Marcus Jordan, video, arrest, , lawsuit, credit card lawsuit — (Photo: Alexander Tamargo/Bravo via Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 4, 2025

Marcus Jordan Arrested On Several Charges After Allegedly Fleeing Police In Florida

The son of Michael Jordan was charged with cocaine possession, resisting arrest, and DUI property damage or personal injury.

The son of basketball’s G.O.A.T., Michael Jordan, has been arrested in Florida on several charges after his vehicle was stuck on some train tracks after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop.

According to WESH, Marcus Jordan was arrested by the Maitland Police Department on Tuesday, Feb. 4, and charged with cocaine possession, resisting arrest, and DUI property damage or personal injury. He was taken to Orange County Jail in Orlando, where he was booked.

An arrest warrant reveals that Jordan was taken in after he fled a traffic stop initiated by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Police officers noticed headlights from Jordan’s Lamborghini on the train tracks. The vehicle wasn’t moving, and a train was heading his way on the tracks about 10 minutes away. When officers reached out to him, he asked them to help get the SUV off the tracks after making “a wrong turn.”

While speaking to Jordan, an officer noticed his speech was allegedly slurred, with the smell of alcohol; he also had bloodshot eyes and didn’t seem to know where he was. After admitting to having a few drinks, he was asked to take some field sobriety tests. After doing so, officers placed him under arrest for driving under the influence. Officers discovered a “clear plastic baggie with a white powdery substance” in Jordan’s pocket when they searched him. It later tested positive for cocaine.

According to the police reports, Marcus was not cooperative with the officers while being detained. He pulled away on his way to the patrol vehicle, refusing to get inside and sticking his leg out to prevent the police officers from closing the door. While taking him to the Orange County DUI Center, he “was singing the entire way to the DUI Center, and his speech was slurred.”

Jordan posted bond on Tuesday morning and was released just before noon.

target, DEI, RICE — (Photo: Mike Mozart/flickr)

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 4, 2025

Shareholders Hit Target With Defamation Lawsuit Over DEI Drawback

Maybe this will change their minds....

Reuters reports that Target shareholders are suing the brand for allegedly failing to predict the risks of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social initiatives.

Led by Florida’s City of Riviera Beach Police Pension Fund, the class action suit from shareholders claims the Minnesota-based retailer defrauded them into paying heightened prices for its stock while unknowingly supporting management’s “misuse of investor funds to serve political and social goals.”

The backlash from the DEI drawback resulted in consumers, particularly Black customers, limiting shopping at stores and causing the stock to plummet.

The suit blames CEO Brian Cornell and other officials for failing to mention the risk of boycotts correlated to Target’s Environmental, Social, and Governance and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Target, known for an extensive Black History Month campaign and backing Black creators like lifestyle influencer Tabitha Brown, also received backlash for pulling back on its May 2023 Pride Month campaign.

Following a series of in-store confrontations that had employees fearing for their safety, Target removed some LGBTQ-themed merchandise while the shareholders alleged the company covered the backlash. In November 2024, Target’s share price fell by 22%, destroying close to $15.7 billion of market value after a disappointing profit and holiday sales forecast.

According to Newsweek, shareholder Brian Craig quoted an article from Bloomberg labeling Target as the store of the “boomer mom who drives a minivan and lives in the suburbs.” He said that company directors “betrayed both Target’s core customer base of working families and its investors by making false and misleading statements concerning Target’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) mandates that led to its disastrous 2023 children-and-family themed LGBTPride campaign.”

Target is one of several Fortune 500 companies, including McDonald’s, Walmart, John Deere, and Tractor Supply, Co., that have dialed back their DEI policies under pressure from the Trump-Vance administration, who labeled such initiatives “racist.” With the support of several Republican lawmakers and leaders who have pushed their states to do the same, one of the first executive orders signed by President Donald Trump eliminated federal DEI programs, placing hundreds of employees on leave or out of a job.

