2 Suspects Arrested Near Atlanta Jail For Possessing Drone That Carried Contraband
Jeffery Jenkins and Richard Redding were arrested after being caught with a drone carrying contraband
Atlanta police officers intercepted a drone that was carrying contraband and purportedly heading to the Fulton County Jail, and arrested two men accused of having the items and the drone in their vehicle.
According to WSB-TV, suspects Jeffery Jenkins and Richard Redding were arrested and charged with a variety of crimes after the duo was stopped approximately a mile from the jail. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat stated that investigators found a drone in the vehicle April 1 as they were supposedly en route to the county jail.
The contraband they were accused of transporting ranged from drugs to nine mobile phones to cigarettes. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, Natalie Ammons, said a tip was received. A FAST (Fugitive Apprehension Support Team) Unit investigator, Jermaine Moore, who was in the vicinity when the tip was received, performed a traffic stop where he discovered a drone, a drone controller, and other items in the car.
“Marijuana, cell phone chargers, nine cell phones, oxycodone, various pills, cord, like 550 cord which is used to make the drops using the drone, and the packaging materials,” Moore said.
Moore also stated that 48 packages of cigarettes and over 100 loose cigarettes and suspected oxycodone were also found in the vehicle.
The sheriff told the media outlet that he believes more than half the contraband that finds its way into the jail arrives there via drone. He also mentioned that cell phones and tobacco are illegal within the Fulton County Jail.
Ammons also said that investigators suspected that the same drone operation may have taken place last weekend when a drop of McDonald’s Chicken Sandwiches, suspected oxycodone, and more was discovered stuck in jail fencing.
“We are combating technology with technology and good old-fashioned detective work. And so, as we continue to investigate, we continue be really cognizant of the fact that this is a new trend,” Labat said.
Ice Cube Closes Deal To Write And Star In ‘Last Friday’ For Warner Bros. And New Line
A major studio exec has confirmed that Ice Cube's "Last Friday" is on the way.
Ice Cube has officially received the green light from film studios to create the final installment in the Friday franchise.
New Line President and CCO Richard Brener made the announcement during an in-depth Q&A with The Hollywood Reporter. According to Brener, Ice Cube has the support to write and star in the new film, just as he did in the previous three installments.
“We are making another Friday,” Brener revealed. “We just closed a deal with Ice Cube to write and star. It’s going to be called Last Friday.”
Last Friday will be the fourth entry in the comedy series and the first in over 20 years, following Friday After Next in 2002. The film’s announcement comes less than a year after Ice Cube (real name O’Shea Jackson) said the highly anticipated film was in the works.
“We’re working on it. We finally got some traction with Warner Bros.,” Ice Cube said on Flavor Flav’s SiriusXM show Flavor of the Week.
“They have new leadership, my man Mike De Luca, who used to be at New Line when I first started, when I first did the first ‘Friday’ and ‘Players Club’ and ‘All About the Benjamins.’ Mike De Luca was there…So, now he’s running Warner Bros. And him and my man Michael Gruber was like, ‘Yo, what the fu*k is going on with “Friday”? Man, let’s get this sh*t back online.’”
In 2022, Ice Cube appeared on Mike Tyson’s Hotboxin‘ podcast, where he explained the delay was being caused by Warner Bros. not giving him the rights to his film back.
“Warner Bros. is weird right now,” Cube said at the time. “I don’t know what they’re doing. They don’t know what they’re doing. We’d love to have it back. I think it’s going be close to a time when we get it back. So, we’ll either wait for that time, or we’ll keep trying to convince them that they need to let us control the movie. It’s my movie, but they have distribution control.”
Ice Cube has starred in all three Friday films—Friday (1995), Next Friday (2000), and Friday After Next (2002). He co-wrote the first film with DJ Pooh and had all three Friday movies developed by New Line under De Luca’s leadership. Warner Bros. later acquired New Line, gaining control of the Friday franchise rights, leading to the dispute over the film rights.
With the deal now closed, fans are eager to see how Ice Cube plans to wrap up his cult classic franchise. The films have featured stars like Chris Tucker, who played Pookie in Friday; Mike Epps, who portrayed Day Day, Craig’s (Ice Cube) cousin, in Next Friday and Friday After Next; and Katt Williams, whose breakout role as Money Mike became iconic. Tommy Lister Jr. famously played the notorious Deebo in Friday and Next Friday, though he passed away in 2020 at 62.
