Columbia University, course — Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silver-ipad-on-white-book-page-289737/

by Kandiss Edwards

April 26, 2025

Columbia Lecturer Creates ‘Resistance Summer School’ After University Eliminates Her Course On Race

Karen Attiah presents 'Resistance Summer School' in response to university purge of diverse course offerings.

Karen Attiah, a former lecturer at Columbia University, has announced the independent launch of her course, “Race, Media & International Affairs,” after the university canceled it.

Attiah detailed the circumstances surrounding the course’s cancellation on her Substack blog, “The Golden Hour.” She attributed the decision to Columbia’s administration “pre-emptively caving to pressure, especially in placing departments such as Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies under special provost supervision or receivership.”

Author of “Say Your Word, Then Leave,” Attiah expressed her disappointment, stating, “This is not a time for media literacy or historical knowledge to be held hostage by institutions bending the knee to authoritarianism and fear.”

In response to the cancellation, Attiah took the initiative to offer the course independently. The course is a hybrid online program accessible to the public. The “Resistance Summer School” will provide a platform for discussions on race, journalism, and international affairs.

Latest podcast is out: Get in everyone, we are going to Resistance Summer School! Thank you to everyone who indicated they would like to take my course on Race, Media and International Affairs 101. Please fill out this quick interest form to begin to sign up! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…

[image or embed]
— Karen Attiah (@karenattiah.bsky.social) April 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM

The initiative has garnered significant interest, with over 1,200 individuals signing up within days of the announcement.

Attiah’s decision to proceed independently reflects a broader trend of educators seeking alternative avenues to disseminate knowledge amid institutional interference.

She remarked, “In a moment of crisis and repression, we do not have to wait for elite permission to share knowledge, create community, and help those in need.

Columbia University has not publicly commented on the specifics of the course’s cancellation. However, the situation underscores ongoing debates about academic freedom. The role of universities in facilitating critical discussions on race and media is also in question.

Attiah’s course is set to commence this summer. Enrollment details are available through Attiah’s Substack platform. She continues to advocate for open dialogue and education, stating such efforts are crucial in challenging times.

DDG, 8 million, net worth — LOU WOP, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 26, 2025

Streamer DDG Says He Has To Work Or Else He’d Go Broke, ‘I Don’t Have A Choice’

DDG opens up about going broke if he doesn't keep working.

DDG has created a lucrative career for himself as a streamer. However, the social media star admits that if he didn’t stream his life regularly, he “would go broke” due to his high living expenses.

During a recent stream, the rapper and YouTuber emphasized his need to earn more money or risk jeopardizing his expensive lifestyle.

“I have to make money. Bills are high,” DDG said in a clip captured by Reign Drops Media. “Did I tell you how much my bills is a month? N***a, my bills high as sh*t. If I don’t work, I’m a go broke ASAP.”

“Like, I have to work. I don’t have a choice,” he continued. “It ain’t ’bout me trying to pocket some money. I have multiple homes, multiple cars. I have family. I have a child. I spend a lot of money.”

https://twitter.com/Raindropsmedia1/status/1915056432094888052

His latest reveal comes weeks after he gave a mixed response when asked about his reported $8 million net worth.

“I wouldn’t say it’s way off, but it’s not accurate,” DDG told Speedy Mormon. “$80 million off.”

When Mormon tried to confirm whether DDG’s net worth was around $100 million, the rapper playfully dodged the question, joking that he might be lying.

“Yeah, I’m a Libra, though,” DDG said. “[We] be lying and sh*t.”

He went on to say that he would be “cool with $100 million,” because if he can make that much, “might as well go to a billion.”

“If I can touch $100 mil by 37, I’ll be happy,” DDG said.

His plan to increase his earnings is to work harder and build a cohesive team.

Earlier this month, DDG addressed rumors of his $8 million net worth, stating that he’s worth significantly more and has received $400,000 checks from YouTube.

“But I’m grinding though,” DDG said. “Like, I’m not missing no days. I’m posting three videos a day, seven videos in one day. Like, I’m going crazy.”

Trump, exonerated five — NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 19: Raymond Santana attends the unveiling of the "Gate of the Exonerated" in Harlem on December 19, 2022 in New York City. The "Gate of the Exonerated" honors the Central Park Five, five Black and Latino teenagers who were wrongly convicted for the 1989 Central Park jogger rape. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 26, 2025

‘Exonerated Five’ Raymond Santana Says There’s A ‘Solid Case Against Trump’ After Judge Blocks Lawsuit Dismissal Attempts

U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled Trump’s statements during the Sept 2024 presidential debate could be looked at as factual assertions over opinions.

