Betty Reid Soskin, park ranger, oldest

The Nation’s Oldest National Park Ranger Dies At 104

Betty Reid Soskin was the oldest ranger ever to serve the U.S. National Park Service retiring at 100-years-old.


Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest ranger ever to serve the U.S. National Park Service, died Dec. 21, 2025, at age 104, peacefully at her home surrounded by relatives, according to family statements.

Soskin became a celebrated figure in American history for her work as a National Park Service interpreter and ranger at Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California, where she helped shape the park’s narrative to include overlooked stories of women, people of color, and the home front during World War II.

Born Sept. 22, 1921, in Detroit, Soskin grew up in a family with deep roots in African American history and faced racial segregation throughout her youth and early career. During World War II, she worked in a segregated union hall, gaining firsthand experience that later informed her work as a park ranger.

Soskin joined the National Park Service in 2007 at age 85, initially serving as a docent and later becoming a permanent employee in 2011. She continued to guide visitors and share her personal recollections of the era, becoming known for her engaging storytelling and passion for inclusive history. She retired in March 2022 at age 100 as the nation’s oldest serving park ranger. 

Her influence extended beyond the parks. Soskin co-founded Reid’s Records, one of California’s earliest Black-owned music stores, and was active in civil rights and community work. She delivered presentations that connected national visitors with local and national stories of resilience and service. 

The Obama Foundation made a post on X praising Soskin’s lifetime dedication, stating, “In addition to telling her own stories, she also ensured the stories of countless people of color who faced discrimination at home during the war were added to our collective understanding of that time.  

RELATED CONTENT: National Parks Ordered To Remove Perceived DEI Merchandise

Spirit Airlines Flight, Racial Slur, Woman, FEES, FEE-FREE, BAGGAGE,

From Boarding Pass To Handcuffs: 2 Spirit Employees Arrested In Louis Vuitton Theft At Ft. Lauderdale Airport

Olukunle Idowu and Hyacinth Linton were arrested on a charge of petit theft of $101 to $749


Two Spirit Airlines employees were arrested for allegedly stealing a $500 Louis Vuitton bag from a passenger.

According to The Miami Herald, Olukunle Idowu, a supervisor, and Hyacinth Linton were arrested on a charge of petit theft of $101 to $749 in connection with an incident at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Both suspects are from Tamarac. Idowu has pleaded not guilty, while Linton has not yet entered a plea.

The two have been accused of leaving the airport with a $500 Louis Vuitton wrist purse belonging to a passenger.

Arrest reports from Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives stated that airport security cameras showed that, on Oct. 19, a passenger boarding a Spirit flight to Austin, Texas, left a Louis Vuitton wristlet (the passenger said it was a $505 purse) at the check-in counter at Terminal 3. The wristlet was then given to another employee, who placed the item in a drawer at the gate.

The reports state that on Oct. 22, around 5:37 a.m., Idowu was seen on camera removing the wristlet from the drawer. After retrieving the item, he checked its contents and then took it to a nearby gate for a complete inventory. At 5:54 a.m., Linton is seen taking a plastic bag from Idowu, who placed items from the wristlet into the bag and then placed the wristlet in her backpack. At 5:59 a.m., both suspects are seen leaving the area after Idowu tossed the plastic bag into the garbage. Linton was taken into custody Nov. 13, while Idowu was arrested Nov. 21.

“We are aware that two employees were charged in November for an alleged theft,” Spirit said in a written statement. “One employee has been suspended without pay, and the other is on a leave of absence. We are conducting a thorough investigation into this matter and will take further action as deemed necessary following the conclusion of our investigation.”

People reported that court records show that Linton posted a $500 bail. An initial hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026.

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Detty December, Africa, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria

Detty December Turns African Cities Into December-Long Hubs For Music, Culture, And Diaspora Connection

It's turning up in Ghana, South Africa, And Nigeria.


