Daycare Owner Freed After Shooting Husband For Abusing Children—’I’m Finally Done’
The daycare owner who was jailed for shooting her husband after discovering child abuse at her center is now free and focused on moving forward.
A daycare owner who was jailed for shooting her husband after discovering he was sexually abusing children at her childcare center is now speaking out about life after regaining her freedom.
Shanteari Young recently reflected on the emotional moment she visited a halfway house on Dec. 17, 2025, to have her ankle monitor removed, marking the end of a nearly four-year legal ordeal. Young had been sentenced after shooting her husband, James Weems Jr., in a Washington, D.C., hotel room following allegations that he sexually abused children at her Lil Kidz Kastle Daycare Center.
“When I got in my car, I started crying,” Young told The Baltimore Banner about having her ankle monitor removed. “Because it was just like, ‘I’m finally done.’”
Weems survived the shooting and was later arrested on charges, including sexual abuse of a minor, and given life in prison. Young pleaded guilty in D.C. Superior Court to aggravated assault and carrying a pistol without a license, receiving a four-year prison sentence followed by two years of supervised release, with the final portion served in home confinement.
Now that she has completed her sentence, finalized her divorce while incarcerated at FMC Lexington, and begun working at a residential recovery home, Young says she’s focused on moving forward and using her voice to advocate for children who have experienced sexual abuse.
“I want to show people that something catastrophic can happen to you, but you can rebuild, and you can move on,” she said. “I’m trying to change this into a positive situation and help people.”
The aftermath of the case involves Young being named as a defendant in three ongoing lawsuits tied to the now-closed Lil Kidz Kastle Daycare Center. She said she believes the children deserve compensation but feels she’s being unfairly targeted, adding that the narrative has shifted from “him being the villain to me being the villain.”
Young is now advocating for legislation that would require childcare workers to receive specialized training to recognize, prevent, and report abuse. She has been working with Sean Stinnett, a Baltimore Democrat who introduced the proposal, and says she also plans to launch a nonprofit, Opened Umbrellas 4 Lil Kidz LLC, to support survivors.
As part of her healing journey, Young is currently writing a book about her experience titled “My Protector,” which she hopes to complete by May, teasing that readers will have to pick it up to fully understand the meaning behind the title.
Elon Musk’s America PAC Receives Reprimand For Confirmed Election Fraud In Georgia
The action follows a late-2024 investigation launched after Georgia voters reported receiving partially prefilled absentee ballot materials.
New research is fueling election fraud claims promoted by the Republican Party, though the analysis found the fraud was reportedly conducted by America PAC, a group backed by billionaire and X owner Elon Musk.
On Feb. 18, members of the Georgia State Election Board voted to issue a formal reprimand to America PAC over what officials described as an illegal election scheme tied to Musk, The New Republic reports. The action follows a late-2024 investigation launched after Georgia voters reported receiving partially prefilled absentee ballot materials connected to the group.
They found some voter fraud. According to the Georgia State Election Board, Elon Musk's America PAC broke the law by sending pre-filled absentee ballot applications in November 2024 and by failing to make it clear that they were not official government documents.
According to Janice Johnston, vice chair of the Georgia State Election Board, investigators found evidence suggesting that America PAC violated state law by sending voters prefilled absentee ballot applications, which are permitted only for authorized relatives.
Officials also said the materials failed to clearly state they were not official government documents or ballots.
The board quickly voted to issue a formal reprimand to America PAC. The action comes weeks after President Donald Trump claimed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had been present near a federal raid at a Fulton County elections office tied to alleged foreign interference.
The move has only intensified ongoing tensions between state and federal officials over election integrity claims. Together, the developments represent one of the most significant post-2024 election enforcement actions involving a major political donor group.
Poll Shows Jasmine Crockett Could Beat Ken Paxton In Texas Senate Race
New polling shows Jasmine Crockett could beat Republicans in the upcoming Texas Senate general election.
A new poll suggests U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett may have the strongest chance among Democrats to challenge Republicans in Texas’ upcoming U.S. Senate general election.
