• Business

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2025

Golden Krust Marks 35 Years With Island Select Launch At Walmart

Golden Krust is expanding into Walmart's nationwide with two new signature patty flavors.

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Golden Krust is bringing its signature Caribbean flavors to more customers nationwide with the exclusive launch of Golden Krust Island Select at Walmart.

More than 35 years after opening its first brick-and-mortar location in The Bronx, New York, Golden Krust has launched its Island Select line exclusively at 1,600 Walmart® locations nationwide. The Island Select line debuts with two new retail Jamaican patty varieties: Strawberry & Cream Cheese and Vegetable –alongside a bold new packaging redesign to reinforce the brand’s commitment to quality and innovation.

Designed to delight newcomers to the Golden Krust brand, the Strawberry & Cream Cheese Patty offers a sweet and creamy take on the classic Jamaican beef patty. Featuring real strawberries and smooth cream cheese inside a crispy, golden crust, it’s a perfect treat for breakfast or dessert—especially when paired with vanilla ice cream.

The Vegetable Patty offers a hearty blend of cabbage, corn, green beans, carrots, broccoli, and onions, seasoned with Caribbean herbs and spices like garlic, thyme, and Scotch bonnet peppers. Place it in the air fryer at 360 degrees for about 16 minutes, and you have the perfectly crisp patty ready to be enjoyed.

“We’ve been with Walmart now for over 10 years, and they were looking for a specific line that spoke to our core demographic and also a new demographic for our Jamaican-style patties.” Steven Clarke, Golden Krust’s Vice President of Marketing, tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.

After analyzing Walmart’s data, Golden Krust set out to develop something fresh and inventive.

“Everything kind of signaled the fact that we needed to expand the product line to something fruit-filled, which is probably the biggest innovation in the Island Select line is our new strawberry and cream cheese patty,” Clarke said. “I think it’s the first fruit-filled patty on the market.”

The new Island Select line of patties culminates Golden Krust’s ongoing partnership with Walmart, which has continued to grow since the Carribean bakery was first commissioned by the mega-retailer.

“Walmart saw the success with the spicy beef, mild beef, and jerk chicken,” Clarke shared. “We appreciate the partnership that we’ve been able to secure and nurture with the buying team at Walmart.”

Clarke grew up immersed in the Golden Krust brand. His uncle, the late Lowell Hawthorne, founded the company in 1989, starting with a single shop in The Bronx. Golden Krust has always been a family-run business, with Clarke’s parents owning three locations where he worked and assisted with operations throughout his youth.

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As an adult, he climbed the ranks from operations manager to Vice President of Marketing for his family’s company. Watching his uncle’s vision grow from one restaurant to over 100 franchise and company-owned locations across eight states—with plans for westward expansion and products in major retailers nationwide—highlights the enduring appeal of Golden Krust’s signature flavors, delicious patties, and loyal customer base.

“To see where it has come from since I was a teenager, to now, I’m definitely proud of the brand and the continued growth that we’re able to generate,” Clarke said. “We are very fortunate to do this expansion and going into 1,600 Walmarts in over 30 states.”

Golden Krust Island Select is available at 1,600 Walmart locations nationwide, including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Texas, and more. In addition to Walmart and beyond its restaurants, Golden Krust’s retail division supplies frozen Jamaican patties and island-style baked goods to more than 22,000 retail locations, including ShopRite, Publix, and Target.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Business Leaders, Politicians, Mourn Golden Krust CEO Lowell Hawthorne

• Uncategorized

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2025

Gene Deal Alleges Diddy Is Orchestrating The Sale Of The Notorious B.I.G.’s Publishing

'...It ain't for Ms. Wallace. It ain't for Big's kids.'

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According to Diddy’s former bodyguard, individuals have reportedly been appointed to oversee the sale of The Notorious B.I.G.’s music publishing, and the deal may not be in the best interest of the late rapper’s children.

Gene Deal sat down with The Art of Dialogue, where he claimed that Sean “Diddy” Comb worked with Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts to sell Biggie’s publishing while his mother, Voletta, was sick in hospice.

“Knowing this lady was sick and she was in a hospice, these guys, Wayne Barrow, and Mark Pitts, went on and started working out deals to allegedly sell Big’s publishing, his marketing, all his rights to everything,” Deal explained.