7 Powerful Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes That Resonate On The 57th Anniversary Of His Death
His message is needed now more than ever
On the 57th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, we remember not only his iconic speeches but the depth and radicalism of his work. Often sanitized in mainstream memory, King was a bold truth-teller who critiqued capitalism, militarism, and systemic racism with unapologetic clarity. From the pulpit to the picket line, King’s vision for justice was expansive, costing him his life.
Here are seven of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most powerful quotes, revealing both the heart and struggle of his journey.
1. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963 Written in response to white clergy urging him to be patient, this quote defines King’s belief in collective responsibility. It challenges us to see injustice not as isolated incidents but as interconnected systems of oppression.
2. “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” King borrowed this line from abolitionist Theodore Parker, but it became a central theme in his speeches. It reflects a profoundly spiritual and political commitment to a long-term struggle—even when victories are delayed.
3. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” King repeatedly warned against the “appalling silence of the good people.” This quote is a demand that we speak out—even when it’s uncomfortable—against racism, war, and poverty.
4. “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” — Speech in Atlanta, 1967 This declaration was not sentimental—it was strategic. King advocated for love as a force strong enough to dismantle systems of hate and oppression.
5. “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” In this bold statement, King reminds us that justice isn’t handed out—it’s fought for. It is a call to grassroots activism and nonviolent direct action.
6. “The time is always right to do what is right.” — Speech at Oberlin College, 1964 This line speaks to the urgency of justice. Waiting for a “better time” only prolongs oppression. King urged moral clarity and immediate action.
7. “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” — Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence, 1967 This lesser-quoted line from King’s most controversial speech shows his anti-war stance and critique of U.S. imperialism. Delivered one year before his death, it earned him condemnation from mainstream media and political allies.
The Radical Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King wasn’t just a dreamer—he was a disruptor. He connected racism, economic inequality, and militarism, building what he called “the Beloved Community” rooted in justice and dignity for all people. His final years were dedicated to the Poor People’s Campaign, a multiracial coalition demanding housing, jobs, and healthcare. He died organizing a labor strike with Black sanitation workers in Memphis.
As we honor him today, remember his hopeful lines and the hard truths he expressed. King’s message is needed now more than ever.
FAMU’s Pharmacy School Struggles After Trump’s Anti-DEI Raid Results In $16.3M Grant Loss
It was a grant from NIH that helped launch FAMU's pharmacy school in 1985, making it a congressionally mandated program to support minority institutions.
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University’s (FAMU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health Pharmacy is seeking more financial support than usual during the HBCU’s annual FAMU Day of Giving after losing a $16.3 million grant due to President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI federal funding cuts, Tallahassee Democrat reported.
The annual fundraising event began Thursday, Apr. 3, running through the afternoon of Friday, Apr. 4. The department’s interim dean Seth Ablordeppey wrote a letter heightening the need for funding after learning the grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was cancelled March 21. “Your continuous support has become even more crucial than ever,” Ablordeppey wrote.
“Your contributions will directly impact our learners by providing scholarships that support many first-generation college students and provide basic support for everyday necessities previously supported by grants.”
The multi-million dollar grant was one of several lanes of funding that was cut after Trump signed executive orders, including “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” to crack down on federal funding that targeted a number of initiatives.
The grant, which was once renewed in 2024 for an estimated five-year period, supported the pharmacy school and FAMU’s Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program. However, the HBCU isn’t giving up that easily. In a statement, FAMU’s interim President, Timothy Beard, said the university is “in the process of appealing the decision” in efforts to keep the program funded. “The funding was awarded to support new faculty hires and enhanced research in key areas such as artificial intelligence, bioinformatics and cancer biology,” Beard said.
“For nearly 40 years, faculty and graduate students have relied on this center to conduct biomedical and health research.”
It was a grant from NIH that helped launch the pharmacy school in 1985, making it a congressionally mandated program to support minority institutions. “The program is a critical contributor to the university’s ability to produce 60% of the nation’s Ph.D. graduates in pharmaceutical sciences from various backgrounds,” Beard said.
“The RCMI program plays a vital role in ensuring the state’s success by contributing to the pipeline of highly trained professionals in the healthcare industry.”
