Postal Worker Convicted Of Stealing Mother’s Day Cards
The U.S. Postal Service continues to encourage residents to report any suspected mail theft.
On April 17, Patrick E. Wright, a former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee, was sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing mail while working as a letter carrier in Portland.
Wright was sentenced to 45 days in federal prison and two years of supervised release. Additionally, the 44-year-old has been ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution.
According to the District of Oregon’s U.S. Attorney’s Office, the investigation into Wright began when the USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) received complaints from residents on Wright’s delivery route. Residents reported graduation, birthday, and holiday greeting cards that were either never delivered or arrived late, The Oregonian reported. Additionally, residents said many delivered envelopes were clearly tampered with, and the cash or gift cards were missing.
In a coordinated sting, federal agents placed “test” greeting cards in the mail parcels on Wright’s route. Investigators observed him open the mail and pocket its contents before continuing his deliveries. When confronted by federal agents, Wright admitted to the thefts, which spanned multiple months in 2004.
By targeting greeting cards, Wright specifically exploited personal moments of celebration and connection between family and friends for his own financial gain. As part of his supervised release, Wright is prohibited from any future employment that involves the handling of mail or sensitive financial information.
The U.S. Postal Service continues to encourage residents to report any suspected mail tampering or theft to its hotline to ensure the continued security of the nation’s mail system.
As the postal service works to maintain its integrity and accountability for its employees, it is also struggling to stay afloat with the current economic shifts. Effective April 26, the USPS has implemented a temporary 8% price increase on several key shipping services, including Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and USPS Ground Advantage.
BLACK ENTERPRISE covered the rate adjustment, which is scheduled to remain in place through January 17, 2027. Postal officials state that this temporary hike is necessary to better align shipping costs with current transportation and market expenses. The adjustment is part of the agency’s 10-year “Delivering for America” financial sustainability plan.
Charlamagne Tha God Credits ‘People Who Are Not Being Performative’ As Real Social Media Influencers
Charlamagne tha God is sharing his take on what defines a true influencer, saying it’s not about followers or likes but about staying authentic.
Charlamagne tha God took the stage at POSSIBLE 2026 in Miami Beach alongside Bob Pittman for a live taping of his podcast, Math & Magic. The conversation, centered on “The Future of Influence,” explored how influence is built in today’s media landscape and driven by constant content, fragmented platforms, and the rise of AI-generated material.
As a seasoned voice in content creation, Charlamagne believes authenticity is the simplest way to build influence in today’s ever-evolving social media landscape.
“When I think about authenticity, I think about people who are not being performative,” he said. “We get on the radio every morning, and we do radio, and then it is consumed across platforms. We aren’t going in to try to sell you anything, and I think that’s why we’ve become authentic.”
When it comes to social media influence, Charlamagne pushed back on the idea that follower count defines impact, noting that someone with a few thousand engaged followers can be more influential than someone with millions.
“Marketers think influencers are people who have millions of followers or a celebrity, but in reality, there could be someone with 5-10k followers, and they are showing me something I’ve never seen before,” he said, adding that, “We think 100 people isn’t a lot, but if 100 people were at your front door, you’d call the police.”
Charlamagne’s perspective was one of many standout moments at POSSIBLE 2026 in Miami. Now in its fourth year, the event brings together industry leaders to spark ideas, build connections, and shape the future of marketing.
The founder and CEO of The Black Effect Podcast Network was among more than 100 speakers at the event, joining voices like Issa Rae—founder of HOORAE Media and creator of “Insecure”—who closed the conference with a session on how brands, creators, and culture are reshaping entertainment. Alexis Ohanian, founder of Seven Seven Six, an early-stage venture capital firm, and husband of Serena Williams, also spoke on the rise of women’s sports and the opportunities it presents for brands.
Over the three-day conference, more than 5,400 industry leaders and innovators across marketing, tech, media, entertainment, and culture gathered for programming across nine curated tracks, spanning three core pillars: Consumer Marketing & Communication, Business & Society, and Technology & Innovation.
EEOC Prioritizes ‘Racism Against White Men’ Job Discrimination Cases
Seeking anonymity out of fear of professional repercussions, the current and former staff members say they are concerned about the agency’s future as the practice of upholding the nation’s civil rights laws has been abandoned.
Staff of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) claim to be under pressure to prioritize job discrimination cases of “racism against white men” to match the agenda of President Donald Trump, The New York Times reported.
Agency investigators and lawyers are being forced to pursue and put some cases on the fast track with little evidence and major legal battles. More than a dozen current and former employees, identifying as Republicans and Democrats, blamed EEOC GOP chair Andrea Lucas, who is committed to carrying out some of Trump’s controversial executive orders.
