Rapper Sheff G Who Joined President Donald Trump At Bronx Rally Last Year Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder
The Brooklyn drill rapper pleaded guilty to multiple top counts of second-degree attempted murder and second and fourth-degree conspiracy
One of the two Brooklyn drill rappers who appeared at a Donald Trump campaign rally in the Bronx last May has pled guilty to several charges leveled against him.
Sheff G, along with fellow rapper, Sleepy Hallow, were indicted as part of an investigation into a vast murder conspiracy by two Brooklyn gangs, the 8 Trey Crips and 9 Ways. Sheff pleaded guilty to multiple top counts of second-degree attempted murder and second- and fourth-degree conspiracy.
The Kings County (Brooklyn) District Attorney’s Office announced that the rapper, real name Michael Williams, made the plea in exchange for a five-year prison sentence and five years of post-release supervision. The District Attorney wanted the rapper to receive 20 years in prison for his guilty admission. The office stated that Sheff G is one of 32 alleged gang members of the 8 Trey Crips and its affiliate, the 9 Ways gang. Those members were named in a 140-count indictment for allegedly committing shootings, possessing guns, and using stolen cars during shootings against gang rivals.
“Notoriety could not shield this defendant from justice,” Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a written statement. “He used his fame to fund and direct violence, terrorizing our streets, and though we sought a much longer sentence, he will now be held to account. Brooklyn will not tolerate gangs that endanger our communities, and we remain committed to dismantling these criminal networks and holding those responsible fully accountable.”
Prosecutors have stated that many of the crimes committed were captured on surveillance videos. The suspected gang members allegedly bragged about the crimes via social media and in text messages. They discussed their violent acts and took credit for multiple shootings and an assault.
Seventeen gang members have already pleaded guilty, while there are 14 upcoming cases for the remaining defendants, including Tegan Chambers, who goes by the moniker Sleepy Hollow.
Academy Of Country Music Awards Snub Beyoncé Despite Album Of The Year Grammy Win
Beyoncé has been snubbed by the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards, receiving no nominations for her Cowboy Carter album.
The Academy of Country Music Awards announced its 2025 nominees, but despite her recent Grammy wins for her debut country album Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé was noticeably absent from the list.
The ACM revealed its 2025 nominees on March 27, which seemingly mirrored the 2024 Country Music Awards in overlooking Beyoncé’s contributions to country music. The leader of the award show acknowledged the snub but extended an invitation for Beyoncé to attend the event whenever she wishes.
“Were we hoping she’d be nominated? Absolutely,” ACM CEO Damon Whiteside told Billboard. “We love that Beyoncé is in the country genre.”
Whiteside added that Beyoncé has “an open invitation to be on the ACM stage anytime she ever wants to.”
Cowboy Carter, the second installment in Beyoncé’s Renaissance trilogy, became a massive success, debuting at No. 1in multiple countries and breaking numerous chart and streaming records. In the U.S., it marked her eighth consecutive No.1 album on the Billboard 200 and made history as the first album by a Black woman to top the Top Country Albums chart.
Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” soared to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 and went viral on TikTok with global dance challenges. Already the most-awarded artist in Grammy history, she had long been overlooked in major categories—until the 2025 ceremony, where she secured Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter and made history as the first Black woman to win Best Country Album.
Multiple tracks from Cowboy Carter received Grammy nominations, including “Texas Hold ‘Em,” “Levii’s Jeans” (featuring Post Malone), “16 Carriages,” and “II MOST WANTED” (featuring Miley Cyrus), which won Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
Some critics have credited Beyoncé’s lack of country music nominations due to her being less frequent in the genre, with most of her music being pop and R&B. However, a similar case can be made for Post Malone, who received multiple nominations at both the CMA Awards and ACM Awards for his country debut F-1 Trillion, despite starting his career as a rap artist before transitioning into pop.
Cowboy Carter has ignited a conversation about the history of country music and the racial dynamics within the genre. With most country stars being white, the contributions of Black country artists have often been overlooked.
Beyoncé’s album has helped raise awareness and shift the narrative. While the Grammys recognized this bold step, the ACM did not share the same sentiment.
