Pastor Jamal Bryant, Black Friday, Black Business Maket — (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

April 24, 2025

No Deadline On Dignity: Pastor Bryant Calls For Extended Target Boycott

Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church called for an expanded boycott against retail giant Target.

Bryant urges Black consumers and allies to withdraw their spending in protest of the company’s decision to reduce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The pastor met with other faith leaders at Salem Baptist Church in Stone Mountain to plan the next phase of the economic campaign, according to WSBTV.

The megachurch pastor spoke with CNN’s Victor Blackwell about the boycott’s extension. He emphasized that not only are Black people participating in the movement, but that the economic campaign focuses on two entities, Tesla and Target, and the consumer exodus is yielding results.

“Everywhere you go, you’re seeing a great pullback nationally. It’s not just Black people who are participating, but people who are sympathizers saying, ‘the country is moving in the wrong direction,'” he said.

Pastor Jamal Bryant, Nina Turner and Tamika Mallory announce that the Target boycott will continue after the 40-day Target ‘fast’ ended on Easter Sunday. pic.twitter.com/oNWoMAPR9h
— Victor Blackwell CNN (@VictorBlackwell) April 22, 2025

Bryant initially launched a 40-day “Target Fast” beginning March 5, aligning with the Lenten season, to protest what he calls Target’s “abandonment” of marginalized communities. The boycott has since evolved into a broader campaign pressuring the retailer to reinstate DEI programs and make renewed investments in Black-owned businesses and banks.

“Black people spend $12 million a day at Target,” Bryant said during a live-streamed sermon. “We are calling for a complete separation until they recognize the value of our dollars and our dignity.”

Bryant asked at least 100,000 Christians to sign a pledge on Targetfast.org, committing to support Black-owned businesses and avoid purchasing from Target.

In January, Target announced it would scale back some of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, citing growing criticism from conservative groups and financial challenges. According to the Associated Press, this included eliminating internal roles focused on racial equity and reducing its partnerships with Black-owned brands.

The move drew backlash from faith leaders and civil rights advocates. Rev. Al Sharpton met with Target CEO Brian Cornell earlier this month, calling for the company to recommit to DEI goals, though he stopped short of endorsing Bryant’s boycott. Sharpton said he shared “concerns about walking back progress made in recent years,” as reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Bryant’s boycott includes plans for the Bullseye Black Market, a marketplace featuring Black vendors, hosted on New Birth’s campus. The event is designed to showcase alternatives to corporate retailers and support economic self-determination in Black communities.

As the boycott gains national attention, Bryant says the goal is not just protest — it’s policy change and corporate accountability.

FORMALDEHYDE,relaxer, hair, Back women, straightener — Photo by Ron Lach via pexels

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 24, 2025

Advocates Urge FDA To Ban Formaldehyde In Hair-Straightening Products

The FDA is being called out after years of stalled progress and missed deadlines on banning formaldehyde in hair-straightening products.

A group of environmental and public health organizations united to pen an open letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calling for an immediate ban on formaldehyde in hair-straightening products.

The April 15 letter, crafted in partnership between Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE) and 41 environmental and public health organizations nationwide, calls on newly confirmed FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary to act after years of stalled progress and missed deadlines.

“The FDA’s repeated failures to implement a formaldehyde ban in hair straightening products reflect a broader issue of regulatory inertia that endangers our health,” WVE Director of Programs Jayla Burton said in a statement. “Regulators cannot continue to sideline public health for bureaucratic delays and budget cuts. The time for action is now.”

Advocates have urged the FDA to investigate the health risks associated with formaldehyde in hair-straightening products and smoothing treatments. The dangerous carcinogen places salon workers and consumers at risk for cancer, respiratory complications, and severe allergic reactions. Especially hairstylists who serve Black and Latina women, who recent studies show face heightened exposure to toxic VOCs in chemical hair products, putting their health at serious risk.

The open letter is the WVE’s latest move to advocate for the formaldehyde ban. It comes nearly 10 years after the organization took the FDA to court in 2016 for ignoring a six-year-old petition calling on the agency to investigate the health dangers of formaldehyde in hair products. While the FDA made promises to take action in April 2024, the agency has postponed its proposed action date four times, with the latest being in March 2025.

