Sheryl, Lee, Ralph, HBCUs — Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 17, 2025

Sheryl Lee Ralph Says She ‘Put The Work In’ To Receive A Star On The Hollywood Walk of Fame

Sheryl Lee Ralph looks back on what led her to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Sheryl Lee Ralph is celebrating nearly 50 years in Hollywood and the dedication that led to her earning a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Emmy-winning actress opened up ahead of her April 16 induction ceremony, reflecting on the triumphs, setbacks, mentorship, and bold moves it took to sustain a career as a Black actress in the fiercely competitive entertainment industry.

“If I have the honor of a star, anybody can — if it’s something you’re really willing to put the work in for, or if you have a sugar daddy or a sugar mama who just wants to give it to you. But —it probably won’t be that. More than likely, you’re going to have to do some work,” Ralph told Variety.

Ralph beamed with joy — and shed a few happy tears — as she accepted her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a stunning black sleeveless gown.

“Look at what the universe has done,” she told the crowd before thanking God, Goddess, and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for the honor.

Prior to the ceremony, Ralph expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love from fans who’ve followed her journey from the start. From her breakout role in Sidney Poitier’s 1977 comedy A Piece of the Action to her Emmy-winning performance as Barbara Howard on ABC’s Abbott Elementary, Ralph is proudly soaking in the rewards of decades of dedication.

“I am very fortunate, because I have something that I don’t think a lot of performers get and that is the appreciation and the respect of your audience,” Ralph said.

“I just came back from a 20-hour trip, and the pilots came out and said, ‘We love you. Would you take a picture with us?’ I was like, ‘These are guys, and the Black guy didn’t even have to tell the white guy who I was!’ Walking through the airport, people are like, ‘Hello, queen. Hope you have a good flight.’ They pass me notes. Like, what in the whole wide world? Does it get much better than this?”

“OK, yeah, I could win an Oscar,” she jokingly added. “But I don’t know if it would be any better. I feel good. I feel happy. I’m loving it.”

Brian Steel Added To Diddy’s Defense Team For Upcoming Federal Trial — (Photo: Christian Monterrosa/AFP via Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 17, 2025

Brian Steel Added To Diddy’s Defense Team For Upcoming Federal Trial

Steel was the lead attorney in the Young Thug RICO trial

Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, is joining the defense team for Sean “Diddy” Combs’s upcoming federal trial.

Famed court reporter Meghann Cuniff posted the news on her social media account and included the paperwork that the attorney filed April 15 in the U.S. Southern District Court of New York.

Here’s something I didn’t expect to write:

Young Thug’s lawyer Brian Steel has joined Sean “Diddy’ Combs’ criminal defense team. pic.twitter.com/1PD3g3ksr4

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) April 15, 2025

Steel became a household name during the Young Thug RICO trial, the longest criminal trial in Georgia history.

In Steel’s motion to be included on Diddy’s defense team, he admitted to being held in contempt during Thug’s trial. Steel was held in contempt by Judge Ural Glanville after he refused to divulge a source who told him about an ex parte conversation that took place before court that day, Fox 5 reported. The judge was removed from the case shortly after the incident.

The misdemeanor contempt conviction was reversed when, through an appeal by Steel, the Supreme Court of Georgia issued a unanimous decision in the attorney’s favor.

“On June 10, 2024, I was held in contempt by a Superior Court Judge in Fulton County, Georgia, in State of Georgia v. Jeffery Williams et al., Case Number 22SC 183 572, when the judge wrongfully ordered that I reveal privileged information.”
– Diddy’s new lawyer Brian Steel pic.twitter.com/4q0EOSxra9

— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) April 15, 2025

According to NPR, Young Thug (real name Jeffrey Williams) pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2024, after prosecutors requested that he be sentenced to 25 in prison and 20 on probation.

Fulton County Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced the rapper to a total sentence of 40 years, with him serving the first five in prison. However, Whitaker allowed him to go free when she commuted the five years due to being in custody for more than 900 days after he was initially booked in May 2022.

Racial Bias, Facebook Ads, Meta — (Photo: Yuri Samoilov, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 17, 2025

Black Market Facebook Groups Selling Rideshare Accounts Without Background Checks

Researchers identified at least 80 Facebook groups where members were selling rideshare accounts that bypass required background checks.

New research reveals that black market Facebook groups are offering rideshare accounts to buyers looking to bypass mandatory background checks.

