Black American Cancer Patient Loses SSI Benefits After Feds Question Her Citizenship
Ramona Rakestra is fighting for the return of her Supplemental Security Income after the government claimed she is not a natural-born citizen.
A Dallas woman, Ramona Rakestraw, is fighting for the return of her Supplemental Security Income (SSI) after the government claimed she is not a natural-born citizen.
Rakestraw, who is battling cancer and kidney disease, says the federal government wrongly stopped her SSI after questioning her U.S. citizenship. Rakestraw is a lifelong Texan who said she relied on SSI payments as her primary source of income while undergoing treatment for kidney disease and cancer.
Rakestraw’s benefits were abruptly halted in October 2025 after the Social Security Administration informed her that her immigration status was under review, she told Fox 4. However, the Dallas resident says she was born at Parkland Hospital in Dallas and has never lived outside the United States. Furthermore, the 59-year-old asserts she has never even left Dallas County.
“I’m not an immigrant,” she said. “I’ve never even left Dallas County — let alone the country.”
59-year-old Ramona Rakestraw says her SSI was stopped after her immigration status was “under review," despite reportedly never leaving the U.S. When a Dallas-born resident battling kidney disease and cancer is told she is “not lawfully present,” something is deeply wrong! No one… pic.twitter.com/b54PLfS0NW
In a letter to Rakestraw, the SSI administration wrote, “We cannot pay you benefits because you are not lawfully present in the U.S.” Rakestraw provided her birth certificate and government identification to SSA representatives at a local office as part of her effort to resolve the issue.
In her early 20s, Rakestraw battled kidney disease, which led to her receiving a transplant. She has been dependent on benefits since. Before her citizenship was in question, she received both Social Security and Medicaid Part B benefits. While her Medicare Part B was later restored, the SSI payments remained stopped.
After Rakestraw spoke to Fox 4, the outlet reached out to the SSI administration. Due to privacy concerns, no information was given about her specific grievance, though employees said they would reach out to her regarding the matter. Subsequently, it was reported that Rakestraw’s benefits would resume, though there is no word on why they were denied in the first place.
Jamaican Bobsleigh Team Looks to Heat Up 2026 Winter Olympics
"We’re basically rewriting history."
Nearly 40 years after the first Jamaican bobsleigh team debuted at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, inspiring the 1994 hit movie, Cool Runnings, the team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, is looking to build on that foundation.
“What happened in the 1988 Games, where Jamaica competed at their first Olympics, that was like a start for the future for us, so that’s still like a motivation to us, and we take that with us every day,” pilot Shane Pitter said, according to Blavity. “It’s kind of an extra motivation to do better than the last team and the last team before; we really work hard.”
The Jamaican team consists of women’s monobob Mica Moore. Pitter, along with push athletes Andrae Dacres, Junior Harris, Tyquendo Tracey, and Joel Fearon, compete in the two-man and four-man sleds throughout the Winter Games.
Expectations are high. Last November, the team won the four-man gold at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton North American Cup in in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. It was the country’s first gold medal at an international bobsleigh race.
“We’re basically rewriting history,” Harris said. “If you guys remember the movie quite well, what we’re doing now—the victories and the popularity that we’re getting right now, it’s basically like in the movie, and we’re just rewriting it in real life.”
The Jamaican team is still reeling from Hurricane Melissa, which occurred in October.
“A lot of people haven’t yet recovered from Hurricane Melissa, and because they’re not like recovered, that’s still a motivation for me heading into the Games to just work harder and harder and relieve some spirits that are being broken from the hurricane,” Pitter said.
They also want to show the world, once again, that a team from sunny Jamaica can excel at a winter sport.
Beyond Major Metros: Discover The Black History and Economic Power Of Providence, Lancaster, And Buffalo
Black History Month often centers on America’s largest cities. But smaller and mid-size cities have plenty to offer.
Black History Month often centers on America’s largest cities. But some of the most powerful, under-told stories of African American resilience, innovation, and institution-building unfold in smaller Northeastern destinations.
This year, Providence, RI, Lancaster, PA, and Buffalo, NY, offer story-rich experiences that connect past and present through museums, music, storytelling, and preservation—and they are part of a broader economic trend that shows the financial impact of Black cultural travel.
African American travelers are among the most influential segments of the U.S. tourism economy. A national study by Mandala Research found that African American travelers contributed an estimated $63 billion to the U.S. travel and tourism economy in 2018, and “cultural travelers”—those motivated by history and experience—spent more per trip than general travelers.