The longer the delay, the more salon workers’ and consumers’ health is at risk. But with the FDA recently laying off nearly 3,500 FDA employees, the delays on critical matters continue to go unaddressed.

“Black and Brown women have long borne the brunt of toxic beauty standards and the products that come with them. The continued delay in banning formaldehyde—a known carcinogen—is not just a regulatory failure, it’s a public health injustice,” said Diamond Spratling, founder & executive director of Girl Plus Environment. “We urge the FDA to prioritize the lives, health, and dignity of communities most impacted and move swiftly to ban formaldehyde in hair-straightening products once and for all.”

brandon scott, Baltimore, XCEL Summit for Men — (Photo: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 24, 2025

Brandon Scott Announces Launch Of Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment

The mayor’s office says transitions are “underway” as the city goes into festival season with events such as the Baltimore AFRAM Festival.

The city of Baltimore is reaching new heights under Mayor Brandon Scott’s leadership after he announced the creation of the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment (MOACE) to heighten the city’s arts and entertainment sector, the Baltimore Banner reports.

The announcement came during Scott’s State of the City address after the efforts were isolated. With MOACE, the goal will be to centralize arts, events, nightlife, and film efforts under one umbrella, similar to other cities like Austin, Texas, Atlanta, and Chicago.

“We had over 28 million tourist visits to our city last year. We’re also home to incredible outdoor events — including Artscape, AFRAM, and Charm City Live,” Scott said. “With that said, I’m excited to announce a new Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment, which will organize these events and others — and serve as a resource for local artists and creators.”

The mayor’s office says transitions are “underway” as the city launches festival season with scheduled events such as the Baltimore AFRAM Festival, Artscape, and Charm City Live. The department will be separate from Baltimore’s Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) and will be led by one of Scott’s senior advisers Tonya Miller Hall and Linzy Jackson III, a Morgan State University alum and frequent festival producer.

Miller Hall lists additional plans for MOACE to include a boost for operational efficiency and in-house capacity, expanded revenue through sponsorship and grant leverage, supporting local artists and community-based cultural groups, and increasing Baltimore’s cultural infrastructure and creative workforce pathways. “Through strategic investment in festivals, film, public art, and nightlife, MOACE will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, creative innovation, and civic pride,” Hall said.

Scott’s announcement comes just months after the city cut ties with BOPA in January 2025 amid financial struggles and management concerns. The severed contract led to the former CEO, Rachel Graham, being voted out, according to CBS News. The city failed to announce whether the MOACE office would replace BOPA, which previously managed several events, including the Baltimore Farmers Market, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, Artscape, and Light City Baltimore.

MOACE aims to create a space where “the arts are central to Baltimore’s long-term economic growth and identity.” “We’re making sure Baltimore’s artists, creatives, and cultural workers aren’t an afterthought — they’re part of the blueprint,” Jackson said in a statement. However, it comes at a great time ahead of the 2025 AFRAM Festival, which will be celebrated during the Juneteenth weekend. Scott released the lineup of the free two-day festival, which includes legendary performers Patti LaBelle and Juvenile, as well as rapper Saweetie and R&B crooner Teedra Moses.

tasha Lawson, tee'Andrick, mother, son, Georgia — Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-and-white-polka-dot-hijab-crying-8964069/

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 23, 2025

Black Mother Dies Of ‘Broken Heart’ Days After Finding Son Dead In Bedroom After Returning Home

The mother died nearly 11 days after finding her son dead in his room.

A Black mother in south Georgia reportedly died from a “broken heart” days after finding her son beaten to death in his bedroom.

According to Fox 12, Tasha Lawson found her son, Tee’Andrick, dead in his room on April 2. The family believes the 20-year-old was assaulted by two men who broke into the Hazelhurst, Georgia, residence while his mother was out of town.

Upon finding her son, Lawson died just 11 days later, on April 13, from apparent heart issues. Officials determined her cause of death to be from natural causes, specifically “aortic dissection rupture, hypertensive, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.” She died while receiving medical treatment for her condition at Waycross Hospital.

However, her family believes the doting mother died of a “broken heart” over her son’s untimely death. Now, their loved ones must deal with the unexpected loss of Lawson and her son.