A new report from the nonprofit tech watchdog Tech Transparency Project identified at least 80 Facebook groups where users frequently discuss buying, selling, and renting driver accounts for Uber, DoorDash, and UK-based Deliveroo, CNN reported. Researchers are looking into these “black market groups” as they may allow individuals to bypass background checks and license requirements, putting users at risk.

“It’s incredibly concerning because part of the reason Uber has been such an attractive tool for women, in particular, is because there’s some sort of semblance of safety when there’s tracking of who this person is … if something were to happen,” said Tech Transparency Project Director Katie Paul. “If that’s not the case, then what’s the point of using this platform?”

One group, “UBER ACCOUNT FOR RENT WORLDWIDE,” has over 22,000 members and includes exchanges where members can be seen soliciting Uber accounts in cities nationwide.

“Need an Uber Eats account in Jacksonville, FL ASAP.” “I have one,” one exchange reads.

“Looking for an Uber Eats account to rent in Virginia.”

“Available,” says another.

Researchers warn that these black market groups allow unlicensed rideshare or delivery drivers to pose as legitimate drivers, putting users at risk who rely on platforms like Uber and DoorDash to properly vet their workers. Spokespeople for popular rideshare and food delivery platforms are speaking out.

“Our tough approach is delivering clear results: we’re deactivating more fraudulent accounts, conducting more real-time identity checks, and preventing more offenders from returning,” DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said.

“When we determine that an account holder is engaging in account sharing or other forms of fraud, we ban their account from the platform,” an Uber spokesperson said.

After learning about the report, a Meta spokesperson said the company would review the findings and remove any content that violated its policies. So far, five Facebook groups — including “UBER ACCOUNT FOR RENT WORLDWIDE” — have been removed for breaking Meta’s rules on fraud, scams, and deceptive practices.

Marvin Sapp, church, congregants, 40K, tithe, offerings — (Photo: Wikimedia)

by Kandiss Edwards

April 17, 2025

Is Pastor Marvin Sapp Trolling With New Single ‘Close the Door?’

Pastor Marvin Sapp is taking the lemons handed to him and is "building a lemonade company."

Pastor Marvin Sapp is turning viral backlash into inspiration with his latest single, “Close the Door.”

Sapp announced the release on Instagram following criticism over a now-viral clip in which he urged church ushers to “close the door” while requesting donations. The “Best in Me” singer said he’s ready to move past what he described as being “misunderstood, misrepresented, misinterpreted and even maligned.”

He hopes that when the song drops on April 18, Good Friday, it will redirect attention from the controversy back to God.

“‘Close the Door’ isn’t just a song, it’s a soundtrack for survival,” Sapp wrote. “I’m releasing it this Good Friday, the day we honor the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Just like He closed the door on death, Hell, and the grave, I’m closing the door on the noise, the pain, and everything that tried to break me.”

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A post shared by Marvin Sapp (@marvinsapp)

The controversy stirred strong reactions across the religious community, with some questioning Sapp’s intentions and calling. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported on the online backlash, including comments accusing the Best In Me singer of being a hustler and a false prophet. Critics also raised concerns about the $40,000 donation request, asking where the funds would be directed.

In response, Sapp appeared on The Breakfast Club, where he revealed that he and his staff at Chosen Vessel Cathedral had received death threats. He stood by his decision to solicit donations and to instruct ushers to shut the sanctuary doors during the offering, calling it a vulnerable time in the service.

Mega churches like Chosen Vessel often receive substantial offerings. With thousands of congregants each Sunday, the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt institutions can become targets for theft and criticism. The rise of internet culture has only amplified scrutiny of wealth within religious institutions and their leaders. Pastor Keion Henderson of Lighthouse Church faced backlash for requesting $2,100 from each member, while televangelist Creflo Dollar has long drawn criticism for his private jet and estimated $20 million net worth.

While some continue questioning Sapp’s actions, others see his response as redemptive. He’s no stranger to transforming controversy and pain into praise. In his Instagram post, he said he believes his trials and new song will ultimately benefit the church community.

“This song will bless you,” he wrote. “I believe that with everything in me. My assignment in this season through this song is to help you close the door, too.”

sundown town, Vidor,Texas, Yung Mooch, youTuber — Photo by Daniel Frank: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-of-trees-and-houses-under-calm-blue-sky-during-golden-hour-323314/

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 17, 2025

Black YouTuber Learns Hard Lesson About Texas ‘Sundown Town’ In Real-Time, City Leader Claims Times Have Changed

Vidor, Texas, is known for its racist ideologies which led the gas station attendant to warn Mooch about about going there

YouTuber Yung Mooch learned how unwelcome he would be if he visited Vidor, Texas, a known sundown town.