Health insurance giants seemingly agree with the leader’s thoughts. An article from UnitedHealth Group highlighted the importance of the company’s Optum Rx’s scholarship program. In partnership with the historically Black university, vice president of health equity business enablement, Corey Coleman, said the program has assisted the company in prioritizing their work inside the classroom in efforts to prepare students for a career in pharmacy. “The pharmacy and local pharmacists play a crucial role in supporting people’s health,” Coleman said.
“This is why Optum Rx remains committed to supporting the needs of retail and independent pharmacies through initiatives that foster a robust pipeline of health care workers.
With the future’s uncertainty of grants for HBCUs nationwide, the Day of Giving event is an opportunity for FAMU alumni, fans, and friends to support the pharmacy school, in addition to the school’s other departments and initiatives, through financial contributions. Givers are encouraged to go to 1887strikes.com to donate.
Haitian Author’s Decade-Long Odyssey Uncovers The Nation’s Triumphant, Tragic Past In 5-Book Series
Research for Bayard's "Triumph to Tragedy" five-book saga traces back to a Haitian ancestor from 1689 and explores Haiti from 1771 to 1845.
Before gaining its independence, Haiti was known as Saint-Domingue, a colony that accounted for 60% of all coffee and 50% of sugar consumed in the world as well as being the leading exporter of cotton, indigo and cacao.
“The richest colony in the world, richer than the United States at the time, was run by a Black guy who was an ex-slave,” said Haitian author Daniel J.D. Bayard. “Explain that!”
Exploring the era from 1771 to 1845, Bayard’s five-book narrative, Triumph to Tragedy, does just that. Curious to know what really went on in the 1700s, Bayard began his decade-long research process in search of his family roots. During the Jean Price-Mars Cultural Organization’s “Salon du Livre Haïtien de Miami,” Bayard shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE how he traced back to his first ancestor, Philippe Bayard, born in 1689 in Lille, France, who arrived in Saint-Domingue as a young boy in 1710.
Book One: Intrigue-Romance-Betrayal And The Haitian Revolution 1771-1793 begins the journey of two lovers, Jean Baptiste Bayard and Marie Jasmine, navigating their lives through the first slave uprising of 1791. “There were Black soldiers from the colony that actually fought in the American Revolution,” said Bayard, whose ancestor was one of those soldiers. In Triumph to Tragedy, readers will discover how Haitian generals, soldiers, businessmen, and property owners outmaneuvered some of the most powerful armies in the world.
Book Two: The Rise of Toussaint Louverture 1793-1799 continues the saga, introducing Haitian hero Toussaint Louverture, the first-born son of a West African prince. Louverture became Governor-General of Saint-Domingueand led France in its defeat of the Spanish and British armies attempting to conquer it. Bayard described Louverture as “one of the most outstanding individuals in the world” who established military and political control over the colony, dominated his rivals, sought autonomous rule, and negotiated trade agreements with then world powers. “America had a huge problem because it didn’t have enough sailors. So, guess who they were hiring? Ex-slaves. Imagine young Black boys pulling into Charleston, South Carolina, or Savannah, Georgia, with money in their pockets, talking to the slaves working the dock. Slave owners were petrified because they didn’t want their slaves to revolt like Haiti.”
In Book Three: The Fall of Toussaint and Rise of Dessalines 1799-1804, it begins with the colonial Civil War and ends in the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte and the birth of Haiti’s Republic in 1804. Readers approach the takeover of Jean-Jacques Dessalinesafter Toussaint was arrested and murdered in France as Napoleon Bonaparte sought to re-enslave the island. However, according to Bayard, if Bonaparte were “smart, he would have worked with Toussaint who was running a very good colony at the time, but instead he wanted to replace him with a white government that was pro-slavery.” As Commander of the Revolutionary Army, Dessalines assembled 40,000 men and women to defeat Napoleon’s French Army attempting to re-enslave them. He was joined by Generals Henry Christophe and Alexandre Pétion.
By Book Four: The Clash of Pétion and Christophe 1804-1820,readers will explorea new era for the new country of Ayiti. Readers will follow the main characters of Triumph to Tragedy as they face the aftermath of liberation. When Dessalines was assassinated, Christophe sought ultimate rule, with the roadblock of the Senate enforced by Pétion. “I didn’t know what exact conversations the characters were having, but I did a lot of research on their personalities to present a compelling story,” Bayard said.