New polling from Hart Research shows the outspoken Dallas Democrat leading Ken Paxton in a hypothetical general election matchup for the U.S. Senate seat now held by John Cornyn, USA Today reports. Paxton is currently polling ahead of Cornyn in the GOP primary, which could still head to a runoff.
“I’ve been doing the work and fighting on behalf of Texans since before I entered this race,” Crockett said in a statement. “Voters know my leadership and trust me to fight for them. Texas voters are smarter than DC would have you believe. Texans can cut through the noise and won’t be swayed by pundits nor podcasters.”
“I’m up with Latino voters and young people, independents favor me by a double-digit margin, and I am the preferred candidate of working-class voters,” she added. “This is who we need to rebuild our winning democratic coalition.”
Meanwhile, Crockett faces a tight Democratic primary against James Talarico, an Austin lawmaker whose recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert significantly boosted his profile and fundraising. When Talarico appeared on Feb. 16, host Colbert said CBS lawyers advised against airing the interview due to concerns about Trump-era regulators.
Talarico’s campaign reported raising $2.5 million within 24 hours of the segment’s pull. Crockett later told MSNow that the controversy likely gave her rival “the boost he was looking for,” adding that she’s never been invited on Colbert’s show since launching her Senate campaign.
After Talarico’s appearance on Colbert, Crockett said CBS representatives told her the network didn’t block the segment, but that if Talarico appeared, she would need to be offered equal airtime.
“They just said, if you air it, just make sure that you offer the representative equal time. Now, obviously, I wasn’t engaged in that conversation, so I cannot confirm the veracity of any statements,” she said. “But I can confirm that I had never been asked to go on as it relates to kind of talking about the Senate race.”
State Department Urges Americans Stranded In Mexico To ‘Shelter In Place’
In response to the drug lord’s death, violent clashes erupted in the western part of Mexico.
The U.S. State Department is urging Americans in certain areas in Mexico to shelter in place “until further notice” following an outbreak of violence in the Mexican state of Jalisco.
The warning to Americans in Mexico was issued Sunday after the Mexican army killed the powerful leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, also known as “El Mencho.”
In response to the drug lord’s death, violent clashes erupted in the western part of Mexico.
According to Associated Press, burning vehicles blocked roads in Jalisco and other states. Cartel members blocked roads at more than 250 points in at least 20 Mexican states. Blocking roads is a move cartel members use to slow down military operations.
According to the U.S. State Department, Americans in the Western part of Jalisco State, including in Chapala and Guadalajara, should shelter in place. Those in Reynosa and other municipalities in Tamaulipas State, as well as in areas of Michoacan State, Guerrero State, and Nuevo Leon State, should follow suit.
According to State Department officials, Americans should avoid areas around law enforcement activity, be aware of their surroundings, avoid crowds, and follow the directions of local authorities.
White House Confirms U.S. Military Assisted Mexican Army
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on X that the U.S. government provided intelligence support for the operation.
“El Mencho was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland,” she wrote, commending Mexico’s military for its operation.
As the AP reported, the operation signals another priority for Mexican authorities: getting the U.S. military out of the country.
“Ever since President [Claudia] Sheinbaum has been in power, the [Mexican] army has been way more confrontational, combative against criminal groups,” David Mora, analyst for International Crisis Group in Mexico, said.
He added, “This is signaling to the U.S. that if we keep cooperating, sharing intelligence, Mexico can do it. We don’t need U.S. troops on Mexican soil.”
Claressa Shields Remains Undefeated, Scoring Unanimous Decision Over Franchon Crews-Dezurn
Shields record is now 18-0 as Crews-Dezurn falls to 10-3.
Undisputed heavyweight champion Claressa Shields stays undefeated in a very convincing unanimous decision in her home state of Michigan when she beat Franchon Crews-Dezurn at Little Caesars Arena.
According to ESPN, Shields, who has a professional boxing record of 18-0, did not lose any rounds, as the three judges scored the fight 10-9, giving Shields the 100-90 decision. Crews-Dezurn’s record fell to 10-3.
