by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 21, 2026

50 Cent Appeals Loss In $1M Fight Over Ex Shaniqua Tompkins’ Life Rights

This comes after a judge denied his attempt to secure a $1 million default judgment against the mother of his 28-year-old son, Shaniqua Tompkins, in a dispute over the rights to her life story.

By Robert Hill

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson filed an appeal in a New York court after a judge denied his attempt to secure a $1 million default judgment against the mother of his 28-year-old son, Shaniqua Tompkins, in a dispute over the rights to her life story.

The appeal comes after a New York judge ruled that Jackson’s company, G-Unit Books, did not properly serve Tompkins with the legal documents. The documents were tied to a lawsuit alleging that she violated a 2007 agreement granting exclusive rights to her life story. If the appellate court overturns that decision, Jackson could move forward with his claim that Tompkins breached the deal.

Justice Robert R. Reed’s decision focused on whether Tompkins had been properly served with legal documents. The court found that G-Unit Books failed to prove that she received notice of the lawsuit, a prerequisite to enter a default judgment.

Judge Reed issued the ruling because Tompkins did not receive the legal documents, as they were sent to addresses where she had never lived. She stated that she only learned of the lawsuit after reporters contacted her.

As reported by VIBE, “The underlying dispute dates back to a 2007 agreement in which Tompkins allegedly ‘irrevocably and exclusively’ sold the rights to her life story. Under the terms of that deal, she reportedly agreed that ‘she would not publicly disclose, exploit, or otherwise commercialize any aspect of her life story or related rights.’”

Jackson filed a $1 million lawsuit, claiming that Tompkins posted online stories about him after he signed the rights to her life story, in violation of the agreement. Tompkins was sued for breaching the contract.

Jackson purchased the rights for use in future projects, while also aiming to prevent Tompkins from monetizing his name. Tompkins, however, stated that she was forced to agree to the terms of the deal.

As reported by AllHipHop, “Tompkins’ defense is solid, too. She’s arguing the 2007 life-rights agreement wasn’t voluntary and that she signed it under duress, with threats and intimidation from 50 Cent and his late manager Chris Lighty.”

The appeal now leaves the dispute’s future in the appellate court’s hands, as both sides continue to battle over control of Tompkins’ story and the financial rights tied to it.

DOJ, Breonna Taylor, charges, Louisville

by Kandiss Edwards

March 21, 2026

DOJ Moves To Clear Officers Accused Of Falsifying Warrant In Breonna Taylor Case

This decision follows years of legal losses for the prosecution’s case.

Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to dismiss all remaining charges against the Louisville officers accused of falsifying the search warrant that led to the fatal 2020 raid on Breonna Taylor’s home.

The Department of Justice filed the motion on March 20, according to an Associated Press report. Federal prosecutors are moving to drop the cases against former Detective Joshua Jaynes and former Sgt. Kyle Meany “with prejudice.” This would permanently bar the government from reviving these specific charges in the future.

This decision follows years of legal losses for the prosecution’s case. U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson twice reduced the original felony civil rights charges to misdemeanors. Judge Simpson ruled that the alleged falsified warrant was not the “proximate cause” of Taylor’s death. In his August 2024 decision, Simpson concluded that the chain of events was legally disrupted when Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a shot at officers entering the apartment. This ruling effectively shielded Meany and Jaynes from the most severe federal penalties. The ruling left the DOJ with only misdemeanor “color-of-law” violations to pursue.

The move has drawn sharp condemnation from Breonna Taylor’s family and their legal representatives. In a Facebook post, Tamika Palmer, Taylor’s mother, expressed profound betrayal following a phone call from the Justice Department.

According to CBS News, attorney Ben Crump released a statement, stating that the dismissal strips away the final “scraps of justice” and undermines the message that Black lives are protected under the law.

Meany and Jaynes may walk away without accountability, and another individual may be convicted in connection with the raid. Former officer Brett Hankison was sentenced to 33 months for excessive force and is currently serving time. However, the DOJ’s recent request for his release during his appeal has sparked tension in the Louisville community. A hearing to finalize the dismissal of charges against Jaynes and Meany is currently scheduled for April 3, potentially closing the door on federal criminal accountability for the officers who initiated the raid six years ago.

by Kandiss Edwards

March 21, 2026

Cardi B Goes All In On ‘Zero Fake’: Rap Star Joins Zevia As Investor And Ambassador

Cardi B is now the face of Zevia’s natural, zero-sugar mission.

