by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 3, 2025

Black Friday Sales Jump 9% To $11.8B, Boosted By AI-Powered Shopping Tools

Despite inflation and ongoing tariff tensions, American shoppers fueled a 9% Black Friday sales boost over last year, aided by AI-powered shopping tools.

Adobe Analytics, which monitors 1 trillion online retail visits, reports that AI-powered shopping tools fueled a surge in U.S. online Black Friday spending, Reuters reports. American shoppers used chatbots to compare prices and grab discounts, avoid crowded stores, and navigate tariff-driven price concerns.

“Consumers are using new tools to get to what they need faster,” said Suzy Davidkhanian, an analyst at eMarketer. “Gift giving can be stressful, and LLMs (large language models) make the discovery process feel quicker and more guided.”

Black Friday unfolded amid tighter budgets, a weakened job market with unemployment near a four-year high, and U.S. consumer confidence at a seven-month low, prompting shoppers to watch every dollar. Yet AI-driven traffic to U.S. retail sites jumped 805% from last year, when tools like Walmart’s Sparky or Amazon’s Rufus hadn’t launched yet.

Top Black Friday buys included LEGO sets, Pokémon cards, gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, and products from Apple AirPods to KitchenAid mixers. Salesforce reported that U.S. consumers spent $18 billion online, up 3% from last year, with luxury apparel and accessories among the most popular categories.

By Cyber Monday, U.S. shoppers had spent $14.25 billion, bringing total online sales over the Thanksgiving weekend to $44.2 billion. Cyber Week spending—from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday—rose 7.7% compared to last year’s 8.2% increase to $41.1 billion, surpassing prior expectations of $43.7 billion.

“This year’s record turnout reflects a highly engaged consumer who is focused on value, responds to compelling promotions, and seizes upon the opportunity to make the winter holidays special and meaningful,” said NRF CEO ‌Matthew Shay.

Analysts noted that consumers stayed cautious this year, carefully monitoring prices to avoid impulse purchases. Many shoppers turned to AI-powered tools, such as chatbots, to browse and compare products across categories like appliances, toys, video games, and jewelry.

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by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 3, 2025

Craig Williams, Former Jordan Brand President, Out At Nike

The executive was most recently EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Nike

A recent corporate shakeup at Nike has resulted in EVP and Chief Commercial Officer Craig Williams no longer serving in that role.

In a letter to Nike employees, Elliot Hill, president and CEO of the brand, informed staff members that the moves were made to “remove layers” and bring the company closer to athletes and the marketplace.

Williams joined Nike in January 2019 and played an integral role in Jordan Brand, where he was previously president before Sarah Mensah took over the position in 2023, moving him to become president of Geographies & Marketplace for Nike.

Craig Williams to Leave Nike + More Changes to Senior Leadership Team at the Swoosh https://t.co/V3qK4sIst2
— WWD (@wwd) December 2, 2025

“As part of this shift, we’re eliminating the role of EVP, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), currently held by Craig Williams,” Hill said in a letter to the team at Nike. “I want to thank Craig for his important role in advancing our marketplace strategy as CCO and for his leadership of the Jordan Brand. Throughout his time at Nike and Jordan, Craig has united teams around the world through his passion for our brands, commitment to excellence, and value-based leadership. We wish him the best in his next chapter.”

Before joining Nike, Williams worked at The Coca-Cola Company, where he served as senior vice president and president of The McDonald’s Division Worldwide. His responsibilities included growing the total beverage category globally in restaurants. Before joining Coca-Cola, Williams spent three years at CIBA Vision Corp. in global marketing. He took that position after seven years at Kraft Foods Inc., where he worked in brand management and new product development, and five years in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Power Officer.

Williams attended Northwestern University, where he earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in physics from Benedict College. He is currently a board member at Capital One.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 3, 2025

Target’s Black Friday Goodie Bag Promotion Called ‘A Big Fail’ By Customers On Social Media

Retail consultants called the promotion “a big fail” as Target attempts to regain customer trust.

Shoppers nationwide looked forward to cashing in on Black Friday deals at major retailers — except Target — where shoppers are calling the company out on social media for feeling scammed out of what was supposed to be holiday goodie bags, The New York Post reported.