Our Kids Read: The Black-Led Nonprofit Working To Close Literacy Gap
Our Kids Read has donated over 50,000 books to elementary school students and raised $250,000 to fund literacy initiatives nationwide.
Jahmal Lake is the founder of the Black-led nonprofit Our Kids Read. What started as a nonprofit to get more books in the hands of children, primarily kids of color, turned into a mission to close the literacy gap.
For marginalized students, these numbers are much worse. Only 17% of Black students, 11% of students with disabilities, and 10% of multilingual learners can read proficiently by fourth grade.
Lake witnessed these statistics firsthand within the first nine months of programming with his nonprofit.
“We started seeing that the kids would be excited about grabbing the book, but they couldn’t read it, so they just pushed it to the side,” Lake, who also serves as executive director of Our Kids Read, told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Giving a child a book was not enough, prompting Lake to change the nonprofit’s mission to stimulate an interest in reading to combat the literacy gap. Now, the Black-led nonprofit is two-fold. Lake and his team are providing books through its diverse book donation program to underserved communities. The nonprofit also provides mentorship and encouragement and fosters a love of reading through its Remote Reading Buddy program.
The Impact of Black-Led Our Kids Read
Under Lake’s leadership, Our Kids Read has donated over 50,000 books to elementary school students and raised $250,000 to fund literacy initiatives nationwide. He has launched the first free diverse children’s bookstore at Eastpoint Mall in Baltimore. Lake has partnered with major companies, including Microsoft, Hallmark, Dell, Nike, and Amazon.
But if you ask Lake his most significant flex and the most important accomplishment, he says it is getting students excited to read.
“The first encouraging statistic is that the children are signing up for multiple sessions, indicating they’re excited,” says Lake. “We’re also getting reports from teachers that students who would not be the kids participating in reading sessions are now engaging.”
Another measurement for Lake is the pre-and post-surveys from participating students. Beforehand, Lake said about 20-30% of students love reading. At the end of the program, it’s closer to 80%.
Our Kids Read Plans To Incorporate Artificial Intelligence To Teach Kids
Lake brings over 20 years of software engineering expertise to his goal of combatting the literacy gap. In 1998, he launched ImagineAccess, a nonprofit based in New York City that introduced students of color to coding, graphic design, and storytelling before launching Our Kids Read in 2019. With Our Kids Read, he is honoring his late mother, Dr. Obiagele Lake, and her legacy as an educator and social justice advocate.
For Lake, artificial intelligence and technology are the most powerful tools for teaching children to read. Our Kids Read has partnered with companies to make the technology accessible because the other barrier for families is cost.
“We are shifting to providing these resources for free because our goal is access for all. We are not going to charge for any of this,” Lake said.
Literacy for Lake is not a privilege. It’s a right. The long-term consequences of low literacy are dire, leading to higher dropout rates, limited economic opportunities, and increased incarceration rates.
His organization is always looking for volunteers to read to children and accept donations to provide critical resources to underserved students.
“We can’t wait for the government or school systems. We can’t wait for parents of children struggling to read. The world is evolving. As a global community, we have to step up and take responsibility for the literacy problem.”
MyAngel Ross, a flag football player at Lithia Springs High School in Douglas County, Georgia, plays the wide receiver position and has scored seven touchdowns during her career. A ceremony was held in Ross’ honor at her high school to mark the achievement. Athletic Director Mikey Jones spoke about Ross’ hard work, saying, “This [accomplishment] is well deserved.”
Alternative Careers in Sports Academy awarded Ross the contract based on her visible dedication to the sport. Roderick Liptrot, CEO of Alternative Careers in Sports Academy, believes Ross’ accomplishment will inspire future athletes to work hard and one day achieve the same feat.
“She’s opening the door for other students to see what’s possible,” Liptrot said.
Ross thanked her family and friends for their support. Images of the event show the football player seemingly sobbing at the ceremony.
In December 2024, Ross reposted a short interview with High-Tech Sports to her X account. The athlete revealed she is one of five children. As the youngest child and only girl, Ross said those dynamics “explain why [she] holds a football in her hands.”
She ended the second semester of her senior year by showcasing her talent. As a participant in the Raising Champions training camp in Alabama, Ross hopes to raise her professional profile.
