Starbucks, Black-owned coffee shops, coffee

Starbucks Shutters 400 Locations—Black-Owned Coffee Shops Step In To Fill The Cup

Here are three Black-owned coffee shops to try out.


Be prepared to see fewer Starbucks cups in major U.S. cities as the coffee conglomerate is scheduled to close almost 400 locations across state lines, KY3 reported. 

After years of rapid expansion, Starbucks is now confronting economic headwinds and criticism tied to its policies, prompting a shift in strategy. In New York City, coffee drinkers have already felt the impact, with at least 42 locations closing. Facing rising operating costs and intensified competition from independent and chain rivals, the company says its focus heading into 2026 will be on fewer, higher-performing stores and refreshed designs. In a statement, a Starbucks spokesperson said the company “regularly evaluates our portfolio of coffeehouses to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our customers.”

“Opening and closing stores is a standard part of our business, and we don’t have additional news in the U.S. or elsewhere to share,” read a statement from Starbucks.

New York City is not the only major city affected. The Seattle-based company shut down over 20 locations in Los Angeles, seven in San Francisco, five in Baltimore, and 15 in the Windy City, CNN reported. 

In June 2025, the company had 18,734 locations across North America, but with the new plan, there will be roughly 18,300 locations. In a September 2025 letter to employees, ​​CEO Brian Niccol, who was recruited from Chipotle to turn things around, said the company took a deep dive to identify locations that don’t promise financial growth or aren’t creating the physical environment expected by customers. “Each year, we open and close coffeehouses for a variety of reasons, from financial performance to lease expirations,” Niccol wrote.

“This is a more significant action that we understand will impact partners and customers. Our coffeehouses are centers of the community, and closing any location is difficult,” he added.

Some of the competition Starbucks faces stems from Black-owned coffee shops popping up in cities as an alternative to the expensive white and green cups.

Sugar & Sip Coffee and Workshop in Charlotte, NC, is the perfect combination to get a good vibe, a cup of joe, and get some work done. Not to mention, its central Uptown location is perfect for stopping in on your way to the office or during a morning walk. 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Sugar&Sip Coffee and Workshop (@sugarandsipclt)

Silverback Coffee of Rwanda, with locations in downtown Los Angeles and El Segundo, showcases coffee sourced and curated by African farmers. Made from naturally grown coffee cherries, its rich aroma offers a moment of calm—whether you’re stuck in traffic on the way to a meeting or strolling on the beach with your dog.

Momentum Coffee in Chicago sets the tone of tranquility and peace just by walking in. Vibrant artwork welcomes connections between coffee lovers. Also used as a co-working space, Momentum has several locations across the area, including in the Loop, North Lawndale, and Englewood.

RELATED CONTENT: Wait, What? Florida Files $100 Billion Lawsuit Against Starbucks Over DEI Policy

VP Music Group Partners With Food For The Poor To Accelerate Jamaica’s Post-Melissa Rebuilding Efforts

VP Music Group Partners With Food For The Poor To Accelerate Jamaica’s Post-Melissa Rebuilding Efforts

The collaboration centers on a newly launched donation portal designed to streamline the procurement of lumber, roofing supplies, cement, and construction tools.


In a decisive move to address the long-term housing crisis triggered by Hurricane Melissa, VP Music Group has announced a formal partnership with Food For The Poor to deliver essential building materials to Jamaica’s hardest-hit communities.


The collaboration centers on a newly launched donation portal designed to streamline the procurement of lumber, roofing supplies, cement, and construction tools. While initial humanitarian aid focused on immediate survival, this initiative shifts the focus toward permanent reconstruction for thousands of families still displaced by the storm’s devastation.


Food For The Poor, a veteran international relief organization, will manage distribution logistics, ensuring that hardware and building materials reach households in the island’s most vulnerable regions, specifically targeting parishes such as St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland.


“Our island home, Jamaica, is facing a challenging moment, with families left without homes, resources, and in some cases, hope,” said Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin, co-founder of VP Records. “The need is real and urgent, and through our partnership with Food For The Poor, we are committed to helping families as they rebuild.”


The partnership is the latest pillar in a sustained relief campaign by the reggae and dancehall powerhouse. In the months following Hurricane Melissa, VP Music Group has facilitated humanitarian flights via Captain Barrington Irving’s Experience Aviation and lent its influence to high-profile fundraisers, including the “Jamaica Strong” benefit at New York’s UBS Arena and the “Stay Strong Jamaica” concert in Hollywood, Florida.


