HBCUs, opinion — (Photo: Visual Vic/Getty Images)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 30, 2026

15 HBCUs Create Association With Goal of Reaching Coveted R1 Research Status

The schools belonging to the Association of HBCU Research Institutions will work in tandem to reach R1 status.

With support from globally-renowned universities, 15 historically Black institutions have teamed up to reach R1 status, the top tier for research institutions.

The Washington Post reports this shared mission, the Association of HBCU Research Institutions, aims to ensure HBCUs have the resources and capability to facilitate high-level research.

Located at the Association of American Universities (AAU) headquarters in Washington, D.C., the organization will hold its inaugural symposium on April 29.

R1 status helps schools acquire more federal funding and grants for research endeavors, while promoting the recruitment of top-ranked students and faculty. Typically, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education only grants R1 designation to schools based on the amount of research dollars invested and doctoral degrees conferred.

Currently, Howard University is the only HBCU to hold this status, with 13 fellow HBCUs placed at the R2 tier. The AHRI has plans to elevate schools with the potential to reach R1, by offering shared support.

“We are so thrilled and happy,” said David K. Wilson, the president of Morgan State University. “It’s the first time in the history of American higher education that a group of HBCUs has elevated themselves to the elite ranks of research institutions.”

A wave of philanthropic investments into HBCUs, including MacKenzie Scott’s donations totaling to over $1 billion, have sparked this chance for HBCUs to compete with Predominately White Institutions (PWIs) in research opportunities. Alongside this historic partnership with such institutions, HBCUs can level the playing field for students of all backgrounds to engage in this part of academia.

Harvard, for example, will also help with technical and research infrastructure support, awarding a $1.05 million grant for the endeavor across three years. The money stems from the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative, founded in 2022 after the school unveiled its ties to the slave trade.

While achieving R1 status does help with federal grants and recruitment, advocates noted how HBCUs could engage in research other institutions overlook Particularly, issues impacting Black communities could receive greater focus and funding through HBCUs with this classification, aiding in new advancements in healthcare and economic growth.

As the schools join forces to grow their research sectors, they are issuing a call for equity in academia.

“It belongs to all of us,” shared Ruth Simmons, the former president of Brown University and Prairie View A&M University. “And the better we are at collaborating, at sharing information, the more powerful we are in the intellectual product that we produce.”

gas prices — Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

by Mitti Hicks

April 29, 2026

Pain At The Pump: U.S. Gas Prices Just Hit A 4-Year High

A recent poll found that a majority of Americans are changing their habits because of what is happening at the gas pumps.

U.S. gas prices rose to their highest level in four years as talks between the United States and Iran continue to go nowhere.

The average price of regular gasoline at the pump is $4.22 per gallon, according to AAA. Oklahoma reported the lowest average at $3.65 per gallon, while California remained the most expensive state for fuel at $5.98 per gallon.

Gas prices haven’t been that high since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine. Some of the sharpest weekly increases have been seen in the Midwest and Northeast, according to Nottingham MD.

According to The New York Times, Tuesday’s 1.6 percent hike was the highest percentage increase in more than a month. Negotiators are currently deadlocked over proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway and trade route between Iran and Oman, where one-fifth of the world’s oil supply travels through.

Brent crude futures for June rose 6.4%, to $118.33 a barrel by 12:08 a.m. ET, increasing for an eighth day to the highest level since March 31, Reuters reports. U.S. West ⁠Texas Intermediate futures for June rose 6.3%, to $105.19 a barrel, the highest since April 13. More than 500 million barrels of crude oil have been lost to the global market, resulting in lost oil production valued at more than $50 billion.

The Impact On Consumers At The Gas Pump

A recent CNBC poll found that a majority of Americans are changing their habits because of what is happening at the gas pumps. The nationwide survey of 1,000 people found nearly 80% have made lifestyle changes because of gas prices. The poll was conducted from April 15 to 19 and has a margin of error of 3.1%.