Seeking anonymity out of fear of professional repercussions, the current and former staff members say they are concerned about the agency’s future as the practice of upholding the nation’s civil rights laws has been abandoned.
As Lucas has been an avid supporter of anti- diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, employees say cases showcasing claims of “reverse D.E.I.” and racism against white men have been accelerated to the top of case files. Commission spokesperson Connor Clegg boasted that the agency recovered nearly $660 million for roughly 18,000 discrimination victims during the 2025 fiscal year, including a record $528 million through settlements and mediation. “Instead of pulling punches, Chair Lucas is committed to following through on her promise to pursue a colorblind, evenhanded enforcement agenda,” Clegg said.
But former EEOC general counsel under President Barack Obama, David Lopez, called Lucas’s bold outreach to white men and behind-the-scenes reports of expedited discrimination cases against white people troubling. “It’s a head scratcher why the E.E.O.C.’s prioritization of limited resources based on race, both overtly and in practice, does not raise constitutional questions,” he said.
However, it may be Lucas who is under pressure from the WHite House. After being appointed to the position by Trump in 2025, the chair told staff that the Trump administration is pushing her and the team to produce anti-DEI cases that the administration favors. Vice President JD Vance even referred to the practice as “evil” after Lucas put out a video encouraging white men to come forward with job discrimination claims.
In a letter to CEOs, general counsels, and board chairs of America’s leading companies, she warned DEI policies or practices may be deemed illegal if employment decisions are based even just in part on a person’s race, sex, or other protected characteristic. “The EEOC stands ready to combat such discrimination,” she wrote, according to NPR, adding, “We are the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, not the Equitable Employment Outcomes Commission.”
To date, the EEOC has gone after companies and organizations like Nike and Planned Parenthood in discrimination probes. They investigated the athletic wear company’s hiring goals and career development practices to determine whether they disadvantage white people.
Planned Parenthood of Illinois settled for $500,000 in a lawsuit that accused the organization of discrimination against white employees with DEI efforts.
HBCU St. Augustine’s Files for Bankruptcy, Drops Current Accreditation Fight
The current accreditation status is expected to conclude on May 15. SAU leaders say they will focus on supporting students through teach-out agreements and building a pathway toward reaccreditation.
Raleigh, North Carolina’s St. Augustine’s University has announced several changes to position the institution for long-term success, including filing for bankruptcy, leadership changes, and ending litigation related to its accreditation status.
In a news release obtained by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the University’s Board of Trustees decided to initiate a “voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring process.”
“[The decision] reflects a deliberate and strategic step to advance the University’s long-term sustainability while addressing current financial realities,” university leaders wrote in a statement.
The university will continue to operate throughout the process. In the meantime, it said it is working on a reorganization plan to submit to the Court that outlines SAU’s path forward. In the meantime, while leaders develop the plan, some restructuring changes are already underway. Interim President Dr. Jennie Ward-Robinson is stepping down, and the Board has appointed Dr. Verjanis A. Peoples to be interim president.
With the current accreditation status expected to conclude on May 15, SAU leaders say they will focus on supporting students through teach-out agreements, developing non-degree certificates and apprenticeship programs, and building a pathway toward reaccreditation.
“These steps position the University to move forward with clarity and purpose, continuing its mission of preparing students academically, socially, and spiritually for leadership in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing world,” the university said in a statement.
For the past several years, Saint Augustine’s has faced several financial battles due to lawsuits over unpaid services. The institution has faced financial issues totaling more than $30 million and nearly $10 million in tax liens, as previously reported by BE.
The university was placed on probation after failing to meet accreditation standards and lost its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The school’s appeal to reinstate its accreditation was denied, prompting a heated town hall meeting on April 11, attended by alumni, current students, and community members.
Popular 90s Actor On Life Support After Being Misdiagnosed For Months
He is suffering from MRSA pneumonia.
Actor Samuel Monroe Jr., known for roles in several 1990s films, is on life support after being diagnosed with MRSA pneumonia.
According to TMZ, Monroe’s wife, Shawna Stewart, said he was hospitalized after being repeatedly misdiagnosed. She clarified the meningitis went untreated for months due to repeated misdiagnoses, allowing the infection to spread to his spine and brain. He was diagnosed April 28 with MRSA.
“Around 18 months ago, Samuel was in Las Vegas filming, and unfortunately, that is where he contracted meningitis,” she said. “He went to several different hospitals, where his condition was repeatedly misdiagnosed, and because of this negligence, the meningitis went untreated for eight months.”