Raymond Santana, one of the Exonerated Five, broke his silence on a judge blocking President Doanld Trump’s attempt to have their defamation suit thrown out, saying it “proves our point.”

Santana pointed out that he and the other members of the wrongly accused also known as the Central Park Five – Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown, and Korey Wise – have been dealing with Trump since 1989 when Trump, then a New York City businessman, ran full-page newspaper ads calling for their execution. “It just proves our point. We’ve been dealing with this man since 1989, and he has doubled down, tripled down, and sometimes quadrupled down on our guilt, and it just shows that justice is going to be served,” Santana said.

“The courts are not going to fall for the BS. They are going to call it how they see it, and that we have a case. We deserve to be heard in court, and the right to face our accuser.”

Posted @withregram • @preservinghistory Raymond Santana — one of the wrongfully convicted Central Park Five — is celebrating after a federal judge shut down donald trump attempt to toss out the defamation lawsuit they filed against him. pic.twitter.com/LeuOrcaIkS
— KING UNCLE BOO-BOO 14 (@JNJNM1123) April 24, 2025

The business owner pointed out that Trump has never shown remorse for his actions and highlighted how he doubled down on his and his exonerated friends being guilty during the 2024 presidential debate with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The group was granted the victory after U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled that Trump’s statements during the presidential debate in September could be considered factual assertions rather than opinions, making them subject to defamation claims. “The broadcast was liable for its defamatory publication,” the judge ruled.

“Here, Plaintiffs were not just in the process of being exonerated; their name had been cleared for over twenty years, so Defendant cannot argue that stating they pleaded guilty to crimes is substantially true when the truth is that Plaintiffs are not guilty at all of those crimes.”

Salaam, now an elected member of New York City’s Council, was backstage during the debate. Trump spotted him and assumed that Salaam was there to support him. When reporters asked the GOP candidate at the time if he would apologize, he grinned and pointed at Salaam, saying, “That’s good, you’re on my side!”

Outside of getting his time in court to face his accuser, Santana will have plenty of time to speak about the changes he wants to see in the courtroom. According to CBS News, he is running for City Council in East Harlem and the Bronx to help revitalize the area, which has been experiencing deteriorating neighborhoods. “Because my community needs resources, and if I can help organize, unify, and uplift them, then I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing,” Santana said.

Referring to the area as “zombie land,” the 50-year-old wants to see change that he claims he doesn’t see under the leadership of current council member, Diana Ayala. He admits that the race will be tough, but is proud that his platform is still evolving with a focus on public safety and heightening the relationship between people in the neighborhood and the NYPD.

(Photo credit: Oregon State University) Angela Davis January 26, 1944 Birmingham, Alabama Angela Davis became a groundbreaking figure as an activist and scholar, advocating for racial justice and prison reform, and symbolizing resistance after her arrest and acquittal in the 1970s. wams.nyhistory.org/growth-and-turmoil/feminism-and-the-backlash/angela-davis/

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 26, 2025

Angela Davis To Keynote Black Feminist Reunion In New Orleans

Angela Davis is lending her voice to support the new generation of Black feminists during a three-day conference.

Famed activist Angela Davis will serve as the keynote speaker at the largest Black feminist conference in the U.S. this June, lending her voice to support a new generation of Black feminists.

From June 5 to 7, Black Feminist Future will host Get Free: Black Feminist Reunion, a three-day event inspired by the historic 1973 National Black Women’s Organization conference. The gathering will feature powerful panels, a keynote address from the renowned Angela Davis, and events designed to foster connection and elevate collective consciousness within the Black feminist community.

Davis rose in prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s through her work as a radical feminist and activist, a member of the Communist Party USA, and an affiliate of the Los Angeles chapter of the Black Panther Party. In 1969, Davis made national headlines when she was fired from her teaching position at the University of California due to her membership in the Communist Party—a move heavily pushed by then-California governor and future president Ronald Reagan.

Davis would return to her post after Judge Jerry Pacht ruled that UCLA’s Board of Regents could not fire Davis solely because of her affiliation with the Communist Party. However, she was fired again in 1970 for using “inflammatory language” in four different speeches.

Over the last five decades, Davis has been widely recognized for her lifelong activism, receiving honors such as the Soviet Union’s Lenin Peace Prize and induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2020, Time magazine named her its 1971 “Woman of the Year” in its special 100 Women of the Year issue, and she was also listed among the world’s 100 most influential people.

