Nantucket African Meeting House Celebrates 200 Years On Fourth Of January
The African Meeting House in Nantucket, Massachusetts will be celebrating its 200th anniversary on January 4
The African Meeting House in Nantucket, Massachusetts, will be celebrating its 200th anniversary on January 4 through an evening of live performances and a rededication of the meeting house, which is now only used for ceremonies and special events.
According to the Cape Cod Times, both the meeting house and the Museum of African American History are central locations for Nantucket’s Black community.
Per the Nantucket Preservation Trust, the house is the last remaining public structure that was a vital part of Black communities of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Although it was constructed in 1827 by the African Baptist Society, the building was purchased in 1933 by Florence Higginbotham, who understood the importance of the building.
Despite Higginbotham’s purchase, the building fell into disrepair over the years and was in need of serious repairs.
In 1989, Higginbotham’s descendants sold the Meeting House to Boston’s Museum of African American History and the building was renovated and reopened to the public in 1999.
According to the museum’s website, “The small post-and-beam building, a National Historic Landmark, is the island’s most vivid reminder of a thriving 19th-century Black community. The Museum presents cultural programs and interpretive exhibits on the history of African Americans on Nantucket and makes the African Meeting House available for ceremonies and special events.”
Sage Morgan-Hubbard, the Director of Learning and Engagement at the Museum of African American History, told the Cape Cod Times that the event seeks to honor the history of the building.
“It really is just to honor the important history,” Morgan-Hubbard said. “It will be fun to learn about the history together and share in the celebration.”
According to the event’s listing on Eventbrite, although the event is free and open to the public, seating is limited, but reservations are available on the site.
Horizon Organic Whole Milk Recalled Due To Potential Spoilage
Customers are urged to stop using the affected products immediately and return them to CVS Pharmacy for a full refund.
Horizon Organic announced on Dec. 17, that it is voluntarily recalling specific lots of its Whole Milk 8 fl oz product due to potential spoilage. Customers are urged to stop using the affected products immediately and return them to CVS Pharmacy for a full refund.
The recall applies to Horizon Organic Whole Milk 8 fl oz (SKU 630205, UPC 36632071132) with the following lot codes:
2025.03.03
2025.03.04
2025.03.06
The issue was identified during routine quality checks, and no illnesses or injuries have been reported related to the product. However, the manufacturer is taking proactive steps to ensure consumer safety.
Details of the Recall
Horizon Organic Whole Milk is a popular choice among families seeking organic dairy products. The affected batches have been flagged for potential spoilage, which could lead to an off taste, odor, or texture.
Customers who purchased the recalled milk are encouraged to return the product to any CVS Pharmacy location for a full refund. No receipt is required, and refunds will be issued promptly.
“Horizon Organic prioritizes the health and safety of its customers,” the company stated in its recall notice. “This voluntary recall reflects our commitment to ensuring that our products meet the highest quality standards.”
What Should Customers Do?
Customers who have purchased the affected Horizon Organic Whole Milk are advised to:
Discontinue Use Immediately: Do not consume the product from the affected lot codes.
Return for a Refund: Bring the recalled product to any CVS Pharmacy store for a refund. No receipt is needed.
Contact for Questions: Customers with further questions about the recall can reach out to CVS Pharmacy or Horizon Organic’s customer service for assistance.
Ensuring Consumer Safety
Product recalls are critical to maintaining trust and safety in the marketplace. Spoilage in dairy products can occur due to various factors, including production, storage, or distribution issues. Horizon Organic and CVS Pharmacy are working closely with regulatory authorities to investigate the cause and prevent future incidents.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages consumers to report adverse reactions or quality issues with food products through its MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
About Horizon Organic
Horizon Organic is a leading provider of organic dairy products in the United States, offering milk, cheese, and other products sourced from organic farms that prioritize sustainable practices. Known for its commitment to environmental stewardship and health, Horizon Organic’s products are free from antibiotics, growth hormones, and artificial ingredients.