She said that by the time the infection was rightfully identified, it had “already spread not only to his spine but also to his brain.”
Joyce Patton, Monroe’s mother, took to Facebook to ask for prayers for her son.
“Please pray for Samuel Monroe Jr. my son who is now on life support. God don’t make no mistakes but he is gracious and I am humbly asking for his mercy and grace for Sam. I love you son to the moon and back 100 times.”
Tayonna Stewart, Shawna’s daughter, has set up a GoFundMe requesting $50,000 to cover the medical expenses they have incurred over the past 9 months and future health care costs.
Stewart and Monroe have two children together, Kingston, 12, and Brooklynn, 11.
Monroe has been seen in various films in the 1990s, including Menace II Society, Set It Off, Tales from the Hood, Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice, What Goes Around Comes Around, and The Players Club.
Police say a dispute over using a water cup for soda quickly escalated when D’Mari Jy’Quan Patterson, 20, allegedly fired a gun inside and outside the restaurant, KATV reported. Investigators said three women had asked for a water cup, but one filled it with soda, sparking a verbal confrontation with Patterson that turned violent.
Video circulating online appears to show Patterson arguing with the women before pulling out what looks like a gun, racking it, and firing a shot.
Taco Bell Employee Opens Fire After Customer Fills argument over filling Water Cup with Soda pic.twitter.com/sJss7sXwc4
Investigators say one woman was shot and collapsed to the floor, while another suffered a graze wound, and a third fled the restaurant. Police allege Patterson chased her outside and fired again, missing her but shattering a window near the entrance.
The three women drove themselves to JFK North Medical Center, where two were treated for minor injuries and released, while the third was unharmed, police said. After the shooting, Patterson called 911, claiming a customer had jumped behind the counter. He admitted to firing the gun and told officers he placed it in the management office before they arrived, an arrest affidavit states.
Panicked diners rushed for the exits while others ducked under tables — some unsure if they had even heard gunfire, the outlet reported. In the aftermath, some patrons appeared to brush off the incident, treating the chaos as an unsettling reflection of a changing norm.
“I mean, it doesn’t surprise me the world we live in today,” one customer said.
“It’s not a problem — things happen, and we just take it as it is and go from there,” another added.
Investigators said Patterson claimed he believed the women were armed, but no weapons were found. After reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements, police said Patterson’s self-defense claim was not supported, noting the woman appeared to be leaving when additional shots were fired.
Patterson was arrested on April 27 and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. Jail records show he remains in custody awaiting court proceedings.
The restaurant was temporarily closed as police secured the scene, causing traffic delays along Military Trail. The case is under review by the State Attorney’s Office.
Some U.S. Passports Will Feature Trump’s Face In Honor Of 250th Anniversary
After the news broke on social media, users expressed bouts of being fed up with being forced to see his face on things with one user expressing concern about traveling overseas as Americans seemingly aren't the most liked in other countries.
The State Department is reportedly planning limited-edition U.S. passports featuring President Donald Trump’s likeness as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, according to the New York Times.
The April 28 announcement came from the State Department, revealing plans for new limited-edition passports to be made available this summer in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary. The “limited number of specially designed” passports will feature “customized artwork and enhanced imagery,” showing Trump’s likeness with a serious look in front of the Constitution.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said the passports will be available to any American citizen who applies at the Washington Passport Agency when the rollout begins, with the design as the default option and continuing until inventory runs out. “Online options or other locations will maintain the existing passport design,” State Department officials said.
The back cover will feature an image from John Trumbull’s “The Declaration of Independence” painting. Current passports showcase an image of Percy Moran’s painting of Francis Scott Key, the morning after the bombardment of Fort McHenry, on the front inside cover, with lines from the anthem also printed inside.
Passports are the latest move by government agencies that will display Trump’s likeness. In 2025, the Department of the Interior, which oversees national parks, unveiled “commemorative new designs” for park passes, one of which featured the president’s face alongside George Washington’s, sparking backlash.
And this is no different.
After the news broke on social media, users expressed frustration at being forced to see his face on things. One user expressed concern about traveling overseas, as Americans seemingly aren’t the most liked in other countries. “Great, as if Americans weren’t already going to be hated abroad,” @libertyoneill wrote.
Others asked Trump to “give us a break,” while others were happy they had already renewed their passports for the next 10 years.
“I am so glad I already renewed my passport for the next 10 years, so I don’t have to have this man’s face plastered on it. He wants to be on our money, on our passports, in our houses… why do you need your face all over the place?” @brianjrashad said.