A professor emerita of History of Consciousness and Feminist Studies at the University of California, Davis, has written numerous books, with her most recent works including Abolition. Feminism. Now. (co-written with Gina Dent, Erica Meiners, and Beth Richie), and the essay collection Abolition: Politics, Practices, Promises, Vol. 1. She is also a founding member of Critical Resistance, a national organization focused on dismantling the prison industrial complex.

The Get Free lineup also features speakers like Domonique Morgan, Devin-Norelle, and Shana Griffin, among others. Attendees can expect a full schedule of discussions exploring themes like “Visions of Black Feminist Possibilities” and “How Black Feminism Is Shaping Politics.”

The event aims to equip participants with tools, foster unity, and inspire continued collective action. Those interested in attending can register HERE.

Lil Wayne, Travis Hunter, sports agent, football. NFL — (Photo: Creative Commons via Wikimedia Commons)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 25, 2025

Travis Hunter’s Father Attends NFL Draft After Being Granted Permission By Judge

The former Colorado Buffaloes player was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the second pick

Former Colorado Buffaloes player Travis Hunter Jr. was the second player drafted in this year’s NFL Draft, and his father, Travis Sr., who has been sentenced to home confinement, was permitted by the courts to witness his namesake’s ascension into professional sports in person.

According to USA Today, both Hunters were present at the NFL Draft on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to share when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called Travis Jr.’s name after the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him. It was an emotional moment for Travis Jr. as he mentioned that he wished his father were by his side when he won the coveted Heisman Trophy Award earlier this year.

Travis Sr. is currently serving three years of probation in Palm Beach County, Florida, after he was convicted of gun and drug charges last year. A Florida judge granted Travis Sr.’s request to travel to Wisconsin, also known as the “Badger State,” to be with his son for his historic moment.

Mamdani, Barack Obama, protest, New York City — ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 01: Former U.S. President Barack Obama campaigns for Georgia Democratic Senate candidate U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) at a rally December 1, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Sen. Warnock continues to campaign throughout Georgia for the runoff election on December 6 against his Republican challenger Herschel Walker. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 25, 2025

Former President Barack Obama Weighs In On The Human Touch Vs. AI For Coding

The former President says A.I. "can code better than let’s call it 60%, 70% of coders now."

Former President Barack Obama spoke about the future of human jobs as he feels artificial intelligence (AI) is outperforming human coding efforts, People of Color in Tech reports.

While participating in the Sacerdote Great Names Series at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, America’s former president spoke about how many roles will potentially be eliminated — and no longer essential — due to the effectiveness of AI, claiming the software codes 60% to 70% better than humans.

“Already the current models of AI, not necessarily the ones that you purchase or that you just get through the retail ChatGPT, but the more advanced models that are available now to companies, they can code better than let’s call it 60%, 70% of coders now,” the former president told Hamilton’s President Steven Tepper.

“We’re talking highly skilled jobs that pay really good salaries and that, up until recently, have been entirely a seller’s market in Silicon Valley. A lot of that work is going to go away. The best coders will be able to use these tools to augment what they already do, but for a lot of routine stuff, you just won’t need a coder because the computer or the machine will do it itself. That’s going to duplicate itself across professions.”

Barack Obama's thoughts on AI's impact pic.twitter.com/Cs2ny2pRyy
— Aiden (@genArtGallery) April 21, 2025

Obama isn’t the only celebrity who has highlighted the importance of AI slowly but surely taking over. Through the Coramino Fund, an investment collaboration between comedian Kevin Hart and Juan Domingo Beckmann’s Gran Coramino Tequila, entrepreneurs and small businesses from underresourced communities were encouraged to apply for its $10,000 grant program. While first-round applications closed on April 23, 50 firms will not only receive capital to expand but also receive “cutting-edge AI technological training and hands-on learning to responsibly and effectively incorporate into their operations,” according to Fortune.

Hart says business owners must leap on the opportunity and education.

“The train is coming and coming fast,” he said. “Either you’re on it, or if not, get out of the way.”

Data and research are also supporting Hart and Obama’s viewpoints, and people of color could be affected the most as it grows more popular in the workplace. After reviewing data from the U.S. Census, researchers at Michigan State University’s Julian Samora Research Institute found that Hispanic-owned companies reported nearly 9% of AI adoption and Asian-owned firms used roughly 11%. Nearly 78% of white-owned companies reported high use of the technology.

Black-owned companies ranked last, with the lowest AI usage across the board in 2023, with fewer than 2% of businesses reporting “high use.”

A report from researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), revealed that the state’s Latinx AI employees are at high risk of losing their jobs due to automation and the increased use of technology that performs repetitive tasks without human involvement.