Triumph to Tragedy emphasizes the foods, culture, families and powerful women of Haiti like Suzanne Simone Louverture, Marie-Claire Heureuse Dessalines, Marie-Louise Christophe, and Marie-Madeleine “Joute” Lachenais. To best portray the books’ contents, Bayard chose the paintings of longtime friend and Haitian artist Carl Craig. Describing his art style as symbolic expressionism, Craig’s cover designs merge complexity and simplicity to celebrate the people of Haiti. “Since we started on this project, I’ve been totally consumed by this work because I believe what he’s offering are not only facts and history, but also his family story,” Craig told BE. Lunches with Bayard spanned several hours to discuss stories in the books. “We both realize there’s an importance for the story of Haiti to be told. He brought out things that other historians have failed to bring forth,” said Craig.
The March 29 book fair marked the first time the North Miami Public Library hosted the Jean Price-Mars Cultural Organization’s event at its Miami location. Bayard was among several Haitian authors featured at the event, including filmmaker and philanthropist Langlichmie Normile, playwright and arts advocate Jean Mapou, novelist Kettly Mars, and writer Lyonel Gertes.
Bayard and Craig are scheduled to appear in La Romana, Dominican Republic, at the Casa de Campo resort for the Oct. 4 release of Book Five, and it’s artful cover, which covers the years 1820-1845. Readers will continue through the saga as Haiti consolidates the island of Hispaniola into one country, from 1822-1844, uncovering surprising details of the Dominican War of Independence against Haiti – a book sure to interest citizens of the Dominican Republic. Explore character visuals, purchase the books, and find out more about Haiti’s history on the website.
Raymond Arroyo Spouts Racist Remarks, Calls Rep. Jasmine Crockett ‘The Madea of Capitol Hill’
As Arroyo’s comments spread throughout social media, users seemingly had Crockett’s back, referring to him as "Pee Wee Herman."
Fox News analyst Raymond Arroyo decided to add his take on Rep. Jasmine Crockett. He said she doesn’t like DOGE leader Elon Musk and called her the “Madea of Capitol Hill.”
During a segment of “The Ingraham Angle,” Arroyo mentioned Elon Musk allegedly wishing he could fire members of Congress before making racist remarks against the outspoken congresswoman. “She has become the Madea of Capitol Hill with half the charm. She doesn’t make an argument. Saying you don’t like a guy because he’s firing people, that’s a complaint, not an argument,” he said, referencing the fictional character created by Tyler Perry.
“You’re a member of Congress, not a desperate housewife. Clean up the act and stop threatening people.”
Arroyo: She has become the Madea of Capitol Hill without the charm.. Stop threatening people pic.twitter.com/nbFdxSopeG
Host Laura Ingraham chimed in, saying that she felt Crockett sounded different than she did a few years ago during an interview. “She sounds very different, and now she’s going very…you know…’ street…you know ‘Ima do this’….it all seems like a TikTok challenge or something. It’s very odd,” the news anchor said.
The conversation referred to Crockett responding to alleged targeted threats by Attorney General Pam Bondi for saying she doesn’t like the Tesla owner. “Because here it is, she is the highest law enforcement agent in this country and people are watching and they are consuming this information, and they are believing that simply because I decided that I wanted to exercise my right to free speech — which I am not abridged from doing — that she then wanted to then politicize something that should not be politicized,” the Democratic lawmaker said.
“I don’t like Elon Musk, I’m going to say it 50,000 times.”
Bondi was taken aback by Crockett’s comments during a live-streamed event last month in which she allegedly said, “All I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.” The attorney general warned that the congresswoman should “tread very carefully” while appearing on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” on Sunday, March 23, according to The Hill.
Bondi also alluded that Crockket should apologize to Tesla shareholders given the rise of violence against owners and dealerships of the electric vehicles. “She needs to unequivocally denounce the violence; she must apologize immediately, not only to all Texans but to our country, to the American shareholders of Tesla, because she is promoting violence,” the lawyer said.
As Arroyo’s comments spread throughout social media, users seemingly had Crockett’s back. One user pointed out how quickly jokes get personal when a Black woman speaks out. “A confident Black woman challenges power and suddenly the jokes get racial, personal, and dismissive. Just another day at Faux News,” @NikoReggae said in a now-deleted post on X.