Nearly 20% of the world’s traded oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, but it remains unclear when ships will begin to transport oil again. Oil production facilities in the region have either reduced or halted production during the war because, without permission to get ships through the Strait of Hormuz, oil will be stranded on ships and in storage tanks.

The United States is currently enforcing a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to restrict oil shipments, and it remains unclear when shipments will resume.

Donald Trump, Black, female reporter — (Photo: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 29, 2026

Trump Fires Entire National Science Board, ‘No Reason Was Given’

The Trump administration dismissed the entire board overseeing the National Science Foundation, informing members that their termination was effective immediately.

The Trump administration has drawn backlash from the scientific community after removing the entire National Science Board.

More than 20 board members, each appointed to six-year terms, were notified on April 24 that they were being removed, with notices stating that the decision took effect immediately, Reuters reports.

“Yes, all 22 current members of the National Science Board were terminated on Friday, effective immediately,” members Yolanda Gil and Keivan Stassun said in a statement.

“No reason was given,” said Gil, who works at the Information ‌Sciences ⁠Institute of the University of Southern California.

The National Science Board was created in 1950 to oversee the National Science Foundation and advise the president and Congress on science and engineering policy. It has long operated independently with no interference from the current administration. But since returning to office in early 2025, the Trump administration has faced criticism from political experts who say it is pressuring independent institutions by replacing leadership and sidelining dissenting voices.

“The board’s structure — staggered terms, designed over 75 years — existed precisely so that no single administration could walk in and take the wheel. Trump walked in and took the wheel,” an Instagram post from Jenni Wren states.

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A post shared by Jennifer (@thejenniwren)

“With no board and no confirmed director, there is no independent check on how nearly $9 billion in research funding gets directed,” she added, noting that “While we gut our own scientific infrastructure, China is investing. Heavily. In the exact fields — AI, quantum computing, biotechnology — where American leadership is not guaranteed and has to be earned, year after year, grant by grant.”

The move comes amid the Trump administration’s push for deep cuts to the National Science Foundation, raising concerns that the longstanding independence of federal science grant decisions could be at risk. One dismissed board member, Willie May—vice president for research and economic development at Morgan State University—said he was “deeply disappointed,” though not surprised.

“I have watched the systematic dismantling of the scientific advisory infrastructure of this government with growing alarm, and the National Science Board is simply the latest casualty,” May, a chemist and former director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), said.

The removal of the National Science Board adds to broader concerns about the Trump administration sidelining science advisory bodies, including changes at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. At the Food and Drug Administration, the administration has also moved to end a longstanding practice of relying on outside experts to review new drug applications.

“Seeing similar actions by the Administration across the federal government and ⁠especially with regards to scientific research, it seemed only a matter of time,” Stassun, who works at Vanderbilt University, said.

The National Science Foundation has referred questions to the White House, where an official said the board’s congressionally granted authority may need updating, adding that the agency’s work “continues uninterrupted.”

nfl, draft, black quarterbacks — (Photo: Jean-Daniel Francoeur/Pexels)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 29, 2026

Virginia Union Star Curtis Allen Invited to 2 NFL Rookie Mini-Camps

The undrafted football player gets the chance to join an NFL roster.

Curtis Allen, the Virginia Union football star who was not selected in the recent NFL Draft, will get a chance to earn a roster spot.

The running back has received rookie minicamp invitations from the Seattle Seahawks, the reigning Super Bowl champions, and the Atlanta Falcons, according to CBS6 sports anchor Sean Robertson.

“Spoke with Harlon Hill winner (@HarlonHillAward) Curtis Allen (@Almightyallen1) earlier and the former #VUU (@VUU_Football) standout told me he has TWO Rookie Minicamp invites with the Seahawks and Falcons!”