Stay Informed
Visit the FDA’s recall website at www.fda.gov to stay up to date on recalls and food safety notices. It is important to regularly check lot codes on food products to ensure that the items you consume meet safety and quality standards.
Monument Honoring Black Union Soldiers To Be Installed At Historic First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, Virginia
A monument honoring 70 Black Union soldiers is coming to Downtown Rocky Mount, Virginia.
A monument honoring 70 Black Union soldiers who fought for the U.S. in the Civil War will be unveiled at the historic First Baptist Church in downtown Rocky Mount, Virginia.
Cardinal News reports that the official unveiling of the monument is scheduled for late 2025. Made in partnership with Rocky Mount’s Raising the Shade Monument Committee and the Franklin County NAACP, it will honor the Black soldiers from Franklin County who served in the U.S. Colored Troops.
Once completed in 2025, the monument will be on the former site of the historically Black First Baptist Church, prominently located near the entrance to downtown Rocky Mount. This site reflects the legacy of the U.S. Colored Troops who fought for their freedom, as well as the resilience of the church’s founding members, who established their congregation during the era of Jim Crow.
“It’s almost like this is where the monument was meant to be in the first place,” said Eric Anspaugh, chair of the Franklin County NAACP.
The church’s erection and continuation in the Jim Crow South “It had to have been a radical thing,” Rev. Christopher Coates said.
The monument’s location information comes four years after researcher Glenna Moore discovered the Union soldiers and their ties to Franklin County in 2020. Her initial search for the city’s Black veterans found three who fought in the Civil War as Union soldiers. However, after a deeper dive, Moore discovered the 70 Black men who fought as part of the U.S. Colored Troops.
There was much debate over where the monument would be placed, with Raising the Shade steering committee and town officials agreeing that the Veterans Memorial Park would be a suitable location for the project. However, there were also considerations for placing the monument at the Rocky Mount farmers market.
However, First Baptist Church intervened when the Raising the Shade committee and the Franklin County NAACP, which oversees the project’s funds, could not reach an agreement with the town. The 7-foot bronze statue hopes to honor not just the Black Union soldiers from Franklin County but the countless Black men who fought for the country and went unnoticed.
Black men have fought for America since the Revolutionary War; however, following the Federal Militia Act of 1792, they were barred from enlisting. During the Civil War, nearly 200,000 Black soldiers enlisted to fight for the U.S., establishing the U.S. Colored Troops in 1863.
Now, a new monument will commemorate the service of Black soldiers in the Civil War, particularly those from Franklin County.
“It feels like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders,” Anspaugh said. “We’re celebrating.”
Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President And Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dies At 100
The beloved former president is survived by his four children—Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy—11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 29, at his home in Plains, Georgia. Surrounded by family, the former president was 100 years old, making him the longest-lived president in American history.
Carter is remembered for his unwavering commitment to peace, human rights, and humanitarian efforts during and after his presidency. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said his son Chip Carter.
Carter is survived by his four children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy — 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, and one grandchild.
Legacy of Leadership
Born in Plains, Georgia, on Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. grew up on a peanut farm in the segregated South. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Carter served as a naval officer before returning to Plains to manage his family’s farm after his father’s death.
Carter’s political career began in the Georgia State Senate in the early 1960s. He rose to national prominence when he was elected governor of Georgia in 1970. His stance on civil rights and government accountability set the stage for his victorious 1976 presidential campaign.
As president, Carter prioritized human rights and diplomacy, notably brokering the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel. His administration also focused on energy conservation and environmental protection.
Though his presidency faced challenges — including the Iran hostage crisis and economic inflation — Carter’s post-presidency work earned him widespread admiration.
Post-Presidential Achievements
After leaving the White House in 1981, Carter established The Carter Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing peace, democracy, and health worldwide. The Center has spearheaded initiatives to combat diseases such as Guinea worm and to promote fair elections globally.