The global movement Detty December turns African cities Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; and Cape Town, South Africa, into cultural centers for music, nightlife, food and Black diaspora connection during December. Detty December honors culture and global Black excellence through stadium-sized festivals, beach raves, carnivals, and open-air concerts. Detty December is mainly celebrated in Ghana and Nigeria as a month-long, year-end celebration of music, culture, and wild fun, drawing huge crowds and boosting local economies. It is also being celebrated in South Africa.

Every destination delivers unique vibes and a motivation to attend its parties, whether you choose to dance in Accra nightlife, explore Lagos electric party scene, or celebrate New Year’s Eve in Cape Town’s summer weather. 

Detty December is more than a holiday in party mode; it is a homecoming event and an economic engine that makes a cultural statement, establishing African cities as central hubs for global gatherings and celebrations. Africa offers the ultimate festive experience, making the mother continent a solid destination for year-end cultural activities. 

Accra & Greater Ghana

Detty Rave

The high-energy dance and music rave, Detty Rave, which fuses reggae, dancehall, and Afrobeats, will take place on Dec. 27 at Untamed Empire, Spintex, Accra. The event draws both residents and diaspora visitors who want to experience the electrifying party atmosphere, which is popular among DJ enthusiasts and Afrobeats fans.

AfroFuture Festival 

The AfroFuture Festival, formerly known as Afrochella, brings together music fans, creative individuals, and people who love pan-African culture. The event showcases leading African musicians, along with cultural activities, across two days, Dec. 28-29, at El Wak Stadium in Accra. It serves as the main event of Detty December by uniting musical performances with artistic expressions, fashion shows, and diaspora homecoming experiences.

Afro Beach Ghana

Afro Beach Ghana is a lively event that attracts both beach party lovers and cultural travelers through its Afro-Caribbean blend of music and food. The event occurs on Dec. 27, at Alora Beach Resort in Laboma, Accra, where DJs perform alongside local food vendors.

Nigeria 

Flytime Fest

The Flytime Fest music festival takes place every year for several nights and is an essential event for music fans. The festival takes place at the Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, from Dec. 21 to Dec. 25 and presents a variety of Afrobeats, hip-hop, and R&B performers. The Flytime Fest event has established itself as a regular feature of the Lagos party scene, drawing music fans from across Nigeria.

Eko Fiesta

Eko Fiesta is a three-day entertainment and trade fair that honors music, art, food, and community. The event serves as a free cultural hub for Detty December, featuring live shows and local makers. The fair creates a lively atmosphere that draws people to Muri Okunola Park on Victoria Island in Lagos.

Euphoria: Detty December Rave

The Detty December Rave event takes place at Euphoria. The Rave brings together the beach crowd and the party crowd for an electrifying night of entertainment. The beachside rave at night features DJs spinning current tracks, while the festive atmosphere creates a lagoon-like experience. The unforgettable experience awaits you at Athena Beach on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

Cape Town

New Year’s Eve Celebration at V&A Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town will host a free live music party and midnight fireworks display on Dec. 31 to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Families and tourists are welcome to commemorate the event. The Cape Town New Year’s Eve show preserves its traditional experience through free event access while delivering energetic city vibes and stunning riverfront views.

House Party Open Air Festival

The House Party Open Air Festival is an open-air music celebration featuring EDM and festival-goers. The event will occur on Dec. 29, at the historic Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town. The attendees will experience a high-energy, year-end event at one of Cape Town’s most iconic outdoor venues.

RELATED CONTENT: Fela Kuti Becomes First African Musician Honored With Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Black songs, Music, Black music, Chicago

Chicago Record Store Targeted With Death Threats For Selling ‘Black Music’

Bridgeport Records has made a name for itself for its inclusive and diverse approach to the Chicago music scene.


A Chicago record store is facing racist harassment and death threats for stocking “Black music” and other works by artists of color.

Bridgeport Records first opened in 2024, being a beacon of creativity and diversity for the neighborhood and its namesake. However, the record shop’s owner recently received a death threat, targeting the store for its diverse collection.