Grammy-winning artist and entrepreneur Cardi B has joined Zevia as a shareholder and brand ambassador.

In a March 20 press release, Zevia announced the new partnership. The campaign leans on authenticity, promoting its drinks with the tagline “Zero Fake, Zero Sugar.” Cardi B’s reputation for giving unfiltered and humorous reactions seemingly makes her more than suitable for the partnership.

For Cardi B, the move is more than a standard endorsement. It is a strategic investment in the health and wellness space. Known for her “keep it real” persona, Cardi B is now the face of Zevia’s natural, zero-sugar mission. The brand aims to make the cleaner hydration drink culturally relevant to Cardi’s global audience.

“I’ve always been about being real with my fans, and that includes what I put in my body,” Cardi B stated during the launch. “I love soda, but I don’t love the junk. Zevia is zero sugar and plant-based, but it actually tastes good. We’re bringing that ‘Radical Realness’ to the world—no additives, no fake energy, just the real me and the real Zevia.”

Cardi B bags another massive deal with Zevia Soda as their brand Ambassador and shareholder while on SOLD OUT tour 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZYcQTX3pHV
— Red Media (@RedMedia_us) March 20, 2026

Cardi B’s first major activation as a shareholder kicks off with the “Little Miss Drama Tour,” where Zevia serves as the lead sponsor for her record-breaking, sold-out tour. This integration goes beyond simple signage. Zevia is dedicated to serving the “UP” rapper’s fanbase by promoting ticket giveaways and interactive on-site activations specifically designed for the “Bardi Gang.”

“In a world full of fakes and artificial choices, Zevia stands for doing things the real way,” said Kirsten Suarez, chief marketing officer of Zevia. “Cardi B is unapologetically confident, says what she means, and never waters herself down, all qualities that mirror how we think about our ingredients and our brand. Together, we’re excited to show people that better-for-you doesn’t have to be boring, niche, or overcomplicated.”

Behind the scenes, Cardi B is taking an active role in the brand’s creative direction. The fashionista and Zevia shareholder is slated to collaborate directly with Zevia’s leadership team to influence future flavor innovations and visual storytelling.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 21, 2026

Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson Expected To Re-Sign For $1.4M Annual Salary

The WNBA champion is expected to sign for the newly agreed supermax deal.

Shortly after an announcement that the WNBA and its players agreed on a tentative collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Las Vegas Aces player A’ja Wilson will be among the first to re-sign with a team on a supermax deal.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Wilson, along with approximately 80% of the league’s players, is a free agent. After the CBA is certified by the players and then by the WNBA, teams may sign players, and Wilson has reportedly agreed to stay with Las Vegas.

Aces star A’ja Wilson is expected to re-sign on the historic new WNBA supermax salary of $1.4 million as soon as possible, sources told the Review-Journal.
DETAILS: https://t.co/CMym3dbBNJ pic.twitter.com/99QVt8hWru
— Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) March 19, 2026

The four-time league MVP is expected to make $1.4 million annually based on the terms of the just-negotiated CBA.

Wilson, who is considered among the top, if not the top, players in the league, signed a two-year extension in 2023 that paid her an annual salary of only $200,000, despite her accolades. She wasn’t even making the supermax, which was $249,000 for the season, under the last CBA.

Wilson is the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win the league scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in the same season. She also joined NBA Hall of Famer and NBA champion Bill Russell as the only other player to win three MVPs and three championships within four seasons.

USA Today reported that, under the new CBA, the WNBA salary cap increases to $7 million, up from $1.5 million last season. The revenue share also increases to nearly 20% for the players, up from the reported 9.3% from the previous CBA. Under the latest agreement, the supermax annual salary for a player is now $1.4 million, and the expected average salary is in the range of $600,000, with the minimum yearly pay above $300,000. The agreement isn’t fully finalized yet. The latest agreement prevents the WNBA from locking out its players for the upcoming season, which is scheduled to start May 8, provided there are no hiccups in getting the CBA signed by both parties.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 21, 2026

Ye Reaches Settlement In ‘Vultures 1’ Sample Dispute With Memphis Artists

The parties have 'reached a settlement agreement in principle resolving all claims between them.'