Data from the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility indicates that the AI divide could widen the racial wealth gap by $43 million annually.

film, Kobe Bryant — Kobe Bryant in 2012 (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 25, 2025

Kobe Bryant’s First Game-Worn Jersey Sells For $7M

This makes it the highest price paid for a Kobe Bryant Jersey

A basketball jersey worn by the legendary Kobe Bryant sold at a record-high price of $7 million at a Sotheby’s auction.

According to ESPN, the jersey Bryant wore as a rookie during the 1996-97 season was sold for a reported $7 million, breaking the previous record for a Bryant jersey at $5.85 million. That signed jersey was from his only MVP season, 2007-08. The item was listed on the Sotheby’s auction website and was purchased on April 24.

Sotheby’s sold Kobe Bryant’s first game-worn NBA jersey for $7 million at auction. It is the 2nd highest price ever for an NBA game-worn jersey after the $10.1 million paid for Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals one. pic.twitter.com/b6qIwOvsEP

— Kurt Badenhausen (@kbadenhausen) April 24, 2025

The auction initially listed the item that was photo-matched to seven games.

“Worn during his first game (both in the regular season and preseason) with the Los Angeles Lakers, this jersey encapsulates the very beginning of a career that would transcend the sport.”

Bryant’s debut for the Lakers on the basketball court occurred during the preseason on Oct. 16, 1996. However, Sotheby’s stated that the jersey was first seen on Bryant during his first NBA media day appearance on Oct. 1, 1996. He wore it two days after his first preseason game, on Oct. 18. The jersey was worn four more times during the regular season, when he made his regular season debut on Nov. 3, and then on Nov. 10, 15, and 20.

The $7 million jersey is the fourth-most-expensive game-worn sports jersey behind the $24 million Babe Ruth “called shot” jersey, Michael Jordan’s $10.1 million “Last Dance” jersey, and Diego Maradona’s $9.3 million “Hand of God” Argentina jersey from the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

“Debut games are truly one-of-a-kind moments in an athlete’s career,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s head of modern collectibles, in a written statement. “They mark the nascency of an extraordinary journey, and for iconic athletes like Kobe Bryant, these milestones hold even more significance as they represent a singular moment in time that can never be replicated.”

Bryant played his entire career with the Lakers, winning five NBA championships, becoming a two-time Finals MVP, and earning the 2008 NBA Most Valuable Player award. He made the All-Star team 18 times and became the youngest player to reach 30,000 points. In his final game before retiring in 2016, he scored an NBA season-high 60 points.

The 41-year-old basketball legend died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others on Jan. 26, 2020.

Teyana Taylor, Essence, Apollo,, Innovator Award — Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 25, 2025

The Apollo Set To Honor Teyana Taylor With Inaugural Innovator Award, ‘Beyond Anything I Could Have Dreamed’

Teyana Taylor is set to receive the first-ever Innovator Award at The Apollo's 2025 Spring Benefit.

Teyana Taylor will be celebrated in her hometown as the first-ever recipient of The Apollo Theater’s inaugural Innovator Award.

The Harlem native will return home on June 4 to be honored at the Apollo’s Spring Benefit, where she’ll be recognized for her dynamic career as a singer, model, actress, and creative director. The award marks a full-circle moment for Taylor, who was born and raised in Harlem and deeply understands the cultural significance of the iconic venue.

“Growing up in Harlem, The Apollo has always been a source of inspiration and Black excellence,” Taylor said in a press release. “Being honored in my hometown by this iconic institution is beyond anything I could have dreamed.”

The Apollo’s 2025 Spring Benefit will mark the historic theater’s final fundraiser before it undergoes its first full-scale renovation and modernization in its 90-year history. This year’s event serves as a multigenerational celebration of The Apollo’s continued legacy, helping to launch and sustain the careers of thousands of Black artists, offering them not just a stage, but a livelihood.

“For generations, The Apollo has been a beacon of culture and community in Harlem and around the world,” said Michelle Ebanks, president & CEO of The Apollo. “This year’s Spring Benefit is a celebration of that legacy and the artists and visionaries shaping what’s next. It marks the final time audiences will experience our legendary theater as it stands today, before we begin the first full-scale renovation in our 90-year history. As we honor the past and embrace a bold future, this evening will uplift the trailblazers who have shaped The Apollo and offer a powerful glimpse into the renaissance to come.”

In addition to Taylor, Grammy-winning producer Clive Davis will receive the Legacy Award and be inducted into The Apollo’s legendary Walk of Fame for his pivotal role in the music industry.