Spoke with Harlon Hill winner (@HarlonHillAward) Curtis Allen (@Almightyallen1) earlier and the former #VUU (@VUU_Football) standout told me he has TWO Rookie Mini-Camp invites with the Seahawks and Falcons! @CBS6 @Seahawks @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/aLW9Inbo8P
— Sean Robertson (@CBS6SportsSean) April 28, 2026

At Virginia Union, Allen became he first player from an HBCU to win the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best NCAA Division II football player. He was also awarded the Deacon Jones Trophy as the top HBCU football player and named the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) Player of the Year.

The school announced in March that Allen was also named the RVA (Richmond, Va.) Sports Male Athlete of the Year, by the Richmond Region Tourism.

“Curtis Allen winning RVA Sports Male Athlete of the Year is a testament to who he is, not just the plays he makes, but the character he carries,” said VUU Head Football Coach Dr. Alvin Parker, in a written statement. “He has earned all of the awards he has received this year because of his work ethic, humility, and heart.”

Last season, Allen led the nation in rushing (and had a school-record 369 yards in a single game); rushed for a school-record 30 touchdowns; rushed for more than 200 yards in a game four times; led the Panthers in total offensive production; ranked among the CIAA leaders in touchdowns and all-purpose yards; recorded multiple 100-yard performances during the regular season; and earned All-CIAA honors.

Black Business Month, Entrepreneurs, She Did That., Shopify — (Photo: RDNE Stock project/via Pexels)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 29, 2026

Black-Owned Tea House Reopens In Detroit, Partners With Bookstore To Revive City’s West Side

Nice's Tea House is serving warm cups and community investment with its new home.

The Black-owned Nice’s Tea House does more than provide warm cups of its specialty teas. The shop, founded in 2022, has a new home to delight Detroiters as they engage with one another for a bigger purpose.

Nice’s new space inside the Howard Family Bookstore, another Black-owned business, takes over a revamped building on Detroit’s west side. Since its April 15 grand opening, locals have flocked to the area, making it a new beacon of the city’s evolving culture.

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The decision to revamp the business model comes from Nice’s owner, Antonice Strickland, who wanted to ground the tea house’s mission to better Detroit.

Despite successful pop-ups and partnerships, Strickland knew that Nice’s could fulfill her vision if it were established in one place.

“Nice’s Tea House has always been rooted in intention, creating space for people to slow down, connect, and take care of themselves,” said Strickland in a press release. “The intention hasn’t changed. The method has. This next chapter is about partnership, about presence, and about building something that truly lives in community.”

The tea house’s placement on Puritan Avenue further fulfills this purpose of community, bringing natives to patronize and uplift the surrounding area.

While Detroit has grappled with urban decay that has impacted its infrastructure, homegrown initiatives like these have sought to combat this decline. Furthermore, Strickland wants to change the narrative surrounding the wellness movement, emphasizing accessibility and communal focus in her own approach.

“Wellness isn’t new to us,” Strickland added. “It’s in how we gather, how we care for ourselves, how we pause. Tea is just one way to reconnect to that.”

Now, residents can sip on a cup of Audacious Detroit Chai or other specialty blends that pay homage to the owner’s native roots. Alongside the Howard Family Bookstore, Nice’s Tea House has greater plans to redevelop the area through neighborhood investment and engagement.

Damon Jones, — Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 29, 2026

Damon Jones Pleads Guilty In NBA Gambling Scandal

He faces a possible prison sentence of 48-63 months

Former NBA player Damon Jones has pleaded guilty to federal charges tied to a multimillion-dollar gambling scheme, according to prosecutors.

Jones pleaded guilty April 28 in Brooklyn federal court to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy. One count stems from using insider information from NBA teams, players, and coaches to place illegal bets. The other relates to his role in a nationwide scheme involving rigged poker games.

Prosecutors said the scheme resulted in losses exceeding $10 million.