“They are working out a deal for them because it ain’t for Ms. Wallace. It ain’t for Big’s kids,” he added. “The executives of that is Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts. Those are the dudes that Puff put in the play. I can’t believe this. These are the dudes that, when Big died, they took over the marketing and the publishing and everything.”

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Deal claims the deal could be worth over $150 million, and those involved haven’t made any mention of Biggie’s kids or widow, Faith Evans.

“They didn’t say nothing about Big’s kid, CJ, Tatiana, or they didn’t say nothing about Faith. But they about to get paid,” he said.

Deal also claimed that Biggie’s mother never “trusted” Diddy and would avoid him at events as she “knew he might have had something to do with her son’s death.”

“And now she’s taking it to her grave. It’s sad. And these dudes are about to get paid from that, from sticking around,” Deal said.

RELATED CONTENT: Former Bad Boy Co-Founder Sues Diddy’s Mom, Claiming He Was Forced To Give Up His Share Of Label

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2025

High School Runner Charged With Assault Following Alleged Baton Attack At Track Meet

The high school runner who went viral after striking an opponent in the head with a baton has been charged with assault.

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The Virginia high school track and field runner who hit an opponent in the head with a baton has been charged with misdemeanor assault.

I.C. Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett is being charged with one count of assault and battery. The charges come one week after an incident during the 4×200-meter relay at the March 4 state championship, where her baton struck Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker in the head.

Everett insists the incident was accidental, but many who have seen the now-viral video believe otherwise. The widespread attention from the footage has resulted in harassment and death threats against her.

“She was touching me to the point where I was pumping my arm, and the baton was hitting her arm,” Everett said. “I lose my balance—my whole body turns, and then I pump my arms, so she got hit.”

“I would never do that on purpose,” Everett told Good Morning America. “That’s not in my character.”

Tucker was diagnosed with a concussion, and her parents claim Everett never checked on their daughter or inquired about her well-being, even after the race had ended. However, Everett says that when she tried to reach out to Tucker on social media to apologize, she learned she was blocked.

The high school teen has spoken out against the backlash she is receiving online from people who think she purposefully attacked Tucker.

“I can admit from the video it does look purposeful, but I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose because of jealousy,” Everett said.

The Portsmouth NAACP also released a statement defending Everett from the online scrutiny and media attention.

“Alaila is NOT AN ATTACKER and media headlines that allude towards that in any way is shameful,” the statement said. “We understand the sensitivity of the circumstances for both athletes and their families involved, but this narrative must not go unaddressed.”

The statement continued.

“Alaila is an honor student and a star athlete at the historic I.C. Norcom High School. From all accounts, she is an exceptional young leader and scholar whose athletic talent has been well-documented and recognized across our state. She has carried herself with integrity both on and off the field, and any narrative that adjudicates her guilty of any criminal activity is a violation of her due process rights.”

RELATED CONTENT: Rapper G$ Lil Ronnie And 5-Year-Old Daughter Fatally Shot At Texas Car Wash; Police Hunting For Suspects

• Education

by Mitti Hicks

March 13, 2025

FAFSA Site Sees Outage Amid Mass Education Department Layoff

The FAFSA outage comes one day after the Department of Education announced it fired more than 1,300 people — or nearly half of its workforce.

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There was a massive outage on the website students use to fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The studentaid.gov website was down for hours on March 12, shortly after the U.S. Department of Education laid off half its workforce.

According to the Hill, Downdetector found hundreds of users reported outages on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is used by students currently enrolled in or applying to college to receive financial aid.

The FAFSA outage comes one day after the Department of Education announced it fired more than 1,300 people. According to the Associated Press, at least 300 of those laid off were from the Federal Student Aid department, and nearly two dozen were in the technology department.

“There was a glitch on the FAFSA identify verification backend, which is managed by an FSA vendor. FSA staff was able to solve it within a matter of hours,” a spokesperson for the department stated. “This was unrelated to the RIF as no FSA staff are responsible for operations of these systems; they are managed by vendors.”

The Hill reports that a department official said there was an issue with a firewall misconfiguration installed by a contractor in November. A new feature recently installed by a different contractor caused a hiccup in the system before it was fixed.

The site and forms were reported back up as of Thursday.