The fight, which took place Feb. 22, was a rematch of both of their professional debuts in 2016, when Shields won a four-round decision in Las Vegas. Although the two are friends, during the fight, it didn’t matter. Their friendship was restored after the match.
Claressa Shields & Franchon Crews-Dezurn didn’t just fight… they went to WAR. But the real knockout moment came AFTER the bell. Claressa looked Franchon dead in her eyes and said, “If I ever hurt you, I’m sorry. I respect you.” Franchon hit her back with, “I love you. You’ll… pic.twitter.com/eSW2x5ZlDp
“I felt like I had to take my time. Franchon hits hard, and she’s tough, and you’ve got to be very tricky with her,” Shields said. “She was trying to cause the upset today and got me with some shots, but Franchon is exactly who she thinks she is — ‘The Heavy Hitting Diva’ — and that’s one of the best fights that I’ve been in at my professional career, especially at 10 rounds. It was fun. I had to watch my ass every round.”
Crews-Dezurn commented and gave the hard-hitting Shields respect after overcoming the self-described G.W.O.A.T.
“She inspires me. She came in at a time where I was dominant and shook the table up,” Crews-Dezurn said. “When I’m seeing her, I’m like, ‘OK, that’s a point I could get to, or that’s somebody who can keep fire under me,’ and it’s never a jealousy thing. I’m proud of her.”
As Shields entered the ring for the boxing match, she walked in with Lil Boosie, who performed his song, “Set It Off.”
Really, Gavin? California Governor Receives Backlash For SAT Comment In Front Of Black Atlanta Crowd
Sometimes you just have to read the room.
California Governor Gavin Newsom drew a crowd—and some criticism—during his Young Man in a Hurry book tour after making a comment about a low SAT score and comparing it to a majority Black crowd in Atlanta.
Newsom sat down with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to give his two cents on how the Democratic party should deal with President Donald Trump and MAGA ahead of the imperative midterm election season.
He encouraged party voters to adjust their tone, saying, “We can learn to be just a little bit more humorous.”
“Sometimes less judgmental. Just let it flow a little bit,” the outspoken governor said.
Perhaps Newsom should have taken his own advice.
During the conversation, Newsom, rumored to be putting in his bid for president in 2028, tried to be relatable to the audience, letting them know, “I am like you. I am no better than you.”
“I’m a 960 SAT guy, and I’m not trying to offend anyone, act all there if you got 940, but literally a 960 SAT guy,” Newsom said.
Then went on to admit that they had never read a speech.
“I cannot read a speech.”
Gov. Newsom to a black crowd in GA: "I am like you. I'm a 960 SAT guy. I can't read." pic.twitter.com/4Gk0WKbIYz
Other users like @milagropress focused on the audience’s reaction. “He’s not like me. I could read by four, have always been in gifted/accelerated programs/courses, & scored well on my ACT and SAT,” she said on X.
“It’s disheartening to listen to a room of black people laugh along to being mocked.”
He’s not like me.
I could read by four, have always been in gifted/accelerated programs/courses, & scored well on my ACT and SAT.
It’s disheartening to listen to a room of black people laugh along to being mocked. https://t.co/JRHhXF69lV
Another news source compared his comments to those of other cringeworthy remarks, like “Poor kids are just as bright as white kids” from former President Joe Biden and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who once said, “Black children don’t know what a computer is.”
However, during a recent CNN interview, Newsom continued the conversation about being dyslexic and how it has shaped his story as a politician, calling it a “freedom” and a “superpower.”
Gavin Newsom on his lifelong struggle with dyslexia: "I do think it's a superpower" pic.twitter.com/7Q0J8d0xks
While he is often celebrated for his continuous pushback against Trump, in particular for leading the Proposition 50 effort for Democrats against Republicans trying to take over Texas, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in terms of social media, Newsom’s campaign has gotten off to a rocky start.
“His 2028 campaign is already COOKED,” @BehizyTweets said.