Other supporters labeled him “Pee Wee Herman” and said the analyst is “too blindly partisan to acknowledge” her argument.
photo credit: Frazer Harrison?Getty Images, Gilbert Flores/Variety Via Getty Images
Rihanna And Tyler Perry Among 23 Black Billionaires Featured In Forbes’ World Billionaires List
Twenty-three Black moguls made 'Forbes'' annual World Billionaires list
Tyler Perry and Rihanna are tied for 14th place on the list of 23 Black moguls who earned a spot on Forbes‘ World Billionaires list.
The magazine released its annual World’s Billionaires list on April 1, featuring 3,028 billionaires with a combined net worth of a record $16.1 trillion. While only 23 of them are Black—making up just 0.8% of the list—the Black billionaires represent a wealthy and impressive group.
Michael Jordan came in at No. 7 with a net worth of $3.5 billion. Jordan made the list after selling his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets in a deal that valued the NBA franchise at $3 billion. Oprah Winfrey was tied with African Rainbow Minerals founder Patrice Motsepe in eighth place with a $3 billion net worth.
Jay-Z closed out the Top 10 with a $2.5 billion net worth, ahead of Magic Johnson, who was tied for 12th place with $1.5 billion. Perry and Rihanna’s $1.4 billion net worth have them sharing the 14th spot with two others (software mogul Tope Awotona and golf legend Tiger Woods). LeBron James tied for 18th place with a $1.3 billion net worth, and BET Founder Sheila Johnson closed out the list with a $1 billion net worth.
Aliko Dangote, founder and CEO of Dangote Group, is the wealthiest Black man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $23.9 billion. His work on building Africa’s largest oil and gas refinery, which began in 2013 and was completed in early 2024, has boosted his fortune by $10.5 billion since last year’s list.
David Steward finished at No. 2 with an estimated net worth of $11.4 billion. The richest Black American, Steward co-founded World Wide Technology in 1990, a company that provides IT solutions to clients such as Citi and Verizon.
Robert F. Smith, founder of Vista Equity Partners, finished at No. 3 with a net worth of $10.8 billion. Alexander Karp followed at No. 4 with a net worth of $8.4 billion. Karp is the co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, a data mining company whose clients include the FBI, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies.
Mike Adenuga rounded out the Top 5 with a net worth of $6.8 billion. One of Africa’s wealthiest individuals, Adenuga built his fortune through his mobile network, Globacom, and his oil exploration company, Conoil.
Coach Excludes Young Biracial Dancer From Team Hug During Hartford Dance Competition
After replaying the moment between her daughter and the dance coach, Shaniah's mother says her and her daughter's feelings are 'valid'
A dance mom has removed her daughters from Dance Xpressions studio in Plainville, Connecticut, after her 6-year-old was humiliated on stage by a coach who visibly excluded her from the team’s group hug during a dance competition in Hartford.
In a now-viral TikTok video, the young biracial dancer, Shaniah, stood alone as she watched her coach, Nadia Boucher, run on stage and embrace her other three dance peers. The coach appeared to ignore Shaniah, who attempted to lean in for a hug. In the video, the audience can be heard reacting to the gesture.
“Shaniah came off stage devastated!” wrote Melissa Breglia.
Breglia is Shaniah’s mother, according to NBC Connecticut, and the situation has left her heartbroken. At first, Breglia thought she overreacted about the incident between the coach and her daughter until she rewatched the moment on video.
The coach “gave everybody else a hug except for Shaniah,” the mother said. “Shaniah came up to me and said, ‘Mommy, how come [the coach] didn’t give me a hug? She hugged everybody else.’ She said, ‘Mommy, I did all my moves, I smiled the whole time…and I didn’t get a hug, but they did.’”
Moments later, in the dancers’ dressing room, Bregalia addressed the incident with the coach.
“I went up to [her] and said, ‘How dare you? How dare you make my child feel less than?’ She instantly stiffened up and said, ‘I didn’t do anything, why are you yelling at me?’ I said, ‘you had her standing on the stage alone. She leaned in to hug you, and you sidestepped her.'” The coach denied her actions toward the young dancer.
The March 24 video has garnered over four million views, and the dance studio, which has seemingly deleted all of its social media accounts, has reportedly accumulated loads of negative feedback from supporters worldwide who stand with Shaniah.