A copyright infringement lawsuit filed against the artist formerly known as Kanye West, Ye, has been settled by the recording artists who accused him of sampling one of their songs for use in his 2024 project, Vultures 1.

According to Hot 97, the song “Fuk Sumn” that appeared on a collaborative album that Ye did with Ty Dolla $ign, had allegedly unlawfully sampled a song, “Drink a Yak (Part 2)” by Criminal Manne (Vanda Watkins), DJ Squeeky (Hayward Ivy), and Kilo G (Robert L. Johnson Jr.). The “Drink a Yak (Part 2)” artists accused the music producer of failing to obtain permission to use the song, but have recently settled the dispute with Ye.

Before taking the producer to court, a West representative had reportedly tried to clear the sample but did not follow up, as the song was used without an agreement in place.

“After numerous unsuccessful attempts at resolving this matter directly with the responsible parties, plaintiffs have been left with no other method of recourse than to bring this cause of action,” attorneys for the producers wrote.

On March 18, the agreement was in place as both sides stated that they had “reached a settlement agreement in principle resolving all claims between them.” There was no information regarding the terms and payout, if any.

The news comes on the heels of a recent announcement that Ye is releasing his latest project, BULLY. After it was reported that the album would be out on March 20, recent postings have displayed a March 27 release date. It’s been common for Ye to announce release dates and then change them, as he has with his last few albums. It has been reported that the album will navigate themes of “remorse, memory, ego, faith, and consequence.”

This upcoming release will be the controversial artist’s 12th studio album.

https://twitter.com/ComplexMusic/status/2031194951804137710

RELATED CONTENT: Kanye Faces Trial Over Malibu Renovation Dispute As Judge Issues Strict Courtroom Dress Code

by Kandiss Edwards

March 21, 2026

Angie Stone’s Children Aim To Sell Singer’s Atlanta Home Due To Financial Burdens

The singer's children, Diamond Stone and Michael Archer II, are reportedly spearheading the sale to alleviate the mounting financial pressure of property taxes, insurance, and high-end upkeep.

One year after R&B icon Angie Stone died, her children have reportedly begun the process of selling her metro Atlanta home.

The singer’s children, Diamond Stone and Michael Archer II, are reportedly spearheading the sale to alleviate the mounting financial pressure of property taxes, insurance, and high-end upkeep. According to Eurweb, the family is facing significant “heavy mortgage bills and ongoing costs” that have become unsustainable in the wake of the singer’s passing. Before her death in March 2025, Stone had publicly shared her struggles with recovering unpaid royalties from her 40-year career. Unfortunately, her children will have to continue the fight on her behalf.

https://twitter.com/esegbona_luis/status/2028533586752623080

The sale of the singer’s residence marks a reasonable next step the management of her estate. The decision to downsize arrives as Diamond Stone and Michael Archer II pursue a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the parties they hold responsible for the March 2025 tragedy.

The complaint names the van driver, the trucking company, and the vehicle manufacturers as the parties responsible for Stone’s death. Diamond and Archer II allege a series of catastrophic failures that led to the singer’s death. According to the Associated Press, Angie Stone initially survived the rollover of her Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van on Interstate 65. The lawsuit claims she was attempting to escape the disabled vehicle when it was struck at full speed by a tractor-trailer. The plaintiffs argue that the truck’s driver was distracted by headphones and that a “defective” collision-avoidance system failed to detect the stationary van or engage the brakes.

By liquidating the Atlanta property, the family aims to alleviate the immediate “overwhelming costs” of the estate. The clearing of the financial hurdle will hopefully allow them to redirect their resources toward the ongoing litigation, as well as navigate the recovery of millions in alleged unpaid royalties Stone claimed she was owed. For Stone’s children, the sale is a necessary step to ensure that while her home may change hands, her legal right to justice and her musical legacy remain protected.

by Kandiss Edwards

March 21, 2026

No More Wild Fits: Houston Rodeo Tightens Dress Code After Viral Backlash

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo drilled down on its new dress code for all patrons, effective immediately.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) drilled down on its new dress code for all patrons, effective immediately.