“I got here by being an all-around athlete and getting my name out there. It’s my senior year. I’m about to go to college, and I want to make a name in flag football,” she said.
With the announcement of her historic NIL deal, MyAngel Ross has certainly made a name for herself.
T.D. Jakes Reveals ‘Massive Heart Attack’ Is The Cause Of His On-Stage Medical Emergency
Bishop T.D. Jakes returned to the pulpit on New Years Eve and is now speaking out about what caused his medical emergency.
Bishop T.D. Jakes revealed he suffered a massive heart attack during a medical emergency in November 2024.
The megachurch pastor sat down to discuss his diagnosis, treatment, and how his life is forever changed. Jakes said he was initially unaware of his condition. There were no signs of a medical crisis, yet doctors informed him he had experienced a massive heart attack.
“I didn’t really realize what was happening to me onstage until I got to the hospital in an ambulance and was fussing that it happened onstage, by the way, because I didn’t want it to happen, and the doctor leaned over my ear and said, ‘You had a massive heart attack,’” Jakes said.
Jakes credits being on stage at his church, The Potter’s House, as one of the factors that saved his life. Being surrounded by parishioners allowed him to be attended to immediately. He says the adrenaline he used to preach kept him alive, even as the right side of his heart was shutting down.
“As long as I was up preaching, I felt fine,” he said. “But when I sat down, the adrenaline dropped, and it exposed the fact that I was preaching with half of my heart closed through a clot. And they had to go get it.”
The Woman Thou Art Loosed founder spoke to his congregants via video in December. While expressing the need to rest and recover, he thanked his parishioners. Besides feeling cocooned in peace, Jakes said he “felt every prayer” sent his way.
As a veteran preacher and teacher, Jakes says in the moment he was dedicated to continuing his service.
“They had to claw the microphone out of my hand. I read a book, ‘Don’t Drop The Mic,’ so I didn’t want to go out like that.”
It is safe to say Jakes, indeed, did not “go out like that.” The 40-plus-year veteran returned to the Potter’s House pulpit on New Year’s Eve to the joy of his millions of followers.
Next New Orleans Public School Superintendent Down To 2 Candidates
The new superintendent is expected to be named on April 2.
Interim school superintendent Dr. Fateama Fulmore and elected state Board of Education member Dr. Sharon Latten-Clark are still in the running to become the next chief of New Orleans public schools.
According to Nola.com, both candidates completed the first round of interviews for the position with approval from the full Orleans Parish School Board. The search for a new chief comes after Superintendent Avis Williams stepped down in November 2024, leaving six months for the board to hire a permanent replacement.
“The two finalists exhibited qualities and qualifications that are in alignment with the vision of the Board and the needs of our district,” Orleans Parish School Board President Katie Baudouin said in a press release.
Fulmore, a Brooklyn, New York, native and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, has served in the district central office for over two years and was deputy superintendent under Williams. She boasts experience as an overseer of enrollment, career and technical education teacher, middle and high school assistant principal and high school principal. The educator comes to the New Orleans school district with prior administrative experience in Omaha and Philadelphia. Fulmore’s recent plan to maneuver the district from a multimillion-dollar crisis stands out.
Latten-Clark, a Xavier College Prep alumna, is from New Orleans. Her resume spans professional educational roles such as an English teacher, assistant principal, longtime leader of Sophie B. Wright charter school, and her recent role as a state board of education member. She has more than 25 years of experience.
Fulmore and Latten-Clark emerged from the more than 20 candidates who applied. The candidates will rotate among attendees during a public meeting April 1 at Walter Cohen High School to give introductions and answer questions. The board encourages the community to participate by attending in-person meetings, watching the social media or YouTube livestreams, or completing a feedback form.
The final round of interviews and elections will take place April 2. The Orleans Parish School Board plans to solidify contract terms for the new superintendent during its April 17 meeting.
Jess Hilarious Stood ’10 Toes Down’ For Her ‘Breakfast Club’ Salary Requirements
Jess Hilarious made sure her salary demands were met when signing on to co-host The Breakfast Club.
Jess Hilarious has no complaints about her pay as a co-host on The Breakfast Club because she firmly stood “ten toes down” on her salary demands.