Several civil rights and religious leaders like Rev. Al Sharpton and Atlanta’s Pastor Jamal Bryant have called for Black customers to boycott Target and other stores, eliminating initiatives that cater to them.

The law firm representing the shareholders is Grant & Eisenhofer, who, in a statement, said they are encouraging a lead plaintiff to join the lawsuit. “If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court by no later than April 1, 2025, which is the lead plaintiff deadline that was established by publication of this notice on January 31, 2025,” the statement read.

“You do not need to seek to become a lead plaintiff to share in any possible recovery.”

union, UWA, auto workers, Black History Month 2025 — (Photo: Getty Images)

by Mitti Hicks

February 4, 2025

The Theme of Black History Month 2025 Is ‘African Americans And Labor’

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976.

The theme for Black History Month 2025 is African Americans and Labor.

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976 when he called for the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

According to Scripps News, there has been a theme for Black History Month since its origins when historian Carter G. Woodson started “Negro History Week” in 1926.

Today, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) develops the themes.

“Black people’s work has been transformational throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora,” according to ASALH. “The 2025 Black History Month theme, ‘African Americans and Labor,’ sets out to highlight and celebrate the potent impact of this work.”

According to ASALH, work is central to much of Black history and culture, from traditional agricultural labor of enslaved Africans that fed Low Country colonies to debates among Black educators on the importance of vocational training, entrepreneurship in Black communities.

“Like religion, social justice movements, and education, studying African Americans’ labor and labor struggles are important organizing foci for new interpretations and reinterpretations of the Black past, present, and future,” says ASALH. “Such new considerations and reconsiderations are even more significant as the historical forces of racial oppression gather new and renewed strength in the 21st century.”

Black History Month 2025 comes at a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, especially in the workforce, come under attack from the new administration. In some of his first priorities in his second term, President Donald Trump has signed various executive orders to eliminate DEI programs from private companies with contracts with the federal government. As a result, companies such as Target, Walmart, and Lowe’s have rolled back their DEI initiatives.

In 2024, the theme was African Americans and the Arts. In 2023, the theme was Black Resistance.

Pizza, Black-Owned, Bird Pizzeria, food, TNT Pizza, Dough Boy Pizza, Clark Atlanta Grads — Photo Credit: Getty Images

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2025

Georgia City’s First Black-Owned Shopping Plaza Has Already Leased Out

The effort to bring Kingdom Corners to life took years in the making.

The city of Fayetteville, Georgia, has opened its first Black-owned shopping plaza. Its owners say that the building has already been leased out.

According to Fox 5, Winchel and Felicia Elibert opened Kingdom Corners in November. The seasoned entrepreneurs also own two businesses inside the establishment. While stepping out on a grander scale, they have already seen the success of the venture. Now, it hosts a complete roster of diverse businesses to delight Metro Atlanta patrons.

However, the effort to bring Kingdom Corners to life took years in the making. After buying the land in 2020, the Haitian immigrants faced numerous challenges in the development phase. Felecia recalled their journey of encountering racism and funding issues. Specifically, they believe lending discrimination stunted their timeline, yet did not deter their dream.

“Even with just financing, dealing with developers and contractors, prices changed … banks said ‘no,’ banks said ‘no,’ and banks continued to say ‘no,’” Felicia recalled to the news outlet. “I want the next generation to see you can do it … just don’t give up.”

Despite the setbacks, the Eliberts remained dedicated to their ambition. They feel that the opportunity provides their local community with a chance to explore entrepreneurship. Inside the plaza are restaurant franchises, from salad bars to nail salons, as well as smaller brands hoping to take off in this space.

“You’re not really thinking about what this could mean to your community, but that’s what happened, and now it’s really important for us to understand that and grasp onto that and know that we are on a platform where we’re able to uplift and inspire,” she added.