Bridgeport Records mainly stocks dance and house music, thus befitting why it has a wide-range of artists to select from. The assortment had not appeared to spark issue until recently, when a distressing call alerted owners Jerry Morrison and Vick Lavender on Dec. 20.

The duo were watching the Chicago Bears’ game at the shop when a man told them he had plans to kill them.

“An older white man called and said he was on his way to kill us,” Morrison told the Chicago Sun-Times. “This was someone who had been in the store, knew the layout, knew our music. He said he knew we sell Black music, rap music, Spanish music in Bridgeport. And he said we were going to die.”

Not wanting to risk their lives or their patrons, the owners shut the store down for the night. The threat appeared to have real legitimacy, as Chicago police determined the man’s location in the neighborhood.

While the death threat was concerning, the owners and their customers remain undeterred by the racist harassment. Since their opening, they have felt embraced by the local community. Through this mission, they want Bridgeport Records to be a “third space” for artists and creatives in the city’s famed Southside.

“The neighborhood loves us. We have close ties with lots of prominent deejays and producers,” Morrison said. “We’ve become a social hub in the music scene on the South Side.”

Evidently, not everyone appreciated their growing place and impact in the city’s music scene. Despite the backlash, Morrison wants young people of color to continue feeling empowered and welcome at the record shop.

“We’re not a typical white rock ‘n’ roll record shop,” Morrison said. “He was probably irritated that he saw young, Black and Latino kids in and out of our shop.”

The man reportedly not only threatened to kill them with a bomb, but claimed that they were infringing on the status quo of the South Side. However, Morrison is unafraid to bring about good, inclusive change to the area.

In fact, he plans to turn the music up by Black and Brown artists for the foreseeable future, making sure this art remains heard throughout Chicago.

“They ain’t messing with us. We’re going to turn up some Black dance music and turn it up loud,” exclaimed Morrison.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘There Will Always Be Room For Great Music’: R&B/Soul Singer KEM Revives Kemistry Records


u.s. dollar, decline

How Much Would The Average American Have If Wealth Was Distributed Evenly?

The numbers would solve a lot of problems, but create others.


Research shows that the average American would have a six- to seven-figure income if the nation’s wealth were distributed equally.

Nearly two-thirds of America’s private wealth is concentrated among the top 10%, leaving just one-third for the remaining 90% of the population. But research suggests that if wealth were distributed equally, each person would receive about $471,465—$942,930 per couple and $1.89 million for a family with two children, Upworthy reports.

Although the U.S. holds the world’s largest amount of privately held wealth, $160.35 trillion, many Americans live their lives in financial stress. In addition, 68% lack enough savings to retire, 56% struggle with the cost of living, and 45% worry about debt. Much of the financial strain stems from the heart of America’s wealth being held by a small segment of the population.

However, if the nation’s wealth were distributed evenly among the 340 million people living in the United States, it would be a life-changing boost for the vast majority of Americans. The average family could easily pay off their mortgage, save for a comfortable retirement, and fund both children’s college or trade school. There would be plenty to cover the cost of groceries, afford a car, and go on a regular vacation.

Redistributing America’s wealth is largely a thought experiment. A sudden, drastic redistribution would require liquidating investments to transfer assets, potentially destabilizing the economy. The resulting surge in wealth for many, without a corresponding increase in goods and services, could trigger extreme inflation—similar to how the government stimulus during the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily lowered poverty to a record 7.8% in 2021 but contributed to historic inflation.

Such a shift could discourage work and innovation, and some argue that those with wealth-generating skills would quickly rise to the top again, leaving others behind. Without fundamental changes to the capitalist system, a one-time radical redistribution of wealth likely wouldn’t be sustainable in the long run.

The research highlights the extreme wealth inequality in the U.S., the world’s richest nation. While achieving full income equality may be unlikely, Americans can still make a meaningful impact through targeted measures like stimulus payments, child tax credits, and Universal Basic Income to reduce poverty and improve lives.