The label also previously channeled financial support through Sean Paul’s existing foundation partnership with Food For The Poor, which funded early-stage recovery. This new portal aims to bridge the gap between emergency charity and sustainable infrastructure. By focusing on raw materials and hardware, the organizers intend to empower local communities to restore stability and move beyond the cycle of displacement.


With over 120,000 homes damaged or destroyed across the island, the logistics of this partnership are critical. By leveraging Food For The Poor’s established distribution network, VP Music Group ensures that every dollar donated translates directly into the “hybrid” housing models now being deployed—structures reinforced with concrete to withstand future Category 5 systems. This collaborative effort represents a vital lifeline for the 1.6 million Jamaicans impacted by the strongest storm in the nation’s recorded history.


Individuals and organizations looking to support the rebuilding of Jamaican households can contribute directly through the official VP Music Group and Food For The Poor donation gateway. Of the $50,000 need, a little over $10k has been donated so far.

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Kai Cenat, Streamer, live, twitch, mental health

Kai Cenat Says Streaming Hiatus Was To Prioritize Mental Health: ‘I Was Losing Touch Of Reality’

Cenat gets real about his mental health and break from streaming.


Popular Twitch streamer Kai Cenat is opening up further about his mental health journey, explaining his decision to take a break from streaming and addressing critics of his transparency.

After sharing a video on X for his 24th birthday on Dec. 16 about his struggles with mental health, describing it as “out of self-doubt and fright of pursuing goals that I really want to achieve”, Cenat followed up on Dec. 23 with a series of tweets responding to critics of his candid admission.

“A few days ago I decided to open up a little bit about what I’ve been thinking and it’s been so much love but when I seen the some of the negative feedback I received, I got to see a glimpse of why people don’t speak up about this more often,” Cenat tweeted.

The award-winning Twitch star explained his desire to use his platform to raise awareness on mental health and get “on a more personal level” with his fans and followers “about dealing with self doubt and living in fear,” he wrote.

“I think a person like me speaking about this would encourage other people to step up too so now let me explain how it all started,” he added.

Cenat explained that nonstop streaming to his more than 1 million subscribers was taking a toll on him and distancing him from his loved ones.

“As I was very consistent in streaming there were certain times I realized that I was losing touch of reality, I needed to take a step back and fully reset I started to realize I wasn’t even spending time with close friends and family behind the scenes as much as I wanted to,” the streamer wrote.

He went on to address those who are criticizing and mocking his decision to open up about his mental health

“I cant imagine the things that people are going through on a deeper level so for those people let me speak up a little LOUDER idc if people look at me as a joke,” he added.

His tweets followed a video message in which he first shared his struggles with mental health and his ambitions to grow further as a content creator.

“And the reason I’ve really been in my head is because I just wanted to do more,” Cenat said in his video message. “I’ve gained to realize that I’m a true creator and I’m very passionate about creating. And I have other goals and things that I just want to achieve and do more of.”

A Harlem, New York, native, Kai Cenat is known for his high-energy, comedic content on Twitch and YouTube. He rose to fame through live streams, pranks, reaction videos, and vlogs, frequently interacting with fans in real time. His work has earned him nominations and recognition in creator and streamer awards, solidifying his influence in digital entertainment.

Cenat’s prominence among Gen Z and younger audiences gives his current focus on mental health added impact, using his platform to raise awareness about an important issue for his peers.

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Law, License Plate Flippers, California

New Law Bans License Plate Flippers In California

California is joining a growing number of states that are banning the use and sale of license plate flippers.


The crackdown on license plate flippers is gaining momentum, with California joining a growing list of states that are prohibiting the sale and use of the devices.

A license plate flipper is a manual, electric, or mechanical device installed on a vehicle that allows the operator to quickly obscure, conceal, or switch between two or more license plates, often with the push of a button or remote control

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, California Assembly Bill 1085 will make it illegal to use or sell license plate flippers, devices that have long frustrated law enforcement, The Sun reported. Drivers caught using a license plate flipper could face fines up to $250, while anyone caught selling the device may be fined up to $1,000.

Although license plate flippers have been illegal to use since 2008, they remained widely available for purchase online and in stores like Amazon, making enforcement challenging. But that didn’t deter Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, D-San Francisco, from advancing the law, citing the significant risks these license plate-obscuring devices pose.

“They’re linked to vehicle thefts, robberies, and toll evasion – undermining public safety and costing the state millions in lost transportation revenue,” Stefani said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Stefani’s bill into law on Oct. 1, with the measure set to take effect at the start of the new year. With the bill’s passage, California is now one of five states to outlaw the devices, joining Florida, Illinois, Delaware, and New Jersey.

