with human understanding is exploding right now.

When it comes to digital transformation and ethical AI, Black women are leading the charge and helping reshape these areas across diverse business sectors.

Women of color in leadership roles are a driving force both in the United States and globally, according to Alicia Lyttle, CEO of the consultancy firm AI InnoVision. That is critical now as artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving into a mainstream tool in an essential way, changing how people work, run businesses, and embrace technology.

This report projects that roughly over 1 billion jobs could be altered by technology over the next decade, with AI and information processing impacting 86% of businesses by 2030. To help them remain relevant, the 2026 BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit will include AI Bootcamps to assist Black women in this capacity.

Analysis uncovers why that is truly needed. Lyttle shared that Harvard Business Review data indicates only 3% of Black women hold executive roles in corporate America. Only 12% of AI researchers worldwide are women, with Black women being a fraction of that already puny number.

“In AI consulting specifically — one of the most lucrative entry points into this industry — data from my own organization showed that only 23% of AI consultants were women in 2024. That’s climbed to 30% in 2025, which is progress, but we have a long way to go.”

The encouraging news Lyttle touched on highlights the multiple ways Black women are making a difference. For instance, she says they are leading in ethical AI design and advocacy. Lyttle is noted as one of JPMorgan Chase’s “100 Women to KNOW in America” and has trained thousands of entrepreneurs, executives, and government leaders worldwide.

She declared that Black women are leading as educators and translators. “Black women are stepping into boardrooms, classrooms, government agencies, and stages across the globe to make AI understandable and accessible — not just for the already-privileged, but for everyone.”

Entrepreneurially, Black women are building AI-powered businesses at scale. She says those firms range from AI consulting firms to digital product empires. “I’ve trained thousands of professionals, including corporate executives and government leaders, and the level of innovation I see from Black women in those rooms is undeniable.”

Likewise, Black women are showing up as community stewards, ensuring their neighborhoods, schools, and families are not left behind in the biggest wealth-generating revolution of their lifetime, Lyttle says. “That’s a form of leadership the tech industry rarely talks about — but it’s some of the most important work being done.”

Challenge-wise, access, a confidence gap, and motivation to turn AI skills into real income are some of the largest obstacles Lyttle sees for Black women. She cites AI “not for them” as a big barrier, but it can be overcome simply by starting. “The solution is getting into rooms, programs, and networks that teach not just how to use AI but how to build a business and a career with it.”

Jekwenta “Coach K” Primm, a nationally acclaimed business coach, grant-funding strategist, and educator, encourages Black women go to ChatGPT or another AI platform and talk about their business and inquire how to potentially gain capital for it. She uses AI to help clients get financing.

“ChatGPT is going to generate you an entire game plan that shows what your impact is, what your problem and solution statement is, what the need of your business is, and how you can be ethical with getting access to grants and positioning yourself as the most qualified candidate to get access to money for your business.”

Primm added that education and mentorship are pivotal for Black women in AI because people want to learn from people who look like them and whom they can relate to.

“The more we get minority women to understand AI and understand this information, the more we’ll get minority women that have the education to use this tool and use this strategy in their business.”

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by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 1, 2026

Michael Jackson Estate Sued By Four Siblings, Claiming Late Star Abused Them As Children

The siblings filed the complaint as the battle to void a settlement over these very claims.

The Michael Jackson estate has been sued by four siblings, accusing him of sexual abuse and child trafficking.

Siblings Edward, Dominic, Marie-Nicole, and Aldo Cascio filed the complaint Feb. 27, alleging that Jackson “groomed and brainwashed” the children for over a decade, using his star power and influence to do so.

They described Jackson as a “serial child predator” who drugged and raped them as he took them to various parts of the world. According to the siblings, the abuse occurred when Jackson and his own children stayed at the Cascios’ family home.

Jackson began his acts when the kids were “as young as seven or eight,” the 23-page suit obtained by People states.

The Cascio siblings reportedly met Jackson in 1984 when he stayed at a luxury hotel that their father, Dominic, managed. After Jackson allegedly gained their parents’ trust through gifts and attention, the siblings claim that Jackson began to take advantage of them.

“The family staunchly defended Michael Jackson for more than 25 years, attesting to his innocence of inappropriate conduct. This new court filing is a transparent forum-shopping tactic in their scheme to obtain hundreds of millions of dollars from Michael’s estate and companies,” said the estate’s attorney, Marty Singer.

Singer emphasized how the Cascios issued several statements in the past, all denying any wrongdoing by Jackson.

“With the Estate’s financial success growing, the Cascios, through two different attorneys, threatened to go public with heinous accusations that completely contradicted their previous statements defending Michael unless his Estate paid staggering sums of money,” he said.

According to Rolling Stone, the Cascios filed the complaint amid another legal bout with the estate. They are attempting to void a financial settlement, claiming that the payout seeks to “silence victims of childhood sexual abuse.” A follow-up hearing on the matter remains set for March 5.

In the filing, all four siblings expressed their own accounts of the abuse, some of which occurred at the residences of Jackson’s famous friends, including U.K. home of Elton John and the Switzerland home of Elizabeth Taylor.

“He would train me to say no to any authority and the police,” Aldo Cascio said. “If anyone asked, ‘Are you doing this?’ you would say no. He would say that people think this is wrong, but they’re wrong. This is real, this is love, but these people think it’s wrong and I could get into trouble—they’ll want to kill me…he would make me ‘Promise you love me and that you’ll protect me’…And so you felt responsible for helping him in any way.”