In a clip posted on Instagram, Mooch and a friend stopped at a gas station approximately 30 minutes outside of Vidor and asked an attendant if they would be welcomed there. With a look of shock, the attendant barely hesitated before responding.

“It’s a very racist town. Better stay away from there,” the unidentified woman warned.

After other gas station customers warned the duo the same, the woman doubled down and detailed what could happen if the Black men went.

“They’ll hang people, drag people,” she said.

When Mooch’s friend attempted to reconfirm what she said, the woman reiterated, saying, “There’s a big possibility.”

The full 30-minute video on YouTube shows a Black man asking Mooch why he would consider going to a sundown town. Mooch’s response is that he is “testing the waters.”

The man then asked if the men had protection.

Other towns like Vidor, which is just east of Houston, were known as a racist hub in the Deep South. There are dozens of such towns across the U.S., but in Texas, there are more than 10, but Vidor has a particular reputation. In the early 1990s, according to Fox 26, the federal government attempted to integrate the town, but ultimately, the Black families living there were driven out.

However, things have seemingly changed since then. City leaders claim to welcome everybody to come and see for themselves.

“We’re not the same Vidor that people think we are,” City Manager Robbie Hood said. “This Vidor…We’re caring people, we love everybody. And I would say to the people that don’t think that to be necessarily true, come visit our city. You’ll see exactly who we are.”

There may be some truth there. In 2023, Vidor residents got rid of a small group of white supremacists sporting camouflage pants, black shirts, and the Aryan Freedom Network flag that set up shop with its logo on the Battle Flag of the Confederacy, as well as signs mentioning “white pride” and showing a swastika.

After police were sent due to calls of a disturbance between the group and residents, Vidor Police Chief Rod Carroll said the racist group confessed that the town was the first where they didn’t feel welcome.

As the group took over a public corner, Vidor residents joined in with their own signs reading, “We stand against racism.”

“We love everyone,” and “This community is not racist.”

“The reality is, you know, Vidor is not the Vidor of 40 years ago, and I’m actually proud of the citizenry for standing up against bigotry,” the police chief said.

Green Book Global defines a sundown town as one with unwritten rules to keep minorities out. Some towns will close at sundown to make it hard for Black people to gain employment or have hotels that refuse to serve non-white guests.

Meghan Markle, Rwanda, purses — Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images for Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 17, 2025

Meghan Markle Reveals She Had ‘To Learn To Detach’ To Get Through Miscarriage

Meghan Markle opens up about her miscarriage to support a friend navigating pregnancy loss.

Meghan Markle opened up about her 2020 miscarriage to offer support to a friend still coping with her own pregnancy loss.

In the second episode of her Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, released on April 15, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about coping with pregnancy loss. While speaking with Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and CEO of Moms First, Markle reflected on grief and the importance of redesigning the workplace to support women better.

“I’ve spoken about the miscarriage that we experienced,” Markle said. “I think in some parallel way, when you have to learn to detach from the thing that you have so much promise and hope for and to be able to be OK at a certain point to let something go that you plan to love for a long time.”

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A post shared by Lemonada Media (@lemonadamedia)

Saujani thanked Markle for her “really insightful” encouragement, joking that it felt like the royal had been “reading [her] diaries.”

“I don’t think anyone’s seen it that way [or], like, said it that way for me,” she said.

Markle was respectful with her approach to the sensitive subject, checking whether Saujani, 49, was “comfortable talking about it.”

“And I’ll bring this up if you’re comfortable talking about it because I know you’ve spoken publicly about it as you’re doing Girls Who Code, all the interpersonal things that are happening for you at that time, and the miscarriages that you’ve experienced,” Markle said.

This marks the second time Markle has spoken publicly about her miscarriage, following her emotional July 2020 account shared in a New York Times Op-Ed published that November.

“Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few,” she wrote at the time.

Prince Harry addressed his wife’s miscarriage in their 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan. He blamed the loss on the intense stress and sleeplessness Markle experienced during her legal battle with the Daily Mail. They share two children — Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

Oprah Winfrey, Stanford University, Dr. Bongeka Zuma, black billionaires — Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 17, 2025

Onlookers Speculate If Oprah Winfrey And Sharon Osbourne Are Experiencing ‘Ozempic Feet’

Fans are speculating whether Oprah Winfrey is showing signs of a surprising new weight-loss drug side effect known as "Ozempic feet."