The now-controversial retailer promised the first 100 customers to arrive on Black Friday would receive a “limited edition iridescent holiday tote filled with fun giveaways,” in addition to the first 10 people in line getting extra “surprises” of goodies, including a Laifen hair dryer, Ninja slushie machine, or Beats headphones. However, customers on social media reveal that wasn’t the case.

Shoppers who were lured in by the deal dragged the retailer on social media, painting themselves as disappointed. One customer posted to X showing what was in the iridescent branded bags — a box of Uno cards, Nerds candy, protein powder packs and more. “Waited hours for those ‘swag bags’ just to get… this? What a freaking joke,” @abbeydry9572 wrote.

“Y’all hyped it up like it was Christmas morning and handed us a bag of nothing. Guess I’ll go play Uno with everyone else who got played today. Absolute scam-level disappointment. @Target.”

Waited hours for those ‘swag bags’ just to get… this? 😂 What a freaking joke. Y’all hyped it up like it was Christmas morning and handed us a bag of nothing. Guess I’ll go play Uno with everyone else who got played today. Absolute scam-level disappointment. @Target pic.twitter.com/EYvizhs65V
— Abbey Dry (@AbbeyDry9472) November 28, 2025

One customer went so far as to compare the “goodies” to what people receive on electronic benefits transfer cards used for food stamps. “You mean to tell me Target couldn’t afford a thick throw blanket, a gift card, some spa products and maybe some fuzzy slippers in the swag bags?” @terribphotog said.

“A billion-dollar company just showed the world what they really think of us … Just trash, that gift was EBT.”

You mean to tell me Target 🎯 couldn’t afford a thick throw blanket, a gift card, some spa products and maybe some fuzzy slippers in the swag bags .. a billion dollar company just showed the world what they really think of us … Just trash, that gift was EBT…
— TerriB (@TerriBPhotog) November 30, 2025

Retail consultants like Lisa Miller called the promotion “a big fail” as Target attempts to regain customer trust. “A swag bag from Target would set expectations, but it was filled with cheap lip gloss, travel-size shampoo and a deck of cards,” she said.

According to Business Insider, Target’s incoming CEO, Michael Fiddelke, has made commitments to improving the shopping experience for the company’s customers. The goodie bag scheme was just one of several ways the retailer has tried to lure customers back in to boost sales and profitability. The company recently hosted a special release event for Taylor Swift’s latest album, featuring a festive “whimsical Alpine world” setup.

After dialing back on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Target suffered a significant blow, including a boycott in May 2025. As a result, the company was forced to dump 1,800 jobs — close to 8% of its corporate workforce — in October 2025.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 3, 2025

Trump Administration Threatens To Withhold SNAP Benefits From Blue States That Fail To Release Immigration Data

Rollins claims the effort is to sniff out program fraud.

In another battle involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, the Trump administration is threatening to withhold funds from blue or Democratic-leaning states that fail to submit data on their immigration status by Dec. 8, the Associated Press reports.

During a Dec. 2 cabinet meeting, Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins said withholding funds could occur because some states are refusing to submit requested data, such as the names and immigration statuses of SNAP recipients. “We have sent Democrat States yet another request for data, and if they fail to comply, they will be provided with a formal warning that USDA will pull their administrative funds,” the agency said in a statement.

Rollins claims the effort is to sniff out program fraud. Letters were sent to the states in late November 2025 to pressure compliance; however, the Dec. 8 deadline was agreed upon.

The District of Columbia and 22 states sued the federal government over the request, which was first made in February 2025. In a successful suit, a San Francisco-based federal judge banned the administration from collecting such data from those states. Federal law permits the USDA to hold back some money states receive for SNAP for failing to comply; however, experts like Georgetown University law professor David Super say “there’s never authority to withhold the SNAP benefits and, in this case, there’s also no authority to withhold the administrative funding.”

According to NBC News, roughly 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits, also known as food assistance or food stamps. Rollins revealed that 29 Republican-led states have complied, including North Carolina, which has a Democratic governor. But states like California, New York, and Minnesota, which are known to be on President Donald Trump’s radar, haven’t budged in their refusal.

Leaders of those states reacted to Rollins’ threats with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul asking on X, “Why is the Trump Administration so hellbent on people going hungry?”

Genuine question: Why is the Trump Administration so hellbent on people going hungry? https://t.co/UNRcJUlpwe
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 2, 2025

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison labeled Rollins’ statement as a way to “punish … political rivals.” “It’s nothing short of ridiculous that the Trump administration is once again trying to withhold SNAP funding over data sharing after a court clearly barred them from doing so,” the AG said.