In Florida, using, selling, or possessing a license plate-obscuring device is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Illinois Sen. Steve Stadelman’s SB1883 seeks to make it explicitly illegal to use tape or flippers on any registration plate. Delaware’s HB26 would ban the devices, with first-time offenders facing 30–90 days in jail or $50–$200 fines, and repeat offenders facing up to six months or $300 fines. In New Jersey, A3751 aims to prevent toll evasion, banning the devices and increasing penalties; displaying a fictitious plate can result in up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.

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Deion Sanders, contract, colorado, Braylon Edwards

Coach Prime Reunites With Childhood Protégé As Braylon Edwards Commits To Colorado

'Coach Prime was my childhood coach,' Edwards said.


NFL Hall of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders is reuniting with a former player, not from Jackson State University, but from his Truth Youth League in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Braylon Edwards has committed to play for Coach Prime at the University of Colorado Boulder.

The incoming Buffalo player announced his decision to join the Colorado team for next season. He took direction as a 5-year-old boy learning the sport from his former, now future, football head coach. The safety even stated that he was with Coach Prime when Prime was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

According to Sports Illustrated, Edwards played for Duncanville High School (Duncanville, Texas), widely regarded as one of the most dominant high school football programs in the country. He stands at 6 feet, 180 pounds, and is a three-time First-Team All-District defensive back. This past season, he had 64 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass breakups while playing the corner and safety positions during his senior year. He is a finalist for the 2025 Whataburger Super Team.

“Coach Prime was my childhood coach… him and a few more on the staff. I started playing for him when I was five years old,” Edwards told BuffStampede.com. “I traveled the country playing ball with him. I also was with him in Canton when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. So it feels like a full reunion.”

A photo of the two from over a decade ago made its way to social media.

Edwards stated that he is versatile and can and will play any defensive position Coach Prime asks him to. He is slated to play safety.

“I’ll bring versatility and physicality,” Edwards said. “I can play all positions in the secondary, so I’ll do anything asked of me.”

fight, delays

Thousands Of Delays At Major Airports Impact U.S. Travelers Nationwide

Thousands of delays across major airports hubs impact US travelers nationwide.


Nearly 5,000 flight delays and hundreds of cancellations have left American travelers stranded at airports across the country.

On Dec. 29, U.S. airports reported 4,946 flight delays and 470 cancellations, with major hubs contributing heavily to the disruptions, Travel and Tour World reported. Chicago O’Hare International led with 623 delays and 65 cancellations, while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International saw 316 delays and 130 cancellations.

Flight disruptions affected airports nationwide, including Dallas/Fort Worth Intl with 295 delays and 22 cancellations, JFK with 247 delays and 20 cancellations, LAX with 227 delays and 20 cancellations, and Miami Intl with 221 delays and 17 cancellations. Orlando Intl recorded 256 delays and 25 cancellations, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Intl 303 delays and 22 cancellations, Minneapolis–Saint Paul Intl 287 delays and 68 cancellations, Boston Logan 169 delays and 41 cancellations, LaGuardia 145 delays and 29 cancellations, and Detroit Metro 152 delays and 27 cancellations.

Delays dominated over cancellations at most airports, pointing to network congestion rather than widespread schedule shutdowns. Delta, American, JetBlue, and Spirit were hit hardest across multiple hubs. Delta faced numerous delays and cancellations at ATL, MSP, DTW, LGA, JFK, LAX, BOS, MCO, FLL, and MIA. American had notable delays at MIA (111), DFW (190), LAX (33), and JFK (19). JetBlue saw delays at JFK (112), BOS (65), FLL (78), and MCO (33), while Spirit experienced disruptions at FLL (74), MCO (35), and ORD (112 via SkyWest/Spirit). Other major carriers, including United, Southwest, and Alaska, were affected mostly by delays rather than cancellations.

Due to the delays, travelers should anticipate longer gate holds and taxi-out times, especially at major hubs, along with a higher risk of missed connections from cascading delays. Rebooking and standby options may be limited, particularly at busy airports. Short-haul and domestic routes are also experiencing disruptions.

Passengers are advised to monitor airline apps and airport monitors closely for real-time updates.

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NFL, Laveranues Coles, Jacksonville Police Officer

From NFL Stardom To Street Patrol: Laveranues Coles Finds New Purpose As Jacksonville Police Officer

Coles spent nearly a decade outrunning defenders in the NFL.


Laveranues Coles spent nearly a decade outrunning defenders in the NFL. Today, he walks parking lots and patrols city streets in Jacksonville, Florida, wearing a police uniform — a role he says finally gives his life a sense of direction he said he once lacked. In an interview with ESPN, Coles opened up about his journey.