The comedian and actress appeared on the latest episode of Club Shay Shay, where host Shannon Sharpe got her to open up about her financial success and salary negotiations for her role as the third co-host on The Breakfast Club. Already a popular social media star, Jess (real name Jessica Moore) knew iHeart Media had to meet her terms to secure her as Angela Yee’s replacement.
“They wasn’t even trying to give me the money they gave me, but they had to come on around,” Jess told Sharpe in a clip shared online.
“You mentioned that The Breakfast Club wanted to pay you X, and you wanted Y and Z. What have you learned about negotiating?” Sharpe asked Jess later in the conversation.
“Your worth. That if you stand ten toes down you will get it,” Jess declared.
"Breakfast Club money still in my account. That's an account I don't touch. I have six Birkins already, and that was before Breakfast Club. … Those are investment bags – $70K bags, $80K bags. They them bags I plan to sell just in case. They ain't all for wear." – Jess Hilarious pic.twitter.com/klVkdmFz0t
The Baltimore native and mother of two shared her approach to salary negotiations, emphasizing the importance of demanding her worth to avoid being locked into a pay rate she wouldn’t be satisfied with.
“Some people, if you let somebody pay you, X, that’s all you’re gonna be worth to them in their eyes,” she explained. “Nah, but if you, from the jump, from the from the very beginning, demand what you’re worth, that sets the tone. Yes. For you, you know, and then that gives people the choice to say, whether I want to, I want to pay for that or not. If I want to invest this, in her or not. Fine. Cool. Yeah, because you’re gonna see a return.”
As for how Jess spends her Breakfast Club money, she’s not.
“That money is still in my account. That money is still, that’s the account I don’t touch,” she shared.
With a thriving comedy career and several on-screen roles to her name, Jess Hilarious is financially secure—even splurging on a few Birkin bags, which she considers “investment” pieces.
“I have six Birkins. Alrighty, and that was before Breakfast Club,” Jess revealed. “Yeah, those are investment bags. Snakeskin. Hello? Play. Yeah, them $70,000 bags, them $80,000 bags, yeah. Them bags I plan to sell just in case. You know, they ain’t all for wear.”
Focus Group Found Black Men Approve Trump Administration But Not DOGE
Black men who voted for Donald Trump are still standing 10 toes down with the president.
A conversation with Black men who voted for Donald Trump in swing states shows the majority of them are still standing 10 toes down with the president. However, some of these men are not fans of the Department of Government Efficiency.
The men participated in a focus group by NBC News as a part of its 2025 Decides series. The series, produced by Syracuse University with research from Engagious and Sago, found that Black men are concerned by how fast DOGE is making cuts.
According to NBC, the group of Black men includes six independents, four Democrats, and two Republicans. The four Democrats and one independent voted for Joe Biden in 2020 before changing their vote in 2024.
Five men said they approved of DOGE’s actions, three disapproved, and the other four were unsure. The Black men who support DOGE said the spending audits and cuts allow the private sector to do some of the government work, which ultimately increases the efficiency of employees paid by taxpayers.
“Every company needs someone to audit them. You shouldn’t be an untouchable, you shouldn’t be a sacred cow,” a 56-year-old independent from Pennsylvania told NBC. “They’re there to maximize productivity and efficiency.”
“They’re forcing us to file our taxes, so we’re technically doing an audit, so I think everybody should be audited,” a 37-year-old from Arizona added why he supports DOGE’s audits.
Others who disapprove of DOGE worry about the potential consequences.
“Sure, you want to weed out the bad people that probably are bad people, but you want to keep good employees that are there,” a 57-year-old Democrat from Georgia said.
A 49-year-old Black man from Georgia who voted for Biden in 2020 and then Trump in 2024 said he’s worried about how much power Trump delegated to Musk. He also believes the Trump administration could be working to improve Americans’ everyday lives.
“He’s too focused on cutting the weeds and the clutter, but he needs to focus on the economy and how to help people,” he said regarding Trump.
Houston’s ChòpnBlọk Redefines West African Cuisine For A New Generation
Chef Ope Amosu’s menu brings West African flavors to Houston wit fare that is 'approachable for everyone.'