The move not only comes at a special time due to Black History Month. It also comes amid cutbacks to DEI programs across the country. While America faces new setbacks for minority-owned businesses, these local efforts are keeping the dream alive for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

NAUPA, unclaimed, property, money, cash, welfare, wealth, millionaire, Game developer, hardship grants, united way — (Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 4, 2025

Atlanta Woman Accused Of Scamming Money From People For ‘Hardship Grants’

At least 23 people in seven states say they've been fleeced by Natasha Hodge.

An Atlanta woman allegedly promised multiple individuals that for a fee, she could get them money via “hardship grants.” Instead, nearly two dozen people say they paid Natasha Hodge for help—and never got a dime in return.

WSB-TV Atlanta interviewed at least 23 people in seven states who claim they have been fleeced by Hodge, a DeKalb County tax preparer and business owner.

Mary Hoyle needed money to help pay for her son’s cancer treatments. After discovering her son’s diagnosis, “I started learning a lot of things were not covered,” Hoyle told WSB-TV’s Justin Gray.

She hoped Hodge would help. Hoyle was promised money but has not gotten anything in over a year. Her son has died in September 2024.

Arlene Ingram said she could not work after being injured in a serious car accident. Hodge was allegedly supposed to get Ingram, who was living off credit cards and Social Security, $250,000.

WSB-TV’s investigative team reviewed dozens of text messages revealing Hodge informing Ingram, Hoyle, and others how simple the process of obtaining ‘hardship grants’ was.

With each fee paid to Hodge through payment apps, the people looking for the funds would get access to more money. There was even an incentive to encourage others to apply as they would receive more grant money from each person they recommended to Hodge.

None of the “applicants” received any money, and collectively, Hodge is believed to have received more than $10,000 while promising clients more than $5.6 million in grants.

Hodge shut the door on WSB-TV’s investigative team when it asked about her alleged actions. She repeatedly contacted the team and demanded that she not be included in this story.

An FBI spokesperson informed WSB-TV that is aware of the allegations but could not comment.

Waffle House — (Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2025

Waffle House Fights Rising Costs And Shortages With New Egg Surcharge

The breakfast chain will charge 50 cents per egg amid the shortage.

Waffle House is cracking down on rising costs by establishing a new egg surcharge. The breakfast chain has announced that it will charge 50 cents per egg for its diners.

As the nation deals with the rising cases of bird flu among its poultry production plants, Waffle House has had to make new concessions in light of the issue. With shorter supply causing higher demand, the beloved restaurant will have customers make up for the cost.

“The continuing egg shortage caused by HPAI (bird flu) has caused a dramatic increase in egg prices,” Waffle House said in the statement obtained by Atlanta News First. “Customers and restaurants are being forced to make difficult decisions. We are continuously monitoring egg prices and will adjust or remove the surcharge as market conditions allow.”

Many of its menu items, including the famous All-Star Special, include eggs in the meal. The restaurant has prided itself in always serving fresh, Grade A large eggs. However, the staple has become more scarce amid the shortage.

Waffle House has assured that while the price has temporarily increased, it will always offer the food to its customers if able.

“As long as they are available, quality, fresh-cracked, Grade A Large eggs will remain a key ingredient in many of our customers’ favorite meals,” the company added.

However, other establishments have also faced issues with poultry shortages. Georgia, the nation’s leading chicken producer, also confirmed its first bird flu outbreak at a commercial farm in January.

Many grocery stores throughout the southeast region have also listed limited availability for eggs, with higher prices to match. According to Nerdwallet, the consumer price index determined that the price of eggs rose by 36.8% in the past year.

While there is no telling when the cost increase will slow down, Waffle house does intend to stop the surcharge when the coast is clear.

Gwede Mantashe — photo credit:eNCA, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 4, 2025

South African Official Matches Trump’s Energy By Threatening To Cut Minerals Off From U.S.

That's called matching energy....

South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe is stunting on President Donald Trump’s threats to cut off funding to South Africa, stating the country will just cut off mineral supply to the U.S., Democracy Now reports.