“As shown by his guilty pleas today, Damon Jones converted his fame and ties to professional basketball into a multi-faceted criminal betting operation. He used a private locker room and medical information from multiple NBA teams to cheat legitimate sportsbooks. He also, separately, lured unsuspecting victims to high-stakes, rigged poker games,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. in a statement.

“Jones will now face the consequences for his corrupt conduct. Insider betting and rigged poker schemes erode the integrity of American sports and fair contests. This Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to profit through fraud and corruption.”

According to ESPN, Jones acknowledged his participation in both court hearings, citing “insider information that I obtained as a result of my relationships as a former player.” He also read a prepared statement apologizing to his loved ones, peers, and the NBA.

“I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers, and also the National Basketball Association,” Jones said.

Jones will be back in court for sentencing on Jan. 6. He faces a possible prison sentence of 48-63 months. In the sports betting case, sentencing guidelines call for a prison term of 21-27 months. In the poker case, Jones faces 63-78 months in prison, but prosecutors have agreed to reduce the sentence by 15 months in exchange for a guilty plea.

The former player also agreed to forfeit $73,000 in the two cases.

South Carolina state — photo credit: Attitude2000, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 29, 2026

Amid Protests, South Carolina Lt. Gov Says Trump Has ‘Done More For HBCUs’ Than Other Administrations

In a video posted on X, Evette referred to the protests against her as “woke mobs”

South Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette encouraged students of South Carolina State University to “bring it on” after they were seen staging a sit-in, in protest of her being selected as the speaker for the school’s upcoming commencement ceremony.

In a video posted on X, Evette referred to the protests as “woke mobs” and professed President Donald Trump and conservatives “have done more for HBCUs than any administration in history,” saying “facts trump feelings in the real world.” “I must be doing something right because woke mobs are coming after me for being a champion of eliminating radical DEI scams on college campuses,” she said.

“So bring it on. Just like President Trump, I’ll never back down or bend a knee to the woke radicals. On ending DEI on campuses once and for all, stay tuned, I’m going to have a lot more to say about this later. In the meantime, I look forward to celebrating commencement with the students and faculty at SC State.”

Let’s be clear: facts trump feelings in the real world. President @realDonaldTrump and conservatives have done more for HBCUs than any administration in history.

Here is my response to the protests today at S.C. State University. pic.twitter.com/HYF4XjzZd0
— Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (@PamelaEvette) April 28, 2026

Students protested on the HBCU campus after word got out that Evette, who is also running for governor, was selected as the speaker for the May 8 ceremony, according to HBCU Game Day.

Video was taken of students with signs chanting “we are not a mob, we are just aware.”

@alon.nn
South Carolina State University students protesting against Pamela Evette speaking at 2026 commencement ceremony after she publicly called these HBCU students a “Woke Mob” and “Radicals”. #scstate #scsu #pamelaevette
♬ existing – your warm arms

Another video shows the sit-in where a student spoke to leadership, questioning Evette’s selection and calling it a “morality issue.” “We’ve been here four, five years, and for commencement we should have someone that is going to celebrate us,” the student said.

“How can someone who goes against everything we stand for and believe in, morality-wise, how can that person uplift me on my day of stepping into the real world?”

@macm20
Students at South Carolina State made their voices heard loud and clear. After learning that Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, whose campaign messaging has centered on anti-DEI rhetoric, support for ICE policies, and alignment with Trump-era politics—was selected as their graduation speaker, many students organized protests in opposition. For them, this wasn’t just about a speaker, it was about what she represents. Policies and positions that, in their view, directly impact marginalized communities and create real harm. Evette’s response only added fuel to the fire. Rather than acknowledging student concerns or opening space for dialogue, her reaction came across as dismissive and negative, reinforcing the belief among many that she isn’t interested in listening to, or standing up for, those most affected by the policies she supports. Graduation should be a moment of pride and unity. Instead, it’s become a flashpoint, raising bigger questions about leadership, accountability, and whether those in power are truly serving the people they represent. #SouthCarolina #SCState #StudentVoices #Graduation
♬ original sound – MARGO ANDERSON