As the Ozempic craze continues to sweep through Hollywood, growing awareness of the drug’s potential side effects has fans speculating about changes in some stars’ appearances. The latest buzz centers on Oprah Winfrey and Sharon Osbourne, with onlookers questioning whether they might be experiencing what’s dubbed “Ozempic feet.”

Both Winfrey and Osbourne have openly admitted to using weight-loss medications. Recent photos have sparked speculation that the two stars may be experiencing “Ozempic feet”—a term used to describe sagging or aging skin on the feet caused by rapid fat loss, Daily Mail reports.

TV viewers noticed visible wrinkling on Winfrey’s feet when the 71-year-old media icon appeared onstage at the 55th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Osbourne, 72, recently shared a photo with her grandson on Instagram, prompting eagle-eyed fans to point out signs of significant weight loss in her feet.

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A post shared by Sharon Osbourne (@sharonosbourne)

“Ozempic feet” is the latest concern added to a growing list of side effects tied to rapid fat loss, including “Ozempic face” and “Ozempic butt.” According to Dr. Barry Weintraub, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in New York, a significant drop in body fat can affect water retention and lead to noticeable sagging in the feet.

“Without having had the opportunity to examine Sharon in person, the veiny and sagging skin on the top and sides of the foot might be a result of the new lack of water retention due to a decreased BMI caused by Ozempic or other such weight-loss drug,” Dr. Weintraub said. “As the heart becomes less taxed with extra weight, the water retention decreases, and the substructures of the foot (veins, tendons, bones) often become more visible.”

While Ozempic and its sister drug, Mounjaro, are FDA-approved for treating type 2 diabetes, the drugs have gained widespread off-label use for weight loss, particularly among celebrities. Recent data found that one in eight Americans has used a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic.

Now, fans are questioning whether Winfrey and Osbourne may be among the first public figures showing signs of the drug’s unexpected foot-related side effects. This comes after Winfrey revealed her use of a weight-loss drug in December 2023 after she “released my own shame about it.”

“I now use it as I feel I need it, as a tool to manage not yo-yoing,” she said at the time.

“The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for. I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself.”

Donald Trump, Elon Musk, DOGE — (Photos from left: Gage Skidmore/Flickr; Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images)

by Stacy Jackson

April 16, 2025

DOGE Pushes Agencies To Turn Over Data To Find Undocumented Immigrants

Personal data of suspected immigrants that is normally protected is now being handed over at the request of the U.S. DOGE Service

In the Trump administration’s search for undocumented immigrants, federal agencies are being pressed by United States DOGE Service officials to hand over personal data on where individuals work, study, and live.

As DOGE eagerly pursues its mission to remove undocumented immigrants from federal housing and employment, the pressure is on for federal agencies like the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Education Department, who have been asked to release personal information on individuals that is normally protected.

“The government is finally doing what it should have all along: sharing information across the federal government to solve problems,” a Department of Homeland Security official told The Washington Post.

Last week, the Social Security Administration submitted names and Social Security numbers of over 6,000 mostly Latino immigrants into a database used to track dead people. The immigrants who entered the U.S. are now prohibited from receiving benefits or employment status. DOGE officials have spent the past several weeks digging for information like full names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, mailing addresses, contact information, bank details, and more to uncover citizenship status.

“Information sharing across agencies is essential to identify who is in our country, including violent criminals, determine what public safety and terror threats may exist, scrub these individuals from voter rolls, as well as identify what public benefits these aliens are using at taxpayer expense,” said the assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS.

This month, IRS officials were pressed to share tax information in the DOGE’s search for nearly seven million people suspected of residing in the United States illegally. Individuals who have reported their information for years have recently had their data turned over due to illegal immigration speculations.

According to legal experts, sharing individual’s data is “a breach of privacy” and violates the rules that have been established to “ensure trust in government programs and services.”

A March announcement from Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner revealed an agreement between the department and Homeland Security to examine whether taxpayer-funded housing programs are being used to “harbor or benefit” illegal aliens.

Citing the $42 billion in costs to support the 59 percent of immigrant households on welfare and 24,000 ineligible residents in HUD-assisted housing, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said, “The entire government will work together to identify abuse and exploitation of public benefits and make sure those in this country illegally are not receiving federal benefits or other financial incentives to stay illegally. If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now.”

Additionally, DOGE staffer Mike Mirski is leading an effort to ban undocumented immigrants from living with U.S. citizens or other eligible family members.

At the Education Department, DOGE officials are pushing for information on potential deportees through the administration’s February investigation of five universities’ handling of antisemitism allegations regarding Israel’s war in Gaza.