The policy change was announced by the organization March 17 as the final week for the 2026 season commences. New guidelines follow a wave of social media backlash regarding inappropriate attire and a series of security incidents that forced an early closure of the carnival grounds earlier this month.

Rodeo officials emphasized that the updates to the Guest Code of Conduct are designed to preserve the event’s nearly 100-year legacy as a “family-friendly” environment. The move comes after viral videos on TikTok and Instagram sparked a city-wide debate over the increasingly adult tone of the rodeo, with many attendees calling for clearer boundaries on acceptable clothing.

Under the revised guidelines, HLSR reserves the right to deny entry or remove any individual wearing clothing that “detracts from the experience of other guests.” The specific prohibitions include obscene material, gang related apparel, and face coverings. However, to explicitly address the risqué aspects of rodeo attire, the HLSR drilled down on specifics.

“Appropriate for the HLSR Show grounds includes, but is not limited to, clothing with objectionable material
(including obscene language or graphics), excessively torn cloth, visible undergarments, and/or clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment.”

Supporters argue the rules are necessary to maintain decorum. In a statement, the organization said the atmosphere of the event is centered around family.

“This is a family-friendly event,” said HLSR leadership, according to Click2Houston. “We’ve had more concerns, complaints, and questions about the dress code this year than in previous years, and we felt we had to clarify our stance.”

The 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is scheduled to conclude on March 22.

RELATED CONTENT: Essence Festival Of Culture Unveils 2026 Lineup

Trump, approval polls, immigration policies

by Mitti Hicks

March 21, 2026

Wrecking Ball Politics: New Global Study Finds Trump Torched Democratic Norms At Record Pace

V-Dem, an institute at Sweden's University of Gothenburg, has lowered the country's democracy ranking from 20 to 51 out of 179 countries.

Three major reports have found that President Donald Trump has damaged American democracy at a remarkable speed since returning to office.

In a report from V-Dem, an institute at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg, researchers concluded that democracy in America has deteriorated so much that it has lowered the country’s democracy ranking from 20 to 51 out of 179 countries. The United States now resides between Slovakia and Greece.

Bright Line Watch’s survey of over 500 U.S. scholars concluded that the U.S. system now falls between a liberal democracy and a dictatorship. In a report from Freedom House, a D.C.-based democracy think tank, researchers said that among free countries, the U.S. joined Bulgaria and Italy in registering the largest declines in political rights and civil liberties last year, according to NPR.

“The developments in the United States are moving towards dictatorship, [which] the founders wanted to avoid,” Staffan Lindberg, founding director of V-Dem, told NPR. “It’s the most rapid decline ever in the history of the United States and one of the most rapid in the world.”

The White House Pushes Back On The Reports

White House Spokeswoman Olivia Wales dismissed V-Dem’s analysis, describing the report as “a ridiculous claim made by an irrelevant, blatantly biased organization.”

V-Dem, which stands for Varieties of Democracy, collected analysis from more than 4,000 scholars, which is the largest of its kind.

Wales added Trump is a champion of freedom and democracy and the most transparent and accessible president ever. “His return to the White House saved the legacy media from going out of business,” Wales told NPR.

According to Lindberg, V-Dem downgraded America’s rating on several factors, including the Trump administration’s prioritization of executive power, overstepping the law, and attacks on the news media and freedom of speech. What’s most striking for the political scientist is the speed at which Trump has implemented the changes.

“Under the Trump administration, democracy has been rolled back as much during just one year as it took Modi in India and Erdogan in Turkey 10 years to accomplish, and Orban in Hungary four years,” he added.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 21, 2026

Kenya’s Capital Gives Women 2 Days Off Per Month For Menstrual Pain

County government employees in Nairobi are welcoming a new policy that grants them two days off each month to manage their menstrual health.

County government employees in Nairobi, Kenya, are welcoming a newly passed policy that grants them two days off each month to manage the pain and discomfort of menstruation.