ChòpnBlọk is reinventing bold West African dishes for a growing multicultural audience in Houston. Credited as one of the most diverse cities in the United States and home to the largest population of Nigerians, Ope Amosu believes Houston is the perfect launching pad for the restaurant.
ChòpnBlọk is a fast-casual food concept inspired by ingredients from the African Diaspora. The Naija eatery has grown from a food hall vendor in POST Houston to a brick-and-mortar location in Montrose, a vibrant “Restaurant Row” district for its high-quality dining scene. Opening last October, the restaurant features a 70-seat dining room, 20-seat patio, and 12-seat bar, along with an expanded menu and cocktail selection.
“We started ChòpnBlọk with the vision to bring our West African heritage to the heart of Houston—and to make it approachable for everyone,” Chef Amosu tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
ChòpnBlọk’s menu brings West African flavors to life with standout dishes like the Buka Blok, a traditional red stew served with short ribs, steamed rice, and beans. Another favorite, the Black Star Blok Pairing, combines Ghanaian-inspired Waakye fried rice with Ikoyi shrimp and Yassa curry.
For those craving small bites, ChòpnBlọk offers appetizers like meat and veggie pastries, plantain chips with Liberian greens, and Polo Club Suya, grilled steak skewers known as one of Nigeria’s most beloved street foods. The Deviled Scotch Egg—a fusion of the colonial Scotch egg and Southern-style deviled egg—is also a must-try.
The cocktail menu further highlights Black excellence, featuring signature drinks starring Black-owned and African spirits and wines like Chòpman, Calabash Colada, and Chapelton Vineyards. Non-alcohol drinkers can try such treats as the Oga Palmer, a blend of African hibiscus tea and lemonade, and the Gold Coast Cooler, a sparkling mix of pineapple, lime, mango, and ginger.
“It’s not just about great drinks—it’s about using ingredients and spirits to tell our story,” said the 2024 and 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Emerging chef.
The ambiance at ChòpnBlọk offers a true cultural immersion. From the infusion of the traditional mud walls and woven fabric, the design elements highlight the richness of African art, textiles, and craftsmanship.
The restaurant features shoppable ethically-sourced, handmade African products curated by Houston-based shop, Root To Home, and a collection of cookbooks and coffee table books by Black authors, supplied by Houston-based bookstore, Kindred Stories.
Amosu regularly returns to West Africa to preserve his cultural ties, learning from home chefs and sourcing spices and ingredients from Nigerian markets. Even the name ChòpnBlọk, he explained, is rooted in West African Pidgin English: “chòp” means “to eat” while “blok” represents a location.
“I knew I wanted a name that was rooted in West African culture, but even at the surface, you knew it was an establishment where you could get some bomb food,” Amosu says.
Amosu chose Montrose not only for its proximity to “Restaurant Row” but also to reclaim a piece of the Black ancestral territory. Freeman’s Town, a historic African American municipality established in 1865 by formerly enslaved people, is one of the oldest Black communities in Houston.
“We need to represent the same way we do at the POST Houston,” the chef tells BE. “We should be showing up in this area, too.”
As a well-travelled foodie, Amosu witnessed how restaurants were modernizing cultural cuisines into more everyday options, citing examples like Rasa for Indian and Cava for Mediterranean.
“I really love how other cultures are putting on for themselves,” he said. “Why can’t we have something like that looks like this, but for where I come from?”
Despite not attending culinary school, Amosu, who holds an MBA from Rice University and has a decade of experience as a corporate executive, believes in the potential of a West African fast-casual concept.
While working full-time, he honed his skills as a prep cook and dishwasher at Chipotle, then moved on to hosting private dinner experiences to refine his menu. In 2021, he resigned from his job to officially launch ChòpnBlọk.
Now, as ChòpnBlọk settles into its new space, the team is focused on expanding community engagement with programming, including a brunch series, pop-up events at Houston Rockets games and the Chopd&Stewd Festival, and celebrating the African diaspora through food, music, commerce, and storytelling.
“Our goal has always been to build something that not only serves food but creates a space where people can come together, learn, and share in the beauty of our culture,” Amosu said.