The child’s mother said the studio released a statement to team parents faulting her for the situation. Breglia followed with a March 26 TikTok to thank supporters for standing up for her daughter. However, the message also detailed the emotional weight the studio has placed upon her 6- and 9-year-old daughters. She is deeply saddened by studio parents and their children who put dance first and turned their backs on her daughters. As of that April 2, only one team member had reached out to check-in.
The mother advised parents with children of color to teach them about their culture. She believes parents who raise their children in spaces like Dance Xpressions are doing them a disservice.
Pastor’s Violence Prevention Nonprofit Could Receive $1M From Minnesota Senate—Even After Shootout And Threats
Will Rev. Jerry McAfee get his money? Stay tuned.
Rev. Jerry McAfee is in line to receive $1 million in funding from a bill for his violence prevention nonprofit despite a recent bout of controversy.
The president of the Minnesota Senate has introduced a bill proposing $1 million in funding for McAfee’s nonprofit, The Minnesota Star Tribune reports. A bill introduced by State Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis, would allocate a $1 million grant to McAfee’s 21 Days of Peace in 2026-2027 for “social equity building and community engagement activities.”
The funding comes despite the pastor having a $650,000 city contract revoked after his comments to Minneapolis City Council members during a committee meeting in February.
McAfee, pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, gained attention after interrupting a City Council committee meeting on the oversight of violence prevention contracts with a five-minute rant. Some council members perceived his remarks as threatening and homophobic.
A few weeks later, council members opposed the city’s Neighborhood Safety Department recommendation to award a nearly $650,000 one-year contract to Salem, Inc., another nonprofit run by McAfee, for violence interruption efforts. The contract was placed under “review” just hours after two of McAfee’s violence interrupter workers were charged in connection with a North Minneapolis shootout.
McAfee has led nonprofits engaged in violence prevention efforts in Minneapolis for decades. According to city records, his church and two nonprofits have secured approximately a dozen violence prevention contracts totaling $1.6 million in recent years. In 2023, 21 Days of Peace received $3 million in state funding for violence prevention initiatives.
While testifying for the bill on April 2, McAfee highlighted recent reports showing that shootings in North Minneapolis have reached a decade-low. Last year, the North Side saw a 21% decrease in gunshot victims compared to the previous year, along with a significant drop in ShotSpotter activations and reports of automatic gunfire.
Regarding the shootout involving his workers, McAfee defended his staff member, Kashmir Khaliffa McReynolds, after McReynolds and a colleague were shot in the neck, back, and shoulder. McAfee said McReynolds had just finished his shift when 30 shots were fired, prompting him to retrieve his gun from his car and return fire. The pastor says the incident highlights the dangers of the job—especially since violence interrupters are not permitted to carry weapons.
Meet The Black English Woman Who Takes A 4-Hour Commute To Secure Her Bag
Mom in England is going to extremes to secure the bag.
Ruth Ajala, a Black woman in England, spends nine hours commuting round-trip twice a week to grow her career.
The content creator, known as @theruthaj on TikTok, documents her journey. She struggled to find jobs in Portsmouth, her hometown on the outskirts of London. After searching for information governance officer positions nearby without success, she expanded her search and landed a role in London, requiring a four-hour commute each way.
The 31-year-old mother of one shares her 4:30 a.m. wake-up routine on TikTok, capturing her long days of travel.
In one post, she explained her schedule, writing, “They said apply for jobs everywhere. Twice a week…What is your own commute like? 5:15 a.m.-8:55 a.m. in the morning, 4:20 p.m.-7:50 p.m. in the evening #londoncommute #commuterlife #commute.”
Ajala’s story highlights the challenges many Black professionals in the UK face when securing career opportunities. The Office for National Statistics reports that Black workers experience an unemployment rate nearly double that of white workers.
In 2023, the unemployment rate for individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds was 8%, compared to 3.3%for those from a white ethnic background, the House of Commons Library reported. Black employees are also more likely to hold lower-paid roles and face barriers to senior positions.
Many commenters expressed disbelief over her commute. One urged her to move closer, writing, “The Lord knows I would break down after a week; please just move to London.”
Ajala responded, “My husband has been doing this for more than a year . . . the level of respect I have for that man right now… I’ve just been asking him How? How?”
Despite the challenges, including missing out on daily routines with her child, Ajala remains committed. She and her husband are determined to build a healthy, stable life for their 22-month-old.