“To be recognized by The Apollo, an institution that has launched and celebrated so many of the artists I’ve admired and worked with throughout my career, is deeply meaningful to me,” Davis said. “I am truly honored to receive the Legacy Award and to join The Apollo’s Walk of Fame.”

Khalid Kamal, mayor, Kobi, racist, messages, investigation, south Fulton — (Photo: Prince Williams/WireImage)

by Kandiss Edwards

April 25, 2025

Mayor Khalid Kamau Will Not Seek Re-Election After His Descent Into Poverty

Mayor Khalid Kamau is not seeing re-election in South Fulton County.

South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau announced he will not seek re-election. The mayor will conclude his tumultuous term in 2025—a tenure marked by financial scrutiny, legal issues, and conflicts with the City Council.

Kamau, also known as Mayor Kobi, announced during the April 22 City Council meeting. He stated that his upcoming State of the City address on May 1 will serve as his farewell.

Kamau cited financial hardship as a primary reason for stepping down. The mayor notes that the salary pays approximately $40,000 annually, which subsequently forced him to sell his mother’s house and rely on food stamps.

“To keep this promise of doing this job full-time and this job only, I have sold my mother’s house, I’ve been on food stamps, and turned down some pretty good job offers,” Kamau said.

Kamau also faced personal financial difficulties, including an eviction notice for unpaid rent. Though he initially announced his re-election in January, his plans have changed. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on Kamau’s claims that troubles during his term were politically motivated.

“I wasn’t expecting to need a legal team when I announced my re-election plans in January, but I guess that’s the way the political game is played now.”

Kamau has faced allegations of misusing a city-issued purchasing card. The alleged unauthorized expenditures total around $26,000, including a 20-day trip to Ghana. He describes the trip as a trade mission for economic development.

Additionally, in 2023, Kamau was arrested on burglary and trespassing charges. The mayor entered a home, claiming he believed it was abandoned and intended to purchase it.

The City Council responded by implementing measures to limit Kamau’s access to city resources. These included revoking his budget access, removing unauthorized equipment from his office, and a temporary ban from municipal properties.

With Kamau stepping down, the race for South Fulton’s next mayor is underway. Former Mayor Bill Edwards and current City Councilwoman Carmalitha Gumbs have both announced their candidacies for the Nov. 4 election.

Kamau’s departure marks the end of a turbulent chapter in South Fulton’s leadership.

money, Shedeur Sanders — Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 25, 2025

Shedeur Sanders Stays Positive After Being Snubbed In NFL Draft’s First Round

'We all didn’t expect this of course, but I feel like with God, anything’s possible, everything’s possible. I don’t think this happened for no reason.'

Although there was speculation that Colorado Buffaloes’ former quarterback Shedeur Sanders might not be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, there was still shock when his name wasn’t called. Yet, he stayed positive, saying the snub adds “fuel to the fire.”

After coming off another good season with Colorado, it was predicted that Sanders could become the No.1 pick in the NFL Draft, or at the very least, it would be between him and Miami quarterback Cam Ward. Yet, as the draft approached, the analysts focused on Ward being selected by the Tennessee Titans, who held the first pick. With several teams needing quarterbacks, the thought varied on which team would jump on the Sanders train. The quarterback visited teams like the New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and others. Yet, people began to lose faith in Sanders being selected in the first round.

According to The Associated Press, after the Titans made the anticipated choice, at least five teams that were supposedly in need of a long-term quarterback passed on Sanders. The New York City area teams, the Giants (even with two picks, using one to select another quarterback, Jaxson Dart, from Ole Miss) and the Jets, as well as the Steelers, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the New Orleans Saints, did not select him.

Although he was shut out of the first round, Sanders feels he will still be selected in the second round. He took it in stride, probably just as shocked as many people in the sports world. In a video clip posted on social media, he addressed the crowd and seemed confident that he would land with a team, stating that he would use his non-selection in the first round as inspiration.

“We all didn’t expect this of course, but I feel like with God, anything’s possible, everything’s possible. I don’t think this happened for no reason. All this is, is of course, fuel to the fire. Under no circumstance, we all know this shouldn’t have happened, but we understand we’re on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We’re going to be happy regardless.”

Shedeur Sanders response to not getting Drafted in the First Round 👀

“We all didn’t expect this…Just more fuel to the fire”

“Tomorrow is the day, We going to be happy regardless”

🎥 : @DeionSandersJr pic.twitter.com/D2IEsZiGai

— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) April 25, 2025

During his collegiate career, Shedeur Sanders threw for 14,347 yards, 134 touchdowns, and was intercepted 27 times. He had a 70.1% completion rate for his passing game and ran 17 touchdowns.