In 2002, Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades-long efforts to resolve international conflicts and fight for human rights. “He believed in giving every effort to make a positive difference,” said Mary Ann Peters, CEO of The Carter Center.
Tributes and Public Observances
Public memorials will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., culminating in a private burial in Plains, Georgia. The Joint Task Force-National Capital Region will announce details of the state funeral.
The Carter family has requested donations be made to The Carter Center instead of flowers. Members of the public are invited to share condolences and memories on the official tribute website, jimmycartertribute.org.
Social media users also commented on Carter’s passing. Emotions ranged from petty in response to the beloved former president’s death and Donald Trump to solemn condolences.
A condolence message from The King to President Biden and the American people following the death of former US President Jimmy Carter. pic.twitter.com/EIZqj7MZeb
Carter’s life was deeply rooted in his faith. A devout Baptist, he taught Sunday school well into his 90s. His 1977 inaugural address quoted Micah 6:8: “To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” Many said this scripture epitomized his life’s work.
His personal life was marked by his enduring partnership with Rosalynn, whom he married in 1946. Together, they championed causes, from affordable housing through Habitat for Humanity to global health initiatives.
National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.
“President Carter was that rarest of politicians who was driven by his faith and ideals rather than expediency. Just as he later would wield the tools at his disposal to build homes for people in need, he wielded every resource available to him as an elected official and respected statesman to alleviate suffering, to dismantle oppression, and to advance peace and justice.
A Legacy of Compassion
The beloved former president’s relentless advocacy for human rights and a deep sense of justice leave an indelible mark. In a 2013 interview, Carter stated his hope to be remembered “as a champion of human rights” and for his commitment to ensuring peace and dignity for all people.
As the nation reflects on Carter’s legacy, his call for compassion and action resonates more than ever.
“We shall miss President Carter’s strong leadership and profound humility,” said Peters. “His legacy inspires us to continue his work of waging peace, fighting disease, and building hope.”
Head Coach Mike Brown Fired By Sacramento Kings, Sparking Backlash
Coaches around the league, including Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone, who formerly coached for the Kings, responded with ire at the sudden firing of Brown
Mike Brown, the 2023 NBA Coach of the Year, was fired by the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 27 after leading the Kings to the playoffs for the past two years. Brown’s tenure came to an end as the Kings finished up a homestand, which saw them go 0-5 and drop to the 12th seed in the Western Conference.
According to The Athletic, Brown ended the Kings’ 16-season playoff drought in 2023, bringing playoff contention to a franchise, which had long gone without hope.
Brown’s last game on Dec. 26 was an encapsulation of the Kings season up to that point, as the team found a way to blow a 19-point lead, capped by star guard Dearron Fox’s defensive lapse and panicked close-out which led to a game-sealing four-point play for the Detroit Pistons’ Jaden Ivey.
Following the game, Brown was understandably critical of Fox’s play and of the team’s inability or refusal to lock in defensively at the end of games this season.
The next day, after an extended conversation at practice with Fox, Brown gave his typical post-practice interview session to reporters and was preparing to board the plane to Los Angeles for the team’s game against the Lakers when word came down that he had been fired.
Coaches around the league, including Denver Nuggets head coach Mike Malone, who formerly coached for the Kings, responded with ire at the sudden firing of Brown.
Malone told reporters that he initially was “shocked and surprised” but after reflecting, those feelings gave way to an understanding of how life is as an NBA head coach.
Malone continued, “Then I caught myself. I said, ‘Why am I shocked and surprised? [I’m not] for two reasons. One, because as an NBA head coach, ultimately, you’re going to get the blame. When they win, it’s gonna go to Sabonis and Fox, and when you lose, it’s gonna go to Mike Brown. That’s the way it works. And two, who he works for,” Malone said. Malone coached the Kings from the 2013 season to the 2014 season. “So I’m not surprised that Mike Brown got fired, because I got fired by the same person.”