The battle is a continuation of the lengthy lapse in SNAP benefits in November 2025, caused by the most prolonged government shutdown in history, leaving recipients scrambling for food. Benefits were reinstated after the Supreme Court ruled on whether the administration’s attempt to withhold funding was lawful.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 3, 2025

Jordyn Woods Scores Major Amazon Deal To Launch Official NBA Merchandise Line

She is selling hoodies, t-shirts, and tank tops from various NBA teams

Jordyn Woods has announced on social media that she is now selling NBA merchandise on Amazon.

Woods, who is currently dating New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns, is selling various sports items from NBA teams on the marketplace website. She announced to her fans that she has partnered with Amazon through its influencer program.

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Several items listed include hoodies, t-shirts, and tank tops with insignia from various NBA teams (New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, etc.). NBA merchandise ranges from $19.99 tank tops to $49.99 hoodies.

The entrepreneur recently celebrated her beau’s 30th birthday with a surprise party. One of the gifts she presented to him had great sentimental value: a vehicle that resembled the car his mother drove when he was much younger, according to ESPN. The vehicle was a black 1990s Isuzu Trooper.

Towns’ mother, Jacqueline Towns, died in April 2020 from COVID-19.

In a social media post, Woods explained why she got the vehicle, had it repaired, and then gave it to him.

“During the summer, Karl asked me if I could drive any car for a day, which one would it be. I answered, and his response was, ‘I wouldn’t pick anything crazy, I just really loved my mom’s car she had when I was a kid.’

“So I went on a mission these past months to find the car, shipped it across the country, got it fixed up, and was able to surprise him with it today for his 30th!”

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People reported that the two have been dating since September 2020 after being friends for several years.

Man, Conviction, Racist Threats, Pregnant Black Woman

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 3, 2025

Jealous Ex-Girlfriend Gets Life Sentence After Traveling Across States To Kill Ex’s New Woman

Despite claims of self defense, a Florida jury found Sakiyna Thompson guilty of first-degree murder.

A New York woman received a life sentence in prison for traveling across the country to get revenge on her ex’s new girlfriend.

Prosecutors allege that Sakiyna Thompson traveled down to South Florida from New York with the intention of killing Kayla Hodgson in July 2022. According to NBC Miami, the 31-year-old woman arrived at Hodgson’s apartment at 5 a.m. to confront her about dating her ex. The issue then escalated as the jealous ex-girlfriend stabbed the 23-year-old unsuspecting woman to death.

Thompson was charged with first-degree murder, for which she was later convicted by a jury this October. A Florida judge then delivered the lifetime sentence to the woman.

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Ahead of her sentencing, multiple loved ones of Hodgson spoke about her killing. A cousin referred to Thompson as “wicked” for taking Hodgson’s life, seemingly because the boyfriend moved on.

“What she did was wicked and evil and a person like her, it’s important they never see the light of day again,” said Hodgson’s cousin, Melanie John.

However, Thompson’s defense team previously argued that the ex-girlfriend committed the act in self-defense. They claimed that Hodgson actually struck Thompson first, cutting her stomach while she was pregnant at the time. Thompson stated that she blacked out during the confrontation and did not remember killing the woman. Her team also deemed the fatal stabbing as not premeditated.

Despite this, prosecutors shared that Thompson arrived at the hotel incognito, wearing a hat and a face mask used during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also reportedly used a fake Uber account to get to Hodgson’s place.

However, Hodgson’s family called out Thompson’s story, calling it a “crock of garbage” to evade accountability.

“How about the audacity of you to come up on this stand and waste taxpayer dollars and tell them a crock of garbage to everyone about your blackout reasoning,” said another relative of Hodgson.

After the jury deliberated for one hour on the verdict, they found Thompson guilty of first-degree murder. Now, Hodgson’s family believes that justice has been served on behalf of their slain loved one.

“I feel like I can finally start some type of healing,” said another cousin, Alisha Mitchell. “It will never be the same; we will forever miss her. The way she died, it will never really sit right with us. At least the person responsible is being held accountable.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 3, 2025

Trump Tells Ilhan Omar And Somali Americans To ‘Go Back’ As ICE Launches Operation In Twin Cities

Trump unloaded on Rep. Ilhan Omar and Somali Americans as ICE prepares a targeted operation in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to launch an operation in Minneapolis and St. Paul targeting undocumented Somali immigrants, a government official confirmed to CNN. The announcement coincided with remarks by Donald Trump, who labeled Rep. Ilhan Omar “garbage” and told Somali Americans to “go back to where they came from.”