Attorneys were pressed to request protestors’ names and nationalities from involved institutions. White House official Max Eden suggested in a December essay that the department’s civil rights office obtain “the identities of every single foreign student who supported the protests.” Immigration authorities could then revoke the visas of any foreign student protestor.

As President Donald Trump attempts to make the most deportations in U.S. history, he has already reopened family detention centers, transported migrants to a former prison for suspected terrorists, and invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

Bank Of America To Pay $540M Amid Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Lawsuit — photo credit: G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

by Stacy Jackson

April 16, 2025

Bank Of America To Pay $540M Amid Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Lawsuit

Bank of America claimed its company's intent was not to avoid any payments to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Bank of America faces a $540 million bill after a federal judge ordered the financial institution to pay up on Monday amid a federal lawsuit.

The ruling comes after the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation lawsuit accused the mega U.S. bank of failing to pay the complete amount it owed for deposit insurance. According to a press release, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan’s 59-page decision resolves a long-running lawsuit filed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 2017, which claimed Bank of America violated a 2011 regulation after it reduced its deposit insurance contributions.

The FDIC sought $1.12 billion after Bank of America allegedly failed to uphold the rule, which was reportedly established to modify how banks report risk exposure to counterparties, alongside other federal reforms created to protect the banking system and avoid financial crises. The Washington D.C. judge rejected Bank of America’s claims that the basis for the rule was unreasonable. The financial institution’s argument that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” was also rejected by Judge AliKhan in Monday’s ruling.

The decision stated that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation did not need to present a precise measure of banks’ probable exposure to losses. However, Bank of America could claim that its company “lacked fair notice of what was required of it.”

“We are pleased the judge has ruled and have reserves reflecting the decision,” said Bank of America spokesperson Bill Haldin.

Judge AliKhan ruled this week that Bank of America would pay $540 million to cover assessments from the second quarter of 2013 through 2014. The total will also handle interest. For claims earlier than the second quarter of 2013, the judge said it was too late for the FDIC to sue. Bank of America was expected to report first-quarter results on Tuesday.

American Basketball Player, Indonesian Prison, Cannabis Gummies,Compassionate Release — (Photo: Juan Camilo Bernal/Getty Images)

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 16, 2025

Formerly Incarcerated Married Couple Releases Oscar-Nominated Documentary ‘Time’ For Free

Formerly incarcerated couple turned criminal justice reform advocates Sibil “Fox Rich” Richardson and Rob Richardson are celebrating the free release of their Academy Award-nominated documentary Time.

The longtime couple and parents of six, who endured 21 years as an incarcerated family, announced on Instagram on April 14 that their acclaimed 2020 documentary Time is now available to stream for free. A video trailer offers a powerful glimpse into the film, which chronicles Fox’s relentless fight to free her husband, who was serving a 60-year sentence for armed bank robbery.

“From young love to facing 297 years… Our story has twists you won’t believe, from raising six sons to launching Shreveport’s first hip-hop store,” they captioned their post. “There’s so much more to our journey.”

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A post shared by Fox and Rob Rich (@foxandrob)

Directed by Garrett Bradley, Time weaves together original footage and home videos to tell the story of Sibil—a self-described abolitionist, author, and mother of six—as she campaigns for the release of her husband, Rob, from a 60-year sentence at Louisiana State Penitentiary, or Angola, for their involvement in an armed bank robbery. While Sybil served three and a half years for her role, Rob remained incarcerated for 21 years before receiving clemency from then-Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2018.

“On that September day, after dropping Rob and our nephew Ontario off at a bank, I sat on a nearby hillside with binoculars,” Sibil wrote of the 1997 bank robbery that changed their lives forever. “I was breathless, watching as they attempted an armed bank robbery. It resulted in a foot chase, gunshots, and the end of our life as we knew it.”

After her prison release, Sibil began the journey of raising their six children on her own while fighting for Rob’s release.

“It was very hard. I had to be a double parent,” Sibil shared. “When my children needed something, I couldn’t say, “Go ask your father.” I recognized very early on I couldn’t do this by myself. With the help of my mother and our community, I raised our six sons throughout Rob’s entire incarceration.”

Bradley’s compelling documentary on the Richardsons’ love and resilience premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 25, 2020, making history as she became the first African American woman to win the U.S. Documentary Directing Award. The Time film earned a nomination for Best Documentary Feature at the 93rd Academy Awards and became one of the rare documentaries to sweep the “Big Four” critics’ prizes.