Steve Kerr said he talked to Mike Brown today after the Kings let him go: “When you think about where that franchise was before Mike got there, where they’ve been the last couple years, the job he and his staff have done, it’s shocking.” pic.twitter.com/9IljjWN0Ys
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, whose staff Brown left to take the job in Sacramento, called the firing of Brown “shocking” during the course of his comments to reporters.
“When you think about where that franchise was before Mike got there, where they’ve been the last couple years, the job that he and his staff have done, it’s just really shocking,” Kerr said.
Brown was replaced on an interim basis by key assistant coach Doug Christie, a beloved member of the 2001 Sacramento Kings squad that pushed the Shaq and Kobe led Lakers squad to seven games.
It is believed that the rest of the season will be Christie’s audition to show that he is worthy of a longer look, and potentially becoming the official next coach of the Kings. However, if tradition holds, he too could be swapped out for yet another coach if he falls out of favor with Kings ownership.
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl: A Historic First With Rapper’s Gin And Juice Brand As Presenting Sponsor
During the game at the University of Arizona's Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Snoop was a fixture in nearly every aspect of the game's presentation.
The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Presented By Gin and Juice by Dre and Snoop is the official title of the bowl game formerly known simply as the Arizona Bowl, which was played on Dec. 28 and is the first bowl game presented by an alcoholic beverage or that has an alcoholic beverage as a presenting sponsor.
According to The Coloradoan, rules around which entities could promote bowl games used to be under a more strict set of guidelines, but those guidelines were removed entirely in 2022, allowing for a broader range of advertising partnerships.
— The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl By Gin & Juice (@theARIZONABOWL) December 8, 2024
In a press release announcing the multi-year sponsorship of the Arizona Bowl in May, Snoop Dogg alluded to his involvement in the Snoop Youth Football League and his love of the game of football.
“I’ve sent many players through my SYFL to colleges (and the NFL) so it’s only fitting that I bring the ‘juice’ back to college football,” Snoop said in the release. “Dr. Dre and I are excited to bring our brand to the next level with this partnership, and we’re going to make the Arizona Bowl into a game day experience like never before.”
Over the years, Snoop Dogg has transformed his public persona from a gangsta rap artist to a beloved elder statesman who has become America’s favorite pitchman.
During the game at the University of Arizona’s Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Snoop was a fixture in nearly every aspect of the game’s presentation.
Before kickoff, Snoop caught passes from the University of Miami at Ohio’s equipment manager and stopped by a tailgate, where he had a few sips of his Gin & Juice drink.
Snoop headed back in the stadium to perform the coin toss ahead of kickoff, which the crowd loved, judging from their roaring applause for the rapper. Following the kickoff, he went to Colorado State’s sidelines where he put on a coach headset and called a few plays.
Later, he joined the broadcast booth and succinctly summed up his appeal with America in general, remarking in the play by play booth, “This is a seven-day-a-week thing with me, man,” Snoop said. “I guess I’m the people’s champ because I love the people as much as they love me.”
After this, Snoop went down to the field and interviewed Miami (Ohio) head coach Chuck Martin at halftime, climbed the bandstand, where he led both schools bands as they performed medleys of some of his hit songs. Snoop then went back into the booth, where he remained for the entirety of the fourth quarter.
After the clock hit triple zeroes, Snoop closed out the bowl game’s festivities by handing out the Arizona Bowl trophy near the victorious Miami (Ohio) football team on a makeshift stage, after driving out a light green lowrider-styled Chevy Impala complete with gold rims and accent trim.
Snoop also handed out gold chains to the players and took pictures with some of them before security whisked him out of the stadium.
Snoop thanked the fans who gathered at the stadium for welcoming him, and if the rest of their partnership goes like year one, the Arizona Bowl might turn into the can’t-miss bowl game for players, fans, and broadcast networks alike.
Atlantic City Theater To Be Transformed Into Cultural Arts Center For Jazz And Black History
The theater will be taken over by the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation.
The legendary Dante Hall Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey, will become a new beacon for the area’s jazz and Black history.