Providence, Lancaster, and Buffalo illustrate how Black heritage travel can serve as both a lens into history and a driver of economic opportunity for smaller destinations.
Source: Edward Bannister. Photo Credit: GOPVD
Providence, RI: A New Chapter in Black Cultural Preservation — and Economic Invitation
Black History Month in Providence enters a powerful new era with the opening of the African American Museum of Rhode Island (AAMRI), a cultural milestone that underscores how heritage institutions can enhance tourism appeal. This opening, along with active storytelling, arts, and community programming, directly targets travelers who make travel decisions based on cultural and historical significance.
The museum joins a robust ecosystem that includes Rhode Island Black Storytellers, Stages of Freedom, and a vibrant arts scene centered at AS220 — all of which enhance Providence’s appeal as a cultural travel destination.
“Providence is proud to be a city where Black history is actively shaped by Black creativity, ingenuity, and community,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley, underscoring the cultural and economic value of these investments.
Often associated with Amish country, Lancaster’s heritage narrative extends to courageous acts of resistance that helped shape the nation. Lancaster County’s role in the Underground Railroad makes it a powerful draw for heritage travelers.
The forthcoming Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History & Democracy will add a new institutional anchor that heritage travelers—particularly those drawn to stories of African American resilience—will find meaningful, providing a reason to visit.
“Visitors can explore Black history in Lancaster County through heritage tours and performances,” says Jeff Vasser, president & CEO of Discover Lancaster. Experiences like these align with broader research showing that cultural heritage is not just a historical asset but an economic one.
Source: Michigan Ave Corridor, Buffalo, New York. Photo Credit: Stephen Gabris- Courtesy of Visit Buffalo Niagara
Buffalo, NY: Revitalizing a Historic Corridor with Economic Momentum
In the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, a host of new and restored institutions is making Buffalo an increasingly active heritage travel destination—with economic implications.
The reopening of the Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum, the restoration of Michigan Street Baptist Church, and the creation of the WUFO Black Radio History Museum are all part of this revitalization.
Beyond static sites, Buffalo’s cultural tourism is already driving economic impact: the Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo—one of the nation’s longest-running celebrations — helped drive record visitor spending estimated at $2.2 billion in 2022, with a significant portion supporting local food vendors and Black-owned businesses.
“Buffalo has so much to offer during Black History Month,” says Lillie Wiley-Upshaw, Chair of the Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition.
Reframing Black History Month Through Smaller Cities and Economic Reality
These cities demonstrate that Black history is not confined to major metropolitan narratives—and that heritage travel itself has substantial economic value. African American travelers contribute billions annually to the U.S. travel economy, and cultural experiences are among the strongest motivators for destination choice.
This Black History Month, the invitation is clear: look beyond the obvious and recognize how smaller destinations contribute to America’s cultural economy while offering profound, transformative stories worth exploring and celebrating.
Jesse Jackson Will Have Funeral Services In Chicago, D.C., And South Carolina
The civil rights icon died Feb. 17. He was 84.
The late Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.’s non-profit organization, The Rainbow PUSH Coalition organization, has released the schedule for the civil right icon’s public services.
Jackson, 84, died on Feb. 17.
He will lie in state Feb. 25 and 26 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago. Doors will open each morning at 10 a.m. A public memorial known as “The People’s Celebration” is planned March 6 at the 10,000-seat House of Hope, followed by a homegoing service March 7 at Rainbow PUSH headquarters.
Funeral services in Washington, D.C., and his home state of South Carolina were not specified but will take place between March 1 and 5.
Jackson’s death has prompted tributes from political and civil rights leaders across the country.
In a statement, Former President Barack Obama spoke about Jackson’s lifelong commitment to equality, calling him “a true giant.” He added, “We stood on his shoulders.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote a moving tribute, stressing Jackson’s love and intent to build America into its greatest version.
“Reverend Jesse Jackson was one of America’s greatest patriots. He spent his life summoning all of us to fulfill the promise of America and building the coalitions to make that promise real.”
“He kept the dream alive, and taught young children from broken homes, like me, that we don’t have broken spirits…He carried history in his footsteps and hope in his voice,” Rev. Al Sharpton wrote in a tribute.
While many spoke of his fierce advocacy, Jackson’s family spoke of his legacy of creating a worldwide family.