RELATED CONTENT: Numerous Actions To Help Black Americans Build Wealth In 2026

UNCF, Mayor’s Masked Ball

UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball Raises Millions For HBCU Scholarships In 42nd Year

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined corporate partners and instrumental figures for HBCU upliftment at the soiree.


The United Negro College Fund’s Atlanta chapter celebrated the 42nd year of its famed Mayor’s Masked Ball, raising millions to promote HBCU scholarships.

The high-profile event took place Dec. 20, with local and civic leaders showing off their best black-tie outfits for its admirable mission. For decades, the UNCF has championed HBCUs and Black students, while ensuring these esteemed institutions remain filled with the best and brightest scholars.

“Wow, thank you, Atlanta community, for showing up and showing OUT for the 42nd UNCF Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball! Because of your support, students are gaining access to life-changing scholarships, opening doors to education, leadership, and opportunity,” captioned UNCF Atlanta.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined corporate partners and instrumental figures for HBCU upliftment at the soiree. The night alone also secured $250,000 in additional HBCU scholarship funding, bringing the fundraising effort to $4 million.

The caption added, “To the honorable Mayor @andreforatlanta, the @cityofatlantaga, our member-institutions, and all of our sponsors and partners, we offer our sincerest gratitude for your generosity, partnership, and unwavering commitment to advancing educational access and student success.”

With title sponsor Norfolk Southern, the event furthered the opportunities and legacies of member institutions while strengthening academic pipelines for future diverse leaders. In line with the UNCF’s motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” supporters graciously opened their wallets for the momentous occasion.

Alongside its donors, the event highlighted the 2025 UNCF Atlanta Social Media Immersion Program scholars. Students hailing from HBCUs across the Southeast also attended the festivities, with their own black-tie attire sponsored by Amazon.

With the event signifying another year of ensuring students matriculate through HBCUs, the Mayor’s Masked Ball promises to keep its tradition going.

“The Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball stands as one of UNCF’s premier national fundraising events, reflecting this city’s unwavering commitment to educational equity, opportunity and achievement,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF. “The generosity of Norfolk Southern and all of our presenting sponsors ensures we can continue opening doors for thousands of students and advancing our mission to invest in better futures.”

RELATED CONTENT: MacKenzie Scott Dropped A Beau Coup Bag On These HBCUs

New York Knicks, NY, NBA Cup

Knicks Stars Spreading The Wealth: NBA Cup Prize Money Shared With Team Staff

Each player took home $500,000 for their victory.


The New York Knicks are champions once again, and with the earnings the players received for winning the NBA Cup, they will graciously given some of the prize money to employees who work with the team on and off the court.

According to The New York Post, after the team rallied from behind in the fourth quarter to beat the Spurs 124-113, each player took home $500,000 for their impressive victory. One of the players, Josh Hart, confirmed to the media outlet that the gesture was directed at non-playing Knicks employees.

He explained that his generosity and that of other players wasn’t a “hard decision” to make.

“I don’t think it was a hard decision,” Hart said to The Post. “Some of those people don’t get a bonus, and they’re working to make sure we’re at the top of the game, no matter who they are. We want to make sure those people are also compensated for their extra time and their efforts.”

Hart did not discuss what employees would receive or how it would be divided, but the staff included massage therapists and PR staff as among those who would benefit from their winnings. “We’re compiling that list together now.”

He admitted that some players had discussed compensating support staff before they went out and captured the NBA Cup.

“It’s something we talked about before (giving NBA Cup prize money to support staffers). Me and [Brunson] talked about it at one point,” Hart said. “And we were like, ‘Yeah, we’ll figure it out.’ Like I said, we want to make sure we take care of everyone.”

The franchise’s expectations have risen following their last two playoff showings; last season, they were one win away from competing for the NBA Championship.

The good news for the New York franchise is that since the midseason tournament began three years ago, every team that has played in the finals has made the playoffs that season (the Los Angeles Lakers, the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Oklahoma City Thunder). Last season’s Cup champions, the Thunder, went on to win the 2025 NBA Finals.