From GED To CEO: How I’m Making My Own Black History
The author’s story is not unique. It’s the story many LGBTQ+ people share.
Written By Jaymes Black
Malcolm X once said, “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” My pathway to education and leadership has been nonlinear: I dropped out of high school at 17 years old after being outed as a lesbian by a classmate. I left home, faced evictions, and lived in a trailer with no running water.
I worked jobs at McDonalds, Walmart, Whataburger. Then, at 18, I decided to pursue education again. I went to the book store and bought a GED prep book. After studying for about six months, I took the test at a community college in Corpus Christi, and received my GED.
This moment changed everything for me. It was the first “stamp” in my passport. It gave me the confidence I needed to jumpstart the future I so desperately wanted for myself, but never thought was attainable.
It was never for a lack of ambition. For Black folks, particularly LGBTQ+ Black people, unconventional journeys to success are often a symptom of survival.
Statistically speaking, I shouldn’t be here writing this piece. Young LGBTQ+ people who grew up the way I did – bullied, rejected at home, at school, at church – we end up in emergency rooms. We end up unhoused. We end up as names people wish they’d reached out to sooner.
The Trevor Project’s research found that just over one in five (21%) of Black transgender, nonbinary, or questioning young people reported a suicide attempt in the past year, and just over half (51%) seriously considered suicide. Alarmingly, 40% of LGBTQ+ young people reported a history of food insecurity, houselessness, or unmet basic needs, which are all associated with increased likelihood of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. That statistic used to be me.
Unfortunately, my story is not unique. It’s the story many LGBTQ+ people share. It’s the story many of our youth are living today. More than one in 10 LGBTQ+ students in the U.S. are projected to drop out of school at some point, according to researchers at Theirworld. That number is more than twice the national average.
At 21 years old, I left my small town in Texas – a place where I was told daily that I wasn’t enough. Not smart enough. Not good enough. I arrived in Dallas with $70 and a bag. I had no money. No real plan, other than hoping like hell my aunt would allow me to live with her. I arrived on her doorstep, unannounced, around 10 p.m. My head sank in shame. Although she was not happy to see me, she opened her home.
Dallas gave me my first real chance to rebuild. I started at the bottom, answering calls at a high-volume IT help desk, and learned quickly that survival had prepared me in ways I hadn’t recognized. I knew how to adapt. I knew how to listen.
One promotion led to another. Analyst became team lead, team lead became manager, manager became director, and so on. In rooms where no one looked like me, I learned how to hold my own – even when I was still learning how to believe I belonged there.
At age 36, I finished my bachelor’s degree while working as an IT manager. Then, six years later, my wife and I jointly pursued and finished our MBAs together at 41 and 33 – all while raising two-year-old twin boys. I was filling up pages on my passport that I didn’t even know existed.
After more than two decades in corporate America, I had stability. I had success. On paper, I had “made it.” But the pandemic forced stillness. In that stillness, I realized I had spent much of my life outrunning my past. I had built a career, but I hadn’t yet built alignment between my work and my purpose. I didn’t just want to succeed. I wanted my story to matter to someone other than me.
That clarity led me to the nonprofit sector, where I became President and CEO of Family Equality, a national organization working to protect LGBTQ+ families. Leading that fight was deeply personal, especially because my wife and I had faced discrimination when we were trying to start our own family.
Even in my 50s, I’m still making history. I am the first Black, nonbinary CEO of The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. I have the honor of leading an organization that is on the front lines of building a brighter future for LGBTQ+ youth. An organization that I needed growing up.
For me, education was never about proving I was smart. I was never a bad student, I just had bad circumstances. I have always been a natural learner. But when I entered corporate America, I quickly realized how far behind I felt, compared to my peers. Education helped me feel equal at the table.
Then, when I became a parent, my motivation shifted. It was no longer just about career acceleration. It was about setting an example. When I walked across the stage with my wife, earning our MBAs, I wanted our boys to see that growth doesn’t stop. That learning doesn’t expire. That it is never too late to bet on yourself.