Federal Judge Rules Laid Off Federal Employees Have Jobs Reinstated

It remains unclear whether the 1,300 people expected to be laid off will get their jobs back. A U.S. District judge in San Francisco ruled that thousands of federal employees fired by the Trump administration must be offered job reinstatement. The judge says the employees were terminated unlawfully.

“It is a sad day when our government would fire some good employees and say it was based on performance when they know good and well that is a lie,” Judge William Alsup, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, said on the bench before his ruling, NPR reports.

An appeal is likely.

RELATED CONTENT: Families Of Incoming College Kids Are Fed Up With FAFSA Delay

• Health and Wellness

by Mitti Hicks

March 13, 2025

Opinion: Trump Is Handing Over The Healthcare of Millions To Supplements Salespeople

While supplements can be beneficial for overall health, supplement makers make claims about benefits without evidence to back them up, mainly because there is a lack of regulation.

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There’s an alarming trend spewing from the mouths of President Donald Trump’s health leaders when it comes to supplements. As Fortune first pointed out, Mehmet Oz, Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, has fed calves bovine colostrum. Dr. Oz, who has a financial stake in the supplement as an adviser to iHerb, fed the calves on camera to prove its benefits. Janette Nesheiwat, Trump’s nominee for surgeon general, sells a line of supplements known as BC Boost.

Then, there is the recently confirmed Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy. He recently said he takes more vitamins than he can count. Kennedy also suggested he plans to ease restrictions on vitamins, muscle-building peptides, and more as the HHS leader. He also made unfounded claims that the federal government was waging a “war on public health” by suppressing alternative therapies such as supplements and peptides.

While supplements can benefit overall health, supplement makers make claims about benefits without evidence to back them up, mainly because there is a lack of regulation.

“No supplement needs to get tested or vetted by the FDA before it’s sold,” Pieter Cohen, a general internist at the Cambridge Health Alliance who researches supplements, told Fortune.

Consumer watchdogs have reported traces of lead and other toxins in the supplements. In 2015, researchers with the New England Journal of Medicine found that more than 23,000 emergency department visits per year were attributed to adverse events related to dietary supplements. 

Growing Concerns From Health Leaders As Measles Outbreak Grows

As health leaders continue to tout and promote supplements, there are growing concerns that their views could have profound impacts on Americans who will likely buy into the supplement claims.

As a measles outbreak continues to impact West Texas and Oklahoma, Kennedy said on camera that doctors have had “very, very good results” by treating Measles patients with cod liver oil, along with a steroid and an antibiotic. Kennedy also reportedly spoke of federal officials delivering vitamin A to affected communities, a treatment he pushed in the past to the chairman of the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense.

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises people who contract the disease to take vitamin A to prevent blindness and death. However, WHO also recommends that children be vaccinated against the disease.

RELATED CONTENT: Human Rights Group Slams Mississippi For Failing To Prevent Black Women’s Cervical Cancer Deaths

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 13, 2025

Is Eminem Joining Bid To Bring WNBA Team To Detroit?

More than cities are vying for a spot.

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Rapper Eminem has reportedly joined a collective led by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores that features Chris Webber and Grant Hill, to bring a WNBA franchise back to Detroit, a source close to the process told Sportico.

The city had a team from 1998 to 2009, the Shock, which won three championships before moving to Tulsa. The franchise then moved to Texas to play in Arlington. The Dallas Wings are still in existence.

The Detroit WNBA group also features the owners of the National Hockey League’s Detroit Red Wings, Major League Baseball’s Detroit Tigers, and the National Football League’s Detroit Lions.

Others involved in the investment group include the CEO and chair of the General Motors Company, Mary Barra and her husband, Tony; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his wife, Christen; and Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem, and his wife, Nancy, a former Microsoft executive.

“Michiganders are fired up,” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitner said in a statement. “Our passion for our teams and players is unmatched, our commitment to our communities remains unwavering, and our vision for women’s sports is crystal clear.”

With several cities vying to join the WNBA, there may be a chance that the league welcomes as many as three new teams. There are already plans to bring new franchises to San Francisco, Toronto, and Portland in upcoming seasons.

Bids for this ongoing round of expansion were due at the end of January. Interest came from groups inside and outside the NBA. More than 10 cities submitted formal bids in advance of the deadline, The Athletic reported, including groups from Austin, Charlotte, Cleveland, and Philadelphia.