RELATED CONTENT: New York Knicks Rally Past The Spurs To Win NBA Cup Championship

Zoom Meeting, Win With Black Women

Essence Launches Black Women-Led Marketplace ‘WeLoveUs.Shop’

Essence is supporting Black founders in a challenging economic climate with the launch of Weloveus.shop, a marketplace showcasing Black women-led brands.


Amid a challenging period for small businesses, Essence is supporting Black women entrepreneurs with the launch of Weloveus.shop, an online marketplace showcasing Black women-led brands.

Launched on Dec. 3, WeLoveUs.shop, powered by Essence, is a community commerce platform designed to support Black women-led and culturally rooted brands. The marketplace aims to support Black-owned small businesses with visibility and direct access to consumers during the holiday season and beyond.

Showcasing a curated selection of 100 brands and 1,000 products across beauty, wellness, home, lifestyle, and gifting, all vetted by Essence’s editorial team, shoppers can confidently support Black founders while buying Black the block.

“Black women are building businesses in the midst of economic uncertainty, and they often do it without access to the retail infrastructure their peers rely on,” said Chief Content Officer at ESSENCE Communications Inc., Michele Ghee, in a press release. “The WeLoveUs.shop platform was designed to offer stability and a real pathway to scale in a moment where that support is needed most.”

The marketplace launches amid challenges for small businesses, including the impact of Trump’s tariff policies, widespread job losses across sectors, and the loss of visibility for Black founders after Target and other retailers rolled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

“There was a lot of pushback, especially on social media, and you couldn’t really talk about being in [Target],” LaToya Stirrup, founder of Kazmaleje, told Digiday. “That limits you from being able to advertise, because we were getting the response of, ‘We’re not shopping there.’”

Stirrup debuted on Target’s shelves in 2022 alongside 20 other Black-owned beauty brands as part of the retailer’s plan to spend over $2 billion with Black-led businesses by 2025. However, Target’s rollback of its DEI initiatives earlier this year sparked backlash and a boycott, leading many loyal shoppers to avoid the store.

Stirrup experienced “a complete sales slowdown” before Target removed her haircare products from shelves, selling them online only. This prompted her and other founders, like Brittny Horne of RVL Wellness Co., to join Weloveus.shop. For Horne, who was also affected by Trump’s tariffs, the marketplace launch has provided a “really big boost” in sales.

The platform offers bi-weekly payouts, real-time inventory syncing via Shopify Collective, centralized customer service, and a transparent 30%-35% commission structure. While higher than other marketplaces—Amazon, for example, takes 8%-15% per sale, depending on the product category, but also charges for services like advertising and fulfillment—WeLoveUs.shop’s commission provides access to Essence’s complete media ecosystem, including editorial coverage, social promotion, newsletters, and PR support. Brands have also expressed appreciation for the bi-weekly payouts, compared to the typical 90–120-day payment cycles in wholesale and consignment arrangements.

“For [Essence] to be able to put their media power behind more Black-owned brands at a time of great need, when small incomes are struggling, can really support them,” said Sky Canaves, a principal retail analyst at eMarketer.

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9 Dead In South African Pub Shooting, Second Mass Shooting in Three Weeks

9 Dead In South African Pub Shooting, Second Mass Shooting in Three Weeks

Nine people were killed when gunmen opened fire at a South African pub, the country’s second mass shooting in three weeks.


Nine people were killed and ten others injured when gunmen opened fire at a pub in the South African township of Bekkersdal, the second mass shooting in South Africa in three weeks.

The shooting occurred on Dec. 22, just before 1 a.m., when about 12 unknown suspects in a white minibus and a silver sedan opened fire on patrons at KwaNoxolo Tavern in the Tambo area of Bekkersdal, located about 28 miles west of Johannesburg, NPR reported. The gunmen continued to shoot randomly as they fled, police said.

“Some victims were randomly shot in the streets by unknown gunmen,” police said.

Two victims were shot outside the tavern while trying to escape, and a third, a taxi driver, was killed after dropping off a passenger nearby. Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations, working with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit, has launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in the shooting, which authorities say was unprovoked.