The policy went into effect in December 2025 after the county governor and his cabinet ministers discussed a colleague’s menstrual pain, the Associated Press reports. Since its passing, advocates say these policies have helped menstruation become a legitimate workplace health issue.

“The feedback we have gotten, especially from the staff that work in public service management, is that it’s very refreshing. And when they come back, they are able to work even better,” said Nairobi County Human Resource Manager Janet Opiata.

The move is already drawing comparisons to Zambia, the only African country with a nationwide menstrual leave law allowing one day off per month without a doctor’s note. Japan was the first country to introduce menstrual leave in 1947, with Spain among the most recent in 2023. Other countries with similar policies include Indonesia and South Korea.

There has been little public pushback, though some critics argue the policy could discourage employers from hiring women. Governor Johnson Sakaja, who led the initiative and oversees a workforce of more than 18,000 employees—over half of them women—disagrees, saying women perform better when they are properly supported.

“A lot of labor policies were written many years ago by men,” the governor said. “Women’s rights are not anti-productivity—they are an input that creates productivity. It’s actually an investment in your workforce.”

Women currently head Nairobi County’s business and health departments, and Sakaja said the policy will have no financial impact since roles are supported by multiple staff members.

“It will not be a train smash if three or four people in a department are not there for a day or two,” he said.

The governor noted that Kenya’s national government and other county leaders are closely watching how the policy unfolds.

“Your biggest asset is your staff,” said Sakaja. “It starts with dignifying your own staff, for them to feel that they’re respected and dignified.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 20, 2026

Planned Parenthood, EEOC Settle For $500K Amid Allegations Of Different Treatment Toward White Employees

The EEOC has spearheaded efforts to stand up for discrimination against white employees, using the historic legislation, created to protect Black Americans after witnessing egregious atrocities against them, as a ploy.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will stop an investigation into Planned Parenthood of Illinois after settling for $500,000 in a lawsuit accusing the Planned Parenthood Federation of America affiliate of discrimination against white employees with DEI efforts, NPR reported.

The federal agency, led by chair Andrea Lucas, claimed Planned Parenthood of Illinois violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 amid claims it “segregated employees by race, subjected white employees to harassment, and engaged in disparate treatment against white employees regarding terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.”

The investigation started after a number of employees said they were required to attend “affinity caucuses” sessions, segregated by race, or DEI-related training sessions that “involved repeated harassing and derogatory statements targeting white employees, including that they ‘are White and do not feel racism the same way non-White patients feel,’” on an alleged weekly basis.

In a statement, Lucas said segregating employees by race violates “the core promise of our nation’s civil rights laws.”

“Title VII guarantees equal treatment for every employee and prohibits race discrimination in America’s workplaces,” she said, according to the Chicago Tribune.

To seemingly put the allegations to rest, the affiliate president and CEO, Adrienne White-Faines, released a statement acknowledging the settlement, noting that the training sessions took place under past leadership.

“In the time since this complaint was filed, and since I came on board as President and CEO in 2025, I have overseen significant change at the organization, including across the leadership team,” White-Faines wrote.

“[Planned Parenthood of Illinois] has now come to an agreement with the EEOC about a path forward that will allow us to put this matter behind us and continue providing critical health care services to our valued patients from Illinois and across the country.”

The EEOC has spearheaded efforts to stand up for discrimination against white employees, using the historic legislation created to protect Black Americans after witnessing egregious atrocities against them, as a ploy.

“Those protections equally apply to white workers,” Lucas continued in her statement.

In late 2025, she released a call to action video for more white men to come forward with workplace discrimination claims. The video was supported by Vice President JD Vance, who, before posting, had shared an article titled “The Evil of DEI and Its Consequences.”

But it seems the agency is really pushing for corporations and nonprofits to remember their obligations under the landmark civil rights law and new legislation.

The Trump Administration has made several attempts to pull funding from Planned Parenthood organizations for some care practices after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July, included a provision keeping federal Medicaid dollars from being spent on specific reproductive health care providers that perform abortions.

The EEOC event followed their investigation of Nike, one of the biggest supporters of Black athletes. With unidentified claims, the agency launched an investigation into “NIKE’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-related 2025 Targets and other DEI-related objectives.”