Coles, now in his late 40s, recently stood outside a Target in Jacksonville when an elderly shopper approached him. Unaware of his past as one of the league’s most productive wide receivers in the early 2000s, she saw only a police officer in tactical gear. “I feel safe with you here,” she told him. The comment left a lasting impression. “Meant the world to me,” Coles said, calling it the most rewarding moment of his journey into law enforcement.

Coles’ decision to join the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has puzzled many who know him. Over 10 NFL seasons — including seven with the New York Jets — he earned roughly $42 million. He has said money played no role in his career change, noting that his police salary is a fraction of his playing income. “This isn’t a money thing,” he said.

Instead, Coles said he was searching for purpose. Raised in Jacksonville, he became a local star at Ribault High School before playing at Florida State under legendary coach Bobby Bowden. “I want people to understand that no matter what stage you’re in, it’s never too late to get up and do something,” he said.

After retiring from football in 2009, Coles explored several ventures, including business investments, community programs, and time spent with his children. He eventually earned an online degree in criminology, which reignited an interest in policing. Encouraged by friends in the sheriff’s department, he enrolled in the academy at age 47.

The move sparked mixed reactions. Some praised his commitment to service, while others worried about his safety or questioned the optics. “It’s not something that America loves, like football,” Coles said. “People’s opinions, especially the people that are closest to me, really matter.”

Former Jets teammate Wayne Chrebet supported him without hesitation. “After everything he’s done in his life, to do this in his late 40s, I was like, ‘This is incredible,’” Chrebet said.

Coles’ life has long intersected with the justice system — on both sides. As a college athlete, he faced arrests that derailed his standing at Florida State and damaged his draft stock. Looking back, he now views those moments differently. “Really, being honest, it was the best thing that happened to me,” he said.

Few knew at the time that Coles was also carrying trauma from childhood sexual abuse at the hands of his stepfather, who later served prison time. Coles has said a police officer helped him feel safe when he finally disclosed the abuse — an experience that shaped his view of law enforcement. “Now,” he said, smiling, “I’m actually the one pulling up to the scene trying to make things better.”

The academy tested him physically and mentally. Despite multiple hip surgeries and lingering injuries from football, Coles completed hundreds of hours of mandatory training. There were moments he considered quitting, but he pushed forward. “Dad never quits anything,” he recalled his son once saying.

Now assigned to Jacksonville’s Riverside district, Coles responds to crashes, domestic disputes, and thefts. He has also encountered moments that challenge his emotions, including issuing a citation to an elderly man caught stealing groceries. “My heart felt for him,” Coles said. “I know he made a bad decision, but a bad decision shouldn’t define your life.”

Coles says his past allows him to connect with people in crisis. “Anything about his past, to be on the other side of that, it’s kind of like a full-circle thing,” Chrebet said.

For Coles, the uniform represents something football never could. “It gives me a sense of purpose,” he said. “Whether I’m here or not, police are patrolling the streets. I just want to do my part.”

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21 Savage, Rapper

Bless Up! 21 Savage Reaches Out To Fellow Atlanta Artists To Forgo The Streets And Squash Beef

The 'Redrum' artist sent out social media messages to Young Thug, Gunna, Lil Baby, Future, Quavo and Offset


Following the release of “What Happened To the Streets?,” Atlanta-based recording artist 21 Savage has taken to social media, seemingly seeking to keep the streets out of the music game. By using his platform, he reached out to several artists to try to convince them to “f**k the streets,” as he stated that it’s only trauma out there.

21 Savage appears to be trying to get his Atlanta heads in the game, focusing on the music industry rather than street politics. He reached out to Young Thug and Gunna via X to encourage them to set aside their differences and reconnect the bond they had before Thug’s RICO trial. Thug and Gunna were like Batman and Robin before the crime allegations made their way to an Atlanta court.

Following Gunna’s plea deal to be dropped from the case and avoid prison time, some speculated that he “ratted” on Thug to secure the favorable agreement. When the announcement was made, Gunna had to admit in court that YSL (Young Stoner Life Records) was a gang. Prosecutors alleged that YSL wasn’t just a record label, but an enterprising gang, Young Slime Life, which is what YSL really stood for.

In the initial social media post, Savage directed the message to the former rap partners.

WARNING: Adult language

Two days later, Thug responded, seemingly in agreement with Savage, by simply replying, “F**k the streets.”

Savage also reached out to Lil Baby.

The “Redrum” rapper also sent a message to former Migos members Offset and Quavo, urging them to reunite, saying he had suggested it some time ago and that the two would have been bigger if they had stood by one another.

Another Atlanta rapper with whom Savage had a prior beef was Future, and he admitted he should have reached out to him initially.