“Our father was a servant leader—not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” they said. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”
Forget That Job! Workers Are Now Taking Gap Years And Sabbaticals
Employees are now embracing extended breaks, including mini-sabbaticals, adult gap years.
An increasing number of U.S. employees have decided that a linear, uninterrupted career trajectory is no longer necessary, opting to take extended breaks throughout their careers.
Employees are now embracing extended breaks, including mini-sabbaticals, adult gap years, and what some experts are calling micro-retirements, according to a Fortune report.These career pauses last from several weeks to a year or more and are being used for a range of purposes, such as pursuing personal projects, addressing burnout, traveling, caring for family members, or simply reassessing long-term goals.
The trend is gaining traction, particularly among mid-career professionals who are overwhelmed by constant work demands. To better manage and retain employees, employers have begun offering formal sabbatical programs. The programs are often unpaid or have flexible unpaid leave policies to retain experienced staff. Some companies that provide paid sabbaticals tie them to tenure. In those instances, employees become eligible after several years of service.
Career coach Lisa Lewis told Fortune that professionals are reframing how they view time away from work.
“People are no longer willing to wait until age 65 to take extended time off,” she said. “They want meaningful breaks now, when they are physically and mentally able to enjoy them.”
Economists and labor analysts note that an extended break does not necessarily mean the end of a career. In a survey referenced by Fortune, a majority of respondents who took longer breaks reported returning to work with refreshed focus. Additionally, they often move into roles that align more closely with their values. The change suggests that career breaks may be healthy for long-term employees chasing the traditional 30-year retirement path.
Experts say the concept of a “micro-retirement,” a series of shorter retirements spaced throughout adulthood, challenging traditional retirement planning, is taking hold in America. Rather than deferring all leisure and personal time until the end of a career, workers are increasingly integrating these breaks throughout their working lives.
Bun B Big Ups Wife Queenie After Her Successful Battle Against Breast Cancer
According to the post, Walls was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer during her annual checkup in June 2025.
Bernard Freeman, also known as Texas rapper “Bun B,” is celebrating after his wife, Queenie Walls, beat breast cancer.
Video of Walls ringing the bell, signifying an end to her breast cancer treatment, is spreading across social media. On Instagram, Bun B shared details about his wife’s journey and expressed his deep admiration for her.
According to the post, Walls was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer during her annual checkup in June 2025 and began chemotherapy in July. She completed treatment in December and underwent surgery in January.
“She’s been my best friend, wife, partner, lover, business partner, and more. But today, she’s my hero. Last June, my wife Queenie went in for her yearly checkup and was told she had stage 2 breast cancer. We followed our PCP’s advice and stayed within the Methodist System. Chemotherapy Treatment started in July and ended in December.”
He added, “She fought like a champ for our family and for herself. No self-doubt or pity. She stood tall on faith and fought through pain, poison, exhaustion, neuropathy, and more daily, and attended all family events even when she was in serious pain and discomfort.”
In the same post, Bun B urged his followers “to please get your health checked yearly and consistently because in cases of cancer and other illnesses, early detection can be the difference between life and death.”
According to the National Library of Medicine, one in seven Black women will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. Additionally, the disease is the second-highest reason for mortality in Black women.
Bun B and Walls celebrated their 20-year wedding anniversary in 2023. Thanks to her clean bill of health, it looks like the couple will have many more years together.
Acknowledging Black Executives On National Leadership Day
Black executives have transformed corporate America
2026 National Leadership Day celebrates Black executives who have transformed corporate America and public institutions while highlighting leaders who reshape power structures and create economic value through their roles. These executives demonstrate meaningful leadership through their work in boardrooms and the communities and economies they lead, driving inclusive urban economic growth and major enterprise revenue from Fortune 500 C-suite positions.
Marvin R. Ellison – CEO, Lowe’s
Since 2018, Marvin R. Ellison has served as president, chief executive officer, and chairman of Lowe’s, a leading Fortune 500 home improvement company. Lowe’s achieved $84 billion in revenue during 2024 through Ellison’s leadership. As one of the most prominent Black executives in corporate America, Ellison made history by becoming the first Black CEO to lead two different Fortune 500 companies.
Christopher C. Womack leads Southern Company as its CEO and is a well-known leader in the U.S. energy sector. Southern Company is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and serves the Southeastern United States, ranking among the largest Fortune 500 energy utilities. Womack’s leadership since 2023 has established Southern Company as a major force in directing infrastructure and dialogue around environmental policy.