The theater will be revitalized into a cultural arts center that will touch on Atlantic City’s jazz presence and racial discrimination at its beaches. According to NJ.com, a local foundation that promotes the city’s Black history, the Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation, will launch new programming at the space.
The organization recently obtained a $1.8 million grant from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority in November. It emerged as one of 12 groups given the monetary award. It aims to transform unused properties in the state to benefit the surrounding community.
With the funding in tow, the foundation can now celebrate the city’s place in Jazz music. Moreover, they can also document its Black residents’ fight for integration. They plan to open a museum detailing this unique history.
“This is what we wanted since 2005 and now it’s materializing,“ said Henrietta Shelton, founder of the Chicken Bone Beach foundation. “It’s unbelievable what we’re going to be able to do in the art form, in that building.”
Established in the 1990s, the foundation’s namesake comes from the shoreline designated for Black beachgoers. Its name stemmed from racist stereotypes of Black families bringing fried chicken for a beach picnic. However, residents have since reclaimed the name and this history. The beach also gained recognition as a historic site on New Jersey’s Black Heritage Trail.
The organization’s leaders plan to buy a 250-seat theater. While still preserving the theater’s seating and integrity, they will renovate its upper floors to classrooms for teaching music. Furthermore, the theater’s original use will still shine through concerts and performances.
Chicken Bone beach once hosted artists from Sammy Davis Jr. to Louis Armstrong to entertain Black attendees. Now, the foundation hopes to recreate the magic that once delighted Black audiences during the early to mid-20th century.
Shelton added, “Now we can do even more powerful things in that building — indoor concerts, we can have plays, it’s going to be a Mecca.”
Originally built in the 1920s, Dante Hall has remained vacant since 2020. However, the organization plans to immediately use the space for its programming, specifically choir practice, once the purchase closes.
Man Arrested For Pouring Gasoline On North Carolina Woman, Lighting Her On Fire
According to her GoFundMe, Ashanti Downey, 20, endured third-degree burns on over 70% of her body.
A man has been arrested and charged for reportedly pouring gasoline on a 20-year-old woman from North Carolina, lighting her on fire after doing so.
The Harnett County Sheriff’s Office says the man, Jami Raiziah Griffin, lived with the woman, who now lies in critical condition. According to People, Griffin allegedly attempted to kill Ashanti Downey on Dec. 16 by setting her on fire. Downey now suffers from third-degree burns down the right side of her body.
They arrested the 23-year-old on Dec. 27, more than 10 days after the initial incident. He now has charges for felony attempted murder, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and misdemeanor assault.
The police say Downey was walking down Barbecue Church Road in Sanford, North Carolina, when Griffin allegedly doused her with gasoline and set her on fire.
Initially, police did not have an immediate suspect, yet called the matter a “nightmare” for Downey and her family. However, they revealed that it could have been a domestic issue, later discovering it was the case.
However, Downey’s family has advocated on behalf of their loved one as she embarks on recovery. Her mother, Donecia Davis, expressed her frustrations with the ordeal to news outlets.
“How could they do this to my baby?” Davis toldWRAL-TV. “You didn’t have to do this to her.”
The family set up a GoFundMe to help with Downey’s medical expenses. They greatly surpassed their original goal of $75K, with more than $94K donated thus far.
“My daughter will be celebrating her 21st birthday on January 1, 2025, and due to the hatred of an individual or individuals, her life will be forever changed,” the parent wrote on the platform. “No parent should have to see their child in the condition my daughter is in. I am making her my top priority and have been by her side at the hospital since this incident occurred.”
The money will go toward Downey’s medical bills, which include surgery, ongoing treatment, and rehab. Still accepting donations, it will also cover outside bills as the mother takes off work, without pay, to support her daughter in her healing journey.
As for Griffin, he remains detained at Harnett County Detention Center since his arrest. He expects to appear in court on Dec. 30.