Future responded by telling Savage that he’s “lil brother for infinity.”

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U.S. DEA, Marijuana, Drug

What Changes Could Occur If Marijuana Is Legalized, Rescheduled In 2026

To date, marijuana, also known as weed, is a Schedule I drug along with heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.


Given the changes that occurred at the state levels in favor of marijuana, there is a chance the drug will become rescheduled to a lower level or legalized, with President Donald Trump being an unlikely champion. 

After Trump announced on Truth Social that he would vote yes on an amendment to legalize marijuana in Florida, he is standing on that promise by recently considering a plan to reschedule marijuana to a Schedule III drug on the federal level. The move has been on the docket for several years, with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommending the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reschedule marijuana in 2023, The Hill reports.

To date, marijuana, also known as weed, is a Schedule I drug along with heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Listing it as Schedule III would put it in a group with ketamine, testosterone, and codeine-laced Tylenol. While Trump said in that Truth Social post that he believes “it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use,” rescheduling marijuana wouldn’t make it legal for recreational use nationwide, keeping it a controlled substance. 

Instead, the change would highlight the medical uses of cannabis by recognizing that it has a smaller chance of abuse than other dangerous drugs. Becoming a Schedule III drug would make marijuana research easier and cut federal taxes paid by research companies. 

The research aspect was touched on during a press briefing, stating that the president was “focused on increasing medical research for medical marijuana and CBD — cannabidiol” by signing an ​​executive order to speed up the rescheduling process.

“Unless a doctor recommends a drug for medical reasons, just don’t do it. At the same time, the facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered,” Trump said. 

But marijuana experts feel there is more to the story than what the administration is projecting. While Trump’s order instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to “take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process related to rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III” of the Controlled Substances Act,” executive director of the Cannabis Regulators Association, Gillian Schauer, points out that “The Controlled Substances Act [of 1970] does not grant any president the authority to reschedule a drug unilaterally.”

“It’s hard to see the big headlines of, ‘Marijuana rescheduled to [Schedule] III; marijuana research will open,’” Schauer said, according to NPR

“You know, those things are not true as of now.” 

The suggested changes either have to go through an act of Congress or a rulemaking process. 

However, other experts feel the changes will bring positive financial changes to the industry, like no longer seeing restrictive punitive tax codes applying to marijuana businesses. Under Internal Revenue Code Section 280E, Ascend Wellness Holdings and other cannabis companies are obligated to pay taxes on income; however, because their core product is a Schedule I drug, the IRS denies them standard tax deductions, resulting in a higher effective tax rate, says Sam Brill, CEO of Ascend.

Brill feels 280E shouldn’t apply to them, so the company is putting aside a large reserve fund, just in case the IRS comes after it. But he hopes that marijuana being rescheduled will lead to restrictions being taken off, especially being able to accept credit cards.

“The lack of use of a credit card is really one of the biggest challenges for customers,” Brill said, touching on the importance of payday to the industry.

“For us, Friday by far is the biggest day every single week because this is a cash business.”

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Missouri , Damon Wilson, sued

SIAC Player Of The Year Fabien Duncan Transfers To Rival JCSU For 2026 Season

'After A LOT of thought and CONSIDERATION I decided that I’ll be furthering my athletic career as a GOLDEN BULL'


After making history at Allen University this past season, football player Fabien Duncan has entered the transfer portal and will play at rival school, Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU).

According to HBCU Gameday, Duncan will be suiting up for Johnson C. Smith, the current CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) football champions. The dominant running back is the reigning SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate) Player of the Year, after having a successful season breaking school records.

During this past season, Duncan became the first player in Allen University history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. He ran for more than 100 yards in six games, and in 11 games, he rushed for 1,301 yards and 15 touchdowns. He set the school’s single-game rushing record when he ran for 229 yards on 46 carries in a game against Clark Atlanta, also scoring three touchdowns in that game. He tied the record for the most touchdowns in a football game at Allen.

He was the leader in rushing yards and touchdowns in the conference.

The running back helped Allen finish with its second-best season in school history. The team finished fourth in the SIAC and ranked eighth among Division II HBCU programs.

Duncan and the team’s offensive line set several records, including total rushing yards, total touchdowns, and single-game rushing production.

Allen head coach Cedric Pearl said he has been impressed with Duncan since he arrived at the Division II campus last season.

“Well, Duncan has been the same way since he walked in the door last year,” Pearl said. “Extremely quiet, confident, hard worker, great team guy, and great character. Guys like that, great things happen.”

Duncan is returning home, as he is from Charlotte, where Johnson C. Smith is located. Allen University is in Columbia, S.C.

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