The family has since launched a GoFundMe to help clean Tee’Andrick’s room and pay Lawson’s unanticipated funeral expenses. The page emphasized how close the duo were, and how the young man’s death triggered his own mother’s health decline.

“With broken hearts, we share the tragic loss of Tee’Andrick Lawson, a loving, funny, and free-spirited young man whose life was taken far too soon in a senseless act of violence. He was the kind of person who lit up every room — full of laughter, energy, and warmth.”

The description added, “Tee’Andrick and his mother were inseparable. Their bond was deep and unbreakable — best friends who did everything together. The pain of losing her son was too much for her heart to bear, and just days later, she passed away from sheer heartbreak.”

While authorities continue to investigate the case, the family believes the foul play stemmed from a hate crime. The family claimed that Tee’Andrick’s sexual orientation led to the home invasion and fatal assault.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, an FBI report on 2023 crime data revealed attacks based on sexual orientation rose 23% from the previous year. However, Black members of the LGBTQ+ community also face disproportionate rates of assault. The Williams Institute at UCLA also released a study that showed 44% of this demographic experienced physical or sexual assault.

The family continues to await justice for Tee’Andrick’s murder as they grieve the double loss.

NYC mayor Eric Adams, trial, Trump, — (Photo: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 23, 2025

Top 3 Prosecutors Resign From Eric Adams’ Corruption Case After DOJ Asks To Admit ‘Wrongdoing’

The same lawyers were part of a DOJ group that refused to sign off on Adams’ bribery case dismissal in February

Three federal prosecutors who worked on New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ corruption investigation chose to resign, while on administrative leave, rather than agreeing to any wrongdoing from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) as a precondition for their return, ABC News reports.

In a stern letter to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the prosecution trio, comprising of Celia V. Cohen, Andrew Rohrbach, and Derek Wikstrom, accused him of pressuring them to falsely express regret and admit some wrongdoing.

“The Department placed each of us on administrative leave ostensibly to review our, and the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney’s Office’s handling of the Adams case,” the letter read. “It is now clear that one of the preconditions you have placed on our returning to the Office is that we must express regret and admit some wrongdoing by the Office in connection with the refusal to move to dismiss the case. We will not confess wrongdoing when there was none.”

The same lawyers were part of a DOJ group that refused to sign off on Adams’ bribery case dismissal in February 2025. They were placed on leave shortly after for an investigation.

“We have served under Presidents of both parties, advancing their priorities while pursuing justice without fear or favor,” the prosecutors wrote. “The role of a career prosecutor is not to set policy. But a prosecutor must abide by the oath to uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States and the rules of professional ethics set by the bar and the courts. Now, the Department has decided that obedience supersedes all else, requiring us to abdicate our legal and ethical obligations in favor of directions from Washington. That is wrong.”

The shakeup adds to a growing list of a chaotic battle between the Southern District of New York and the nation’s capital.

Then-acting U.S. attorney Danielle Sassoon resigned in February 2025 after suggesting DOJ leadership, including acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, was aware of a quid pro quo deal with Justice Department officials to have Adams’ case dismissed in exchange for helping the administration

Jay Clayton, a former Securities and Exchange Commission chair, took over the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York as its interim leader.

President Donald Trump installed the lawyer following Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) announcement that he would block the process through which Clayton could be confirmed.

In early April 2025, a federal judge agreed with the DOJ’s motion to dismiss the mayor’s indictment but declined to accept the request to dismiss the case altogether, instead allowing prosecutors to revive it at a later date. The judge said the decision would “create the unavoidable perception” that Adams was beholden to the federal government.

In addition to Sasson, Cohen, Rohrbach, and Wikstrom’s resignation, five other DOJ officials resigned from their offices in protest, and several top Department of Justice officials refused to participate in the case’s dismissal.

Cousinz Festival, Pusha T — Photo credit: Johnny Nuñez/Wireimage; (Photo: Prince Williams/WireImage)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 23, 2025

Jeezy, T-Pain, Lil’ Kim To Headline Second Annual Cousinz Festival In Norfolk

The festival will take place August 30 at Norfolk Scope Grounds.

The Cousinz Festival has announced it performers for this year’s event.