Jackson died in 2009 from a propofol overdose.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 1, 2026

Boston Man Uncovers Ancestor’s Freedom Papers While Cleaning Out Mom’s Maryland Home

Aaron Haynes used the freedom papers to learn more about his long-lost relative.

Boston resident Aaron Haynes used the discovery of long-lost freedom papers to reveal more about his family history.

Haynes is the descendant of freed man Samuel Jones, whose own identity as a freed Black man was concealed for generations until Hayes discovered Jones’ freedom papers after cleaning out his mother’s home in Anne Arundel, Maryland, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“And I opened it up and looked at it and was very confused as to what this might be,” he told WCVB. “And she said, ‘That’s your ancestor’s freedom papers.’ And I said, ‘Hold on!'”

The discovery led Haynes to learn more about his ancestor’s life. When he returned to Boston, he visited a library within American Ancestors. With the help of conservator Todd Pattison, Haynes confirmed the legitimacy of the document

“Generally, we don’t have as much material from more marginalized people, from people that didn’t have access to collections and weren’t collected by institutions,” said Pattison. “I think there has been a bias in institutional collecting that we collect, you know, Founding Fathers materials, and we collect wealthy people because we have historically tried to tell that story.”

The actual document was produced in 1834. The text itself states that Jones was 21 years old when he signed the crucial paper., which declares he was born and raised a free man in a Maryland county.

“Knowing that, probably I’m here because he did this step,” said Haynes. “Just a feeling of being grateful of what I have and feeling grateful for what my family has been through and knowing that through these trials and tribulations we can just overcome any obstacle.”

His family passed down the treasured paper unknowingly for years.

“I haven’t realized just how much it just weighs in on just the history of not just my family but of this country itself,” said Haynes. “And what it means to be just as an African American man, knowing that I have a relative’s freedom papers.”

Now, Haynes hopes that others can find these keepsakes that remain a testimony to Black American history.

by Ahsan Washington

March 1, 2026

Black Art Has Its Moment During L.A. Art Week

Los Angeles Art Week has grown to become one of the country's leading cultural and commercial art events that features Black art.

Los Angeles Art Week (Feb. 26 to March 1) has grown to become one of the country’s leading cultural and commercial art events, featuring fairs alongside blue-chip galleries and museum-level programming throughout the city.

The week is an essential market for Black art. From Inglewood to West Hollywood, Black creatives are having a moment.

The arrival of collectors, curators, and cultural power brokers in LA capitalized on this momentum. Here are some highlights.

Raymond Saunders Solo Exhibition at David Zwirner

The David Zwirner Gallery presents “Notes from LA,” a solo exhibition featuring the late Raymond Saunders, a pioneering Black American painter and educator. The exhibition presents Saunders’s mixed-media paintings with works on paper to deliver a concentrated study of the artist’s creative development. Through assemblage and conceptually driven works, Saunders helped define late 20th-century Black art on the West Coast. The show marks the first Los Angeles-focused Saunders exhibition in more than 10 years, and it is curated by Ebony L. Haynes. The exhibition will be open to the public at the gallery through April 25.

BUTTER LA Fine Art Fair

The BUTTER Fine Art Fair launched its first Los Angeles edition through BUTTER LA, which was established by Malina Simone Jeffers and Alan Bacon of GANGGANG. The event prioritizes Black visual artists who belong to the African diaspora. The fair, which runs to March 1 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, features artists at different career levels who keep full ownership of their sales revenue.

Black Diaspora Exhibition

The Black Diaspora exhibition “Here Then and Now” features historic and contemporary Black artists Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kehinde Wiley, and Julie Mehretu and is curated by Tanya Weddemire in partnership with Hamilton-Selway Fine Art. The exhibition takes place until March 15 and explores legacy and migration and collective memory and identity through both seminal and newer works. The exhibition seeks to trace Black artistic development across global and diasporic contexts while establishing Los Angeles as part of wider historical and social transformation dialogues.

‘BLK IRL’ ART GAL Virtual & Physical Exhibition

The group exhibition “BLK IRL” at ART GAL showcases the work of artists such as Skye Arthur, Bella Adeola, and Isaiah Salery.. Through virtual reality, sound, film, and mixed media, the exhibition examines contemporary Black existence. The exhibition, on view though April 16, seeks to modernize Black lived experiences within digital and mixed media contemporary art discussions while providing audiences with new ways to experience Black stories.

Ebony G. Patterson Solo Booth at Frieze Los Angeles

The Moniquemeloche gallery presents a solo booth exhibition of Jamaican artist Ebony G. Patterson at Frieze Los Angeles through March 1. After receiving the MacArthur “Genius” Grant, Ebony G. Patterson has her first major solo show at the fair.

Samella Lewis Retrospective

Samella Lewis, who founded the Museum of African American Art and curated “Black Art: An International Quarterly,” died in 2022. Louis Stern Fine Arts in Los Angeles presents a rare gallery exhibition called “The Work Is Never Finished, which features Lewis’ diverse artistic collection—lithographs, drawings, and paintings that reflect her decades-long socio-political activism. The exhibition allows viewers to study Lewis’ artistic legacy.