Even now, as CEO of a nationally recognized organization, I ask myself: Where are my gaps? How can I become a better leader for my staff and the LGBTQ+ youth who depend on us?
I was recently accepted into Oxford’s Strategic Leadership program – one of just 40 global participants. It begins in May.
I will travel to England for six days of long and intense sessions lasting until the evenings, missing family dinner conversations, football with my kids, and date night with my wife. Thankfully, both my educational passport and my physical one have prepared me for this next destination.
Black history is often something we talk about in the past tense. But it isn’t confined to textbooks or a single month on the calendar. Black history is actively being made every day: by the first Black student in a family to graduate college, or the first Black homeowner building generational wealth.
From GED to CEO, I am making my own Black history.
And I am committed to making sure the next generation of Black LGBTQ+ young people have passports of their own – ones they never have to fight this hard to use.
Jaymes Black (they/she/he pronouns) is the CEO at The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. He oversees the organization’s 24/7crisis services, research, education, advocacy, and peer support programs. They are The Trevor Project’s first Black nonbinary lesbian CEO.
No Shock Here: 47% Call Trump Racist; The Real Surprise? Half The Country Doesn’t
Twenty-four percent of respondents argued that the racist label 'does not fit,' with a third having 'no opinion on the matter.'
A new survey has unveiled how half of America really thinks of President Trump.
The survey’s findings detailed that nearly a majority of U.S. citizens think Trump has some prejudiced ways. According toThe Hill, a poll published by The Economist/YouGov revealed 47% of survey participants agreed “racist” was an accurate label for the U.S. President.
The poll was conducted during the Valentine’s Day weekend, with over 1,600 participants’ responses recorded. While nearly half of the survey participants would agree that Trump exhibits racist behavior, only a few described otherwise. Contrarily, only 24% argued that the racist label “does not fit,” with a third having “no opinion on the matter.”
The findings, however, would likely not shock those who remember his aggressions toward Black political figures. The results come shortly after the President received backlash for posting a video clip that depicted former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
As the video spread beyond political arenas, even one Black GOP official denounced the imagery. Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina called the matter “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.”
However, Trump’s apparent racism has targeted Black people, especially women, before. Trump has been under a spotlight for his direct slander toward Black women, whether it be journalists or political opponents.
Previously covered on BLACK ENTERPRISE, Trump biographer Michael Wolf documented the President’s history of bashing Black women. In his analysis, he argued that Trump seeks to attack Black women who undermine his power, constantly critiquing their integrity and aptitude for their high-profile jobs.
From Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to New York Attorney General Letitia James, Trump has taken a racially obnoxious approach to his attacks on these Black women. However, Black people are not the only ones facing the brunt of Trump’s prejudices, which include those of Chinese descent.
A study from the Committee of 100 and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago also found that 54% of respondents feel Trump’s words toward Chinese people negatively impact the demographic. Now, these surveys’ findings also prove that Americans have taken notice of his treatment of nonwhite people, which also extends to other communities.
Lawmakers Push Investigation Of 230 Black Boys’ Deaths In Maryland Mass Graves
The Prince George’s County cemetery holds Black children who died at the post–Civil War House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children.
Nearly six months after state leaders toured an overgrown burial ground tied to a segregated juvenile detention center, Maryland lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at uncovering how hundreds of Black boys died while in state custody.
The cemetery, located on state-owned property in Prince George’s County, holds the remains of Black children who were confined at the former House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, which operated in the decades following the Civil War. Many of the graves, rediscovered in recent years, were marked only by cinder blocks.
“How did so many children die in state custody? What were the conditions that led to their deaths? Were signs ignored?” Del. Jeffrie E. Long Jr. (D-Calvert) asked during a recent hearing before the House Government, Labor and Elections Committee.
Long is sponsoring a bill that would establish a commission, led by the Maryland attorney general, to investigate the facility’s history and the circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths. The proposed panel would include descendants of those who were incarcerated at the school, as well as appointees selected by state and local officials, including the Maryland General Assembly and Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy.