Tyler Perry Explains Why His Son Gets Only ‘Books And Legos’ For Christmas
Perry, who also makes his son fly commercial, refuses to let his son grow up to be a spoiled and entitled person.
Tyler Perry wants his son to have a relatively normal upbringing. The billionaire filmmaker and producer explained why he only gifts his son inexpensive items for Christmas, and his decision to have him fly commercial.
Perry got real about his intention to not spoil his son despite him having a very successful father. The Six Triple Eight writer and director appeared on a Dec. 18 episode of Sherri where he revealed this shocking parenting choice.
He told Sherri Shepherd that his son, Aman, doesn’t get a Christmas list. In fact, the 10-year-old only gets two types of things for the gift-giving holiday.
“He don’t get no Christmas list,” he told the talk show host, as reported byPeople. “He gets two things: books and Legos.”
After Shepherd expressed her initial surprise at this simple gift, Perry responded that the boy has no job to get much else.
The actor continued, “He don’t have a job! What else is he going to get?”
Moreover, Aman doesn’t get the usual celebrity kid perk of flying in private planes. Perry revealed that he and Aman’s mother, Gelila Bekele, decided early on that their son would learn better life skills by undergoing the typical airport experience. The move came after a five-year-old Aman would start complaining about the long lines often found at TSA.
Perry remains unashamed of this decision. He emphasized the importance of Aman finding his own success before enjoying certain luxuries.
“Absolutely,” Perry exclaimed. “So that he understands I worked, he did not! So when he works, he can learn that lesson. He’s not going to be one of those ridiculous spoiled rich kids. I can’t stand that. No! He ain’t got no money!”
For the Madea film franchise creator, he wants his son to become his own man before others decide who he is, based on his dad.
“I want him to know who he is before people start to say, ‘Oh, that’s Tyler Perry’s son!’ I want to make sure that he’s not seen in public,” explained the filmmaker. “Even when I’m at a game, I’m in the back so he can play and not be bothered. All those things are important to me so he can have as much of a normal life as he can. Very different from my childhood, but I don’t want him to be that spoiled, rich, entitled.”
Social Media Prankster Faces Felony Charges For Spraying Bug Spray On Food At Walmart
Videos show Phoenix Influencer Charles Smith spraying bug spray on a number of items, including chicken.
Charles Smith, a Black 27-year-old social media influencer from Phoenix, is now facing felony charges after videos uploaded to Instagram and TikTok showed a man, later confirmed to be Smith, spraying bug spray on several items, including chicken, at a local Walmart.
According to the Arizona Republic, spraying the poison on the food items led to a felony charge of introducing poison and misdemeanor charges of theft, criminal damage, and endangerment.
In addition, a judge ordered Smith held on a $10,000 bond for a separate third-degree burglary charge.
Detective Richard Encinas told the outlet that Smith voluntarily turned himself in and admitted to spraying the poison and theft.
“Through investigative means, and with assistance from the Tempe Police Department, detectives were able to identify Smith as the suspect,” Detective Encinas said. “Mesa Police contacted Smith and he turned himself in voluntarily. During the interview, Smith admitted to the theft and spraying of the pesticide.”
Smith, who posts his content on social media under the name Wolfie Kahletti on Instagram and TikTok, which has been banned, did make two follow-up posts indicating that he didn’t leave the product he sprayed out for others to pick up.
He captioned those posts “Fooled u,” “Threw them away,” and “Promise I threw them away.”
“Once he left, he began to see comments online saying how horrible the act was, and he decided to return and collect the items,” the documents state.
Walmart, the store where the videos were filmed, said in a statement to the outlet that the contaminated products were removed from the store and the areas where the videos were filmed were cleaned.
“The health and safety of our customers and associates is always a top priority,” Walmart’s statement read. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our customers as we work to resolve this issue. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement during their investigation.”
According to the Mesa Police Department, this case is an example of what can happen when alleged social media pranks go too far.
“This incident underscores the potential dangers of reckless actions disguised as social media pranks,” the police department said in a statement to People Magazine.