The second annual event, scheduled for August 30 in Norfolk, Virginia, at Norfolk Scope Grounds, will feature headliners Jeezy, T-Pain, and Lil’ Kim and sets by New York City DJs DJ Clue and DJ Envy.

“We had an idea for our hometown, and it really came to life,” Clipse group member and festival co-founder Pusha T said, according to WAVY. “Last year set the vibe, tone, and energy for Cousinz, and knowing that each year will bring something different, we wanted a lineup that reflected how we feel when we hop in our cars in the Summertime. Having Jeezy do a special performance of his
hit TM 101 album–something the fans have been asking for years–is crazy to be happening in Norfolk. Lil’ Kim is a rap legend and T-Pain keeps the energy high all the time.”

Other acts performing include: Backyard Band, tour and daytime TV DJ, DJ Boof, DJs Izzy The DJ, DJ DC, and Been Blackin. The house DJ will be DJ Diamond Kuts. Comedian and actor Chico Bean and radio host and media personality Dominique Da Diva will serve as hosts.

Attendees can also enjoy culinary treats with the Stormy Blue Food Truck Experience.

On Friday, April 25, Cousinz, in partnership with The Waterside District, will host the Cousinz Community Engagement Kick-Off Conversation. The panelists will be the co-founder of the festival, recording artist Fam-Lay; Antonio Dowe of Cousinz Festival; Sean Washington of the City of Norfolk; and Suyapa Marquez of Dominion Energy.

The event begins at 4 p.m. at The Market at Waterside. A mixer will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m

“Cousinz is bigger than music: it’s about community engagement,” said Fam-Lay. “What made Cousinz special last year was that we were able to partner with local businesses to change people’s lives. We awarded scholarships to five Norfolk State University students through the Hold The Door initiative, and we also partnered with Dominion Energy to upgrade a Norfolk resident’s home. When we say Cousinz is a movement, we mean that. Family–whether by bloodline or by community ties–supports one another. We’ll be activating the community again this year through different pop-ups and experiences.”

Ticket sales for Cousinz will begin with a locals only on-site pre-slle on Friday, April 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Waterside District in Norfolk.

General online pre-sale for previous Cousinz Festival ticket purchasers begins Monday, April 28 at 10 a.m. through Wednesday, April 30 at 11:59 p.m. on www.cousinzfestival.com.

General public online sales begin Thursday, May 1 at 10 a.m.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 23, 2025

Pastor Jamal Bryant Uplifts Black Business With The Bullseye Black Market

New Birth Missionary Baptist continues its quest to hold corporations accountable.

Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is expanding his campaign to defend diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in corporate America by launching the “Bullseye Black Market,” a pop-up marketplace designed to uplift Black-owned businesses.

The event will take place at the Samson Health & Fitness Center on the church’s Stonecrest campus and will feature local vendors, food trucks, and empowerment workshops for small business owners, WSBTV reported. Church officials say the effort is part of a broader initiative to promote economic justice and resist corporate cuts on DEI initiatives.

BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on Bryant’s call for an economic boycott of Target during the 2024 Lenten season. The campaign encouraged 100,000 Black consumers to boycott Target for 40 days, and included appeals to divest from the retail giant’s stock. The effort followed widespread media reports that Target and other large corporations were scaling back DEI programs amid growing political and shareholder pressure.

“We’re not just consumers — we’re a community with power,” Bryant said. “When companies turn their backs on the values they once stood behind, we respond by building something better. The Bullseye Black Market is both protest and progress.”

Bryant’s boycott gained national attention as shoppers began reconsidering their spending in light of corporate DEI reversals. Target also experienced a decline in foot traffic during the protest period; however, the company has not publicly commented on any direct link to the campaign.

New Birth is not new to political and faith-based activism. Under Bryant’s leadership, the church has mobilized around voting rights, vaccinations, and economic empowerment — using its platform to galvanize both local and national action.

Church organizers say the Bullseye Black Market is open to the public and will be a recurring event. For more information on vendor registration or event schedules, visit newbirth.org.

FDA, dyes, food, color — Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

by Kandiss Edwards

April 23, 2025

The FDA Eliminates Key Staff Overseeing Food Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is rolling back America's food safety programs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has significantly reduced oversight for food safety, suspending integral inspection protocols and firing what some say are essential employees.