The President, long criticized for inflammatory remarks about African and immigrant communities, used the end of a Dec. 2 Cabinet meeting to attack Omar and Minnesota’s Somali population following a question related to recent reports that most of Minnesota’s arrests for Covid-related fraud charges were given to people of East African descent.

“I don’t want them in our country. I’ll be honest with you, OK. Somebody will say, ‘Oh, that’s not politically correct.’ I don’t care. I don’t want them in our country. Their country is no good for a reason,” Trump said.

“Their country stinks, and we don’t want them in our country. I can say that about other countries, too,” he added.

After calling Somalia “barely a country,” with “no structure,” Trump directed his attack against Omar, whom he’s targeted for years since her start in Congress in 2019.

“I always watch her,” Trump said of Omar, saying she “hates everybody. And I think she’s an incompetent person. She’s a real terrible person.”

He went on to call her garbage. “Her friends are garbage. These aren’t people that work. These aren’t people that say, ‘Let’s go, come on, let’s make this place great.’ These are people who do nothing but complain.”

“You know, if they came from paradise, and they said, ‘This isn’t paradise,’ but when they come from hell, and they complain and do nothing but b—-, we don’t want them in our country. Let them go back to where they came from and fix it,” he added.

Omar’s family escaped Somalia’s civil war and spent years in a Kenyan refugee camp before they immigrated to the United States and ultimately became citizens. Her work in public service led her to Congress, where she has served since 2019. Yet, Trump dismissed the Minnesota Democrat as “garbage.”

The legislator fired back at the President’s latest insult, calling his constant fixation on her “creepy.”

His obsession with me is creepy. I hope he gets the help he desperately needs. https://t.co/pxOpAChHse
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) December 2, 2025

Before the racially charged rant, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who sat near him during the Cabinet meeting, took to social media on Dec. 1, revealing a proposed travel ban against what sources say will be a list of about 30 countries.

“I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies,” Noem wrote.

After the Cabinet meeting, a federal official confirmed that ICE will launch an operation in Minneapolis and St. Paul targeting undocumented Somali immigrants. Local leaders say they were not informed in advance and have publicly reaffirmed their support for the Somali community.

“To our Somali community, we love you, and we stand with you,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. “Minneapolis is proud to be home to the largest Somali community in the entire country.”

Frey has confirmed that Minneapolis police would not participate in the ICE operation.

Trump’s comments continue a pattern of inflammatory remarks about African and immigrant communities, including calling African nations “s***thole countries” in 2018 and claiming migrants were “poisoning the blood of our country” in 2023. His newest attacks escalate his focus on Somali Americans, especially in Minneapolis, although a recent D.C. shooting he has referenced involved an Afghan suspect with no link to Somalia.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 3, 2025

Look Out! New MIT Study Claims AI Can Replace Trillions In Job Wages For U.S. Workers

The MIT study revealed that AI would end up replacing almost 12% of the workforce.

A new study has revealed that AI could have a trillion-dollar impact on job wages for U.S. workers.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology just released a new study that has workers even more concerned about their future in the age of AI. Its findings confirmed that AI could replace $2.1 trillion in wages in several major job sectors. According to Afrotech, this would amount to 11.7% of the U.S. workforce.

CNBC reports that the study used the Iceberg Index, a “skills-centered measure of workforce exposure in the AI economy,” to arrive at this figure. Created by MIT and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the index has determined the economic impact of the growing AI emphasis on workforce operations.

While the index could not determine exactly when this technology will yield these lost wages, it did analyze skill sets and work at nearly 1,000 roles. The index then determined which jobs and skill sets AI could already overtake. Particularly, the study found that AI’s capabilities would primarily target entry-level work, leaving the professional futures of college graduates in jeopardy.

“AI systems now generate more than a billion lines of code each day, prompting companies to restructure hiring pipelines and reduce demand for entry-level programmers,” explained the researchers, as reported by CBS News. “These observable changes in technology occupations signal a broader reorganization of work that extends beyond software development.”