RELATED CONTENT: Barack Obama Raps Eminem’s ‘Palms Are Sweaty’ Lyrics Following Appearance At VP Harris’ Detroit Rally

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 13, 2025

Lauren Boebert Stands On Racist Comments Regarding Rep. Al Green’s ‘Pimp Cane’ 

During an appearance on “Real America’s Voice,” Boebert called Green’s actions during President Donald Trump’s Congress speech “absolutely abhorrent.”

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After a Democratic congresswoman filed a resolution to censure Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Co.) for her racist comments toward Rep. Al Green’s “pimp cane,” Boebert says she “stands by it.”

During an appearance on “Real America’s Voice,” Boebert called Green’s actions during President Donald Trump’s Congress speech “absolutely abhorrent” while claiming she has never seen the congressman use his cane to help him walk. “For her to attack me for referencing his cane as a pimp cane, and Grant, I stand by it,” Boebert told host Grant Stinchfield.

“I have never seen Al Green actually use his cane as a support to walk…I have seen him shake it for years all throughout the Capitol during any meeting that I’ve ever  been present with him in, and if that gold-plated cane isn’t a pimp cane, I don’t know what is.” 

Boebert’s remarks relate to the Texas congressman being censured following his outburst against Trump during his speech in early March 2025. The Democratic leader was seen calling the president out for his move to eliminate Medicare and Medicaid from millions of Americans before Trump started his speech. As a result, Green was removed and, days later, censured by state leaders, including 10 Democrats, according to The Hill.

In response, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) introduced a resolution to censure Boebert for her comments about Green to call out Republican hypocrisy. “I did indeed have a heated conversation with Speaker Johnson on the House floor after I voted yes to censure my colleague,” Houlahan wrote on X after the vote.

She added that she had a heated conversation with GOP House Speaker Sen. Mike Johnson (La.), reminding him of the past behaviors of members of his party — including Boebert. ​​“I called Speaker Johnson out on his and his party’s hypocrisy and reminded him of the many instances in which Republicans have blatantly broken the rules of conduct without consequence,” she added. 

“He told me if he punished each instance, he’d have to censure half the House. I suggested he do just that. Rules are rules.” 

She included images of Boebert and fellow congresswoman Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — both Republicans — shouting during a speech from a prior administration. During Boebert’s interview, she shared her thoughts on there allegedly being a lack of “cisgender white pimps“ in the country, projecting that Houlahan may be a racist. “But maybe Houla-hoo is really the racist here. Are only Blacks pimps? Is that what I’m hearing? Are there no cisgender white pimps in America?” the conservative lawmaker asked.

RELATED CONTENT: Congressional Black Caucus Stands Behind Rep. Al Green

• Uncategorized

by Kandiss Edwards

March 13, 2025

Georgia Daycare Worker Arrested For Allegedly Throwing Block At Toddler

LeapFrog academy worker Nkiya McLester is accused of throwing a wooden block at a toddler causing "swollen blood vessels" in his eye.

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A Georgia daycare worker has been arrested for hitting a toddler, Atlanta News First reported. Nkiya McLester was taken into custody and charged with child cruelty after video evidence showed her allegedly throwing a wooden block at a 2-year-old.

The incident occurred at Leapfrog Academy in Union City. After returning home, the toddler’s parents noticed a scratch near his eye. The boy’s father, Jared Graves, was told the toddler had fallen on a mop bucket, causing the injury. According to Graves, the injury appeared excessive for a simple fall.

“A gash right here, by his eye, and he also has swollen blood vessels in the corner of his eye,” Graves said. “He was bleeding.”

Unsatisfied with the explanation, the parents demanded to see the security footage. Upon review, both the daycare director and Graves witnessed McLester throwing a wooden block at the child after he ran into a storage cubicle.

Law enforcement was contacted immediately, Leapfrog Academy said in a statement.

“There was 100% transparency from the beginning, and the child at the time needed no medical treatment,” the statement read.

Graves believes the facility is at fault and is heartbroken by the callousness and danger his child was subjected to.

“We want to press charges to the fullest extent of the law, and we also want to sue the school as well,” Graves said.”My heart broke, my world came crashing down, that’s my son,” he continued.