The student’s thoughts were supported by an online petition, with more than 2,000 signatures, seeking a new speaker, arguing that Evette’s presence doesn’t reflect the values and mission of the university. University President Alexander Conyers met with students during the sit-in but did not say whether plans to change speakers were underway. “She has a story if you would listen to it. She’s a female business owner. a millionaire business owner. She has a story that none of you may not know that I’m not fully aware of. I know a lot of it,” Conyers said while addressing students.

“But again, a decision was discussed. I’ve heard your concerns, and as updates become available, we will certainly update you.

As videos made their way around social media, advocates and former state elected leaders like Bakari Sellers offered support. “There is a rich tradition of protests at @Scstatebdogs. I truly hope the students don’t allow you to pervert that campus’ legacy. I hope every graduate walks out,” he wrote on X.

“You have never once uttered the words “Orangeburg Massacre,” now you are talking about eliminating DEI and speaking at SC State?!?” Sellers said on X.

firing squad DOJ — Photo by Jaxon Matthew Willis from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/soldiers-on-muster-on-tennis-court-15807740/

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 29, 2026

DOJ Pushes Firing Squad Option As Public Opinion On Death Penalty Shifts

Data from the Death Penalty Information Center lists close to 2,100 prisoners on death row across the country including Dylann Roof, who killed nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina after praying with him.

Following executive actions from President Donald Trump, the Department of Justice is exploring expanded execution methods, including allowing firing squads in federal death row cases, according to a recent memo.

In an April 24 memo, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the DOJ is working to “strengthen” the federal death penalty. The plan includes reinstating lethal injection protocols used during Trump’s first term and exploring additional methods, including firing squads.

“Expanding the protocol to include additional manners of execution, such as the firing squad, and streamlining internal processes to expedite death penalty cases.”

In a statement, Blanche criticized the Biden-Harris administration for allegedly failing “in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and carry out the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals.”

During his term in office, former President Joe Biden placed a moratorium on several federal executions and reversed some work done to expand the death penalty in other cases, done under Trump’s first term.

Death penalty support and sentencing have declined significantly, with sentences down more than 80% over the past two decades and public support falling to 52% overall, including 47% among millennials and 42% among Gen Z.

There is also a sense from Americans that firing squads are a controversial method of execution involving multiple shooters. During the tour of her book, “Secrets of the Killing State,” Corinna Lain, a George E. Allen chair in Law at the University of Richmond (UR), said that as fans spoke out against the practice.

“One person said to me, as I was on a book tour this fall, ‘Well, that’s what murderers do,’” the author said.

“The firing squad is bloody. It is violent. It is a grotesque thing to see.”

While labeling firing squads as a form of “dehumanization” and as “explicit brutality,” Lain points out that not only is the method highly controversial, but it is also only legal in five states – South Carolina, Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Utah.

Lain also argued that resources could be better spent elsewhere, noting that replacing death sentences with life without parole would significantly reduce costs.

“You would save millions of dollars by just converting those death sentences to life without parole, or just abolishing the death penalty and going for life without parole,” the expert said.

Data from the Death Penalty Information Center lists close to 2,100 prisoners on death row across the country. Some names made headlines for their crimes, including Robert Bowers, known for performing the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history, killing 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, and Dylann Roof, who killed nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, after praying with them.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 29, 2026

Racism-Related Stress May Contribute To High Black Maternal Mortality Rates, Study Finds

New research from the U.K. points to a connection between racism-related stress and the disproportionately high maternal mortality rates among Black women.