These actions raise alarms about the FDA’s ability to regulate and protect America’s food supply. In April 2025, the FDA halted its Proficiency Testing Program under the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), which regulated and maintained consistency across testing laboratories. This suspension, which affects 170 testing laboratories, is effective until Sept. 30 and is attributed to substantial staff reductions at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The changes include the reduction of critical personnel such as microbiologists and chemists, Reuters reported.

The outlet also claims to have reviewed internal documents circulating throughout the agency.

“Unfortunately, significant reductions in force, including a key quality assurance officer, an analytical chemist, and two microbiologists at FDA’s Human Food Program Moffett Center have an immediate and significant impact on the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) Proficiency Testing (PT) Program,” says the email sent on Tuesday from FERN’s National Program Office.

Compounding the issue, the FDA has not met its mandated inspection targets since 2018. The Food Safety Modernization Act requires the agency to inspect high-risk domestic food facilities at least once every three years and non-high-risk facilities at least once every five years. However, from 2018 to 2023, the FDA conducted an average of 8,353 domestic inspections annually, falling short of these requirements.

These staffing cuts follow a mass layoff initiated by newly appointed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The severance of key employees appears to impact administrative and scientific roles crucial to food safety operations. Despite assurances that frontline inspectors would remain unaffected, dismissing support staff has impeded the FDA’s capacity to conduct thorough inspections and communicate safety alerts.

The reduction in inspections and staff has coincided with a rise in foodborne illnesses. In 2024, confirmed cases increased by 25%, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Critics argue that diminished transparency and oversight may lead to delayed outbreak responses. NBC reported on the FDA’s handling of a deadly E. coli incident linked to contaminated lettuce, where the agency chose not to disclose the affected producer or retail locations.

These developments have prompted concerns among food safety experts about the FDA’s ability to fulfill its mission. The resignation of Jim Jones, head of the FDA’s food division, in protest over the staff cuts underscores the seriousness of the situation.

As the FDA grapples with these challenges, the safety of the U.S. food supply remains a pressing concern, emphasizing the need for robust oversight and sufficient resources to safeguard public health.

fund, SCFU, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Social Change Fund United — (Left to right) Carmelo Anthony. Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade. (Photo: Bobby Metelus)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 23, 2025

Social Change Fund United Announces Los Angeles Initiative To Help Small Businesses

The initiative, co-founded by Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul, has announced a collaborative effort with Stackwell and the National Basketball Players Association Foundation (NBPA Foundation)

The Social Change Fund United (SCFU), an initiative co-founded by two NBA Hall of Famers, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, and a future Hall of Famer, Chris Paul, announced a collaborative effort with fintech platform Stackwell and the National Basketball Players Association Foundation (NBPA Foundation).

The SCFU Visionary Ventures Program was initiated to help small businesses in Los Angeles succeed in historically under-resourced communities. It will begin in the LA area, with plans to expand nationwide.

“The Visionary Ventures Program represents our commitment to creating change in underserved communities,” said Anthony, Paul, and Wade in a joint written statement. “By partnering with Stackwell, we’re offering holistic financial education and development resources to help businesses thrive, particularly during these challenging times as our community works to rebuild from the wildfires.”

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This is the first time SCFU has partnered with a fintech platform and will utilize Stackwell’s track to assist businesses in achieving long-term financial stability. The Visionary Ventures Program is supported by NBA players CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton and WNBA stars Natasha Cloud and Candace Parker. An executive team comprised of Creative Arts Agency (CAA) executives Callie Curry and Hillary Thomas serves on the advisory board.

Small businesses in Los Angeles can download the Stackwell App and visit the Community Hub to learn more about eligibility requirements.

Trevor Rozier-Byrd, founder and CEO of Stackwell, said, “This is a critical moment for LA. When we show up for LA small business owners, they can show up for their community. That’s why we’ve teamed up with SCFU and the NBPA to launch Visionary Ventures. We’ve built this program using Stackwell’s program-building playbook, which has proven to drive incredible results. We’re so excited to work with our partners because they share our passion for supporting communities through the power of investing.”