While park passes and passports got through, not every proposal to have this name and likeness appear has been approved. Like Trump adding pressure on Democratic Senator and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York to rename New York City’s Penn Station after him. He threatened to withhold billions of dollars in frozen federal infrastructure funds.
Even adding his name to the Kennedy Center and the United States Institute of Peace has been caught up in lawsuits.
Oprah Surprises Morehouse Students At Dinner For ‘Auntie O’s’ Scholars
The students were able to directly share the impact of the Scholars Program to Oprah.
Oprah Winfrey returned to Morehouse College to surprise students whose academic journeys she helped fulfill.
While the world knows Oprah as a billionaire media mogul, one particular cohort at Morehouse calls her “Auntie O.” The soon-to-be graduates matriculated through the all-men’s HBCU as part of the Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholars Program. However, this past weekend, the scholars unexpectedly caught up with their generous donor.
Oprah traveled down to the Atlanta University Center to greet the scholars at their pre-graduation dinner held April 24. There, she met the students who will now have a Morehouse degree thanks to this sponsorship. The 72-year-old shared a video of her surprise visit to celebrate the students’ academic success.
“They don’t know that I’m here to check on those grades,” joked Oprah in the video.
She also added in the caption, “Each one of the students—from the very first class in 1989 to today—are the best investment I or anyone could make. It’s an honor to see them move onward and succeed. “
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, each Oprah Scholar made a speech about how the program empowered their academic pursuits. Students also noted their shock at Oprah’s special appearance. Many never expected to greet the woman whose program granted them a college education.
“I thought it was a joke at first,” graduating senior Marcellis McQueen told the AJC. “You just see her coming from the back and I was in utter shock. I jumped up and I was like, there’s no way this is happening.”
Of Oprah’s reception to their speeches, the upcoming Morehouse alumnus added, “She was just amazed. I was getting choked up, too, just watching my brothers get up there and say, ‘Hey, y’all, this is what’s next for me. This is what I’ve been able to accomplish.’”
Oprah, an HBCU alumna herself from Tennessee State University, also spoke about her choice to further the education of Morehouse men. Before she hit billionaire status, Oprah had divided her first $200,000 made into a “risk bucket” and “safe bucket.” While many might have called her scholarship program a risk, she considers the financial decision the “safest investment” of her life.
“You all are in the savings bucket,” she told the students. “Because it was a safe bet that supporting you in the dream of your life, and the dream your ancestors had for your life, that was about the safest, safest investment anyone could make.”
Since 1989, the program has helped roughly 800 Morehouse students become graduates. The scholarship, totaling to $25,000 each year, helps students cover tuition, fees, room and board.
Now, as they all celebrate another year of HBCU student achievement, Oprah feels the full weight of her impact, emphasizing the cost of this endeavor as priceless.
“You all have already made the return on the investment for me,” continued Oprah. “And I thank you for that, because you honor not only my name, Oprah Winfrey and the scholarship program, but you honor everybody who ever prayed you up.”
Wallace Howard Is Still Changing The Game Of Horse Racing At The Age Of 80
In 1980, Wallace Howard was featured in an issue of BLACK ENTERPRISE for his impact in the horse racing industry.
In 1980, Wallace Howard was featured in an issue of BLACK ENTERPRISEfor his impact in the horse racing industry, and more than 40 years later, he’s showing no sign of winding down.
At 80 years old, the Kentucky native and veteran horseman is still at the barn early, studying bloodlines, preparing horses with the same precision that has defined more than five decades in the industry.
“I feel like I’m 33, 34 years old,” Howard said.
That mindset — equal parts instinct, discipline, and lived experience — has carried him through a career that stretches across some of horse racing’s most competitive and exclusive circles. Long before conversations about access and equity reached the mainstream, Howard was already building a name for himself in rooms where few Black men were invited.
That exclusion didn’t always define the sport. In the late 19th and early 20th century, Black horsemen were its backbone. Oliver Lewis won the first Kentucky Derby in 1875, while Isaac Murphy became one of the most dominant jockeys in history, winning three Derbies. Jimmy Winkfield remains the last Black jockey to win the race, taking back-to-back victories in 1901 and 1902 before being forced to continue his career overseas. Innovators like Monkey Simon helped shape the modern riding style still used today, and figures like Ed Brown built reputations as elite trainers and horsemen.
Source: Courtesy Wallace Howard
A Career Built on Seeing What Others Miss
By the time Howard entered the business, that dominance had all but disappeared, but the blueprint was still there.