“The poor patrons were just enjoying themselves when people came and shot,” said deputy provincial police commissioner, Maj-Gen Fred Kekana.

This incident is the latest in a series of recent mass shootings at South African bars, including an earlier attack at an unlicensed bar near the capital that killed at least 12 people and injured 13.

With nearly 26,000 homicides in 2024 — averaging over 70 per day — South Africa ranks among the countries with the highest murder rates in the world. Between April and September, an average of 63 people were killed daily.

Firearms are the leading cause of homicide, and despite strict gun control laws, many killings involve illegal guns. Murders often stem from arguments, robberies, or gang violence, though the motive for the latest attack remains unclear.

Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, a resident said that gunfire has become a common occurrence at night in Bekkersdal.

“Criminals, they do as they please here,” the unnamed man said. “These guns, they sound each and every evening… as soon as it’s dusk, we know that gunshots are about to sound and they will sound severely. It is terrorising our communities.”

RELATED CONTENT: Aunt Allegedly Drowns 6-Year-Old Niece For ‘Looking More Beautiful’ Than Her At Wedding

Jam Master Jay, trial, murder, 2, defendants, guilty, murder, Jordan, Washington

Judge Tosses Jam Master Jay Murder Conviction

One of the men convicted in Jam Master Jay’s 2002 murder has had his conviction overturned.


A federal judge has overturned one of the two convictions in the murder case of Run-DMC member Jam Master Jay.

On Dec. 19, Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall overturned Karl Jordan Jr.’s murder conviction, ruling there was insufficient evidence to prove he had a motive to kill Jason Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, NBC News reports. The judge granted Jordan’s motion for acquittal and conditionally denied his request for a new trial.

Jordan—Mizell’s godson—was convicted alongside Ronald Washington in February 2024 for the 2002 killing of Jam Master Jay at a New York City recording studio. Prosecutors alleged the murder was retaliation for being cut out of a drug deal. Jordan, Washington, and Jay Bryant were charged with murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and firearm-related offenses; Bryant has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for trial next year.

In her ruling, Judge Hall said prosecutors failed to prove Jordan was motivated by the alleged drug deal. An eyewitness testified that Jordan shot Jam Master Jay in his Queens recording studio on Oct. 30, 2002. However, Jordan’s attorneys contended that the evidence did not support the prosecutors’ claim that he committed the murder in retaliation for a failed drug deal.

“We are really happy for Mr. Jordan and his family that justice was served,” one of his attorneys, John Diaz, said in an email.

Jordan has not been sentenced on the murder charges but remains in custody pending trial on unrelated drug offenses from years after the killing. Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is reviewing the judge’s decision in his overturned murder conviction.

Separately, the court found that prosecutors did establish a motive in the case against Washington, resulting in the denial of his motion for acquittal. The judge cited evidence that showed that “a jury could reasonably infer that Washington was excluded from a potentially lucrative Baltimore deal and sought to retaliate against Mizell for his exclusion.”

Jam Master Jay served as the DJ for the legendary hip-hop group Run-D.M.C., helping the group bring hip-hop into the pop mainstream in the 1980s with hits like “It’s Tricky” and their Aerosmith-assisted “Walk This Way.” As Run-DMC’s fame faded in the 1990s, Jam Master Jay reportedly resorted to dealing cocaine, with evidence showing that by 2001 or 2002, there was a planned deal in Baltimore with Jordan and Washington.

Jam Master Jay coordinated the operation and worked with an associate named Yakim, who refused to partner with Washington. Jam Master Jay was fatally shot in his Queens recording studio on Oct. 30, 2002, a killing that shook the hip-hop community and remained unsolved for nearly two decades. In 2024, trial evidence included eyewitness testimony, with Uriel “Tony” Rincon testifying that he saw Jordan fire the fatal shot.

RELATED CONTENT: Jam Master Jay’s Killer Stabbed 18 Times In Prison Altercation

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