In 2023, David P. Bozeman became the CEO of C.H. Robinson Worldwide to guide the company through the changing supply chain environment after the COVID pandemic.
Descendant Of Enslaver Uses Eminent Domain To Target Major Black-Owned Georgia Farm
Families along the proposed rail route say the move reflects a long history of land extraction in this part of Georgia.
A railroad company led by a descendant of an enslaver is using eminent domain to take land from one of Georgia’s largest Black-owned farms.
In 2024, the Georgia Public Service Commission granted Sandersville Railroad Company eminent domain authority to acquire private land for a rail project the company claims will transport gravel from a nearby quarry, Capital B News reports. The company traces its ownership to a descendant of Andrew Benjamin Tarbutton, who brought enslaved people to central Georgia in the 1800s to build his wealth.
Now, four generations later, the railroad is seeking to take land from local farmers, including descendants of enslaved people, near the same area where that legacy began. Families along the proposed rail route say the move reflects a long history of land extraction in this part of Georgia.
One of the targeted properties is a large, continuous tract owned for more than a century by the Smith family, descendants of enslaved people who once worked the same land.
“This happens to be Black History Month, and we were looking at our culture and our heritage and how his grandparents and great grandparents got this land,” said Diane Smith, a member of the Smith family.
“We’re fighting against a man whose wealth came from slavery,” her husband, Blaine, added.
The battle is unfolding in Sparta, one of Georgia’s poorest and most heavily Black communities. In its condemnation filing, Sandersville Railroad Company described the rail spur as an economic development project that would cut down truck traffic for the town’s 1,800 residents.
But locals argue the plan mainly benefits railroad owner Benjamin Tarbutton III and a small group of wealthy landowners hoping to eventually link the track to a larger route connected to the Port of Savannah.
“We are poor people here in Sparta,” said Janet Smith, Diane’s sister-in-law, who helped build a small farm operation with her husband, Mark, on the family’s 600-acre property. “We may not have money, but we are rich in spirit and love—and most of us are older.”
The landowners challenged the decision in Fulton County Superior Court, where a judge upheld the ruling but kept construction on hold as the case advanced to the Georgia Court of Appeals. During a Feb. 18 hearing, a three-judge panel heard arguments from both sides and the Georgia Public Service Commission, a decision that could determine whether the railroad project moves forward or remains stalled.
The nonprofit Institute for Justice, which is representing the landowners, said it is ready to take the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
“This line will benefit only Sandersville Railroad itself and a few customers, but the Georgia constitution does not allow this kind of taking,” said Bill Mauer, an attorney with Institute for Justice. “Georgia courts have never held that a closed system like the Hanson Spur constitutes a public use.”
Ms. Wheelchair America Speaks Up After Delta Air Lines Damages Custom Chair on Flight
Delta officials said that the airline will cover the full cost of repairs for Sturdivant’s wheelchair.
Delta Air Lines has pledged to repair the customized wheelchair of Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, who said the airline damaged it during a recent flight, leaving her unable to travel for her advocacy work.
Latavia Sturdivant said that on her way from South Dakota to New York, she discovered her wheelchair had been damaged after the aircraft landed, Sturdivant told ABC7. The wheelchair, which she uses for mobility and bodily alignment, was returned inoperable.
Sturdivant, who lives in Yonkers, said the wheelchair serves as her legs. She is now housebound.
“There is no other chair that I can use because it keeps my body in proper alignment, prevents me from having contractions, and so Delta needs to do better in taking proper care of our wheelchairs,” Sturdivant said.
In a statement to ABC7, Delta said it recognized the impact that a damaged mobility aid can have on an individual’s daily life and expressed regret for the situation.
“Delta understands the fundamental impact that any damaged mobility aid has on an individual and their daily life. We sincerely apologize for this customer’s experience that did not live up to our standards, and we are in touch with them to ensure we make things right,” the airline said.
Delta officials said that the airline will cover the full cost of repairs for Sturdivant’s wheelchair. The company made no further comment on how the damage occurred.
Sturdivant told the station that the damage has rendered her “stuck” at her home in Yonkers, hampering her work as an advocate for people with disabilities.
The incident has raised concerns about how airlines handle mobility devices and the broader effects on travelers who rely on them for daily life. A Department of Transportation rule that went into effect in 2025 requires airlines to offer repair or replacement if a wheelchair is mishandled, and mandates training requirements for employees who handle such devices.