Trump alleged that South Africa is confiscating land, referring to land reform legislation in South Africa where the country’s white minority still owns the vast majority of farmland 30 years following the end of apartheid rule. After claiming “terrible things are happening in South Africa” and threatening to end funding, Mantashe caught wind and devised a plan of his own. “You passed an Exploration Act, therefore Trump will withhold funding to South Africa. And I said, ’Let’s mobilize Africa. Let’s withhold minerals to the U.S.,’” he said.

“That is it. If they don’t give us money, let’s not give them minerals.”

To help Trump get a grip on what exactly he is referring to, South African officials said the president and his administration need to get a better understanding of the new law, targeting assistance in addressing the massive impact of the white minority rule under the apartheid reign, ending 30 years ago 1994. According to the Associated Press, government officials believe Trump’s thoughts were a reaction to the new Expropriation Act passed in January 2024. It gives the government a new way to acquire land from private parties if it’s in the public interest. In a statement, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said, “The South African government has not confiscated any land.”

During the apartheid era, it was the opposite. Land was stolen from the nation’s Black majority, and residents were forced to live in areas labeled for Blacks only.

Ramaphosa’s office said the act is not a “confiscation instrument” but more of a legal process to guarantee public access to land. “South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners,” the statement read.

An avid critic of South Africa’s government, Trump’s threats would target funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which gives close to $400 million a year to South Africa’s HIV/AIDS program. Advocates claim that funding cuts would only hurt the people of the nation. While some advocates are critics of the nation’s newest legislation, if Trump carries out his threat, they ask that “punitive measures” be targeted more at senior government leaders rather than South African natives.

Janelle Monae, Nelly — Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 4, 2025

Janelle Monae Made It Known How She Feels About Nelly Performing At Trump’s Inauguration

Janelle Monae made clear that Nelly's actions won't fly by any means.

Janelle Monae made her feelings known about Nelly’s decision to perform at the Trump inauguration.

The “I Like That” singer apparently did not like how Nelly performed for the newly-elected Republican leader. According to TMZ, the singer shared the stage with Anderson .Paak at a Grammys afterparty, which Nelly also attended.

#JanelleMonae roasted #Nelly at a #GRAMMYs after-party in L.A. Sunday night, blasting him for recently performing at #PresidentTrump's inauguration 👀 Details here: https://t.co/m3Ji9QOv3y pic.twitter.com/iLcbDSP13b
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 3, 2025

She use a band-version of his “Hot In Here” beat to call out the rapper’s controversial choice. Shortly after the song started, Monae shouted “f–k Nelly” before digging into the rapper.

“I used to like Nelly but then he went to perform for Donald Trump. So f–k that n-gga…,” she began her testy remix.

She then emphasized how much she does not care if her words spark tension, saying she cares more about the very people Trump’s policies impact, including women and Hispanic people. Monae proceeded to claim that Nelly “sold out” by performing for Trump despite his harmful plans.

She added, “Nelly, you sold out. I used to think he was cool, but now you look like a motherf—ing fool. . . f— you, you get a new attitude.”

Nelly was seen in the crowd, shocked by Monae’s bold stance against him, but did not appear to respond to the matter. However, Ashanti’s husband did recently defend his actions to take the stage at the inauguration.

Last month, Nelly went on Willie D Live to explain his apolitical nature. He admitted that he felt “clueless” on a lot of issues, and did not consider the performance an endorsement.

“…I’m clueless on a lot of things when it gets down to it,” he shared. “So what I tend to say is, yo, do your homework and make your own decisions about it.”

He also compared himself to members of the military. In his mind, if they can serve the country no matter who is in charge, so can he.

“If these people can give their life for the office, Nelly can perform,” he said. “It is an honor for me to perform for President of the United States, regardless of who is in office.”

This excuse, however, clearly did not fly with Miss Monae.