New research points to potential links between racism, economic deprivation, and the elevated rates of maternal mortality among Black women.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge analyzed 44 studies on pregnancy health and found that Black women showed higher levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, and uteroplacental vascular resistance—factors linked to poorer outcomes, The Guardian reports. The findings suggest that socioenvironmental stressors, including systemic racism and deprivation, may have measurable biological effects that impact the body’s ability to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

“Pregnancy and childbirth put great stress on a woman’s body. Black women may experience additional strain due to factors including systemic racism, socioeconomic disadvantage, and environmental stressors,” said Grace Amedor, of the University of Cambridge, the first author of the peer-reviewed study.

Published in Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, the study highlights how pregnancy-related strain can disrupt key biological processes, raising the risk of conditions like preeclampsia. Despite clear evidence of disparities, researchers say the lack of meaningful action remains deeply concerning.

“I was surprised that although this disparity had been known for a long time, there was little research into the potential underlying physiological reasons,” Amedor said.

Increased uteroplacental vascular resistance—when blood vessels constrict—can limit blood flow to the placenta, while elevated oxidative stress occurs when harmful molecules overwhelm the body’s defenses. Higher inflammation is also linked to poorer pregnancy outcomes.

These conditions are closely tied to risks such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and fetal growth restriction, all of which can negatively impact the health of both mother and child. In the US, Black women are up to 60% more likely to develop preeclampsia—often in more severe forms—due to systemic racism, chronic stress, existing health disparities, and unequal access to care, rather than genetics alone. Research also shows U.S.-born Black women face higher risks than those born abroad, underscoring the role of environmental factors.

“It’s important that we don’t stop trying to tackle the root causes that lead to worse pregnancy outcomes in Black women, which are the socioeconomic disparities and the systemic racism they can experience throughout their lives,” Amedor said.

In the UK, Black women are 2.7 times more likely to die during childbirth than white women and face higher rates of severe complications and perinatal mental health conditions. Black babies are also twice as likely to be stillborn. Researchers say the findings highlight the urgency of addressing the global Black maternal health crisis.

“It is unacceptable that Black women and babies continue to face significantly higher health risks during pregnancy and childbirth than white women in the UK,” said Dr. Jenny Barber, the vice-president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

“This study explores how important physiological processes may be impacted by systemic racism and socioeconomic disadvantages, which could be a factor in the persistently poorer outcomes impacting Black women. We hope the findings encourages further research in this area.”

manslaughter, Florida, Black neighbor — Via istock

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 29, 2026

Anti-Violence Activist Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder in Shooting to Avenge Son’s Death

Lumumba Sayers Sr. left an anti-gun rally before confronting Malcom Watson at a park in Colorado.

An MMA fighter and anti-violence activist in Aurora, Colorado, was found guilty of second-degree murder earlier this week in a fatal shooting carried out in retaliation for his son’s death.

Lumumba Sayers Sr., 47, was convicted of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and attempted tampering in connection with the fatal shooting of Malcolm Watson, KDVR reports.

Watson, 28, was killed in August 2024 in front of friends and family while attending his son’s fifth birthday party at a park in Commerce City, about 11 miles from Aurora.

Authorities say Sayers Sr., a well-known anti-violence advocate who worked to prevent youth violence at a gym in Aurora, arrived at the party uninvited, approached Watson, and shot him.

Witnesses believe the attack was an act of retaliation for the killing of his son, Lumumba Sayers Jr. Watson was reportedly a friend of Tyrell Braxton, who killed Sayers Jr. during an August 2023 gunfight that killed another person and injured two more.

Braxton was sentenced in 2025 to more than 16 years in prison for the shooting.

According to the New York Post, Sayers Sr., who had been leading his son’s anti-violence foundation, “Gloves Up Guns Down,” went directly from an anti-gun rally to Watson’s child’s birthday party, where authorities say he shot him at close range.

Witnesses at the party had also been present during the August 2023 shooting that killed Sayers Jr.. In addition, Sayers Sr.’s daughter and the mother of Watson’s children, were both injured .

Sayers Sr., who was acquitted of first-degree murder, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24.