Recent data indicates that child abuse in daycare settings remains a significant concern. In fiscal year 2023, states reported a total of 546,159 victims of child abuse and neglect, resulting in a victimization rate of 7.4 per 1,000 children.

While comprehensive statistics detailing incidents occurring within daycare facilities are limited, these overall figures highlight the ongoing challenges faced in child protection at daycare facilities.

RELATED CONTENT: Georgia Church Daycare Worker Arrested For Allegedly Giving Toddlers Benadryl To Induce Sleep

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 13, 2025

Personal Items Of O.J. Simpson Up For Auction

The money will be used to try to pay down the personal debts the NFL Hall of Famer had when he died.

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An online auction to sell the personal mementos of infamous football legend O.J. Simpson has started through Goldin Auctions.

The former Buffalo Bills’ great died of cancer on April 10, 2024, nearly 30 years after he was accused of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, at her home in June 1994.

The subsequent “Trial of the Century,” where he was acquitted in the fall of 1995, consumed the nation’s attention for months. Simpson lost a $33.5 million civil trial to the Brown Simpson and Goldman families in 1997. Due to nonpayment, with interest, it ballooned to $100 million.

After Simpson’s death, the state of California placed a $572,402.69 tax lien against his estate. With the debt Simpson accrued, Malcolm LaVergne, Simpson’s lawyer and executor of his estate, decided to hold an auction to help pay off some of the debt.

The Goldin auction, which started on March 11, will end March 20. There are 103 items listed on the site.

There is a wealth of football-related memorabilia, including footballs owned by the football star, some signed by him. as well as collector football cards and trophies, including his 1974 Vince Lombardi Award Trophy for Rushing Record. There are also jackets and jerseys worn by Simpson.

There are some photographs owned by him, as well as pictures he appears in, including one signed by former President Bill Clinton. There’s even his 1983 California driver’s license, not to mention golf equipment.

The starting bids on some of the items range from $50 to $2,500. A signed Bible given to Simpson by one of the lawyers who helped him get acquitted in the murder case, Robert Kardashian, father to Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, and Rob Kardashian, is going for the latter amount.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Men Face Heightened Risk Of Prostate Cancer, Highlighted By O.J. Simpson’s Passing

• Women

by Stacy Jackson

March 13, 2025

Beyoncé’s SirDavis Heads To 2025 Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo Grounds As An Official Sponsor

Rodeo attendees can try SirDavis' signature cocktail "Texas Buckiin" at several activations throughout NRG Park.

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Beyoncé is taking her SirDavis American Whisky to the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grounds. The brand has reportedly been welcomed as an official sponsor of the 93rd annual rodeo event.

The new partnership with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo “marks an exciting milestone for the brand,” Cameron George, Blender and Global Head of Advocacy for SirDavis American Whisky, told Houston Life. Rodeo and concert ticket holders will have exclusive access to SirDavis, which will also be featured in multiple activations happening on rodeo grounds and outside with local venues. Event-goers will get a taste of American whisky and experience what Beyoncé previously described as “something new and unique in the category.”

George encourages this year’s Houston Rodeo attendees to enjoy the complexity of SirDavis whisky as is and also to try the “Texas Buckiin.” According to SirDavis’ official Instagram page, the “Texas Buckiin” combines 1.5 ounces of SirDavis with honey syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and ginger beer and is the signature cocktail for the rodeo. The drink will be available at the SirDavis rodeo activations, bar outlets, and the Chairman’s and Champions Clubs.

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As previously mentioned by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Beyoncé presented her SirDavis whisky to the world in August 2024, months after she released her “Cowboy Carter” album last March. The groundbreaking partnership with LVMH subsidiary Moët Hennessy produced a one-of-a-kind flavor profile for whisky lovers to indulge in. During the launch, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer and Japanese whisky enthusiast revealed that her paternal great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, a “moonshine man,” inspired the SirDavis whisky. With Moët Hennessy, SirDavis whisky was carefully crafted to pay homage to Hogue and reflect American tradition. SirDavis is crafted with 51% rye and 49% malted barley.

The 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will be held at NRG Park from March 4 until March 23. Attendees can find SirDavis American Whisky at The Warwick’s Sunday Brunch, Chapman & Kirby’s Sunday Day Party, the Happy Hour & Hat Branding Activation at The Post Oak Hotel, and more. Plan your experience and purchase tickets online.

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