According to Long, the commission would collaborate with specialists to conduct archaeological surveys, forensic testing, and historical research, while also engaging with families. The group would review state policies and institutional practices that may have contributed to the deaths.
“Let’s be very clear. These weren’t just any graves. They were neglected children by the state of Maryland,” Long told The Washington Post. He added that the legislation would allow for memorials, reburials, and educational initiatives so the story becomes “a part of shared understanding and accountability.”
A Washington Post investigation last year revealed that at least 230 children died at the facility between 1870 and 1939 — a figure significantly higher than earlier estimates. Research uncovered more than 100 death certificates, contemporary newspaper accounts, and archival records indicating that many boys may have endured abuse or neglect.
The Maryland Legislative Black Caucus visited the site in September and pledged action. While earlier drafts of the bill called for an independent investigation, Long said the structure was revised to place the attorney general’s office in charge, citing its experience with similar commissions and concerns about cost.
Although some lawmakers initially questioned whether the state could adequately investigate itself, no opposition testimony was presented at the recent hearing. A companion bill in the Senate also outlines the attorney general’s leadership role.
In the meantime, restoration efforts have begun. The Department of Juvenile Services secured $31,000 in grant funding, and Gov. Wes Moore has proposed allocating an additional $250,000 in the state budget.
Betsy Fox Tolentino, acting secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, voiced support for the legislation. “The institution operated during a deeply segregationist period and investigating its conditions, practices and deaths is a moral and civic responsibility,” she said. “Proper memorialization, education and respectful treatment of the burial sites are essential steps toward accountability and community healing.”
How ‘AI Replacement Dysfunction’ Is Stressing Out The Workforce
While there have only been a few job cuts as a result of AI taking over, it doesn't stop the workforce from feeling a way, causing AIRD to develop.
Researchers have penned a new term for employees anxious about losing their jobs to AI: “AI replacement dysfunction,” Gizmodo reports.
The term “AIRD” is defined as a “new, proposed clinical construct describing the psychological and existential distress that could be experienced by individuals facing the threat or reality of job displacement due to artificial intelligence.”
A new poll from Reuters/Ipsos found 71% of employees admit to being concerned about AI putting “too many people out of work permanently.” Data from Pew Research revealed more than half of Americans are worried about how AI will impact the workplace and their jobs, with lower- and middle-class workers strongly believing AI will make things worse for job prospects in the future.
While there have been only a few job cuts as a result of artificial intelligence taking over, it doesn’t stop the workforce from feeling a way, which has led to the development of AIRD. And some mental health effects are attributed to it, with symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, and depression. It also leads to identity confusion, causing reflection on “deeper fears about relevance, purpose, and future employability.”
Experts like clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Florida, Joseph Thornton, label AI displacement as “an invisible disaster,” which commonly affects mental health. “As with other disasters that affect mental health, effective responses must extend beyond the clinician’s office to include community support and collaborative partnerships that foster recovery,” Thornton said, according to Futurism.
There is a narrative and some studies that have revealed AI could eliminate a number of entry-level white-collar jobs, adding to the heightened fear. In addition to early-career workers already having a hard time finding jobs due to the economic downturn, another reason could be that several companies are ditching human labor in favor of software.
And it doesn’t help that some of the industry-leading developers, like Microsoft’s AI CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, continue to support. Suleyman once said that AI could potentially automate “most, if not all,” white-collar tasks within a short timespan—like a year and a half.
But it seems to be happening already. Co-lead author of an article touching on the dangers of AIRD and the term’s creator, Stephanie McNamara, said the term came about due to the alarming rise in AI-induced layoffs in 2025. “It made me think about the mental health impacts it is going to have on society,” the psychology student at the University of Florida said. One report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas cited more than 54,000 layoffs in 2025 due to AI.
And layoffs have carried into 2026.
CoStar Group, a real estate analytics and marketing company headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, announced a workforce reduction and the integration of AI technologies. The move, described as a way to “accelerate revenue growth and operational efficiencies,” will affect 120 roles.