The study also determined that several major job markets could face further automation, including healthcare. This would primarily affect administrative duties within its operations, but would allow human workers to focus more on patient care. Another major sector of note is the finance industry. The technology would serve both fields by ridding the need for workers to spend large amounts of the workday on documentation.

While AI would greatly reduce the need for additional workers to handle administrative tasks, the study did not see it fully replacing the substantive, people-facing responsibilities that healthcare workers and financial professionals perform.

[F]inancial analysts will not disappear, but AI systems may demonstrate capability across significant portions of document-processing and routine analysis work,” added the researchers. “This reshapes how roles are structured and which skills remain in demand, without necessarily reducing headcount.”

However, this shift would greatly impact Black and Brown workers, who have already been disproportionately impacted by the inclusion of AI in certain operations. According to the Colaberry School of Data Science & Analytics, Black people have already suffered from AI replacement in the customer service industry, with warnings that the growing economic divide could make the job market worse for Black workers.

Some states have already begun researching strategies for implementing AI in their specific sectors while avoiding the complete elimination of jobs. With a seemingly imminent AI-induced workforce reduction, Black people and other workers of color may remain on the front lines for layoffs.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 3, 2025

Southern University Hires NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk As 22nd Football Head Coach

'At every level, somehow, some way, I found a way to find the win, and that's what we're going to do.'

HBCU athletics have been getting a boost with the hiring of former NFL players, and Marshall Faulk is the latest one, as he was just introduced as Southern University’s latest football head coach. He had a simple message at his introduction: “Winners win.”

The school held a press conference on Dec. 1 to introduce the latest coach hired to lead the team on the gridiron. The announcement came two days after the school secured a victory Nov. 29 at the Caesars Superdome, when Southern edged Grambling State, 28-27, in the 52nd annual Bayou Classic.

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According to NOLA.com, the NFL Hall of Famer becomes the 22nd man to take the clipboard for the school. As with recent coaching hires like Norfolk State University’s football head coach, Michael Vick, and Delaware State University’s DeSean Jackson, Faulk is a first-time college head coach. He does understand that, as someone who has never led a team as a coach, people will have questions about his ability. When asked about expectations, he responded, “You know, and I know this is my first head coaching job. You can’t give answers to anything like that. You know, it’s like anything else, just wait and see. Time will tell.”

Faulk has to assess his players, hire coaches, and do a number of things to put the team on the right track, but he has high expectations of himself before he can grab a clipboard. Although the football team ended the year with a victory, their record for the past season was a horrid 2-10. So, with an expectation for a better season, he still expects to win some games.

“I also understand to whom much is given, much is expected,” Faulk said. “There’s no fear in me. Winners win. And if you’re a winner, then you win. And at every level, somehow, some way, I found a way to find the win, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

by Kandiss Edwards

December 3, 2025

Coco Jones To Lift Her Voice And Sing ‘Black National Anthem’ At Superbowl LX

Jones, known for her role in Peacock series Bel-Air, will bring her talent to one of the most watched events in professional sports.

Grammy-winning singer Coco Jones secured a high-profile performance slot at the upcoming 2026 Super Bowl as the singer of the Black National Anthem, formally known as “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Jones will join a list of celebrated performers as she continues a new yet meaningful tradition established several years ago by the NFL. Jones, known for her role in Peacock’s series Bel-Air, will bring her talent to one of the most-watched events in professional sports.

In shared posts on Instagram, the NFL announced multiple pre-game performers, including, Charlie Puth, who will perform the National Anthem, and Brandi Carlisle, who will sing “America the Beautiful.”

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The inclusion of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” became a fixture of the Super Bowl pre-game ceremonies in 2021, when Alicia Keys performed a pre-recorded version ahead of Super Bowl LV.

Jones’s selection confirms the continued commitment of the NFL and its partners to recognizing the cultural significance of the performance before the kickoff. Her appearance follows a strong year for the artist, which included a performance at the EBONY Power 100 Gala in 2024.

As an actress, Jones celebrates a bittersweet victory on the Hollywood front. The fourth and final season of Bel-Air was released on Peacock Nov. 24. The singer is saying goodbye to her portrayal of Hilary Banks, a character that ushered the child star into her adult career.

Jones’s performance will take place during the pre-game ceremonies for Super Bowl LX. The highly anticipated game, which also features Bad Bunny as the halftime performer, takes place on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clarita, California. Along with wonderful professional news, Jones is also celebrating her engagement to NBA player Donovan Mitchell.