Howard’s path into horse racing wasn’t traditional. He first made a name for himself raising and competing gamecocks. That work led to an unexpected opportunity with a white farm owner, Ann Trimble, who brought him onto a horse farm in Kentucky. It was there, surrounded by thoroughbreds, that everything shifted.
Howard built his reputation as one of the first Black bloodstock agents in the sport, a role that demands a rare combination of technical knowledge and intuition.
“You got to be able to see,” he said. “People look and don’t see.”
That ability to see beyond surface-level value became his advantage.
Source: Courtesy Wallace Howard
From Bloodstock Agent to Global Horseman
Working with high-profile clients, including Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Howard identified and secured horses capable of competing and winning at the highest levels. His process was rooted in understanding structure, movement, and potential.
“I’m buying for confirmation,” he explained. “Clean knees, the right angles… and I get a feeling from it. When I see a good horse, I feel it.”
That instinct took him around the world, from Argentina to New Zealand, sourcing horses and closing deals others couldn’t.
In the early 1980s, Howard spent months in Argentina sourcing horses for Berry Gordy while the country was in the middle of a violent regime shift. Gordy warned him to leave. Howard stayed.
“When I come, the horses come,” he recalled telling him.
Months later, he returned with the horses and his reputation sharpened by the kind of risk most people wouldn’t take.
“You can talk on the phone all you want,” he said. “But when you bring that cash there — BINGO.”
Howard’s eye for talent didn’t stop at acquisition. When he stepped into training, he proved he could develop winners just as effectively as he could find them.
Source: Credit: Andy Cecil
Turning Overlooked Horses Into Winners
One of his defining moments came early in his training career, when he began working with Herbert and Precious Luster, the founders of Luster Products, the Black-owned haircare company behind brands like Pink Oil and Pro-Line.
At the time, they sent him a horse that others had already written off, a runner stuck in claiming races with little promise.
After evaluating the horse’s condition and making key adjustments, he transformed it into a top competitor, eventually winning a Grade 1 stakes race and turning what looked like a loss into a breakthrough moment.
“They told me it was a claiming horse,” Howard said. “I said, ‘Y’all got a stakes horse here.’ And we proved it.”
That ability to unlock potential became a hallmark of his work.
The Business of Horse Racing
Today, Howard is still training — currently working with three horses, including a filly he believes has the potential to compete on major stages like the Breeders’ Cup. His approach remains unchanged: patience, discipline, and a refusal to cut corners.
“This is a patient game,” he said. “You can’t rush it.”
For Howard, success in horse racing has always been about more than the track.
“This is a profit and prestige sport,” he said.
Over the years, he has helped clients navigate the financial side of the industry, from identifying valuable bloodlines to understanding how ownership can function as both an investment and a long-term strategy.
His philosophy is straightforward: success isn’t about spending the most money, it’s about making the smartest decisions.
“You ain’t got to spend a fortune to make a lot of money,” he said.
That mindset has positioned Howard as both a horseman and a strategist—someone who understands how to build value from the ground up.
Howard entered the sport at a time when access for Black participants was shrinking, even as the industry grew more lucrative. Instead of stepping back, he leaned into what set him apart.
“I wasn’t afraid to speak up,” he said.
Courtesy Tim WalkerCourtesy Tim WalkerCourtesy Tim Walker
Building the Next Generation of Black Horsemen
That willingness to advocate, both for himself and for others, remains central to his work today.
He continues to mentor emerging horsemen and collaborate with those looking to enter the industry, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, discipline, and patience. Howard has also partnered with horsemen like Tim Walker, a Black cowboy and landowner working to expand access to the industry for a new generation, and blacksmith Duane Raglin.
“Any Black person that comes into this business, they got to be a good listener,” he said. “You got to know the do’s and don’ts.”
He’s also pushing for greater visibility, including the idea of an all-Black race featuring Black jockeys, trainers, and owners — a concept he believes could create new pathways into the sport.
“That would be huge,” he said.
As the Kentucky Derby approaches, Howard’s attention is fixed on what’s next — the next race, the next horse, the next opportunity.
“I’m looking for tomorrow,” he said. “I’m planning for the future.”
More than 50 years into his career, Wallace Howard is still doing what he’s always done: trusting his instincts, betting on his knowledge, and moving with the kind of confidence that only comes from experience.
And in a sport built on timing, precision, and belief, that might be his greatest advantage of all.
On this week’s BE THE GAME: The Business of Sports, we sit down with industry disruptor and former Dallas Mavericks CEO, Cynt Marshall.
As the first Black woman CEO in NBA history, she led a culture-shifting transformation that set a new standard across the league—while building a leadership team that reflects the communities it serves. Her story is a masterclass in intentional, people-first leadership.