Elon Musk, 401(k)s, index funds, Wall Street, SpaceX — (Photo: Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 4, 2025

Elon Musk Won’t Be Paid For Service As A New ‘Special Government Employee’

Congress is concerned about security clearance

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that tech billionaire Elon Musk is officially a “special government employee” but won’t receive a paycheck, Business Insider reported.

During an interview, Leavitt boasted that Musk had “abided by all applicable federal laws.” While the President Trump ally won’t be getting a paycheck, what is not confirmed is his level of security clearance. “I can confirm he’s a special government employee. I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws,” Leavitt said.

“As for his security clearance, I’m not sure, but I can check…I don’t know about the security clearance, but I can check.”

.@PressSec on Elon Musk: "I can confirm he's a special government employee. I can also confirm that he has abided by all applicable federal laws. As for his security clearance, I'm not sure, but I can check…I don't know about the security clearance, but I can check." pic.twitter.com/86LzC55ocD
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 3, 2025

The security clearances is what members of Congress are concerned about, as the leader of the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has already caused problems on Capital Hill. In his few weeks in Washington, D.C., he labeled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as a “criminal organization” that should die, pushing employees on leave, and limiting elected officials from being blocked in the lobby.

Historically, a “special government employee” is a fancy classification for temporary workers with specific expertise but who have no intention of being permanently employed. Under his new title, the world’s richest man is covered by a federal conflicts-of-interest statute prohibiting government employees from participating in cases affecting financial interests.

That law can be enforced two ways, according to CNN, criminally or in the civil context, however, the only way it can be enforced is through the Justice Department, which experts don’t think will happen under the new Trump-Vance administration. “We are relying on the Justice Department for enforcement of the financial conflict-of-interest standards against Elon Musk and everyone else, and there is a reason to doubt that the Trump Justice Department will enforce any statutes, including criminal statutes, against a Trump ally,” Washington University law professor specializing in government ethics, Kathleen Clark, said.

Two of Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX, have benefited from government contracts over the years but recent moves made by the 47th President have already put a dent in some of his business dealings. When Trump announced a 25% tariff on Canada, a contract by Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, was canceled by the Canadian province of Ontario.

Obama-Appointed Judge, Trump Administration , Medicaid Data, Undocumented Immigrants, ICE — (Photo: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 4, 2025

Temple University Student Arrested For Allegedly Impersonating ICE Agent

Aidan Steigelmann has been arrested and suspended from the school after the alleged incident

Three men in Philadelphia have been accused of impersonating ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents, leading to one Temple University student being arrested.

According to an announcement from Temple, the incident allegedly took place on the North Philadelphia campus on Feb. 1. Police officers from Temple responded to a call from Johnson & Hardwick Residence Hall after two individuals were alleged to be impersonating ICE agents trying to enter the premises while wearing shirts with “Police” and “ICE” written on them. Another person was recording the interactions. The men were denied entry.

The school was able to locate the suspects using cameras from the Temple Communication Center. Police identified one of the men as a student attending Temple, and he was taken into custody immediately. The investigation is still ongoing, but that student is presently on interim suspension.

CBS News Philadelphia has reported that the 22-year-old student, Aidan Steigelmann, has been charged with impersonating an officer. Steigelmann spoke to the two other men before they all left the area in a Jaguar SUV. Police officers arrived after the other two men vacated the area.

Temple University also put out a statement regarding what happened on campus and warned students that it is a crime to impersonate law enforcement.

“Impersonating law enforcement officers is a crime. This behavior and harassment of Temple community members will not be tolerated. The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) and Temple University Police (TUPD) swiftly responded to the incidents and initiated a criminal investigation. PPD is the lead investigative agency and TUPD is actively assisting to gather information.”

This incident took place barely a week after the university sent a notice to students concerned about rumors of ICE agents coming to campus. Temple assured students that neither Temple’s Department of Public Safety nor the Philadelphia Police Department have any reports of ICE agents being on campus. If they wanted to come on campus, they would have to follow proper procedures to be allowed on campus, including obtaining warrants or by court order.